The Canary Islands archipelago is made up of 8 different islands, and can be found some 3000km North of the Equator and 100km West off the coast of North Africa. The eastern islands are made up of El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera and Tenerife, whilst the Western Islands include Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria.
Due to the location the islands enjoy year round sunshine and warm temperatures. This accounts for the dry, volcanic landscape of some of the islands where as the larger islands tend to be much greener, especially in the Northern regions.
The islands are very popular holiday destinations, primarily with Europeans, however, tourism is now stretching further afield as corridors with Northern American airports are finally opened. The more popular islands, in no particular order, tend to be Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura while the eastern islands tend to be less developed and have preserved more of their original heritage.
If you’re looking for great things to do in The Canary Islands then you won’t be left disappointed. Each island certainly has its own charm and points of interest, and in most cases you’ll be able to benefit from seeing the sights as part of a VIP tour.
Lanzarote
Lanzarote is the fourth largest, most Easterly island and volcanic in origin. It’s therefore no surprise that the main attraction and most popular choice of all the things to do in Lanzarote is the Timanfaya National Park -- an area of the island covered in Lava fields created during a turbulent period of activity between 1730 to 1736.
To this day, the park provides visitors with demonstrations of immense heat through Geyser and Fire presentations and you’ll be able to see food at the El Diablo restaurant cooked on a natural heat source from the Fire Mountain volcano. One of the best ways to discover the island is by taking a private tour, complete with tour guide.
Gran Canaria
The largest island in the western region of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria has a lot to offer. Tourism is mainly present in the South although holiday makers often make their way to the capital, Las Palmas, for a taste of the city life.
On top of the ‘must see’ things to do in Gran Canaria is Roque Nublo. This crag, formed by volcanic activity during the creation of the island, stands 67m tall and 1,813 m above sea level. It’s the third highest point on the island, and is popular due to being reasonably accessible via forest path.
On a clear day the views from Roque Nublo are sensational as you look through and beyond the forest valleys below. To give you an idea of just how high you are, if the weather conditions allow you can also spot the summit of Mount Teide on Tenerife from here.
Tenerife
The snow capped Volcano of Mount Teide is by far the showcase of the island of Tenerife and provides visitors with some wonderful opportunities to visit an active volcano. Although it is classed as active it hasn’t erupted since 1909. It’s expertly monitored and there is no evidence to suggest it will erupt anytime in the near future so it’s completely safe to visit. Hiking is extremely popular and you can take part in Teide by night and astronomy tours which we highly recommend if you get the chance.
If you’re looking for things to do in Tenerife, away from the busy resorts, then Mount Teide Guided Tours are a great way to explore the national park, local villages, lava pools and dramatic views.
Fuerteventura
One of the wonders of the Canary Islands is the No.1 place to visit on everyone's bucket list of things to do in Fuerteventura and can be found on the North East Coast of the island. The sand dunes of the Parque Natural de Corralejo stretch for seven miles, where golden sands meet turquoise waters under the warm, blue skies.
The dunes can be visited by car or taxi from Corralejo, or for the thrill seekers amongst us explored with a dune buggy tour.
For the best views, local knowledge and a little bit of culture and history, you can book a full day Fuerteventura Guided Tour where you’ll discover some of the stunning places the island has to offer.
La Gomera Panoramic views from La Gomera towards El Teide on Tenerife
If you’re all about nature, then La Gomera is the island for you. A little more refined than it’s neighboring islands it’s the perfect place for relaxation, gastronomical delights, hiking/walking trails and viewpoints. The waters off the island of La Gomera provide the perfect opportunity for spotting whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. Quite simply, an experience you will never forget.
For a group of islands, of volcanic origin, it’s quite remarkable just how different, yet similar, they can be. From local traditions to natural sights and monuments the islands are able to amaze us in their own unique ways.
