Welcome to the Canaries

1. Sunrise above the Sea of Clouds at Teide — At 3,718 m, Spain's highest point, you stand above the clouds and look out to the neighboring islands. The cable car takes you to 3,555 m; for the summit, you need a free permit (book months in advance!). → Chap. Tenerife
2. Hiking through the Lunar Landscape of Timanfaya — Lanzarote's Fire Mountains look like another planet. The bus tour through the national park is surreal: water is poured into a borehole and shoots back as a steam geyser. At El Diablo restaurant, food is grilled over volcanic heat. → Chap. Lanzarote
3. Dunes of Maspalomas at Sunset — 400 hectares of golden sand that feels like a miniature Sahara. Walk barefoot through the dunes to the lighthouse — magical when the setting sun turns everything orange. → Chap. Gran Canaria
4. Stargazing on La Palma — Europe's best star reserve with Roque de los Muchachos at 2,426 m. On clear nights, you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye more clearly than anywhere else in Europe. Guided astro-tours available. → Chap. La Palma
5. Disappear in the Laurel Forest of Garajonay — The UNESCO-protected cloud forest on La Gomera is like a time travel to the Tertiary. Moss-covered trees, eternal mist, absolute silence. The most beautiful hiking forest in the Canaries. → Chap. La Gomera
6. Cofete — the Wildest Beach in the World — At the southern end of Fuerteventura, a deserted beach stretches over 12 kilometers. The drive over an unpaved track is pure adventure, the reward: absolute solitude between volcanic mountains and the Atlantic. → Chap. Fuerteventura
7. Wine from Volcanic Craters in La Geria — On Lanzarote, Malvasía wine grows in individual pits of volcanic ash, protected by semicircular lava stone walls. The landscape is unique worldwide. Tasting in one of the bodegas is a must. → Chap. Lanzarote
8. Masca Gorge on Tenerife — The most spectacular hike in the Canaries leads through a narrow gorge to the sea. Advance reservation and boat transfer required. Not for beginners, but unforgettable. → Chap. Tenerife
9. Whale Watching off the Coast of Tenerife — Between Tenerife and La Gomera lives a resident population of about 500 short-finned pilot whales. Sighting rate: over 95%! Plus bottlenose dolphins, spotted dolphins, and with luck, blue whales. → Chap. Tenerife
10. UNESCO Old Town La Laguna on Tenerife — The world's first non-fortified colonial city served as a model for city planning throughout Latin America. Colorful mansions, a lively student scene, and the best tapas bars on the island. → Chap. Tenerife

The Canary Islands are an archipelago of seven main islands and several small islets in the Atlantic Ocean, about 100–500 km off the coast of Morocco. Although they are geographically part of Africa, they are politically part of Spain and thus the EU. Each island is a world of its own — here is the comparison:

Additionally, the islets: La Graciosa (north of Lanzarote) has been officially the eighth inhabited island since 2018 — car-free, with 700 inhabitants and dream beaches. Isla de Lobos (off Fuerteventura) is uninhabited and a perfect day trip for snorkeling.

The most common question when planning a trip to the Canaries. Here is the answer by travel type:

🏖️ "I just want beach and sun"

→ Fuerteventura or South Tenerife
Fuerteventura has the best and longest beaches in the Canaries — white sand, turquoise water, Caribbean feeling. For those who also want infrastructure and nightlife: South Tenerife (Playa de las Américas, Costa Adeje).

🥾 "I want to hike"

→ La Palma or La Gomera
La Palma is THE hiking paradise with the GR 131, the Caldera de Taburiente, and volcanic routes. La Gomera offers more compact but equally spectacular hikes through the laurel forest. Tenerife (Anaga, Teide) has the widest range.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 "We're traveling with children"

→ Tenerife or Gran Canaria
Siam Park (Tenerife) and Aqualand (Gran Canaria) as water parks, Loro Parque and Palmitos Park as animal parks. Flat beaches on the south coast of both islands. Best infrastructure.

🌋 "I want to experience something unique"

→ Lanzarote
No other island in the world looks like Lanzarote. César Manrique's art merges with the volcanic landscape. The wine culture in La Geria is unique worldwide. Timanfaya is out of this world.

🎉 "I want party and nightlife"

→ Gran Canaria (Playa del Inglés) or Tenerife (Playa de las Américas)
Gran Canaria is also the most LGBTQ+-friendly destination in Europe. Maspalomas Pride in May is one of the largest Pride events worldwide.

🏄 "I want to surf or kite"

→ Fuerteventura or Lanzarote
Fuerteventura is Europe's surf capital. Corralejo and El Cotillo for surfing, Sotavento for kiting and windsurfing (World Cup spot!). Lanzarote: Famara for surf beginners.

⭐ "I want to see stars"

→ La Palma
The world's first star reserve. The observatory on Roque de los Muchachos is one of the most important worldwide. Astro-tours bookable year-round.

🧘 "I want peace and authenticity"

→ El Hierro or La Gomera
El Hierro has 11,000 inhabitants, not a single resort, and the best diving spots in the Canaries. La Gomera is the green counterpart — hippie villages, ecotourism, pure deceleration.

🍷 "I want culture and cuisine"

→ Tenerife (North) or Lanzarote
La Laguna (UNESCO) and the Guachinche culture in North Tenerife. Lanzarote for Manrique's artworks and volcanic wine. Gran Canaria for Las Palmas' gastro scene.

The special thing about the Canaries: There is no bad travel time. The "Islands of Eternal Spring" offer mild to warm temperatures year-round, as the Canary Current and trade winds create a unique climate — never too hot, rarely cold.

Climate Table: Coast (South of the Islands)

Understanding the Microclimates

Each island has two fundamentally different sides:

• South & West: Dry, sunny, warm. This is where the tourist centers are. Almost always beach weather, even in winter 20–22°C.
• North & East: Wetter, greener, cloudier. The trade winds push clouds against the mountains (Mar de Nubes). Lush vegetation, but fewer hours of sunshine. More authentic and less touristy.

On Tenerife, it can happen that it's 28°C and sunny in the south, while it's 18°C and raining in the north. That's not a bug, it's a feature — because that's what makes the islands so green and diverse.

Seasonal Recommendations

Winter (December–February): THE reason why Germans fly to the Canaries. While Berlin is freezing, you have 20–22°C here, sun, and can swim in the sea (19°C). High season for Northern Europeans, but much quieter than Mediterranean summer destinations.

Spring (March–May): Wildflower bloom, pleasantly warm, perfect for hiking. The almond trees bloom on Gran Canaria (February/March). Water is getting warmer.

Summer (June–August): Hot in the south (up to 35°C), but bearable due to the trade winds. Water temperatures rise to 22–24°C. High season for Spaniards (August!). Calima heat periods possible (Sahara dust, up to 40°C).

Autumn (September–November): Warmest sea (24°C), still lots of sun, falling prices. The best time for hiking and beach combinations. October/November: occasionally heavy rainfalls.

Beach Vacation (7–10 Days)

The classic Canary trip: fly to the south of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, or Fuerteventura, all-inclusive or apartment, beach, pool, optional excursions. Ideal in winter when Central Europe freezes. Budget: 60–120€/day per person.

Hiking Vacation (7–14 Days)

La Palma and La Gomera are true hiking islands — here you don't need a car at the beach, but hiking boots in the laurel forest. The GR 131 on La Palma runs across the entire island. On Tenerife: Anaga and Teide. Budget: 50–90€/day.

Active & Water Sports (7–14 Days)

Surfing on Fuerteventura (Corralejo, El Cotillo), kiting at Sotavento, diving on El Hierro and Lanzarote, paragliding on Tenerife, mountain biking on Gran Canaria. The Canaries are a year-round sports destination. Budget: 70–130€/day.

Culture & Culinary (5–10 Days)

La Laguna (UNESCO), Las Palmas (colonial city), Manrique's Lanzarote, Guachinches on Tenerife, wine in La Geria, goat cheese on Fuerteventura. Budget: 80–150€/day.

Luxury & Wellness (5–7 Days)

5-star resorts on Costa Adeje (Tenerife) or Maspalomas (Gran Canaria). Thalasso spas, golf courses (8 courses on Tenerife alone), Michelin-starred restaurants (several on Tenerife and Gran Canaria). Budget: 200€+/day.

Digital Nomads & Long Stay (1–6 Months)

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is one of the best places in the world for digital nomads: fast internet, coworking spaces, affordable apartments, surf beaches, international community. Year-round 22°C. Santa Cruz de Tenerife is also growing as a nomad hub. Budget: 1,200–2,000€/month all-inclusive.

The Canaries are not a bargain destination, but significantly cheaper than other island groups (Balearic Islands, Greek Islands). As a Spanish province, EU prices apply, but with reduced VAT (IGIC, 7% instead of 21%) — shopping and restaurants are noticeably cheaper than on the Spanish mainland.

Daily Budget per Person

Price Examples (Estimates 2025/26)

Saving Tips

• Menú del día: The lunch menu is the best deal in Spain. 3 courses with a drink for 8–14€. Less common in tourist centers, but ubiquitous in local bars.
• Guachinches (Tenerife): Simple garage restaurants where winemakers serve their young wine with homemade food. 5–8€ per person, as authentic as it gets.
• Bono-Bus Card: Rechargeable bus card with 30–50% discount on all bus rides (TITSA on Tenerife, Global on Gran Canaria).
• IGIC Advantage: The Canaries have only 7% VAT. Electronics, perfume, tobacco, and alcohol are significantly cheaper than on the mainland or in Germany.
• Early Bird Rental Car: Booking 3+ months in advance saves 30–50%. Prices rise sharply in high season.