Which is the best Canary Island for a quiet holiday?

Fuerteventura is considered the quiet island of the Canaries, which invites travellers to relax and rest.



For a 2026 holiday focused on peace and "slow travel," La Gomera and La Palma are the best choices. La Gomera, known as the "island that time forgot," has no direct international flights (you usually take a ferry from Tenerife), which keeps the mass-market crowds away. It is a haven for hikers, featuring the misty, ancient laurel forests of Garajonay National Park and quiet, volcanic beaches. La Palma (La Isla Bonita) is another excellent quiet option, famous for its world-class stargazing at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory and its incredibly green, "prehistoric" landscapes. If you prefer the larger islands, Fuerteventura offers vast, nearly empty sand dunes and quiet coastal villages like El Cotillo, provided you stay away from the main resort hubs. These islands offer a stark contrast to the high-energy nightlife and "English breakfast" strips of Tenerife or Gran Canaria, making them the gold standard for those seeking nature and authentic Canarian culture.

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The island of Tenerife receives about 5 million tourists each year, making it the most popular island for tourists. Tourist attractions here include nightlife, walking, and whale-and bird-watching. Loro Parque (meaning Parrot Park) on Tenerife has a collection of 3,000 parrots.

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Gran Canaria is by far the best island for an adults-only holiday in the Canary Islands. Not only does the island have great nightlife in Playa del Ingles, it also has lots of shopping centres in Las Palmas, upscale dining in Puerto de Mogan, lots of things to do and see and many relaxing spas.

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The smallest of the main Canary Islands, El Hierro is also the least touristy. If you want a chilled-out holiday in a small fishing village, with wild empty beaches that harbour some superb diving, then this is the place.

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Where to stay in the Canary Islands on a budget. The most budget-friendly islands in the Canaries are actually the biggest and most popular islands. Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura all offer plenty of package holiday deals and have a wider range of accommodation options than their smaller neighbours ...

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Go for Tenerife if you prefer popular tourist destinations with great restaurants and nightlife. On the other hand, Gran Canaria is your best bet if you want to explore the breathtaking landscapes and outstanding beaches.

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The Canaries' Best Beaches
  • Lanzarote. Lovers of all things sun, sand and sea will find beach paradise in Lanzarote! ...
  • Tenerife. Wide golden arcs add a heavenly holiday spark when it comes to Tenerife's beaches. ...
  • Gran Canaria. ...
  • Fuerteventura.


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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.

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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.

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If you mean beach and sun, the long beaches of Gran Canaria may be what you are looking for; if, on the contrary, you prefer an island with a beach but also with many other plans to do, Lanzarote may be your ideal destination.

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Car-free & stress-free Majestic and wild, Fuerteventura is the second-largest island in the Canary archipelago, full of natural wonders and tourist attractions. Luckily, you don't have to bring along your car to the island or rent one upon arrival, as there are multiple ways to explore Fuerteventura car-free!

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Lanzarote is, for many, the most beautiful of the Canary Islands, while Tenerife offers a greater opportunity to carry out a wide variety of activities for all tastes.

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The south coast beaches like Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos thrum with beach-goers, but those in the know go north instead for a slice of proper coastal wilderness and fewer crowds. Some of the best northern beaches are terrifically secluded, so much so that you can only reach them on foot or by boat.

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Also known as the 'miniature continent', Gran Canaria is renowned for its marked contrasts. On a single day, we can enjoy marvellous beaches surrounded by dunes and climb peaks covered in Canary Island pine forests, with their greenery standing out starkly against the dark volcanic earth.

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Tenerife is not a particularly windy island, although there may be times when the wind is stronger. So, if you want to hit the waves with your surfboard, you can find numerous beaches on the north coast and a few on the south that are perfect for water sports.

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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.

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All male Canaries sing, but it is those bred specifically for song that will deliver the greatest musical performance. The most popular types are the Waterslager, the German Roller, the Russian Singer, the Spanish Timbrado and the American Singer.

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Gran Canaria is most noted for its rugged coastlines, white sandy beaches, calm waters and African-influenced climate.

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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.

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The pro and cons of moving to the different Canary Islands include Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote.
  • Tenerife – Best for everyone including British Expats. ...
  • Fuerteventura – Best for beaches and great value properties. ...
  • Gran Canaria – Best for laid-back holiday homes.


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Tenerife South (TFS) is often used by tourists closer to the sunny resorts south of the island. Tenerife is the easiest island to reach for US visitors, with United Airlines launching a nonstop flight from Newark (EWR) to Tenerife South (TFS) starting June 9, 2022.

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