With year round sun, delicious food and wine, hundreds of miles of beaches, varied water sports, fun attractions for kids, world class golf courses and top notch nightlife, a Canary Islands holiday has something for everyone.

However, today we look at which of the four Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Tenerife or Fuerteventura best suits your personal holiday needs!

Gran Canaria

The Party Animal: Gran Canaria is one of the most popular destinations along with Tenerife, for clubbers. In addition to her beautiful beaches, Gran Canaria holidays benefits from superb night entertainment, with a never-ending stream of parties and events in a large number of bars and discotheques. Both gay and straight, these epic nights party on until dawn. The island is definitely the ideal destination for those who want to combine beaches, sea and night-time fun.

The Fitness Fanatic: With long GR hiking routes across her varied landscapes, bike clubs in every town and the most gyms per square meter and the longest coastline with the most water sports – if you’re into your fitness then Gran Canaria has to be the island of choice.

The Nature Lover: Gran Canaria’s UNESCO natural reserve is so stunning you’ll wonder why it’s not mentioned on every travel programme. The reserve actively supports the conservation of the truly diverse flora and fauna of the island. With pine forests, palm trees, a coastline boasting tall cliffs and sand banks, this area is home to one million natural species – this impressive biosphere will inspire the nature lover in you.

Lanzarote

The Foodie: All the islands of the Canaries share pretty much the same regional specialities from Papas to Rancho Canario and you’ll find all these delights in the hotels and local restaurants. However, one island stands out for its wine and that’s Lanzarote. In the last 10 years Lanzarote has undergone a viticultural transformation and now produces some of the most sought after wines in all of Spain from its Malvasía Volcánica grape.

The Environmentalist: Like Gran Canaria, Lanzarote has some spectacular volcanic landscapes, but the otherworldly Timanfaya National Park, whose moon-like terrain looks like something from a Matt Damon film, fills a visitor with wonder. This is our number one recommendation for an excursion on a Lanzarote holiday.

The Cyclist: Many professional cyclists train on Lanzarote for its challenging and varied terrain. Amateurs should prepare themselves for the wind and be sure to tackle the beautiful climb through Tabayesco and up to the Mirador de Haria. Bikes can be hired throughout the island and often directly at the hotel as cycling is so popular.

Tenerife

The Beach Bum: Playa de Papagayo is perhaps the best known beach in the Canary Islands. Playa de Papagayo actually comprises a series of beaches separated by volcanic rocks. The main beach is the last one before the bridge, and also the only one with a bar – a chiringuito bar-restaurant that is always busy. The sand on Papagayo is light and golden with lovely aquamarine water that’s top for snorkelling. 

The Water Lover: The aqua parks on Tenerife are top notch with the most famous being Siam Park, a Thai-themed park featuring many slides, a wave pool and a Thai floating market. The island benefits from several water parks that are ideal for cooling down both hot teenagers and toddlers alike.

The Hiker: The world famous hiking trail, the Masca Trail is one of the most popular hikes on the island, beginning at the village and winding down to the rocky beach below. On this trail you will get to see the Los Gigantes cliffs and the village of Masca in an impressively isolated and picturesque gorge, Masca is generally considered to be Tenerife's prettiest village.

Fuerteventura

The Sea Dog: The place where many sailors come to train and up their skills, Fuerteventura offers sailing day trips, private hires on a range of powered and sail boats.

THE Island Hopper: The top day trip from Fuerteventura is the impressive Isla de Lobos, once populated by sea wolves (monk seals) and now by an even sparser number of human settlers in the handful of shacks in the main drag of El Puertito. The only way to reach the island is by boat and many day trips from Corralejo run daily, you wont be alone!

The Animal Lover: Our favourite thing about Fuerteventura was the natural wildlife running around the towns and villages and especially the Barbary ground squirrels who will constantly tail you hoping you will drop a nut, a crisps, apple slice or anything. There are wild donkeys too to feed and coo at along the coast.