Where to Stay in the Canary Islands to Catch Some Winter Sun

Formerly known as the Canaries, this collection of islands forms a Spanish archipelago roughly 100km (62m) off the coast of Morocco. They are considerably south of mainland Spain, and geographically speaking much closer to Africa than Europe.

The Canary Islands are part of the European Union. The location makes them significantly warmer than the rest of Europe throughout the year, particularly during winter. As such, this is a destination that has become popular with holidaymakers looking to escape colder conditions in the north, with the added bonus of still being able to access all the amenities available on the continent. The beaches are always popular, with a number to choose from across all the islands.

Historically, the islands were seen as a bridge between Africa, Europe, North America and South America. The waters off the African coast in this area are known as Macaronesia. There are eight main islands, with a total population upwards of 2 million.

Tenerife

The biggest concentration of permanent residents – about 1 million – can be found on Tenerife, making it Spain’s largest island-based population. Additionally, Tenerife sees five times more visitors come to the island on holiday each year. This explains why the Spanish islands, and Tenerife in particular, were keen to get off the UK quarantine list; Brits make up a large proportion of holidaymakers to the island. Because of its large size, there are a number of outdoor activities on offer on Tenerife, which sometimes get overlooked in favour of spending an entire holiday relaxing on the beach.

Lanzarote

Lanzarote is the third-largest island that makes up the archipelago. It has a much smaller population than both Tenerife and Gran Canaria, but has gained something of a reputation as a party island. Away from the nightclubs, however, there are still some fantastic places to stay that cater to every need.

Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is one of the largest Spanish islands, behind the likes of Tenerife and Mallorca. Like most of the Canary Islands archipelago, the island was partly forged from ancient volcanic activity, and you can still find evidence of this violent past today. You’ll also find excellent museums, brunch spots and hotels to fit every budget.

Fuerteventura

Nature lovers should head to this exotic island. In 2019 Fuerteventura gained UNESCO recognition as a Biosphere Reserve. As you can imagine, this means that there is plenty of wild exploring to be had on the island – if you can drag yourself away from the exquisite beaches.

La Gomera and La Palma

These smaller islands offer a more tranquil experience when visiting the Canary Islands. The main reason for this is the lack of an airport, meaning that travellers have to catch a ferry from the bigger resort islands to stay here. The trip is worth it, though, if you want to experience the best of the Canary Islands without the crowds.