Overview

The Canary Islands are a Spanish archipelago of seven major islands situated in the Atlantic Ocean, roughly 100 kilometres off the northwest coast of Africa and about 1,500 kilometres south of mainland Spain. Despite their African latitude, the islands enjoy a remarkably mild and stable climate year-round, which has made them one of Europe's most popular holiday destinations for decades. Tenerife is the largest and most visited, followed by Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura. The smaller western islands — La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro — are quieter and less developed, attracting visitors who prefer hiking, nature, and an authentic local atmosphere. Each island has a distinct character: volcanic peaks and cosmopolitan resorts on Tenerife, vast dune systems on Fuerteventura, dramatic lava fields on Lanzarote, and lush forests and dramatic cliffs on La Palma. Together they offer an extraordinary range of landscapes and experiences within a relatively compact region, all reachable from the UK in four to five hours.

Beaches & nature

The Canary Islands collectively possess some of the finest beaches in Europe. Gran Canaria's Maspalomas is arguably the most iconic, where an enormous protected dune system meets the sea in a sweeping natural spectacle. Fuerteventura is renowned for its seemingly endless white-sand beaches — Sotavento, Cofete, and the Jandía peninsula are among the most beautiful in the Atlantic. On Lanzarote, the sheltered coves of Papagayo and the wild black-sand beach at Famara offer contrasting extremes within a single island. Tenerife has the imported golden sands of Las Teresitas near Santa Cruz and the broad resort beaches of the south. Beyond the coast, the islands' volcanic origins have produced extraordinary natural landscapes: the lunar lava fields of Lanzarote's Timanfaya National Park, the towering caldera of Tenerife's Mount Teide — Spain's highest point and a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and the ancient laurel forests of La Gomera's Garajonay National Park, another UNESCO site. The islands are also home to significant marine biodiversity; whale and dolphin watching is excellent year-round, particularly in the channel between Tenerife and La Gomera.

Things to do

The Canary Islands reward both active visitors and those seeking pure relaxation. Water sports are a highlight across the archipelago: Fuerteventura and El Hierro are world-class destinations for windsurfing, kitesurfing, and diving, while La Palma is celebrated for its dark-sky stargazing at the Roque de los Muchachos observatory. Hikers will find extensive trail networks on every island, from the demanding Teide summit route on Tenerife to the network of ancient Camino Real paths on La Gomera, where the local whistled language Silbo Gomero is itself a UNESCO Intangible Heritage. Cultural highlights include the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, one of the world's largest street festivals; the Jameos del Agua cave complex on Lanzarote, shaped by artist César Manrique; and the historic quarter of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, home to the cathedral where Columbus stopped before his first voyage to the Americas. Siam Park in Tenerife is consistently rated the world's best water park and is a firm favourite with families.

Eating & nightlife

Canarian cuisine centres on simple, high-quality ingredients shaped by the islands' volcanic soil and Atlantic waters. Papas arrugadas — small potatoes boiled in heavily salted water until wrinkled — served with mojo rojo (a red pepper and garlic sauce) or mojo verde (a herb-based version), are the defining dish of the islands and appear on virtually every menu. Fresh fish and seafood are outstanding; vieja (parrotfish), cherne (grouper), and gambas (prawns) are local staples. Gofio, a toasted grain flour used in stews, ice cream, and bread, traces its roots to the pre-Spanish Guanche people. Each island produces its own wines from distinctive volcanic-soil vineyards: Lanzarote's malvasía and Tenerife's Tacoronte-Acentejo reds are particularly well regarded. Nightlife is concentrated in the southern resorts of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, where bars and clubs operate until dawn. The northern towns and the smaller islands offer a quieter scene of local tapas bars, family-run restaurants, and weekly markets.

Getting around

Each of the seven main islands has its own airport, making inter-island travel straightforward via short domestic flights operated by Binter Canarias and Canaryfly. Ferry services connect the islands and are an affordable and scenic alternative for routes between Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, and La Gomera; Fred Olsen and Naviera Armas are the principal operators. Within each island, car hire is the most practical option for independent exploration and is widely available and competitively priced. Public buses (known locally as guaguas) provide comprehensive island-wide coverage at low cost. Tenerife additionally operates a modern tram (tranvía) linking Santa Cruz to La Laguna. Taxis are metered and plentiful in resort areas.

When to go

The Canary Islands enjoy one of the world's most consistent climates, earning them the nickname the "Islands of Eternal Spring." Temperatures hover between 18°C and 28°C throughout the year, and rainfall is minimal — especially in the south of each island. This makes them a genuinely year-round destination. Summer (June to August) is hot and busy, particularly in the southern resorts. Winter (December to February) sees an influx of northern European sun-seekers, and Carnival season in February brings a festive atmosphere to Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Spring and autumn offer the best balance of warm weather, lower prices, and thinner crowds, making March to May and October to November the sweet spot for most visitors. The eastern islands — Lanzarote and Fuerteventura — tend to be slightly hotter and drier than the western islands, which can receive more rainfall and cloud on their northern slopes.