{"id":4045,"date":"2026-11-07T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-07T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/?p=4045"},"modified":"2026-11-04T04:05:28","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T04:05:28","slug":"24-degrees-in-december-and-four-hours-from-dublin-the-island-where-irish-pensioners-spend-the-whole-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/24-degrees-in-december-and-four-hours-from-dublin-the-island-where-irish-pensioners-spend-the-whole-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"24 degrees in December and four hours from Dublin: the island where Irish pensioners spend the whole winter"},"content":{"rendered":"

Winter creeps in at home, but on Lanzarote<\/strong> the days stay warm<\/strong>, the sky stays a deep blue<\/strong>, and the sea is never far from view<\/strong>. For thousands of Irish retirees<\/strong>, the island has become a gentle routine<\/strong>: pack a small bag<\/strong>, board a direct flight<\/strong>, and let the trade winds do the rest<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cBy breakfast it\u2019s already t\u2011shirt weather<\/strong>,\u201d says Mary O\u2019Connell, 68, from Cork<\/strong>. \u201cYou make your tea on the balcony<\/strong>, and the day sort of unfolds<\/strong> without hurry.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Why this corner of the Atlantic wins winter<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Baked by ancient volcanoes<\/strong> and softened by ocean breezes<\/strong>, the island sits in a sweet spot<\/strong>. December afternoons hover around a balmy 24\u00b0C<\/strong>, with light that feels kind<\/strong> rather than harsh<\/strong>. Even when clouds drift over<\/strong>, the warmth rarely wavers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a second pull<\/strong>: it feels easy<\/strong>. Streets in the main resorts<\/strong> are flat and walkable<\/strong>, buses are clean and frequent<\/strong>, and the rhythm of daily life<\/strong> is calm but sociable<\/strong>. \u201cYou bump into the same faces<\/strong>, say a quick hello<\/strong>, and end up planning dinner<\/strong> by noon<\/strong>,\u201d laughs Tony from Galway<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Close enough to feel spontaneous<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

From Dublin, the hop is about four\u2011and\u2011a\u2011half hours<\/strong>, and there are plenty of directs<\/strong> in winter. That short leap<\/strong> changes the season<\/strong> without the jet\u2011lag hangover<\/strong>. Pack a paperback<\/strong>, finish a sandwich<\/strong>, and you\u2019re touching down<\/strong> among black\u2011and\u2011gold lava<\/strong> fields.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Because the island is compact, transfers are swift<\/strong>. In under 30<\/strong> minutes you can be rolling a small case<\/strong> along a palm\u2011lined promenade<\/strong>, wondering how the ocean can look this blue<\/strong> in December<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Where Irish snowbirds settle<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Puerto del Carmen<\/strong> hums with morning walkers<\/strong>, afternoon swimmers<\/strong>, and chatty evening terraces<\/strong>. Playa Blanca<\/strong> is softer, with long promenades<\/strong> and ferry views<\/strong> to Fuerteventura<\/strong>. Costa Teguise<\/strong> skews breezier and sporty<\/strong>, with wind\u2011polished bays<\/strong> and a friendly square<\/strong> for tapas and music<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

In each, the mix is familiar<\/strong>: Spanish caf\u00e9s<\/strong>, Canarian bakeries<\/strong>, and a sprinkling of Irish pubs<\/strong> where GAA games pop onto big screens<\/strong>. \u201cWe\u2019ll watch a match with a club soda<\/strong>, then wander out to the sunset<\/strong>,\u201d says Anne, 71, from Limerick<\/strong>. \u201cIt\u2019s the best of both worlds<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The everyday made gentle<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Life here is about small pleasures<\/strong> done slowly<\/strong>. A ten\u2011minute beach stroll<\/strong> becomes half an hour<\/strong> because the water looks silvery<\/strong> today. Groceries are a relaxed ritual<\/strong>: tomatoes that taste of sun<\/strong>, bread warm from the oven<\/strong>, olive oil that turns a salad glossy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Costs can be kinder than at home<\/strong>, especially for long lets<\/strong> away from the front\u2011line beach<\/strong>. Caf\u00e9s pour good coffee<\/strong> cheaply, local wine is honest<\/strong>, and fresh fish is never far<\/strong>. \u201cYou can eat really well<\/strong> without spending a fortune<\/strong>,\u201d notes Brian<\/strong>, a repeat winterer from Mayo<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Health, comfort, and pace<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Healthcare is solid and nearby<\/strong>, with pharmacies that are famously helpful<\/strong>. Bring your European Health Insurance Card<\/strong> and proper travel cover<\/strong> for peace of mind<\/strong>. Pavements are generally smooth<\/strong>, crossings are visible<\/strong>, and buses kneel for easy boarding<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Heat feels gentle<\/strong> rather than punishing<\/strong>, though the island can turn a touch windy<\/strong> in January<\/strong>. Sunscreen still matters<\/strong>, hydration still helps<\/strong>, and a light cardigan<\/strong> earns its keep at night when the air turns silky<\/strong> and a little cool<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What days look like when no one\u2019s rushing<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Mornings start with a promenade<\/strong>, a swim in still water<\/strong>, or a coffee under a pergola<\/strong> listening to plates clink<\/strong>. Late mornings suit the C\u00e9sar Manrique<\/strong> trail: whitewashed villages<\/strong>, cactus gardens<\/strong>, and lava\u2011hewn art spaces<\/strong> that make minimalism feel warm<\/strong>. Afternoons drift across quiet beaches<\/strong>, volcanic paths<\/strong>, and unhurried siestas<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Nights are for simple plates<\/strong>: papas arrugadas with mojo sauce<\/strong>, grilled seabream<\/strong>, a final glass of local malvas\u00eda<\/strong>. \u201cWe sleep like teenagers<\/strong>,\u201d jokes Tony, \u201cexcept we\u2019re in bed by ten<\/strong> and up for the sunrise<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Things to know before you decamp<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n
  • Book flights and long\u2011stay accommodation early<\/strong>; prices jump over Christmas<\/strong> and New Year<\/strong>. Choose apartments with winter sun<\/strong> on the terrace; north\u2011facing can feel cool<\/strong>. If mobility matters, check for lift access<\/strong> and step\u2011free showers<\/strong>. Buy decent travel insurance<\/strong> and bring key meds<\/strong> with prescriptions. Learn a few Spanish phrases<\/strong>; a little \u201cgracias\u201d goes a long way<\/strong>. Wind can pick up; pack a light shell<\/strong> and a brimmed hat<\/strong>.<\/li>\n

    \n<\/ul>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Why people keep returning<\/h2>\n

    <\/p>\n

    It isn\u2019t only the weather<\/strong>. It\u2019s the easy friendliness<\/strong>, the low\u2011stress logistics<\/strong>, and the sense that time has more give<\/strong>. Retirees trade grey skies<\/strong> for soft light<\/strong>, tight schedules for half\u2011planned days<\/strong>, and central heating for a sun\u2011warmed terrace<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    \u201cYou arrive a bit tired<\/strong>, and within two days<\/strong> you\u2019re walking farther, eating better<\/strong>, and sleeping more deeply<\/strong>,\u201d says Mary. \u201cIt\u2019s like your old self<\/strong> returns with the sun<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Back in Ireland, winter feels long<\/strong>. Here, it\u2019s simply lighter<\/strong>. And for many, that gentle shift<\/strong> is the difference between enduring the season<\/strong> and quietly, happily, living through<\/strong> it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4097,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4045","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-50"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4045","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4045"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4045\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4068,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4045\/revisions\/4068"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4097"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4045"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4045"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmersforum.ie\/trends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4045"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}