Beyond the best-known islands, the Canaries hide four islands that invite a different kind of trip: no big resorts, more nature than organised entertainment and a slower pace that children, surprisingly, love.
La Palma, the Beautiful Island
Green, steep and blessed with some of the best skies in the world for stargazing. With children, don’t miss the San Antonio volcano visitor centre in Fuencaliente, with a path along the crater rim, and the Barco de la Virgen, a replica caravel housing the naval museum in Santa Cruz de La Palma. Los Cancajos is the most comfortable beach for small children.
La Palma Princess (Fuencaliente)
A mini club for ages 4–12, a children’s pool heated in winter, cots and high chairs on request, and Superior Family rooms.
La Gomera, the island of the whistled language
About 50 minutes by boat from Los Cristianos in Tenerife, La Gomera is laurel forest, deep ravines and silbo gomero, a whistled language recognised by UNESCO and still taught in schools. Garajonay National Park has short, easy trails, and the calm Charco del Conde in Valle Gran Rey is known as “Baby Beach”.
Hotel Jardín Tecina (Playa de Santiago)
A garden hotel on the cliffs with a kids’ club for ages 4–13, a space for under-3s with their parents, a water area with a slide and family rooms.
El Hierro, the quiet island
The smallest inhabited island is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Global Geopark. Children will remember the giant lizard at the Guinea Ecomuseum, the natural rock pools when the sea is calm and a picnic in the pine forest of Hoya del Morcillo, which has a free playground and barbecues.
Finca Afortunada (El Golfo)
Self-catering apartments among palm trees, with fully equipped kitchens and a shared pool, about 100 metres from the coast.
La Graciosa, the eighth island
With no tarmac roads, La Graciosa is reached by a 25–30 minute boat ride from Órzola in the north of Lanzarote and explored on foot, by bike or in 4×4 taxis. Caleta de Sebo has a calm beach by the harbour. Bring a baby carrier rather than a pushchair, your own shade, and don’t swim at Playa de las Conchas: it is stunning but has strong currents.
Apartamentos Graciosamar (Caleta de Sebo)
Family apartments for up to five with two bedrooms and kitchens, with a travel cot available.
Before you go
On these islands, roads are mountainous and services are fewer: plan journeys, book accommodation early and bring the basics for the children from home. In return, you get some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Canary Islands.