5 Reasons Why I Love Visiting the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands may not be too familiar to U.S. travelers, but these Spanish islands are some of my favorite beach destinations.

The islands, which lie closer to Africa than Spain, are one of Europe’s sunniest and warmest destinations each winter, home to a diverse variety of exotic landscapes. And reaching them isn’t as difficult as you might think.

After countless trips to these islands over the course of 2 decades, this is why the Canary Islands remain at the top of my destination list, where I’m taking a family beach getaway, an intimate couples trip, or a serene solo vacation.

What To Know About the Canary Islands

Before I get into why these islands are so special, there are a few things to know about this Spanish archipelago in order to better understand their layout, landscape, and general essence.

The 7 main islands are: Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Gomera, La Palma, and El Hierro. There are also a few smaller islets in the group, such as La Graciosa (off Lanzarote) and Isla de Lobos (off Fuerteventura). While the islands are actually just over 60 miles off the coast of Africa, they belong to Spain, are part of Europe, and use the Euro as their currency.

How To Choose the Right Canary Island for You

Each island has much to do and see, but below, I’ll list a bit about each one’s highlights and what type of traveler it’s best for.

Tenerife

This island has it all, starting with golden sand beaches and black sand ones too, plus cloud-forest hikes in Anaga Rural Park, the towering Gigantes cliffs, and one of the largest water parks in Europe, Siam Water Park.

It’s also home to Teide, a massive volcano that’s the highest point in Spain, which you can admire via a cable car. Ideal for families, there’s much to do and see on the island — something for every traveler.

Gran Canaria

From the wild sand dunes to secret natural swimming holes, this island also has a lot of activities for various types of travelers. The capital, Las Palmas, is a hot (and affordable) spot for digital nomads, and Mahon’s charming streets are perfect for couples. Maspalomas, a resort town on the island, has a section that caters to LGBTQ+ travelers.

Lanzarote

This island has luxury hotels and art and architecture by famous Canarian artist Cesar Manrique, which is optimal for travelers who value art and cultural attractions. Timanfaya National Park is home to several volcanic peaks and a Mars-like reddish volcanic rock landscape that outdoor enthusiasts shouldn’t miss.

La Palma

Hikers are always impressed by this island’s lava-formed volcanic cliffs and black sand beaches. Astrotourism is especially popular here, as it features a number of Starlight Destination and Reserve certifications, as well as some of the most advanced telescopes in Europe.

La Gomera

Walkers should head to this island, home to Garajonay National Park, a prehistoric forest that dates back to the Tertiary Period, with numerous laurel trees, and beautiful villages like Agulo, which overlook the mountains and sea.

Fuerteventura

This is an island for beach bums, from the nearly 6 miles of white sands along Flag Beach to the wild natural golden sands backed by volcanoes in Cofete Beach in Jandia Natural Park. Its constant breeze attracts surfers and windsurfers.

El Hierro

The most sustainable island, El Hierro, currently runs on 50% renewable energy (with the goal of being fully sustainable within 4 to 8 years) and has some of the best snorkel and dive sites in the Canaries. It includes what will hopefully soon be declared Spain’s first marine park, Mar de las Calmas, where species like beaked whales reside, and La Restinga, an area popular for night dives.

Hot Tip:

First-time Canary Island visitors might want to stick with the more popular islands like Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote for simplicity. These islands are easier to get to, have lots of English speakers, and have lots to do and see. For those who want to get off the beaten path or practice their Spanish, head to the smaller, less-visited islands: La Gomera, El Hierro, and La Palma.

5 Reasons Why I Love the Canary Islands

Wondering why these islands are so incredible? These are some of the reasons why I keep coming back to this destination again and again.

1. Perfect Weather Year-Round

The Canary Islands have some of the best weather in Europe. Unlike many other European islands that get cold in winter or Caribbean or Asian Islands that have a rainy season, it’s sunny, dry, and warm year-round in the Canary Islands.

In fact, it’s one of the few places in Europe you can get winter sun in the colder months but also escape the extreme heat that plagues Spain and other Mediterranean countries each summer. The Canary Islands are islands of eternal spring, and I love that I can visit them year-round without worrying about whether it’s the right season or not.

Just know that certain islands (and specific areas within each island) are windier than others, so take that into consideration when planning your trip. For example, surfers might want to visit the area known as El Médano in Tenerife, a blustery seafront resort town, whereas families looking for low winds might be better off heading to the less windy Los Cristianos area.

I love visiting Fuerteventura, one of the windiest islands, thanks to its beautiful beaches. I visit during the winter and spring months, which are less blustery, and stay in the southern area of the island, which sees lighter winds.

2. Affordability

Many islands around the world, such as Hawaii or the Maldives, can make for a pricey vacation. But the Canary Islands are very affordable, another reason why I continue heading back.

There are lower sales taxes on the islands than on the Spanish mainland, making things like dining, shopping, and lodging feel more achievable, especially for travelers on a budget. For example, a meal at a sit-down seafood restaurant overlooking the water (including a glass of wine!) could be as low as $15 to $20 per person, and an Airbnb rental with mountain views just $50 per night.

The islands also have many all-inclusive hotels at fair prices, which can be excellent for families or couples looking for adults-only options. It’s nice to know that if I’m ready to splurge on a fancier hotel or a nicer hotel, I can do it without overspending, and if I’m traveling on a budget, I can find very affordable options.

3. Excellent Points Hotels

Many of the larger, more populated islands have gorgeous hotels where you can stay using points. My favorite Sheraton in the world (trust me, it’s not like any other Sheraton!) is the Sheraton Fuerteventura Beach, Golf, & Spa, a beachfront property a 10-minute drive from the Fuerteventura Airport (FUE).

I love it because the hotel is architecturally stunning and has incredibly friendly staff. I could admire the gorgeous sea views from the guest rooms forever, and my son loves the heated kiddie splash pool.

There’s also the stunning Ritz-Carlton Abama on Tenerife (the Sheraton resembles this reddish property, as they had the same architect). The Abama occasionally has cash rates as low as $350 per night — perhaps one of the most affordable Ritz-Carlton properties in Europe!

The islands also host a handful of AC Hotels by Marriott (which are extremely affordable), several AluaSoul properties (Hyatt), and some Bahia hotels newly acquired by Hyatt.

IHG points holders can stay at Iberostar properties along the islands, and I’m just patiently waiting for Hilton to open a few properties. While they’re not quite as popular with U.S. travelers, I always price out stays at the various Melia, H10, and Barcelo hotels, all of which have their own loyalty programs. They’re not as lucrative as programs like Hyatt or IHG. However, they can still make stays for members paying cash more affordable via discounts and promotions (and offer additional perks and benefits).

Marriott points stretch far in the Canary Islands, with rates as low as 11,000 points per night at properties like AC Hotels—an easy way to rack up elite nights. Or, splurge at high-end spots like the Ritz-Carlton Abama. Earn more points (plus perks like a free night and Platinum Elite status) with a Marriott co-branded card like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card.

Hot Tip:

Marriott points can go a long way in the Canary Islands, with rates as low as 11,000 points per night at properties like AC Hotels — an easy way to rack up elite nights. You can also use points for pricier properties like the Ritz-Carlton Abama and earn Marriott points and perks with a Marriott credit card, like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card.

4. Diverse Culture, Cuisine, and Landscapes

While the Canary Islands are part of Spain, you’ll also find Latin American influences (it was often the last point of departure and entry for sailings between the New World and Spain) and African influences (from the proximity to that continent). It also had its own indigenous people, Los Guanches, who arrived on the island at least over 1,000 years ago, and were later conquered by the Spanish in the 15th century. Some of their culture, customs, and even language (Canarian Spanish) exist today.

Explore Guanche culture through Guanchinches, which are well-priced, local restaurants that serve Canarian cuisine and wine. My favorites are Casa Tómas in Tenerife, known for ribs, and El Guachinche de Luis in Lanzarote, for its seafood. The islands are known for their cheeses, especially Majorero with paprika, a savory goat cheese.

Hot Tip:

Don’t forget to try my favorite Canarian dish: patatas arrugadas, or “wrinkled” potatoes in a garlicky red or green sauce. Yes, the dish is simple, but the potatoes drenched in the savory Canarian mojo picon sauce are delicious.

The volcanic landscape of the islands also makes them a destination for wine. Special cultivation methods use circular volcanic rock formations to protect vines from the elements, giving wines a more mineral taste.

The landscapes on these islands are diverse and can even vary within each island. For example, Tenerife’s Anaga Rural Park has its own microclimate. The north of the island´s lush greenery rises beneath the shadows of the Teide volcanic peak, while the Costa Adeje is arid, with sweeping golden-sand beaches.

Fuerteventura’s white sand Sotovento beach seems to appear out of nowhere, with sandy dunes rising out of a barren, rocky landscape. La Palma has lush waterfalls and moss-covered mountains.

5. Easy To Reach From European Hubs

You can fly from the U.S. to Iberia or Air Europa with a brief layover in Madrid (MAD) to various airports in the Canary Islands.

However, as these islands are a favorite of European travelers, you can easily reach them from hub cities like Madrid, Paris, Milan, Munich, London, and many more. Just know the flight can be around 3 hours from Spain, so it takes even longer from destinations further east or north.

It’s fairly simple to arrive at the larger islands. Tenerife even has 2 airports, Tenerife North (TFN) and Tenerife South, but reaching islands like La Gomera, La Palma, and El Hierro is more complicated. You can fly to these islands from Tenerife or Gran Canaria, or take ferries between the islands.

Still, my recommendation is to combine a Canary Islands adventure with a trip to another European destination. For example, consider a December break to see Christmas markets in Germany, then get winter sun in Tenerife. Or fly to Madrid in the spring, then take a surf break in Lanzarote. It’s an excellent alternative for a summer beach trip without sweltering temperatures and massive crowds. I often vacation there instead of the French Riviera or the Mediterranean coast during hot summers, which are occurring more and more frequently.

Hot Tip:

While you can find larger rental companies like Hertz or Avis in the Canaries, I’ve rented from the local company PlusCar dozens of times. It’s cheaper, they won’t try to scam you, and you’ll be supporting local Canarian businesses.

Final Thoughts

I love the Canary Islands so much that I almost don’t want to let the secret out! Yes, there are some areas of the islands that are dealing with overtourism, primarily in Tenerife and Gran Canaria, but where the Canaries really shine is their more local sides, like their cuisine, small villages, hidden beaches, and stunning landscapes. If you do go, get off the tourist track and explore as much as possible.

These islands are incredibly welcoming and safe, and I hope you’ll enjoy vacationing there as much as I do.