As you can imagine from the site’s name, we love the Canaries. Although very close to each other, these islands are very different, with volcanoes, deserts, forests, mountains and cliffs to suit all tastes.
In this article, we help you choose which Canary Island to visit according to your interests. We can’t wait to share our photos and favorite places to discover.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Which Canary Island to choose: summary
List of Canary Islands to visit
Let’s start by clarifying the list.
The Canary Islands have 7 main islands. However, you can stay on 8 of the archipelago’s islands:
- Tenerife
- Gran Canaria
- Lanzarote
- Fuerteventura
- La Gomera
- El Hierro
- La Palma
- La Graciosa (a small island near Lanzarote with a few accommodations)
In all transparency, we have already visited 7 of these 8 islands in depth. For the remaining island, our comments are based on our research for future trips there. And we’ll update the article afterwards.
Best Canary Islands: our opinion (according to your criteria)
There’s no better absolute island. They all offer something different, depending on what you prefer.
Here are our favorites, according to various criteria:
- Our favorites
Lanzarote is our favorite island, because it has been preserved from over-building.
The buildings are elegant, the volcanoes superb and the island very easy to explore.
See where to stay in Lanzarote.
Tenerife is not far behind with its impressive scenery, but there’s more construction, more traffic and more people.
See where to stay in Tenerife.
El Hierro, for its peace and quiet, geological interest and variety of landscapes.
- Best Canary Island for variety of landscapes
The larger islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria offer the greatest variety of landscapes.
Tenerife has beaches, cliffs, lava fields, volcanoes, caves, villages, museums, archaeological sites, vineyards, forests…
In Gran Canara you have: beaches, dunes, cliffs, rock formations, villages, museums, canyons…
Between the two, we find Tenerife’s landscapes more spectacular.
- Best Canary Island for beaches
Here again, we can break it down according to the type of beach you prefer.
For very large sandy beaches, choose Fuerteventura. See the beaches.
And see where to stay in Fuerteventura.
For beaches in pleasant, convenient resorts, not too big or too small and with everything close at hand, choose all the other islands.
For wild beaches without too many people, choose La Graciosa.
See our article on the small island of La Graciosa.
- Best Canary Island for restaurants
So far, we’ve found Gran Canaria to have the most interesting restaurants.
Otherwise, Tenerife also has a good offer as it is the island with the most pupulations.
- Best Canary Island for geology enthusiasts
Lanzarote and Tenerife are home to many fascinating volcanic formations. In our opinion, the two islands are on an equal footing.
Lanzarote has numerous volcanoes, volcanic tubes, Timanfaya National Park, small lava cliffs…
In Tenerife you’ll find numerous lava fields, volcanic tubes, the Teide National Park with all its formations, natural lava pools…
El Hierro has fascinating lava fields.
- Best Canary Island for hiking
Challenging hikes on mountainsides: La Gomera and La Palma
Easier short hikes: Lanzarote
- Best Canary Island for peace and quiet
If you’re looking for peace and quiet, moments of solitude without a horde of tourists, we recommend La Gomera or El Hierro. These two small islands are very pleasant.
But as a result, you’ll find far fewer large resorts…
- Best Canary Island for LGBTQ+ communities
In Gran Canaria, especially in Playa del Ingles, you’ll find many LGBTQ+ establishments: hotels, restaurants, clubs…
- Best Canary Island for families
Tenerife and Gran Canaria offer the widest choice of parks and attractions for children: water parks, theme parks, boat trips, zoos…
It’s also on these islands that you’ll find more hotels with waterslides and dedicated clubs.
- Best Canary Island for climate
Few differences between the different islands.
Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are just drier, as their peaks are lower and don’t stop the clouds.
Climate is not a criterion for choosing between islands
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN THE Canary Islands
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a motor powerful enough for Tenerife and La Gomera. A small car is sufficient for the other islands
- But you can also choose a larger one if you wish, as the parking spaces are rather large.
- There’s a lot of demand and these are islands, so book early.
Where to go in the Canary Islands: places to stay
We’ll tell you more about each island later, but if these initial answers have already helped you choose, here are our tips for choosing where to stay in the Canaries:
Where to go in Lanzarote
The main resorts are Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise.
We prefer Playa Blanca.
See our full article on where to stay in Lanzarote.
Our selection of hotels:
- Best 5-star hotel: Hôtel Le Fariones
- Best adults-only hotel: Hotel CalaLanzarote
- Best hotel for families: Hotel Aequora Suites
- Best all-inclusive hotel: Hotel Secrets Lanzarote
Where to go in Fuerteventura
The main resorts are Morro Jable, Costa Calma, Caleta de Fuste and Corralejo.
We prefer Corralejo and Morro Jable.
See our full article on where to stay in Fuerteventura.
Our selection of hotels:
- Best 5-star hotel: Hôtel Le Fariones
- Best adults-only hotel: Hotel INNSide Fuerteventura
- Best hotel for families: Hotel Barcelo Corralejo Sands
- Best all-inclusive hotel: Hotel Iberostar Selection
Where to go in Tenerife
The main resorts and towns are Playa de la Americas, Los Cristiaos, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Puerto de la Cruz, La Laguna, Los Gigantes, Playa del Duque.
We prefer Playa del Duque for its beaches and La Laguna for its history.
See our full article on where to stay in Tenerife.
Our selection of hotels:
- Best 5-star hotel: Hotel Vincci La Plantacion del Sur
- Best adults-only hotel: Hotel Royal Hideaway Corales Beach
- Best hotel for families: GF Victoria Hotel
- Best all-inclusive hotel: Hotel Dreams Jardin Tropical Resort
Where to go in Gran Canaria
The main resorts are Puerto de Mogan, Maspalomas, Meloneras, playa del Ingles, san Agustin, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Puerto Rico.
We prefer Puerto de Mogan and Meloneras.
See our full article on where to stay in Gran Canaria.
Our selection of hotels:
- Best 5-star hotel: Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel
- Best adults-only hotel: Hotel Club Maspalomas
- Best hotel for families: Hotel Maspalomas Princess
- Best all-inclusive hotel: Hotel Gloria Palace Royal Hotel & Spa
Where to go on other islands
The other islands are much smaller, with less choice:
- See top rated accommodations in La Gomera
- See top rated accommodations in El Hierro
- See top-rated accommodations in La Palma
- See top rated accommodations in El Hierro
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN THE Canary Islands
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a motor powerful enough for Tenerife and La Gomera. A small car is sufficient for the other islands
- But you can also choose a larger one if you wish, as the parking spaces are rather large.
- There’s a lot of demand and these are islands, so book early.
Lanzarote: why choose it or not
Why go to Lanzarote
Lanzarote is one of the most volcanic islands in the world, and its landscapes are truly unique. You can explore lava fields, volcanic craters and even volcanic tubes.
Lanzarote’s culture is also unique. Thanks to César Manrique, who imposed restrictions on construction and worked to incorporate architecture into nature.
Lanzarote also boasts some very beautiful golden sandy beaches, both in town and in the wild.
Why not choose it
If you like mountains, greenery or long hikes, Lanzarote is not the island for you.
What’s more, the island isn’t very big. After 2 weeks, you’ll have seen them all in detail.
Our must-haves
- Timnafaya National Park
- Montana Cuervo hike
- The beaches of Papagayo
- Dolphin watching
- Caves: Jamao del agua and Cueva de los Verdes
- Slot Canyon de Las Grietas
- Cactus Garden
- Vineyards
- Best things to do in the old town of Teguise
See our article on Lanzarote’s top attractions.
HAVE FUN WITH THESE Lanzarote activities
- Dolphin watching
- Buggy / Quad
- Kayak excursion
- But also: Diving at the Museum of the Atlantic, Catamaran outings, Paddle excursions, Parasailing
Tenerife: why choose it, or not
Why go to Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands. It therefore offers a beautiful variety of landscapes and activity: you can see volcanic peaks with fascinating geological formations and colors that seem to be from another planet.
But you can also find yourself lost in a misty forest at Anaga Rural Park.
Tenerife is also rich in gastronomy and cultural activities: museums, old town with superb architecture, botanical gardens with spectacular trees.
And for families, there are several water parks and theme parks to delight children of all ages.
Why not choose it
Tenerife has the largest population in the Canaries. If you don’t like crowds and traffic, this is not the right island for you.
But the scenery is truly spectacular, so if you still want to enjoy it, we recommend getting up early to visit before the crowds.
And because the island is larger, it’s harder to visit everything from a single accommodation.
Our must-haves
- Teide National Park, especially Minas de San Jose and Los Roques de Garcia
- Anaga Forest
- Garachico and its natural pools surrounded by lava (especially with waves crashing at high tide)
- Punta de Teno with views of the giant cliffs
- Dolphin-watching boat trip
- The old center of La Laguna
- Stargazing
See our article on Tenerife’s top attractions.
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities in Tenerife
Dolphin watching
Kayaking and snorkeling with turtles
Star-gazing from Teide
Buggy / Quad
Paragliding flight
Parasailing
Canyoning
Fuerteventura: why choose it, or not
Why go to Fuerteventura
If you like long walks in the sand, this is the island for you.
Fuerteventura has many long, sandy beaches with turquoise waters.
The island is sparsely built-up, and there are plenty of quiet spots.
Why not choose it
If you’re looking for variety, you’ll have covered it all in less than a week, but there are still dunes, cliffs and small mountains.
Cultural activities and gastronomic options are limited.
Our must-haves
- The dunes of Corralejo
- Dolphin watching boat tour
- The Cofete area
- The historic capital, the village of Betancuria
- Ajuy caves
- The magnificent lagoon of Jandia
- The volcanic island of Lobos
See our article on Fuerteventura’s top attractions.
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
- Dolphin watching
- Boat to Lobos Island
- Buggy tour
- But also; surfing lessons, 4WD tour in Cofete, windsurfing, scuba diving…
Gran Canaria: why choose it, or not
Why go to Gran Canaria
Due to its size, Gran Canaria offers a wide variety of landscapes. It is sometimes called the island of a thousand contrasts.
It’s true that there’s a bit of everything here: villages, rock formations, beaches, canyons, cliffs, dunes… the list goes on and on.
There are also large, beautiful sandy beaches that will delight many of you.
And for families, there’s plenty to choose from, with numerous water parks and theme parks.
Why not choose it
There are many different landscapes, but none as memorable as those of Lanzarote and Tenerife. They are superb and well worth a visit, but not as unforgettable.
Our must-haves
- Los Roques hiking trail
- The view from Pico de las Nieves
- The village of Agruïmes
- Vallée des Larmes GC 210 (very narrow)
- The archaeological sites of Maipes and La Fortaleza, among others
- View of the cliffs from Mirador del Balcon
- The Maspalomas dunes
See our article on Gran Canaria’s top attractions.
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities in Gran Canaria
Dolphin watching
Buggy / Quad
Horseback riding
Snorkeling
Canyoning
Via Ferrata
Coasteering in Agaete
Kayaking in the Mogan caves
La Gomera: why choose it, or not
Why go to La Gomera
La Gomera is a much smaller island, and much greener.
The main attractions can be visited in 2 days.
But it’s also a hiker’s paradise, surrounded by magnificent forests and valleys.
What we also really appreciated was the peace and quiet on the island. It was a bit of a shock to return to Tenerife after…
Why not choose it
La Gomera is very small, so the range of activities is less diverse.
There are hardly any resort hotels on the island.
And you absolutely have to rent a car to get around.
Our must-haves
- The view of los Roques
- Numerous valleys and views from main roads
- Laurasilva forest in the center of the island
- The villages of Vallehermoso and Agulo
- San Sebastian and its church
See our article on La Gomera’s top attractions (coming soon).
La Graciosa: why choose it, or not
Why go to La Graciosa
La Graciosa is a tiny, tiny pile with no paved roads.
It’s a good destination if you want to relax and spend your days on beautiful beaches.
Why not choose it
Once on the island, activities and restaurants are limited.
And to leave again, you have to take the ferry from Orzola on Lanzarote.
Our must-haves
- Playa Francesa
- Playa Amarillo and its volcano
- Playa de las Conchas overlooking Montana Clara island
- Lava arch: Caleton de Los Arcos
- The only two villages: Caleta del Sebo and Pedro Barba
See our article on the best attractions in La Graciosa.
El Hierro: why choose it, or not
Why go to El Hierro
Small island with volcanic formations. It’s a reserve, so there’s little construction, unspoilt nature and lots of peace and quiet.
The island is ideal for diving enthusiasts.
We loved the variety of landscapes, from lava fields to craters, forests and volcanic cliffs…
Why not choose it
The island is very small and therefore offers less variety of activities.
It’s not for you if you’re looking for nightlife, big resort hotels or a wide choice of restaurants.
Our must-haves
- El Roque de La Bonanza and Las Playas Bay
- Laurassilva forest
- Camino Jinama hike
- Natural pools and numerous arches: Charco de los Sargos, Charco Manso…
- Scuba diving
- Lava cliffs
See our article on the best attractions in El Hierro (coming soon).
La Palma: why choose it, or not
Why go to La Palma
La Palma is one of the Canaries’ least touristy islands
Why not choose it
Less tourism means less infrastructure and fewer hotels.
This is also where the long volcanic eruption of 2021 took place (Cumbre Vieja volcano).
Our must-haves
- Hiking in the Caldera de Taburiente National Park
- Hiking in Bosque de Los Tilos
- San Antonio volcano
- Roque de los Muchachos
- Dolphin cruise
- Stargazing
- The forests of laurasilva
- Hiking, hiking and hiking
See our article on La Palma’s top attractions (coming soon).
Frequently asked questions
Which is the most beautiful island in the Canaries?
There’s no island more beautiful than any other. They offer very different landscapes. It depends on what you like.
Our favorites are Tenerife and Lanzarote, where we love the volcanic formations.
Lanzarote or Fuerteventura
If you want a wide variety of activities and lots of charm, then head for Lanzarote.
If you’re looking for a beach vacation or water sports, head for Fuerteventura.
See our comparison article.
Tenerife or Gran Canaria
Both islands offer a variety of landscapes, good restaurants and numerous activities.
We find Tenerife’s scenery more impressive, but it’s still crowded. In Gran Canaria, you can still enjoy some quiet spots.
See our comparative article (coming soon).
