Visit the Canaries : Practical guide

In January, while some dream of snow-covered slopes and winter holidays in the fresh air, others aspire to escape the cold and enjoy the sun. Why not experience the best of both worlds? Why not visit the Canaries and discover volcanic landscapes, golden beaches and incredible towns like Tenerife and Fuerteventura? This Spanish archipelago promises an unforgettable getaway. With its mild climate all year round, varied activities and rich culture, the Canaries are the perfect escape for those who want to combine relaxation, adventure and sunshine.

When should you visit the Canaries? What are the islands? Where are they located? Connections between the islands? The best time of year to go? etc. A description to give you a general idea before making up your mind and planning your trip. Get ready to discover all that these paradise islands have to offer!

Where are the Canary Islands located?

The Canary Islands, an archipelago of seven main islands, are located in the Atlantic Ocean, further south than the Balearic Islands, off the coast of Morocco. Although geographically close to Africa, they are an integral part of Spain. This special status makes them an ideal destination for Europeans seeking a mild climate all year round and a varied landscape combining beaches, volcanoes and forests.

These islands form one of Spain’s 17 autonomous communities: the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands. The region has two capital cities: Santa Cruz on Tenerife and Las Palmas on Gran Canaria.

Pleasant temperatures all year round allow you to discover the lush green vegetation, mountains in the hinterland, spectacular plains and dreamy beaches. The Canary Islands offer a variety of adventures.

You can travel between the islands by plane (less than an hour’s journey) or by boat.

Visit the Canaries: Tenerife, the pearl of the Canaries

Tenerife is the largest and best-known island in the archipelago. At the heart of the island lies the Teide volcano (last erupted in 1909) and the National Park of the same name. At an altitude of 3,718 metres, it is the highest peak in Spain.

Tenerife offers different landscapes in the north and south of the island. The greener north contrasts with the more arid south. What’s special about the volcanic islands is that you can find black sand beaches, as in the north of Tenerife. In the south of the island, you’ll find white sand beaches.

Half of the island’s surface is classified as a protected area. There are several nature parks.

You will really like to visit the Canaries, starting by Tenerife.

How do I get to Tenerife?

Getting to Tenerife by plane: The main airport, Tenerife-Sud or Reina Sofía, is at Granadilla de Abona in the south of the island. It is an international airport.

There is another airport in the north of the island, at La Laguna, 10km from the capital. This airport is used more for inter-island or national flights. From the airport, it’s best to hire a car to visit the Canaries.

Airlines such as Iberia, Ryanair and Vueling offer direct flights from Madrid, Barcelona and several major European cities.

• Paris > Tenerife (direct) : approx. 4 hours’ flight time.
• Madrid > Tenerife: approx. 3 hours’ flight time.

Each island has its own airport, at least for travel between islands. Plane connections to/from Tenerife :

• Tenerife <> Gran Canaria: 30-minute flight
• Tenerife <> La Palma : 30 minute flight
• Tenerife <> El Hierro : 40-minute flight
• Tenerife <> Fuerteventura : 50 minutes flight (direct)
• Tenerife <> Lanzarote : 50 minutes flight
• Tenerife <> La Gomera : 30 minute flight

Sea links between the islands: Tenerife has 4 ports.

• Tenerife (Santa Cruz) <> Gran Canaria (Las Palmas) : 1h30 by boat
• Tenerife (Santa Cruz) <> Gran Canaria (Agaete): 1h20 by boat.
• Tenerife (Los Cristianos) <> La Gomera (San Sebastian) : 50 min by boat
• Tenerife (Los Cristianos) <> La Palma (Santa Cruz) : 3h by boat
• Tenerife (Los Cristianos) <> El Hierro (Valverde) : 2h30 by boat

The weather in Tenerife?

The weather is pleasant all year round. Around 18°/20° C in winter (December to March). In summer, temperatures climb to around 30°C. Sunny and little rain all year round. Tenerife is an excellent option during the All Saints’ Day holidays. One of the most beautiful Canaries to visit.

What to visit in Tenerife

NB: We won’t be detailing the beaches in this article for the moment.

• Visit Santa Cruz and take part in the famous Santa Cruz Carnival. An exceptional event, it takes place in February and early March (check the dates each year).
• Visit the Palmetum botanical garden in Santa Cruz.
• La Laguna and its historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The spectacular Teide Natural Park and the ascent of Mount Teide: a good compromise between climbing and hiking.
• The Teide cable car
• Hiking in Anaga Rural Park
• Whale watching. Book a trip on a sailing boat to watch whales and dolphins.
• Visit a banana farm
• Cool off at SIAM PARK, tickets online here

Read our full article on visiting Tenerife.

Where to sleep in Tenerife : See our selection of accommodation in Tenerife

Visit Fuerteventura, a beach paradise

This island is the closest to the mainland and the 2nd largest in the Canary archipelago, nicknamed the Red Island. It has a population of around 120,000.

How do I get to Fuerteventura?

Airport: El Matorral airport is 5 km south-west of Puerto del Rosario, the island’s capital. From the airport, hiring a car to visit the island is the best option.

• Paris <> Fuerteventura (direct) : approx. 4 hours’ flight time.
• Madrid <> Fuerteventura: approx. 2? hours’ flight time.

Links between Fuerteventura and the other islands by plane:

• Fuerteventura <> Tenerife : 50 minutes by plane (direct)
• Fuerteventura <> Lanzarote : 1h20 flight time (direct flight)
• Fuerteventura <> Grande Canarie : 40 minutes flight (direct)
• Fuerteventura <> La Gomera : 1h20 de vol (pas direct)
• Fuerteventura <> La Palma : 1h20 de vol (pas direct)
• Fuerteventura <> El Hierro : 1h30 de vol (pas direct)

Maritime links between islands :

• Fuerteventura (Corralejo) <> Lanzarote (Playa Blanca) : 25 minutes by boat
• Fuerteventura (Morro Jable) <> Grande Canarie (Las Palmas) : 2 hours by boat
• Fuerteventura (Puerto Rosario) <> Grande Canarie (Las Palmas) : 6h30 boat trip

What’s the weather like in Fuerteventura?

Temperatures between 15 and 30 degrees all year round. Very little rain. A pleasant destination in both summer and winter, with mild temperatures between November and March.

What to do in Fuerteventura?

On Fuerteventura you’ll find seaside resorts on the coast, but also some really wild spots: mountainous areas, desert zones, sand dunes, cliffs as far as the eye can see, but also incredible beaches and pretty villages.

• Visit Corralejo and its nature park The Dunes of Corralejo
• A sacred and emblematic place on the island: Mount Tindaya
• At the end of the world in Cofete
• Discover the island of Lobos and its heavenly beaches. Get there by water taxi (10 min) or ferry (20 min).
• Visit the fishing village of El Cotillo and the desert village of La Oliva.
• Go paddle boarding at Caleta de Fuste.
• A surf lesson adapted to your level

Where to sleep in Fuerteventura : See our selection of accommodation in Fuerteventura

Visit Gran Canaria, the island of contrasts

The 3rd largest island in terms of surface area, Gran Canaria is easily visited from a single point. A mountain range separates the north and south of the island.

The golden sandy beaches are to be found in the south of the island, as is the impressive desert of the Maspalomas Dunes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A destination to suit all tastes: nature, hiking, visits to small towns, relaxing by the sea…

How to get to Gran Canaria

Airport:

• Paris <> Gran Canaria (direct) : approximately 4h30 flight time.
• Madrid <> Fuerteventura: approx. 2h45 flight.

Maritime links between the islands of the Canaries :

• Tenerife (Santa Cruz) <> Grande Canarie (Agaete) : 1h20 by boat
• Fuerteventura (Morro Jable) <> Grande Canarie (Las Palmas) : 2h of boat trip
• Fuerteventura (Puerto Rosario) <> Grande Canarie (Las Palmas) : 6h30 by boat
• Lanzarote (Arrecife) <> Grande Canarie (Las Palmas) : 6h of boat trip

Plane connections between the Canary Islands :

• Tenerife <> Gran Canaria: 30-minute flight
• Fuerteventura <> Gran Canaria: 40-minute flight (not direct)
• Lanzarote <> Gran Canaria: 40-minute flight
• La Gomera <> Gran Canaria : 60 minutes flight (not direct)
• El Hierro <> Gran Canaria : 50 minutes flight time
• La Palma <> Gran Canaria : 50 minutes flight

What’s the weather like on Gran Canaria?

As with the other islands in the archipelago, Gran Canaria can be visited all year round. From June to October it is warmer (25 to 30 degrees) and the sea water is more pleasant. The rest of the year the weather is mild (around 20 degrees).

What should you visit on Gran Canaria?

• Visit the capital Las Palmas and its famous Vegueta district. Take advantage of the Free Tour, a free guided tour.
• Visit Puerto Mogan, nicknamed ‘Little Venice’.
• Discover the Maspalomas dunes and why not take a full excursion.
• Admire the emblematic Roque Nublo and the surrounding walks in the Parque Rural del Nublo.
• Hike to Pico de las Nieves (the island’s highest peak, 1,949m).
• The coffee plantations and villages of the Agaete valley.
• One of Europe’s largest aquariums.

For a transfer from the airport to your accommodation, we recommend you book a taxi.

Where to sleep in Gran Canaria? Take a look at our selection of accommodation in Gran Canaria

Visit the Canary Islands : Lanzarote

This volcanic island, which is sometimes surprising with its red earth in some places, was declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1993. The island is also renowned for its vineyards and wines.

The Timanfaya National Park, formed by volcanic rocks, offers an astonishingly colourful and timeless spectacle. Perfect for some great hiking. And in the south of the island, you’ll find a wild, unspoilt area: De Papagayo beach. A little paradise.

You’ll also love the island’s white villages.

How do I get to Lanzarote?

Lanzaroteairport : located near Arrecife.

• Paris <> Lanzarote (direct) : approx. 4 hours’ flight time.
• Madrid <> Lanzarote (direct): approx. 2hrs 40mins flight time.

Sea links between the islands:

• Lanzarote (Arrecife) > Gran Canaria (Las Palmas): 5 hours by boat.
• Fuerteventura (Corralejo) <> Lanzarote (Playa Blanca): 25 minutes by boat

Plane connections between the islands:

• Lanzarote <> Gran Canaria: 40-minute flight
• Lanzarote <> La Palma : 1h20 flight (not direct)
• Lanzarote <> Fuerteventura : 1h20 flight (not direct)
• Lanzarote <> El Hierro : 1h30 flight (not direct)

What’s the weather like on Lanzarote?

Generally speaking, Lanzarote is the warmest of the islands. In winter, from November to March, temperatures are mild, around 20 degrees. In summer, you can expect temperatures of around 28/30 degrees.

What to visit in Lanzarote

• An excursion to the island of La Graciosa or simply book the ferry trip.
• Visit the Timanfaya National Park and the spectacular site of Jameos del agua.
• The cactus garden in the north of the island.
• Visit the island’s traditional villages: Arrieta, Punta Mujeres, Guatiza.
• The César Manrique Foundation, one of the island’s most famous artists.
• The Geria wine region.
• Watch dolphins and whales off the coast.

For a sporting holiday, book your surfing lessons.

Where to stay in Lanzarote: Discover our selection of accommodation in Lanzarote where our selection of accommodation

Visit the Canary Islands : La Palma

La Palma, a destination for dreaming and stargazing. A site renowned for the quality of its skies! 320 days of sunshine a year and a ‘celestial’ law that has limited public lighting at night since 1988. An astrophysics observatory has been set up on the island’s highest peak, Roque de los Muchachos. The Gran Telescopio Canarias is located here. At 10.4 metres in diameter, it is the largest telescope in the world. Miradors have also been set up all over the island for easy stargazing with guidance.

In 2002, UNESCO declared the entire island a biosphere reserve. Hiking enthusiasts will be spoilt for choice. There are signposted trails all over the island, leading through forests, past waterfalls and up volcanic peaks…

How to get to La Palma

La Palma airport:

• Paris <> Lanzarote: no direct flights
• Madrid <> Fuerteventura: approx. 3-hour flight.

Sea links between the islands:

• Tenerife (Los Cristianos) <> La Palma (Santa Cruz): 3h by boat
• La Gomera (San Sebastian) <> La Palma (Santa Cruz): 2 hours by boat.

Plane connections between the islands:

• Tenerife <> La Palma: 30-minute flight
• Lanzarote <> La Palma: 1h20 flight (not direct)
• La Palma <> Gran Canaria: 50-minute flight
• Fuerteventura <> La Palma : 1h20 flight (not direct)
• La Palma <> El Hierro : 1h10 flight (not direct)
• La Palma <> La Gomera : 1h flight (not direct)

What’s the weather like in La Palma?

The climate is favourable all year round for visiting La Palma. Little rain and mild temperatures in winter.

What can you do in La Palma?

• Hiking in the Caldeira de Taburiente National Park
• Climb the island’s highest peak, Roque de las Muchachos (2,426 metres)
• Visit the cobbled streets of the capital: Santa Cruz de La Palma
• Visit the Fuencaliente lighthouse
• Take a speleological tour of the Las Palomas cave.

Where to stay in La Palma: see our selection of accommodation in La Palma

The other islands of the Canary archipelago

Visit La Gomera and its national park

In terms of population, La Gomera ranks 6th with around 20,000 inhabitants. The island was recognised by UNESCO in 2012 as a Biosphere Reserve. You can take a walk in the Garajonay National Park. One of its unique features is that some of the island’s inhabitants still speak silbo. One of the few whistled languages in the world! A language originally created to communicate from one valley to another.

Good to know : You can visit the Canaries, the island of La Gomera for the day from Tenerife. It’s a 50-minute boat ride from the docks at Los Cristianos in the south of Tenerife to San Sebastian de La Gomera. There are even excursions with the crossing, a 4×4 ride with a French-speaking guide and lunch included. It’s a great way to get to the island’s most beautiful spots for a day, including the town of Hermigua, a visit to an aloe vera plantation, the Laguna Grande with its magical laurel forest and Roque de Agando, one of the island’s spectacular monuments. Excursions for La Gomera.

El Hierro and its volcanic beaches

Around 16,000 inhabitants on this island, recognised by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve on 20 January 2000. Here you’ll find volcanic landscapes and forests, as well as transparent waters for diving and snorkelling. Book your hotel.

The Canaries’ smallest island : La Graciosa

We were lucky enough to spend 3 days on La Graciosa, an island cut off from the rest of the world, with magnificent scenery and spectacular beaches.

There are no tarmac roads on the smallest island in the Canary archipelago. This Spanish island is part of the municipality of Teguise (Lanzarote). The island’s main village is Caleta de Sebo, with a population of 693. One of the island’s main activities is cycling around and admiring this peaceful, secluded spot. To get there, a boat links the island with the ports of Orzola and Caleta de Sebo. Book your hotel.

This guide will help you visit the Canaries, a unique archipelago where each island offers memorable experiences. Whether you love nature, the beach or water sports, the Canaries have it all.