Best Canary Islands

Otherworldly landscapes, lush pine forests and golden sands backed by rolling dunes, the Canary Islands have something for everyone. 

Then there’s the appeal of year-round sunshine within a four-and-a-half-hour flight of the UK.

But which island should you choose for your next getaway? Lanzarote - with its spectacular volcanic landscapes - is the best all-rounder, according to our survey of almost 1,800 holidaymakers. 

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La Gomera is the obvious pick to get away from the crowds: it was the only island to clinch the full five stars for peace and quiet. Meanwhile, beach lovers will be spoilt for choice on Fuerteventura with its 150km of stunning coastline. 

Rugged and forested La Palma struggled to compete with its more popular neighbours with a destination score of just 59%. 

There were not enough responses to rate El Hierro, the smallest and least-populated of the seven main islands. 

Looking for the best towns and resorts in the Canary Islands? Holidaymakers have rated their favourites

The best Canary Islands for your next holiday

Lanzarote - best Canary Island overall

Those put off by its former Lanzagrotty image are missing out. The largest island in the Canaries has reinvented itself, moving away from high-rise developments in favour of traditional white-washed villages. You’ll find yacht-lined marinas and upmarket eateries at fly-and-flop resort Playa Blanca - named after the pale sands of its main beach. The more adventurous can lose themselves in the otherworldly lava fields and volcanic peaks of Timanfaya National Park - also known as Las Montañas de Fuego (Fire Mountains). 

Culture is also more abundant here than you might expect. Tourist attractions - rated three stars by visitors - include the César Manrique trail, showcasing the local artist’s most famous works and buildings. Don’t miss the Jameos del Agua: a series of lava caves converted into a cactus-studded cafe bar and concert hall - inhabited by a colony of tiny albino crabs.

La Gomera - best Canary Island for peace and quiet

La Gomera may be small, but it packs a big punch with wild, mountainous terrain and palm-carpeted valleys. Criss-crossed by 650km of signposted walking trails from top to bottom, it’s a paradise for nature lovers. 

Garajonay National Park is a must-see: with striking rock formations and vast laurel forests thanks to its humid microclimate. Gaze upon the green expanse from the highest point, the peak of the Alto de Garajonay, which is also a great spot for stargazing.

But even La Gomera’s popular beach resorts, like the former fishing village, Playa de Santiago, are tranquil and largely untouched by mass tourism - earning the island the full five stars for peace and quiet. Its black-pebbled shore is backed by steep cliffs and pretty, colourful houses.

One visitor summed up La Gomera by saying: ‘It is only 45 minutes away from Tenerife by ferry but a million miles away in almost every other way.’

Fuerteventura - best Canary Island for beaches

Lying just 100km from the African coast, Fuerteventura isn’t rich in cultural sites (one star) but it was rated an impressive four stars for its beaches - the highest in our survey. At Parque Natural de Corralejo, pristine Sahara-like dunes roll towards a turquoise sea.

Or take the 15-minute boat ride to nearby La Concha on the uninhabited Isle of Lobos - where a horseshoe sweep of fine white sand (formed by the erosion of seashells) is dotted with dark chunks of volcanic rock. 

The summer months are the windiest on Fuerteventura, making it a popular destination for surfers, windsurfers and kiteboarders. It also means you’re unlikely to get overheated. As one holidaymaker put it: ‘Lots of sunshine and a cooling breeze make it an ideal beach holiday with plenty of long sandy beaches to get away from the crowd.’

Want to travel elsewhere in Europe? See how Which? members rated seaside and beach towns in the Mediterranean 

Our research

In July 2024, 1,789 Which? members completed an online survey about Canary Islands visited for a holiday in the past two years. The destination score is based on a combination of overall satisfaction and the likelihood of recommending it. Only islands that were rated by at least 30 members are included.

See our reviews for the best hotels in Gran Canaria