The best Canary Island for most winter visitors is Tenerife (for choice and reliable sun in the south) or Gran Canaria (for city life in Las Palmas plus sunny resorts). Lanzarote suits those who want calm, Fuerteventura suits beach lovers who do not mind wind, and La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro suit people looking for nature and quiet rather than services.
All seven islands compared
| Island | Winter weather | Pace | Services for long stays | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenerife | Sunny south, greener north | Lively to local | Excellent | First winters, choice |
| Gran Canaria | Sunny south, cloudier Las Palmas | City and resorts | Excellent | Remote workers, city lovers |
| Lanzarote | Dry, breezy | Calm | Good | Couples, retirees |
| Fuerteventura | Dry, windy | Very quiet | Fair | Beaches, watersports |
| La Palma | Greener, more rain | Rural | Limited | Hikers, nature |
| La Gomera | Mild, varied | Very rural | Limited | Walkers, slow travel |
| El Hierro | Mild, varied | Remote | Very limited | Divers, total peace |
How to choose
Start with three questions: how much sun do you need, do you want to live without a car, and do you want a town with Spanish life or a resort with English everywhere?
- Sun first: southern Tenerife or southern Gran Canaria.
- No car: Los Cristianos, Puerto de la Cruz, Las Palmas or Puerto del Carmen.
- Real local life: Las Palmas, Puerto de la Cruz or Arrecife.
- Peace and nature: Lanzarote, or one of the green western islands.
Tenerife
The biggest island has the widest choice of bases and the most flights. The south is the sunniest place for a winter walk along the sea; the north is greener and cheaper. Read Wintering in Tenerife.
Gran Canaria
The only island with a real city by the beach. Las Palmas is ideal for a long stay if you want culture and coworking, while the south delivers the most sunshine in the archipelago. Read Wintering in Gran Canaria.
Lanzarote
Low-rise, dry and peaceful, with striking volcanic landscapes and good food. Expect breezy days. Read Wintering in Lanzarote.
Fuerteventura
The best beaches and the most wind. Perfect for walkers and watersports, too quiet for some. Read Wintering in Fuerteventura.
La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro
The western islands are greener, wilder and much quieter. They are wonderful for hiking and slow travel but have fewer rentals, fewer flights and more changeable winter weather.
Our verdict
For a first winter, choose southern Tenerife or Gran Canaria: you get the most sunshine, the most services and the easiest flights. Once you know what you like, the smaller islands are a great second winter.