Canary Islands Unfiltered: Volcanic Wonders, Hidden Beaches, and Island Hopping Adventures You Won't Believe
The Canary Islands don’t just feel like another part of Spain—they feel like another world entirely. Once you reach the islands, take that first deep breath of salty Atlantic air, and suddenly, you know you’re somewhere special.
Each island has its own personality. Tenerife is the showstopper, home to Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak, where you can watch the sunrise above the clouds. The capital, Santa Cruz, has a buzz to it, while La Laguna oozes old-world charm with its colourful colonial buildings. Then there’s Gran Canaria, where you can lose yourself in the rolling dunes of Maspalomas or wander the narrow streets of Las Palmas, a city that mixes Spanish, African, and Latin American influences in a way that’s completely unique.
But if you really want to feel like you’ve left Earth behind, head to Lanzarote. The volcanic landscapes of Timanfaya National Park look like something out of a sci-fi movie, and the island’s artistic heart—shaped by the legendary Cesar Manrique—makes it feel almost surreal. Meanwhile, La Palma is all about lush greenery, hidden waterfalls, and some of the clearest night skies you’ll ever see.
Underwater photography is amazing here, it's easy to get up close to sea urchins, jellyfish, molluscs, and crabs among many other species. A great way to explore the stunning underwater landscapes and discover the local marine life is by joining a guided dive arranged by local qualified dive centres.
And then there’s the food—the fresh fish, the wrinkled papas arrugadas with spicy mojo sauce, and the local wines grown in volcanic soil that taste unlike anything else.
The Canaries aren’t just islands—they’re a feeling, an escape, a world of their own. And once you’ve been, you’ll always find yourself wanting to go back.
10 Fun Things to Do in the Canary Islands
- Go discover a volcano on Lanzarote: Strap on a board and slide down the ash slopes of a volcano – it’s the ultimate thrill ride!
- Stargaze in Tenerife: The island boasts some of the clearest skies in the world, so head to the Teide National Park and marvel at the galaxy above.
- Attend the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife: This vibrant carnival is second only to Rio de Janeiro in scale and is a spectacular blend of music, dancing, and colourful costumes.
- Dive with turtles: Get up close and personal with these fascinating creatures on a guided dive.
- Explore the underwater museum on Lanzarote: The Museo Atlántico is a submerged art installation that doubles as a habitat for marine life.
- Take a helicopter tour of La Palma: Admire the island’s stunning landscapes from above on a thrilling helicopter ride.
- Walk through the Maspalomas sand dunes on Gran Canaria: These impressive sand dunes are a natural wonder and offer a unique landscape for exploration.
- Visit the Pyramids of Güímar on Tenerife: Discover the mysterious pyramids, built by the indigenous Guanches, and learn about their history and significance.
- Go on a butterfly and bee tour on the volcanic island of La Gomera
- See the traditional Canarian sport of Canarian Wrestling: Watch as opponents try to unbalance each other in a sport that's unique to the Canary Islands.
Explore the Canary Islands
Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest and most popular of all the island chains, with a wealth of beach resorts found in the sun-blessed south.
There is a fantastic choice of accommodations, from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels and self-catering to villa rentals.
Tenerife is home to Mount Teide the world’s third-tallest volcano and the highest point in Spain. The area around Mount Teide is a must place to visit as you will be welcomed with spectacular and unworldly landscapes, over two million people visit this mountain each year just to witness the unique and stunning scenery. The volcano is of extreme importance to the natural world and became a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site in 2007.
Top things to do and see in Tenerife:
- Visit the Teide National Park in central Tenerife.
- The millennium tree near Icod de Los Vinos.
- Golden beaches of the Costa Adeje in the south.
- Capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the north.
- The stunning cliffs at Alcantillado de Los Gigantes in the west.
- The natural park around Las Lagunitas in the north.
- Enjoy the spectacular volcanic scenery of Guia de Isora in the West.
Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura is the next most popular holiday hotspot after Tenerife, and it is home to some of the best beaches you will find anywhere in the world.
The climate is subtropical and boasts around 3000 sunshine hours a year.
There are plenty of diverse landscapes to inspire, with awesome beaches and tranquil and spectacular surroundings that have made Fuerteventura a special holiday destination for sun and beach enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Fuerteventura offers visitors awe-inspiring beaches with long stretches of golden soft sands at Morro Jable in the south to the Corralejo National Park in the north, home to several miles of rolling dunes.
Top things to do and see in Fuerteventura
- Jandia Nature Park in the south.
- The rural park of Betancuria in the west.
- The sand dunes of Corralejo.
- Puerto Rosario fishing port.
- Caleta de Fuste in the East.
- The Costa Calma ( the Clam Coast ) in the south.
- The Church "Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de Antigua", dates back to 1785.
Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is a classic holiday destination. Europe’s love affair with this island goes back to the 19th century, and it is as popular as ever today. Gran Canaria originally meant the grand island of dogs around 500 BC.
A wealth of beach resorts can be found in the sun-blessed south – the most attractive part of the island.
Don’t forget to visit the spectacular golden sand dunes of Maspalomas, a true testament to the region's pristine wilderness.
Also, take the opportunity to visit the Palmitos bird park, and don’t miss out on visiting the town of Agüimes, on the eastern flank of the island: a wonderfully charming place where you venture beneath the sea in the island’s most popular scuba-diving area.
Top things to do and see on Gran Canaria
- Visit the Nublo Rural Park in the centre of the island.
- Visit Puerto Mogon, a charming coastal town in the southwest.
- The Painted Cave is a historic site of an ancient Canarian settlement.
- The Tamabada Nature Park on the west coast
- Visit Agata and Puerto de Las Nieves, a beautiful town in the northwest.
Lanzarote
The popularity of Lanzarote as a first-class holiday destination started back in the 1970s as a top choice for holidaymakers looking for sun, sea, and beaches and was the forerunner of the package holidays.
Lanzarote is the easternmost island of the chain and was born out of volcanic eruptions around 15 million years ago.
The island is a land of contrasts, with fantastic beaches and black and reddish rocks that give you a feeling that you could be on another planet. Lanzarote was declared a World Biosphere site in 1993.
Top things to do and see on Lanzarote
- See the volcanic landscapes of Timanfaya National Park.
- Spend a day or two on Playa de Papagayo, a paradise beach.
- Visit the stunning lava caves at Cueva de Los Verdes.
- Explore the Charco de ls Clicos, a crater by the sea containing an emerald-green lagoon.
La Palma
La Palma is known as a beautiful Island, and for good reason, as it offers visitors a chance to see awe-inspiring landscapes, amazing beaches, enchanted forests and imposing volcanoes.
La Palma is a draw for stargazers who flock to enjoy the super clear night skies enhanced by the strict light pollution laws in force. Unesco declared La Palma a World Biosphere Reserve in 2002.
Top things to do and see in La Palma
- Visit the The Caldera de Taburiente National Park.
- Explore the old town of Santa Cruz de La Palma.
- Be amazed at the Los Tilos Laurel Forest.
- Walk the volcano route in the heart of the Island.
- Spend a day on the exotic black beach at Puerto Naos.
La Gomera
A visit to the smaller island of La Gomera is also well worth it as the island contains several various attractions that revolve around its terrain, unique wildlife, and indigenous plant life.
The island is home to gigantic volcanic rocks and is where exposure to the elements of nature and subsequent erosion have turned the rocks into beautiful pieces of natural art.
The local community considered some rocks sacred, such as the Fortaleza. Wildlife species in this area include the Gomeran lizard, Gomeran skink, Hyla Meridionalis, and Laurel Pigeon.
Top things to do and see in La Gomera
- Visit Agulo Village, which is known as the jewel of La Gomera.
- Explore a fascinating natural monument at Los Organos in Vallehermoso in the north.
- Visit the spectacular Valle Gran Rey, a verdant valley on the west coast.
- Trek up to Los Roques viewpoint and see the strange magma formations and wonderful views.
El Hierro
El Hierro also known as the meridian Isle as the zero meridian line passed through the Punta de Orchillla Cape and was used mostly on 17th maritime maps.
It is a Unesco world biosphere site full of rich vegetation, lava cliffs, and volcanic forests. And for underwater diving enthusiasts, there are over 46 quality dive sites to explore a spectacular marine paradise.
Visitors will also have unlimited access to free wifi which is available all over the island.
Top things to do and see on El Hierro
- La Restinga marine reserve in the south.
- Visit the blue pool ” El Charco Azul ” a natural seawater pool located in the El Golfo Valley.
- The enchanted forests of El Sabinar.
- Le Pena viewpoint in the Golfo Valley, a viewing area 700 meters above sea level.
- Puerta de la Estaca and Timijaraque on the west coast.
Try Traditional Canarian Gastronomy
Traditional Canarian cuisine consists of various fruits, fish, and fresh vegetables; you can expect lighter meals that are generally easier to digest in a warmer climate. Meat is consumed as steaks or part of tasty beef and pork stews.
Cheese is also very popular, and several award-winning cheeses are made locally, including Finca de Uga (Lanzarote), Maxorata (Fuerteventura), Teisol (Tenerife), and Guriamen (Fuerteventura).
One of the famous traditional dishes in the Canary Island is Papas Arrugadas ( wrinkled potatoes ) which are easily prepared using small potatoes cooked in water and sea salt and served with delicious sauces, the two most common sauces are mojo verde and mojo picon, known as the green and spicy sauce respectively.
Fish and seafood are always a firm favourite, and the ever-present tapa concept is in force all around the island.
Getting to the Canary Islands
Getting to the Canary Islands via plane is easy as there are many flights daily arriving at one of four main international airports available to visiting holidaymakers.
The islands boast not one, but four main international airports for you to choose from.
Tenerife South Airport is the 5th busiest airport in Spain and is just a hop, skip, and jump away from Tenerife´s main beach resorts and beautiful beaches.
Gran Canaria Airport, the second busiest airport in Spain, receives over 1.2 million passengers annually.
Fuerteventura Airport is found on the island of Fuerteventura and handles around 500.000 passengers annually.
Last but not least, we have Lanzarote Airport. Named the Cesar Manrique airport, this is a gateway to the island's unique landscapes, iconic black sand beaches, and volcanic craters.
Recommended Places To Stay in the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands, an archipelago located off the northwest coast of Africa, offer a diverse and enchanting destination known for its natural beauty, pleasant climate, and unique landscapes. When considering where to stay on the Canary Islands, it's essential to understand the distinct characteristics of each island.
Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, offers a mix of vibrant cities like Santa Cruz de Tenerife and tourist hotspots like Playa de las Américas. The island is famous for its towering Mount Teide, Spain's highest peak, and stunning beaches.
Gran Canaria boasts a variety of landscapes, from pristine beaches to dramatic mountain ranges. You can stay in Las Palmas for a cosmopolitan experience or explore charming villages like Tejeda and Teror.
Lanzarote is known for its otherworldly volcanic landscapes and offers unique accommodations near the Timanfaya National Park. You can relax in Playa Blanca or explore the artistic legacy of César Manrique.
Fuerteventura is a paradise for watersports enthusiasts with its long sandy beaches and strong winds. Corralejo and Morro Jable are popular resort areas.
La Palma, often called "La Isla Bonita" (The Beautiful Island), is a tranquil destination for nature lovers. You can stay in the capital, Santa Cruz de La Palma, or in charming villages like Los Llanos de Aridane.
La Gomera is known for its lush landscapes and hiking trails, offering serene accommodations in the towns of San Sebastián de La Gomera and Valle Gran Rey.
El Hierro, the smallest and least-visited Canary Island, is a tranquil retreat known for its unspoiled natural beauty. You can stay in Valverde or Frontera for a relaxed island experience.
La Graciosa, a small and remote island, offers a peaceful escape from the crowds. It has limited accommodations, so plan for a unique, secluded experience.
Each Canary Island has its distinct character and appeals to different types of travellers. Whether you seek vibrant nightlife, pristine beaches, hiking adventures, or tranquillity, you'll find a wide range of accommodations to suit your preferences across the archipelago.
Recommended Hotels on the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands offer a wide range of accommodation options to cater to different budgets and preferences, from luxurious resorts to charming mid-range hotels and budget-friendly stays.
Luxury Hotels:
The Ritz-Carlton, Abama (Tenerife): This world-class resort on the west coast of Tenerife offers stunning ocean views, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and a championship golf course.
Bohemia Suites & Spa (Gran Canaria): Situated in Playa del Inglés, this adults-only boutique hotel offers a rooftop bar, a spa, and elegant suites with ocean views.
Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort (Lanzarote): This family-friendly resort in Playa Blanca features multiple pools, a private beach, and an extensive children's program.
Mid-Range Hotels:
Hotel Jardín Tecina (La Gomera): Overlooking the island of Tenerife, this charming mid-range hotel boasts beautiful gardens, a golf course, and a cliff-top location.
H10 Conquistador (Tenerife): Located in Playa de las Américas, this beachfront hotel offers several pools, a wellness centre, and an excellent buffet restaurant.
Barcelo Santiago (Tenerife): Perched on a cliff in Los Gigantes, this hotel features fantastic views, an infinity pool, and easy access to the beach.
Budget-Friendly Hotels:
Hotel San Telmo (La Palma): In the capital city of Santa Cruz de La Palma, this budget-friendly hotel offers comfortable rooms and proximity to the historic centre.