The Canary Islands are a warm-weather paradise in December. While most of Europe bundles up, this Spanish archipelago off the coast of Africa enjoys sunshine, mild temperatures, and plenty of outdoor fun. Think coastal hikes, volcanic landscapes, and relaxing beach days — all in one trip.
You’ll want a mix of light clothing, beach essentials, and a few warmer layers for the evenings or inland adventures. Each island has its own microclimate, so smart layering and versatile outfits are key for comfort and style.
📝 Note: This article is all about what to pack for the Canary Islands in December. Here you can find a huge and comprehensive list. Feel free to adapt to your needs, and share your tips in the comments!
Weather & Travel Context 🌦️
December in the Canary Islands offers some of the best winter weather in Europe.
- 🌡️ Average high (coast): 22°C / 72°F – warm and sunny
- 🌙 Average low: 16°C / 61°F – cooler nights, especially inland
- 🌄 Cooler in mountains (e.g., Teide): as low as 4°C / 39°F
- 🌊 Ocean temp: ~20°C / 68°F – swimmable for many
- 🌤️ Mostly sunny with light breeze; occasional brief rain
What to Pack for the Canary Islands in December
Packing smart will help you make the most of your trip. Here’s everything you need to bring for a comfortable and stylish adventure.
Carry-On Suitcase / Travel Bag Duffle / Portable Steamer / Packing cubes / Luggage scale / Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Speaker / Portable Charger / Universal Travel adapter / Compact Hair Dryer / Eye Mask / Waterproof Toiletry Bag Hanging / Zipper Pouch / Water BOTTLE / Liquid I.V. Hydration Vegan
🧳 Luggage & Packing Tools
If you want more options to have everything organized and well packed, take a look at these suggestions.
1. Rolling Backpack / 2. Luggage (large) / 3. Luggage (small) / 4. Toiletry Bag / 5. Beach Bag / 6. Backpack / 7. Packing Cubes
- Carry-on suitcase – 🧳 ideal for inter-island travel
- Checked bag – 🛄 if packing hiking gear or beach extras
- Duffle bag – 🏝️ useful for day trips or excursions
- Daypack – 🎒 beach, hikes, or volcano tours
- Packing cubes – 📦 stay organized between activities
- Shoe bags – 👟 great after sandy walks
- Toiletry bag – 🧼 TSA-compliant and waterproof
- Document organizer – 📁 passports, bookings, IDs
- Foldable tote – 🛍️ for groceries or beach trips
- Laundry kit – 🧺 easy to handwash swimsuits or tees
- Luggage scale – ⚖️ for return shopping
- Luggage lock – 🔒 secure during travel
- Waterproof pouch – 💧 protect valuables on boat trips
- Neck pillow – 💤 comfy for flights between islands
- Sleep mask – 😴 for early sunrises
👗 Clothes
- T-shirts & tank tops (4–6) – 👕 for warm coastal days
- Light long-sleeve shirts (2–3) – 👚 for layering or sun protection
- Cardigan or hoodie – 🧥 evenings can feel chilly
- Windbreaker or light jacket – 🌬️ perfect for mountain trips
- Swimsuits (2–3) – 👙 beach, pool, or spa days
- Beach cover-up – 🧖♀️ quick-dry and stylish
- Shorts (2–3) – 🩳 daytime comfort
- Light pants or jeans (1–2) – 👖 evening strolls
- Activewear – 🏃 for hiking volcano trails
- Dresses or skirts – 👗 day-to-night versatility
- Pajamas – 🛏️ breathable for mild nights
- Underwear (7+) – 👙 quick-drying if washing
- Bras (3–4) – 🧺 include 1–2 sports bras
- Socks (5–7) – 🧦 include moisture-wicking pairs
- Scarf or wrap – 🧣 handy for planes or breezy evenings
💆 Skincare
- Gentle cleanser – 🧴 remove sunscreen + sweat
- Hydrating toner – 💧 after sun and wind
- Moisturizer – 🧴 lightweight for warm days
- Sunscreen SPF 50 – ☀️ absolute must in winter sun
- Aloe vera gel – 🌿 soothe any sun exposure
- Makeup remover – 🧽 wipes or micellar water
- Exfoliator – 🛁 weekly refresh
- Eye cream – 👁️ combat dry air or long flights
- Facial mist – 💦 great beach bag item
- Lip balm with SPF – 💋 lips burn too!
- Spot treatment – 🎯 in case of breakout
💄 Makeup
- BB cream or tinted SPF – 💄 sheer and protective
- Concealer – 👁️ brighten under eyes
- Translucent powder – 🌬️ combat shine in photos
- Blush or bronzer – 🌺 natural sun-kissed glow
- Highlighter – ✨ evening beach dinners
- Neutral eyeshadow – 🎨 for low-maintenance glam
- Waterproof eyeliner – ✒️ ocean and pool-proof
- Mascara – 👁️ minimal and heat-friendly
- Brow pencil or gel – 🧴 frame the face
- Lip tint or gloss – 💄 hydration + color
- Setting spray – ❄️ keeps it in place in heat
- Brushes – 🖌️ travel-size kit
💇 Hair Care
- Brush or comb – 💇♀️ beach-friendly bristles
- Hair ties + clips – 🧷 keep cool during hikes
- Shampoo + conditioner – 🧴 saltwater repair formulas
- Dry shampoo – 🌬️ refresh post-adventure
- Heat protectant – 🔥 if styling with tools
- Hair oil or serum – 💧 hydrate after sun
- Mini dryer – 💨 check accommodation first
- Styling tool – 💁♀️ for evenings out
- Hair accessories – 🎀 beach or casual glam
👟 Shoes & Accessories
- Walking sandals – 🩴 breathable and sturdy
- Sneakers or hiking shoes – 👟 for trails and hills
- Flip-flops – 👣 essential for beaches
- Dressy flats – 👠 for nice dinners
- Sunhat – 👒 wide-brimmed or packable
- Cap – 🧢 for sporty or hiking days
- Light scarf – 🧣 doubles as plane wrap
- Sunglasses – 🕶️ polarized preferred
- Minimal jewelry – 💍 island-style accessories
- Crossbody bag – 👜 secure and hands-free
- Waterproof pouch – 📱 great for beach or boat
📑 Documents & Essentials
- Passport or EU ID – 🛂 entry into Spain (EU/Schengen rules apply)
- Flight tickets & hotel bookings – 🏨 printed + digital
- Travel insurance – 🏥 recommended for peace of mind
- Driver’s license – 🚗 for car rentals (great for exploring)
- Credit/debit cards – 💳 widely accepted
- Euro cash – 💶 useful for markets or small towns
- Emergency contacts – 📱 save offline
- Offline maps – 🗺️ helpful in remote areas
- Notebook + pen – 🖊️ jot plans or journal
- Wallet – 👛 compact and secure
- Valuables – 💎 keep minimal and safe
🚑 First Aid
- Band-aids – 🩹 for minor blisters
- Pain relief – 💊 for sun headaches or hikes
- Allergy meds – 🤧 wind or pollen triggers
- Motion sickness pills – 🚤 for ferries or windy roads
- Antiseptic wipes – 🧽 beach or hike cuts
- Gauze + tape – 🩼 basic backup
- Tweezers – ✂️ splinters or ticks
- Mini scissors – ✂️ airline-approved
- Thermometer – 🌡️ compact version
- Cotton pads/Q-tips – 💠 multi-use
🧼 Health & Hygiene
- Prescriptions – 💊 clearly labeled
- Toothbrush + paste – 🪥 always pack your own
- Floss – 🧵 dental hygiene on the go
- Deodorant – 🧼 long-lasting preferred
- Razor – 🪒 for beach days
- Feminine hygiene – 🩸 pack your favorites
- Wipes – 🧻 after hikes or sandy beaches
- Perfume – 🌸 light island scent
- Mirror – 🪞 compact version
- Eye drops – 👁️ wind or sun dryness
- Hand sanitizer – ✋ after sightseeing or beach snacks
- Tissues – 🧻 small pack always helpful
📱 Tech & Electronics
- Phone – 📱 with camera ready
- Chargers – 🔌 for all devices
- Power bank – 🔋 for hiking and day trips
- EU plug adapter – 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- Camera – 📷 for volcanic or coastal views
- GoPro or waterproof camera – 🌊 ideal for snorkeling
- Headphones – 🎧 for planes or chill moments
- E-reader – 📚 perfect for beach reading
- Offline apps – 🗺️ for transport or trails
- Cloud storage – ☁️ backup your photos
🎧 Entertainment
- Books – 📖 travel or beach reads
- Podcasts – 🎧 great for road trips
- Downloaded shows/movies – 📺 no Wi-Fi needed
- Travel journal – 📓 for documenting paradise
- Card games – 🃏 fun for hotel or villa nights
- Island guidebook – 🗞️ maps, facts, hikes
🎁 Extras
- Reusable water bottle – 🚰 hydration for beach or hikes
- Snacks – 🍫 bars or trail mix for excursions
- Shopping tote – 🛍️ useful for markets
- Travel detergent – 🧼 sink-washing swimsuits
- Sewing kit – 🪡 small repairs on the go
- Whistle – 📣 for solo hikes
- Lint roller – 👔 if packing darker items
- Shoe deodorizer – 👃 after sandy walks
- Melatonin – 🌙 beat jet lag
- Beach blanket or mat – 🏖️ optional, lightweight
🌍 Travel Tips
- Layer up – 🌡️ coastal vs inland can be very different
- Pack sun protection – 🧴 sunburns happen even in winter
- Rent a car – 🚗 many islands are best explored by road
- Check ferry schedules – 🚤 for inter-island plans
- Carry small cash – 💶 some rural areas prefer it
- Pack a refillable bottle – 🚰 tap water is generally safe
- Book national park permits early – 🥾 Teide & more
🛂 Visa Tips
- EU citizens – 🛂 enter with ID, no visa needed
- Others – 🌐 check Schengen visa rules
- Print confirmations – 🖨️ for rentals or rural stays
- Travel insurance – 🏥 may be required at entry
- Carry passport when island hopping – 🛳️ ID often needed
⭐ Must-Haves
- Passport/ID – 🛂 always have it
- Sunscreen – ☀️ strong UV year-round
- Swimsuit – 👙 even in December!
- Comfortable shoes – 👟 hiking or exploring
- Reusable bottle – 🚰 essential in sun
- Daypack – 🎒 for hikes or beach
- Camera – 📷 gorgeous landscapes everywhere
- Layers – 🧥 inland = cooler than coast
- Travel insurance – 🏥 better safe than sorry
- Hat + sunglasses – 🧢🕶️ daily wear
👍 Good-to-Have
- Beach mat – 🏖️ lightweight and easy
- Portable fan – 🌬️ for warmer days
- SIM/eSIM – 📶 for easy navigation
- Sleep mask – 😴 early sunrises
- Neck pillow – 💤 for ferry or flight naps
- Binoculars – 🔭 birdwatching or star gazing
- Luggage tag – 🏷️ identify your gear
