The Canary Islands have been working their charm on British holidaymakers for decades. Some places just have that magic about them that makes you want to return again and again. Sun-seekers and adventurers love it here to help them escape the daily grind.
No language barriers to worry about, no major time zone shifts, and a climate that means you can leave the bulky clothes at home. Whether you’re after a week of pure relaxation or an itinerary packed with exploration, these Atlantic islands are sure to deliver and keep you coming back for more.
Pleasant weather all year long
British travellers and sunshine is a love story as old as time. The Canary Islands guarantee you a happy ending with warm temperatures and clear skies whenever you visit. If you fancy some winter Sun even January can still bring highs of 20°C!
Tenerife weather, in particular, is famous for its year-round warmth, with the island enjoying spring-like conditions when the UK is battling grey skies and drizzle. The location off the coast of Africa means that the Canaries avoid the intense summer heatwaves of mainland Spain, so you can sunbathe comfortably. Plus, the refreshing Atlantic breeze keeps things comfortable, making sightseeing, hiking and beach days pleasurable and not sweaty and uncomfortable.
Accessible travel
Few destinations offer a mix of exotic landscapes and simple travel. That’s where the Canary Islands come in. A direct flight from most UK airports will get you to Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote or Fuerteventura in just four to five hours.
Once you’re there, you don’t need to worry about complicated transfers. The islands are well set up for tourism, meaning taxis, buses and car hire are all available from the moment you step out of the airport. You won’t need to worry about signing up to Duolingo, just yet either as English is widely spoken, making everything from ordering dinner to booking excursions refreshingly simple.
The activities and attractions
You might come for the beaches, but you’ll stay for everything else. Each island has its own personality, giving you plenty of reasons to explore. If you love the great outdoors, Tenerife’s Mount Teide offers hiking routes with breathtaking volcanic landscapes, while Lanzarote’s Timanfaya National Park feels like you’re stepping onto another planet.
Water sports fans can dive into windsurfing off the coast of Fuerteventura or take a boat trip to spot whales and dolphins. Prefer a more relaxed itinerary? Gran Canaria’s charming old towns, like Vegueta in Las Palmas, serve up a delightful slice of history with cobbled streets, tapas bars and colonial-style architecture that transports you back in time.
Affordable luxury accommodation
Value for money is always a bonus and something British travellers are a big fan of. Unlike some Mediterranean hotspots where prices skyrocket in summer, you can often find a four-star hotel here for the same price as a budget stay elsewhere.
All-inclusive resorts make life even easier, offering unlimited food and drinks at attractive prices. But if you prefer a more independent trip, self-catering apartments and boutique hotels are available by the bucketload and provide stylish stays without making a serious hit to your bank balance.
How do you find the best deals? Book in advance; it’s one way to guarantee a good price, especially if you want a beachfront spot with a sea view.
Amazing island experiences
Each island has a way of making your holiday unforgettable. Fancy hopping between them? Ferries and short flights mean you can easily explore more than one island in a single trip. Spend a few days soaking up the buzz of Tenerife before unwinding in La Palma, or pair Lanzarote’s charm with Fuerteventura’s golden sand dunes.
Food is another highlight. If you’re a seafood lover then you are in for a treat! Try freshly grilled fish with a side of ‘papas arrugadas’ and a generous helping of mojo sauce. It’s simple, delicious, and an authentic taste of the Canaries. If you can squeeze it into your itinerary whilst you’re there, you might even catch one of the famous local festivals, where music, dancing and fireworks bring the streets to life.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a regular visitor, the Canary Islands have a way of making you feel right at home but with better weather and better food. It encapsulates a laid-back atmosphere that turns a week away into the perfect escape.
