Day 1: Southern Tenerife and Mount Teide National Park

Begin your Canary Islands adventure in Tenerife, the largest and most populous island of the archipelago. Most visitors arrive at Tenerife South Airport (Reina Sofía), conveniently located near the sunny southern resorts. The island’s south boasts a dramatically different climate from the north, with less rainfall and more sunshine throughout the year, making it the tourism hub of the Canaries.

After settling into your accommodation in areas like Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, or the more upscale Costa Adeje, dedicate your first afternoon to exploring the volcanic wonder that dominates Tenerife: Mount Teide. Rising 3,718 meters above sea level, this dormant volcano is Spain’s highest peak and the third-largest volcanic structure in the world when measured from its base on the ocean floor.

The journey to Teide National Park takes you through multiple climate zones, from the coastal warmth through pine forests and into the otherworldly volcanic landscape above. The park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features a surreal terrain of hardened lava flows, volcanic rocks in shades of red, ochre, and black, and peculiar rock formations like the famous Roques de García. The unique flora includes the Teide violet and the impressive tajinaste rojo, a spectacular red flower that blooms in late spring.

For the ultimate experience, take the cable car to the upper station at 3,555 meters. From here, short trails lead to viewpoints offering breathtaking panoramas of the crater, neighboring islands, and on clear days, the African coast. Sunset visits are particularly magical, though booking well in advance is essential. Remember to bring warm clothing, as temperatures can drop significantly at altitude, even when the coast is warm.

Day 2: La Laguna and Anaga Rural Park

Dedicate your second day to exploring Tenerife’s verdant north, a stark contrast to the arid south. Begin in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, the island’s former capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This beautifully preserved colonial city, founded in 1496, served as the model for many Latin American colonial towns. Wander through streets lined with colorful mansions, ornate churches, and traditional Canarian balconies. The city’s historical center remains remarkably intact, offering glimpses into five centuries of island history.

La Laguna is also Tenerife’s intellectual heart, home to the University of La Laguna, Spain’s oldest university outside the mainland. The city buzzes with a youthful energy, evident in its numerous cafés, bookshops, and cultural venues. Don’t miss the Cathedral of La Laguna, the Iglesia de la Concepción with its distinctive wooden Mudéjar ceiling, and the bustling farmers’ market where locals shop for fresh produce.

After lunch, venture into the ancient laurel forests of Anaga Rural Park, one of Europe’s most important laurisilva forests. This prehistoric woodland, which covered much of southern Europe millions of years ago, now survives only in Macaronesia. The park’s mountains are often shrouded in mist, creating an atmospheric landscape of twisted trees, deep ravines, and hidden villages.

The scenic drive along the ridge offers spectacular views, with numerous miradores (viewpoints) allowing you to appreciate the dramatic topography. Consider hiking one of the many trails, such as the path to Benijo Beach, where black sand meets thundering Atlantic waves beneath towering cliffs. The village of Taganana, nestled in a valley, provides a glimpse of traditional Canarian life, seemingly untouched by the tourism industry that dominates the south.

Day 3: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Take a short flight or ferry to Gran Canaria, often called a “miniature continent” due to its remarkable diversity of microclimates and landscapes compressed into just 1,560 square kilometers. The island’s capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is a vibrant city of approximately 380,000 inhabitants, making it one of Spain’s largest cities and the most cosmopolitan in the Canaries.

Begin your exploration in Vegueta, the city’s historic heart and birthplace of the Canary Islands as we know them today. Founded in 1478, this atmospheric quarter features cobbled streets, colonial architecture, and some of the archipelago’s most important museums. The Plaza de Santa Ana forms the district’s nucleus, dominated by the imposing Cathedral of Santa Ana, whose construction spanned three centuries and resulted in a fascinating architectural mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Neoclassical styles.

Visit the Casa de Colón (Columbus House), a stunning example of Canarian colonial architecture where Christopher Columbus allegedly stayed during his voyages to the Americas. The museum inside explores the history of the Canary Islands and their relationship with the New World. Nearby, the Museo Canario houses the world’s most important collection of pre-Hispanic Canarian artifacts, offering insights into the islands’ indigenous Guanche inhabitants.

In the afternoon, head to Playa de las Canteras, consistently ranked among Europe’s finest urban beaches. This three-kilometer golden sand beach is protected by a natural reef called La Barra, creating calm waters ideal for swimming while providing excellent conditions for surfing at the southern end. The palm-lined promenade, Paseo de las Canteras, buzzes with life, offering countless restaurants, cafés, and shops where you can observe local life while enjoying fresh seafood.

As evening falls, explore the trendy neighborhoods of Triana and Santa Catalina. Triana, the city’s shopping district, features elegant Modernist architecture and pedestrian streets lined with boutiques and traditional shops. The Mercado de Vegueta, an Art Nouveau market building, is perfect for sampling local products. Santa Catalina, near the port, has transformed into the city’s gastronomic hub, with its covered market converted into a gourmet food hall surrounded by innovative restaurants and lively bars.

Day 4: Interior Mountains and Roque Nublo

Dedicate this day to discovering Gran Canaria’s spectacular interior, where dramatic volcanic peaks, deep ravines, and traditional villages create landscapes that seem a world away from the coastal resorts. The island’s mountainous heart is often called “the roof of Gran Canaria,” featuring some of the most breathtaking scenery in the entire archipelago.

Drive into the island’s interior through winding mountain roads that climb through various vegetation zones. Your primary destination is Roque Nublo, an iconic 80-meter-high basalt monolith that has become the symbol of Gran Canaria. This striking rock formation, created by ancient volcanic eruptions and subsequent erosion, stands at 1,813 meters above sea level. The relatively easy one-hour hike to its base rewards you with panoramic views extending across the island and, on clear days, to neighboring Tenerife’s Mount Teide.

Nearby, the village of Tejeda clings to a mountainside in what has been called one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. Surrounded by almond groves that paint the landscape white with blossoms in late January and February, Tejeda offers a glimpse of traditional Gran Canaria. The village is famous for its marzipan, made following centuries-old recipes, and serves as an excellent base for exploring the surrounding peaks and valleys.

Continue to Artenara, the highest village in Gran Canaria at 1,270 meters, known for its cave houses carved directly into the volcanic rock. These troglodyte dwellings, maintained since pre-Hispanic times, remain inhabited today and represent a unique form of sustainable architecture perfectly adapted to the island’s climate. Visit the Ermita de la Cuevita, a tiny chapel built into a cave, offering stunning views over the Tamadaba pine forests.

If time permits, drive through the Tamadaba Natural Park, where one of the Canary Islands’ largest pine forests carpets the western mountains. The endemic Canary Island pine, remarkably resistant to fire, creates a carpet of green that contrasts beautifully with the volcanic rock and the deep blue Atlantic beyond.

Day 5: Timanfaya National Park and Wine Country

Fly or ferry to Lanzarote, perhaps the most visually striking of all the Canary Islands. Shaped by volcanic eruptions in the 18th century, Lanzarote presents an otherworldly landscape that inspired the island’s most famous son, artist and architect César Manrique, to campaign for sustainable development that harmonizes with nature. The result is an island where white cubic architecture blends seamlessly with black volcanic rock, and tourism development has been carefully controlled to preserve the island’s unique character.

Your first stop must be Timanfaya National Park, the heart of Lanzarote’s volcanic landscape. Between 1730 and 1736, a series of devastating eruptions buried a quarter of the island under lava, creating the dramatic Montañas del Fuego (Fire Mountains) that dominate the landscape today. The park covers 51 square kilometers of solidified lava flows, volcanic cones, and craters, presenting a palette of reds, oranges, blacks, and ochres that shift with the changing light.

The only way to explore the park’s interior is by guided bus tour along the scenic Ruta de los Volcanes, which winds through the most spectacular volcanic landscapes. At the Islote de Hilario visitors’ center, demonstrations reveal the intense geothermal activity still present just below the surface: water poured into the ground erupts as steam, and brushwood ignites spontaneously. The El Diablo restaurant, designed by Manrique, uses volcanic heat to grill food, offering a unique dining experience with panoramic views over the lava fields.

In the afternoon, head to La Geria, Lanzarote’s wine-producing region, where an ingenious viticulture system has turned apparent desolation into productivity. Vines are planted in individual pits dug into volcanic ash, each surrounded by semicircular stone walls that protect them from wind and help retain moisture. This unique landscape, resembling a work of abstract art, produces excellent Malvasía wines with a distinctive mineral character. Visit bodegas like El Grifo, the oldest winery in the Canaries, or La Geria for tastings accompanied by local cheeses and tapas.

Day 6: César Manrique’s Legacy and Northern Lanzarote

Spend this day exploring the artistic and natural wonders of northern Lanzarote, particularly the extraordinary creations of César Manrique. This visionary artist-architect transformed natural volcanic formations into stunning spaces that blur the line between art and nature, while advocating for sustainable tourism development that has preserved Lanzarote’s unique character.

Begin at the Fundación César Manrique, housed in the artist’s former home built into five volcanic bubbles. This architectural masterpiece seamlessly integrates living spaces into natural lava caves, with each bubble serving a different function. The house showcases Manrique’s art collection and provides insights into his philosophy of harmony between human development and natural landscapes. The surrounding gardens, featuring native plants and volcanic rock sculptures, exemplify his aesthetic vision.

Continue to the Jameos del Agua, one of Manrique’s most magical creations. This entertainment complex occupies a volcanic tunnel created by lava flows from the nearby Monte Corona. The highlight is an underground salt-water lake within a collapsed lava tube, home to tiny blind albino crabs found nowhere else on Earth. Manrique transformed this natural wonder into an otherworldly space with whitewashed terraces, native plants, and a concert hall with remarkable acoustics carved from volcanic rock.

Nearby, the Cueva de los Verdes offers a different perspective on Lanzarote’s volcanic underworld. This one-kilometer-long lava tube, part of a seven-kilometer system, served as a refuge for islanders during pirate raids. The guided tour takes you through chambers adorned with surprising colors created by mineral deposits, culminating in an optical illusion that has amazed visitors for decades.

Visit the Mirador del Río, Manrique’s final major work, perched 450 meters above the sea on Lanzarote’s northern tip. This stunning viewpoint, camouflaged into the cliff face, offers breathtaking views across the strait to La Graciosa island, with its pristine beaches and the smaller islets beyond. The interior, featuring Manrique’s characteristic organic curves and integration with natural rock, houses a café where you can enjoy these spectacular views in comfort.

End the day in the coastal town of Arrieta, where you can watch the sunset while enjoying fresh fish at one of the seafront restaurants, or take a dip in the natural rock pools that dot this stretch of coast.

Day 7: Beaches and Farewell to Paradise

On your final day, discover why Lanzarote’s beaches are considered among the finest in the Canaries. The island offers extraordinary variety, from the golden sands of Playa Blanca to the dramatic black beaches near the northern coast, each with its own character and appeal.

Start early at Papagayo Beaches, a protected area in the island’s southeast featuring a series of pristine coves with turquoise waters and golden sand framed by rust-colored cliffs. These beaches, accessible via a dirt road (small fee required), offer the most Caribbean-like setting in Lanzarote. Playa de Papagayo, the largest cove, provides calm waters ideal for swimming and snorkeling, while smaller bays like Playa Mujeres offer greater solitude.

For contrast, visit Famara Beach on the northwest coast, a spectacular six-kilometer stretch of golden sand backed by the dramatic Risco de Famara cliffs that soar 600 meters above the shore. This beach attracts surfers from around the world, drawn by consistent Atlantic swells. Even non-surfers will appreciate the wild, untamed beauty of this coast, particularly at sunset when the cliffs glow golden and surfers become silhouettes against the waves. The village of Caleta de Famara retains an authentic, bohemian atmosphere with laid-back surf shops and seafood restaurants.

If you prefer a more developed beach experience, head to Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote’s main resort town. The long Playa Grande offers all amenities while maintaining cleanliness and quality, backed by a promenade lined with restaurants, shops, and bars. The Old Town harbor area preserves some traditional character, with fishing boats still operating alongside tourist vessels.

Before departing, take time to visit Teguise, Lanzarote’s former capital, particularly if your final day falls on a Sunday when the island’s largest market takes over the town. This beautifully preserved colonial town features whitewashed buildings with green or brown woodwork, following Lanzarote’s traditional architectural palette. The Palacio Spínola and several churches showcase fine examples of Canarian colonial architecture.