Looking to visit the beautiful Canary Islands? Spain’s Canary Islands are a tropical paradise. Located off the southwest coast of Morocco, all seven islands in this archipelago have beautiful strips of shoreline with aquamarine waters. Surfers, windsurfers, scuba divers and sunbathers all flock to different shores to enjoy the gnarly waves, vibrant underwater world and soft sands. And if you’re visiting some of the bigger islands — namely Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Lanzarote — you’ll find plush resorts. These luxury accommodations boast gourmet restaurants, sprawling golf courses and prime beach access.
The Canaries are as much about the four natural parks as they are about beaches and resorts. There’s Parque Nacional del Teide on the island of Tenerife which has the globe’s third-largest volcano, and you can hike it. Lanzarote has Timanfaya National Park, where you can take camel rides across the terrain. Discover a combination of beautiful beaches, luxurious accommodations and out-of-this-world natural parks, and you’re to be amazed by the Canary Islands.
Canary Islands Weather – When to Visit
The best times to visit the Canary Islands is between March and May and from September to November. Winter and summer bring loads of tourists, which make accommodations more expensive and more difficult to find. Meanwhile, in spring and fall, the Canaries continue to enjoy the same pleasant weather as the peak seasons, only without the tourist crowds.
Visit the Beautiful Canary Islands:
Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura is known primarily as a holiday destination due to its white-sand beaches and year-round warmth cooled by constant winds. The multitude of beaches that wrap around it are interrupted by cliffs and sheltered coves. It’s popular for water sports, especially surfing, windsurfing and water skiing. There is over 150 km of beaches for you to enjoy the sunshine and sea breeze. There are long sunny days, intense wind, and huge waves which means that the island is very popular for windsurfing and kite surfing. Visit Beautiful Fuerteventura Here or on Pinterest. Check out the best Fuerteventura hotel, Island Home Fuerteventura here.
Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is the third-largest island in the archipelago, although half the population live here and half of those can be found living in the capital city, Las Palmas. You’ll find dramatic variations of terrain ranging from the green and leafy north to the lush mountainous interior and the desert south. Almost half the island is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Gran Canaria is best known for its beach as well as being a wellness retreat. The island is only 30 miles long so it is easy to see it all, wherever you choose to base yourself. Learn more about beautiful Gran Canaria here, or on Pinterest. Visit the best hotel on Gran Canaria, Albor Suites here.
Lanzarote
Lanzarote is full of volcanoes, lava fields, rocks in impossible shapes, black and red earth that contrasts with the typical whitewashed houses, the deep blue sea and the light blue sky. The scenery in the easternmost of the Canary Islands contains stark, rolling mountains, beautiful beaches of white and golden sand, lush palm groves and silence, which is why visitors love Lanzarote. Besides visiting the volcanic landscapes, enjoy its wonderful beaches on white or golden sand, and the crystalline turquoise waters. Many of the island’s beaches are great for children, as they are protected from waves and currents. Visit great luxury hotels in Lanzarote here, or the top reviewed Lazarote Hotel, Hotel Fariones here.
La Palma
La Palma, which is certified as a Starlight Reserve, is one of the best places in the world to observe the heavens. Diving into the water is breathtaking. The island has one of the three marine reserves in the Canary Islands: an underwater volcanic landscape that is beautiful and full of caves, arches and walls, as well as being home to many species, some of which are unique to this area. You can enjoy this island, which is a biosphere reserve, year round. That’s the advantage of being one of the Canary Islands and being blessed with the best climate in the world. Visit Here for the best luxury La Palma suites, or learn more about the best hotel in the island, the Lauser City Suites.
La Gomera
Discover nature in the stunning landscapes, deserted black-sand beaches, ancient forests and dizzying cliffs hovering over a sea of crystalline water. This is a place where you can feel the influence of the volcanoes and be left in awe as you hike along fantastic trails. Discovering La Gomera, in the best climate in the world, means discovering a world where everybody has an opportunity to feel unique. While in La Gomera, stay at the wonderful Hotel Escuela Rural Casa Los Herrera. Planning a vacation to La Gomera? Visit the beautiful island of La Gomera here.
El Hierro
El Hierro is well-known to diving enthusiasts, who come from all over the world to find excellent conditions and incredible underwater landscapes here, it is also the island of sustainability. Enjoy volcanoes, lava flows, lush forests of Canary Island pine trees and trees that bow down to the wind, abrupt cliffs, relaxing natural pools, with dizzying views. El Hierro is enigmatic, awe-inspiring, a shelter where you can disconnect from busy modern life and enjoy the springtime climate all year round. Stay at the wonderful Casa Goliath while on El Hierro.
La Graciosa
La Graciosa is small, quiet, with no paved roads or pollution, virgin nature, has paradisaical beaches with turquoise waters and white sands, and sparse landscapes that is barely inhabited. Any time of year is a good time to enjoy this paradise that is part of the Chinijo Archipelago Natural Park and one of three marine reserves that exist in the Canary Islands, as well as being a refuge for many marine birds.La Graciosa invites you to relax, sunbathe and take revitalizing swims, discover it by bike or on foot, and enjoy its gastronomy next to the sea. Stay at the beautiful Casita Corazon while in La Graciosa. Visit beautiful La Graciosa, and learn more here.
Breathtaking! The video showcasing the landscape of the beach destination is spectacular. Watching the short film gives a taste of how wonderful it feels to be there. One feels the need to plan a get-away.
This travel blog offers expansive information of the 7 different islands, its weather, the characteristics of each one, that may suit the travelers interests and needs. It is truly a travel destination that would seem to offer tranquility and relaxation that we all need to break away from our super-fast, stress filled lifestyle. There is even information on hotels to stay.
As it is regarded as ‘virgin nature’, it must be a dream to be there, free from pollution, surrounded by turquoise waters and white sands!
Thank you Maria, I am glad you enjoyed 🙂 Thank you as well for taking the time to leave comments.
I love the images you displayed about the Canary Islands. I have always wanted to at least visit a remote island for a few weeks. What would be the price range of staying at one of these beach resorts? These are beaches in Europe, can you tell me on which side of Europe are they located? It looks amazing, looking forward to hearing back.
Hi Alex, hotel prices really depend on time of year and which hotel you select. You can click on any of my hotel recommendations and plug in dates of travel, and it will give you the total price. Since hotel rates and airline rates vary so much during the year and personal preferences play a part, hard to give a solid number to you. The Canary Islands are located off the west coast of Africa. They are part of Spain, but have a lot of German influence, with the German snowbirds that head there. Hope this helps.
I have been dreaming to visit Canary Islands. The information provided in this page is very useful and enriching. It clearly states about the different Islands and describes what to expect and explore in these islands. I have personally bookmarked this site and when I am ready to visit this place – I will defenitely visit this website again.
Great, glad you enjoyed. Thank you for visiting beach travel destinations.
Wow the Canary Islands look absolutely beautiful! Just seeing these pictures makes me want to go next week. And I very much enjoyed the relaxation film of Canary Islands, that was very nice. For my next vacation, I will be thinking about going here and staying for awhile to see what these gorgeous islands have to offer.
They do have a lot to offer Logan. I think once you go you will agree. I am glad you enjoyed your visit to the beautiful Canary Islands 🙂
I have always wanted to visit Spain and Marrocco. But in this occasion, we decided to go to the Canary Islands. There is a type of combat that is popular in the Canary Islands and I wanted to see it live. I also want to spend some days in La Palma because I want to observe the heavens.
Yes, it is a wonderful site to be there and see the heavens. There is also a huge observatory on Tenerife where you can do the same thing. So much to offer in the Canary Islands.
I just love reading your articles. It transports me right to the beach destination of my dreams. Interestingly enough I just watched a travel show on BBC that showcased he canary islands , particular focus on La Palma! It was like another world with its volcanic landscapes. This is truly a place of beauty I wish to visit while I am still on this earth:
It is a place of beauty. I love the Canary Islands. I am fortunate to have an aunt living there, so visits are required!
Wow Leahrae, your post is wonderful! All of these 7 islands look amazing! Each one of them has very unique scenery and vibe but is all beautiful. I hope all of them are friendly for families with small children, do you think so? You have mentioned Lanzarote’s beaches are suitable for children, just wondering about the remaining.
Thanks a lot!
Grace
Children are welcome on all of the islands. There are two distinct cultures there. The Spanish and the Germans (the snowbirds). So I know where I have visited has signs in Spanish and in German. They all make you feel very welcome.
.I must admit that this was a huge masterpiece and it was a huge slide for me mentally and also made me love the article so muchatch and I would love to share this with my family and friends as well
More information about the new year is not an opportunity in a few years back to me to get some sleep over
.
You would love the Canary Islands. They are beautiful and somewhat unique to other beach destinations. Thanks for visiting beach travel destinations.
I always like travel blogs they are very informative and give you great destinations ideas you can visit. Especially now that the airlines are flying overseas again.
Those are great Canary Island Beaches destinations. I am born in Germany and the Canary Island Beaches are in Europe so it would be a great holiday destination for me when I visit Germany I could make a stop and visit the Canary Island Beaches as well.
I like that there are luxury accommodations boasting gourmet restaurants, sprawling golf courses and prime beach access is available which is very handy.
It is great that you can see accommodation details in your article so people can book accommodation straight away while reading your article.
I loved reading your article and the Canary Island Beaches destinations.
Elke
Yes, they are Elke. My mother is German and I visited Tenerife to visit my Aunt from Germany. All of the signs and stuff are in Spanish and in German. My aunt lives in a very German community, so everyone there was from Germany. I absolutely love it and am looking forward to my next trip. I am glad you enjoyed Elke, and thanks for taking the time to leave me comments.
The Canary Islands are beautiful. This is an excellent article displaying the beautiful islands and resorts. I have heard about the Canary Islands from some friends, but never asked where is it located. lol. Know I know where the Canary Islands are located. Thank you for explaining the best times to visit and hotel expenses so travelers can estimate and/or budget their visit. Thanks again for this article.
I think the biggest expense is the airfare. I’m in the U.S. and when I went it was only $600 to fly there, which was a deal. Sadly, it is a bit more now but I am ready for another trip to the Canary Islands. They are beautiful, the people are wonderful and the food….oh the food is amazing!
The Canary Islands look amazingly beautiful. These islands have a wonderful contrast of beach resorts, city attractions, and the wilderness of the mountains. There seems to be something for everyone.
La Graciosa would be my favorite beach. Since it is not a busy place, it would be ideal to have some privacy. the last time my wife and I experienced being on a beach with nobody else around was in a secluded area of Maui. But this was almost 40 years ago. I believe that this beach area has been developed into a busy resort.
The prices of hotels seem very reasonable. The Canary Islands would be a destination worth going to for a relaxing vacation.
Edwin
The Canary Islands are wonderful. I stayed right next to the beach for three wonderful weeks. The beach was a popular one, Playa de las Americas, but I never experienced crowds. I always had no problem finding my spot and nothing like here on Clearwater Beach where I live. I don’t even go to this beach, too crowded, and you can barely find a spot for your towel. So I drive down the road 15 minutes for some peace and quiet and more space 🙂
OMG! Just seeing the cover photo almost made me cry, I need to be there! haha
Unbelievable variety of landscapes, I would love to visit white-sand beaches of Fuerteventura. Also Lanzarote looks very interesting with the volcanoes. Actually it would be great to be anywhere in the Canary Islands, my wife and I have considered travelling there a number of times but never did, hopefully soon we will be there enjoying the sun!!
I can tell you Johnny, it IS BEAUTIFUL in all aspects. It’s one of those destinations everyone should have on their bucket list. Be aware, it does get windy! I never have experienced dust storms when I was there. Just a lot of wind LOL
The Canary Islands have been on my bucket list for a long time, and this post has confirmed that it is indeed a beautiful destination and well worth visiting. With all the national parks and UNESCO sites, it will appeal to those that want to have a combination of lazy beach days, and exploring nature.
Do you think it is best to concentrate on one of the islands to see it properly? Or should one do island hopping and explore several islands during your visit? Thanks for sharing.
I stayed on one island for 3 weeks. Looking back, and my next trip will be to at least visit 3 of the islands. After one week, I had pretty much seen, done and eaten everything LOL, so going to another island would have been great.
I have always wanted to visit the Canary Islands, now can plan a trip with your article. The best time that will fit my schedule with work is September, plus that is my birthday month. What better way to celebrate a birthday by visiting the beautiful Canary Islands. I have shared your website on social media to drop a hint to my husband for a travel destination for my birthday this coming September.
That is a great way to celebrate your birthday. Please let me know if you need any additional information.