{"id":2821,"date":"2022-12-25T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-25T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/kanaren-guide-welche-insel-passt\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T13:34:30","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T13:34:30","slug":"kanaren-guide-welche-insel-passt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/canary-islands-guide-which-island-is-right-for-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Canary Islands Guide \u2014 Which island suits you best?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Canary Islands \u2014 seven islands, each with its own unique character. I've traveled to all seven main islands and I'll tell you honestly: the question isn't WHETHER you should go to the Canaries, but WHICH island is right for you. Gran Canaria is so different from Lanzarote, and Tenerife has hardly anything in common with La Palma.<\/p>\n

In this guide, I compare all seven islands in terms of landscape, weather, activities, costs and vibe \u2014 so you know immediately which Canary Island will be your next travel destination.<\/p>\n

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A comparison of the 7 Canary Islands<\/h2>\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Island<\/th>\ncharacter<\/th>\nPerfect for<\/th>\nBudget\/day<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Gran Canaria<\/strong><\/td>\nAll-rounder, miniature continent<\/td>\nFamilies, beach + mountains, nightlife<\/td>\n60\u2013100 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tenerife<\/strong><\/td>\nVolcanic giant, diverse<\/td>\nHikers, Teide, whale watching<\/td>\n60\u2013110 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fuerteventura<\/strong><\/td>\nDesert & Endless Beaches<\/td>\nKitesurfers, beachgoers, peace and quiet<\/td>\n50\u201390 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lanzarote<\/strong><\/td>\nVolcano art, Martian landscape<\/td>\nCulture, drone, wine lover<\/td>\n55\u201395 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
La Palma<\/strong><\/td>\nGreen hiking island, starry sky<\/td>\nHikers, nature, astrophotography<\/td>\n50\u201385 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
La Gomera<\/strong><\/td>\nPrimeval forest, mystical, Garajonay<\/td>\nHikers, those seeking peace and quiet<\/td>\n45\u201380 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
El Hierro<\/strong><\/td>\nSmallest, wildest, quietest<\/td>\nDivers, dropouts, adventurers<\/td>\n40\u201370 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
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Gran Canaria \u2014 The miniature continent<\/h2>\n

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Gran Canaria packs everything onto one island: Saharan dunes (Maspalomas), green mountain valleys (Barranco de Guayadeque), cosmopolitan cities (Las Palmas), and secluded mountain villages. I call it the "miniature continent" because you can lie on the beach in the morning and hike at an altitude of 1,900 meters in the afternoon.<\/p>\n

Highlights:<\/strong> Maspalomas dunes (especially at sunset), Roque Nublo (landmark of the island), Las Palmas old town Vegueta, Puerto de Mog\u00e1n (the \u201eVenice of the Canary Islands\u201c).<\/p>\n

Read my detailed review Gran Canaria travel report<\/a> including all drone footage.<\/p>\n

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Lanzarote \u2014 Where volcanoes meet art<\/h2>\n

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Lanzarote is the most cinematic of the Canary Islands. The volcanic landscape of Timanfaya National Park looks like Mars\u2014red, black, and ochre lava fields as far as the eye can see. Add to that the wine-growing regions of La Geria, where vines grow in volcanic craters.<\/p>\n

The artist C\u00e9sar Manrique shaped the island like no other. His works \u2014 Jameos del Agua, Mirador del R\u00edo, Fundaci\u00f3n C\u00e9sar Manrique \u2014 are artworks that blend seamlessly into the volcanic landscape.<\/p>\n

Lanzarote is absolutely stunning from a drone. The color contrasts between black lava, red sand, and turquoise sea are surreal. My Lanzarote travelogue<\/a> shows the best spots.<\/p>\n

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Fuerteventura \u2014 wind, waves and wide open spaces<\/h2>\n

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Fuerteventura is the island for kitesurfers, surfers, and anyone looking for endless beaches without crowds. The island is flat, dry, and windy\u2014perfect conditions for water sports.<\/p>\n

The beaches are the most beautiful in the Canary Islands: Playa de Cofete (wild and secluded), Playa de Sotavento (kitesurfing paradise), El Cotillo (surfer village). The desert landscape inland is photogenic, but less spectacular than Lanzarote's volcanoes.<\/p>\n

All the details are in my Fuerteventura travel report<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Tenerife \u2014 Mount Teide and more<\/h2>\n

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Tenerife is dominated by Spain's highest mountain \u2014 Mount Teide (3,718m). The caldera surrounding the volcano is a lunar landscape that is particularly magical at sunrise. The cable car takes you to 3,555m (summit only with a permit).<\/p>\n

In the north, Tenerife is green and lush (Anaga Mountains, laurel forests), while in the south it is dry and touristy (Playa de las Am\u00e9ricas). Puerto de la Cruz in the north is the most charming town on the island.<\/p>\n

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Madeira \u2014 The Flower Island (Bonus Recommendation)<\/h2>\n

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Technically not a Canary Island (but belonging to Portugal), but often combined in the same trip. Madeira is the hiker's paradise of the Atlantic \u2014 the famous Levada walks lead along historic irrigation channels through laurel forests and spectacular gorges.<\/p>\n

More on this in my Madeira travel report<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Which island is right for you? \u2014 Decision-making aid<\/h2>\n

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