TENERIFE

This vibrant resort is the largest in the Canaries, effortlessly blending rich culture with a volcanic terrain, dark blonde beaches, quaint villages and a buzzing night scene. Tenerife is home to the party capital of the island group, Playa de las Americas, and with its neon-soaked strip and up-all-night clubs this lively resort is a hit for those looking to party all night and sunbathe all day. Elsewhere, the island has some great all-round resorts which mix child-friendly beaches, pools and hotels with inviting restaurants and bars to enjoy, too. Los Cristianos sits next door to Playa de las Americas and is well-suited to families.

Playa de las Vistas is the most beautiful beach in the area and the monkey park makes a great day out with your own little chimps, while the award-winning Siam Park waterpark is a must for a splash-tastic day out! If you want to do Tenerife holidays in style, stay in the smart resort of Costa Adeje, where you'll find designer shops in place of souvenir stands and classy cocktail bars lining the promenade! Don’t miss exploring the bustling port city of Santa Cruz, Tenerife!

Haven't found what you're looking for? Our round-up of the top things to do in Tenerife is sure to do the trick.

Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura holidays are known for having the best beaches of all the Canary Islands – and that’s really saying something! There are over 150 different spots to lay your beach towel on this island, from the gleaming golden sands of Jandia in the south to the windswept sand dunes of Corralego in the north. If you love to surf, Corralego is the island’s number one resort for catching epic waves. As well as the beach bums, it also attracts culture vultures nosing around the old town and explorers heading for the nearby volcanic island, Los Lobos – snorkelers especially love the waters surrounding this deserted islet.

Those holidaying with kids will find everything they need at Costa Caleta, a resort that’s been purpose built to tick every box. Playgrounds, amusement attractions and family-friendly restaurants pass the time not spent building sandcastles in the sandy sheltered bay or watching the windsurfers out at sea. There’s also a Main Street that comes alive after dark to keep the grown-ups out of mischief! The Canary Islands are famed for their variety of hotels, but for families who want to relax and have hassle-free fun, full board holidays in Fuerteventura mean a break for everyone. 

Whether you're staying with family, friends or you're on a couples retreat, browse our best Fuerteventura hotels.

LANZAROTE

This island is great choice as you have party resorts, quieter beaches and great shopping, plus brilliant winter sun temperatures. Lanzarote manages to effortlessly mix lively nights out with family fun and there’s loads going on to keep everyone in a happy holiday mood. Puerto del Carmen parties the hardest, but with three beaches and an old town you can still find a quiet spot if you want to. The Rancho Texas Splash and Animal Park is a must for wannabe cowboys of all ages.

Playa Blanca keeps things classy, with a smart marina, pretty promenade and plenty of shiny places to shop till you drop! Costa Teguise is fantastic for active beach lovers – with five sandy stretches and a decent bit of breeze for watersports enthusiasts. The aquapark and aquarium are popular day trips and nature lovers will like to bike, hike and horse ride through Timanfaya National Park and its volcanic scenery - make sure you take a good camera on your inland island adventures! 

Don't leave without visiting our favourite beaches in Lanzarote.

GRAN CANARIA

Among the top Canary Islands destinations, gorgeous Gran Canaria sings a little quieter than Tenerife and Lanzarote – although there’s still plenty of partying to be done in its buzzy resort of Playa del Ingles, where the dreamy sand beach has space for both families and the party crowd. Gran Canaria holidays are a haven for shoppers, with endless opportunities in and around the resort, so leave space in that case for your spoils!

Famous Maspalomas and its sand dunes are a more sophisticated affair with smaller boutique stores and great places to eat by the waterfront. The beach here is huge and is backed by the golden rolling sand dunes of Maspalomas Natural Park – explore them on camel back for the ultimate Arabian nights experience! If you fancy a day out the island’s waterparks, watersports and Palmitos zoo-park have the fun attractions covered, perfect for sun holidays with the family. Step off the beaten track and you'll stymble upon tiny inland villages like charming Fataga, which offer a real insight into island life.

Read our travel advice for flying to the Canary Islands and you're all set for a sunshine escape.

La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma

We’ve done the big four, but it wouldn’t be a Canary Island round up without at least a quick look at these three often overlooked islands – the unsung Canaries! The completely unspoilt nature of these tiny islands gives them a wild quality, with much of their landscape protected from development. You won’t find seaside beach resorts here, just charming towns, hidden villages and an incredible natural beauty. Whatever it is that you want from your summer or winter beach break, you can be sure that the Canary Islands will serve it up with sprinkles on top! 

And if you really can’t decide which Canary Island to fly away to, they flock close enough together for you to hop between them by ferry or boat for the ultimate holiday tweet – sorry, treat!