December-February

The Canaries welcome a flood of Europeans escaping the cold in the winter months. The islands especially see a lot of older tourists, looking to bask in the warmer weather, though it may be a bit too cool for sunbathing. Average temperatures hover between 60 and 71 degrees make for pleasant strolls along the beach and through the national parks. Keep in mind that the winter months do tend to see more rain than the summer season. But winter also ushers in the famed Carnival celebration, which is modeled after Brazil's vibrant festival and is widely considered the world's second best celebration. Given the influx in tourism and the ongoing festivals, you may have a bit of trouble securing accommodations — at least affordable ones — so plan to book at least several months in advance.

Key Events:

• Lanzarote Marathon (Lanzarote, December)
• Canary Islands Music Festival (All Islands, January-February)
• Carnival de Tenerife (Tenerife, February)

June-August

Families, college kids and Europeans on their August holiday all flock to the Canaries in the summer. Temperatures reach their summit this time of year — daily highs in Santa Cruz, Tenerife, reach into the 80s in August — and the chance of rainfall is next to nothing. Just to be safe, you might want to book your accommodations a few months in advance of your trip to ensure availability.

Key Events:

• Corpus Christi (All Islands, May-June)
• Festival of Saint John (Tenerife & San Juan, June)