Canary Islands: time difference, clocks and calima guide

What time is it in the Canary Islands?

The Canary Islands are in the Western European time zone. WET (UTC±0) applies in winter, WEST (UTC+1) in summer. The clocks go forward on the last Sunday in March, as in the rest of Spain, and back on the last Sunday in October.

For the actual local time, a live clock should be used, because the difference from mainland Spain and Germany changes with the season. The traditional rule of thumb is “one hour less in the Canaries”.

There are no time differences between the islands. Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Graciosa share the same official time, as confirmed by Spain.info.

Why is the time in the Canaries different from mainland Spain?

The time difference has geographical and historical reasons. The Canaries use UTC in winter and UTC+1 in summer, while mainland Spain uses UTC+1 and UTC+2 respectively. This produces the familiar one-hour difference.

The perceived differences between the islands are solar differences. In the western islands, sunrise and sunset occur slightly later than in the eastern islands because of the longitudes.

What does calima mean and when does it occur?

In the Canaries, calima is a weather situation with Saharan dust carried over from Africa. It can reduce visibility, make the sky hazy and increase particulate pollution. Duration and intensity cannot be derived from a fixed season.

The eastern islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are usually more exposed because of their proximity to the African continent. Gran Canaria and Tenerife can also experience intense episodes, especially in mid-altitude and summit areas.

AEMET describes episodes in which calima particularly affects south- and east-facing summits and mid-altitude areas. It can also occur at altitude without equally high concentrations being measured on the coast.

What should you do during a calima?

During a calima, travellers should reduce physical exertion outdoors and keep windows closed. People who are particularly vulnerable, such as those with asthma, heart or lung conditions, should protect themselves. The official warnings published at the time are decisive.

Air quality is assessed using particles, in particular PM10 and PM2.5. AEMET lists these parameters as objective measurements for health and environmental management. Visibility alone is not a reliable indicator.

For current warnings and measurements, AEMET and the relevant Canary Islands authorities are the right places to check. Historical or average figures must not be used as a forecast for a specific travel day.

What climate can visitors expect in the Canaries?

The Canaries have a mild climate all year round, which varies considerably depending on the island, altitude and aspect. AEMET describes small seasonal temperature variations at sea level. The average number of rainy days is roughly between 30 and 70 days per year, depending on the location.

For beach holidays, the months with the highest average temperatures and the most sunshine are typically suitable. Spring and autumn often offer favourable conditions for walking and touring holidays. A blanket recommendation for all the islands would, however, be imprecise.

What should travellers bear in mind when arriving and on excursions?

The main international entry points are the airports of Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro. For current flight connections, terminals and security checks, AENA is the authoritative source.

Ferries operate between the islands, including services by Fred. Olsen Express and Naviera Armas Trasmediterránea. Timetables, prices and vehicle conditions must be checked directly with the relevant operator. On Tenerife, TITSA is the official bus operator; on Gran Canaria, Guaguas Municipales runs the urban services in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

National parks and natural areas have their own protection rules. Teide National Park should only be visited in accordance with the requirements of the responsible park authority. In emergencies, the emergency number in Spain is 112.