My daughter had her first journey overseas to Lanzarote aged simply three months, so it’ll shock no-one once I say that I’m an enormous fan of visiting the Canary Islands with youngsters.
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However whereas the winter solar and beautiful seashores are at all times tempting, there’s much more to find: in all, there are eight important islands and a number of other smaller islets making up the Canary Islands.
Some islands are as much as 20 million years outdated and have been created by a collection of volcanic eruptions on the ocean ground, resulting in memorably distinctive landscapes – you’ll be able to nonetheless go to a volcano, in addition to going whale watching and extra adventures away from the waterparks.
So in the event you’re questioning the place to start, this information to the Canary Islands with youngsters provides you concepts on planning your loved ones vacation within the Canary Islands, concepts for an island hop, when to go, the place to remain and extra.
Sensible data
Attending to the Canary Islands
There are at present eight airports within the Canary Islands; Gran Canaria (LPA), Tenerife North (TFN), Tenerife South (TFS), Fuerteventura (FUE), Lanzarote (ACE), La Palma (SPC), La Gomera (GMZ), and El Hierro (VDE). La Graciosa and the smaller islets don’t have airports.
Most European airways fly into Gran Canaria or Tenerife the place 80% of the islands’ whole inhabitants lives, whereas some additionally fly to Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and La Palma.
La Gomera and El Hierro are regional airports which might be solely accessible with a connecting flight from elsewhere within the Canaries.
There are additionally ferry routes between the islands together with Tenerife to La Gomera and Gran Canaria, Lanzarote to Fuerteventura: Aferry or the Ferryhopper web site is an efficient solution to evaluate routes and costs.
In case you’re travelling from outdoors Europe, most flights join in a bigger metropolis on the Spanish mainland, akin to Barcelona or Madrid, en path to the Canary Islands.
When to go
Often known as the ‘islands of everlasting Spring’ for his or her delicate and dry year-round local weather, there’s no dangerous time to go to the Canary Islands with youngsters.
Through the peak summer time months of July and August, temperatures can simply attain 30C+. Don’t be fooled by the ocean breezes both, though they’re nice for cooling you down, the solar will probably be fierce.
This can be a nice time of 12 months for lounging round on the seashores or having fun with the islands’ many waterparks and watersports. However in all probability a bit too scorching for actions like mountaineering, biking, or sightseeing with little ones.
In winter, you’ll be able to anticipate common temperatures of 16-21C, making the Canaries a well-liked vacation spot for winter solar for households. It’s nonetheless heat sufficient to profit from the islands’ lovely seashores (together with some with volcanic black sand), however cool sufficient for trekking by the nationwide parks or exploring historic cities and cities.
Tenerife Carnival takes place in February every year and is the second-largest on the earth after Rio, making that an thrilling month to go to. However anticipate costs to be excessive and motels to be booked up far prematurely.
Spring is a good time to see the dramatic landscapes and wildlife come to life. Flowers are blooming and the dolphins and whales are returning to the coastlines. Plus there are many enjoyable Easter actions for households going down at motels and resorts all throughout the islands.
Top-of-the-line instances of 12 months to go to the Canary Islands needs to be September and October. The temperatures are excessive and the ocean remains to be beautiful and heat for swimming, however the evenings are cooling down sufficient to wander round cities and discover the spectacular pure surroundings.
The Canaries are a well-liked vacation vacation spot all all year long so that you received’t discover an enormous variation in costs relying on whenever you go to. College holidays trigger a slight enhance in vacationer numbers, however the islands stay pretty busy all 12 months spherical.
What to see
The Canary Islands are made up of eight important islands and a number of other smaller islets, so that you’ve acquired loads of alternative in the event you’re making an attempt to determine on the very best Canary Island for households.
Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura are the 4 largest islands and the preferred with vacationers, so additionally they are usually the very best Canary Island for youths in the case of sights, whereas the smaller islands are usually finest if your loved ones loves mountaineering, or need to get proper off the overwhelmed monitor.
Tenerife
Some of the well-liked for households, there’s a string of family-friendly resorts on the west coast particularly. Nevertheless it’s additionally straightforward to discover a very totally different facet to the island.
Dwelling to Spain’s tallest peak, Mount Teide, you’ll be able to discover volcanic landscapes and wander by a dusting of snow at some instances of the 12 months – there’s additionally nice star-gazing to be discovered.
The island’s inexperienced north is a complete distinction to the seashores too, with black sand seashores, small villages, forests and strolling trails to discover.
Gran Canaria
This island has its personal temptations for these searching for sea, sand and solar. Right here most resorts are clustered across the southern finish of the island, however enterprise into the centre and also you’ll uncover cave properties and dramatic mountain landscapes.
Maspalomas is residence to dramatic sand dunes which seem like they’ve come straight from the Sahara, plus there’s uncommon historical past – Christopher Columbus stayed on the island, and there’s even a rum distillery right here.
Lanzarote
The black volcanic panorama here’s a world away from visions of gold sand seashores (although yow will discover these too) however for me, it makes it probably the most fascinating of the Canary Islands with youngsters.
Enterprise into Timanfaya Nationwide Park, to be taught extra concerning the damaging energy of the 18th century eruption and really feel the warmth of lava underneath your ft, then uncover the vineyards which flourish on this apparently barren panorama.
Native artist Cesar Manrique has additionally left his mark on the islands, with their low rise white buildings and artworks and sculptures dotted round.
Fuerteventura
Named for its robust winds, the least visited of the 4 important islands is a haven for kite surfers and also you’ll see windmills throughout the panorama.
There are nature reserves to discover too: your entire island is a Unesco Biosphere reserve, together with some dazzling seashores.
Under is a short introduction to the principle islands of the Canaries and their highlights.
Detailed articles
For extra recommendations on visiting the Canary Islands with youngsters, take a look at a few of my posts:
Tenerife
The highest issues to do in Tenerife with youngsters
Ideas for visiting Siam Park, Tenerife – the world’s finest water park
4 surprising issues to to in Tenerife
Gran Canaria
The highest issues to do in Gran Canaria with youngsters
A information to Gran Canaria with youngsters
Visiting Aqualand, Gran Canaria, with youngsters
Household time out at Palmitos Park Zoo, Gran Canaria
A Maspalomas camel experience on the dunes of Gran Canaria
Puerto de Mogan boat journey, Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria’s cave restaurant – and automobile heaven
Honey rum in Arucas, Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria in footage
Lanzarote
The highest issues to do in Lanzarote with youngsters
The place to eat in Playa Blanca with youngsters
Lanzarote: the child and the volcano – visiting Timanfaya with a child
Lanzarote’s pirate museum – parrot not included
Lanzarote: vines and volcanoes
A viewpoint and a volcanic cavern – exploring Lanzarote with a child
Arrecife: tapas, lagoon, child
Fuerteventura
Winter solar holidays in Fuertventura with youngsters
Climbing Calderon Hondo with youngsters
Dolphin watching in Fuerteventura – boat tour evaluation
Travelling throughout the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are properly related to one another by boat. Frequent ferries hyperlink the islands’ important ports. Tenerife and Gran Canaria are the principle hubs for island hopping, though there’s additionally a route from Lanzarote to Fuerteventura.
Whereas inside flights could also be faster, inter-island ferries are the extra enjoyable and enjoyable solution to journey. You may benefit from the views of islands from the water and perhaps even spot some whales and dolphins alongside the way in which.
Ferries take wherever between half-hour and a number of other hours relying on the islands you’re travelling between. Aferry or the Ferryhopper web site is an efficient solution to evaluate routes and costs.
On the islands, rental vehicles are often one of the simplest ways to get round until you be a part of an organised tour. There are additionally native buses and taxis (although these will be pricy). Tenerife is the one island with a light-weight rail community.
Hiring a rental automobile is nice for exploring the islands at your individual tempo and discovering off-the-beaten-path locations and quiet secluded seashores, together with among the well-known stretches of volcanic black sand – Zest automobile rent is one in all my very own favorite websites to check rental costs and guide, whereas I’ve additionally had good experiences with native firm Cicar.
You do not want to get an Worldwide Driving Allow in your house nation with the intention to drive in Spain in the event you’re coming from the UK and your journey lasts lower than six months, however it could be required for drivers from the US.
Native buses, or guaguas, are essentially the most reasonably priced solution to journey. Routes run between the principle cities, seashore resorts, and main sights on every island. Buses on Tenerife and Gran Canaria are essentially the most frequent and extra tailor-made in the direction of vacationers. On the smaller islands, buses are geared in the direction of the locals, so aren’t fairly as handy.
Taxis are additionally helpful for travelling shorter distances inside specific areas. However they’ll add up in the event you’re transferring round an island.
Flight assets
Skyscanner is the web site I have a tendency to begin with to check charges for my flights.
Cash-saving tip: Don’t enter any dates to scan the very best out there instances to go OR merely enter ‘Spain’ as a substitute of a selected airport – it’s possible you’ll get a less expensive flight!
For extra methods to avoid wasting for holidays and metropolis breaks with youngsters, take a look at my high ideas
Lodging assets
Once I go to, I usually choose to guide a villa to offer me loads of house whereas exploring the Canary Islands with youngsters, in addition to all of the amenities together with a kitchen and often a non-public pool (usually unheated although).
Corporations like Plumguide which has a variety of lodging that’s been individually vetted, notably on Gran Canaria, and which you’ll filter in the event you’re travelling with infants or youngsters. Or for a extra luxurious villa keep, High Villas additionally has some beautiful lodging.
A few of the huge bundle vacation operators like TUI have a mixture of self-catering flats within the Canary Islands proper as much as all-inclusive motels.
Jet2Holidays additionally has a variety of locations to remain within the Canary Islands with youngsters, together with lodging on a number of totally different islands and flights included, in addition to villa holidays within the Canary Islands.
For traditional resort stays, Reserving.com often affords the very best offers, together with free cancellation, or take a look at motels.com.
Security ideas
The Canary Islands are one of many most secure locations in all of Europe. Crime charges are extraordinarily low – a lot decrease than the European common and even that of mainland Spain.
As with most tourist-heavy locations, pickpocketing and petty theft can happen. Take fundamental precautions and take care of your belongings. Don’t depart any valuables unattended on the seashore.
Cash-saving ideas
The Canary Islands are an amazing vacation spot for travellers of all budgets. From reasonably priced self-catering flats to luxurious seashore resorts, there’s one thing for everybody. In case you are visiting on a finances, there are many straightforward methods to economize within the Canaries.
Stick to at least one island relatively than leaping round on planes or ferries.
Spring and Autumn are barely cheaper than Summer time and Winter.
Take into account finances lodging within the cities relatively than luxurious seashore resorts.
Seize native produce from the market, then pack a picnic and eat on the seashore.
Eat out at lunchtime and select the ‘menú del día’, a set three-course meal for round €10-15 per particular person.
Hire a motorbike and cycle across the cities or resort areas relatively than utilizing taxis.
Profit from the free actions to do, akin to enjoyable on the seashore or mountaineering.
Packing for the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are heat and sunny all 12 months spherical. Be sure that to pack sunscreen, aftersun, solar hats, and water bottles. The mild sea breeze can lull you right into a false sense of safety and it’s possible you’ll not at all times realise how scorching it’s so positively lather the household in loads of solar cream daily.
Swimming, water parks, and watersports are among the hottest actions on the islands – no matter you do, don’t neglect your swimwear.
In case you plan on exploring the islands’ distinctive terrain or climbing one of many many volcanoes, you’ll additionally need sturdy and comfy strolling sneakers and a few mild layers.
Take a look at my full household vacation journey planner right here, together with packing lists and extra
E book listing
Lonely Planet guides are at all times my favorite place to begin – the Lonely Planet Information to the Canary Islands covers the entire group or attempt the Pocket Tenerife information in the event you’re visiting that island solely.
There’s additionally a Mini Tough Information to Lanzarote & Fuerteventura or an identical Inside Guides Pocket information.
Whereas there are not any information books on the Canary Islands for youths particularly, it’s price grabbing a replica of I Spy on the Seaside to maintain them entertained on the seashore, one in all my household seashore necessities.
*Final up to date 2025*
Disclosure: This submit comprises affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
Playa Blanca photographs copyright MummyTravels, all others photographs courtesy of Depositphotos
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