Canary Islands, Spain

The Canary Islands stretch volcanic peaks across the Atlantic with Tenerife's Teide National Park (Spain's highest at 3,718m), Lanzarote's César Manrique-designed lava landscapes, Gran Canaria's Maspalomas dunes, and La Palma's caldera ridges.

Highlights

When to Visit

Nov-Mar

Northern European winter escape window with Tenerife and Gran Canaria at 22°C, Tenerife Carnival in February-March (the world's second-biggest after Rio), and Teide accessible.

Apr-Jun

Pre-summer with Lanzarote walking trails at Timanfaya at peak, La Palma's volcanic ridge trail accessible, and Atlantic warming for swimming on Fuerteventura.

Jul-Sep

Hot dry summer with Maspalomas dunes baking but trade winds (alisios) keeping the southern resorts breezy, and the Gran Canaria Pride in early May aside.

Oct

Trade winds easing, Festival de Música in Las Palmas, and the Atlantic at warmest before the northern winter season ramps up across all islands.