Holidays to Canary Islands

Volcanos, sand dunes, beaches, whales, all-night parties and year-round sunshine all in one place? Yep, welcome to the Canary Islands holiday! And we’ve only just scratched the surface.

Ocean breeze

With coastlines as dreamy as the ones in the Canary Islands, it’s no surprise to learn a lot of your time is going to be spent by, in and on the Atlantic Ocean. Highlights beyond beach bumming include surfing Fuerteventura’s windswept shores (Playa del Moro’s a top spot), diving to the underwater museum in Lanzarote, snorkelling in Los Lobos and whale-spotting near Los Gigantes.

Bikinis and board shorts in winter

Say goodbye to the UK’s woolly hat weather and hello to swimwear because the Canary Islands are perfect for winter-sun holidays. Yes, you can top up your tan in the Costa Adeje or Costa Teguise during their glorious summer months, but visit in February and you’ll still enjoy highs of 21C - ideal for golf in Maspalomas or tackling Mount Teide’s mega-hike!

Rocking landscapes

Unreal. That’s the one word that will keep spilling out of your mouth as you experience some of the Canary Islands’ epic landscapes. Here, you can walk above the clouds at La Palma’s El Roque de los Muchachos (aka Rock of the Boys), explore volcanoes in the Mars-like Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote and trek through La Gomera’s ancient Endor-esque forests (alas, no Ewoks here). If hiking boots aren’t on your packing list, a cable car will whisk you to the top of Mount Teide instead.

Culture and carnival

Pack your sequins, feathers and salsa shoes because the carnival in Tenerife is hot news! It’s likened to Rio for its colourful costumes, floats and street parties. For an equally vibrant but slightly chiller vibe, head to Lanzarote, where César Manrique has transformed the island into an open-air gallery. Wander around the Fundación César Manrique, his island home, and make sure you experience Jameos del Agua. Built in and around lava caves, it’s not your typical art and culture centre.