For Brits trying to escape the dreary weather, the Canary Islands promise year-round warmth and diverse landscapes. Each island has its own distinct atmosphere, whether it’s volcanic peaks or golden beaches.
Choosing the “right” island can make a last-minute break far more rewarding, whether you’re craving nightlife or peace and quiet.
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Tenerife & Gran Canaria
If you want a destination that truly has it all, Tenerife and Gran Canaria are safe bets. Both islands offer a blend of beach life, hiking opportunities, and lively towns, complemented by excellent tourist infrastructure and direct flights from most UK airports.
Tenerife, the largest of the Canaries, is famously home to Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak, a magnet for hikers and nature lovers. Its north and south offer two distinct experiences: the lush, cooler north around Puerto de la Cruz, and the sun-drenched resorts of the south, including Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos. The nightlife here can be as relaxed or as energetic as you choose, with everything from seaside tapas bars to late-night clubs.
Gran Canaria offers a similar variety but with its own character. The island’s capital, Las Palmas, features beach culture with urban sophistication. The interior boasts dramatic mountain scenery and quaint whitewashed villages. Maspalomas’ sand dunes and Playa del Inglés’ nightlife make it ideal for sunseekers and sociable couples.
Lanzarote & Fuerteventura
Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are ideal for tourists who want to slow down and soak up the sun. Lanzarote’s striking volcanic landscapes, shaped by centuries of eruptions, give it a raw, otherworldly beauty. Its black and red terrain, combined with whitewashed villages and César Manrique’s artistic architecture, make it one of the most photogenic islands. The beaches at Playa Blanca and Papagayo are a relaxing base for exploring.
Fuerteventura is the ultimate choice for water sports lovers. Constant winds make it one of Europe’s top spots for windsurfing and kite surfing. The endless sandy stretches (especially around Corralejo) are perfect for long, lazy days. Both islands have a laid-back rhythm, with far fewer crowds than Tenerife or Gran Canaria.
La Palma, La Gomera & El Hierro
If your dream getaway involves hiking trails and pristine nature, the smaller western islands, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro, are your ideal match. La Palma, known as “La Isla Bonita,” is covered in pine forests and volcanic ridges. Caldera de Taburiente National Park has some of the best hiking in the Canaries, and the island’s stargazing conditions are world-renowned.
La Gomera, accessible by ferry from Tenerife, enchants with its misty laurel forests and terraced hillsides, ideal for walkers seeking solitude. El Hierro is the smallest and least developed island, an eco-friendly haven that’s perfect for slow travel and digital detoxes.
Practical Considerations
Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote all have multiple direct flights from the UK and reliable airport transfers that make last-minute holidays simple. La Palma and El Hierro often require connections via Tenerife. Ferries also link the main islands, offering scenic alternatives for those with extra time.
Remember to check the current entry rules when planning your trip. The Canary Islands follow Spain’s visa and passport requirements, but new EU-wide travel systems are coming into effect. The Entry/Exit System (EES), due to roll out across Spanish airports, will introduce biometric checks for non-EU visitors.