Canary Islands

The Canary Islands don’t feel like Spain—which is why I gave them their very own destinatio section. Sitting off the west coast of Africa, these volcanic islands are all about landscapes, sun, and just enough hiking and beaches to keep things interesting.

Tenerife brings the extremes: black sand beaches, lush forests in Anaga, and the almost alien landscape of Teide National Park, where Spain’s highest peak looks like it belongs on Mars. Fantastic for hiking enthusiasts.

Gran Canaria is completely different, mixing mountains, valleys, and desert-like dunes in the south with surprisingly green pockets inland. It's more of a typical beach paradise than Tenerife.

What I think makes the Canary Islands work so well is variety. You can hike in the morning, swim in the ocean by lunch, and end the day at a viewpoint with a cold drink watching the sun disappear into the Atlantic. No long travel days, no complicated logistics.

The Canary Islands are an easy destination, but not a boring one.