Best resorts in the Canary Islands

To help you plan your next holiday to the Canary Islands, we asked over 1200 Which? members to rate their overall experience in a Canary Island resort they visited in the past two years. 

They rated everything from the beaches to scenery, their accommodation to value for money, and whether the resort offered peace and quiet. So, whether you’re looking for upmarket hotels in lesser-known areas of the islands, serene fishing villages or wild volcanic trails, you’ll find a recommended resort for you. 

Which is the least touristy Canary Island? Where can I find the best hotels in Gran Canaria? Where is nicer, Tenerife or Lanzarote? Where are the best beaches and the least tacky resorts? Read on to find out.

Anti-tourism protests: Is it safe to go on holiday to the Canary Islands?

You may be thinking twice about the Canaries after recent anti-tourism protests. Don’t worry. The islands remain as welcoming as ever. There is, however, an onus on holidaymakers to visit responsibly – scroll to the end of this article to learn how to do your bit. 

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 Canary Island towns and resorts rated

Here are the best and worst towns and resorts in the Canary Island, as voted for by you.

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

Which part of Gran Canaria is the best to stay in?

Best resort in Gran Canaria — Puerto de Mogán Gran Canaria 90%

It’s no wonder that this resort tops the table once again in our annual survey – Mogán’s hotels are among the best that you’ll book in the Canaries (five stars), and it was the only destination that scored four stars for value for money.

After relaxing on the stunning sheltered beaches and exploring the charming old town, you’ll dine well here too – Which? Members gave this yachtie-frequented resort four stars for its eateries, too. 

The spot has dropped a couple of stars when it comes to peace and quiet since our last survey 2020 due to day trippers swinging by, but if the beach gets crowded, jump in the car and explore more of the west of the island - the most remote and under-visited part of Gran Canaria.

Make sure you book your trip with a Which? Recommended Provider. Jet2, Kuoni and Trailfinders all scored at least 82% in our latest survey of package holiday providers.

Read our review of Puerto de Mogan's best hotel, the Hotel Cordial Playa Mogan, and listen to our Which? Shorts podcast to learn more about the history of Gran Canaria.

 Which part of Lanzarote is best to stay in?

Best resort in Lanzarote — Playa Blanca 77%

With a resort that’s smaller and smarter than others on the island, Playa Blanca, at the Southern tip of Lanzarote was rated better than average for tranquility – no riotous party bars to be seen here.

Playa Blanca is named due to the pale, talcum powder sand of its main beach. And it reigned supreme when compared with other resorts in Lanzarote. The resort has an undeniably upmarket feel to it, particularly at the Marina Rubicon, with its numerous al fresco eateries and swanky yachts moored on the quay.

You’ll find a good spread of dining options, decent hotel complexes (though bear in mind only a few are by the sea), and, of course, the white beach that christened this top-scoring resort. So, the next time anyone makes tired jokes about 'Lanzagrotty', cough politely and point them towards Playa Blanca.

To experience a different side of Canarian life, drive inland 10 minutes to Femes. This little hamlet with its traditional whitewashed homes scattered about the hillside is the place for some peace and quiet.

Book your trip to Lanzarote with a Which? Recommended Provider, like top-rated providers Jet2, Kuoni and Trailfinders.

Which part of Tenerife is best to stay in?

Best Resort in Tenerife — Costa Adeje 75%

If you’re looking for a top hotel positioned right on the coast, opt for Costa Adeje. Which? Members rated its hotels top marks, from the Bahia del Duque (grande dame of hospitality) to the stylish adults-only Royal Hideaway Corales Beach, or a family favourite such as Iberostar Selection Anthelia, there’s something for everyone.

There’s plenty of attractions and shopping options: waterparks, cruises, wild beaches like Hernández (if you don’t mind nudists), and even the al fresco Plaza del Duque shopping centre, near to the resort’s most celebrated beach, Playa del Duque. It's also right next to the ferry at Los Cristianos to La Gomera island.

Always book your trip with a Which? Recommended provider. Head to Jet2, Kuoni or Trailfinders to browse holidays in Tenerife now.

 Which part of Fuerteventura is best to stay in?

Best Resort In Fuerteventura — Corralejo 69%

Corralejo – a modern working town on Fuerteventura’s north tip – is the Canaries resort for people who don’t like resorts. Packed with easy-going authenticity, it's as much for locals and tourists. 

Corralejo was rated four stars for its down to earth accommodation. The nearby Corralejo National Park is six miles of Sahara-esque sand lapped by a turquoise sea. You can also take a surf or kiteboard lesson in the near-constant breeze, or take a ferry to go mountain biking and hiking in the uninhabited Isla de Lobos.

Considering a trip? Make sure you book your holiday with a reputable operator, such as Jet2, Kuoni or Trailfinders — all scored 82% or more in our latest survey of the best beach holiday providers.

Best resort for peace and quiet

Playa de Santiago, La Gomera 73%

First, the bad news. Getting to La Gomera, the Canaries’ second smallest island, is a challenge. You have to take a domestic flight after your 4.5-hour flight from the UK, or board a ferry as the last leg of an all-day flight-bus-ferry odyssey. Now the good news: it’s worth it — it was the only resort awarded four stars for peace and quiet. 

The former fishing village is a modest grid of a dozen or so streets, with no shots-bars or discos and only a few shops. Yes, the one-star beach is a shocker by Canaries standards (it’s built of grey shingle), but it’s the perfect place to breakfast slowly, swim, take lunch at a chiringuito (beach bar), siesta. Repeat.

When booking your holiday, avoid nasty surprises by booking with a Which? Recommended Provider, like Jet2, Kuoni or Trailfinders.

Worst resort for peace and quiet

Playa de las Americas Tenerife 68%

To be fair to Tenerife’s infamous resort, it does what it does well. Built from   the late 1960s, it never pretended to be anything other than somewhere for sun, sea and sand, all delivered through cut-price all-inclusive package holidays and spiced by raucous nightlife on 'The Golden Mile'. If you’re looking for intoxicated chaos and hedonism, you’ll almost certainly have a blast. Otherwise, it’s a destination with a charm bypass.

 Which is the prettiest Canary Island resort?

Top rated Puerto de Mogán in Gran Canaria stole the show in our 2024 survey, as the only resort awarded four stars for its scenery. 

But if photo opportunities are what you’re after, consider the underrated island of La Palma. Beauty here doesn’t come in the form of sand in shades of gold, lapped by a turquoise ocean, but 'La Isla Bonita' (the Pretty Island) certainly lives up to its marketing moniker. 

If it’s beaches to yourself you want, jump on a ferry to La Graciosa island. Regular boats leave from Orzola in northern Lanzarote en route to the sandy islet. It’s a rough but blissfully short journey and soon enough you find yourself in the whitewashed pueblo of Caleta de Sebo.

Which is the most interesting Canary Island resort?

Most people book the Canaries for a beach break. Those who don’t, choose Gran Canaria’s Las Palmas. This spot won one of the top overall ratings for its attractions in our latest survey. And with good reason – it’s the only destination in the archipelago where you feel the pulse of history, with plenty of historical hotspots, museums and even a 16th-century cathedral on handsome Plaza Mayor (don’t miss the tower viewpoint).

Or, you might consider a visit to Tenerife’s Puerto de la Cruz, which scored a decent 71% overall and also received one of the top ratings for tourist attractions.

What are the 7 Canary Islands called?

The main Canary Islands, from largest to smallest, are:

• Tenerife
• Fuerteventura
• Gran Canaria
• Lanzarote
• La Palma
• La Gomera
• El Hierro

Why are people protesting in the Canary Islands?

‘Canarias tiene un limite’, read the banners at  demonstrations across the islands in April – the Canaries have a limit.The 35,000-plus protestors had come out against the Canary Islands’ tourism strategy not tourists themselves, but until that changes there’s a duty on visitors – 13.9 million in 2023 (seven times the resident population) to visit responsibly.

How to be a better tourist in the Canary Islands:

Book family-owned hotels

A major source of friction is international mega-hotels which siphon money from the islands’ economy. Iberostar is a multinational, but Spanish family owned and rated the top international hotel chain in our survey.

Try to avoid holiday homes and apartments 

These also reduce the pool of properties available to residents.

Dine in local restaurants

Put your money in locals’ pockets by eating out at locally-owned eateries, and consider tipping – for example, a 10% tip is appreciated, even if it isn’t compulsory.

Don’t change towels and sheets every day

Try your best to conserve water. The Canaries are suffering their worst drought since records began and tourist areas use up to six times more water than residents. Not changing towels and sheets each day makes a big difference.

Canary Islands weather

Are the Canary Islands warm all year? Due to their subtropical climate, the Canary Islands experience warm autumns and mild winters with max temperatures of 18-21 degrees and six to seven hours of sunshine, compared to the UK’s 7-10 degrees and one hour or two hours of daily sunshine.

Canary Islands weather by month

Average maximum temperatures according to Weather2Travel:

January - 18°C

February - 19°C

March - 20°C

April - 20°C

May - 21°C

June - 23°C

July - 26°C

August - 27°C

September - 26°C

October - 24°C

November - 21°C

December - 29°C

Our research

In July 2024 we surveyed Which? members about 1,236 experiences of staying in a Canary Island resort town in the last two years. Star ratings out of five. A dash (-) indicates not enough responses to provide a rating. Resort score based on a combination of overall satisfaction and likelihood of recommending

Sample sizes: Puerto Mogan (49), Playa Blanca (155), Costa Adeje (140), Costa Teguise (97), Las Palmas (33), Puerto del Carmen (71), Playa de Santiago (34), Puerto de la cruz (46), Corralejo (65), Playa de las Americas (44), Golf del Sur (32), Los Cristianos (51), Maspalomas (40), Caleta de Fuste (Costa Caleta) (49), Playa del Ingles (30).