The Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are a Spanish archipelago of eight main islands in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of northwest Africa. Mild temperatures throughout the year, volcanic landscapes, and long coastlines make them a year-round destination for beach holidays, hiking, and family travel.
Islands
A Volcanic Archipelago
The Canary Islands form an autonomous community of Spain, spread across the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of northwest Africa. All of the islands are volcanic in origin, which shows in black sand beaches, lava fields, calderas, and steep ravines.
The archipelago includes Mount Teide on Tenerife, the highest peak in Spain at 3,715 metres, and four national parks. Despite their shared origin, the islands look and feel distinct, from the dunes of Maspalomas on Gran Canaria to the laurel forests of La Gomera.
Climate and Seasons
The islands sit in the subtropical Atlantic, and coastal temperatures stay mild in every season. Trade winds from the northeast bring cloud and moisture to the northern sides of the higher islands, while the southern coasts are typically drier and sunnier.
Altitude matters as much as latitude. Coastal resorts can be warm while the summit of Teide carries snow, and short drives often pass through several climate zones. This is why the same island can offer beach weather and cool mountain forest on the same day.
Choosing an Island
Start with what you want from the trip. For resort infrastructure and reliable sun, the south coasts of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote are the established choices. For hiking, La Palma, La Gomera, and the interiors of Tenerife and Gran Canaria have the deepest trail networks.
Fuerteventura suits beach and wind sports, Lanzarote pairs volcanic scenery with a strong design heritage from the artist César Manrique, and El Hierro and La Graciosa reward travellers who want quiet. Many visitors combine two islands in one trip.
The Eight Main Islands
- Tenerife: the largest island, home to Mount Teide
- Fuerteventura: long beaches and a desert-like interior
- Gran Canaria: dunes, mountains, and a large capital city
- Lanzarote: volcanic landscapes and the work of César Manrique
- La Palma: steep, green, and known for dark night skies
- La Gomera: ancient laurel forest in Garajonay National Park
- El Hierro: remote, rugged, and a UNESCO biosphere reserve
- La Graciosa: a small island off Lanzarote with unpaved roads