Choosing where to stay in the Canaries is really three decisions rolled into one: which island, which resort, and what kind of roof over your head. Get the island right and the rest falls into place — a family chasing calm bays wants somewhere quite different from a couple after volcanic scenery or a group planning late nights. The archipelago's great strength is variety: seven very different islands, dozens of resorts from purpose-built party towns to sleepy fishing villages, and every accommodation type from all-inclusive mega-hotels to a self-catering apartment with a sea view. This guide helps you match all three to the holiday you actually want.
Step one: which island?
Each island has a personality, and picking the one that fits you is the most important choice you'll make. Here's a quick matrix to point you in the right direction; follow the links for the full island guides.
| You want… | Best islands | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Families & first-timers | Gran Canaria, Tenerife | Calm bays, water parks, short transfers, everything in English |
| Nightlife & buzz | Gran Canaria, Tenerife | Playa del Inglés and Costa Adeje/Las Américas lead the party scene |
| Beaches & watersports | Fuerteventura, Lanzarote | Endless white sand, dunes, surf and wind |
| Volcanic scenery & design | Lanzarote, Tenerife | Timanfaya, Manrique art, Mount Teide |
| Nature, hiking & quiet | La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro | Laurel forests, star skies, few crowds, real escape |
Not sure? Gran Canaria and Tenerife are the safe all-rounders — the widest choice of resorts, the best family facilities, and enough variety (beaches, mountains, cities) to keep everyone happy. Save the wilder western islands for when you crave nature and calm over nightlife.
Step two: north or south?
On every island the south is drier, sunnier and where the big resorts cluster; the north is greener, cooler and more authentically local. For reliable beach weather, especially in winter, choose a south-facing resort. For culture, food and a real Canarian town, the north rewards you — Las Palmas on Gran Canaria and Puerto de la Cruz on Tenerife are proper places with proper life, not just holiday strips. Many visitors compromise brilliantly: base in the sunny south, hire a car, and day-trip north. Read more on the split in best time to visit.
Step three: the resorts (a quick tour)
Gran Canaria's south coast is the most concentrated resort strip in the islands, and a good illustration of how much the mood changes from town to town:
- Playa del Inglés — the big, buzzing package resort with the island's liveliest nightlife, endless bars and broad beaches beside the Maspalomas dunes. Lively, sociable, never dull.
- Maspalomas — quieter and greener than its neighbour, wrapped around the famous dune field and a palm oasis; smarter hotels and a calmer feel, good for families and couples.
- Puerto Rico — a sheltered, sun-trap bay and marina, family-friendly and a hub for boat trips and watersports; linked by a coastal path to the calm man-made bay of Amadores.
- Puerto de Mogán — the prettiest spot on the coast, "Little Venice" of flower-draped canals and a working fishing harbour; relaxed and romantic.
- Arguineguín — a low-key resort that keeps its fishing-village feel, popular for longer, quieter stays and its big weekly market.
- Las Palmas — not a resort at all but a real Atlantic city, with the superb Las Canteras city beach, a historic old town and a serious food scene. A city-break-by-the-sea alternative.
Browse the full set on our resorts pages, and match them to the sand with the beaches guide. The other islands follow the same logic — a couple of lively main resorts, several quieter alternatives, and small towns for those who want local life over neon.
Step four: what kind of accommodation?
Hotels
From simple three-stars to polished five-star spa resorts, hotels offer the easy, serviced holiday — breakfast sorted, pools and entertainment on site, staff to help. Best if you want to switch off and be looked after, and the natural choice for a shorter stay.
Self-catering apartments
Hugely popular in the Canaries and often the best value, self-catering apartments and apartamentos give you a kitchen, more space and the freedom to eat in or out as you please. Ideal for families, longer stays and anyone watching the budget — supermarket breakfasts and the odd home-cooked meal keep costs down, as our costs and money guide explains.
All-inclusive
All-inclusive resorts bundle meals, drinks and often activities into one upfront price — brilliant for families and anyone who wants a fixed budget and zero daily decisions. The trade-off is that you're drawn to stay on site; if you love exploring local restaurants and towns, a room-only or half-board booking leaves you freer to roam.
All-inclusive is fantastic value for big appetites and families, but it can keep you inside the resort bubble. If part of the appeal of the Canaries is the food, the villages and the mountain drives, consider half-board or self-catering so you're tempted out.
Booking tips
- Book festive and Carnival weeks far ahead — Christmas, New Year and Carnival are the busiest, priciest windows; see best time to visit.
- Weigh package versus DIY. A charter package with flights, hotel and transfers can beat booking separately, especially in peak season — compare both.
- Check the transfer time from the airport, particularly on Tenerife, before you fall for a resort; see getting to the islands.
- Read recent reviews for the specific block or apartment, not just the resort — quality varies within complexes.
- Consider a hire car if you're somewhere spread out; it widens where you can sensibly stay. See getting around.
Putting it together
Start with the island that matches your mood, lean south for sun or north for local life, pick the resort whose character fits, then choose the room type that suits your budget and appetite for exploring. Do that in order and you'll land somewhere you love. From here, dig into the individual island guides and resort pages, sort the practical side with getting there, and you're ready to book with confidence.