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12 Things to do in the Canary Islands
From the Timanfaya National Park to the tallest mountain in Spain, find out which are the 12 best things to do in the Canary Islands
Geographically located in Africa, but an autonomous community of Spain, the Canary Islands should be top of any travel bucket list. From relaxing on Maspalomas beach to reaching heights of 12,000 feet on Mount Teide, there’s a unique blend of things to do in the Canary Islands.
Unsure how best to explore these stunning islands that seem to be taken straight from a Tolkien book? Our guide of 12 top things – plus a way to stay connected with unlimited data as you travel – is a great place to start your journey in the Canaries. Let’s dive in!
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1. Hike Mount Teide, the tallest Spanish mountain
Mount Teide, also known as Echeyde by the Guanches, is the tallest mountain in Spain. Hiking is one of the best things to do in the Canary Islands for nature lovers.
The mountain is located in the Parque Nacional del Teide, a UNESCO-listed National Park covering 73 square miles on the island of Tenerife.
If hiking isn’t your forte but you still want to see the incredible views from the top, you can quickly reach the summit by taking the cable car and arriving on El Teide’s southern flank, where you’ll be at 11,663 feet, less than 500 feet from the top of the mountain.
You’ll need to book a free pass to reach the summit, and it’s best to aim for the early morning or late afternoon so as to avoid the heaviest crowds.
Make sure you add the mountain trails to your visit, where you’ll see unique-colored rocks, lava deposits, and at night, a sky full of stars.
2. Watch the shadow of Mount Teide from different islands
Not only does Mount Teide feel like an otherworldly place, but it also casts the largest shadow in the world over the sea.
So, heading over to La Gomera or Gran Canaria, you’ll see the Teide’s silhouette grow progressively on the sea while the sun moves throughout the day.
3. Travel back in time to Pirámides de Güímar
The Pirámides de Güímar is a place full of mystery; there’s no clear information about how it was built, making it a point of interest for visitors.
When visiting the pyramids, make the most of the museum, botanical gardens, and tours of the pyramids and surrounding areas.
To enter, choose between four types of tickets:
- Pyramids & much more €12 (~$13.65 USD): Access to the pyramids, museum, auditorium, outdoor routes, sustainable garden, and a unique visit to an ocean of plastic.
- Premium Experience €18 (~$19.66): Includes the standard activities, plus the Poison Garden, Polynesia, and access to El Tropicarium if available.
- Premium + audioguide €26 (~$28.40): Includes all the Premium benefits and a guide in seven languages.
- Guided tours €22.50 (~$24.58): Explore park activities with expert guides in four languages.
Lastly, after a visit, you can visit the Kon-Tiki cafeteria and buy some souvenirs to take back home.
4. Experience the colorful Tenerife Carnival
For 15 days, the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival fills the streets, creating a vibrant atmosphere of joy, colorful costumes, parades, and parties, meaning you won’t have to worry about what to do in the Canary Islands for two weeks.
Considered one of the biggest carnivals in the world, the Tenerife Carnival has an activity for all types of people. You can go to the bohemian parades, attend the gala party where the Carnival Queen is chosen, and end the day by going to one of the beautiful beaches on the island.
The carnival celebrations usually begin at the end of January. However, the main events occur during the first two weeks of March, so plan your trip for the last days of February or the beginning of March.
Lastly, pack t-shirts, shorts, and comfy shoes for day and night; you’ll need them to keep up with the carnival’s pace.
4. Enjoy outdoor activities at the Timanfaya National Park
The Timanfaya National Park, located in Lanzarote, is home to one of the most impressive volcanic landscapes on the islands.
This national park resulted from several volcanic eruptions in 1720, 1736, and 1824. These eruptions have created a unique landscape that is the only entirely geological national park in Spain.
This park lacks vegetation, and the nearby terrain is extremely rugged, mixing with various colors and silhouettes from the remaining volcanoes. Also, the volcanic landscape mixes with the Lanzarote coastline, creating a beautiful scenery.
You’ll find plenty of things to do at the park, like going for a camel ride, visiting Las Montañas del Fuego, or visiting the visitor centers. Or you could venture to the nearby vineyards for some wine tasting.
The entry ticket costs €10 ( ~$10.85) for children from seven to 12 and €20 (~$21.71) for adults.
6. Explore the creativity of César Manrique
César Manrique is one of the most outstanding artists from the Canaries. Most of his work is found in Lanzarote, where visitors can uniquely appreciate the beauty of nature through abstract paintings inspired by the landscapes of his homeland.
For his unique artwork, Manrique earned two major honors: the Art Prizer from the Canarian Government and the World Prize for Ecology and Tourism in Berlin.
Another place worth visiting is the Fundación César Manrique, which is built into lava flows that run through the island.
But there’s much more to see, like the Jameos del Agua, Mirador del Rio, Jardín de Cactus, or the Juguetes del Viento.
7. Spend a day watching the marine wildlife
The Canary Islands are home to abundant marine wildlife, the most iconic of which are its whales; because of this, a 772-square-mile area has been turned into a Whale Heritage Area, attracting thousands of visitors yearly.
But the Atlantic waters surrounding the Canary Islands are not just home to whales; creatures like bottlenose and other dolphin species are usually found in the region, so if you go in the afternoon, you’ll get a breathtaking sunset with dolphins playing in the water for a unique scenario.
The best way to spend a day watching marine creatures is to take a tour with experts in the region, which ranges from €65 (~$71) for public tours to €650 (~$710) for private tours.
8. Take a day trip to El Hierro
One of the Canary Islands’ hidden gems is El Hierro, located in the region’s westernmost island.
El Hierro is a UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve where visitors can enjoy countless activities, such as:
- Attending the Bajada de la Virgen de los Reyes, which will be held this year in July.
- Visiting the Pico de Malpaso, the highest mountain on the island.
- Watching unique wildlife, like the El Hierro giant lizard or the Sabina, the two most important natural symbols on the island.
But there’s more, as El Hierro is home to beautiful natural pools, which you have to visit while on the island. Some of these pools are Los Sargos, Tamaduste, Charco Azul, and Charco Manso, which have clear blue waters from the Atlantic Ocean.
To visit El Hierro, you’ll have to take a ferry, which costs around €51 (~$55.70) for a one-way ticket, meaning you’ll spend €102 (~$111.42) from Tenerife. Alternatively, you can take a flight from Tenerife, which can cost as little as €39 (~$42.60) for a return ticket.
9. Visit the breathtaking Jameos del Agua
The Jameos del Agua combines natural beauty and artistic expression in the Haria, Lanzarote.
This cave was formed around 10,000 years ago from the lava flow in the region, creating a unique system with a clear-water lagoon and unique marine creatures, like blind crabs.
The natural beauty of the Jameos del Agua is mixed with the artistic expressions of César Manrique, who helped to create an underground restaurant, cafe, and a small stage where local music bands perform.
This place is the ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts and photography lovers, as the unique structure of the cave and the lagoon create a mesmerizing landscape. And you can enjoy all this while drinking a refreshing
Make sure to book your entry tickets online before arriving. These range from €16 (~$17.48) for the Jameos del Agua only or €21.20 (~$23.16) for the Jameos plus the Casa de los Volcanes.
10. Spend a day on Playa de Maspalomas
Although there are many beautiful beaches in the Canary Islands, Playa de Maspalomas is a top-tier destination that should be included in any Spain travel guide.
This beach is a must-go for visitors in Maspalomas’s southern area. The honey-colored sands and the deep-blue waters create the perfect spot for relaxing by the beach.
Once you’ve finished your tan and taken enough photos, you can walk to the beach’s lighthouse for a unique view of Maspalomas Island. Or perhaps you can wait until the sunset and see how the dunes turn into a golden-colored scenario.
However, suppose you’re staying longer in Maspalomas. In that case, you can move away from the beach, explore the sand dunes and natural reserves, or visit Aqualand or Holiday World for extra fun.
11. Admire a sky full of stars in La Palma
La Palma is not only a paradise to turquoise waters, a mix of ecosystems, and breathtaking sightseeing points like the Roque de los Muchachos, but it’s also home to one of the best places to spend a night watching the stars.
Compared to other islands in the Canaries, La Palma’s sky lacks light pollution, allowing you to watch a sky full of stars, just like in the Coldplay song, making this the ideal place to enjoy some astrotourism.
Las Palmas offers more than just lying on the floor and watching the night sky, as you can visit strategic astronomical viewpoints for a deeper look at the night sky.
The best place to view the moon, planets, and constellations is, without a doubt, the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, located over 8,500 feet tall. You can visit it with local guides for a small fee of €15 to €20 (~$16.38 to $21.84).
12. Explore the nature at Garajonay Park
If you’re up for an ecotourism adventure, the Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, is a place you can’t miss in La Gomera.
This leafy forest has evolved since the Tertiary Age, creating a unique ecosystem of different laurel forest species and unique wildlife.
Within the park, you can find different activities to do, like visiting El Cedro Forest, spending the day at the Laguna Grande recreation zone, or listening to the legends of Gara and Jonay to learn more about the name of this national park.
Aside from hiking and listening to local legends, Garajonay Park is also home to a free visitor center where you can watch exhibitions and audiovisuals related to the national park and the island.
To visit this park, you’ll have to take a ferry from any other island to San Sebastían de la Gomera and then, depending on where you want to start your visit, take a bus to Valle Gran Rey, Vallehermoso or Playa Santiago.
Enjoy the best things to do in the Canary Islands with Holafly
The Canary Islands are among the most unique destinations in Spain. Whether you want to hike to a tall mountain with little to no effort, enjoy a 15-day-long carnival, or simply chill at a beautiful beach, these islands have everything you need.
However, no trip is complete without internet in Spain. You’ll need it to check maps as you drive around the islands looking for the Canary Islands tourist attractions or use translation apps at local restaurants.
That’s where choosing the best eSIM for Spain becomes an important part of your trip, as it makes connectivity easier from the moment you arrive.
For us, the Holafly eSIM for the Canary Islands is your best call. You’ll get unlimited data starting at $6.90 and costing as little as $1.55 per day for long-term travelers. Plus, it includes 500 MB of data sharing daily, 5G connectivity when available, and 24/7 customer support.
But if you’re a more demanding user or a digital nomad who wants to explore the Canary Islands, Holafly Connect is what you need. With this subscription, you’ll get the following benefits for $64.90 per month:
- Unlimited data
- Unlimited data sharing
- 24/7 customer support in different languages
- Unlimited monthly renewal
So, grab your luggage and prepare to visit one of the most iconic destinations in Spain with Holafly and forget about data roaming charges.
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I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
