Thinking of visiting the Canary Islands? This guide will tell you what to see and do in this volcanic pearl of the Atlantic.
The Canary Islands (Spanish: Islas Canarias) are an archipelago in the Spanish Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Western Sahara and Morocco. They are part of Macaronesia and consist of seven main volcanic islands:
- Lanzarote, whose topography shows that volcanic activity is still very active;
- Fuerteventura, fairly flat and arid, closest to the mainland;
- Gran Canaria, with its mountainous terrain;
- Tenerife, the largest and most populous island, is home to the Teide volcano, which at 3,715 meters above sea level is the highest point in Spain;
- La Gomera, with its lush valleys;
- La Palma, the wettest island in the archipelago, exudes a tropical island vibe;
- El Hierro, for centuries the gateway to the Americas
Each island has its own personality, its own soul: the ideal would be to visit them all, of course, or at least find the exact island you want to explore. In the Canary Islands you can of course also find beaches, coves, dunes and plains, as well as small colonial towns and modern cities. A rich variety of tourist attractions to keep all visitors entertained!
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Want to know what fun things to do in the Canary Islands? Here is our carefully prepared guide to the Canary Islands !
Recommended things to do in the Canary Islands
Not sure which activities to choose to explore the Canary Islands? I suggest you take a look at the wide range of activities we have to offer! Between hiking, diving excursions, volcano visits, whale and dolphin watching cruises, you won’t have time to get bored and you’ll find plenty to do, especially if you’re into the great outdoors. But remember to book your activities in advance to avoid disappointment!
1) Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest and most visited of the Canary Islands and has many little treasures. Tenerife is dominated by volcanic features and offers a pristine, unspoiled nature. Visitors enjoy discovering the landscapes and must-see attractions such as the town of Santa Cruz (Spanish: Santa Cruz de Tenerife), the carnival and the black sand beaches .
You may not know it, but the cold, fast waters of this part of the Atlantic Ocean are a sanctuary for cetaceans, making this a fulfilling activity for anyone looking to visit the Canary Islands. You can take part in an unforgettable dolphin and whale watching experience , where you can see whales and dolphins while sailing along the coast and enjoying the views of the Teide volcano! Excursions include sperm whales, lingcod and sea turtles, as well as numerous species of dolphins, jellyfish and seabirds.
If you don’t know what to do in Tenerife, you can’t miss Teide, a 3,700-meter-high volcano that is the highest point in Spain and the third largest volcano in the world. It is located in the heart of the Tenerife National Park (Parque Nacional de las Cañadas del Teide), a vast lava field without any vegetation, but with amazing colors of rocks, black, white, red, green… To fully appreciate the charm of the volcano, I recommend you take a complete volcano tour.
2) Gran Canaria
Located between Tenerife and Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria is the jewel of the archipelago. The island is known for its incredible landscapes, and its natural beauty has been recognized by UNESCO. From scuba diving to trips to the island’s capital, Las Palmas, to sightseeing boat cruises, there’s a lot to explore here!
One of the most popular activities is a camel ride in the dunes . The tour includes a comfortable ride through the Maspalomas Dunes. But don’t worry: the comfortable two-seater camel saddle will allow you to enjoy the area’s rolling desert scenery without worry. This activity is fun for all ages, so if you don’t know what to do in the Canary Islands, you must do it!
Gran Canaria’s landscapes are varied and full of traces of the island’s ancient inhabitants, the Guanci people. For example, in the Guayadeque Ravine, you can enjoy a hike where you will find many footprints left by the Guanci people. Gran Canaria also has its own lunar landscapes, among which Roque Nublo de Tejeda is a must-see. This magnificent attraction is located near a village and mysteriously appears and disappears in a sea of clouds.
Finally, you can’t visit Gran Canaria without visiting its capital, Las Palmas, a bustling city that rivals any in South America, stretching quietly along the coastline. The narrow streets of Vegueta are perfect for a casual stroll. If you don’t know what to visit in the Canary Islands, in my opinion, Gran Canaria is a very good choice!
3) Fuerteventura
Nicknamed the “Red Island”, Fuerteventura owes its name to its arid landscape, with sand dunes battered by Saharan winds and villages that are completely white. Tourism is the biggest resource here. A trip to Fuerteventura means climbing Montaña de Tindaya, considered sacred by the island’s first inhabitants, a must-see in the Canary Islands!
An unspoiled natural paradise, Fuerteventura is also famous for Oasis Park: a protected area with more than 3,000 animal species! After visiting the incredible botanical gardens and animal world, you can relax on the island’s beaches. Surfing enthusiasts will love Fuerteventura’s waves and surfing lessons .
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4) El Hierro Island
El Hierro is undoubtedly the most desolate island in the archipelago, being 100% volcanic. There are no beaches on the island, which some people despair of! This also explains the lack of interest of tourists in this island that seems to be at the end of the world.
In the Canary Islands, you can see stretches of volcanic rubble that contrast with laurel forests. In the same day, you can walk through the tall pine forests of El Pinar, dive in the calm waters of La Restinga, and even learn about island life in the past at the Ecomuseo de Guinea. Fortunately, all visits are strictly supervised to ensure that the area remains wild. If you have the opportunity, you can enjoy the tranquility of a picnic in the sea of flowers at the Mirador de Isora and have a bird’s eye view of the ocean in the distance. If you don’t know what places to visit in the Canary Islands, I would definitely recommend El Hierro!
5) Lanzarote
Many people are hesitant between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote! This “volcanic island” not only has huge lava fields, but also long sandy beaches and a countryside with fig trees. Its environment is one of Lanzarote’s main assets, and the island has managed to preserve it perfectly, declared a natural biosphere reserve by UNESCO. If you don’t know what to do in Lanzarote, you must go to Timanfaya National Park, a 5,000-hectare volcanic site that was the site of the most serious volcanic eruption in history. After the eruption, it presented a breathtaking landscape: petrified flows, fissures, craters… Nature has taken back its rights on this small island and it is a feast for the eyes.
You can head to the Montañas del Fuego and Caldera del Corazoncillo craters, two breathtaking wonders that will keep you coming back! Don’t forget, Lanzarote is the “Hawaii of Europe” and a world-renowned surfing destination. Now is your chance to try it out!
6) La Gomera
If you love nature, La Gomera in the Canary Islands is the place to go! It is one of the smallest islands in the Canary Islands, but also one of the best preserved. The rich national parks make it a paradise for hikers and nature lovers. There is no large-scale tourism here, and it has always remained untouched: strolling under the lush shade of trees or relaxing on the calm beaches is a real pleasure.
7) La Palma Island
La Gomera is the last destination on my list. The island is worth exploring in one trip. The volcanic ruins here are ideal for hiking. You can stop in any of the authentic villages to experience local life and taste the local wine. After that, you may want to go into the wilderness to visit Cumbre Vieja, which erupted in 2021. The guide will accompany you on a unique hike of 3 hours and 30 minutes.
