Overview
The Canary Islands are a Spanish archipelago of seven main islands sitting roughly 100 km off the northwest coast of Africa, far closer geographically to Morocco than to the Iberian Peninsula. Despite belonging to Spain — and therefore the European Union — they sit in the Atlantic at a latitude similar to the Western Sahara, which explains their famously mild, near-constant climate.
Each island has a distinct personality. Tenerife is the largest and most visited, home to the towering Teide volcano. Lanzarote carries an otherworldly, lava-sculpted landscape shaped by 18th-century eruptions. Gran Canaria offers both cosmopolitan Las Palmas and dramatic interior mountains. La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro attract hikers and those seeking quieter, greener terrain. Fuerteventura is prized for its long, wind-swept beaches and surf.
The islands have a deep history of Guanche indigenous culture, centuries of Atlantic trade, and a culinary identity that blends Spanish, African, and Latin American influences. They are not simply a beach resort zone — though excellent beaches exist — but a geographically and culturally layered destination.
Note on the guide title: The Canary Islands are an autonomous community of Spain, not connected to Portugal or any Portuguese administrative region. This guide covers the Spanish Canary Islands only.
Before You Go
Visas and Entry
The Canary Islands are part of the European Union and the Schengen Area. Entry requirements therefore follow standard Schengen rules. Visa situations vary significantly by nationality. Check TravelerPulse's Visas section and consult the official Spanish immigration authority (Ministerio del Interior) well before travel.
Health and Vaccinations
No specific vaccinations are required for EU or most Western travelers. Tap water is generally considered safe in urban areas, though many locals and visitors prefer bottled water, particularly on the drier eastern islands. Sun protection is essential year-round given the subtropical latitude — UV levels are high even on overcast days.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance that covers medical evacuation is strongly recommended, especially if you plan hiking in volcanic terrain or water sports. Verify what your policy covers before departing.
Practical Prep
- Bring a power adapter for Type F (Schuko) sockets if needed
- Carry a physical or downloaded offline map; mobile coverage in some hiking areas is limited
- Book inter-island ferries and popular activities in advance during peak holiday periods (Christmas, Easter, and summer)
Getting There
By Air
All seven main islands have airports. Tenerife has two: Tenerife South (TFS), which handles most tourist charter and low-cost flights, and Tenerife North (TFN), which serves more regional and domestic routes. Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) near Las Palmas is a major hub. Lanzarote (ACE) and Fuerteventura (FUE) also receive high volumes of international flights, particularly from northern Europe.
Direct flights operate from many European cities including London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris, and Madrid. Flight times from northern Europe are typically 4–5 hours. From mainland Spain the journey is around 2.5–3 hours.
By Sea
Ferry services connect the islands to mainland Spain (Cádiz and Huelva) via Trasmediterránea and Naviera Armas, though these crossings are long — roughly 40–50 hours — and are used mainly by those transporting vehicles or seeking an ocean-voyage experience. Verify current operators and schedules directly with the ferry companies.
Getting Around
Between Islands
Fred Olsen Express and Naviera Armas operate inter-island ferry routes. Some crossings are short (around 30 minutes between Tenerife and La Gomera), while others take several hours. Binter Canarias and Canaryfly operate inter-island flights, which are often competitive in price with ferries once baggage and time are factored in. Book in advance during peak periods.
Within Each Island
Public bus networks (called 'guagua' locally, from a word of uncertain origin long embedded in Canarian Spanish) are operated by island-level companies such as TITSA on Tenerife and Global on Gran Canaria. Services connect major towns and tourist areas but can be infrequent to rural or hiking destinations.
Renting a car is the most practical option for exploring interiors and reaching less-served beaches and trails. Roads in general are well-maintained, though mountain roads can be narrow and winding — take care in areas like La Palma's interior or Anaga on Tenerife.
Taxis are metered and regulated; ride-hailing apps have limited penetration compared to mainland Europe. Verify current availability locally.
Things to See & Do
Volcanic Landscapes and Hiking
Teide National Park on Tenerife contains Spain's highest peak, Mount Teide (3,715 m). A cable car ascends to near the summit crater, but reaching the very top requires a permit — apply well in advance through Spain's official reservation system. The park's landscape of ancient lava flows and endemic plant life is UNESCO-listed.
Lanzarote's Timanfaya National Park protects the lava fields created by eruptions in the 1730s. Access to much of the park interior is by guided bus; walking on lava fields independently is restricted to protect the fragile environment. Verify current access rules before visiting.
La Palma's Caldera de Taburiente is a vast collapsed volcanic crater accessible by several well-marked hiking trails. El Hierro and La Gomera have extensive laurisilva (laurel forest) — a relic subtropical forest ecosystem — in their national parks.
Beaches
Fuerteventura's Corralejo Natural Park protects extensive dune and beach systems in the north. Gran Canaria's Maspalomas dunes form a dramatic desert-meets-sea landscape. Tenerife has a mix of dark volcanic sand beaches in the north (Playa Jardín in Puerto de la Cruz) and lighter imported sand in the southern resorts. Lanzarote's Papagayo beaches in the south are among the most scenic in the islands.
Culture and History
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria's Vegueta district is one of the oldest European settlements in the Americas-era Atlantic, with colonial architecture and a cathedral (Catedral de Santa Ana) that took centuries to complete. The Casa de Colón (Columbus House) museum documents the islands' role as a waypoint in Atlantic exploration — verify current opening hours on arrival or through the city's official tourism website.
Lanzarote's artistic landscape was shaped significantly by local artist and architect César Manrique, who integrated his buildings and installations into volcanic terrain. Several of his works are open to visitors, including the Jameos del Agua and the Fundación César Manrique — verify admission details locally.
Food & Drink
Canarian Cuisine
Canarian food is distinct from mainland Spanish cooking. The cornerstone is 'papas arrugadas' — small potatoes boiled in heavily salted water until the skin wrinkles — served with 'mojo' sauces: mojo rojo (red, made with peppers and garlic) and mojo verde (green, typically made with coriander or parsley). These appear on virtually every table.
Fresh fish and seafood are central: 'vieja' (parrotfish), 'cherne' (wreckfish), and 'sama' (red snapper) are commonly grilled or prepared simply. 'Gofio,' a flour ground from toasted grains (wheat, maize, or mixed), has been a staple since pre-Spanish Guanche times and appears in soups, breads, and desserts.
Meat dishes include 'ropa vieja' (a chickpea and meat stew with Canarian roots distinct from the Cuban version), 'conejo en salmorejo' (rabbit in a garlic-herb marinade), and slow-cooked pork preparations. Most islands have local cheeses worth seeking out — Fuerteventura's majorero goat cheese holds a protected designation of origin (DOP).
Drink
Local wines from Lanzarote (grown in the 'geria' volcanic crater vineyards), Tenerife, and La Palma are increasingly recognized. Lanzarote's malvasía white wines are particularly notable. Rum ('ron miel,' honey rum) is a popular local spirit. Coffee culture follows Spanish patterns — cortado, café con leche — but with local variations.
Practical Information
Money
The Canary Islands use the euro. ATMs are widely available in towns and resort areas; carry some cash for rural markets, small restaurants, and guagua buses that don't accept cards. The Canary Islands have a special tax status within the EU (IGIC, a local equivalent of VAT, is lower than mainland Spain's IVA) — this is reflected in slightly lower retail prices on some goods.
Connectivity
Mobile coverage follows Spanish operators (Movistar, Vodafone, Orange, and others). EU roaming rules apply for travelers from EU countries. Coverage can drop in mountainous interiors and remote hiking areas. Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, restaurants, and urban cafés.
Emergency Contacts
The pan-European emergency number 112 operates throughout the Canary Islands for police, fire, and medical emergencies. Spain's national police non-emergency line and local Guardia Civil are also present. Verify local hospital and clinic locations on each island before hiking or undertaking activities in remote areas.
Tipping
Tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated. Rounding up or leaving small change in restaurants and cafés is common. Guided tours and taxi drivers may be tipped at your discretion — there is no fixed expectation.
Safety
The Canary Islands are generally considered safe for travelers. Petty theft — bag snatching and pickpocketing — can occur in busy tourist areas, beaches, and markets, particularly in Las Palmas and popular resort zones. Standard precautions apply: avoid leaving valuables visible on beaches or in rental cars.
Ocean conditions deserve serious attention. Atlantic currents can be strong, and some beaches lack lifeguard coverage. Always check flag warning systems at beaches before swimming. Rip currents and large swells are a recurring hazard, especially on exposed northern and western coasts.
Hiking safety: altitude, heat, and sudden weather changes affect Teide and other high-terrain areas. Carry sufficient water, sun protection, and a charged phone. Inform someone of your planned route. Some trails close seasonally or after wildfires — check with local park authorities before setting out.
The Canary Islands have experienced significant wildfires in recent years during hot, dry conditions. Monitor local news and official alerts, particularly in summer and early autumn, if traveling to forested areas.
Local Culture & Etiquette
The Canarian cultural identity is distinct from mainland Spanish culture, shaped by Guanche indigenous heritage, centuries as an Atlantic crossroads, and strong ties to Latin America. Many Canarians emigrated to Cuba and Venezuela in the 18th and 19th centuries, and this exchange influenced both food and dialect.
Carnival is a major annual celebration, with Tenerife's Santa Cruz carnival frequently cited among the largest in the world. It typically takes place in February or March — dates vary by year. Gran Canaria's Las Palmas also holds a significant carnival. Both involve elaborate costumes, street parades, and weeks of events.
Lucha canaria (Canarian wrestling) is a traditional sport with pre-Spanish roots, still practiced and watched seriously across the islands. Juego del palo (stick fighting) is another Guanche-derived tradition maintained in some communities.
Sundays and public holidays see many businesses close. The pace of life in smaller towns is unhurried; meal times skew later than northern European norms, with lunch often the main meal of the day taken between 2–4 pm, and dinner rarely before 8–9 pm.