My daughter had her first journey overseas to Lanzarote aged simply three months, so itโll shock no-one after I say that Iโm an enormous fan of visiting the Canary Islands with children.
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However whereas the winter solar and lovely seashores are at all times tempting, thereโs way more to find: in all, there are eight principal islands and several 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Some islands are as much as 20 million years outdated and have been created by a collection of volcanic eruptions on the ocean ground, resulting in memorably distinctive landscapes โ you’ll be able to nonetheless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 case youโre questioning the place to start, this information to the Canary Islands with children 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 donโt have airports.
Most European airways fly into Gran Canaria or Tenerife the place 80% of the islandsโ 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 theย Ferryhopper web siteย is an efficient strategy to evaluate routes and costs.
In case youโre 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 goย
Often known as the โislands of everlasting Springโ for his or her delicate and dry year-round local weather, thereโs no dangerous time to go to the Canary Islands with children.
In the course of the peak summer time months of July and August, temperatures can simply attain 30C+. Donโt be fooled by the ocean breezes both, though theyโre nice for cooling you down, the solar shall be fierce.
This can be a nice time of yr for lounging round on the seashores or having fun with the islandsโ many waterparks and watersports. However in all probability somewhat too scorching for actions like mountain climbing, biking, or sightseeing with little ones.
In winter, you’ll be able to count on common temperatures of 16-21C, making the Canaries a well-liked vacation spot for winter solar for households. Itโs nonetheless heat sufficient to take advantage of the islandsโ stunning seashores (together with some with volcanic black sand), however cool sufficient for trekking via 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 count on costs to be excessive and resorts 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 happening at resorts and resorts all throughout the islands.
The most effective instances of yr to go to the Canary Islands needs to be September and October. The temperatures are excessive and the ocean continues to be pretty 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 receivedโt discover an enormous variation in costs relying on while you go to. Faculty holidays trigger a slight enhance in vacationer numbers, however the islands stay pretty busy all yr spherical.ย
What to see
The Canary Islands are made up of eight principal islands and several other smaller islets, so that youโve bought loads of selection in case youโre making an attempt to determine on one of the best Canary Island for households.ย
Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura are the 4 largest islands and the preferred with vacationers, so in addition they are typically one of the best Canary Island for youths on the subject of points of interest, whereas the smaller islands are typically greatest if your loved ones loves mountain climbing, or need to get proper off the overwhelmed observe.
Tenerife
Probably the most in style for households, thereโs a string of family-friendly resorts on the west coast specifically. But it surelyโs additionally simple to discover a very completely different aspect to the island.
Residence to Spainโs tallest peak, Mount Teide, you’ll be able to discover volcanic landscapes and wander via a dusting of snow at some instances of the yr โ there’s additionally nice star-gazing to be discovered.
The islandโs 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 youโll uncover cave houses and dramatic mountain landscapes.
Maspalomas is house to dramatic sand dunes which appear to be theyโve come straight from the Sahara, plus thereโs uncommon historical past โ Christopher Columbus stayed on the island, and thereโs 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 one of the crucial attention-grabbing of the Canary Islands with children.
Enterprise into Timanfaya Nationwide Park, to be taught extra concerning the harmful energy of the 18th century eruption and really feel the warmth of lava below 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 sturdy winds, the least visited of the 4 principal islands is a haven for kite surfers and also youโll 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.
Beneath is a quick introduction to the principle islands of the Canaries and their highlights.
Detailed articlesย
For extra recommendations on visiting the Canary Islands with children, try a few of my posts:
Tenerife
The highest issues to do in Tenerife with children
Ideas for visiting Siam Park, Tenerife โ the worldโs greatest water park
4 sudden issues to to in Tenerife
Gran Canaria
The highest issues to do in Gran Canaria with children
A information to Gran Canaria with children
Visiting Aqualand, Gran Canaria, with children
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 Canariaโs cave restaurant โ and automobile heaven
Honey rum in Arucas, Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria in photos
Lanzarote
The highest issues to do in Lanzarote with children
The place to eat in Playa Blanca with children
Lanzarote: the child and the volcano โ visiting Timanfaya with a child
Lanzaroteโs pirate museum โ parrot not included
Lanzarote: vines and volcanoes
A viewpoint and a volcanic cavern โ exploring Lanzarote with a child
Arrecife: tapas, lagoon, child
Fuerteventura
Winter solar holidays in Fuertventura with children
Climbing Calderon Hondo with children
Dolphin watching in Fuerteventura โ boat tour overview
Travelling inside the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are properly linked to one another by boat. Frequent ferries hyperlink the islandsโ principal ports. Tenerife and Gran Canaria are the principle hubs for island hopping, though thereโs additionally a route from Lanzarote to Fuerteventura.
Whereas inner flights could also be faster, inter-island ferries are the extra enjoyable and enjoyable strategy to journey. You possibly can benefit from the views of islands from the water and possibly even spot some whales and dolphins alongside the way in which.
Ferries take wherever between half-hour and several other hours relying on the islands youโre travelling between. Aferry or theย Ferryhopper web siteย is an efficient strategy to evaluate routes and costs.
On the islands, rental automobiles are often one of the simplest ways to get round except you be a part of an organised tour. There are additionally native buses and taxis (although these may 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 a few of the well-known stretches of volcanic black sand โ Zest automobile rent is one in every of my very own favorite websites to check rental costs and ebook, whereas Iโve additionally had good experiences with native firm Cicar.
You do not want to get an Worldwide Driving Allow in your house nation with a view to drive in Spain in case youโre 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 probably the most reasonably priced strategy to journey. Routes run between the principle cities, seashore resorts, and main points of interest on every island. Buses on Tenerife and Gran Canaria are probably 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 arenโt fairly as handy.ย
Taxis are additionally helpful for travelling shorter distances inside specific areas. However they’ll add up in case youโre shifting round an island.
Flight assetsย
Skyscannerย is the web site I have a tendency to start out with to check charges for my flights.
Cash-saving tip:ย Donโt enter any dates to scan one of the best out there instances to go OR merely enter โSpainโ as a substitute of a selected airport โ chances are you’ll get a less expensive flight!
For extraย methods to save lots of for holidays and metropolis breaks with children, try my prime ideas
Lodging assets
Once I go to, I typically choose to ebook a villa to offer me loads of area whereas exploring the Canary Islands with children, in addition to all of the amenities together with a kitchen and often a non-public pool (typically unheated although).
Corporations likeย Plumguideย which has a spread of lodging thatโs been individually vetted, notably on Gran Canaria, and which you’ll be able to filter in case youโre travelling with infants or children. Or for a extra luxurious villa keep, Prime Villas additionally has some pretty lodging.
A few of the large bundle vacation operators likeย TUIย have a mixture of self-catering residences within the Canary Islands proper as much as all-inclusive resorts.
Jet2Holidaysย additionally has a spread of locations to remain within the Canary Islands with children, together with lodging on a number of completely different islands and flights included, in addition to villa holidays within the Canary Islands.
For normal resort stays,ย Reserving.comย often provides one of the best offers, together with free cancellation, or tryย resorts.com.
Security ideas
The Canary Islands are one of many most secure locations in all of Europe. Crime charges are extraordinarily low โ 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. Donโt depart any valuables unattended on the seashore.
Cash-saving ideas
The Canary Islands are a fantastic vacation spot for travellers of all budgets. From reasonably priced self-catering residences to luxurious seashore resorts, thereโs one thing for everybody. If you’re visiting on a finances, there are many simple methods to save cash within the Canaries.
Stick to at least one island somewhat than leaping round on planes or ferries.
Spring and Autumn are barely cheaper than Summer time and Winter.
Contemplate finances lodging within the cities somewhat 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 โmenรบ del dรญaโ, a set three-course meal for round โฌ10-15 per individual.
Hire a motorcycle and cycle across the cities or resort areas somewhat than utilizing taxis.
Profit from the free actions to do, akin to enjoyable on the seashore or mountain climbing.
Packing for the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are heat and sunny all yr spherical. Ensure to pack sunscreen, aftersun, solar hats, and water bottles. The light sea breeze can lull you right into a false sense of safety and chances are you’ll not at all times realise how scorching it’s so undoubtedly lather the household in loads of solar cream on daily basis.
Swimming, water parks, and watersports are a few of the hottest actions on the islands โ no matter you do, donโt overlook your swimwear.
In case you plan on exploring the islandsโ distinctive terrain or climbing one of many many volcanoes, youโll additionally need sturdy and comfy strolling sneakers and a few mild layers.
Try my fullย household vacation journey plannerย right here, together with packing lists and extra
Guide checklist
Lonely Planet guides are at all times my favorite start line โ theย Lonely Planet Information to the Canary Islandsย covers the entire group or strive theย Pocket Tenerife information in case youโre visiting that island solely.
Thereโs additionally a Mini Tough Information to Lanzarote & Fuerteventura or the same Inside Guides Pocket information.
Whereas there aren’t any information books on the Canary Islands for youths particularly, itโs price grabbing a duplicate of I Spy on the Seaside to maintain them entertained on the seashore, one in every of my household seashore necessities.
*Final up to date 2025*
Disclosure: This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks โ any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Playa Blanca pictures copyright MummyTravels, all others pictures courtesy of Depositphotos
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