Which Canary Island to choose?

The Canary Islands are a Spanish archipelago made up of seven main islands: Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, La Palma, El Hierro and La Gomera. Their privileged location, 150 kilometres from the Moroccan coast in the Atlantic Ocean, means they enjoy a mild, sunny climate all year round. You might think that all the Canary Islands are alike, but that's not the case. Whether in terms of landscape, atmosphere or activities, they are all very different. From the volcanic landscapes of Lanzarote to the windy beaches of Fuerteventura, not forgetting the festive atmosphere of Tenerife, the verdant panoramas of La Palma, the wide range of activities on Gran Canaria or the relaxing calm of La Gomera and El Hierro... Find out which island to choose according to your travel style and your desires.

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Canary Islands

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Volcanic Lanzarote

Although all the Canary Islands are volcanic in origin, it's on Lanzarote that you feel it most. The black pebble beaches, expanses of ash, craters and seas of frozen lava form lunar landscapes that seem to have come straight out of a science fiction film. What's more, the island is relatively untouched by mass tourism, so you can hike in the Timanfaya national park or enjoy the beaches in complete tranquillity. Good news for art lovers: Lanzarote was the open-air canvas of artist César Manrique, who magnified the island with his works.

Papagayo beach on Lanzarote, an island in the Canary Islands in Spain.

- © Egor Goryachev / Shutterstock

Why choose Lanzarote?

The volcanic and arid landscapes, the hiking, the wild beaches, the culture and art, the lack of tourists.

Our favourite hotels in Lanzarote :

⭐ Hotel Fariones 5*

With its two palm-fringed pools, four restaurants, private beach and rooms with balconies overlooking the ocean, the 5* Hotel Fariones is a little paradise on earth.

Hotel Fariones 5* - Puerto del Carmen Puerto del Carmen
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Hotel Fariones 5* - Puerto del Carmen

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9.3
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£306 / night
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⭐ Hotel Lancelot 5*

More accessible but almost as heavenly, the 3*Hotel Lancelot offers pretty sea-view rooms and has a swimming pool, restaurant and super rooftop.

Hotel Lancelot 3* - Arrecife Arrecife
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Hotel Lancelot 3* - Arrecife

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8.5
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£89 / night
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Fuerteventura, dream beaches and water sports

Fancy some idleness, white sand and translucent water? Then head for Fuerteventura, the island with the most beautiful beaches in the Canaries. As its name suggests, Fuerteventura is windswept, especially on its east coast. This means you can sunbathe without getting too hot, and enjoy a whole range of water sports: surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, etc. The island also has some nice spots to discover on a short hike, such as the Corralejo nature park - a miniature desert - or the Jandía peninsula.

Sotavento beach in Fuerteventura.

- © NicoElNino / Shutterstock

Why choose Fuerteventura?

The dream beaches, the water sports, the walks, the rather relaxed atmosphere, still untouched by mass tourism.

Our favourite hotels in Fuerteventura :

Bahiazul Villas & Club Fuerteventura 4*

In need of luxury and privacy? Bahiazul Villas & Club Fuerteventura 4* lets you rent magnificent villas with private pools. It also has a restaurant and spa.

Bahiazul Resort Fuerteventura 4* Corralejo
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Bahiazul Resort Fuerteventura 4*

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9.1 Fabulous
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£244 / night
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⭐ Hélène Holidays and Retreats

On the seafront, Hélène Holidays and Retreats offers beautiful sea-view rooms and flats. Special mention to its superb swimming pool!

Hélène Holidays and Retreats - Corralejo Corralejo
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Hélène Holidays and Retreats - Corralejo

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9.1
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£121 / night
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Tenerife, the best of both worlds

When you go on holiday with friends or family and everyone has different wishes, finding a destination that suits everyone can quickly prove complicated. A trip to Tenerife will solve this problem: there's something for everyone. Lazing on the sandy beaches, hiking to the summit of the Teide volcano -Spain 's highest mountain - discovering the picturesque villages or going whale watchingat sea... there's something for everyone. In the evening, locals and tourists alike can be found partying in the bars and nightclubs.

One of Tenerife's many picturesque villages.

- Copyright © 2021 Balate Dorin/Shutterstock. No use without permission.

Why choose Tenerife?

The beaches, the volcanic landscapes, the hiking, the cultural visits, the colonial towns, the festive atmosphere.

Our favourite hotels in Tenerife :

⭐ Adrián Hoteles Roca Nivaria 5*

We love the Adrián Hoteles Roca Nivaria 5* for its infinity pool overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, its spa, its sports facilities, its two restaurants and its large rooms.

Adrián Hoteles Roca Nivaria 5* (5*) Adeje
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Adrián Hoteles Roca Nivaria 5* (5*)

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8.8 Superb
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⭐ Hotel Emblemático San Agustin

Hotel Emblemático San Agustin occupies a magnificent building typical of the Canary Islands with a beautiful inner courtyard.

Hotel Emblemático San Agustin - Icod de los Vinos Icod de los Vinos
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Hotel Emblemático San Agustin - Icod de los Vinos

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9.5
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£114 / night
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Gran Canaria, stunning and varied landscapes

The largest island in the archipelago, Gran Canaria boasts a wide variety of landscapes: dream beaches, large towns, volcanoes, troglodyte villages, palm groves, castles... and even a small desert, the dunes of Maspalomas! There's no shortage of things to do on this very touristy island: as well as the traditional hikes and cultural visits, visitors can try their hand at golf, water sports or fly over the island in a helicopter. Gran Canaria also offers the widest range of accommodation and restaurants, and is the place where the party is in full swing every night.

The Maspalomas dunes on Gran Canaria in Spain.

- © Pol.Albarran / Shutterstock

Why choose Gran Canaria?

The magnificent landscapes, the festive atmosphere, the culture and art, the gastronomy, the tourist activities, the all-inclusive holiday clubs.

Our favourite hotels in Tenerife :

Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel 5*

Luxury and voluptuousness are the order of the day at the Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel 5*: vast gardens, magnificent swimming pool, rooftop bar, three restaurants, spa and incredible rooms.

Santa Catalina 5* - Las Palmas Gran Canaria
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Santa Catalina 5* - Las Palmas

With its outdoor swimming pool, restaurants, spa and rooftop overlooking Las Palmas, this 5-star hotel is sure to please!
9.1
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£160 / night
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⭐ Palm Oasis Maspalomas 3*

The Palm Oasis Maspalomas 3* aparthotel rents flats for two to six people, giving access to its two swimming pools, restaurant and sports and leisure facilities.

Palm Oasis Maspalomas 3* Gran Canaria
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Palm Oasis Maspalomas 3*

This 3-star apartment hotel offers pretty flats for 2 to 6 people, just a stone's throw from the Maspalomas dunes.
9
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£74 / night
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La Palma, the green city

La Palma is the greenest and most lush of the Canary Islands. It will appeal to nature lovers and hikers alike, with some 1,000 kilometres of signposted trails: from the volcanic landscapes of the Caldera de Taburiente National Park and the Volcano Route, to the tropical atmosphere of the Los Tilos forest and the black sand beaches, the possibilities are endless. There are also plenty of adventure sports on offer, including paragliding, canoeing and caving. At night, the absence of light pollution makes it the perfect spot for stargazing.

The Las Tricias trail to the north of the island of La Palma.

- © Unai Huizi Photography / Shutterstock

Why choose La Palma?

The varied landscapes, lush nature, hiking, mountain biking, lack of tourists, adventure sports, stargazing.

Our favourite hotels in La Palma :

⭐ Parador de La Palma 4*

In the heart of tropical gardens, the Parador de La Palma 4* hotel offers sea-view rooms. It also has a beautiful sunny swimming pool and a delicious restaurant.

Parador de La Palma 4* La Palma
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Parador de La Palma 4*

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8
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£85 / night
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⭐ Hacienda San Jorge 3*

Just a stone's throw from the sea, the 3* Hacienda San Jorge rents flats for three or four people. Its swimming pool is huge and the terrace of its restaurant offers a beautiful view of the ocean.

Hacienda San Jorge 3* - La Palma La Palma
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Hacienda San Jorge 3* - La Palma

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8.6
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£150 / night
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El Hierro and La Gomera, wild and unspoilt islands

El Hierro and La Gomera are much smaller islands than their neighbours and have no international airports. Access is a little tricky and there is much less accommodation on offer than on the other islands, so tourists are few and far between, and you can enjoy the wild, unspoilt nature in complete tranquillity. With mountains, gorges and forests, the scenery is incomparably beautiful. And while beaches are a little scarce, there are some very pleasant natural pools and some of the best scuba diving spots in the archipelago.

Roque Agando in La Gomera's Garajonay National Park.

- © Nicoly / Shutterstock

Why choose El Hierro or La Gomera?

The wild nature, the hiking, the scuba diving, the lack of tourists, the very calm atmosphere.

Our favourite hotels in El Hierro and La Gomera :

⭐ Parador de El Hierro 3*

Surrounded by lush gardens, the 3* Hotel Parador de El Hierro offers elegant, wooded rooms with sea or mountain view balconies. Its swimming pool is well worth a visit!

Parador de El Hierro 3* El Hierro
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Parador de El Hierro 3*

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8.2
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£81 / night
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⭐ Parador de La Gomera 4*

The gardens and swimming pool of the Parador de La Gomera 4* hotel overlook the sea in a magnificent panorama. The rooms all overlook the sea.

Parador de La Gomera 4* La Gomera
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Parador de La Gomera 4*

An outdoor swimming pool, a delicious bar-restaurant and sea-view rooms await you at this superb 4-star hotel.
8.5
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£135 / night
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by Jude JONES
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