Spain · 17 destinations

What to see in the Canary Islands

Volcanic islands with good weather all year round: Mount Teide on Tenerife, the dunes of Maspalomas on Gran Canaria, the volcanoes and Manrique’s art on Lanzarote, the endless beaches of Fuerteventura and the nature of La Palma and La Gomera.

Updated 20 October 2026 · How we make our guides

Cities, villages and nature

Open each one to see all its sights, where to stay, day trips and when to go.

Canary Islands
Tenerife

The island of the Teide, Spain’s highest peak, with the cliffs of Los Gigantes, the Anaga forest and beaches all year round.
- Teide National Park
- Los Gigantes Cliffs
- Anaga Rural Park
- La Laguna
What to see in Tenerife
Canary Islands
Gran Canaria

A “miniature continent”: the Maspalomas dunes, Roque Nublo, mountain villages and the city of Las Palmas.
- Maspalomas Dunes
- Roque Nublo
- Teror
- Puerto de Mogán
What to see in Gran Canaria
Canary Islands
Lanzarote

A volcanic island turned into a work of art by César Manrique, with Timanfaya, the Jameos del Agua and vineyards planted in lava pits.
- Timanfaya
- Jameos del Agua
- Mirador del Río
- La Geria
What to see in Lanzarote
Canary Islands
Fuerteventura

The island of endless beaches, the Corralejo dunes and kitesurfing winds, with Lobos island just across the water.
- Corralejo Dunes
- Lobos Island
- Sotavento beaches
- Betancuria
What to see in Fuerteventura
Canary Islands
La Palma

La Isla Bonita: the Caldera de Taburiente, laurel forests, observatory-grade skies and the 2021 volcano.
- Caldera de Taburiente
- Roque de los Muchachos
- Los Tilos
- Santa Cruz de La Palma
What to see in La Palma
Canary Islands
Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Calatrava’s Auditorium, Las Teresitas beach and the most famous Carnival in the Canary Islands.
- Auditorio de Tenerife
- Las Teresitas Beach
- Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África
- García Sanabria Park
What to see in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Canary Islands
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Las Canteras beach right in the city, the Vegueta quarter and the Columbus House.
- Las Canteras Beach
- Vegueta
- Columbus House
- Jardín Canario
What to see in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Canary Islands
Puerto de la Cruz

Tenerife’s most classic resort town, with Lago Martiánez, a botanical garden and the Teide in the background.
- Lago Martiánez
- Botanical Garden
- Loro Parque
- Orotava
What to see in Puerto de la Cruz
Canary Islands
Arrecife

Lanzarote’s capital, with San Gabriel Castle, the Charco de San Ginés and Timanfaya close by.
- Charco de San Ginés
- San José Castle
- Timanfaya
What to see in Arrecife
Canary Islands
San Sebastián de La Gomera

La Gomera’s little capital, where Columbus set sail for the Americas, with Garajonay in the interior.
- Torre del Conde
- Garajonay National Park
- Playa de Santiago
What to see in San Sebastián de La Gomera
Canary Islands
La Gomera

An island of ravines and laurel forests, with Garajonay National Park and the Silbo Gomero whistled language, recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
- Garajonay National Park
- Valle Gran Rey
- Los Órganos
- Agulo
What to see in La Gomera
Canary Islands
El Hierro

The smallest and quietest of the western Canary Islands, a Biosphere Reserve, with natural pools, wind-twisted junipers and first-class diving.
- Charco Azul
- El Sabinar
- Mirador de la Peña
- La Restinga
What to see in El Hierro
Canary Islands
La Graciosa

The eighth Canary Island: no tarmac roads, sandy streets, almost untouched beaches and Lanzarote just across the water.
- Caleta de Sebo
- Playa de las Conchas
- Playa Francesa
- Montaña Amarilla
What to see in La Graciosa
Canary Islands
Maspalomas

Golden sand dunes by the sea, a lighthouse and a lagoon full of birds, in the sunny south of Gran Canaria.
- Maspalomas Dunes
- Maspalomas lighthouse
- La Charca
- Playa del Inglés
What to see in Maspalomas
Canary Islands
La Orotava

A stately town in the green valley below the Teide, with houses with wooden balconies, gardens and the Corpus Christi flower carpets.
- Casa de los Balcones
- Victoria Garden
- Church of La Concepción
- Corpus Christi carpets
What to see in La Orotava
Canary Islands
Garachico

A stone town that the 1706 lava flow turned into natural pools, on the north coast of Tenerife.
- El Caletón
- Roque de Garachico
- San Miguel Castle
- Plaza de la Libertad
What to see in Garachico
Canary Islands
Teguise

The old capital of Lanzarote, with white houses and convents, its Sunday market and a castle on top of a volcano.
- Santa Bárbara Castle
- Plaza de la Constitución
- Church of Guadalupe
- Convent of Santo Domingo
What to see in Teguise

When to go

Any month: in winter temperatures hover around 20–24 °C and they’re Europe’s closest winter sun. The carnivals of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas, in February or March, are among the biggest in the world.

What to eat

Papas arrugadas con mojo (wrinkled potatoes with mojo)
Gofio
Conejo en salmorejo
Canarian ropa vieja
Majorero cheese
Bienmesabe

Recipes to make at home

Frequently asked questions

What is there to see in the Canary Islands?

The must-sees: Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Puerto de la Cruz, Arrecife, San Sebastián de La Gomera, La Gomera, El Hierro, La Graciosa, Maspalomas, La Orotava, Garachico and Teguise. Each guide has its sights, where to stay, day trips and when to go.

When is the best time to visit the Canary Islands?

What to eat in the Canary Islands?

Papas arrugadas con mojo (wrinkled potatoes with mojo), Gofio, Conejo en salmorejo, Canarian ropa vieja, Majorero cheese and Bienmesabe. You’ll find the recipe for conejo en salmorejo, papas arrugadas con mojo (wrinkled potatoes with mojo) and almogrote in their guides.

Which Canary Island should you visit?

Tenerife for Mount Teide and variety; Gran Canaria for dunes, beaches and mountain villages; Lanzarote for volcanoes and Manrique; Fuerteventura for long beaches; La Palma and La Gomera for nature and hiking.

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Reviewed 20 October 2026. Places and areas: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.

Cover photo: Ingo Mehling (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikimedia Commons.