Top things to do in the Canary Islands all year round

The Canary Islands are the perfect vacation destination because they have a mild and stable climate all year round. But, besides visiting its beautiful beaches and practicing water sports, you can do plenty of amazing activities in the islands!

Here are the best things to do in the Canary Islands all year round:

• January - Start the year with a swim
• February - Celebrate carnival
• March - Surf in Fuerteventura
• April - Visit the beach without crowds
• May - Celebrate the Canary Islands Day
• June - Visit the National Park  of Garajonay
• July - Get to know La Graciosa and its local festivities
• August - Watch a meteor shower in La Palma
• September - Take a diving baptism in La Restinga
• October - Live the night of the "finaos"
• November - Experience the ARC in Las Palmas
• December - Visit a nativity scene made out of sand

White sand beach with turquoise water in Fuerteventura

Start the year with a swim

Surely, when you think of the 1st of January, you imagine cold temperatures and maybe even snow. Not in the Canary Islands! On the archipelago, the ambient and water temperature is warm all year round.

That's why it has become a tradition to start the year sunbathing and swimming at Las Canteras Beach, the amazing urban beach of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Celebrate carnival

Tenerife's carnival is the second most famous in the world for a good reason. So, if you are in the islands in February or March, you can't miss this fun and colorful party.

If you are not visiting Tenerife, don't worry, the carnival is celebrated all over the archipelago and each island has unique traditions. We also recommend that you visit the one in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria or the mythical day of Los Indianos in La Palma, which is the biggest carnival event in the island.

Surf in Fuerteventura

Any time is a good time to surf in the Canary Islands, and even more so in Fuerteventura. But March is an ideal month because the temperatures have risen after the winter and the best waves season is not over yet.

Tip: do you like surfing? Read our guide to the best surf spots in the Canary Islands and find out everything you need to know.

Fuerteventura's beaches are known worldwide for their waves

Visit the beach without crowds

Although the beaches of the archipelago are amazing all year round, April is a perfect month for a beach vacation in the islands. Temperatures are quite mild and you will avoid the most crowded periods.

Tip: do you dream of spending your whole vacation on the beach? Fuerteventura is the ideal destination for you. Find out which are the best hidden beaches of Fuerteventura.

Celebrate the Canary Islands Day

You love the beaches and landscapes of the islands but want more. Maybe you'd like to get closer to the traditional culture and surround yourself with locals. If this sounds familiar, we recommend that you visit the archipelago on Canary Island Day.

This festival is celebrated on the 30th of May and you can see typical costumes and dances, enjoy traditional music and taste the delicious Canarian gastronomy. Find out all about this incredible celebration in our guide for an unforgettable 30th of May in the Canaries.

Visit the National Park of Garajonay

If you visit the island of La Gomera, you can not miss this national park and its unique ecosystem of Canary laurel forest. Hiking through the Garajonay park is like entering an enchanted forest that has trails suitable for all levels.

Although you can visit it any time of the year, June is the perfect month as temperatures are warm and the flowering period is not yet over. This will make your hike in the park even more special as you will be surrounded by blooming flowers and get to see the flora at its best.

Laurel forest in the Garajonay Park in La Gomera

Get to know La Graciosa and its local festivities

There are many reasons to visit La Graciosa, such as its pristine beaches, the fact that it has no asphalt, or that it is only 25 minutes by ferry from Lanzarote. But if you want one more, in July the island's patron saint festivities are celebrated.

There are festivals, dances and games, but the most significant celebration is the maritime procession of the Virgen del Carmen. Every year, on the 16th of July , the virgin is taken to the port and embarked to travel along the coast of the island in memory of the sailors who are no longer here. Believers then follow the patron saint in boats and make floral offerings.

Watch a meteor shower in La Palma

The sky of La Palma is known worldwide for its low pollution. In fact, one of the most important celestial observatories in the world is on the island. On your visit to La Palma, you can not miss an excursion to contemplate the night sky.

If you happen to visit in August, you are in luck because that’s when the Perseids, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, takes place. We recommend you to camp in La Caldera de Taburiente or to go somewhere a little bit further from the nearby towns to get amazed by this spectacle.

Take a diving baptism in La Restinga

The area of La Restinga, south of the island of El Hierro, was declared a marine reserve in 1996. This has resulted in the preservation of a diverse marine fauna that will amaze divers.

There are numerous dive centers in the port of La Restinga that offer baptisms or dives suitable for all levels. Do not miss the opportunity to dive in a worldwide famous site!

El Hierro is famous for its diving spots

Live the night of the "finaos"

Traditionally, on the 31st of October, Canarian children would go through the streets asking for "los santos", which were chestnuts, walnuts and figs given to them by the neighbors. In the evening, the family would gather and the oldest woman would tell stories and anecdotes to remember their deceased ancestors.

Although this tradition has been lost in many parts of the archipelago, if you are in the islands on this date, you will be able to taste roasted chestnuts and see local music groups called parrandas celebrating this emblematic day.

Experience the ARC in Las Palmas

Every year, hundreds of sailboats leave the port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in a regatta that crosses the Atlantic. If you are on the island on the 20th of November, you will be able to see how the 147 ships set sail for the Caribbean.

We recommend you to go to the maritime avenue to have a panoramic view of the beginning of this exciting crossing.

Visit a nativity scene made out of sand

The capital city of Gran Canaria hosts in December one of the most emblematic activities for tourists and locals alike. Seeing the sand nativity scene on Las Canteras Beach has become quite the tradition.

In the area of la puntilla, you can visit a nativity scene made entirely of sand, by sculptors from different countries. You can walk around the artworks and see this unique piece of ephemeral art that is more than 1000 square meters.

The city's sand nativity scene takes place on Las Canteras Beach

Book ferry tickets to the Canary Islands online

Ferryhopper makes it easy for you to book ferry tickets between the Canary Islands. Check out our Map of ferries, and compare all the available companies, routes and schedules to plan your trip now.