Vacationing with kids in the Canary Islands comes with its own set of peculiarities and nuances. If you’re aware of all the ins and outs beforehand, your vacation will go smoothly. However, the Canary Islands aren’t always a paradise for children. It’s crucial to choose the right resort and island, know all the details about dining, and much more. In this article, I’ll try to cover everything you need to know about vacationing with kids.

Vacationing with Kids in the Canary Islands: Ocean and Beaches

I’ll list succinctly what to pay attention to when choosing a resort, and you can find more details in the article: the ocean in the Canary Islands.

  • The Atlantic Ocean remains cold year-round. Even in the hottest months, the water only warms up to around 24 degrees Celsius, typically staying around 22-23 degrees Celsius in the summer. Warmer spots are found in lava pools and resorts located in bays, where the water is shallow.
  • There are few beautiful, endless sandy beaches here; instead, there are plenty of pebble beaches. However, with some effort, you can find resorts with sandy beaches, even if it’s black volcanic sand. There are also beaches with regular yellow sand, but they are fewer in number. Here’s a list of the best beaches in the Canaries.
with kids in the canary islands
An excellent urban beach with black volcanic sand in the island capital of La Palma (Playa de Santa Cruz de La Palma) even has a children’s playground. Such beaches are ideal for children.

It’s crucial to note:

This is the Atlantic Ocean; the beaches aren’t protected by reefs like those in the Indian Ocean. Moreover, the Atlantic tends to have stronger waves. There’s also the danger of rip currents at the beaches, which can easily sweep someone into the ocean. There are over 200 such incidents annually in the Canaries. You can find more details about this in the article on dangers in the Canaries.

Advice regarding beaches and the ocean: If you’re vacationing with kids in the Canaries, the most important thing is to choose the right resort and beach with sand and protection from waves. Alternatively, choose a hotel with a pool and take walks by the ocean. Towards the end of the article, I’ll suggest a couple of resorts where you can have an excellent beach vacation with kids right by the ocean.

family vacation canary islands
There are plenty of such hotels in resorts on any island. Kids have a blast here. But I’ll also mention beaches without waves, where swimming in the ocean is absolutely safe.

Nuances and Special Features

A very important point often overlooked: the Canary Islands are entirely volcanic. Mountains start right from the beaches almost everywhere. If you’re traveling to the Canaries with children and a stroller, study your resort in detail before booking a hotel.

You might find that your hotel, for example, is only 300 meters from the ocean, but those 300 meters are all stairs and hills. Hotels here are often built on mountain slopes and cliffs. The photo below shows the most typical example.

best resort for kids canaries
Here’s what I mean: You book a hotel on the gorgeous Playa de Amadores beach on Gran Canaria Island, shown in the photo, with an ocean view, just 200 meters from the beach. But who knew your hotel is situated on such a cliff, and those 200 meters to the beach mean 200 meters downhill. Sometimes these hotels have elevators in the cliffs, but not all of them do. You won’t be strolling down such a hill with a stroller and a child.

Important:

Remember, while the Canaries are part of safe Europe, and there are no exotic diseases here, there are sea urchins, jellyfish, sharp rocks, and stones. Medical services for tourists in Europe can be expensive. So, travel insurance is a must. At least a standard one, which you get for a visa. In the article linked, you’ll find everything about medical services in the Canaries and which insurance to buy for your vacation. There’s an excellent option specifically for tourists with kids.

Vacationing with Kids in the Canaries: Food and Dining

A section for those with picky eaters.

Yes, the Canary Islands are a European region with abundant groceries in stores. You’ll find everything imaginable, and no child will go hungry. In cafes and restaurants, the most popular foods are pizza, pasta, french fries, and burgers – things practically any child enjoys 🙂

But here are a few peculiarities:

  • Typical supermarkets with a vast assortment are only found in resort areas and major islands. If you plan to visit remote places like La Gomera Island, the stores there are about 10 by 10 meters with a limited selection, and some villages have no stores at all.
  • Most families with kids in the Canaries book apartments or aparthotels. The main difference from a regular hotel is that apartments come with a kitchen. Essentially, it’s a standard apartment with a kitchen, not a hotel room with just a kettle. Want to cook your meals? Easy. Tired of cooking? Head to a restaurant for pizza.
beaches for kids canaries
Vacationing with kids in the Canaries is much more comfortable when you have a kitchen with everything you need for cooking. You can prepare almost anything at any time.

Where to Vacation with Kids in the Canaries

There are plenty of resorts suitable for a comfortable vacation with kids in the Canaries, with decent beaches, shops, without steep cliffs and hundreds of steps. Knowing all these nuances, you’ll surely find your dream resort. Below, I’ll guide you in the right direction to make your search easier.

  • Best islands for vacationing with kids: Tenerife and Gran Canaria are the most infrastructural islands. Moreover, there are plenty of additional attractions here: cool water parks, zoos, and other entertainment.
  • The best resorts on both islands are located in the south, where there’s more sun, less wind, and the ocean is calmer. This is because the islands are often affected by north winds, but the mountains in the center of each island shield the southern resorts from clouds and wind.

Here’s a list of fantastic resorts with sandy beaches just perfect for children. The only downside is that these beaches are very popular, so there are lots of tourists during the season.

canary family vacation
Mogan Beach, aside from the crowds, is a wonderful beach for children’s relaxation. By the way, this photo was taken in mid-February during the low season 🙂
features of travel with kids to canaries
Playa de Las Canteras – the best urban beach in the Canaries. The sand is fine, there are waves, but older children will have a great time here. And most importantly, all the infrastructure and a five-kilometer promenade are right along the beach. A great place for walks.
  • Southern Tenerife – Los Cristianos, Las Americas. This is a cluster of resorts in one place, with 6-7 sandy beaches, all protected from waves and wind, and the resorts are located on a plain without mountains and ascents. A great place for kids. (28.05279854831038, -16.72462936481719)

This is just a small selection of kid-friendly resorts; in reality, you’ll find a decent beach on any island. Also, not all parents enjoy beach vacations. During hikes in the mountains, even at the highest peaks of the islands – like Mount Teide, I regularly encounter parents with children.

where to stay with kids in canaries
We’re heading to Mount Teide in Tenerife; this photo was taken at an altitude of 2400 meters above sea level. In the child’s eyes, you can see: “I want to go to the beach and have some french fries, not all of this.”

In conclusion, vacationing with kids in the Canaries is wonderful; the sun shines here all year round, and it’s safe. Only take the advice from this article that applies specifically to you. The most dangerous thing for a child in the Canaries is open and wild beaches with strong waves and possible rip currents; everything else depends on each family’s personal and individual preferences.

Wishing you a fantastic vacation with your child in the Canary Islands!

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.