The Best Canary Island to Visit (2025)

The Canary Islands all share year-round sunshine, volcanic landscapes, and stunning beaches, but each has its own personality. Some are a dream for hikers chasing dramatic trails, while others are perfect for those who love water sports or families looking for calm, sandy shores. With eight islands to choose from—Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro, and La Graciosa—the hardest part is deciding which is the best Canary Island to visit. Here at Civitatis, we’ll break down what makes each Canary Island unique, so you’ll know exactly where to go that best suits your taste.

Best Island for Families & Hiking – Tenerife

Home to surprising volcanic landscapes, incredible cliffs, and unique flora and fauna, Tenerife is the largest and most populous island of the Canary Islands and Spain, and the most visited in the archipelago. In fact, with more than 7 million tourists visiting it each year, it’s one of the most important tourist destinations in Spain!

Hiking

Tenerife is an absolutely amazing destination for hikers, filled with incredible trails and hiking routes. The island’s most famous attraction is the Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site centered on Mount Teide. Standing at 10,426 feet (3,178 meters) tall, Mount Teide is Spain’s highest mountain and the third-highest volcano in the world. With this ticket to the Teide cable car, you’ll have the chance to climb up to the summit and enjoy a hike. If you’re seeking a thrilling adventure, join this quad tour to explore this famous park. Take it to the next level and hike under the stars with this nighttime hike!

Tenerife is so large that the north and south of the island feel almost like two different worlds. The north is cooler, greener, and known for its tropical landscapes and black volcanic sand beaches like Playa Jardín or Playa Benijo. Here, you’ll also find the Anaga Rural Park, a lesser-known park home to sharp, jagged peaks, deep ravines, and lush laurel forests, perfect for hiking. Another popular tourist destination is the Masca Gorge, in the northwest of the island, known for its dramatic scenery and unique geology, which you can see with this complete bus tour from the south.

Southern Tenerife, on the other hand, is warm and dry almost all year round, with long golden beaches, such as the Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, and the Costa Adeje. A great way to discover the south of the island is by renting a bike. Or, if you’re in the mood for a peaceful plan in nature, we recommend you enjoy a horseback ride in the south of Tenerife.

Family Plans

Tenerife is also great for families, as you’ll find Loro Park, a paradise for parrots and one of the biggest attractions on the island. The island also has Siam Park, often voted the best water park in the world. You can enjoy both of these parks with this combo ticket.

Fun fact: Did you know Tenerife’s capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, hosts one of the world’s most famous carnivals? Held in February or March, the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is second only to Rio’s Carnival, with dazzling parades, street parties, live music, and the crowning of the Carnival Queen.

Best Island for Nightlife – Gran Canaria

Looking for a buzzing nightlife scene during your holidays? You’re in the right place! The third-largest and second-most populous island of the Canary Islands is Gran Canaria, often called a “miniature continent” due to its different climates and varied landscapes. Here, you’ll find long beaches and dunes of white sand contrasting with green ravines and picturesque villages.

Popular Hotspots

Gran Canaria is the ideal place to have a fun night out. Did you know two of the Canary Islands’ most famous hotspots, especially for the LGBTQIA+ community, are found here? Maspalomas is a gay-friendly destination with many establishments catering to this community, where you’ll find its popular beach and the Maspalomas Dunes. These dunes, stretching 1,000 acres (404 hectares), were one of the contenders in the 12 Treasures of Spain competition. Explore Maspalomas with this Segway tour!

Playa del Inglés is home to the Yumbo Centrum, a shopping complex that has almost 200 shops, including restaurants, fashion boutiques, electronic outlets, and jewellery stores. What makes the Yumbo stand out is that it also offers a wide range of gay bars, discos, nightclubs, and drag cabarets! In fact, the annual summer and winter Gay Pride celebration usually takes place here, attracting thousands of visitors from around the world.

Gran Canaria’s capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is the largest city of the Canary Islands, known for its annual carnival. Here, you can find the historic quarter of Vegueta, as well as the popular urban beach of Playa de Las Canteras, which is a protected area and diving zone. Join this free tour to get your bearings in Las Palmas, where you’ll see the main squares and monuments around the neighborhoods of Vegueta and Triana. For a more exclusive tour with a guide just for you and your group, check out this private tour of Las Palmas.

Out of the charming villages that stand out in Gran Canaria, you’ll find Puerto de Mogán, referred to as “Little Venice” because of its many canals, and the traditional Canarian town of Agüimes, which has some of the best-preserved cave dwellings. There’s even a church built into the mountainside and cave restaurants here! Other popular villages are Teror and Arucas, full of Canarian charms and traditions, which you can discover on this private tour of Gran Canaria. While in Arucas, we recommend you visit Banana World to learn all the secrets of the Canary Islands’ most famous fruit, which includes a tasting of different products made with bananas.

Best Island for Offbeat Trails & Stargazing – La Palma

Wild, unspoiled nature, volcanoes, and black sand beaches are what you’ll find in La Palma, often called “La Isla Bonita” (the Beautiful Island)—and for good reason! La Palma is much less touristy than Tenerife or Gran Canaria, and offers a slower pace of life for anyone looking for authentic Canarian culture.

Hiking is one of the star activities on this island. Here, you’ll find the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, a gigantic volcanic crater with waterfalls, pine forests, and incredible hiking trails. One of the best trails in the Canary Islands is also held in La Palma, the Ruta de los Volcanes (“Volcano Route”), which crosses volcanic ridges and lava fields.

Besides being a paradise for hikers, it’s an incredible spot for stargazing. The island has strict light pollution laws and is home to the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, one of the world’s premier astronomical observatories. Did you know it has some of the largest telescopes in the world? Visit the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory and learn all about the stars and constellations!

Not far from this observatory is the island’s highest mountain, the Roque de los Muchachos, the second-tallest peak after Tenerife’s Teide. This rocky mound stands at 7,959 feet (2,426 meters) above sea level, and from here, you can see the islands of Tenerife, El Hierro, and La Gomera.

Best Island for Beaches & Water Sports – Fuerteventura

The second-largest island and the oldest of the Canary Islands is Fuerteventura. This island has been a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2009 and is famous for its golden beaches. Stretching over 93 miles (150 kilometers), Fuerteventura has some of the longest and most beautiful beaches in Europe. The best beaches on this island are Playa de Cofete, Playa de Jandía, Playa de Corralejo, Playa El Cotillo, and Playa de Ajuy.

Water Sports

Thanks to its sea and weather conditions, this island is the perfect place for many water sports, such as diving, swimming, sailing, and fishing. However, the constant winds blowing onto the beaches make Fuerteventura a paradise for surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing. The island even hosts the International Windsurfing and Kiteboarding Championship, which has been running since 1985. You can learn the basics of Fuerteventura’s most popular sports with our windsurfing lesson in El Cotillo, an exciting surfing class, or a fun standup paddleboarding class. The options are endless!

Fuerteventura is also great for discovering the flora and fauna of the island, both on land and sea. In the town of La Lajita, you can take part in a beginner’s scuba diving class and see the underwater landscapes. La Lajita is also home to the only zoo and botanical garden on the island, which you can visit if you book this ticket to Oasis Wildlife Fuerteventura. If you want a complete aquatic adventure, this speedboat trip with snorkeling departing from the popular Morro Jable is perfect. Not only will you sail along the coast of Jandía and see colorful fish while snorkeling—you’ll also have the chance to spot whales and dolphins along the boat ride!

The Corralejo Natural Park is another major tourist attraction on the island, after its white sand beaches, where you’ll find the largest dunes on the Canary Islands. Explore Corralejo’s vast dunes with this buggy tour!

Lobos Island

North of Fuerteventura, you’ll find Lobos Island, which means “Wolves Island,” named after the many sea wolves or monk seals that once lived there. It’s known for being a strategic diving point, and since 1999, there has been an annual swim from the island to Fuerteventura. Despite being a desert and volcanic landscape, it has a great variety of seabirds, fish, and over 130 plant species. Because of this, the Lobos Island Nature Park has been designated as a protected nature reserve. Make the most of your time at this beautiful destination with these activities:

• Lobos Island Snorkeling Trip: sail along the coast of Lobos Island on a glass-bottomed boat and practice snorkeling
• Lobos Island Catamaran Day Trip: cruise through crystal-clear waters and enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding
• Kayak Tour to Lobos Island: kayak to Lobos Island and discover the marine diversity by snorkeling
• Corralejo & Lobos Island Jet Ski Tour: enjoy the scenic views of the Corralejo dunes and Lobos Island on a jet ski

Pro tip: Don’t leave Fuerteventura without tasting its award-winning Majorero goat cheese, often rubbed with paprika, olive oil, or the traditional Canarian gofio (a type of flour made by roasted cereals like wheat, maize, or barley) for extra flavor!

Best Island for Landscapes & Art – Lanzarote

Often called the “Island of Eternal Spring,” one of the most unique and striking islands with plenty of things to do is Lanzarote, famous for its dramatic volcanic scenery. Much of the island feels like walking on Mars, where you’ll see black and red rock, jagged lava, and sparse vegetation. Nevertheless, even with its volcanic origins, Lanzarote has some beautiful beaches, such as the Playa de Papagayo, Playa Blanca, and Playa de Famara. This last beach is found in the town of Caleta de Famara, one of Europe’s top surf spots, which you can discover by joining this surf class.

The last big eruptions in Lanzarote in the 18th and 19th centuries created the Timanfaya National Park, a surreal landscape of craters, lava fields, and fiery geothermal activity. It’s the only National Park in Spain that’s entirely geological, where the statue of El Diablo by César Manrique stands as a symbol. Bordering the Timanfaya National Park on the west, you’ll also find the Los Volcanes Natural Park, a volcanic terrain with curious formations created by solidified lava. If you want to explore both of these parks with an eco-friendly activity, check out this bike tour!

Another major tourist attraction is Cuevas de los Verdes, a lava tube created around 3,000 years ago by lava flows from the nearby volcano Mount Corona. One of its highlights is the underground concert hall, a unique venue that can hold up to 500 people. With this complete Lanzarote tour, you’ll explore Cuevas de los Verdes, Jameos del Agua, and Timanfaya National Park, three of the island’s must-visit sites.

Art

This island is also the birthplace of the artist, architect, sculptor, and nature activist César Manrique, who shaped the island’s identity. He blended modern art with nature, creating attractions like the Mirador del Rio, the Jardin de Cactus, the Volcano House, and the art, culture, and tourism center at Jameos del Agua. This last attraction consists of a series of lava caves, with a subterranean salt lake, a restaurant, gardens, an emerald-green pool, a museum, and an auditorium. Visit these fascinating attractions on this private day trip to Lanzarote and get ready to discover Manrique’s legacy.

La Geria Wine Region

If you’re interested in wine tourism, Lanzarote is truly the best of the Canary Islands to visit. Lanzarote is home to the unique La Geria wine region, where vines grow in volcanic ash pits protected by stone walls, making distinctive wines, such as the highly regarded Malvasía wine. On this exciting buggy tour of Los Volcanes Natural Park, you’ll get to admire this famous park and Lanzarote’s most iconic vineyards. For an exclusive experience, we suggest you tour the El Grifo Winery, one of the ten oldest wineries in Spain, where you’ll enjoy a tasting of wines paired with traditional Canarian cheese and a chocolate truffle.

Best Island for Whale & Dolphin Watching – La Gomera

La Gomera is one of the smaller Canary Islands, but it’s big on character. Since it has no international airport, most visitors arrive by ferry from Tenerife. This makes it a quieter, less commercial destination, perfect for those wanting an off-the-beaten-path escape. The island is crisscrossed with trails that take you through deep ravines called barrancos, clifftop viewpoints, and pastel-colored villages.

Declared a Biosphere Reserve in 2011, La Gomera is also known for its ancient traditions. It’s famous for a whistled language called Silbo Gomero, used by the island’s inhabitants to communicate across the ravines. It’s so unique that UNESCO declared it an Intangible Cultural Heritage!

Whale & Dolphin Watching

La Gomera isn’t a typical beach destination as most of its beaches are small, black-sand coves. However, the waters between La Gomera and Tenerife are sheltered and deep, creating perfect conditions for marine life. It’s known to be one of the best places in Europe for whale and dolphin watching! See these beautiful animals in their natural habitat departing from the popular Valle Gran Rey or Playa Santiago.

The island is also ideal for hiking. Garajonay National Park is a World Heritage Site with a dense laurel forest, misty trails, ferns, and mossy trees. You’ll feel like you’re on another planet! It has a circular route that reaches Alto de Garajonay, La Gomera’s highest peak, rising at 4,879 ft (1,487 m), where you’ll find archaeological sites and sweeping views.

Cuisine

Calling all foodies! While every Canary Island offers delicious local food, La Gomera stands out for its more traditional, handmade approach to cooking. It’s known for its distinctive wine, often accompanied by local cheese, roasted pork, or goat meat. Other culinary specialties include: almogrote, a cheese, peppers, garlic, and olive oil spread; palm syrup, extracted from palm trees; potaje de berros, a watercress soup; and escaldón de gofio, a hearty porridge made with gofio. Learn about La Gomera’s cuisine and ancient techniques with this ticket to Los Telares Ethnographic Park, where you’ll taste wine, fruits from the park’s farm, papas arrugadas (wrinkly potatoes) with the iconic mojo sauce, and more.

Best Island for Diving – El Hierro

The island of El Hierro is the second-smallest and was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2000. It was nicknamed the “Meridian Island” because it was considered the westernmost point of the world until the 19th century. Today, it’s famous for its untouched nature, sustainable lifestyle, and sense of calm.

Like the rest of the Canary Islands, El Hierro is volcanic and sharply mountainous, with lush pine and laurel forests and viewpoints that dot the island, such as the Mirador de la Peña, designed by César Manrique. You’ll also find the Arco de la Tosca, a huge volcanic rock arch formed by centuries of erosion, one of El Hierro’s most striking natural landmarks. But El Hierro isn’t just its scenery—it aims to be the world’s first renewable island and already produces most of its energy through wind and hydro power at the Gorona del Viento plant.

El Hierro also has a strong local identity, with traditional stone houses, small villages, and centuries-old customs. In the town of San Andrés, you’ll find the legend of the Garoé Tree, once considered sacred for its ability to “make” water by collecting mist. For foodies, among the island’s traditional cuisine, you can enjoy quesadilla herreña (a sweet cheese pastry), grilled fish, and goat cheese.

This island is also one of the best places in Europe to dive, thanks to its crystal-clear waters and marine biodiversity. Two of El Hierro’s most famous diving spots are the Mar de las Calmas and La Restinga, which you’ll discover with this boat trip and snorkeling experience. If you want to learn how to dive in the area of La Restinga, join this beginner’s scuba diving class to admire exotic fish, reefs, and underwater plants.

Another paradisiac place to swim and relax under the sun is La Maceta, in the northern town of La Frontera. It’s a series of large natural pools formed by volcanic rock, where seawater flows in directly from the Atlantic. Locals and visitors alike love it because you get to enjoy the freshness of the ocean in a protected, safe environment without the heavy waves and currents you would find in the open sea. Plus, the area also offers stone terraces, ladders, sunbathing platforms, and picnic spaces. What more could you ask for?

Best Island for Secluded Beaches – La Graciosa

The smallest and most secluded of the eight Canary Islands is La Graciosa, named the 8th official Canary Island in 2018. It’s part of the Chinjo Archipelago, a small group of islands, of which La Graciosa is the largest and only inhabited island. It’s also part of the Chinjo Archipelago Natural Park, a habitat for over 2,000 species of marine and terrestrial life, including several endemic and protected species.

La Graciosa is famous for its wild, uncrowded beaches with turquoise water and golden or white sand. Among the most famous beaches, you’ll find Playa Francesa, a popular spot for swimming and snorkeling; Playa de la Cocina, a quiet cove at the foot of the Montaña Amarilla; and Playa de las Conchas, considered the most beautiful beach with views of nearby islets. If you join this day trip from Lanzarote, you’ll have the chance to go snorkeling or kayaking in these pristine beaches! One of the island’s highlights is the Arcos de los Caletones, a striking rock formation formed from volcanic basalt, shaped over time by the waves of the Atlantic Ocean, which you can explore on this off-roading tour.

This volcanic island is extremely arid and entirely made up of bushes and dry soil. Streets and roads on La Graciosa are unpaved sand, and vehicles are strictly limited to a handful of licensed vehicles for special purposes. The only way to get around is by bike, jeep, or on foot, giving the whole island a laid-back, off-grid vibe. Why not rent a mountain bike or an e-bike to explore La Graciosa’s stunning landscapes in the best way?

At the end of the day, the best Canary Island to visit depends on what kind of experience you’re after. Whether you’re seeking incredible hikes in Tenerife, enjoying lively nightlife in Gran Canaria, stargazing in La Palma, or enjoying dramatic landscapes in Lanzarote, each island has its own magic. No matter which you choose, the Canary Islands promise breathtaking views, a unique culture, and unforgettable memories. Now, all that’s left is for you to start planning your trip to this Spanish paradise! Check out more activities and experiences at Civitatis for even more ideas to make the most of your holidays in the Canary Islands.