The Canary Islands, off the coast of Africa, are a concentration of incredible beaches, otherworldly landscapes, subtropical vegetation, year-round mild climate, fine wines and forested peaks.
Each of the islands of the archipelago is characterised by landscapes that seem to belong to another planet, with waterfalls, pine forests and black beaches.
Canary Islands
Tenerife
Gran Canaria
Lanzarote
Fuerteventura
La Graciosa
La Gomera
La Palma
Trying to decide which is the most beautiful is practically impossible, each island is different; you will love each island in a different way. Be enchanted by the mountainous interior of Gran Canaria, the waterfalls of La Palma or the Parque Nacional de Garajonay in La Gomera, the colours of Lanzarote and the summit of Teide in Tenerife.
Visiting this archipelago of Spanish islands is one of the best things to do at least once in a lifetime and in this guide we explain why.
Canary Islands: What are they?
The Canary Islands (Islas Canarias for the Spanish) are tropical islands consisting of seven islands and a few islets. Where are the Canary Islands located? They are located off the coast of Morocco in the Atlantic Ocean. Their volcanic nature is already evident when you fly over them or when you see them from the sea: they are characterised by black beaches, volcanic cones and calderas and many landscapes that seem to be from another planet.
The largest island is Tenerife, followed by Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria. Then come, in order of size, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro, the smallest.
Administratively, the Canary Islands archipelago is part of Spain and Spain holds two important records: it is the westernmost and also the southernmost region of the country and is home to the country's highest mountain, Tenerife's Teide, at a whopping 3,700 metres.
However, the Canary Islands' climate, characterised by an eternal spring, is undoubtedly the most interesting record: it is a desert climate with very low rainfall. Winter does not exist and summer can be pleasant and windy. The water temperature, being in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, is never very hot: in winter it can reach 18° and in the hottest months (July and August) it can reach 28°.
In the most sheltered bays one can swim, even without a wetsuit, all year round.
Canary Islands: Which one to choose?
The Canary Islands are the perfect destination for exploring exotic, wild nature while remaining in Europe. The possibility of going to the beach even in winter, luck permitting, is very high and you can certainly enjoy the archipelago's legendary eternal spring. But which island to choose?
Gran Canaria 
It is considered a miniature continent. The nature here is incredibly diverse and presents, concentrated, all the characteristics of the other islands in a rather limited corner of the mainland. There are the desert landscapes of Roque Nublo, exotic forests, huge beaches and small villages to visit. Don't forget to taste gofio (a typical island dish), eat in a restaurant carved out of a cave and enjoy the view from the top of Roque Nublo. Here you will find directions on what to see in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Tenerife 
It is the largest and most populated island of the archipelago and also one of the most touristy. Of course, not all its areas are affected by tourism in the same way.
It is famous for the Los Gigantes natural pools where you can bathe in calm, transparent water that is much warmer than that of the open sea. The north of Tenerife is very green. There are many coastal villages to visit one by one and a cosmopolitan and lively capital.
Lanzarote 
It is the island of surf and beaches, but also of volcanic and desert landscapes where it feels like being on the moon. There are no less than 30 volcanoes, salt flats and underground paths and lakes.
Visit the Mirador del Rio, which is one of the most beautiful viewpoints on Lanzarote and also an interesting combination of nature and architecture. La Geria, in the centre of the island, is an arid landscape of brown, volcanic soil where vineyards with their geometric alignments stand out.
La Gomera 
Together el Hierro is the wildest and most authentic of the islands. Pay attention to the island's typical whistle. It is a kind of birdsong, but it is humans who produce it: a kind of alternative language that was used in the past to communicate even at great distances in case of danger or emergency. In La Gomera there is one of the oldest fern forests on the planet.
The Palm 
It is the freakiest island where it is easiest to meet people who have chosen alternative ways of life and the general atmosphere of the island is undoubtedly influenced by this.
The Cubo de la Galga is a wild, natural paradise in the centre of the volcanic island. La Palma is also the least touristy of the larger islands.
Fuerteventura 
Together with Lanzarote, it is the windiest and most suitable for water and wind sports. It also boasts the most beautiful beaches.
Don't miss the white dunes of the Corralejo Natural Park from where boats also depart for the Isle of Wolves, a small island protected for its incredible seabed.
La Graciosa 
It is the smallest and least inhabited of the smaller islands in the archipelago. The island has recently become an official part of the islands of the archipelago.
One can dedicate a day tour to la Graciosa by ferry from Lanzarote.
El Hierro 
El Hierro, secluded and far from the larger Canary Islands, is off the tourist track. It has remained authentic, with small villages as black and white as the island's stone, solitary churches, vineyards, beaches and volcanoes.
What to see in the Canaries
There is a huge variety of environments and landscapes in the Canaries: there are deserts, the lush and primitive forests of La Gomera, the volcanic peaks and subtrobical vegetation of Gran Canaria.
Around the islands of the archipelago there are many privileged viewpoints, belvederes and observatories. The best spot for stargazing, however, remains the summit of Teide, Spain's highest mountain, which is located within a huge radius of a completely light-pollution-free environment.
Below we have selected 10 things you absolutely must see in the Canaries:
Timanfaya National Park
Lanzarote's Timanfaya National Park is the most impressive volcanic area in the Canaries. An enormous lava flow draws contrasting undulations and shapes and extends all the way to the coast. When it comes to volcanic landscapes, other areas of the archipelago also have much to say, but this one is certainly the most stunning.
Papagayo beach
Papagayo, also in Lanzarote, is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Canaries. It is a deep inlet and is therefore protected from the winds. Montana de Arena in Gran Canaria is also very beautiful and sheltered, although unlike the former, it is much less well known.
Caldera de Taburiente
The Caldera de Taburiente National Park is located in La Palma. It is a crater with a diameter of 10 km where trekking and exploration trails are available. During the Spanish conquest of the archipelago it was the (almost) impregnable stronghold of the local indigenous Guanches.
Cubo de la Galga
Also on La Palma, for an immersion in even wilder but much more lush nature, you must see the Cubo de la Galga, which is an incredible explosion of green.
Mirador de las Playas
The Mirador de las Playas in El Hierro is a 360° viewpoint of the most authentic and uninhabited side of the Canaries. The island is a kind of enclave of sustainable tourism in the Canaries.
Garachico
In Tenerife, the coastal villages are usually touristy, even if they are usually characterised by habitué tourism. Garachico is one of the most authentic and least touristy villages and a must-see.
Garajonay
Garajonay is a natural park on the island of La Gomera, where a type of fern that comes directly from the Tertiary Era flourishes.
Los Organos
At Los Organos, also on La Gomera, lava flows have formed a basaltic cliff that actually resembles an organ.
La Geria
La Geria on Lanzarote is a dark, inhospitable volcanic area. What is special about La Geria? Thanks to the ingenious and tireless work of man, it has been cultivated with vines. Individual plants are placed in a hole so that they are sheltered from the wind. The volcanic rock is porous and absorbs moisture at night, releasing it during the day and allowing the plants to survive and make good wine.
Tenerife's Natural Pools
The natural pools of Tenerife are one of the wonders of the archipelago, allowing you to enjoy the sea all year round and swim in the calm, warm water. Montaña Amarilla, Charco Azul, the De Bajamar pools, Jóver, Lago Martianez, Charco del Viento, Garachico El Caletón and Punta del Hidalgo are some of the most beautiful natural pools in Tenerife.
Video 10 things to do at least once in the Canaries What to do in the Canaries
If you are looking for a sedentary holiday in the Canaries, it can be done. You can rent a flat near the natural pools or in a coastal town in Tenerife, or you can choose a resort and enjoy days by the sea and sedentary. But the Canarian archipelago is the perfect place for an active holiday: you can surf, kitesurf and bodyboard and there are plenty of options for weekly courses even for beginners.
The opportunities for trekking are endless and range from routes to reach mountain peaks and volcano tops to paths to explore nature and national parks.
Did you know that there is also the Way of St James in the Canaries? The route is marked and cuts through the islands of Gran Canaria and Tenerife from south to north to reach the ports from where ships departed for Europe and from where the journey to Santiago de Compostela began.
Curious and less touristy places in the Canaries
Chinyero Reserve
Cueva del Los Verdes
Roque Nublo
Maspalomas Dunes Nature Reserve
Timanfaya National Park
El Bufadero de La Garita
Timanfaya
Los Organos
Most beautiful beaches
There are all kinds of beaches in the Canaries: golden sand, black sand, rocky, natural pools and beaches where it feels like being in the desert.
Maspalomas, in Gran Canaria, is a natural park formed by duen of golden sand lapping the coast. the area is unfortunately one of the most touristy on the island because it is populated by resorts and real summer. To breathe in absolute peace and extreme solitude, head to Playa Guigui in Gran Canaria. It can be reached by a long trek lasting 3 hours outward and 3 hours return, otherwise it can be reached by boat from Tasartico (20 euro round trip).
Fuerteventura is a favourite island for surfers because its wide, flat beaches are blown by the best winds and favour all water and wind sports such as kitesurfing and windsurfing, surfing and bodyboarding (find the most beautiful beaches in Fuerteventura here).
Here are the beaches not to be missed in the Canary Islands archipelago
Charco Azul, El Hierro
Playa de Famara, Lanzarote
El Charco de los Clicos, Lanzarote
Playa de Papagayo, Lanzarote
Playa de Nogales, La Palma
Playa los Cancajos, La Palma
Playa Las Canteras, Gran Canaria
Maspalomas, Gran Canaria
Montana de Arena, Gran Canaria
El Bollullo, Tenerife
Playa de la Tejita, Tenerife
Playa de Taganana, Tenerife
Valle Gran Rey, La Gomera
Corralejo, Fuerteventura
Concha del Cotillo, Fuerteventura
Playa de las Conchas de Teguise, La Graciosa
Living in the Canaries
The Canary Islands are an autonomous community of Spain with a different tax regime. This, combined with the low cost of living and the optimal climate, make the Canaries one of the most sought-after places to emigrate.
Click on the link above for all the information on how to go and live in the Canaries, how to find work and where, how much rent is and how much living costs. The bureaucracy, although subject to a certain thickening in recent years, is still quite streamlined and smooth, making it a perfect destination to open a business. Who knows, the Canaries might be more than just your next holiday destination!
Most beautiful excursions to do in the Canary Islands
Parque Nacional del Teide - Tenerife
Timanfaya National Park - Lanzarote
Roque Nublo - Gran Canaria
Corralejo National Park - Fuerteventura
Isla de Lobos - Fuerteventura
Caldera de Taburiente National Park - La Palma
Parque Nacional de Garajonay - La Gomera
Gran Rey Valley - La Gomera
Tubo Volcánico - El Hierro
El Sabinal - El Hierro
How to get there
The Canary Islands can be reached by plane and ship. There are numerous low-cost airlines that fly to the islands or alternatively, you can make a stopover in Madrid. Each island has an airport. From Italy you fly from Orio al Serio to Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Tenerife, from Malpensa to Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. From Rome you fly to Fuerteventura, Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote.
Climate and Weather
The weather, as mentioned above, is one of the most interesting features of the Canaries. The presence of the trade winds makes it sometimes dry and sometimes humid, depending on the wind blowing, but always pleasantly mild. It hardly ever rains and the possibility of rain is practically non-existent.
Swimming in the sea can be done all year round: always in summer, and in the less windy places in winter, taking advantage of the warm and calm wonder of the natural pools. You can visit the archipelago every month, but each island is different, which is why Gran Canaria is the warmest island in winter due to its location. Here you will find all the information about the climate in the Canaries month by month.
Map and Map Most beautiful photos 
FOLLOW THE GALLERY - 19 Things to do in the Canaries
How many Canary Islands are there?
The Canary Islands are a Spanish archipelago made up of seven major islands and several smaller ones. Find out more about the Canary Islands .
Where to go in the Canary Islands?
The northern part of Tenerife is ideal for a relaxing holiday of hiking and quiet days on the long, clear beaches. The south is where the entertainment is concentrated. Gran Canaria is characterised by sand dunes and long beaches and enjoys a perfect climate. Lanzarote is a paradise of water and land. La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma are less well known and offer unspoilt landscapes.
How many inhabitants are there in Gran Canaria?
There are 859,835 inhabitants.
Where to go in the Canaries in winter?
Spain
Gran Canaria