This is the main question and the foundation of your dream vacation. The two most common questions I get asked are: what is the best Canary island and which one to choose for vacation. There are two categories of tourists: some have bought tickets, let’s say to Tenerife, and don’t even consider the possibility of going to another island, while others specifically want to explore different islands and choose the one that suits them best. This article is for the latter.
The Best Canary Island: General Information
Here are some key points for you to get a complete picture:
- The Canary Archipelago consists of 7 volcanic islands, not just Tenerife.
- The biggest misconception is that since this is one archipelago, all the islands are similar. But in reality, each island is completely different. For those interested, read an article about the Canary Islands and general information about them. There are many interesting facts there.
What’s the Best Island in the Canaries?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. It varies for each traveler. Below, there will be a description of each island, and which island is best for whom. But the most popular islands for tourists are Gran Canaria and Tenerife, simply because more planes fly here, and these are the largest islands in the archipelago.
- Don’t forget that while transportation between the islands are straightforward, it’s not cheap. Taking a ferry to a neighboring island, for example from Tenerife to La Gomera, will cost around 50 euros one way per person. So, calculate how much it would be for the whole family round trip. Therefore, most tourists stay on the island where they bought plane tickets.
- How to travel to the Canaries cheaply, and which airports planes fly to from Europe and beyond.
Where’s the Best Place to Vacation in the Canary Islands + Resorts on Each Island
And now, onto the most interesting part. Below, you’ll find a brief description of all the islands, the pros and cons of vacationing there, the best resorts for beach vacations, and who they’re suitable for. There will also be links to comprehensive reviews of each island separately: what to see, where to stay, and what to do on the island.
- Detailed information on traveling between and around the islands can be found in the article about Canary Islands public transport. There, you’ll learn not only about ferries but also about local airlines, where to check schedules, and buy tickets.
Tenerife
Tenerife is one of the two main islands of the archipelago. The capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is located here. The population of the island is almost 1 million people. There are two airports, 3 major ports, excellent roads, and almost a ring road with a speed limit of 120 km/h.
- Pros: Easy to reach, the most infrastructural island, has everything you need and more, lots of entertainment and attractions (the largest water park, a very cool zoo), there are cool natural locations, and as a bonus, the highest peak in all of Spain – Mount Teide (3718m), which you can climb via cable car.
- Cons: During the tourist season, there are just tons of tourists. Beaches are overcrowded, accommodation is expensive, there are traffic jams even on highways, and parking problems at any resort.
- Best resorts for beach vacations: Los Gigantes, Costa Adeje, Las Americas, Los Cristianos, and the entire southwest coast (you’ll see all this on the island overview map in the article, link below). There’s also a major tourist city on the northwest coast with black volcanic beaches, Puerto de la Cruz, but there’s less sun and more clouds (I’ll write more about this).
Tenerife Island Overview for Tourists, a worthwhile read, highly recommended.
Who is Tenerife for:
This is the most versatile island, it has beaches for beach lovers, hiking in the mountains, beautiful nature (but not everywhere), Spanish architecture and cities, as well as lots of entertainment and attractions. The island is suitable for tourists with children and those who want to spend their entire vacation on the beach, without the desire to explore other islands.
Gran Canaria
The second most populous and popular island in the Canaries. Around 900 thousand people live here. In terms of shops, entertainment, and infrastructure, everything is just like in Tenerife, it’s all excellent. Overall, these are two very similar islands. The capital of the Canary Islands moves every 4 years from Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and vice versa.
- Pros: the same as Tenerife, there are also mountains and hiking. There are many natural and architectural attractions. Excellent infrastructure.
- Cons: Gran Canaria is also a popular island among tourists, which means crowds even in winter, overcrowded beaches, major parking problems, and traffic jams on the roads. As for the downsides, Gran Canaria is no longer as green; more desert landscapes are beginning to dominate here, but there are still forests, mainly in the north of the island, where it is often cloudy and generally more overcast.
- Best resorts for beach vacations (almost all in the south): Maspalomas and surrounding areas, Playa de Mogan, Playa de Amadores, Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria. And also my personal favorite beach, which really captured my heart and by the way is among the top ten urban beaches in the world – Playa de Las Canteras in the capital of the island in Las Palmas. 4 km of beach right in the city center with a promenade, all infrastructure, without cars, and surfing all year round. This is a rare case when a big city has a very cool beach.
Gran Canaria Island Overview and its resorts.
Who is Gran Canaria for:
Since Tenerife and Gran Canaria are very similar in many aspects, their clientele is the same :). There is plenty to do here: mountains, museums, beaches, botanical gardens, and medieval architecture. The island is ideal for families with children and for those who love to lounge on the beach.
Next are the less popular islands among tourists, and almost each one excels Tenerife and Gran Canaria in something.
Fuerteventura
A large island, the same size as Gran Canaria in terms of area, but the population is 8-9 times smaller, only 110 thousand people. The capital of the island is Puerto del Rosario. There are no high mountains here, the highest peak of the island is only 670m. But the whole island is covered with hills and elevations, there are practically no plains here.
The feature of Fuerteventura is that the entire island is a large desert, which more closely resembles Mars. By the way, when filmmakers need “Martian” landscapes for their movies, they either come here or go to the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan. For example, episodes of Star Wars were filmed on Fuerteventura.
- Pros: the island is calm and tranquil, the whole island is one big desert beach, good roads, plenty of attractions for every taste (there is a large zoo, water park, mystical villa, old villages), caves, and much more.
- Cons: due to the low mountains, there are almost always strong winds here. Let’s not forget that the entire archipelago is in the Atlantic Ocean, which is not the warmest and calmest ocean. There is almost no greenery or forests anywhere.
- Resorts on the island (all the best resorts are in the south): the best beach resort is Morro Jable and its continuation to the town of Piedras CaÃdas. There are over 7 km of excellent sandy beach. And the Morro Jable resort is well sheltered from the winds; it is always sunny here, and the season continues even in winter.
Fuerteventura Island Overview.
Who is Fuerteventura for:
Primarily for those who love water sports. There are many beaches here for kite surfers and many kite schools, as there is always a good wind blowing. There are fewer large supermarkets and other infrastructure of megacities here. I would recommend a vacation in Fuerteventura for those who seek tranquility, want to drive on empty roads, and visit deserted beaches.
Lanzarote
Here we have the same situation as with Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are two islands similar to each other. In fact, they are one island that millions of years ago was one whole, but as a result of geological activity, there is now a 10 km strait between them.
Everything you need to know about Lanzarote, besides it being a desert like Fuerteventura, is that it is the homeland of César Manrique. He was born, lived, and created here until 1992. He is a world-renowned Spanish artist, architect, and sculptor. But on the island, he is revered, as he created the tourist image of Lanzarote. There are a huge number of very unusual attractions created by this person.
- Pros: many beaches, a large capital city of the island, Arrecife, with a large beach and all necessary infrastructure. It is on Lanzarote where you’ll find the largest variety of unusual attractions (Manrique’s house on a lava field, caves and concert venues, mega-cool viewing platforms, a restaurant above a volcano crater). Moreover, Lanzarote is one of the most famous wine regions of the Canaries. Here, grapes grow in depressions on lava fields, and there are more than a dozen private wineries here. Learn all about alcohol on the islands and which wine to try.
- Cons: There are few mountains on the island, almost no hiking. And if someone seeks beach relaxation and plenty of greenery, this is definitely not the place.
- Best resorts on the island: the capital, Arrecife, Playa Honda, Puerto del Carmen, and Playa Blanca in the far south.
A comprehensive overview of Lanzarote.
Who is Lanzarote for:
There are beaches, infrastructure, and wind for kite surfers and surfers. But the island is primarily for lovers and connoisseurs of wine. If you enjoy tastings and visiting private wineries, this is the place for you. And for those who love unusual architectural attractions and conceptual art.
La Palma
Take a closer look at this island. La Palma is a very green island under which a supervolcano is forming. The last major eruption was in 2021, several villages were destroyed, and the town of Puerto Naos was completely closed for 3 years. It was only reopened in early 2024. Seismologists predict a very strong eruption already in this century.
In the center of the island, there is a famous national park, its full name being Parque Nacional de la Caldera de Taburiente. It’s a dormant (potentially active) stratovolcano with a huge 8-kilometer caldera in the center. The most powerful eruption in the Canaries occurred here in 1915-1920. Today, the entire caldera is overgrown with forests, there are rivers, and even a waterfall. And most importantly, there are a dozen hiking routes ranging from a couple of hours to a full day. Where else can you walk through the caldera of an active volcano? Its height is 2400m.
- Pros: a huge number of natural attractions, hiking, lava pools. La Palma is also a cool wine region on par with Lanzarote and one of the main world astronomical sites for observing the night sky.
- Cons: It’s a small island, prices here are slightly higher than on the main islands, gasoline is more expensive, and there are not as many beaches and purely beach holidays.
- Best resorts for beach vacation on the island (there are no large infrastructure resorts here, there are small villages tucked into mountain gorges): Playa de Tazacorte (black volcanic sand on the beach), Puerto de Naos (the town was reopened just a month ago; I think everything will be restored within a year, the town beach here is great), Los Cancajos, and there are also cool lava pools at La Fajana. And the largest and coolest beach on the island is in the capital, Santa Cruz de La Palma.
Coordinates of all beaches and a map in the La Palma island overview.
Who is La Palma for:
An island for active tourists, wine lovers, and private wineries. Here, you must definitely rent a car and explore the natural attractions. Mountains, hiking, trekking, active volcanoes (hopefully, you won’t encounter active ones), ocean, lava pools, and very few tourists compared to Tenerife. La Palma is completely different; it’s unlike the other islands, well, maybe only La Gomera can compare.
La Gomera
A very small island that tourists often underestimate is La Gomera. The population of the entire island is about 22 thousand people. It has everything nature lovers need: mountains, viewpoints, beaches, hiking, and tranquility. Additionally, La Gomera produces its own honey, cheeses, and many other farm products.
- Pros: the island is very green, and in the center lies the famous Garajonay National Park, where many Canarian endemic species grow (and live), covering a third of the island. There aren’t many beach resorts here, but they exist. There are few tourists on the island, and the road situation is comfortable.
- Cons: prices for everything (products, gasoline) are about 15-20% higher due to complex transportation. There is no ring road around the island; all roads lead through the center of the island with endless switchbacks. Without a car, there’s not much to do here.
- Best resorts for beach vacation, although there aren’t many, here are the TOP ones: Valle Gran Rey, Playa Santiago.
Overview of the island of La Gomera for tourists.
Who is La Gomera for:
The island is for active tourists, for those who definitely plan to rent a car. You need to drive a lot and walk a lot on the island, fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities for both. There are hundreds of viewpoints and trekking routes. Many local eco-products are produced here.
Where is the best place to stay in the Canary Islands: tips for tourists
Here are a few tips to help you on your journey:
- The climate and terrain specifics of the islands mean that the best beaches, more sun, and warmth are found in the southern parts of any island. Since the winds are predominantly northern, especially in winter, and the clouds also come from the north, and the mountains in the Canaries block both wind and clouds. Even in February, you can enjoy beach relaxation.
- Best Canary islands for beach holidays: Tenerife, Gran Canaria.
- For active tourists who love mountains and hiking: La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife.
- For lovers of architecture and unusual art РLanzarote. Every corner here is infused with the ideas of C̩sar Manrique.
- Best Canary island for wine lovers: La Palma and Lanzarote.
- For kite surfers – Fuerteventura.
- For those who want fewer people on the beach, to gaze at the ocean and sip sangria: La Gomera, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote.
- Islands with the most entertainment, attractions, and the best infrastructure, these same islands are ideal for family vacations: Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
In conclusion: every traveler has their own favorite island in the Canaries. I even know people for whom Fuerteventura, without a single tree, is the most beautiful island, and they don’t need any other. Transport between the islands today is not cheap, and visiting all the islands will significantly impact your budget. But with the desire, you can easily see three islands in a 2-week vacation. Everything about the cost of a vacation in the Canaries by expense items, or how much money to take with you.
Where is the best place to stay in the Canary Islands, and if you ask me about it, here’s my personal TOP: Gran Canaria and staying in the island’s capital near Playa de Las Canteras beach, Lanzarote and staying in Arrecife, and La Gomera and staying in the town of Valle Gran Rey. Of course, there are also great resorts on Tenerife, and on Fuerteventura, I really love the Morro Jable resort, for example.
And an important thought: without a rental car, you’ll only have access to the beach near where you’re staying. A car will open up all the beauties of the Canary Islands to you.
Useful links to help you plan your dream trip to Canary Islands:
- Car Rental: LocalRent or DiscoverCars – the most popular car rental platforms.
- Accommodation:
- Trip.com – the largest accommodation booking platform.
- or TripAdvisor – to compare prices among other platforms and choose the best one.
- Budget-friendly vacation packages to Spain and Canary Islands: CheapOair.
- Tours and activities: GetYourGuide or Viator – hundreds of offers, whales and dolphins, entrance tickets with discounts.
- eSIM and internet: Airalo.
- Flights: WayAway compares prices among dozens of companies.
- Travel Insurance: EKTA.