Which Canary Island Should You Visit in 2025? (Based on Travel Style)
Why This Blog Is Different
If you’re Googling “best Canary island to visit,” you’re probably not just looking for a pretty picture. You’re looking to book a trip that matches your vibe, whether that’s hiking volcanoes, sipping cocktails by the pool, or exploring with your family.
This post skips the vague stuff and gets straight to it: real recommendations based on your travel style, and direct links to the best places to stay, tours to book, and top activities worth spending on.
Best Canary Island for Couples in 2025: La Palma
Think: stargazing, private hot tubs, romantic sunsets, quiet natural beauty.
La Palma feels like a hidden gem. It’s peaceful, under-the-radar, and full of dramatic viewpoints and forest hikes. La Palma is known as La Isla Bonita (The Beautiful Island) and for good reasons. It’s one of the least visited Canary Islands, but also one of the most beautiful. The skies here are so clear, the entire island is a UNESCO Starlight Reserve, meaning artificial light is heavily restricted to protect the night sky.
Instead of endless mega resorts, you’ll find eco-lodges, boutique casas, and romantic cottages tucked between banana plantations, pine forests, and cliffside viewpoints. It’s made for couples who want quiet hikes, moody sunsets, and maybe a glass of wine in a private jacuzzi.
Where to Stay:
Hacienda de Abajo – Adults Only Luxury Hotel
Meliá La Palma – Luxurious Hotel Surrounded by the Sea and Banana Plantations
Anamcara Suites –Apartment with Fully Equipped Kitchen
Top Experiences:
Best Canary Island for Adventure Lovers: Lanzarote
Think Volcano hikes, surf towns, Martian landscapes, unique design.
Lanzarote is rugged, wild, and so unique it feels like another planet. The island is covered in craters, lava fields, and vast open landscapes that give it an otherworldly edge. It’s home to Timanfaya National Park, where you can walk on solidified lava and see steam blast out of the earth.
Thanks to local artist César Manrique, the island’s architecture blends art, nature, and sustainability, so it has a unique visual identity, too. And then there’s Famara, the surf town where everyone’s barefoot by sunset.
Where to Stay:
La Cala Suites Hotel – Boutique Adults Only with Sea Views
Labranda Alyssa Suite Hotel – All-inclusive Suite Hotel with Sports Facilities
Top Experiences:
Best Canary Island for Families: Gran Canaria
Think: Kid-friendly resorts, sandy beaches, and family-focused activities.
Gran Canaria blends sun and sand with practical family stays and short drive times between attractions. Gran Canaria strikes a sweet balance between fun and function. The south coast (like Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés) is packed with all-inclusive resorts, sandy beaches, and activities that are ideal for little ones, from dolphin-spotting boats to mini theme parks.
The island is also super easy to get around by car, and has more of a city-meets-nature feel than some of the wilder islands. You can imagine going on beach mornings, afternoon waterparks, and stress-free dinners with the whole family.
Where to Stay:
Lopesan Baobab Resort – African-themed, kid-friendly, epic pools
HD Parque Cristóbal Gran Canaria – Family Bungalows with Kids Club
Lopesan Villa del Conde Resort & Thalasso – Classic Canarian Village Style with 6 Swimming Pools
Top Experiences:
Best Canary Island for Digital Nomads & Backpackers: Fuerteventura
Think: Quiet towns, surfboards, coworking cafés, endless sand dunes.
If you’re working remotely in 2025, Fuerteventura gives you affordable long-term rentals, fast WiFi, and plenty of surf breaks and tapas bars when the laptop closes. Fuerteventura is a laid-back, windswept paradise that’s become a favourite for backpackers and creatives. It has fewer resorts and less nightlife than Tenerife or Gran Canaria, but way more space to breathe, and co-work from a beach bar.
The north (around Corralejo) has a buzzing nomad community and desert-meets-ocean landscapes that feel straight out of Morocco. Plus, it’s one of the best islands for kite surfing, long walks, and uninterrupted work sessions.
Where to Stay:
Sol Fuerteventura Jandia - All Suites – Perfect for Families, All-inclusive, Steps Away from the Beach
Bristol Sunset Beach - Holiday Apartments – Cozy Apartments with Gym and Co-working Space
Top Experiences:
Best Canary Island for Off-Grid Travellers: El Hierro
Think: No crowds, dramatic cliffs, raw nature, total switch-off.
El Hierro is the smallest and most remote of the Canary Islands, and that’s exactly its charm. There are no flashy resorts, no airport rush, no waterparks… just rugged coastlines, pine forests, natural pools, and quiet villages.
The island was once known as the ‘edge of the world’, and in many ways, it still feels like it. It’s also the first island in the world to run on 100% renewable energy, so you’ll find an eco-conscious spirit running through everything here, from the food to the accommodation.
If you're craving an unplugged trip, El Hierro is the secret gem most people skip, but the people who go? They don’t stop talking about it.
Where to Stay:
Balneario Pozo de la Salud – Spa Hotel with Hot Tub and Atlantic Views
El Sitio – Eco-Casitas Built into the Hillside
Top Experiences:
Best Canary Island for Hikers & Nature Lovers: La Gomera
Think: Jungle-like forests, hidden trails, zero stress.
La Gomera feels like stepping into another world with tiny villages, winding mountain roads, and hiking trails that cut through ancient forests and jaw-dropping ravines. It’s all about nature here, especially in Garajonay National Park, which looks like a misty fairytale.
No big hotels, no party beaches, just raw, green, peaceful vibes. You’ll hear birds, waterfalls, and maybe even Silbo Gomero, the island’s legendary whistling language.
If you’re into hiking, forests, and a total break from the tourist buzz, La Gomera is one of the most underrated gems out there.
Where to Stay:
Parador de La Gomera – Cliff-top Hotel, Canary Island Architectural Style, Views to Mount Teide and Atlantic Ocean
Jardín Las Hayas – Laidback Casitas Just 500 Metres from Garajonay National Park
Bancal Hotel and Spa – Infinity Pool, Modern Luxurious Bedrooms
Top Experiences:
Best Canary Island for Off-Grid Beach Escapes: La Graciosa
Think: No roads, sandy tracks, empty beaches, pure chill.
La Graciosa isn’t just off the beaten path; it is the beaten path. No tarmac, barely any cars, and way fewer people. Just dusty bikes, white sand beaches, and that small-island feeling where time slows way down.
Technically part of Lanzarote, but vibe-wise it’s a totally different planet. You can cycle from one wild beach to another, swim in crystal-clear water, and watch the sunset without a single hotel block in sight.
It’s low-key, it’s local, and it’s perfect if you just want to switch off and do… basically nothing.
Where to Stay:
Evita Beach – Chic Self-catering Flats by the Sea
La Graciosita Traditional Home – Cosy, Fully Equipped Kitchen and Washing Machine
Top Experiences:
Best Canary Island for a Bit of Everything: Tenerife
Think: Foodie spots, beach clubs, spa hotels, Mount Teide, lively towns.
Tenerife is the largest and most popular Canary Island, and for good reason, it’s got a bit of everything. You can hike Spain’s highest peak (Mount Teide), visit volcanic beaches, sip wine at a bodega, then head back to your infinity pool hotel in the south by sunset.
The island is divided into vibe: the north is more lush, green, and authentic; the south (like Costa Adeje or Playa de las Américas) is Jet2Holiday central, with big resorts, Siam Park, and family-friendly beaches.
Whether you’re a foodie, hiker, beach fanatic or spa-lover, Tenerife is a great choice. It’s not niche, but that’s what makes it so versatile.
Where to Stay:
Royal Hideaway Corales Suites (South of Tenerife) – Private Suites and Villas, Hotel in Spain with the Most Michelin Star Restaurants
Iberostar Waves Bouganville Playa (South of Tenerife) – Modern, Only 20 Metres from Bobo Beach
Hotel Hacienda del Conde Meliá Collection Golf & Spa - Adults Only (North of Tenerife) – Super Exclusive Hotel in the North, Golf Course and Some Rooms with Private Hot Tub
Bahía Luxury Apartments (North of Tenerife) – Beautiful Fully Equipped Apartments, Year-round Swimming Pool
Finca el Castillo (North of Tenerife) – Self-Catering Affordable Apartments, 1km from Buenavista Golf Course
Top Experiences:
Which Canary Island Should YOU Choose?
That was a lot of information, and you probably can’t even remember the name of the islands. Don’t worry, below you will find a summary that will help you decide (and if not, just throw a dice and go to whichever number it lands on!)
Best Overall Island? Tenerife – it has luxury hotels, stunning hikes, food tours, and beach clubs.
Best for Couples? La Palma – romantic, peaceful, and full of boutique eco-stays.
Best for Families? Gran Canaria – beaches, resorts, and all-inclusive hotels near theme parks.
Best for Adventure? Lanzarote – volcano treks, surf towns, and desert vibes.
Best for Digital Nomads? Fuerteventura – quiet coworking hubs, beach cafés, and long-term lets.
Best for Hiking Lovers? La Gomera – forests, ravines, and silence.
Best for Off-Grid Travel? La Graciosa – no roads, no rush, no stress.
Best Hidden Gem? El Hierro – authentic, remote, and wildly beautiful.
FAQs
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Gran Canaria and Tenerife tend to be the warmest in winter, especially on the southern coasts like Maspalomas and Costa Adeje.
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Fuerteventura and La Palma often have cheaper accommodation and fewer crowds: great for budget or slow travellers.
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Fuerteventura is famous for its long, golden sand beaches, while Lanzarote offers dramatic black sand coves.
Final Thoughts + Our Top Pick
If you want luxury, variety, and sunshine, Tenerife is your safest bet in 2025 (don’t forget the south is very popular and busy while the north is filled with hidden gems and more peaceful vibes). But for something slower, quieter, and romantic, La Palma will surprise you.
What would Carma Adventures choose?
If we had to pick just one… we’d choose La Palma. It’s honestly one of our favourite places in the world. From hiking through enchanted forests to the hidden waterfall of Los Tilos, to discovering the jaw-dropping cave houses at Porís de Candelaria, La Palma completely blew us away.
It’s peaceful, dramatic, and full of surprises. If you’re after raw beauty, epic hikes, and lesser-known spots, this is the island you need to visit.
Want to follow our full route? Grab our La Palma Travel Guide – 3-Day Itinerary & Insider Tips + Google Maps List, packed with insider tips, Google Maps pins, and the best local spots we found.
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