The best free things to do in the Canary Islands are lazing on the beaches, walking the Maspalomas dunes, exploring historic old towns like La Laguna, Betancuria and Teguise market, drinking in the clifftop viewpoints, swimming in natural rock pools, hiking the coastal and volcanic trails, and catching the free-entry days at the islands' museums. A Canary holiday needn't cost a fortune once you've arrived — the islands' greatest assets, their landscapes and light, are free. This guide rounds up the best no-cost experiences and links each to its full guide, plus our tips on the Canary Islands on a budget.
The beaches — free by nature
The obvious one, and still the best. Every public beach in the Canaries is free to sit on; you only pay if you want a hired sunbed and parasol. Bring a towel, some shade and a picnic and you have a full day's entertainment for nothing, from the golden family sands of the south to the wild black-sand coves of the north. Browse the options in our Canary Islands beaches hub and pick a different one each day.
Walk the Maspalomas dunes
One of the archipelago's great free experiences is a walk across the Maspalomas dunes on Gran Canaria — a protected sea of rolling golden sand that feels like a slice of the Sahara. It costs nothing to wander in, and the light at sunrise and late afternoon is magical. Stick to the marked routes to protect the fragile nature reserve, take water, and you have a memorable morning for free.
Explore the historic old towns
The islands' old towns are open-air museums you can enjoy without spending a cent. Wander the UNESCO-listed streets of La Laguna on Tenerife, once the island's capital, with its colourful colonial mansions and churches. On Fuerteventura, the tiny former capital of Betancuria sits pretty in the hills. And on Lanzarote, the whitewashed town of Teguise hosts one of the Canaries' biggest and best Sunday markets — free to browse, with buskers, crafts and local food filling the historic square.
Chase the viewpoints
The islands are laced with spectacular free miradores (viewpoints), many designed to frame a particular vista. From roadside pull-ins on the way up Teide to the clifftop balconies of Gran Canaria and the north of Lanzarote, they cost nothing but a short drive and reward you with some of the best views in the Atlantic. Pack a flask of coffee, time it for sunset, and you have an evening's entertainment for the price of the petrol.
Swim in the natural rock pools
Where lava meets the ocean, the islanders have long swum in natural rock pools — sheltered, seawater-filled basins that are calmer and often warmer than the open sea, and completely free. Tenerife and La Palma have some of the best, from Garachico's famous pools to hidden coves you'll find on a coastal walk. Check the tide and swell before you swim, and wear something on your feet for the rock.
Hike the trails
Some of Europe's finest walking is free for the taking here, from gentle coastal paths to the volcanic high country. Hiking in the Canary Islands ranges from the laurel forests of the north to the pine-clad ridges and calderas of the interior, with well-marked trails and no entry fees on the public routes. Take proper shoes, water and sun protection, and you can fill days with spectacular scenery at no cost.
Time your museum visits
Many of the islands' museums and cultural sites offer free-entry days or slots — often a particular afternoon or the whole of a set day each week. Ask at the tourist office or check online before you go, and you can enjoy places like the archaeology and history collections for nothing. Sundays and public holidays are common for free access, though it varies by museum, so it pays to plan ahead.
Stargazing under some of the world's clearest skies
One of the greatest free shows in the Canaries happens after dark. The islands have some of the clearest, least light-polluted skies on Earth — La Palma and Tenerife host world-class observatories for a reason — and simply lying back on a quiet beach or a mountain layby on a moonless night reveals the Milky Way in a way most British visitors never see at home. It costs nothing but a warm layer and a bit of patience. For where to look and when, see our guide to stargazing in the Canary Islands.
Free festivals and fiestas
Time your trip well and you'll stumble into a fiesta for nothing. Every town and village has its saint's-day celebration with free processions, music and fireworks, and the big carnivals of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas in February and March are among the largest in the world — dazzling street parties open to all. Even outside the headline events, weekend markets, harbour festivals and open-air concerts run through the year. Ask at the tourist office what's on during your stay; the islanders love a celebration and visitors are always welcome to join in.
More free ideas at a glance
| Free thing | Where it's best |
|---|---|
| Beaches and coastal walks | Every island |
| Maspalomas dunes | Gran Canaria |
| Historic old towns | La Laguna, Betancuria, Teguise |
| Sunday markets | Teguise (Lanzarote), Mercado de Teror (Gran Canaria) |
| Natural rock pools | Tenerife, La Palma |
| Viewpoints and stargazing | Teide, La Palma, Roque Nublo |
Tap water is safe to drink on most of the islands but often tastes of desalination, so many visitors prefer bottled — refill a bottle from the supermarket rather than buying small ones. Cooking in a self-catering apartment and enjoying the free beaches and trails is the simplest way to keep a Canary holiday cheap.
The bottom line
You don't need to spend to enjoy the Canaries. Combine free beach days, a walk across the Maspalomas dunes, the old towns of La Laguna, Betancuria and Teguise, a dip in the natural pools and a stretch of the island hiking trails, and you'll have a rich holiday for very little. For more, see our guide to the Canary Islands on a budget.