Best Time to Visit La Palma — Month by Month

La Palma is a year-round destination — and that’s not just marketing speak, it’s a climatic fact. Coastal temperatures between 20 and 28 degrees, sunshine somewhere on the island at any time of year, and greenery everywhere: there’s no truly bad time to visit. But there are better and quieter times, depending on what you’re looking for.

La Palma – a year-round destination with a mild climate and clear differences between the east and west coasts — La Palma — a year-round destination with a mild climate and clear differences between the east and west sides

The Climate: The Essential Starting Point

La Palma owes its remarkably mild climate to the high mountain ranges that divide the island into two distinct climate zones. The northeast trade wind brings moisture to the east side and the north — the landscape here is particularly lush, the laurel forests thrive, and cloud cover is more frequent. The west side and the south sit in the rain shadow of the mountains and, with around 300 sunny days a year, rank among the sunniest regions in the Canary Islands.

For a sun holiday: The west coast is the first choice.
For nature lovers and hikers: The north and the laurel forests in the east offer spectacular scenery and pleasant temperatures.

At a Glance: The Best Time to Visit La Palma

Destination / Activity	Best Months	Character
Hiking	April–June, Sept–Nov	Beautiful wildflowers in bloom, pleasant temperatures, and excellent light.
Swimming	July–October	Sea temperature at its warmest: 22–24°C.
Winter sun	Year-round, esp. Nov–Mar	Over 300 sunny days on the west coast — ideal for a winter escape.
Botany & nature	February–May	Almond blossom in February, spectacular Tajinaste bloom in May.
Budget travel	May, June, September	Classic low season with the best prices and very few tourists.
Stargazing	October–March	Especially clear nights with minimal atmospheric haze.

Month by Month: What La Palma Offers When

January and February

The main travel season for visitors from German-speaking countries begins. Christmas holidays and winter escapes push prices up. January and February are nevertheless special on La Palma: in February the almond trees blossom in Puntagorda and other municipalities — a spectacle people travel especially to see. Temperatures around 20 degrees, sunshine on the west side, occasional rain in the north. Snow possible at the summit.

March and April

Spring awakens. The island turns greener, wildflowers bloom, and the Tajinaste (the pink viper’s bugloss) starts to open. Temperatures rise to 22 degrees, the water remains cool (19–20°C). Hikers have the best conditions: fresh air, good light, not too hot. Easter is high season — book early.

May and June

May is considered by many to be the most beautiful month of the year to visit. The endemic Pink Tajinaste blooms at higher elevations in Caldera de Taburiente National Park and around the Roque de los Muchachos. At the same time, the off-season begins: accommodation and rental cars become cheaper, and hiking trails and viewpoints are noticeably quieter.

July and August

High season for mainland Spanish visitors. Summer on La Palma is more pleasant than on the lower-lying Canary Islands: altitude brings cooler air, and the trade winds are refreshing. Coastal temperatures of 25–28°C, noticeably cooler in the mountains. Calima is possible — the Saharan wind that can push temperatures above 35°C and reduce visibility. Sea temperature at its peak (24°C). Early mornings are well worth it.

September and October

Autumn is the second great hiking season on La Palma. After the first rains, fresh greenery slowly returns. The sea remains pleasantly warm and beaches become quieter again. Many regulars consider October to be the finest month of the year.

November and December

Winter sets in. On the west coast, little changes: sunshine, 20–22 degrees, calm seas. More clouds and rain in the north and east. December is high season again — Christmas draws families to the island. Those arriving in November get the combination of lower prices and still-good weather.

La Palma Climate Table (Coast)

Month	Avg. Daytime Temp.	Sea Temp.
January	21°C	19°C
February	21°C	18°C
March	22°C	19°C
April	22°C	19°C
May	23°C	20°C
June	24°C	21°C
July	25°C	22°C
August	26°C	24°C
September	25°C	23°C
October	25°C	22°C
November	23°C	21°C
December	22°C	20°C

West Side vs. East Side: Where to Book?

In winter especially, choosing the right region pays off. While the east side around Santa Cruz de La Palma is more frequently under trade wind clouds, the west side — Los Llanos de Aridane, Puerto de Tazacorte, Tijarafe, or El Paso — enjoys significantly more sunshine. Those looking for maximum sun are generally better off here.

High Season vs. Low Season: Price Differences

The price differences between high and low season on La Palma are substantial. Over Christmas and Easter, a holiday rental on the west side can be two to three times more expensive than in May. Hire cars follow a similar pattern. Those with flexibility travel in October/November or April/May — good weather, few tourists, fair prices.

Tajinaste: The Natural Wonder of May

The Pink Tajinaste (Echium wildpretii ssp. trichosiphon), also known as the pink viper’s bugloss, is a plant species endemic to La Palma. In May, its flower spikes — up to three metres tall — rise from the volcanic landscape like vivid pink candles. The bloom is most spectacular at higher elevations in Caldera de Taburiente National Park and around the Roque de los Muchachos. The exact timing varies by a few weeks — May is the most reliable guideline. Book early to see this natural spectacle.

Winter on La Palma: Realistic Expectations

La Palma in winter is not a Caribbean holiday. Temperatures are pleasant (20–22 degrees), but not hot. The water is 19–21 degrees — fine for swimmers with some cold tolerance, but chilly for non-swimmers. What La Palma in winter really offers: sunshine on the west coast, hiking trails without summer heat, beaches without summer crowds, and an island atmosphere that’s quieter and more authentic than in the main season. That’s not worse than summer — it’s just different.

Summary: When is the Best Time to Visit?

For hiking and nature: April to June.

For swimming and sunshine: July to October.

For a winter sun holiday with guaranteed sunshine: November to March — choose the west coast.

For budget travel and quiet: May/June or September.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time for hiking on La Palma?

April to June for the spring flowers and Tajinaste bloom. September to November for pleasant temperatures and fewer tourists. October is the quiet insider tip for hikers.

When is La Palma most crowded?

December to March (winter sun season) and around Easter. Book early, especially for fincas and hotels directly on the beach.

Can you swim in the sea on La Palma in winter?

On the west coast below 400 m altitude, sunshine is almost guaranteed every day. The water temperature is 19–21°C — fresh, but perfectly possible. Locals and hardy northern Europeans swim year-round.

Is there bad weather on La Palma?

Rarely on the west coast. The east side sees more cloud and drizzle from the trade winds. In the height of summer, a Calima (Saharan dust storm) can bring heat and haze for 2–4 days.

Is La Palma too hot in summer?

No. The west coast typically reaches 26–30°C in summer, though a Calima can push temperatures above 35°C on isolated days. Those wanting to avoid the heat will find the northeast around Barlovento and Garafía considerably cooler thanks to trade wind clouds and higher elevation. The high-altitude areas of the Caldera and Roque de los Muchachos also offer a welcome respite from the heat even in summer.

Which time of year is best for a first visit to La Palma?

For first-time visitors, April to June and October to November are particularly recommended. The weather is mostly stable, temperatures are pleasant for hiking and swimming, nature is at its best, and the island is significantly quieter than during the peak winter season. These months offer the best mix of sunshine, scenery, and relaxed travel.

This article is based on the on-the-ground knowledge of the Gequo editorial team – publishers of the Reisezeit hiking guides and operators of Sunhikes.com. Last updated: May 2026

Sunhikes.com