Canary Islands Holidays

Canary Island holidays are all about time at the beach – and there’s certainly a lot to choose from. Sleepy Fuerteventura has some of the best beaches in the Canaries. Watersports enthusiasts should head to Corralejo, while romantics should make tracks for picturesque Sotavento Beach. At low tide, you can marvel at the beautiful swirling effect in the sands, reminiscent of Australia’s iconic Whitehaven Beach.

Volcanic Tenerife is peppered with black-sand beaches – dramatic Playa el Bollullo is a must-see – but there are a few golden ones, too. Near Santa Cruz, crescent-shaped Playa de Las Teresitas is a beautiful spot made up of caramel-coloured sands and green-clad cliffs.

If you’re planning a Canary Islands family holiday, Amadores in Gran Canaria is ideal for children. The bright blue waters are lovely and shallow, so little ones can paddle and parents can relax. Or, if you’re going to Lanzarote, make sure Papagayo is on your list. With turquoise seas in one direction and a lunar-like landscape in the other, this is one of the best beaches in the Canary Islands.

The Canary Islands are, understandably, associated with relaxing beach breaks. But if you prefer to keep busy on holiday, there are lots of natural wonders to discover, too. For starters, there’s Mount Teide – an active volcano in Tenerife, and Spain’s highest peak. You can don your hiking boots and trek to the top, or hop in the Teide Cable Car and admire the Mars-like landscape from above.

Meanwhile, unique Lanzarote has so many natural attractions that the entire island has been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. You can visit the subterranean lake of Jameos del Agua, and explore the volcanic tunnels and lava caves of Cueva de los Verdes. And make sure you spend a day in Timanfaya National Park. With jagged mountains and rust-coloured craters, this place looks like another planet.

And the Canaries’ natural wonders aren’t just on land. Snorkellers and divers will find plenty of treasures beneath the sea’s surface. Playa Puertito in Tenerife is frequented by dozens of green sea turtles, while El Cabron Marine Reserve in Gran Canaria features a series of coral-covered caves, arches and pillars, where you can dive among rays, seahorses, tropical fish and angel sharks.

Not everyone goes on holiday to the Canary Islands for a quiet week away. If you’re looking for a lively place to stay, there are plenty of buzzing hotspots across the archipelago.

In Tenerife, Playa de las Americas is the main nightlife hub, with bustling pubs, swish wine bars and all-night clubs. There are also lots of live music bars, where bands perform everything from Motown hits and timeless classics, to recent chart-toppers. Over in Lanzarote, Puerto del Carmen is the place to go. From family-friendly bars to pulsing nightclubs, there’s something for everyone here.

But, when it comes to nightlife in the Canaries, Gran Canaria takes the crown. Las Palmas – the island’s capital – is filled with vibrant bars and cocktail lounges. Or you could dance the night away in Playa del Ingles. This lively coastal town is crammed with nightclubs and, thanks to its popularity with the LBGT community, there are regular drag shows and Pride events, too. 

Put simply, there’s no bad time to go on a Canary Islands holiday. The archipelago is warm and sunny all year round, so much so that Tenerife is known as the ‘Island of Eternal Spring’. In the summer months – July to September – average temperatures hover in the high-twenties, but often climb up into the thirties. Unsurprisingly, this time of year is incredibly popular, as families seek a break in the sun. If you’re looking to enjoy the hot weather without the crowds, consider going in June or October, when the mercury stays around 25°C.

But winter is also a great time for a trip to the Canaries. Obviously it’s not quite as hot as the height of summer, but it’s still much warmer than winter in the UK. Between November and March, you can expect temperatures to remain in the high teens – so you can make the most of the beaches and return home with a healthy glow.