September: 86 places at their best

Spain, Europe

Canary Islands in September

The warmest water of the year with the August crowds gone. The Fiesta del Pino in Teror peaks around September 8.

BestWarm, highs near 82F (28C), sea at its warmest near 73F (23C)
Teide, Canary Islands
Canary IslandsPhoto: Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de, CC BY-SA 3.0 de

The straight answer

September is one of the best months of the year to visit Canary Islands. The warmest water of the year with the August crowds gone. The Fiesta del Pino in Teror peaks around September 8.

Weather
Warm, highs near 82F (28C), sea at its warmest near 73F (23C)
Crowds
3 of 5
Prices
3 of 5

What September is like in Canary Islands

September has the warmest water of the year, near 73F (23C), and highs around 82F (28C). The August crowds are gone and prices ease. On Gran Canaria, the Fiesta del Pino in Teror peaks around September 8, with pilgrims walking to the basilica from across the island. Days are still long and hot, and evenings are warm.

It suits beach lovers, couples, and homeschool families who can travel while schools are in session. It is one of the best months of the year. If you want cooler hiking weather, March is better.

Make the most of September

What is especially good about Canary Islands this month.

01

The warmest sea of the year

Water near 73F (23C) makes September the best month for swimming and snorkeling.

02

Fiesta del Pino in Teror

Gran Canaria's biggest religious festival peaks around September 8, with pilgrims walking to the basilica.

03

Space on the beaches

Once August ends, beaches and resorts calm down.

What to pack for September

  • Swimsuits and snorkel gear
  • Sunscreen and a sun hat
  • Light clothes
  • Water shoes for rocky coves

Our timing tip

Go after the first week of September, when Spanish holidays end and prices drop.

Book Canary Islands for September.

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What's on in September

Fiesta del Pino, Teror

Early September, peaking around September 8

Gran Canaria's biggest religious festival, with pilgrims walking to the basilica in Teror from across the island.

Things to do in Canary Islands

Full guide
01

Teide National Park and cable car

The cable car climbs to about 11,660 feet (3,555 m). The final path to the summit needs a free permit booked well in advance. Winds can halt the cable car in any season.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

02

Timanfaya National Park, Lanzarote

A landscape of craters and lava from 18th-century eruptions, visited by coach route from the Montanas del Fuego visitor center.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

03

Cesar Manrique's Lanzarote

Jameos del Agua, the Mirador del Rio, and the Cactus Garden show how one artist shaped an entire island's look.

Tickets and tours →

04

Maspalomas Dunes, Gran Canaria

A protected dune field on the south coast. Walk it at sunrise before the heat and the crowds.

Tickets and tours →

05

Roque Nublo, Gran Canaria

A volcanic monolith at the island's high center reached by a short, popular hike. Go early; parking fills fast on weekends.

Tickets and tours →

06

Garajonay National Park, La Gomera

A UNESCO-listed laurel cloud forest, a day trip by ferry from Tenerife.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

  • Avoid the Christmas to New Year fortnight, February half-term, Easter week, and August if price matters; the same weather is available for much less in May, June, and October.
  • Book the Teide summit permit weeks or months ahead and take the first cable car of the day to beat both queues and afternoon cloud.
  • Stay outside the big southern resorts: Puerto de la Cruz on Tenerife, Agaete on Gran Canaria, or rural casas on La Gomera and La Palma.
  • Do Timanfaya and Jameos del Agua at opening, before tour coaches arrive from the resorts.

Know before you go

  • Nothing closes for a season. Hotels, restaurants, parks, and beaches operate all year.
  • The Teide cable car stops in high winds or ice, and the summit trail requires a permit. Winter storms occasionally close the park's upper roads.
  • Calima dust episodes, most common in summer and winter, can bring haze, poor air quality, and flight disruptions for a day or two.
  • Sundays and public holidays close many shops in towns, though resort areas stay open.

Canary Islands in September, quick answers

Is September a good time to visit Canary Islands?

September is one of the best months of the year to visit Canary Islands. The warmest water of the year with the August crowds gone. The Fiesta del Pino in Teror peaks around September 8.

What is the weather like in Canary Islands in September?

Warm, highs near 82F (28C), sea at its warmest near 73F (23C).

Is Canary Islands crowded in September?

Crowds in Canary Islands are moderate in September; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.

What is happening in Canary Islands in September?

Fiesta del Pino, Teror (early september, peaking around september 8).

Keep planning Canary Islands.

The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.

  1. 01Canary Islands in AugustThe month before: Hot at times, highs near 82F (28C), occasional calima dust from the SaharaTradeoffs
  2. 02Canary Islands in OctoberThe month after: Warm, highs near 79F (26C), first autumn showers possibleBest
  3. 03The full Canary Islands yearEvery month, graded12 months

Also at their best in September

Everywhere in September

Where else is good in September?

Tell us when you can go and what kind of trip you want. We rank every place we cover for that exact month.

What kind of trip? Pick any.

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