The first time I landed in the Canary Islands, the air hit me before anything else. It was a physical presence—warm, saline, and smelling faintly of dragon trees and sun-baked volcanic rock. I had arrived in Tenerife, the biggest of the archipelago, but I had made a classic rookie mistake: I assumed the Canaries were just one thing. I thought "Spain," but it felt like Mars. I thought "Beach holiday," but I was staring up at a snow-capped mountain.

If you are looking at a map of the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Morocco and Western Sahara, you’re seeing a cluster of seven distinct worlds. The Canaries aren't a monolith; they are a geological mood ring. One island is a lunar landscape of black sand and ash; another is a desert of white dunes that looks like the Sahara spilling into the sea. One is a lush, green prehistoric wall rising from the water; another is a party playground with a neon heartbeat.

Choosing which island to visit first in 2026 is not about finding the "best" one—it’s about finding the one that matches the rhythm of your soul right now. Are you craving solitude and misty hikes? Or do you need a poolside cocktail and a late dinner?

Tenerife: The Continent in Miniature

If you have a group with conflicting desires, or if you simply want the most options under one roof, start with Tenerife. It is the heavyweight champion of the Canaries—big, busy, and wildly diverse. The island is shaped like a rough triangle, and it is home to Spain’s highest peak, Mount Teide. The microclimates here are real magic; you can be shivering in a pine forest in the north in the morning and sweating on a black sand beach in the south by lunch.

The Vibe: The "Everything" island. Family-friendly, dramatic nature, great dining, and a mix of chill and energy.

Who it’s for: Families, first-timers who are nervous about island hopping, and foodies.

Must-Do Experience: Teide National Park

There is nothing on Earth quite like the Teide. It is a dormant volcano that pierces the sky at 3,718 meters. Driving up the winding roads through the pine forests, the air gets thinner, the temperature drops, and the landscape turns into a sci-fi movie set.

Lanzarote: The Artistic Volcano

Lanzarote feels different. It is arid, alien, and incredibly stylish. The island’s savior was a local artist and architect named César Manrique. He convinced the government to restrict building heights and use local materials. As a result, Lanzarote has no high-rises. It is an island of design, lava, and cacti.

The Vibe: Minimalist, artistic, rugged.

Who it’s for: Couples, art lovers, and those who want a unique landscape.

Must-Do Experience: Timanfaya National Park (The Fire Mountains)

This is the heart of Lanzarote. Eruptions in the 18th century covered a quarter of the island in lava. Today, it is a protected park of stark, silent beauty.

Gran Canaria: The "Miniature Continent"

Gran Canaria often gets overshadowed by its bigger brother Tenerife, but it has a distinct personality. It is also a continent in miniature, but it feels more "Spanish" and perhaps more cosmopolitan. The dunes of Maspalomas are iconic, but the interior is a lush, rolling highland of farm terraces and pine forests.

The Vibe: Sophisticated, diverse, with a split personality.

Who it’s for: Urban explorers, history buffs, and those looking for a "Club Med" vibe with a side of culture.

Must-Do Experience: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Vegueta)

Forget the beaches for a day and head to the capital. The historic quarter, Vegueta, is a labyrinth of cobbled streets and colonial mansions.

Fuerteventura: The Endless Beach

Fuerteventura is the oldest island, and erosion has softened its mountains into vast, rolling plains and, most importantly, incredible beaches. This is the island of wind and water. It is the closest to Africa, and the trade winds blow constantly.

The Vibe: Laid-back, bohemian, windy, and beach-obsessed.

Who it’s for: Kitesurfers, beach purists, and families.

Must-Do Experience: Sotavento Beaches & The Dunes

The beach at Sotavento is a chameleon. At low tide, a massive lagoon is exposed, creating thousands of shallow pools perfect for kids.

La Gomera: The Whistling Island

Now we move to the "outer" islands. La Gomera is a green jewel, steep and rugged. It is shaped like a sugar loaf, with deep ravines (barrancos) cutting through it. This is the island of the Silbo Gomero, a whistling language used to communicate across the ravines.

The Vibe: Prehistoric, verdant, quiet, and challenging.

Who it’s for: Hikers, nature lovers, and those seeking a digital detox.

Must-Do Experience: Garajonay National Park

This is a UNESCO World Heritage site protecting the laurisilva (laurel forest).

La Palma: The Green Island (La Isla Bonita)

La Palma is visually stunning. It is steep, green, and goes from sea level to over 2,400 meters in just a few kilometers. It is one of the steepest islands in the world. Note on the 2021 Volcano: The eruption of Cumbre Vieja caused damage in the south, but the north remains untouched.

The Vibe: Dramatic, lush, rugged, and authentic.

Who it’s for: Serious hikers, astronomers, and photographers.

El Hierro: The End of the World

El Hierro is the smallest, least populated, and most remote of the main islands. It was once considered the edge of the known world. It is triangular, volcanic, and fiercely independent. The island runs almost entirely on renewable energy.

The Vibe: Intimate, rugged, slow, and eco-conscious.

Who it’s for: Travelers who have "seen it all," scuba divers, and those who want total silence.

The Verdict: Where to Go First?

So, after all this, which island deserves your first visit in 2026?

• Go to Tenerife if: You want the highest probability of good weather and the best variety of restaurants and hotels.
• Go to Lanzarote if: You are a couple looking for romance and style.
• Go to Gran Canaria if: You want a city break mixed with resort life.
• Go to Fuerteventura if: Your primary goal is the beach and water sports.
• Go to La Gomera if: You are a hiker who wants to escape the crowds.
• Go to La Palma if: You love dramatic, vertical landscapes.
• Go to El Hierro if: You are looking for solitude.

My Personal Advice: Start with Tenerife. It gives you the "greatest hits" of the Canaries in one place. You get the volcanic drama, the lush forests, the big city vibes, and the golden beaches. From Tenerife, you can easily hop on a ferry to La Gomera or El Hierro for a day trip to taste the other worlds.

The Canaries are a lifetime project. The first trip is just the beginning of a love affair with the Atlantic.