Which Canary Island is the best for me? Find the perfect island escape

The largest and most visited Canary Island, Tenerife is also one of the most diverse. Its landscape changes dramatically as you move around, from volcanic slopes to beautiful beaches, green valleys and the mysterious subtropical forests of the north.

At its heart lies the Teide National Park, home to Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak. The otherworldly volcanic landscape makes a spectacular contrast to the beaches and resort areas around the coast. This variety makes Tenerife a fantastic choice if you don’t want to limit yourself to one type of holiday. Spend one day relaxing beside the sea, the next hiking through stunning countryside and another exploring historic towns. 

If buzzing nightlife is on your holiday wish list, Tenerife ties with Gran Canaria as the best Canary Island for partying. It also has a reputation for luxury. Couples in particular are drawn to the island for romantic getaways and honeymoons, with stylish hotels to be pampered at, excellent restaurants and plenty of opportunities for a little indulgence. Food lovers, then, are well catered for too, thanks to the island’s impressive culinary scene.

Best for: couples, luxury breaks, foodies, hikers, party people and anyone looking to try a bit of everything

If your idea of the perfect holiday involves soft sand, turquoise water and long, lazy days beside the Atlantic, Fuerteventura could be the island for you. The second largest of the Canary Islands is famous for its spectacular beaches. While several of the Canaries are known for their volcanic black sand, Fuerteventura stands out for its abundance of sweeping white and golden beaches.

The coastline is also a magnet for watersports fans. The western shores are particularly popular with surfers and have helped earn Fuerteventura the nickname “the Hawaii of Europe”. The eastern side of the island, where you’ll find most of the hotels in Fuerteventura, is home to some prime kitesurfing and windsurfing spots. 

If you’re travelling with children or are a sun-loving couple who simply prefer calmer waters, head south. The Jandía peninsula is home to some of the island’s most beautiful strips of sand, where you can enjoy classic beach holiday bliss. Whether you want to learn to surf, spend your days swimming or simply find a quiet patch of sand and do absolutely nothing, Fuerteventura certainly delivers.

Best for: beach lovers, surfers, watersports enthusiasts, families and sun seekers

Can’t decide what kind of holiday you want? Gran Canaria is probably your safest bet. The all-rounder of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria combines a little bit of everything. There are beautiful beaches, mountain landscapes, charming villages, hiking trails, shopping, culture and a lively nightlife scene, as well as luxury options, if you fancy spoiling yourself.

You can spend the first part of the day wandering the historic streets of Las Palmas, the afternoon relaxing on the beach and the evening enjoying dinner before heading out for drinks and dancing. The island’s variety also makes it particularly appealing to families and solo travellers. 

No matter where you stay in Gran Canaria, there’s enough to keep everyone entertained, whether your perfect day means a gentle hike, fun beside the sea or exploring somewhere new. For first-time visitors who aren’t sure which Canary Island to visit, Gran Canaria is an excellent place to start. It’s hard to go wrong here.

Best for: families, solo travellers, first-time visitors and anyone looking for variety

There are some places around the world where you feel as though you’ve left Earth behind. Lanzarote is one of them. The island’s extraordinary volcanic landscapes are unlike almost anywhere else in the Canaries. Vast fields of black and ochre rock, volcanic cones and rugged terrain create an almost Mars-like atmosphere.

Nowhere is this more dramatic than Timanfaya National Park. Beneath the seemingly silent landscape, volcanic activitycontinues deep underground. Visitors to the park are treated to demonstrations that reveal just how much heat remains below their feet.

But Lanzarote’s volcanic character isn’t simply something to admire from a distance. It’s shaped the island’s identity, architecture and culture. Perhaps nobody understood this better than local artist and architect César Manrique. His work can be found throughout Lanzarote, cleverly blending art and architecture with the natural environment rather than competing with it.

For fitness enthusiasts too, the landscape, weather, first-class cycling and excellent sports facilities mean a visit to Lanzarote is the perfect opportunity for an active holiday. Lanzarote, then, is ideal for travellers who want beach bliss and more. You can still enjoy beautiful stretches of sand and plenty of sunshine, but you’ll also have the chance to squeeze the most out of one of Europe’s most singular destinations. 

Best for: nature lovers, photographers, culture seekers, architecture fans and active, adventurous travellers

Lying just north of Lanzarote, La Graciosa is the archipelago’s diminutive, peaceful and wonderfully secluded secret. In fact, it was only officially recognised as an inhabited island in 2018, becoming the eighth of the set – and the smallestof them all.

You can stay overnight, but most visitors experience La Graciosa as a day trip from Lanzarote. And what a day trip it is! With its tranquil beaches, volcanic scenery and relaxed atmosphere, the island feels a world away from the busier resorts, making it a solid contender for the quietest Canary Island. If your idea of paradise involves escaping the crowds, slowing down and spending a day on a virtually deserted beach, La Graciosa might well be the best Canary Island to visit for you.

Best for: day trippers, beach lovers, peace seekers and anyone wanting to escape the crowds

Known as La Isla Bonita – the Beautiful Island – La Palma is a candidate for the best Canary Island for nature. La Palma made headlines around the world in 2021 following the dramatic Cumbre Vieja volcanic eruption, which lasted for 85 days and covered some 5 square miles of land in lava and ash. Homes, businesses and tourist facilities were engulfed, and many families lost everything.

Yet it’s also important to say that the eruption affected only part of the island. Much of La Palma remained untouched, and today – as its nickname suggests – its forests, mountains and spectacular natural landscapes continue to make it one of the prettiest Canary Islands.

Reachable by ferry from Tenerife (flights are available too), La Palma is particularly rewarding for walkers and outdoor enthusiasts. The Caldera de Taburiente National Park offers dramatic scenery, deep valleys and spectacular viewpoints, while hiking trails criss-cross the island’s lush landscapes.

La Palma isn’t the place to come if you’re looking for endless nightlife or a packed entertainment schedule. Instead, its appeal lies in tranquillity, fresh air and the chance to reconnect with nature.

Best for: hikers, nature lovers, photographers and anyone looking for peace and quiet

La Gomera has long marched to the beat of a different drum. Its spectacular landscapes, which make it one of the most beautiful Canary Islands, began drawing hippies, artists and alternative-minded travellers in the 1970s, many of whom arrived in search of a simpler, less conventional way of life. Some stuck around, and traces of that alternative spirit can still be found today, particularly around Valle Gran Rey.

La Gomera’s biggest attraction, though, is arguably its extraordinary natural beauty.

At the heart of the island lies Garajonay National Park, home to an ancient laurel forest that has an almost prehistoric air. Misty paths wind through dense greenery, creating an atmospheric world that seems far removed from the Canary Islands’ sunny beaches.

La Gomera is also easy to visit from Tenerife. With the boat ride lasting less than an hour, a day trip is a popular option. But if you have the time, staying longer allows you to immerse yourself in the island’s unique ambience at a much slower pace.

Best for: nature lovers, hikers, alternative travellers and those in search of something different

Does the perfect holiday for you mean leaving the crowds behind? El Hierro could be your answer to the question of which Canary Island is the best. The baby of the main islands has a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere and a rugged beauty that rewards travellers willing to explore beyond the traditional tourist trail. It’s also renowned for diving, with clear Atlantic waters and fascinating underwater landscapes created by its volcanic origins.

El Hierro is less about big resorts, busy nightlife and endless entertainment and more about nature, tranquillity and adventure. It’s the kind of place where you can start the day exploring the coastline, move on to an afternoon underwater and relax into evening watching the sun disappear over the Atlantic.

For anyone who wants to slow down, breathe and escape the everyday routine, El Hierro offers just that.

Best for: divers, nature lovers, adventurous travellers and anyone who genuinely wants to switch off and get away from it all

While there really is no single winner, the best Canary Island for you is the one that matches your idea of a perfect holiday. 

Tenerife offers variety, luxury and might be the best Canary Island for couples. Fuerteventura has amazing beaches and unbeatable watersports. Gran Canaria’s diversity makes it great for first-time visitors and ranks among the best Canary Islands for families. The stunning volcanic landscapes of Lanzarote make it the best Canary Island to go to for active types seeking adventure.

For the best Canary Island for walking, head to La Palma or La Gomera. And if what matters to you is dodging the crowds, El Hierro or La Graciosa could make the nicest Canary Island outing.

And if choosing just one still feels impossible, remember there’s always another option: island hopping. With eight islands offering countless landscapes, each with its own unique character, perhaps the best way to discover the Canaries is not to choose a favourite at all.