Gran Canaria or Tenerife: which is better for a holiday all year round?
Of the eight islands that make up the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria and Tenerife are the most similar. Both have soaring mountains, pristine beaches, plentiful resorts and hotels and, of course, wonderful sunshine throughout the year.
But, while these paradise-like islands might seem the same, they each have their own character, culture and reasons for visiting. Luckily, our resident Canary Islands specialist Ross Clarke is on hand to help us choose between these two Canarian heavyweights.
Getting to the Canary Islands: find breaks for all budgets to the Canary Islands with Jet2holidays*, which offers escapes for all to Gran Canaria* and Tenerife*.
The best beaches in the Canary Islands
Okay, let's start with the biggie. Which island has the best beaches? As the largest of the islands in the archipelago, Tenerife* has more coastline; as such, there are more than 100 beaches to choose from, be it the family-friendly sort like the Blue-flag Fañabe on the ever-popular Costa Adeje* to the more rugged black-sand El Bolullo beach in the north of the island.
The beaches of the southwest of the island around Los Cristianos* and Costa Adeje can get incredibly busy during both the winter and summer high seasons.
Those looking for surfing and swells should head to El Médano on the southeast coast, where you'll also find a selection of surf shops and schools. If you're staying near the capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife, try the manmade Las Terrasitas.
Meanwhile, Gran Canaria* should not be written off. It may be the smaller of the two islands but it packs a punch with more than 80 beaches on offer.
And if it's sand you're after, you can't beat the Maspalomas* dunes. These undulating hills of fine yellow grains are thought to have been created by a tsunami nearly 300 years ago.
They are now protected, so while the beaches are great for fun and soaking up the rays (there are designated nudist and gay beaches too), you should keep to the dedicated public areas of the dunes themselves as strict preservation orders are in place.
Gran Canaria has many other family-friendly beaches, such as those at Puerto Rico* and Amadores*, but my personal favourite is in the north of the island.
Playa de Las Canteras is quite possibly the best city beach in the world (sorry Copacabana). This 3-km-long bay has a natural rock reef which protects the shallow waters near the shore making it ideal for sea bathing.
Not only that but the beach is backed by a promenade of top-rate restaurants (Mar Gastrotasca I'm looking at you) and ice cream shops.
Verdict: Gran Canaria takes this one for its swathes of sand.
Outdoor adventure & activities
Gran Canaria is often overlooked as a destination for hiking and mountainous pursuits but the centre of the island surprises visitors with pine forests, sky-scraping monoliths and hiking opportunities for all levels.
Treks to the two Roques (Bentayga and Nublo) are popular entry-level routes where you'll be able to marvel at the remains of the gigantic volcanic crater that covers this central part of the island.
While Gran Canaria's peaks might be imposing, they cannot quite match those of Tenerife for sheer impact. Mount Teide volcano is the highest mountain in Spain (3,715 metres above sea level) and the third tallest volcano in the world.
Close to the top, you can take a cable car to just below the summit and look down on the clouds hovering well below your feet.
Breathtaking is overused in travel writing but looking at the ochre landscape from this prehistoric pedestal, it feels appropriate. Come here for stargazing as you are almost certainly guaranteed clear dark skies.
You can even stay at the Parador Las Cañadas del Teide, the only hotel in these lofty parts. But it's not just barren mountainscapes in Tenerife.
Head to Anaga Rural Park in the island's northeast for lush coastal forests. Keep your eyes peeled for the famous laurisilva plant that has survived since prehistoric times.
Verdict: Tenerife takes the crown thanks to its extreme landscape.
Culture
You'll hear the term 'guanche' across the islands to refer to the pre-Hispanic inhabitants of the archipelago, but this is a catch-all term, as the people of Gran Canaria were not guanches, nor the population of Fuerteventura for example.
The term mostly refers to the indigenous people of Tenerife. It's thought that the name of the island comes from the guanche words for snowy peak. Sadly, not much of the Guanche history remains to be seen in Tenerife.
But for a spot of heritage and history, head to the island's north to the old capital of San Cristóbal de La Laguna and nearby La Orotava. These were the richest areas on the island at one time as can be seen in the handsome buildings.
It's in the cultural stakes that Gran Canaria really comes into its own. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the most populated urban centre on the islands and the ninth largest city in Spain and as such draws in festivals and institutions.
The old town of Vegueta is packed with sights, from the modern art museum, the Columbus Museum, the majestic Catedral de Santa Ana and my particular favourite, the Museo Canario, which tells the story of the island's original inhabitants and contains a rather creepy but fascinating room filled with mummies and skeletons.
At the other end of the city, you'll find the opera house, the science and technology museum that kids will love where you can ride a giant robotic hand and Parque Santa Catalina, where the Womad Music Festival rocks up each year.
Gran Canaria also has more prehistoric remains than the other islands, such as the intricate Cueva Pintada (painted cave) in one of the island's original capitals Gáldar.
Verdict it has to be Gran Canaria with its well-preserved indigenous remains.
Food & drink
It's often been said that Tenerife is the more gastronomic island, and it's true. The island has excelled at both the highest level (10 Michelin Stars at current count) and also more rustic local restaurants.
Each year, just after the grape harvest (yes, the islands have fantastic volcanic wines) in September and October, small wineries and vineyards have pop-up canteens called guachinches, which serve simple grilled meat and potatoes washed down with their wines.
They are usually little more than shacks, but you can often get a great value meal and help preserve this little bit of history on the island. There are strict rules for proper guachinches as they are only allowed to trade for this period, so don't be fooled by those open year-round.
Shakespeare is said to have demanded a barrel of Canarian wine as part of his salary and it's most likely that it was made in La Orotava Valley in the north of Tenerife.
This long history of wine production means excellent quality and plenty of native grape varieties such as Listán Negro and Malvasía. If you want to try a selection, stop by the Casa del Vino in the north.
Gran Canaria has been making gains in the food and drink world over the last few years, with many chefs focusing on local products and innovation. One such chef is Borja Marrero whose restaurant won the archipelago's first Green Michelin Star, awarded for sustainable restaurant practices.
The island has never been as famous for its wine as its neighbours, but there are efforts to make more of it with the Ruta del Vino de Gran Canaria. This self-guided wine route takes in wineries, vineyards, restaurants and bars all featuring locally produced wines.
One thing you can't miss is the Arehucas rum factory in Arucas in the north of the island. Take a tour and enjoy the generous tasting measures afterwards; they've been distilling here for more than a century.
Verdict: Tenerife just pips it, but watch this space as Gran Canaria is hot on its heels. If you are in Tenerife, try a barraquito; coffee laced with Licor 43 and condensed milk.
Compare weather
Use the graphs below to compare the weather in both destinations. Find out more about the climate in Gran Canaria and the climate in Tenerife as well as conditions across the region in our complete guide to the climate in the Canary Islands.
Gran Canaria vs Tenerife
- Maximum daytime temperature
- Hours of sunshine
- Days with some rainfall
- Monthly rainfall
- Sea temperature
Maximum daytime temperature (°C)
Hours of sunshine per day
Days with some rainfall
Monthly rainfall (mm)
Sea temperature (°C)
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