The month in detail
What to expect in May
Spring marks the start of the good season in Canary Islands. Temperatures rise (24°C) and tourists have not yet arrived en masse. Rain is virtually absent (2% of days) — ideal for planning without a backup. This is one of the best times of year to visit Canary Islands.
May ranks 5 out of 12 months in Canary Islands.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
8 · very high
protection essential
Feels like
comfortable
13°
Sea
22°C
cool, invigorating
Daylight
13.4h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 37
Compare
Is May the right month?
The best month in Canary Islands is July (9.5/10), 0.5 pt higher than May.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Canary Islands
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Canary Islands
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a beach holiday.
Country · Spain
🗣️LanguageSpanish
💶CurrencyEuro (€)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘModerate · 3/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate oceanic
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthAugust · 29°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 20°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘFebruary · 5%
🏖️ Beach holiday
📅Peak seasonJuin → Sept
🏖️Swell (Sept–Mar) ⓘModérée
🛂VisaSchengen · 90 days
Explore
Other destinations in May
If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Canary Islands ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
SpainTemperate oceanic climate with a 9.5 → 8.1 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
28.29°N · 14.00°W
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Canary Islands?
July is the best month with 28.0°C highs, 20.0°C lows, 9.3h of sunshine and 1.0% rainy days. The months of July & August offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Canary Islands get in July?
Canary Islands averages 9.3 sunshine hours per day in July. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 9.3/10.
What is the rainiest month in Canary Islands?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Canary Islands in July?
In July, overnight lows reach 20.0°C, while afternoon highs average 28.0°C.
Is Canary Islands good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Canary Islands scores 7.7/10 on average — Decent period conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains July with a score of 9.3/10.
When should you avoid Canary Islands?
January is the most difficult month to visit Canary Islands, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Canary Islands in May?
In May, the sea averages 22°C in Canary Islands: cool, invigorating. Swimming is possible but brisk; sensitive swimmers may prefer a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in Canary Islands in May?
The average UV index reaches 8 in May in Canary Islands (very high), with about 13.4h of daylight. Protection essential.