Canary Islands

Spain's volcanic archipelago in the Atlantic near the west coast of Africa, with Mount Teide, the Timanfaya volcanoes and dune-backed beaches making it a year-round holiday destination.

The Canary Islands are an autonomous community of Spain in the Atlantic, southwest of Morocco and about 1,000 km from mainland Spain. They consist of seven main islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro) and several smaller islets, divided between the provinces of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas. In this guide they are completely separate from the mainland regions and listed as their own block. Tenerife is the most popular. At 3,715 m, Mount Teide is Spain's highest peak and can be approached by cable car; the volcanic landscape of the national park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as is the old town of La Laguna in the north. Gran Canaria has the Maspalomas dunes and the inland Roque Nublo rock. On Lanzarote, Timanfaya National Park preserves the lava landscapes left by the great eruptions of the 18th century, and the architectural works of the artist César Manrique can be seen all over the island. Fuerteventura is known for its long beaches, surfing and kitesurfing. La Palma is a stargazing destination, with observatories on top of the Roque de los Muchachos, and La Gomera's Garajonay laurel forest is also a World Heritage Site. Plan 5–7 days on a single island, or about 10 days combining two. Flights from mainland Spain to the main islands take about 2.5–3 hours, with direct flights from many European cities; between islands you can take Binter flights or ferries. Public transport on the islands is limited, so renting a car is recommended. A permit must be applied for in advance to climb to the summit of Teide. At high altitude there is a large difference between day and night temperatures and strong UV, so bring a jacket and sun protection.

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Itineraries