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- Tenerife: the “no-regrets” choice when you want a bit of everything
- Lanzarote: a volcanic road trip with built-in “wow” moments
- Fuerteventura: for beach people, dune walkers, and anyone chasing turquoise water
- Gran Canaria: the island that changes mood fast (dunes one day, mountains the next)
- The 2-minute decision tool (table + rule)
Summary:
- Choose Tenerife if you want the most variety (volcano, forests, towns, beaches) with minimal risk.
- Pick Lanzarote for a volcanic road trip: lava landscapes, tunnels, wine country, striking scenery.
- Go for Fuerteventura if your priority is big beaches + turquoise water (and you don’t mind wind).
- Choose Gran Canaria for fast contrasts: dunes, mountains, villages, all in one week.
- Use the comparison table below to decide in under two minutes.
The Canary Islands are easy to book and surprisingly easy to misbook. A cheap flight, mild weather, “we’ll figure it out”… then you land and realize that “the Canaries” are not one experience. Tenerife can feel like three islands in one. Lanzarote looks like a film set made of lava. Fuerteventura is all horizon and sand. Gran Canaria switches from coast to mountains faster than you expect.
So instead of ranking islands like they’re competing for a medal, this guide does something more useful. It starts with your travel mood. Do you want hikes and towns, or beaches and water time? A scenic drive with stops every ten minutes, or a base-and-explore setup? Read the island that matches you, steal the short list of spots, and you’re basically done.
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Tenerife: the “no-regrets” choice when you want a bit of everything
If you’re traveling with mixed tastes, or you just want a first Canary trip that’s hard to mess up, Tenerife is the safe bet. It’s big, diverse, and it lets you build a week that doesn’t feel repetitive. One day you’re in high-altitude volcanic scenery, the next you’re walking in a green park, and later you’re eating in a lively town without feeling like you’re doing a separate trip.
Tenerife’s real trick is its contrast by area. The north tends to feel greener and more local. The south is drier and more beach-focused. In between, altitude changes everything. That variety is why Tenerife works so well for couples and groups: you can mix “active” and “easy” days without anyone feeling short-changed.
Keep it realistic (pick 3–4, not all):
- Mount Teide for big views and otherworldly landscapes, even if you’re not a hardcore hiker.
- Anaga Rural Park for misty trails and a totally different, forested side of the island.
- La Laguna for a pleasant city break and a change of pace from nature-heavy days.
- Benijo when you want raw Atlantic drama rather than calm swimming water.
- Los Gigantes for cliffs and golden-hour views that feel effortlessly cinematic.
Best for: travelers who want variety, first-timers, groups with different priorities.
Small but useful advice: Tenerife is large. Two bases (north + south/west) can save you hours and keep the trip feeling light.
Lanzarote: a volcanic road trip with built-in “wow” moments
Lanzarote is the island you choose when you want scenery to do the heavy lifting. The lava fields, craters, and clean lines make it feel visually sharp in a way that’s hard to describe until you see it. It’s also wonderfully suited to a flexible itinerary. You can drive, stop, walk a bit, grab food, repeat. No over-planning required.
This is a great island for people who enjoy travel days that unfold naturally. You don’t need a packed schedule to feel satisfied. A handful of well-chosen stops, spaced out with beaches or viewpoints, gives you a week that feels full without feeling rushed.
Stops that genuinely deliver:
- Timanfaya for the iconic volcanic landscapes.
- Cueva de los Verdes if you want to see the island from the inside (lava-tube style).
- Jameos del Agua for a place that feels unusual and carefully put together.
- La Geria wine region for vines growing in ash and easy tastings with a local feel.
- Papagayo beaches when you want calm coves and a softer beach day.
Best for: photography lovers, scenic-road people, travelers who like slow days with strong landscapes.
Small but useful advice: go early to the headline spots, then keep afternoons for coast or wine. Your day will feel smoother.
Fuerteventura: for beach people, dune walkers, and anyone chasing turquoise water
Fuerteventura is where you go when you want the beach to be the main character. It’s spacious, bright, and built around long stretches of sand, dunes, and water that often looks unreal. If your dream day is “walk, swim, eat, repeat,” this island will make you very happy.
But let’s not pretend it’s a still, sheltered paradise. Wind is part of the deal. Sometimes it’s a gentle breeze, sometimes it’s present enough to change your plan. For many people, that’s a feature, not a bug—especially if you’re into surfing, kiteboarding, or anything that likes moving air.
Where the island really shows off:
- Corralejo Dunes for the classic sand-meets-ocean view.
- Sotavento for shallow lagoons (tide-dependent) and long, satisfying walks.
- Isla de Lobos for a quick escape and a calmer day out.
- Betancuria to break up beach time with a quieter, inland stop.
- Natural pools (conditions vary) if you want something different from open beaches.
Best for: beach-first trips, water sports, slow days outdoors.
Small but useful advice: pack a light windbreaker. It’s the difference between “nice evening” and “I wish I had a layer.”
Gran Canaria: the island that changes mood fast (dunes one day, mountains the next)
Gran Canaria is a strong pick if you like contrast without constant logistics. It’s not the most “single-theme” island, but that’s exactly why it works: you can do dunes and beach time, then head inland for mountain viewpoints and villages, all without feeling like you’re doing two separate trips.
The island feels practical in a good way. You can base yourself comfortably and still see very different landscapes across the week. It’s also a good choice if you want a trip that can be as active or as relaxed as you decide each morning.
A balanced short list:
- Maspalomas Dunes early or late in the day, when the light is softer.
- Roque Nublo for a straightforward hike with a big payoff.
- Tejeda (or nearby mountain villages) for a slower inland detour.
- Puerto de Mogán for an easy seaside walk and a calm vibe.
- Amadores Beach when you want a simple “do nothing” beach day.
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Best for: travelers who want variety, families, anyone who likes mixing coast and interior.
Small but useful advice: plan two inland mornings. That’s often enough to feel the “mini-continent” side without turning the trip into a driving tour.
The 2-minute decision tool (table + rule)
| Island | If your week is mostly about… | What you’ll remember | Sweet-spot length |
| Tenerife | Variety and “big hits” | Volcano + forests + cliffs | 7–10 days |
| Lanzarote | Volcanic road trip | Lava + tunnels + wine country | 5–8 days |
| Fuerteventura | Beaches and turquoise water | Dunes + lagoons + horizons | 6–10 days |
| Gran Canaria | Fast contrasts | Dunes + mountains + villages | 6–9 days |
Rule of thumb:
Tenerife for the safest all-round trip. Lanzarote for volcanic scenery and road stops. Fuerteventura for beaches (and wind). Gran Canaria for quick scenery switches.
