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ES The Canary Islands lie in the Atlantic Ocean off the western coast of Africa. Due to their mild climate, they are a popular travel destination all year round. White sandy beaches, desert-like landscapes, and lush meadows make them particularly unique. The Canary Islands are known for their diverse natural beauty. A vacation there is worthwhile for families, solo travelers, and hikers alike.
But which of the 8 islands is the right one for you? Here’s an overview of the attractions and natural highlights of the islands.
El Hierro
El Hierro is the westernmost of the Canary Islands. It stretches 24 kilometers from north to south and 27 kilometers from east to west. About 11.000 people live here, along with countless giant lizards. A vacation on El Hierro is not for those who love hustle and bustle. Time seems to have passed this dreamy island on the edge of Europe by. Beaches are scarce on the smallest of the Canary Islands, but its main draw is solitude. There’s no industry or major cities. To reach El Hierro, you must travel via Tenerife or Gran Canaria.
Hikers and mountain bikers will feel at home on El Hierro, and divers will also be thrilled. The water is crystal clear and unusually calm for the Atlantic. You can encounter angel sharks, whale sharks, and manta rays underwater. A highlight is El Bajón, an extinct volcanic cone that rises from the depths to just 15 meters below the surface, home to an extraordinary variety of fish.
El Hierro is perfect for an active vacation. Anyone seeking peace and gentle tourism will find it here.
Ideal for: Hikers, mountain bikers, and diving enthusiasts.
Holiday accommodations El Hierro
La Palma
It doesn’t get greener than this! Known as “La Isla Bonita” (the beautiful island) by the Spanish, La Palma is a haven for those seeking more than just beaches. While there are beautiful bays, the island’s lush green landscapes and extensive network of stunning hiking trails are its greatest treasures. Some trails run along the coast, offering dramatic sea views, others cross deep ravines or traverse volcanoes. Many paths lead to mystical, almost forgotten places inaccessible by car.
One of the most spectacular hikes takes you to the edge of the Caldera de Taburiente, a volcanic crater 10 kilometers in diameter and one of the largest in the world. Even reluctant hikers often find themselves inspired here.
For those looking for something more relaxing: Just south of San Andrés - one of the oldest settlements on La Palma with many historic Canarian houses - you’ll find Charco Azul, a natural swimming pool perfect for a dip.
La Palma is a green paradise that prioritizes sustainable tourism - a perfect destination for hiking vacations and those seeking tranquility.
Holiday accommodations La Palma
La Gomera
No concrete tourist resorts like on Tenerife or Gran Canaria? Not on the second smallest of the Canary Islands. La Gomera tourists stay in fincas, holiday homes, or apartments. Brightly colored, they cling to the rocky slopes like Lego bricks. Valle Gran Rey is the tourist hub of this former hippie and dropout island. Terraced fields, palm trees, and vibrant gardens create a unique atmosphere. Essentially, the second smallest Canary Island is one giant mountain. Cycling should be left to those with strong stamina as the roads are extremely steep and winding. Old goat trails lead through a landscape of wild ravines and lush valleys, making every stroll feel like a hike.
From the 1.487-meter-high Garajonay peak, endless slopes and valleys stretch down to the rugged cliffs. The Garajonay National Park is also home to the largest remaining laurel forest in the world. In the banana plantations, the small, flavorful Canary Island banana thrives.
The most popular beaches on La Gomera are located in the Valle Gran Rey valley. Playa de Valle Gran Rey lines the bay between La Playa and La Puntilla. Playa del Inglés captivates with its wild, romantic charm. The Charco del Conde lagoon is ideal for children.
La Gomera is an exotic vacation destination for active travelers and those seeking relaxation far from mass tourism. Supporting this is the fact that there are no direct international flights to La Gomera. Travel is via ferry or island hopper from Tenerife.
Holiday accommodations El Hierro
Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands, spanning 2.057 square kilometers, and the most diverse. The northern region is reminiscent of Hawaii, with no other island offering such varied landscapes. Here, you’ll find fine sandy beaches, rugged coastlines, bizarre mountain ranges, and fertile valleys. Tulip trees and towering poinsettias transform Tenerife into a subtropical flower paradise. The southern region boasts long sandy beaches. Towering above it all is El Teide, Spain’s highest mountain at 3.715 meters. The island also features picturesque villages and colonial-style old towns.
The hiking trails in the Anaga Mountains are breathtakingly beautiful, and the tours around Pico del Teide are exciting and adventurous. But beachgoers will also find plenty to enjoy on Tenerife: the pale yellow, sugar-fine sand of Playa de las Teresitas – the local beach of the island's capital, Santa Cruz – comes all the way from the Sahara. Hundreds of palm trees line the crescent-shaped bay. Playa de los Cristianos in the south is one of the most visited beaches. For families with children, Playa del Duque on the Costa Adeje is ideal, offering the finest gray sand and calm waves. Windsurfers love Playa El Médano.
If you don’t just want to laze around on the beach and enjoy going on explorations, this is the place to be.
Holiday accommodations Tenerife
Gran Canaria
With 350 sunny days a year, Gran Canaria is a paradise for sun-seekers. Tourism thrives especially in the south. Families love the gently sloping beach between Playa del Inglés and the Maspalomas lighthouse. Behind these beaches lie vast dunes with endless sand waves. The island’s interior is full of deep ravines, fragrant pine forests, and remote mountain villages. Winding roads offer breathtaking views of white villages clinging to hillsides. At the Cruz de Tejeda, the highest pass on the island, clouds from the humid north roll over the ridge and instantly vanish in the dry southern air.
The grand boulevard Calle Mayor de Tirana in the island's capital, Las Palmas, is a shopping paradise and boasts a charming old town. In the village of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, a small market takes place on weekends. Strolling through its narrow streets feels like stepping back in time. The nights in southern Gran Canaria are hot. Parties often start on the beach and only end at sunrise in one of the countless bars. The nightlife in Las Palmas is particularly vibrant in the Triana district.
Gran Canaria is the perfect destination for a vacation that offers a bit of everything: beach life, outdoor adventures, shopping, and nightlife.
Holiday accommodations Gran Canaria
Fuerteventura
Don't be surprised when you first arrive on Fuerteventura! During the drive from the airport to your holiday accommodation, one thing will surely catch your eye: the island is gray and rugged, like a Martian landscape. You might almost despair searching for a hint of green among the rocks and rubble. But one look at the turquoise-blue sea will more than make up for it. This barren isle near Africa boasts endless beaches. Fine, light sand stretches to the horizon, with over 50 kilometers of coastline covered in pristine beaches. That’s why the second largest of the Canary Islands is considered a true paradise for beach lovers. Thanks to the eternal trade winds, “Fuerte” has also become a top spot for surfers.
But there’s more to discover beyond the beaches: Mirador Morro Velosa is the island's most famous viewpoint. Driving from Valle de Santa Inés toward Betancuria, you can’t miss the sign. From the summit of the 650-meter-high Mount Tegú, you’ll enjoy a picture-perfect view of the island’s northern region and the dunes of Corralejo. The charming village of Las Playitas, with its small, whitewashed houses, resembles the towns of Andalusia. Take a leisurely stroll to the harbor pier and watch the fishermen at work. A visit to the old island capital, Antigua, is also well worth your time.
Fuerteventura is the perfect Canary Island for beachgoers and windsurfers who are happy to occasionally venture away from the shore.
Holiday accommodations Fuerteventura
Lanzarote
Lanzarote is the fieriest of the Canary Islands. Nearly a quarter of the island was buried under lava and ash during a massive volcanic eruption almost 300 years ago. The heat of the Earth's surface is still evident today, as shown daily by the park rangers in Timanfaya National Park: a bucket of water poured into a tube shoots up as a scalding steam fountain just seconds later.
Some consider Playa Famara in the north of the island to be the most beautiful beach in Spain. Indeed, the 100-meter-wide beach, set against the backdrop of towering volcanic mountains, offers a fascinating sight - and plenty of wind for kite surfers to ride the waves. However, due to the raging surf, it's less suitable for swimming. No problem: just drive across the island, and on the east side, one beautiful beach follows another. The beaches here are so wide that everyone can find their own space and freedom. In the south, you can even be carried through the fiery mountains, an otherworldly lava landscape, by dromedaries. If you don't want to burden the animals, you can drive a bit further to Timanfaya National Park and take a bus tour through the landscape.
Lanzarote is perfect for beachgoers, kite surfers, and amateur volcanologists.
Holiday accommodations Lanzarote
La Graciosa
La Graciosa, "The Graceful," as it was once called by the Norman seafarer Jean de Béthencourt, was officially recognized as the eighth Canary Island only in 2018. With its solitary beaches, entirely sandy paths, and a national park that begins behind the last houses of the only (significant) village and extends across the entire island, which measures just 30 square kilometers, it is a blend of elements that dreams are made of.
La Graciosa is car-free, except for a handful of off-road vehicles used by locals to transport lazy tourists. This is exactly what makes it so appealing. Beautiful coves, like the dreamy Las Conchas beach, are often pleasantly empty due to the island's remote location.
On La Graciosa, things are quieter. The focus is on sustainable tourism, making it perfect for hikers, mountain bikers, and anyone who wants to escape car noise.
Which island is your dream destination for your next vacation?
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So that you remain flexible on site, we also arrange the perfect rental car for you - tailored to your needs. This way, you can explore the most beautiful corners of the island at your own pace.
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