If first experiences make lasting impressions, what would you say about a destination that gives you not one, not two, but eight opportunities to make up your mind about it? And even then, you come away feeling like you haven’t quite tied the place down to a type.
We've all been bitten by the disappointment of a destination that looks too good on paper, only for expectations to crash into a wall upon landing at the airport. The Canary Islands, though, are the exception. If winter had a "mute" button, it would be the Canary Islands. Think scented pine forests, brooding volcanoes, and beaches that look photoshopped, only with real sunshine and actual sangria.
This Spanish archipelago off the coast of Africa is the kind of place where you can breakfast by a volcano, swim in turquoise Atlantic waters by lunch, and toast the sunset with local wine in a whitewashed village by evening. All in a single day.
Eight wildly different islands make up the Canaries, each with its own unique character. In this article, we'll take you through four of the most popular ones: Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura, and explore what makes each special, who it’s best suited for, and how to get there using Avios points for flights and British Airways reward flights.
Why Do European Travellers Keep Returning to The Canary Islands?
The Canaries tick just about every box you could think of. Four of Spain's 16 national parks are here, packed with volcanoes, laurel forests, and hiking trails that look more like movie sets than reality. Pair that with easy island-hopping options, friendly locals, and postcard-perfect views, and you've got yourself a destination that works for everyone and every season.
Here are our top reasons why the Canaries leave other destinations in the dust:
Year-round Sunshine
There's a special kind of joy when you can enjoy the sun in the dead of winter. The Canary Islands weather promises that in spades. Subtropical weather means warm days even in January. Temperatures rarely drop below 20°C. It's Europe's cheat code for winter blues, minus the jet lag.
Island Variety
The Canary Islands are a traveller's choose-your-own-adventure game, with each island suited for a certain type. Visiting Tenerife means fine dining, world-class hiking, and whale watching. Gran Canaria packs in beaches, nightlife, and mountain drives. Lanzarote is an artist's dream, with lava fields and vineyards, while Fuerteventura is all about wild dunes and water sports.
Outdoors on Tap
The question, once you arrive in the Canaries, is not whether there'll be enough outdoor activities, but whether you have the stamina to keep up. Hike volcanic trails, ride Atlantic swells, dive lava reefs, watch dolphins and pilot whales, or wander UNESCO-listed parks like Teide and Timanfaya. If you pack trainers, you'll use them.
Food and Culture
Canarian cuisine is all about flavour and freshness. Think grilled fish, mojo sauces, papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes), and volcanic wines that are far better than they have any right to be. Culturally, it's Spain with an Atlantic flair: historic quarters, fiestas, and a dash of African and Latin American influence.
Great Value and Easy Access
The Canaries are just 4-5 hours from the UK, with direct British Airways flights year-round. Better yet, you can book using your Avios points for flights, an excellent way to convert everyday spending into sunshine with British Airways reward flights to any of the four major islands.
Works For Every Type of Traveller
The only thing that the Canary Islands don't do is conform to type. Instead, they’re brimming with all types of activities to keep all members of your party happy and occupied.
- Families: There are safe beaches for kids, as well as clubs and water parks for families.
- Couples: Couples can enjoy boutique stays that come with a range of amenities, including spa time and sunset viewpoints. Some islands, such as Teide, are ideal for outdoor activities like stargazing.
- Adventure and nature lovers: All the islands are suitable for hiking, surfing, cycling, diving and more.
- Winter-sun escapists: In terms of Canary Islands weather alone, the islands experience a subtropical climate, with mild and stable temperatures throughout the year, ranging from 18 to 24 °C.
- Young travellers and groups: For those who prefer some nightlife and clubs, Playa de las Américas and Las Palmas do not disappoint.
- Wellness seekers: There are numerous yoga and spa options available for those seeking wellness, with the backdrop of serene volcanic landscapes adding an extra layer of calm.
Now that you’ve got a sense of why the Canary Islands are worth the trip, let’s look at the individual islands to see what sets each one apart and help you choose the right fit for your getaway.
Tenerife
If the Canary Islands were a family, Tenerife would be the older sibling: confident, lively, and effortlessly good-looking. It's an island where every day can be as lazy or adventurous as you want. It's got beaches, volcanoes, culture, and nightlife, all rolled into one sun-soaked island that somehow works for everyone, from stroller-pushing parents to sunset-chasing couples. The largest and most diverse of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is far more than its reputation as a resort.
Some Activities We Recommend:
You can't visit Tenerife without starting with Mount Teide, Spain's highest peak and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pack your sturdiest hiking shoes as you walk through lava fields or take a cable car for lunar-like views above the clouds. Head south for classic resort life at Playa de las Américas, where you’ll find bars, beach clubs, and promenade energy at Los Cristianos.
Nature lovers will find their happy place in Teide National Park or the lush Anaga Rural Park in the north, while families will love Siam Park, regularly voted one of the world's best water parks. Evenings mean seafood by the marina, a glass of volcanic wine, and maybe a little merengue before midnight.
Who It Suits
- Families: Easy resorts, warm water, and endless entertainment.
- Couples: Spa hotels, dramatic sunsets, and starry-night romance on Teide.
- Adventure seekers: Hiking, surfing, paragliding, diving; take your pick.
- Winter-sun escapists: Warmth in January, without flying halfway across the world.
How to Get There with Avios
You can book flights to Tenerife directly with British Airways’ regular services from London Gatwick and Heathrow. Off-peak Economy return flights start from 27,500 Avios plus £1, while off-peak Business Class return flights cost 48,500 Avios plus £25.
British Airways
Gran Canaria
If Tenerife is the show-off, Gran Canaria is the overachiever, fitting golden beaches, rugged mountains, pine forests, and a capital city into one neat, sunny package. Locals call it a "mini continent," and once you've driven from the sand dunes of the south to the cloud forests of the interior, you'll see why.
The most populous island, Gran Canaria, has a little of everything: busy city life, sweeping dunes, and misty mountain villages. The island's capital, Las Palmas, is one of Spain's most underrated cities, with colourful colonial buildings, excellent restaurants, and the spectacular Playa de las Canteras, one of Europe's finest urban beaches. Don't miss the old quarter of Vegueta, home to Santa Ana Cathedral and lively local markets.
Some Activities We Recommend:
Start on the coast at Playa de Maspalomas, which seems straight out of a Hallmark card with its rolling dunes spilling into the turquoise sea. For calmer swimming and sunbathing, Playa de Amadores has clear, family-friendly waters. Then there's Las Canteras Beach in Las Palmas, one of Europe's best urban beaches, lined with tapas bars and perfect for an evening stroll.
You can also head inland to Roque Nublo and Pico de las Nieves for panoramic views that stretch across the island, and on clear days, all the way to Tenerife. The north's valleys hide banana plantations and whitewashed villages, while Las Palmas brings the culture with cobbled old-town streets, art museums, and festivals that rival Rio (well, almost).
Who It Suits
- Families: Safe beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and mild weather year-round.
- Couples: Romantic sunset lookouts, boutique hotels, and scenic drives through the mountains.
- Adventure lovers: Hiking, cycling, diving, and some of Europe's best windsurfing.
- Culture seekers: Las Palmas' historic district and lively nightlife deliver plenty of charm.
How to Get There with Avios
You can fly from London Gatwick to Gran Canaria on an off-peak Economy return ticket for 27,500 Avios plus £1. If you prefer a bit more comfort, you can also book an off-peak Business Class return flight for 48,500 Avios plus £25. These Gran Canaria holidays are some of the best-value short-haul redemptions in Europe, with sun, sea, and savings, all wrapped in one.
British Airways
Lanzarote
If Mars had beaches and boutique hotels, it would look a lot like Lanzarote. Stark black lava fields, rolling dunes, and whitewashed villages make it one of the most visually striking islands in the Canaries. It's a place where even the roundabouts look curated.
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Some Activities We Recommend:
Since Lanzarote is famous for its unique landscape, you can’t avoid visiting Timanfaya National Park, where you can wander through surreal volcanic landscapes and watch geysers erupt on cue (thanks to the island's still-simmering heat below). It's otherworldly, featuring all rust-red craters, twisted rock formations, and silence that feels like space.
Then there's the artistic legacy of César Manrique, the island's visionary architect and sculptor, who smoothly blended art, nature, and architecture. Some of his top creations include the Jameos del Agua cave complex and the Mirador del Río lookout, that give Lanzarote its unique sense of style.
When you're ready to relax, visit Playa Blanca and Papagayo for soft sands and turquoise waters, while surfers can head north to Famara Beach for wind and waves. Add in volcanic vineyards at La Geria, where vines grow in black ash pits under the sun, and you've got an island that's equal parts sci-fi and siesta.
Who It Suits
- Couples: Quiet coves, wine tastings, and spectacular sunsets.
- Adventure seekers: Hiking, surfing, cycling, and exploring volcanic terrain.
- Culture buffs: Art trails, local markets, and Manrique's architectural masterpieces.
- Winter-sun fans: Warm, dry weather all year with barely a bad beach day.
How to Get There with Avios
With British Airways reward flights, Lanzarote is closer than you think. Fly from London Gatwick on an off-peak Economy return ticket for 27,500 Avios plus £1 or go Business Class for 48,500 Avios plus £25. Flights to Lanzarote are frequent and affordable, making it one of the easiest islands to reach using Avios points for flights.
British Airways
Fuerteventura
There's a wild, unpredictable sibling in every family, and the Canaries have their wild child as well. Going with the metaphor of the Canary Islands as siblings, Fuerteventura would be the laid-back surfer with the sun-bleached hair, sand between the toes, and permanently in no rush. With over 150km of beaches and barely a bad view, it's the island for travellers who want nature, quiet, and a bit of wind in their hair.
Some Activities We Recommend:
Start in Corralejo, home to rolling sand dunes and turquoise lagoons that look straight out of the Caribbean. From here, you can take a short ferry hop to Lobos Island, a protected nature reserve perfect for hiking and snorkelling. Down south, Sotavento Beach stretches for miles, a haven for windsurfers and kiteboarders chasing the Atlantic breeze.
Inland, volcanic hills and sleepy whitewashed villages create postcard-perfect drives, while Corralejo Natural Park has wide-open landscapes that make you feel like you've landed somewhere far wilder than just a few hours from London. For food, expect freshly grilled fish, local goat cheese, and mojo sauces served in family-run taverns where lunch turns into sunset without warning.
Who It Suits
- Couples: Quiet coves, spa resorts, and barefoot romance.
- Adventure seekers: Windsurfing, kitesurfing, and diving galore.
- Solo travellers: Friendly locals, easy-going atmosphere, and plenty of space to disconnect.
- Wellness travellers: Yoga retreats, spa breaks, and scenic serenity for mind and body.
How to Get There with Avios
Off-peak Economy return British Airways reward flights costs 27,500 Avios plus £1, while off-peak Business Class return flight cost 48,500 Avios plus £25. For easy-going Fuerteventura holidays, this is one of the best-value redemption options available.
Choosing Your Perfect Canary Island
The beauty of the Canary Islands is that there's no wrong choice. Tenerife is your all-rounder, Gran Canaria adds some fast pace into your holiday, Lanzarote seduces with art and lunar landscapes, while Fuerteventura is all about peace and space to breathe.
Whichever island you pick, you're never more than a few hours and a few Avios points away from a week of warm skies and salty air. So next time you're staring out the window at British drizzle, remember: paradise is closer than you think.
