The Canary Islands are a popular Spanish archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. Because the archipelago is located at the height of Morocco, the temperature is pleasant all year round and you can also enjoy the sun here in winter. You can enjoy sun, sea and sand on these islands, but also beautiful nature and culture. Due to the diversity of the landscape, the Canary Islands have something to offer for everyone. Yet there are also major differences between the seven different Canary Islands. They all have their own unique characteristics, which can make it difficult to choose an island for your sun holiday. In this article, we have compared the different islands on several levels.
Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest island in this archipelago and therefore also the most popular among tourists. In the south of this Canary Island you will find the most touristy resorts such as Playa de las Americas and Costa Adeje. These resorts have beautiful beaches and lots of entertainment, restaurants and hotels. In addition to the beaches, Tenerife is also known for the Pico del Teide volcano; the highest mountain in Spain. The jet-black volcanic landscape around the volcano is ideal for walks and real nature lovers. With a cable car you can visit the top of the volcano, which offers a beautiful view over the entire island. The capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a bustling city in the north of the island.
Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria has a lot to offer. In addition to sun, sea and beach, this Canary Island is characterized by its diverse nature and culture. On the south side of this island you will find Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles; the well-known resorts full of tourists, restaurants and hotels. The ideal destination for the tourist looking for relaxation and entertainment. When you go further to the center and north of the island, you will find many authentic villages and beautiful nature. Gran Canaria is known for its many different landscapes. It has impressive dunes, a large crater, rugged mountains and soothing forests. The capital Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has a beautiful historic district called La Vegueta.
Read all about the 15 best sights of Gran Canaria.
Lanzarote
Lanzarote is one of the oldest and most eastern of the Canary Islands. This has resulted in a unique volcanic cone landscape. The soil of this island is less fertile, making it less green than the other islands. This makes it a surprising island that sometimes resembles a lunar landscape. Lanzarote has much less high-rise buildings than Tenerife or Gran Canaria. This makes the landscape stand out even more and is much more unspoiled than on the aforementioned islands. The island is mainly ideal for active activities, such as cycling, hiking, diving or windsurfing. Because Lanzarote has fewer local residents, the authentic villages and sights that Tenerife and Gran Canaria do know are missing.
Fuerteventura
This Canary Island is located just below Lanzarote and is the oldest island in the archipelago. It is good to know that this island experiences an almost constant wind, making it ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing, but this can also be an irritation when you want to relax on the beach. Fuerteventura is mainly known for its beautiful golden sandy beaches and turquoise sea. Like Lanzarote, this island has few local residents, so there is also less culture and traditional restaurants to be found here than in Gran Canaria and Tenerife. The most famous resort on Fuerteventura is Corralejo, located in the north of the island near the protected nature park and dune area El Jable.
La Palma
La Palma is also known as La Isla Bonita; the most beautiful island. This is partly due to the fact that it is the greenest Canary Island in the archipelago. The entire island has been declared a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The island is much less touristy than the islands mentioned above, and therefore offers a peaceful holiday with a green rainforest in the north of the island and a desert landscape in the south. La Palma does not have large bustling cities like Tenerife, for example. This island mainly has cozy and colorful towns. The capital Santa Cruz de La Palma has a historical significance; it used to be an important port for shipbuilding. In addition, it is a very charming city; definitely worth a visit.
La Gomera
La Gomera is a lesser-known Canary Island, but certainly not less interesting. If you are looking for fewer tourists but still a sunny holiday, then La Gomera is ideal. The island does not have the standard sun, sea, and beach that the other more famous islands have. Instead, this island has a lot of untamed nature, many hiking trails, cliffs, and ravines, and green valleys. The capital San Sebastian is quiet and has only one historical mention; Columbus visited the island. This island is also easy to visit from Tenerife for a day.
El Hierro
This is the smallest and most mysterious island of the archipelago. It is quite remote from the other islands, which is exactly what attracts adventurous tourists to this Canary Island. The coast of El Hierro has many lava rocks, while the inland is characterized by farmland and flower fields. You will hardly find beaches and tourists here, making it the ideal destination if you love peace and quiet. Additionally, this island is perfect if you enjoy diving and the underwater world. The island has quite a few underwater caves and shipwrecks.
