A little more
Canary Islands.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to Canary Islands: what to know before you go

The Canary Islands are a Spanish archipelago of volcanic islands off the north-west coast of Africa, with mild weather all year, black and golden beaches, and volcanic landscapes that look like nowhere else in Europe. Each island has its own character, from the resort coasts of Tenerife and Gran Canaria to the quiet forests of La Gomera and the lava fields of Lanzarote, so they suit beach holidays, hikers, stargazers and winter-sun seekers alike.

Where to go

• Teide National Park, Tenerife. Mount Teide, at around 3,715 metres, is the highest point in Spain.
• Timanfaya and César Manrique's Lanzarote. Timanfaya National Park covers fields of lava and craters left by eruptions in the 1730s, where the ground is still hot enough to cook on.
• Maspalomas and Roque Nublo, Gran Canaria. The south coast has the Maspalomas dunes, a protected stretch of sand beside the sea and a lighthouse.
• Garajonay and the whistled language of La Gomera. Garajonay National Park protects a laurel forest, an ancient type of humid woodland that once covered much of southern Europe.

Best time to visit

The islands are a year-round destination thanks to mild temperatures, which is why they are so popular for winter sun from October to April. Summer is warm and dry on the coasts, with the trade winds keeping the heat in check.

Staying online in Canary Islands

Mobile coverage is good in towns, resorts and along main roads on all the islands, and most hotels, cafés and apartments offer Wi-Fi. Coverage can drop in deep ravines, in the high mountains, inside national parks and along remote stretches of coast, especially on La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro, so download offline maps before hiking. The islands are part of the EU, but if your home plan is from outside Europe roaming can be costly. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land, so maps, bus times and ferry tickets work from the airport.