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Visiting Lanzarote in September

BySunMed Guide

Visiting Lanzarote in September

# Lanzarote in September: What It’s Actually Like

Let me be straight with you about September in Lanzarote, because the weather situation is genuinely a bit of a lottery.

The island sits close to the African coast, and September is technically still peak summer – but it’s peak summer with an asterisk. Most days you’ll get blazing sunshine and temperatures pushing 28-30°C, which sounds perfect. The catch is that September is when the *calima* – a hot, dusty wind blowing in from the Sahara – can descend without much warning. When it does, the sky turns a strange yellowish-grey, the air feels thick and gritty, and the temperature spikes uncomfortably into the mid-30s. It might not happen at all during your trip. Or it might ruin two or three days. There’s genuinely no predicting it.

Rainfall is low, as you’d expect in a volcanic desert landscape, so that’s rarely a concern. But the sea can be rougher in September than July or August, which matters if you’re planning beach days or boat trips.

**On crowds:** September is better than August, full stop. The Spanish and European school holidays are winding down, so the island exhales slightly. Restaurants and popular beaches like Papagayo are still busy, but you’ll actually get a sunbed and a table without a fight.

**What’s open:** Everything. This is high season territory – every bar, tour, water park, and excursion is fully operational. You won’t arrive somewhere shuttered.

**Is it worth going?** For couples and adults looking to avoid peak chaos while keeping the sunshine? Genuinely yes. Families with school-age kids will find it calmer and cheaper than July or August. If you’re heat-sensitive or planning intensive walking and cycling, it might actually be more comfortable than midsummer. It’s not the right month for someone chasing guaranteed perfect, still beach days – the calima risk is real.

**One practical tip:** Book accommodation with air conditioning, not just a fan. If the calima hits, you’ll need it.

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