Spain Travel Guide - Canary Islands

The Canary Islands, a sun-soaked archipelago off the coast of Africa, have long been a favourite escape for British travellers chasing winter warmth, volcanic landscapes, and beaches that range from golden Sahara-style dunes to black volcanic sands. Just a four-hour flight from the UK, these Spanish islands offer a mix of familiarity, thinking of full-English breakfasts in resorts, and exoticism, lava fields, subtropical forests, and villages where the locals chat in rapid Canarian Spanish. Brits love the Canaries for their reliable weather even in December, family-friendly resorts, and the ease of hopping between islands for a varied holiday. Whether you’re after hiking lunar-like trails, flopping by a pool with a sangria, or trying fresh fish grilled on a beach, the Canaries deliver – all with a laid-back vibe that feels a world away from the drizzle back home.

What Makes the Canary Islands Unique

The Canaries’ volcanic origins shape everything from their dramatic scenery to their local customs. Each island has its own personality: Tenerife boasts Spain’s tallest peak, Mount Teide, while Lanzarote feels like a Mars colony with its Timanfaya lava fields. Gran Canaria packs lush pine forests and desert dunes into one “mini-continent”, and Fuerteventura lures surfers with windswept beaches. The islands’ African proximity means warm winters and a blend of cultures – you’ll find Spanish tapas bars beside Moroccan-inspired markets and Latin American rhythms in beach clubs. Unique traditions include Lucha Canaria (Canarian wrestling), fiestas where locals dress in traditional trajes de mago (peasant costumes), and whistling languages like Silbo Gomero on La Gomera. Environmental awareness runs deep too – the islands are a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve hotspot, with locals fiercely protective of their natural wonders.

Top Things to Do in Canary Islands

Tenerife is all about contrasts. Ride the cable car up Mount Teide for sunrise views above the clouds, then cool off at Siam Park, a Thai-themed waterpark with adrenaline-pumping slides. History buffs can explore La Laguna, a UNESCO-listed town with colourful colonial houses, while families love the whale-watching trips from Los Gigantes. Don’t miss Carnaval de Santa Cruz, a February riot of costumes and dancing rivaling Rio.

Lanzarote’s stark beauty is best seen at Timanfaya National Park, where geothermal heat roasts chicken over volcanic grills. Visit César Manrique’s creations, like Jameos del Agua, a lava tube turned concert hall with a saltwater lake, or Mirador del Río, a clifftop viewpoint shaped like an eye. Fuerteventura’s claim to fame is its endless beaches – Corralejo Dunes and Cofete, a wild stretch backed by mountains. Surf schools in El Cotillo cater to beginners, while Lobos Island, a 15-minute ferry ride, offers snorkelling in crystal-clear waters.

Gran Canaria mixes beach life with culture. The dunes of Maspalomas feel like the Sahara, while Teror village charms with its blue-balconied houses and Sunday market. Hike the Roque Nublo rock formation or explore the Cueva Pintada in Gáldar, an ancient cave adorned with pre-Hispanic art. La Palma, nicknamed “La Isla Bonita”, is a hiker’s dream with the Caldera de Taburiente crater, while El Hierro’s rugged coastlines are perfect for diving.

Fun Activities

Beyond sunbathing, the Canaries offer adventures. Stargaze at Tenerife’s Teide Observatory experiencing some of the world’s clearest skies, cycle downhill from Mount Teide’s slopes, or paraglide over Los Ajaches in Lanzarote. For families, Loro Parque in Tenerife wows with orca shows, while Angry Birds Activity Park in Lanzarote keeps kids entertained. Join a camels ride on Tenerife’s Mount Teide foothills or try wine tasting in La Geria (Lanzarote), where vines grow in volcanic ash pits.

Water babies can snorkel with turtles off Puerto Rico in Gran Canaria, dive shipwrecks in Playa Blanca (Lanzarote), or kiteboard in Sotavento (Fuerteventura). For a slower pace, take a coastal walk in La Gomera’s Garajonay National Park, a misty laurel forest straight from a fairy tale.

Food & Restaurants

Canarian cuisine is simple, hearty, and fresh from the sea. Must-tries include papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes with mojo sauce), gofio (toasted grain porridge), and ropa vieja (shredded beef stew). Seafood lovers should order vieja (parrotfish) or pulpo a la plancha (grilled octopus).

• El Rincón de Juan Carlos (Calle El Calvario, 25, Los Gigantes, Tenerife): A Michelin-starred treat by chef Juan Carlos Padrón. Try the tasting menu with dishes like suckling pig with banana.
• La Tegala (Calle El Torreón, 1, Yaiza, Lanzarote): A rustic gem near Timanfaya, serving Canarian lamb and local cheeses. Book for sunset terrace views.
• Restaurante La Palmera Sur (Av. de Tirajana, 1, Maspalomas, Gran Canaria): A family-run spot for fresh fish and mojo verde. Ask for the catch of the day.
• Casa Marcos (Calle la Mareta, 9, Corralejo, Fuerteventura): A local legend for cabrito (goat stew) and almogrote (spicy cheese spread).
• La Casa Roja (Calle La Hoya, 12, La Oliva, Fuerteventura): A restored farmhouse offering ropa vieja and queso majorero with fig jam.

For dessert, try bienmesabe (almond cream) or frangollo (corn and almond pudding). Pair meals with local wines like Malvasía (Lanzarote) or Tacoronte-Acentejo reds (Tenerife).

Best Way to Explore

Renting a car is the easiest way to explore each island, as public buses can be slow and miss hidden spots. Roads are generally well-maintained, though mountain routes like Tenerife’s Masca Valley are hair-raising. For island-hopping, Fred Olsen and Naviera Armas ferries link Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura in 1.5-4 hours. Budget airlines like Binter Canarias offer quick 30-minute flights between islands.

Guided tours are handy for remote areas like Teide National Park or Cueva de los Verdes (Lanzarote). In resorts like Playa del Inglés or Costa Teguise, bikes or scooters are fun for short trips. Hikers should grab detailed maps from local tourist offices – trails range from easy coastal strolls to challenging mountain paths.

Local Customs

• Siesta: Smaller shops close 1pm-4pm, especially in rural areas. Plan lunches or beach time.
• Greetings: A handshake or two cheek kisses (right first) is common. Use “buenos días” (good day) freely.
• Festivals: Carnaval (Feb/March) is huge in Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Locals dress up – join in or enjoy the parades.
• Eco-rules: Stick to marked trails in national parks. Volcanic landscapes are fragile – no rock stacking!
• Tipping: Round up bills in restaurants (5-10%). Tip tour guides €5-€10 if you enjoyed the trip.

Getting There

Direct flights from London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Bristol to Tenerife South (TFS), Gran Canaria (LPA), Lanzarote (ACE), and Fuerteventura (FUE) take 4-4.5 hours. Budget airlines like easyJet, Ryanair, and Jet2 offer year-round deals, with prices dipping outside school holidays. From the airports, taxis or pre-booked transfers (€20-€50) are easiest to reach resorts. Buses are cheaper but slower – Tenerife’s Titsa and Lanzarote’s Arrecife Bus serve major towns.

Recommended Hotels

• Tenerife:
• • The Ritz-Carlton Abama (Carretera General, TF-47, Guía de Isora) – Luxury with golf, Michelin dining, and cliffside pools.
  • Hotel Botánico & Oriental Spa Garden (Av. Richard J. Yeoward, 1, Puerto de la Cruz) – Asian-inspired gardens and spa treatments.
  • Alua Atlántico Golf Resort (Av. de las Américas, s/n, Costa Adeje) – Family-friendly with splash parks and evening shows.
• Lanzarote:
• • Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort (Av. Papagayo, 22, Playa Blanca) – Lagoon pools and ocean views, ideal for families.
  • Hotel Casa de los Naranjos (Calle Elvira Sánchez, 6, Haría) – A rustic-chic retreat in a palm-filled valley.
  • Secrets Lanzarote Resort & Spa (Calle los Acantilados, 1, Playa Blanca) – Adults-only luxury with volcanic beach access.
• Gran Canaria:
• • Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel (Calle León y Castillo, 227, Las Palmas) – Historic glamour with a palm-fringed pool.
  • Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort (Av. Marítima del Sur, s/n, Maspalomas) – A sprawling complex with direct beach access.
  • Hotel Rural Las Calas (Calle Lomo Los Lirios, 25, Moya) – A countryside escape with hiking trails and homemade food.
• Fuerteventura:
• • Barceló Corralejo Bay (Av. Nuestra Señora del Carmen, 2, Corralejo) – Modern rooms and windsurfing lessons nearby.
  • Hotel R2 Pajara Beach (Av. de Jandía, s/n, Costa Calma) – Budget-friendly spot with a lively pool area.
  • Elba Castillo San Jorge (Av. del Castillo, 1, Caleta de Fuste) – A castle-themed hotel perfect for families.

The Canary Islands offer British travellers a slice of Spain with a twist – where else can you climb a volcano, sunbathe in January, and feast on papas arrugadas while watching the sun dip into the Atlantic? Whether you’re here for a week or a winter escape, the islands’ mix of relaxation, adventure, and year-round vitamin D keeps visitors coming back, swapping jumpers for flip-flops and grey skies for golden sands.

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