The Canary Islands: these are the most fun places

Maybe your luggage from your summer trip is still half unpacked in a corner somewhere. It's never too early to dream about your next trip. May we make a suggestion? The Canary Islands are always a good choice. From black beaches in Tenerife to surfing in Fuerteventura. Each island has its own advantages, so let's go through the most important ins and outs with you. Really struggling with choice stress? Island hopping is of course also an option, and that's certainly not a punishment.

These are your island options

Let's be honest: we all have a bit of an idea about the Canary Islands. But what exactly is on the choice list? Officially, there are thirteen islands in this group; seven large and six small ones. For a holiday, you can actually disregard the smaller ones. Except for La Graciosa, they are all (almost) uninhabited, so you won't find much coziness there. Perfect for a day trip to admire nature, but not much more than that. Don't worry, there are still plenty of options left. Here they come: Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro. You'll find sun everywhere, but each with a slightly different vibe.

Which island is the most fun?

It's not that one island clearly leaves the competition behind. It mainly depends on what kind of holiday you are looking for. If you're going for relaxation in quiet nature, it's best to choose La Gomera, La Palma, or El Hierro. Here you won't find golden sandy beaches to sunbathe on, but rather cliffs, ravines, rainforests, and even volcanic rocks. It's really a different world you step into, one guaranteed to provide perfect snapshots for your photo album.

The sporty ones among us should book a ticket to Fuerteventura. The island is known as a paradise for surfers due to the favorable winds and waves. Not such an adrenaline junkie? A road trip is also highly recommended here; the ideal way to admire the different landscapes.

Lanzarote has the perfect combination of urban and nature. You can shop in the seaside town of Puerto del Carmen, but also walk along the beach or various volcanoes. Don't forget to include the wreck of the Temple Hall on your route; if only for the photos. Tenerife is perhaps the most famous island; but it has more to offer than just an affordable beach holiday. With a cable car, you can go to El Teide, the highest point in all of Spain; and of course, that comes with an impressive view. Be sure to rent a boat or join a tour, with a bit of luck you might spot dolphins.

The last on the list is Gran Canaria. This island is also called a mini-continent, and that has everything to do with the many different landscapes you can find there. In the south, you'll find the famous beaches and can go wild in the nightlife. A stark contrast to the quiet north; a great place to recharge in the rich nature.

Accommodation options you want to remember

Not entirely unimportant when planning your trip: where will you sleep? Whether you choose a budget-friendly holiday or a luxury resort; plenty of options. Listing all hotels would make for a very long list, so we provide some suggestions for each island. In Tenerife, you'll find more accommodations along the coast in the south; with Olé Tropical just under 100 meters from the sea, or Europe Villa Cortes GL in the style of a Mexican mansion. In the north, you'll sleep among the mountains, like at El Refugio Apartments & Villa; from these luxury apartments, you have a fantastic view.

A beloved hotspot in Gran Canaria is Bed&Chic; luxury rooms, but with a homely feel. The location is another plus, the hotel is surrounded by restaurants and within five minutes you are at the beach. One of the must-visit resorts in Fuerteventura is Barceló Castillo Beach Resort. Here you can choose a bungalow, studio, or even a suite, depending on your holiday budget. In the evenings, you can easily step onto the boulevard to stroll around. You can also choose in Lanzarote. Are you looking for more peace, or just a bustling city? If you go for option one, look for a hotel in the capital Arrecife; there you will probably encounter a few more locals than tourists. If you prefer it a bit busier, then one of the hotels on the boulevard of Puerto del Carmen is for you; with Lava Beach as the ultimate hotspot.

Apart from some all-inclusive resorts, you'll mainly find smaller hotels in authentic houses or farms on La Palma. These boutique hotels create that cozy atmosphere, so you'll really feel at home on vacation. Some recommendations: Hacienda de Abajo and San Telmo; both modern, but with a classic vibe. La Gomera also has some smaller accommodations, although there are a few larger ones by the sea. For a beautiful view, you can go to Rural Ibo Alfaro. With a bit of luck, you can look out over the Valley of Hermigua from your room.

As the smallest ‘main island’, you'll have to look a bit harder for the perfect sleeping spot on El Hierro. We've done some preliminary work for you. At the top of the list is Hotel Puntagrande, especially for the experience you'll have there. The hotel is located on an excellent part of a volcano and is surrounded by the sea on three sides. In the evenings, the waves will lull you to sleep, and if it storms, it will be an exciting night.

Where you want to eat on the Canary Islands

As part of Spain, you can also enjoy the classic tapas bars and restaurants on the Canary Islands. For dinner on El Hierro, it wouldn't hurt to take some Duolingo lessons. The locals are not yet so used to tourists, and you'll encounter few English-speaking waiters. The island also has only a few restaurants. If we may recommend one, it would be Mirador de la Peña; this restaurant is part of a viewpoint at 700 meters high, now that's dinner with a view. La Gomera also doesn't have a restaurant on every corner, but there is still plenty to choose from. La Vieja Escuela and Bar Terraza Pedro should definitely be on your list; in both restaurants, you'll mainly get local dishes and can enjoy a beautiful view of a valley.

It may feel a bit strange, but one of the best spots on La Palma is Italian. The menu is presented on a large chalkboard on your table, and then it's a choice between all the freshly prepared delicacies. Another unique experience is Chipi Chipi. Unlike what you're used to, you're not in one large room here, but in all small houses; a cozy dinner. In Fuerteventura, the sea naturally plays an important role; not only for water sports but also for the fish dishes. Azzurro Chill Out is a good place to enjoy that. Afterwards, you can linger for a cocktail in the beach bar.

In Lanzarote, there are more than enough options. A successful culinary day could look like this: Start with breakfast at Bonbon Café; there is no wifi here, so you're really in the moment. For lunch, you can join at Casa El Barba, on top of a cliff by Papagayo Beach with a fantastic view. In the evening, you finish at Kamezí Deli & Bistró, perhaps one of the most popular restaurants on the island.

For a colorful dinner in Gran Canaria, you can go to Mi Vida. Just by the interior, you'll be amazed, and the menu has plenty to choose from. For a special location, La Gañanía; this restaurant is located in a cactus garden where you can wander after dinner. You can also go wild as a foodie in Tenerife. A few more tips: for tapas, Tasca Tapias is the place to be, and for fish, you can join at La Vieja, also popular among locals.

Where should you go for the sun?

Another reason that makes the Canary Islands the perfect destination: on average, there are 300 days of sun per year; and that applies to all islands. Yet one stands out just above the rest, and that is Fuerteventura. In the summer months, you can enjoy about ten hours of sun per day; and even in the ‘colder’ months, there are still six hours left. Here in the Netherlands, we are lucky if we reach that on a summer day. If we have to point out the least sunny island, then El Hierro draws the shortest straw. Due to the many mountains, it is often cloudy and misty. In summer, the average temperature will be twenty degrees, and at night it cools down a bit more. So you won't be sweating out of bed here, and that's quite nice.

The most accessible islands

Once those suitcases are dropped at the hotel, the real enjoyment can begin. But before that, of course, there is a whole journey beforehand. And we prefer to keep that as short as possible. Generally, there is little difference in flight times to the Canary Islands. If you download enough movies for about 4.5 hours, you'll be fine. Almost all islands are reachable from Schiphol, and for some, you can also choose Eindhoven or Rotterdam. However, there are two exceptions to this rule. From the Netherlands, you cannot fly directly to El Hierro and La Gomera. To vacation there, you'll have to put in a bit more effort. Your route looks like this: you start with a flight to Gran Canaria or Tenerife. Then you transfer to a ferry or a domestic flight to your final destination.

Here you avoid the masses of tourists

The charms of the Canary Islands have already made many people succumb, and that means you probably won't be lying alone on the beach. Having fellow vacationers around you is actually quite nice, as long as one tour bus doesn't empty after another. The crowds you will encounter largely depend on which island you choose. On Tenerife and Gran Canaria, you'll often have to wait for a hotspot. These islands are clearly the most well-known and popular. On Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, it is still very pleasant, but you will experience a bit more space. If you really want to encounter as few tourists as possible, it's best to book a trip to La Palma, El Hierro, or La Gomera. Especially for the last two, it is true that they are also less equipped for visitors from outside. That makes it so quiet, but it's still handy to know for your travel planning.

Just a note on when you should book. In the summer, it is, not surprisingly, the busiest everywhere. But even in winter, there will be somewhat longer lines everywhere; precisely because the sun is hard to find in the Netherlands then, and not on the islands. Want to avoid that crowd? Plan your trip in the autumn or spring. The temperature is still lovely, and it's just a tad quieter.

Where does your holiday cost the most?

One reassuring thought in advance: prices are on the Canary Islands in any case lower than in the Netherlands. On average, between thirty and forty percent, and that makes quite a difference. What holiday budget you still need to set aside depends on your island choice and the timing of your trip. On the already more touristy islands like Tenerife and Gran Canaria, you pay a bit more than, for example, El Hierro. And in August, your cocktail will also be a bit more expensive than if you order it in November. Leave some space in your suitcase when packing. The VAT on the islands is only 7 percent, and that is also much lower than ours. So there can be quite a few souvenirs on the return flight.