Best time to go to Lanzarote

January gets off with a kick start, with the very local tradition of Día de los Reyes or Day of the Kings. During this religious culmination of Christmas, 5-6 January, you will see the ‘kings’ or Wise Men riding on camels, kids devouring copious sweets as gifts from the kings and festivities all round the island.

Wildflowers aren’t prolific in this barren landscape, but when they do appear they look all the more stunning nestled among the black, volcanic or dusty red landscapes. February, after a little rain, brings out the daisies, poppies, lilac stock and eichium.

Temperatures are just gorgeous in April and May, although the island does get very busy around Easter. The big religious event here is Semana Santa in March or April, with solemn pre-Easter processions during the week building up to Easter itself.

Less solemn, although almost a religious event for serious contenders, is the Lanzarote Ironman race, also in May. Everything goes seriously sporty for a few days over this time. Keen swimmers might also embrace the challenge of the Lanzarote-La Graciosa swim of 2.6km, taking place in September or October. And for fans of the north of the island, which we are, check out the selection races to suit everyone, the Haria Extreme, in November.

Get in before the school holiday rush in June. The temperatures are divine, the sea is gorgeous and the prices haven’t gone all silly season yet.

July and August get seriously hot, and the coastal wind can be deceptive. So if you are going hiking or cycling, do head out early in the morning, although the sun rises around 7am here in summer so don’t worry about too early starts. But always keep hydrated.

The end of July also sees the official beginning of the wine harvest, so research events to celebrate in the La Geria grape growing region around that time.

Surfers love Lanzarote and the waves start to get really big October-December.

Photo credits: [Temp chart: Lviatour ] [Helpdesk: Tatyana Vyc] [Carnival season: Terry Whalebone]