Are Canary Islands safe for tourists?

Watch out for flags indicating water safety on the beaches and don't go swimming if a red flag is flying. The Canary Islands have very low crime rates. The most serious tourist crime is often the pick pocketing of wallets, phones and passports in beach resorts. Keep a copy of your passport in your accommodation.



People Also Ask

Areas to Avoid Because of its volcanic background, most beaches in Tenerife are volcanic with black sand which can be hot under the feet. If you're after a traditional sandy beach head to Los Cristianos and leave the southern resorts alone. Playa la Arena is also notorious for pickpockets.

MORE DETAILS

Where are the less touristy areas of the Canary Islands? The best islands for a relaxing holiday are La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma. These have little traffic, untouched beaches, not a lot of tourism and pretty much no loud nightlife.

MORE DETAILS

Can you drink the tap water in Tenerife? People in the Canary Islands tend to buy bottled water because much of the tap water here is desalinated sea water – it's safe to drink but not particularly pleasant taste-wise.

MORE DETAILS

The luxury of Living in Exclusive Homes The most exclusive residential areas are Tafira, Santa Brígida and Maspalomas in Gran Canaria; La Orotava, Tacoronte, Puerto de la Cruz and La Laguna in Tenerife and Puerto Calero in Lanzarote.

MORE DETAILS

With average asking prices of just under 4,000 euros/m2, Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas are the most expensive areas in the Canary Islands. In the luxurious Abama Resort in Guía de Isora, however, you can expect to pay around 6,500 euro/m2.

MORE DETAILS

Lanzarote. Lanzarote tends to be the hottest and most arid of the Canaries, as it is closest to the Sahara desert and because it is one of the lowest lying islands. The Sahara can bring high temperatures and fine sand to Lanzarote, causing occasional heatwaves.

MORE DETAILS

The Canary Islands region is still volcanically active. The most recent volcanic eruption on land occurred in 2021 and the most recent underwater eruption was in 2011-12.

MORE DETAILS

The island of La Palma in the Canary Islands is at risk of undergoing a large landslide, which could cause a tsunami in the Atlantic Ocean.

MORE DETAILS

if you prefer a relaxing holiday in quiet resorts, some of the places to avoid in Gran Canaria include areas where mass tourism is prevalent, such as the resorts of Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas. The island offers so much more than this, with diverse landscapes to explore, and a myriad of activities to enjoy.

MORE DETAILS

Even better, house prices in Las Canarias are fairly affordable, if you know where to look… the two cheapest Canary Islands to buy property are Tenerife and Gran Canaria.

MORE DETAILS

Living in the Canary Islands is affordable. It's cheaper than the UK in a heap of aspects. For example, data from Numbeo suggests rental prices in the Canary Islands are 73.28% lower than in London, on average. Groceries are kinder to the bank balance too.

MORE DETAILS

November is the cheapest time to go to Canary Islands when many resorts have special fall offers that can save you a lot of money on your vacation. However, Canary Islands in November start to see a slight increase in rainfall, so don't forget to pack an umbrella.

MORE DETAILS

Lanzarote is often referred to as the best Canary Island for beaches and Caletón Blanco is one that belongs on postcards. Squish your toes in pristine white sand on your way to sinking into serene water so clear you can see nail polish shining brightly on the bottom.

MORE DETAILS

Near the island, predators such as sharks are very rare visitors, and the same goes for stinging jellyfish. In general, the water in Tenerife is safe for swimming, but it's still important to take precautions. Don't forget sunscreen even on cloudy days.

MORE DETAILS

Stay safe while having fun in the Atlantic The beaches of the Canaries are among the safest in the world – over 60 stretches of sand have received the coveted Blue Flag award. Lifesavers often patrol the beaches, so everyone can safely enjoy the ocean.

MORE DETAILS