Date of publication 22/03/2024
Which of the Canary Islands is best according to your type of trip
The Canary Islands - Spain's jewel in the Atlantic - attract travellers of all generations. From families looking to create colourful memories, to groups of friends in search of adventure, to couples looking for a romantic escape: Everyone will find their perfect holiday destination among the Canary Islands.
Below we give you an overview of the different features of the islands to give you an idea of which of the Canary Islands is best according to your preferences, so you can choose the ideal destination for your next holiday.
What are the Canary Islands?
The Canary Islands are an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean that is home to an incredible diversity of nature, cultural treasures and leisure activities. The Canary Islands include Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma. However, the question of which of the seven islands is the most beautiful depends heavily on the individual preferences of each traveller and cannot be answered in general terms. However, the Canary Islands are particularly suitable for travellers looking for a mixture of natural beauty, outdoor activities and cultural experiences. Each island offers its own individual highlights that are tailored to a wide range of interests and appeal to different types of holidaymakers.
Fuerteventura: a true paradise for beach holidaymakers and water sports enthusiasts
Fuerteventura, also known as the "island of the wind", attracts visitors with its endless sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. This island is the perfect destination for sun worshippers, nature lovers and water sports fans who want to relax on the beach in a mild climate all year round, explore the island or practise windsurfing, kitesurfing and diving in constant wind and wave conditions. The dunes of Corralejo, for example, are popular with travellers looking for a breathtaking backdrop for some relaxing days on the beach as well as ideal conditions for beach sailing and challenging mountain bike tours. The Parque Natural de Corralejo is also a popular destination for hikers. El Cotillo is a well-known spot among surfers, while Playa de Sotavento is particularly popular with kitesurfers thanks to its good wind conditions.
For an unforgettable stay in Fuerteventura, Iberostar offers some first-class accommodation. Both the Hotel Iberostar Selection Fuerteventura Palace with its own spa area and the Iberostar Waves Playa Gaviotas hotel on Playa de Jandía await their guests with luxurious rooms, exclusive service and numerous amenities. The Iberostar Waves Gaviotas Park hotel, also located on Jandía beach, is ideal for families with children who want to enjoy a holiday with child-friendly facilities in a lively atmosphere with like-minded people.
Lanzarote: The island of volcanic landscapes and artists' dreams
Lanzarote, the easternmost of the Canary Islands, is characterised by the signature of artist César Manrique. The black lava fields and surreal volcanic landscapes give the island an incomparable, mystical charm. Thanks to its scenic and cultural features, Lanzarote is ideal for culturally-curious travellers, those seeking peace and quiet, active holidaymakers and nature enthusiasts looking for something out of the ordinary. For example, travellers can marvel at the unique volcanic landscape in Timanfaya National Park, discover unusual geological formations and enjoy the spectacular views on an extended hike along marked hiking trails.
Art and culture fans can immerse themselves in the history of the artist César Manrique on Lanzarote, whose influence on the island's architecture and art scene is clearly recognisable. While those seeking peace and quiet can relax and unwind on Lanzarote's calm beaches and secluded spots, active holidaymakers can enjoy surfing and windsurfing, diving or mountain biking. With almost endless cycle paths along the impressive volcanic landscape, numerous diving schools and courses for exploring the fascinating underwater world as well as popular coastal surf spots such as Famara and La Santa, Lanzarote offers ideal conditions for travellers who want to spend an active holiday on the island.
The Iberostar Selection Lanzarote Park hotel in Playa Blanca offers a stylish retreat in the midst of spectacular surroundings. The hotel impresses with its modern design, excellent service and direct access to the beach - the ideal conditions for enjoying the unique landscape of Lanzarote in an exclusive atmosphere.
Tenerife: an island full of contrasts with a wide range of offers
Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands and impresses travellers above all with its diversity. The majestic Pico del Teide, Spain's highest mountain, which is often just called Teide, rises in the centre of the island and offers unforgettable views. Thus,, Tenerife is the ideal holiday destination and a true paradise for nature lovers and hikers, who can hike through fascinating landscapes on various marked trails in the Teide National Park, for example. Culture lovers will also find plenty to do on the island: For example, they can immerse themselves in the history of Tenerife in various museums, stroll through the historic old town of La Orotava, admire the island's architecture, attend a concert, a play or its well-known Carnival celebrations.
Tenerife also has a lot to offer night owls, especially in well-known towns such as Santa Cruz and Playa de las Américas. Those who want to spend their holiday relaxing, enjoying the sun and the sea will be delighted by the numerous beautiful beaches. There are also wonderful opportunities for travellers who like to be active on holiday: Whether it's playing golf against a fantastic backdrop at Golf del Sur or Buenavista Golf, paragliding with a view of the coast or water sports such as jet skiing, diving, parasailing or water skiing in Costa Adeje - almost anything is possible in Tenerife.
There are several Iberostar hotels for your stay in Costa Adeje, offering something for every type of traveller. The Iberostar Selection Anthelia, Iberostar Waves Las Dalias and Iberostar Waves Bouganville Playa hotels are specially designed for families with children and impress with their child-friendly facilities and a wide range of activities for young and old. The Iberostar Selection Sábila, the JOIA El Mirador by Iberostar and the JOIA Salomé by Iberostar, on the other hand, are hotels especially for adults and offer numerous retreats (some with spa) as well as other exclusive offers. Another hotel worth mentioning is the Iberostar Heritage Grand Mencey in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which is particularly impressive due to its impressive history, upscale gastronomy and large spa area.
Gran Canaria: an island of life and diversity
The island of Gran Canaria, often referred to as a "miniature continent", impresses with its diverse landscapes. From the impressive golden sand dunes near Maspalomas to the green valleys in the interior of the island, Gran Canaria offers something different for every type of traveller. The capital of the Canary Islands, Las Palmas, for example, attracts visitors with its historic old town, beautiful cathedral and vibrant city life, while well-known spots such as Pozo Izquierdo are particularly popular with surfers and water sports enthusiasts.
La Palma: the green oasis of the Canary Islands
La Palma, also known as "La Isla Bonita", delights travellers above all with its lush forests, rugged cliffs and breathtaking viewpoints. This island is therefore ideal for nature lovers, hikers and those seeking peace and quiet who appreciate the unspoilt beauty of nature and want to experience natural spectacles on their holiday. Whether you go hiking with your family on breathtaking trails in the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, relax as a couple on beautiful beaches such as Puerto Naos or Tazacorte or follow the famous wine route on La Palma with friends and sample the various delicacies of the local wine scene is entirely up to you.
La Gomera: magical island of tranquillity
La Gomera is the second smallest of the Canary Islands and is considered by travellers to be a hidden gem of tranquillity. The landscape, criss-crossed by deep ravines, and the island's unique culture make it an ideal retreat for those seeking peace and quiet, culture enthusiasts and hikers. The latter will find ideal conditions, especially in the Garajonay National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The waters around La Gomera are also famous for whale and dolphin watching, among other things.
El Hierro: a wild island with charm
The smallest and westernmost island of the Canary Islands, El Hierro, impresses with its wild, almost unspoilt beauty. Volcanic landscapes, clear waters and charming villages such as the fishing village of La Restinga characterise the picture, which not only impresses nature lovers. This island is the perfect holiday destination for adventurers and explorers who want to experience nature in its most pristine form. With its fascinating underwater world, El Hierro also offers divers and snorkellers the opportunity to get to know the island from a different perspective.
As you can see, the Canary Islands all have their very own charm and have something to suit every type of traveller. Whether you are a sun-seeker, nature lover, hiker, water sports enthusiast or culture lover - the diversity of the islands makes the Canary Islands a popular holiday destination all year round, which always has new surprises in store and a stay in high-quality accommodation, such as the hotels from Iberostar, makes it an unforgettable experience.
