Published 8 July 2026 · 12 min read
The Canary Islands compress an extraordinary range of experiences into a relatively small archipelago. Seven main islands, each with a distinct personality, offer everything from 3,718-metre volcanic summits to white-sand beaches, ancient laurel forests to underwater volcanic caves, world-class stargazing to some of Europe's best surfing breaks. The year-round mild climate means there is never a bad time for adventure — and the islands' compact size means you can hike through cloud forest in the morning and swim in the Atlantic by afternoon.
Here are 17 of the best things to do across the Canary Islands, with practical details to help you plan.
Outdoor Adventures
1. Summit Mount Teide, Tenerife
Spain's highest peak at 3,718 metres dominates the centre of Tenerife, rising from the floor of a vast volcanic caldera. The most popular approach combines the Teleferico cable car (which climbs from 2,356 m to 3,555 m in eight minutes) with the final 163-metre ascent on foot. This last section requires a free permit, limited to 200 visitors per day, which must be booked online through the Spanish national parks reservation system — often weeks in advance during peak season. The summit panorama on a clear day stretches across all seven Canary Islands and, on rare occasions, the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. For a truly unforgettable experience, book an overnight stay at the Altavista refuge (3,260 m) and hike to the summit for sunrise, when the peak casts a perfect triangular shadow across the clouds below. Teide National Park itself, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007, offers dozens of other trails through lunar lava fields, ancient rock formations, and endemic plant communities.
2. Hike the Masca Gorge, Tenerife
Widely regarded as one of the most spectacular gorge walks in Europe, the Masca trail descends from the mountain village of Masca (population: around 90) through a dramatic basalt ravine to a small beach on the coast. The path drops 650 metres over 4.5 kilometres, passing through sections where the gorge walls tower 600 metres above and narrow to just a few metres across. The trail reopened in 2023 after major safety improvements, and a free permit is now required, booked online. At the bottom, a boat service (approximately €10) takes hikers to Los Gigantes harbour, where the towering 600-metre sea cliffs provide one final dramatic view. Start early — permits are capped and the morning light in the gorge is magical.
3. Explore Timanfaya National Park, Lanzarote
Between 1730 and 1736, a series of volcanic eruptions buried a quarter of Lanzarote under lava, creating the otherworldly landscape that is now Timanfaya National Park. The park covers 51 square kilometres of lava fields, volcanic cones, and craters, with geothermal activity still measurable just metres below the surface. At the Islote de Hilario visitor centre, rangers demonstrate the underground heat: water poured into boreholes erupts back as a geyser of steam, and brushwood placed in shallow pits ignites spontaneously. A guided bus tour along the Ruta de los Volcanes takes visitors through the most dramatic terrain. The park's entrance is managed by the artist-architect Cesar Manrique, whose influence on Lanzarote's built environment is visible everywhere on the island.
4. Walk Through Garajonay Cloud Forest, La Gomera
Garajonay National Park protects the largest surviving laurel forest in the world — a type of forest (laurisilva) that covered much of southern Europe and North Africa millions of years ago. The trees drip with moss and lichens, creating an atmosphere more reminiscent of a tropical rainforest than an Atlantic island. The park covers 3,984 hectares and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. Well-marked trails of varying difficulty wind through the forest, from the gentle Sendero de los Roques (2 km) to the longer Contadero–El Cedro loop (10 km) that descends to a waterfall and the rustic village of El Cedro. The park receives moisture directly from the trade-wind clouds that wrap around La Gomera's mountains, sustaining a microclimate that exists nowhere else in Europe.
5. Stargaze on La Palma
La Palma is one of the best places on Earth for stargazing. The Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, perched at 2,426 metres on the island's highest point, hosts telescopes from institutions across Europe, including the Gran Telescopio Canarias — the world's largest single-aperture optical telescope with a 10.4-metre mirror. The island enacted the "Sky Law" in 1988, one of the first light-pollution regulations in the world, keeping the night skies exceptionally dark. In 2012, the Starlight Foundation and UNESCO designated La Palma a Starlight Reserve. Guided stargazing tours operate year-round from multiple locations on the island, providing telescopes and expert commentary. On clear nights, the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye with stunning clarity, and the Andromeda Galaxy can be spotted without optical aid.
6. Trek the Caldera de Taburiente, La Palma
One of the world's largest erosion craters — 10 kilometres wide and nearly 2,000 metres deep — the Caldera de Taburiente is La Palma's geological centrepiece. The classic trek descends from Los Brecitos through Canarian pine forest into the caldera floor, following the Barranco de las Angustias river past natural swimming pools and the Cascada de los Colores, a waterfall where iron and manganese deposits paint the rocks in vivid oranges, greens, and yellows. The trail ends at the car park in the lower barranco, where a taxi or pre-arranged transport returns hikers to civilisation. Bring plenty of water — the descent is steep and exposed in places, and there are no facilities inside the caldera.
Beaches & Water Activities
7. Swim at Maspalomas Dunes & Beach, Gran Canaria
The Maspalomas dune system at the southern tip of Gran Canaria is one of the most iconic landscapes in the Canary Islands. Four hundred hectares of golden sand dunes, shaped by Saharan winds over millennia, extend from the Playa del Ingles to the Maspalomas lighthouse. The dunes are a Special Nature Reserve, home to endemic plant species and a coastal lagoon (La Charca) that attracts migratory birds including grey herons, plovers, and egrets. The beach itself stretches for over 2.7 kilometres, with sheltered swimming in calm waters. Walk inland through the dunes for solitude — even in peak season, the interior of the dune field feels remote and silent.
8. Go Whale & Dolphin Watching, Tenerife
The deep waters between Tenerife and La Gomera support a resident population of roughly 500 short-finned pilot whales — one of the largest resident colonies in the world. Bottlenose dolphins are spotted year-round, and between November and March, migrating sperm whales, humpback whales, and occasionally blue whales pass through Canarian waters. Over 30 cetacean species have been recorded in these waters. Excursions depart from Los Cristianos, Puerto Colon, and Los Gigantes, ranging from two-hour speedboat trips to full-day catamaran sailings. Choose operators with the "Blue Boat" certification, which indicates adherence to responsible whale-watching practices including minimum approach distances and speed limits.
9. Surf and Kitesurf on Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura is the Canary Islands' undisputed watersports capital. The island's 150 kilometres of coastline include some of the best surf breaks in Europe, with consistent Atlantic swells, warm water, and offshore trade winds. The north shore around Corralejo and El Cotillo offers powerful reef breaks for experienced surfers, while the beaches of the south coast provide gentler waves ideal for beginners. Sotavento beach on the southeast coast is one of Europe's premier kitesurfing destinations, hosting stages of the GKA Kite World Tour each summer. The 8-kilometre lagoon that forms at low tide creates perfect flat-water conditions for freestyle kiting. Surf schools and equipment rental are available at every major beach.
10. Snorkel and Dive at Marine Reserves
The Canary Islands' volcanic underwater landscape is as dramatic as the terrain above the surface. Lava tubes, arches, caves, and sheer walls create habitats for an extraordinary diversity of marine life. The marine reserve at La Restinga, El Hierro, is widely considered the best dive site in the archipelago, with visibility regularly exceeding 30 metres and encounters with rays, barracuda, groupers, and angel sharks. Tenerife's southwest coast offers excellent shore diving, particularly at Las Galletas and Los Cristianos, where green sea turtles are regularly spotted. For snorkelling, the rock pools at El Puertito de Adeje (Tenerife) and the crystal-clear waters around the Isla de Lobos (accessible by water taxi from Corralejo, Fuerteventura) are hard to beat.
11. Swim in Natural Rock Pools
The volcanic coastline of the Canary Islands has created dozens of natural rock pools — seawater pools formed by solidified lava flows. The most famous are El Caleton in Garachico, Tenerife, created by a 1706 eruption that destroyed much of the town; Charco Azul on La Palma, a deep, turquoise pool fed by Atlantic waves; and Charco de San Gines in Arrecife, Lanzarote, a tidal lagoon in the heart of the city. These natural pools offer sheltered, safe swimming even when the open ocean is rough, and many have been enhanced with changing facilities and sun terraces while preserving their natural character.
Culture & History
12. Explore Cueva de los Verdes & Jameos del Agua, Lanzarote
These two connected sites occupy a 6-kilometre volcanic tube created by the eruption of Monte Corona around 3,000 years ago. The Cueva de los Verdes is the raw, geological experience — a guided tour through dramatically lit chambers with ceilings reaching 15 metres, culminating in a visual illusion that leaves visitors genuinely stunned. Jameos del Agua, at the tube's seaward end, was transformed by architect Cesar Manrique into a cultural space integrating a restaurant, concert hall, and tropical garden within the volcanic cavern. A unique species of blind albino crab (Munidopsis polymorpha), found nowhere else on Earth, lives in the underground lake. Together, the two sites represent one of the most remarkable geological and cultural experiences in the Canary Islands.
13. Walk Through La Laguna's Historic Centre, Tenerife
San Cristobal de La Laguna, founded in 1496, was the first non-fortified colonial town in Spain and served as a model for urban planning in the Americas. Its grid layout, unusual for a European town of its era, influenced the design of cities like Havana, Lima, and Cartagena. The historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, is a living museum of colonial architecture spanning five centuries — from the 16th-century Cathedral of La Laguna to Baroque palaces with ornate wooden balconies. The town is also a lively university city with a buzzing tapas scene, best experienced in the atmospheric tascas along Calle Herradores and the streets surrounding the Plaza del Adelantado.
14. Visit the Cesar Manrique Foundation, Lanzarote
Cesar Manrique (1919–1992) is the artist-architect who more than any other individual shaped the identity of modern Lanzarote. His former home, built into five volcanic bubbles formed by lava flows, is now a foundation and museum that represents his most personal creation. The house seamlessly integrates architecture with the volcanic landscape — living spaces open onto gardens planted in lava fields, swimming pools are set into basalt formations, and natural light enters through openings in the rock. Manrique campaigned successfully against high-rise development on the island, and his influence is visible in Lanzarote's building regulations, which to this day limit building heights and mandate white-walled construction. The foundation also displays his art collection and changing exhibitions.
15. Experience Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is one of the largest and most spectacular carnivals in the world, routinely ranked alongside Rio de Janeiro. Running for approximately two weeks in February, the festivities include the election of the Carnival Queen (whose costumes can weigh over 100 kg and stand 5 metres tall), a massive street parade with elaborate floats, open-air concerts that run until dawn, and the famous "Burial of the Sardine" — a mock funeral procession that marks the end of celebrations. Tens of thousands of revellers pack the streets every night, many in elaborate costumes. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria hosts its own vibrant carnival, famous for the Drag Queen Gala, an event that has become a major cultural attraction in its own right.
Food & Wine
16. Wine Tasting in La Geria, Lanzarote
La Geria is one of the most visually striking wine regions on Earth. Vines are planted individually in shallow pits (hoyos) dug into black volcanic ash (picon), each protected by a semicircular stone wall (zocos) that shields against the persistent trade winds while the porous ash captures moisture from night-time condensation. The landscape is hauntingly beautiful — row upon row of black crescents stretching across the volcanic plain. The Malvasia grape thrives in these extreme conditions, producing aromatic whites that range from bone-dry to lusciously sweet. Visit Bodegas El Grifo (founded 1775, one of Spain's oldest wineries), Bodega La Geria (the largest producer, with panoramic tastings), or Bodegas Rubicon (in a restored 18th-century farmhouse) for tastings and tours. Most bodegas also serve local cheese and tapas alongside the wines.
17. Eat at a Guachinche, Tenerife
A guachinche is one of the Canary Islands' most authentic culinary experiences — and one you will not find on TripAdvisor. These informal, unlicensed eateries, found mainly in northern Tenerife around Tacoronte, La Matanza, and Sauzal, are essentially someone's garage or barn temporarily converted into a restaurant. Under a special legal provision, small winemakers are permitted to sell food alongside their own wine for a limited period each year. The food is always home-cooked and simple: grilled meat or rabbit, papas arrugadas, salad, bread, and unlimited local wine — all for around €8–€12 per person. Guachinches are not advertised online; you find them by looking for handwritten cardboard signs on the roadside or by asking locals. The experience is unforgettable: eating hearty food in a stranger's converted garage, surrounded by locals, drinking wine made from grapes growing in the vineyard next door.
Practical Tips
Getting Between Islands
Inter-island travel is easy and well-organised. Fred Olsen Express and Naviera Armas operate frequent ferry services between all seven main islands. Journey times range from 25 minutes (Lanzarote to Fuerteventura) to 5 hours (Gran Canaria to La Palma). Binter Canarias and Canaryfly operate inter-island flights with journey times of 25–45 minutes. Flights are affordable if booked in advance — one-way fares start around €30. For the most popular routes (Tenerife–Gran Canaria, Tenerife–La Gomera), services run multiple times daily.
Hiring a Car
A rental car is essential for exploring most islands properly. Roads are generally well-maintained, though mountain roads on the western islands (La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro) are narrow and winding. Rental prices start from around €20–€30 per day, and local companies (CICAR, Cabrera Medina) often offer better rates and service than international chains. Book in advance during summer and Christmas periods, when demand spikes.
Safety
The Canary Islands are very safe for tourists. The main risks are natural: strong Atlantic currents (always check beach flags before swimming), intense UV radiation (the islands are at subtropical latitude — wear high-SPF sunscreen), and altitude effects on Mount Teide (ascend gradually and stay hydrated). Hiking trails in mountainous areas can be exposed — carry water, sun protection, and appropriate footwear. Emergency services operate efficiently on all islands (dial 112).
← Back to Canary Islands Eco Hoteles · Read also: Best Time to Visit · Food Guide
Preguntas Frecuentes
How many days do you need in the Canary Islands?
For a single island, 5–7 days is ideal to explore thoroughly without rushing. If you want to island-hop, allow 10–14 days to visit 2–3 islands comfortably. The most popular combination is Tenerife + La Gomera (connected by a 50-minute ferry) or Gran Canaria + Lanzarote + Fuerteventura (connected by inter-island flights and ferries). For a quick beach break, even 3–4 days on the south coast of Tenerife or Gran Canaria works well.
Is it safe to swim in the Canary Islands?
Yes, the Canary Islands are generally safe for swimming. The southern coasts of Tenerife and Gran Canaria have sheltered beaches with calm waters. However, the Atlantic Ocean can produce strong currents and waves, particularly on northern and western coasts. Always swim at beaches with lifeguard coverage, check the flag system (green = safe, yellow = caution, red = no swimming), and be aware that volcanic rock beaches can have sudden drop-offs.
Can you visit multiple Canary Islands in one trip?
Absolutely. Inter-island travel is easy and affordable. Fred Olsen Express and Naviera Armas operate frequent ferry services between all seven main islands. Flight times between islands are just 25–45 minutes, with Binter Canarias and Canaryfly operating multiple daily routes. The most popular combinations are Tenerife + La Gomera (50-minute ferry), Lanzarote + Fuerteventura (25-minute ferry), and Gran Canaria + Tenerife (80-minute ferry or 25-minute flight).