A sunset picnic is a relaxed, barefoot sort of occasion, so this is not a lecture on formalwear. But an evening outdoors by the coast has a few quirks worth dressing for, and a little thought means you spend the golden hour enjoying the view rather than shivering, wobbling across sand in the wrong shoes, or chasing a napkin down the beach. Here is a simple, practical guide to what to wear.
Dress for the temperature drop
This is the big one. Gran Canaria's days are warm, but once the sun goes down the temperature falls away more than people expect, especially near the water and especially in the cooler months. The mistake is to dress for the afternoon you left the hotel in, then find yourself cold just as the evening gets beautiful. Bring a light layer you can throw on, a linen shirt, a jumper, a wrap, and you will stay comfortable long after the light has gone.
Think about the wind
The coast can be breezy in the late afternoon, when the island's trade winds are often at their liveliest. It is rarely a problem, but it is worth dressing with it in mind: floaty, very loose or delicate fabrics can be a fight in a sea breeze, and anything you have to keep holding down will distract from the evening. Something relaxed but not billowing is the sweet spot.
Choose sensible footwear
Sunset settings are often on sand, grass or a short stretch of uneven ground, so heels are the enemy. Go for something you can walk a little distance in and slip off easily once you are settled: sandals, espadrilles, bare feet on a blanket. Save the impractical shoes for a night that does not involve crossing a beach.
Comfort over fuss
You will be sitting low, on cushions and blankets rather than a dining chair, so choose clothes you can relax in on the ground. Very tight or structured outfits are uncomfortable for a long, languid picnic; soft, easy clothing is far better suited to the occasion. This is an evening for looking effortless, not for holding a pose.
A few nice-to-haves
- Sunglasses for the low, bright sun before it drops.
- A hair tie if it is breezy.
- Sun cream if you are arriving while the sun is still high.
- A little something warm in your bag for after dark: the evening can cool quickly.
If you want to dress it up
None of this means you cannot look lovely. If the picnic marks an occasion, a proposal, an anniversary, a special birthday, dress for the photographs by all means. Just choose pieces that also cope with sand, a sea breeze and sitting on the ground: think elegant but easy, flowing but not fussy, and a layer you actually want in the pictures rather than one you are forced to add later.
Dressing by season
What works depends a little on when you visit. In spring and autumn the evenings are mild, so a light layer over summer clothes is usually plenty. In summer the days are hot but the sea breeze still cools things after sunset, so breathable fabrics with something light to add later are ideal. Winter is the one to respect: daytime can be lovely in shirtsleeves, but once the sun drops the temperature falls away quickly, so a proper jumper or jacket, not just a token wrap, makes all the difference to enjoying the evening.
What to wear for the photographs
A sunset picnic is one of the most photogenic occasions the island offers, and it is worth dressing with the golden-hour light in mind. Soft, warm tones and natural fabrics glow beautifully at that time of day, while very bright whites and harsh patterns can be less flattering as the light turns amber. Flowing pieces catch the breeze romantically in photographs, within reason. If the evening is marking something special, a coordinated look between the two of you reads wonderfully in pictures without needing to be matchy.
For couples and special occasions
If the picnic is a proposal, an anniversary or a milestone, you may want to look a little more dressed than a casual evening calls for, and that is easily done. Choose one elevated piece, a lovely dress, a good shirt, then keep the practical rules in play underneath: footwear you can cross sand in, a layer for later, nothing you will spend the evening fighting against the breeze. The aim is to feel special and look lovely while still being comfortable enough to actually enjoy the moment.
For groups and families
If it is a group or family picnic, a quiet word to everyone beforehand saves grumbles later: comfortable clothes, sensible shoes, and a layer for after dark. Children especially feel the evening chill quickly, so a jumper each is worth the bag space. There is no need for anyone to coordinate or dress up unless the occasion calls for it; relaxed and comfortable is exactly right for a long, easy evening sitting out under the sky.
What to leave behind
A short list of things that tend to cause trouble: high heels and delicate soles that sink into sand; anything you have to keep holding down in a breeze; stiff, structured clothing that is uncomfortable sitting on the ground; and brand-new shoes you have not walked in yet. None of them suit a barefoot-friendly evening on a blanket, and leaving them at the hotel means nothing gets in the way of a relaxed few hours.
A note on comfort after dark
The single most common regret at a sunset picnic is being cold, so it bears repeating: whatever the season, bring more warmth than you think you will need. A blanket to wrap in, an extra layer in the bag, closed shoes for the walk back. The most beautiful part of the evening often comes after the sun has gone, when the sky still holds colour and the crowds have thinned, and you want to be dressed to linger in it rather than hurrying back for a jumper.
A simple packing checklist
If you like a list to work from, keep it short and it covers almost everything: comfortable clothes you can sit and relax in; footwear you can walk over sand or grass in and slip off easily; a warm layer, more in winter, for after sunset; sunglasses and sun cream for the bright part of the evening; and a hair tie if it looks breezy. Throw a light blanket or wrap in the bag for good measure, and you are set for a golden hour with nothing to distract from it.
We'll tell you what to expect
Because it depends on the exact setting and the time of year, we will let you know what to expect for your specific picnic when we confirm the details: how far the walk is, how exposed the spot is, and how cool it is likely to get. See the sunset picnic and our guide to locations and logistics for more.
Booked in for a sunset picnic, or thinking about one? Tell us your date and we will make sure you know exactly what to expect. Start here.