20 fabulous ways to discover the Canary Islands

20.11.2024 - 16:35 / lonelyplanet.com / El Teide

Nov 20, 2024 • 14 min read

Isabella is one of the writers on the new Canary Islands guidebook. After spending weeks of research on the road, she shares the top experiences for your next trip.

Anyone who loves the Canaries can attest that the most challenging (and exciting) part of visiting these bewitching volcanic islands is where to start.

Indeed, it’s this astounding variety – of landscapes, cultures, activities – that makes the beloved Atlantic archipelago such a thrill to discover. Beach lovers will of course be particularly drawn to the Canaries – yet many of the islands are also great bases for adventurous types, perhaps a surprise for first-time visitors. Of Spain’s 16 national parks, four are in the Canary Islands, while a network of other nature reserves protects everything from coastal cliffs to age-old laurisilva (laurel forests). 

Keep in mind that each island lends itself to distinct experiences. The three smaller western Canaries, for example, are top spots for hiking, while the three easternmost islands have the loveliest sandy beaches. Tenerife, the largest of the Canaries, genuinely brings a bit of everything. 

Here’s our roundup of the many top experiences you can look forward to on the Canary Islands. 

Visible from all over Tenerife and often even from other islands, El Teide – Spain’s tallest peak – has an undeniable magnetic pull. Known as Echeyde by the indigenous Guanches, the mountain towers 3718m (12,198ft) high, surrounded by the extraordinary stark expanses of the 190-sq-km (73-sq-mile) Parque Nacional del Teide. Whether glimpsed when dusted with snow in winter or surrounded by spring blooms, El Teide is an unmissable Canarian experience, and hiking to its sky-high summit is a temptation few walkers can resist. 

The UNESCO-listed national park is understandably popular (almost 4.6 million people visited in 2023) – and it’s also strictly protected. A cable car zips up El Teide’s southern flank to viewing platforms at 3555m (11,663ft), but since there are tight regulations for hiking onwards to the peak, you need to book a (free) pass well ahead. Visit first thing or in the late afternoon to sidestep some of the national park’s crowds. Time permitting, we recommend taking advantage of the many other trails weaving across the lunar landscape.

Detour: Tenerife has plenty of other spectacular hiking paths, especially around the Parque Rural de Anaga and the Parque Rural de Teno. 

A quick glimpse up at the inky night sky in La Palma instantly reveals why this lushly green island has been designated the world’s first Starlight Reserve. And you don’t need any prior experience to dive into contemplating the constellations (though you will want to layer up, as nights can be cool at higher