Choose The Best Canary Island For You

Eight islands. One archipelago. Endless possibilities. That’s the magic of the Canary Islands — a cluster of volcanic wonders where black-sand beaches meet emerald forests and deserts that look stolen from another planet. First things first: how many islands are there? Officially, eight main islands (plus five tiny islets), each with its own heartbeat.

Here’s the secret: The nicest Canary Island depends on your rhythm. Slow travelers adore El Hierro’s raw simplicity. Adventurers chase La Gomera’s misty trails. Beach lovers? Fuerteventura’s sands are silk.

Whether you’re mapping out Canary Islands destinations for relaxation, adventure, or a mix of both — this archipelago refuses to be pigeonholed. It’s not about finding the best Canary Islands overall, but the one that feels yours. Ready to meet your match?

Tenerife

Gran Canaria or Tenerife? While both dazzle, Tenerife — the largest Canary Island — throws down the gauntlet with its wild contrasts.

Think fiery sunsets over volcanic craters, then neon-lit nights in buzzing resorts. It’s no wonder many call it the best Canary Island to visit  for your first taste of the archipelago.

Things to do in Tenerife:

• Teide National Park: Hike Mars-like trails, then ride the cable car up to 3,718m for views stretching to Africa. UNESCO doesn’t hand out badges for nothing.
• Anaga Rural Park: Walk through Jurassic-era forests where fog clings to ancient trees like cobwebs. Instagram’s worst nightmare (no filter can do this justice).
• South Coast Whispers: Between Playa de las Américas’ buzz and Los Gigantes’ cliffs, spot pilot whales breaching just offshore.

Suitable for: Families seeking diverse activities, couples wanting a mix of relaxation and adventure, and anyone who prefers having plenty of options.

Tenerife refuses to be pigeonholed. It’s where lunar landscapes collide with banana plantations, where salsa beats spill into silent pine forests. Whether you’re debating the best Canary Island for families or plotting a romantic escape, this island doesn’t ask you to choose — it gives you permission to want it all.

Gran Canaria

While Tenerife wows with scale, Gran Canaria — the best Canary Island for shape-shifters — crams deserts, jungles, and cobblestone charm into one island. It’s like someone shrunk six countries and stirred them into a volcanic blender.

Things to do in Gran Canaria:

• South Coast Seduction: Where the best Canary Island for couples title gets real. By day, bake on dunes; by night, sip cocktails in Playa del Inglés’ neon-lit lounges.
• Roque Nublo Pilgrimage: Hike to this 80m rock monolith — the island’s spiritual core — where views stretch to Tenerife’s Teide on clear days.
• Las Palmas Unplugged: Dive into the aquarium-like Playa de las Canteras, then geek out at Casa de Colón’ maps. Columbus allegedly napped here.

Suitable for: Beach lovers, hikers, cultural explorers.

Gran Canaria is the best island for travelers with FOMO. Want to beach-hop, then hike a cloud forest before dinner? Done. Crave tapas in a 15th-century plaza after sunbathing in a bikini? Sorted. It’s the ultimate Canary Islands destination for those who refuse to pick a lane.

Lanzarote

Is Lanzarote the prettiest island you can find? Depends — do you find beauty in fire-born drama? This isn’t your postcard-perfect paradise. It’s a moody masterpiece where volcanoes painted the land black, then artist César Manrique brushed in pops of white villages and turquoise pools.

UNESCO called it a Biosphere Reserve; we call it Earth’s edgiest art gallery.

Things to do in Lanzarote:

• Timanfaya National Park: Where the ground grumbles. Roast chicken over geothermal vents, then cruise through lava fields that look like God spilled ink.
• Jameos del Agua: A lava tube turned into a James Bond villain lair. Swim in an underground pool, then spot ghostly albino crabs in hidden lagoons.
• Papagayo Beaches: Golden crescents framed by cliffs — the best island for “I’m definitely screenshotting this” moments.

Suitable for: Design enthusiasts, photographers, wine connoisseurs, and those seeking dramatic landscapes without strenuous hiking.

Lanzarote isn’t just a Canary Islands destination — it’s a sensory punch. Volcanic soil. Albino crabs. Wine that tastes like the earth’s heartbeat. Come for the Mars-like weirdness, stay for the creative soul that turns eruptions into elegance.

La Gomera

Step off the ferry from Tenerife, and suddenly — silence. Not a typo. La Gomera swaps crowded resorts for mist-shrouded forests and villages where locals still chat in Silbo Gomero, a whistling language that cuts through valleys like birdsong.

If you’re debating which is the nicest island for raw, crowd-free beauty, this is your answer.

Things to do in La Gomera:

• Garajonay National Park: Hike through a Jurassic Park reboot — minus the dinosaurs. Laurel trees drip with moss, and fog rolls in like dry ice at a Bowie concert. Trails range from “stroll” to “sweaty triumph.”
• Valle Gran Rey: Where hippie vibes meet banana groves. Swim in black-sand coves, then toast to sunsets that melt into the ocean like liquid gold.
• Silbo Gomero 101: Listen to shepherds whistle entire conversations across canyons. It’s not a gimmick — it’s a UNESCO-protected language. Try mimicking it. Fail. Marvel anyway.

Suitable for: Hikers, nature lovers, those seeking tranquility, and travelers interested in indigenous cultures.

This island doesn’t shout. It whispers — through misty forests, whistled folk songs, and waves carving secret caves. While others argue, La Gomera sits apart, offering a chance to lose the map and find yourself.

La Palma

Which is the nicest Canary Island for untouched wildness? La Palma — nicknamed La Isla Bonita — doesn’t just flirt with beauty; it marries it. Think Jurassic forests, volcanic craters, and night skies so clear, you’ll swear Hubble telescope engineers took notes here.

Things to do in La Palma:

• Caldera de Taburiente: A giant volcanic bowl stuffed with pine forests and waterfalls. Hike the Barranco de las Angustias (Gorge of Anxiety — drama much?) or swim under natural cascades.
• Roque de los Muchachos: Drive to 2,426m, where clouds float below your feet. Peek into telescopes that cost more than your hometown.
• Charco Azul: Volcanic rock pools where waves crash like cymbals. Better than any infinity pool.
• Santa Cruz de La Palma: Colonial candy-colored houses, balconies drowning in flowers, and a ship-shaped museum celebrating Columbus’ pitstop here.
• February Fix? Mild temps and almond blooms make this the best Canary Island in February for hikers and stargazers.

Suitable for: Stargazers, photographers, hikers, and nature enthusiasts seeking authentic experiences away from large resorts.

La Palma isn’t just one of another destinations — it’s a reset button. Here, “nightlife” means bioluminescent plankton glowing in tide pools. “Rush hour” is a goat blocking your rental car.

Fuerteventura

Which island to visit if your soul craves wild beaches and endless skies? Fuerteventura answers with 150km of blond sands, waters so turquoise they’ll burn your retinas, and winds that’ve made surfers weep with joy since the ‘70s.

Things to do in Fuerteventura:

• Beach buffet: From dune-backed Corralejo (hello, mini-Sahara!) to hidden coves where you’ll count more crabs than people.
• Weather’s BFF: 300+ sunny days a year. February? A cozy 22°C. Pack that sunscreen.
• No “just pretty” syndrome: Here, raw beauty pairs with adrenaline — think kitesurfing highs and lunar-like hikes.
• Corralejo Natural Park: Dunes so vast, you’ll lose your footprints. Swim in lagoons so clear, fish mistake you for coral.
• Isla de Lobos: A 20-minute boat ride to this micro-island. Snorkel in neon-blue waters, then climb El Calderín volcano for 360° bragging rights.
• Sotavento Beach: Windsurf where pros train. Can’t tell a kite from a kayak? Lessons here turn klutzes into wave warriors.
• Betancuria: The island’s old soul. Cobblestone streets, whitewashed chapels, and farm stalls selling Majorero cheese — smoked paprika-rubbed goat cheese that’ll ruin supermarket brands forever.
• Caleta de Fuste: Island for families with tiny humans. Toddler-friendly shallows, ice cream stands, and sandcastle-ready shores.

Suitable for: Beach enthusiasts, water sports fans, families seeking safe swimming, and those who appreciate stark natural beauty.

A top destination for those who want their paradise untamed. Whether you’re chasing winter sun, teaching kids to bodyboard, or tasting cheese aged in volcanic caves — Fuerteventura’s beauty isn’t just seen. It’s felt.

El Hierro

Tired of “top 10” lists and influencer hotspots? Meet El Hierro — the best island you’ve (probably) never googled.

Once marked on ancient maps as “Here Be Dragons,” this micro-island ditches mass tourism for wild coasts, silent forests, and a vibe that whispers: “Breathe. This is enough.”

Things to do in El Hierro:

• Dive into Mars… underwater: At La Restinga Marine Reserve, volcanic chimneys belch bubbles, and parrotfish dart through caves like living confetti.
• El Charco Azul: Natural lava pools where you’ll swim inches from Atlantic fury. Like being in a snow globe… if the snow was saltwater.
• Guinea Village: Step into a 1950s time capsule. Stone huts, lizard guides, and locals who still make cheese in caves. Literally.
• La Peña viewpoint: César Manrique’s cliffhanger design frames sunsets so good, you’ll forget to blink.
• El Sabinar Forest: Winds sculpt juniper trees into Salvador Dalí’s nightmares. Bring a camera. Leave your sanity.

Suitable for: Eco-conscious travelers, divers, hikers, and those seeking genuine disconnection from tourist crowds.

Every four years, the Bajada de la Virgen festival turns this quiet island into a 10-day fiesta. Think flower-crowned pilgrims, drum circles older than your grandparents, and enough ropa vieja stew to feed a navy.

Pack a reusable water bottle, your sense of wonder, and maybe a compass (GPS gets moody here). The edge of the world’s waiting.

Isla Graciosa

Meet Isla Graciosa — the archipelago’s newest sibling (officially crowned in 2018) and the best island for travelers allergic to crowds.

No traffic lights. No paved roads. Just sun-bleached sand streets and beaches so pristine, you’ll check your phone… then remember there’s no service anyway.

Things to do in Isla Graciosa:

• Digital detox, served raw: One village. 700 souls. More donkeys than cars. It’s like the 1980s called and said, “Keep the simplicity, lose the shoulder pads.”
• Beaches that hurt your heart: Playa de las Conchas isn’t just a beach — it’s a Bob Ross painting come alive. Golden sand, water so clear it’s basically liquid glass, and cliffs that blush red at sunset.
• Adventure, unplugged: Your Google Maps? Useless here. Navigation = follow the smell of grilled fish or the sound of waves.
• Bike & Bliss: Rent a clunky bicycle (no gears needed — island’s flat as a tortilla). Pedal to Montaña Bermeja, a rust-colored volcano that’s Instagram’s worst nightmare (no filter can handle this drama).
• Hike to the Edge: The Punta del Martiño lighthouse isn’t just a photo op. It’s where the Atlantic slams into cliffs, sending salt spray so high, seagulls get jealous.
• Eat Like a Local: Lunch at Casa Margucha = today’s catch, fried whole, with papas arrugadas. Pair it with vino tinto that costs less than a soda.

Suitable for: Those seeking unplugged relaxation, beach connoisseurs, and travelers who appreciate simple pleasures.

Here, “luxury” means sand between your toes at noon and salt in your hair by sunset.

Getting To The End

With eight main islands (and a few secret islets), answering “how many Canary Islands are there?” is just the start. The real question? Which is the best Canary Island for YOU?

Whether you’re chasing volcanic drama, starlit silence, or beaches that redefine “paradise,” this archipelago delivers — but only if you match its diversity with your own travel heartbeat.

So, which Canary Island to visit?

• For the “I Want It All” Traveler: Tenerife, the largest island, packs beaches, nightlife, and Teide’s cosmic landscapes into one volcanic platter.
• Romance Seekers: The best island for couples could be La Gomera’s misty trails, Gran Canaria’s dune-backed sunsets, or Lanzarote’s wine-soaked lava fields.
• Families: Tenerife’s Siam Park and Fuerteventura’s toddler-friendly shallows (like Caleta de Fuste) make them top contenders for best island for families.
• Winter Sun Chasers: Fuerteventura claims the best island in February title with its Saharan sands and 22°C bliss, though La Palma’s almond blooms and hiking temps are a close second.
• Nature Purists: La Palma (the prettiest Canary Island for raw beauty) and El Hierro (a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve) offer trails where your only company is the wind.
• Design Lovers: Lanzarote — where César Manrique turned lava tubes into art — is the nicest island for creatives.

What makes the Canary Islands so extraordinary isn’t just their landscapes — it’s their contradictions. Black sands against turquoise waves. Milky Way views over active volcanoes. Whistled languages cutting through ancient forests. These islands refuse to be boxed into a single “best” label. Instead, they ask: What do you need right now?

Whether you choose the largest island or the tiniest, the “best” choice is the one that leaves you breathless, rejuvenated, and already planning your return.