The ultimate guide to your Canary Islands adventure

Rising dramatically from the Atlantic Ocean floor around 23 million years ago, the Canary Islands were formed by volcanic activity that still shapes their landscape today. From the undulating, millennia-old mountains and desert-like landscape of Fuerteventura to the lush green peaks of La Palma, the Spanish archipelago is a world of contrasts — all best explored on an island-hopping adventure. The islands have long been a favourite among cruisers and seafarers — especially those wanting to swap dreary winters for adventure and guaranteed sunshine.

When it comes to the archipelago’s history, many cultures have left their mark over the centuries: the native population thought to have been Amazigh tribes from North Africa, the Spanish conquistadors of the 1400s, and the explorers who followed, including Christopher Columbus, who set sail to the Americas from these very shores. Using this guide for inspiration, jump from boat to boat and explore its rugged natural landscapes, indulge in fresh produce from land and sea, and discover why there’s so much more here than just sun, sea and sand.

Gran Canaria: relics, restaurants and retail therapy

The third largest Canary Island is, in many ways, the best option for those new to the islands. Often called the ‘miniature continent’, it offers a little bit of everything the archipelago is known for — from soaring volcanic peaks to desert-like dunes. Gran Canaria has more remains and artefacts of the islands’ original inhabitants than any of the others, and it’s worth seeking out the Cueva Pintada Museum and Archeological Park in the Indigenous capital of Gáldar to understand how the pre-Hispanic population lived, worshipped and survived in relative isolation for nearly 2,000 years. There’s also a small museum dedicated to their history in the island’s capital Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. In recent years, this cosmopolitan capital has become one of Spain’s culinary hotspots thanks to restaurants like the Michelin-starred Muxgo, where chef Borja Marrero champions sustainable and organic cooking using locally sourced ingredients.

Lanzarote: vines and volcanoes

Aside from the peak of El Teide on Tenerife, no island in the Canaries feels quite as dramatically volcanic as Lanzarote. To see how powerful tectonic forces have shaped — and continue to shape — the island, head to Timanfaya National Park. There, you can witness geothermal activity up close, then have lunch at the on-site restaurant where chefs cook over a natural volcanic grill. Although the volcanic eruptions of 1730 to 1736 devastated much of Lanzarote’s farming land, resourceful locals noticed potential in the mineral-rich soil for grape growing. Take a tour of vineyards and taste the much sought-after wines with the friendly team at Wine Tours Lanzarote. If architecture is more your thing, seek out the creations of the late Lanzarote artist César Manrique, who championed the preservation of his homeland’s natural landscape through art, sculpture and buildings dotted around the island. Spend an afternoon in La Graciosa, the smallest of the official Canary Islands, for a few hours. Hop in one of the 4WD taxis; their knowledgeable drivers will show you this unspoiled island, which has no asphalt roads.

Fuerteventura: surfing, sand and solace

Fuerteventura, the oldest of the islands, moves at a considerably slower pace. The action here tends to focus at its two extremes: Corralejo in the north and Jandía in the south. The common opinion among Canary Islanders is that Fuerteventura is home to the best beaches in the archipelago — nearly the entire coastline is home to stretches of Caribbean-like sand. For something away from the crowds, brave the bumpy road to Cofete, where the beach is unspoiled and backed by imposing mountains. But be careful: the area is wild, untamed and prone to strong sea currents, so swimming here isn’t advised. For those wanting to surf or windsurf, there are multiple schools around the north and south coasts that cater to all levels — you’ll find some of the best at Sotavento and Corralejo.

Tenerife: peaks and plants

Tenerife is an island of extremes. It’s home to soaring peaks including Spain’s highest mountain, El Teide, which stands proudly at 3,715m (11,414ft). The surrounding Cañadas del Teide is also Spain’s most visited national park, and if you venture up into the pine-covered mountains above the clouds, it’s easy to see why. Most visitors to Tenerife head south for the beaches and lively resorts, but opt for the north coast instead and you’ll be rewarded with prehistoric laurel forests in Anaga Rural Park, natural sea pools to swim in and some of the prettiest towns in the Canaries. La Laguna is the former capital, and its grid system of streets was used as the blueprint for many Latin American towns including Havana in Cuba. La Orotava is another elegant town that made its buck from wine back in Shakespearean times, while Garachico was once the most important port on the island. Disaster struck in 1706 when the Trevejo volcano erupted, destroying the port and engulfing half the town. What remains are handsome historic streets with brightly painted houses.

La Palma: craters and constellations

Known as ‘La Isla Bonita’, La Palma is a world away from the desert of Fuerteventura with its lush vegetation and spectacular waterfalls. Just above the island’s centre, the landscape is dominated by the vast Taburiente crater, with a network of trails winding through forested slopes and deep ravines. The island is one of the best places on Earth to engage in a spot of stargazing. It’s home to one of the biggest telescopes in the world — the Gran Telescopio Canarias. Book a guided stargazing experience with the professional Starlight-accredited guides at Astro La Palma.

La Gomera: whales and whistles

Only 21 miles from the coast of Tenerife, La Gomera makes a great day trip. The Garajonay National Park is 10,000 acres of green space with the best examples of the primitive laurisilva forests in the Canaries. There are countless trails and hikes, from easy circular routes to more extreme walks. It’s worth stopping by the Abrante viewing point with its 23ft-long glass walkway suspended 1,312ft above the Agulo Valley — the views down the coast, across to El Teide and Tenerife and the Atlantic, are spectacular. The strait between La Gomera and Tenerife is a whale and dolphin superhighway, so don’t be surprised if you spot the resident pilot whales here. La Gomera is also home to one of the world’s only whistling languages, Silbo Gomero, historically used to communicate across the island’s deep ravines.