Canary Islands travel guide
The Canary Islands sit in the Atlantic Ocean off the north west coast of Africa and offer warm weather for most of the year, dramatic landscapes and a mix of easy beach resorts and wild natural scenery. Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are the best known names, joined by the greener and quieter islands of La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro. Each has its own character, from black sand coves and sandy bays to volcanic parks, forests, fishing harbours and small villages.
Thanks to the mild climate, the Canary Islands work for winter sun as well as classic summer holidays. You can come for a quick escape or a longer stay and build the trip around what you enjoy most: beaches, walking, stargazing, watersports, relaxed food or simply somewhere comfortable with blue skies and sea views. This guide gives you a clear feel for each island so you can choose the right match instead of guessing from photos.
Tenerife is the largest and most varied, home to the impressive Mount Teide volcano, black sand beaches, and stylish resorts that come alive in the evenings.
Gran Canaria offers a world of contrasts, from the golden dunes of Maspalomas to lush green valleys and charming whitewashed villages nestled in the hills.
Lanzarote is visually striking, with volcanic landscapes that feel almost lunar, remarkable modern art, and peaceful beaches framed by the Atlantic Ocean.
Fuerteventura, with its endless stretches of pale sand and turquoise water, is a paradise for surfers, wind enthusiasts, and anyone who simply wants to unwind by the sea.
La Palma is greener and more dramatic, with forests, peaks and starry skies that suit walkers and nature lovers.
La Gomera is all about deep ravines, terraced hillsides and peaceful trails that make it perfect for slow travel.
El Hierro, the smallest and most remote, feels wild and untouched, with clear waters and rugged shores for travellers who like their Canary Island experience simple and authentic.
Whether you are planning a family holiday, a romantic escape, or a winter sun retreat, the Canary Islands offer the perfect balance of comfort, beauty, and adventure. Book your stay at some of the finest Canary Islands hotels and beach resorts, from boutique hideaways to all-inclusive retreats, and enjoy Spain’s most dependable sunshine with exceptional value and unforgettable views.
Gran Canaria
Tenerife is the largest and most varied of the Canary Islands. Mount Teide rises in the centre, a volcanic peak surrounded by a striking national park that feels like another planet. Around the island the scenery shifts from fertile green valleys and traditional towns in the north to sunnier resorts and long promenades in the south.
You will find a choice of beaches, including dark volcanic sands, sheltered family friendly bays and small natural coves. Coastal paths, whale and dolphin watching trips, local wineries and charming old quarters in towns like La Orotava and La Laguna add more depth than many first time visitors expect. Resorts such as Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos offer a wide range of hotels, restaurants and evening options, so you can keep it relaxed or more lively.
Tenerife works well if you want reliable sunshine, good facilities and the option to mix pool days with a cable car ride up Teide, drives through villages, local food and walks with views.
Tenerife
Gran Canaria is often described as a continent in miniature, and it earns that name.
In the south you have golden beaches and the famous Maspalomas dunes, along with resort areas like Playa del Inglés and Meloneras with a big choice of hotels, bars and restaurants. Move inland and the landscape changes to deep ravines, volcanic rock formations and viewpoints over pine covered slopes. In the north you reach the island capital, Las Palmas, with its historic district, city beach and local markets.
There are also quieter coastal towns and whitewashed villages scattered across the hills, where life feels more traditional. This island suits travellers who like variety and do not want every day to look the same. You can have an easy beach base and still explore different sides of the island with simple day trips.
Lanzarote
Lanzarote is instantly memorable, with black and red volcanic slopes, pale houses, low rise resorts and a clean, uncluttered feel.
The Timanfaya National Park shows the power of past eruptions, while coastal areas like Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen offer a mix of sandy beaches, family friendly promenades and relaxed places to stay. The work of local artist César Manrique appears across the island in viewpoints, gardens and cultural spaces that blend art with the natural landscape and help keep Lanzarote distinctive.
Come here if you like strong scenery, coastal walks, a calmer atmosphere and the sense that the island has its own clear identity. It is easy to combine beach time with drives through lava fields, visits to vineyards and quiet evenings by the sea.
Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura is the island of space and sand.
Long beaches and rolling dunes stretch along the coast, especially around Corralejo in the north and Jandia in the south. The sea comes in every shade of blue, often with steady winds that make the island popular for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. Away from the shore, the landscape is open and dry, with soft hills and small villages that underline how much room you have.
It is an ideal choice if your idea of a good holiday is simple: sand, sea, wind in your hair and very few plans. Families, couples and solo travellers all find it easy here, with quiet corners as well as popular resort areas and plenty of room to walk, swim and switch off.
La Palma
La Palma is one of the greenest Canary Islands, with forests, ravines, volcanic craters and some of the clearest night skies in Europe.
This is an island for people who enjoy walking trails, viewpoints and small towns rather than big resort strips. You can wander through laurel forests, explore volcanic routes, look down into the Caldera de Taburiente and end the day in a harbour or village with local food and a slower rhythm. Beaches are fewer and mostly dark sand or pebbles, but the landscape more than compensates.
La Palma suits travellers who want nature, hiking, fresh air and quiet places to stay, with the option of stargazing once the sun goes down.
La Gomera
La Gomera feels tucked away, reached by ferry from Tenerife, and has a very different atmosphere.
Steep ravines, terraced hillsides and the ancient forests of Garajonay National Park give the island a dramatic, timeless look. Small coastal villages, simple beaches and viewpoints appear at the end of winding roads, and the pace is unhurried. It is easy to spend your days exploring walking routes, stopping at miradors and mixing sea views with green landscapes.
Choose La Gomera if you like slow travel, authentic small places and the feeling of being somewhere that has not been shaped around mass tourism.
El Hierro
El Hierro is the smallest and most remote of the main Canary Islands, and it has a strong sense of character.
Here you find rugged coastlines, natural rock pools, rich marine life and volcanic slopes dotted with small villages and farmland. Tourism is present but low key. The island focuses on sustainable approaches and attracts walkers, divers and those who enjoy peaceful surroundings.
El Hierro is the right choice if you prefer wild viewpoints and quiet paths to busy promenades, and if you want your Canary Islands trip to feel like a genuine escape.
Which Canary Island is right for you
A simple guide:
Tenerife for variety, Teide, resorts and plenty to see and do.
Gran Canaria for beaches, dunes, lively areas and contrasting inland scenery.
Lanzarote for volcanic landscapes, coastal paths and a calm, distinctive style.
Fuerteventura for long sandy beaches, wind and sea and wide open space.
La Palma for green slopes, walking and stargazing.
La Gomera for deep ravines, forest trails and slow, authentic travel.
El Hierro for remote coastlines, natural pools and quiet exploration.
When you are ready to plan, you can explore a range of trusted hotels and holidays across the Canary Islands through SpainHotelsDirect and keep everything in one clear place.
Alicante
Discover some of the most beautiful beaches in the Canary Islands, from long golden shores to hidden coves with turquoise Atlantic water. If you are planning a winter sun escape or a summer break, start with our guide to the 18 best beaches in the islands.
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