Canary Island Holidays

Holidays in the Canary Islands have become increasingly popular over the last decade as low cost flight carriers have increased their daily trips to this diverse Spanish archipelago. Known as a year-round destination due to their perennial sunshine and subtropical climate, the Canary Islands are found off the African coast in the Atlantic Ocean but have only half the travel time of the long haul resorts that share this temperature.

Made up of 7 islands, there are the lesser known El Hierro, La Palma and La Gomera islands plus the hugely accessible Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Tenerife.

El Hierro is better known for its brilliant diving opportunities and clear waters that draw in diving professionals every year. It also shares a feature with the neighbouring island of La Palma: their Biosphere Reserves, which showcase the volcanoes and lava fields, prehistoric vegetation and forests, natural springs, awe-inspiring 1,000m high cliffs and lush ravines. Also known as ‘La Isla Bonita (the pretty island), the rich island of La Palma is home to a National Park, enormous craters and renowned astrophysics observatories, due to its clear skies. La Gomera is also known for its sustainable tourism and offers a National Park and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of La Garajonay. With diverse landscapes perfect for hikers, deep ravines that descend to meet the ocean and picturesque rural villages, La Gomera offers a protected tourist resort that feels untouched.

The islands of Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Tenerife offer a different kind of holiday altogether. These islands have worked hard to meet your every holiday need, and are renowned for their specialised tourist resorts. Fuerteventura is situated to the East of the islands and offers vast idyllic white sand beaches along its dramatic coastline which takes advantage of the Atlantic winds with its wide range of watersports available. There is also the Corralejo Dunes National Park, historic towns and a lively nightlife scene.

Gran Canaria is the third biggest and most populated of the Canary Islands. Situated in the middle of these islands, it is often described as a mini continent due to its diversity of landscapes, micro climates and spectacular scenery from the luscious green of the North to the rugged deserts and vast beaches of the South. Centuries of history come together through its cultural traditions and gastronomy, but its modern outlook provides for most popular leisure activities. 

 Lanzarote is furthest East and just shy of 80 miles off the coast of Africa, offering vast stretches of beach, sports complexes and facilities, low rise buildings, the multicoloured Montanas del Fuego (Fire Mountains), crystal-clear turquoise waters, luscious golf courses, historic forts and a relaxed culture. Visit the idyllic beaches of the Southern tip, the ‘Valley of 1,000 Palms’ in the North or the renowned beaches of Playa Blanca. See the Jameos del Agua cave system or the exclusive bays of the Papagayo Peninsula in Puerto Del Carmen or the surfing paradise of Costa Teguise. 

Tenerife is the largest and most popular island, offering a varied volcanic landscape surrounding the majestic Mount Teide that combines golden and charcoal sands with lively nightlife and purpose built resorts catering for a modern holiday. Its variety of attractions and activities is enough to keep holiday makers returning year after year.

If you’re thinking of getting away from it all, you can find great travel deals with jet2holidays voucher codes.