Family Holidays to the Canary Islands

You'll have a roaring good time during your family holiday to the Canary Islands

These Spanish islands have the whole package going for them, and you’ll be there in no time with flights from the UK lasting just over four hours.

No matter which island you decide to venture to this holiday there’ll be plenty of things for you and the whole family to enjoy. Tenerife is the largest holiday hot spot and has fantastic family attractions like whale watching, Submarine Safari and banana plantations that you can tour. Tonnes of waterparks around the island will cool you down after a long day in the sun, like Aqualand and the popular Loro Parque.

Gran Canaria is one of the most beautiful islands, with a diverse backdrop of sand dunes and mountains, making for an excellent nature-packed family holiday. There’s plenty to do outdoors, including visiting the Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here you can take trips to the bird sanctuary Palmitos Park and spot some of the rare species unique to Gran Canaria.

Finally, Fuerteventura is all about the beach, with over 150 shores to relax on. It’s location in the Canaries gives it an extra boost of wind, making it perfect for kitesurfing, body boarding, and all varieties of watersports.

Best family friendly beaches

Fuerteventura has a monopoly on the beach scene here in the Canaries. With so many beaches there’s no end to the options on where to take the family. Costa Calma, for instance, is set in a bay, giving it shallow calm waters that are great for children to splash about in. There’s also restaurants and bars lining the sand for when you need a lunch break.

Meanwhile, Lanzarote has white, gold and black volcanic sands. If you have any older kids, Playa Famara has several surf schools situated along the beach, all with beginner lessons teaching kids how to ride the gentle waves.

Gran Canaria is no newcomer when it comes to the beach scene. Beaches here are as diverse as the island, with dark volcanic sands and golden Sahara-esque dunes. Playa del Ingles is the most popular for families, with an endless stretch of gold sand and hundreds of sunbeds and parasols scattered around. It also has excellent facilities and numerous places to grab a bite to eat, all with seaviews. Las Canteras beach in Gran Canaria has coveted Blue Flag status and a volcanic reef that protects swimmers from any rough waves.

Best family activities in the Canary Islands

Each island has its own style when it comes to days out, so you can choose which suits your family best. In Gran Canaria, you can walk amongst the cowboys in Wild West at Sioux City. This replica town is a hay barrel full of fun with a zoo, can-can shows and a BBQ restaurant. Tenerife is home to one of the largest waterparks in Europe and is a real show stopper with a 28-metre-high waterslide, replica beach and Thai style temples. For any nature or geology lovers in your family, head to Lanzarote’s Timanfaya’s National Park to experience volcanoes up close and even walk along their moon-like surface.

Other family holiday destinations

If you’re not 100% set on the Canaries, don’t worry, there’s plenty of other family holidays available. Consider the sandy shores of Greece, Portugal or Italy, for other ideal family holiday destinations. But, if your heart is set on the Canary Islands, take a look at our travel guide for more information on how to plan your trip. While you’re at it, here’s some of our favourite family-friendly hotels in the Canaries.

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Holiday Village Tenerife

With a waterslide, bowling alley and cinema, there’s no end to the adventures that you could have at this family-friendly resort. Events for all ages run throughout the year, and if you have any little ones, they’ll love the toddler football sessions and character-themed club rooms. Older kids can hang out in the arcade room or join in on the sea-view aerial adventure course.

Paradise Taurito Valle

This family hotel is all about the water. A massive on-site waterpark includes white knuckle slides, salt water pools and an activity splash zone with pirate ship, perfect for any little ones. Surrounding the huge pool area are plenty of sunloungers and parasols for the adults to relax on and soak up the rays. You’ll also only be a five-minute walk from the gorgeous Taurito Beach.

TUI Magic Life Fuerteventura

Located smack dab in the middle of the Playa de Esquinzo Beach, this family-friendly hotel boasts incredible views of the ocean and a backyard of sand and fun. The five pools here all look over the sandy shore towards the water and have sunbeds and wood pergola areas to shade you from the rays. There’s plenty of activities to keep your clan busy, including mountain biking on the trails behind the hotel and volleyball right on the beach.