Getting there
Fly into the main regional gateway for Canary Islands. Reserve airport pick-up or the fastest train link into the centre.
Itinerary · Canary Islands · 6 days
6 days in Canary Islands · the essential route
Canary Islands in 6 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
A 6-day plan to see the best of Canary Islands without wasting time on transfers. Each day pairs one hub with the sights worth queueing for, a beach or excursion for the afternoon, restaurants worth booking and 1–2 Viator tours that fit the rhythm of the day.
- Ideal for
- First-time visitors · slow travellers
- When
- May–June and September–early October
- Budget
- 1320–2280 € per person (accommodation + tours, excluding flights)
- Duration
- 6 days · 5 noches
Getting around
Rent a car for inter-hub transfers; use taxis inside town centres.
Where to sleep
Split your nights across the hubs listed below, one to two nights per base to avoid check-in fatigue.
Trip index
6 days, día por día
Day 1
Santa Cruz de Tenerife — Capital of Tenerife and gate to the Anaga rural park
Day 2Puerto de la Cruz — César Manrique's black-sand town on Tenerife's north coast
Day 3Costa Adeje — Tenerife's polished south
Day 4Las Palmas de Gran Canaria — Colonial capital and Europe's best urban beach
Day 5Maspalomas — Sahara-blown dunes and endless southern sunshine on Gran Canaria
Day 6Playa Blanca — Southern tip of Lanzarote and gate to the Papagayo coves
Day 01
Santa Cruz de Tenerife — Capital of Tenerife and gate to the Anaga rural park
Sleep in · Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Day 1 centred on Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Capital of Tenerife and gate to the Anaga rural park. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Auditorio de Tenerife (Calatrava) and TEA — Tenerife Espacio de las Artes.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Las Teresitas (San Andrés) (or Las Gaviotas (naturist) if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Kazan (1★) (back-up: El Aguarde).
Where to eat
- Kazan (1★)
- El Aguarde
- San Sebastián 57
Bookable for day 1 · Viator
2 recommended tours
Day 02
Puerto de la Cruz — César Manrique's black-sand town on Tenerife's north coast
Sleep in · Puerto de la Cruz
Day 2 centred on Puerto de la Cruz. César Manrique's black-sand town on Tenerife's north coast. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Puerto de la Cruz: Lago Martiánez (Manrique) and Loro Parque.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Playa Jardín (Manrique) (or San Telmo natural pool if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Régulo (back-up: La Papelería).
Where to eat
- Régulo
- La Papelería
- Brunelli's Steakhouse
Bookable for day 2 · Viator
2 recommended tours
Day 03
Costa Adeje — Tenerife's polished south
Sleep in · Costa Adeje
Day 3 centred on Costa Adeje. Tenerife's polished south — beach clubs and Michelin resorts. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Costa Adeje: La Caleta fishing village and Barranco del Infierno hike.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Playa del Duque (or Playa de Fañabé if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at El Rincón de Juan Carlos (2★) (back-up: NUB (1★)).
Where to eat
- El Rincón de Juan Carlos (2★)
- NUB (1★)
- La Vieja de La Caleta
Bookable for day 3 · Viator
2 recommended tours
Day 04
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria — Colonial capital and Europe's best urban beach
Sleep in · Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Day 4 centred on Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Colonial capital and Europe's best urban beach. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Vegueta old town & Casa de Colón and Catedral de Santa Ana.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Las Canteras (reef-protected) (or El Confital (surf) if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Deliciosa Marta (back-up: Muxgo (1★)).
Where to eat
- Deliciosa Marta
- Muxgo (1★)
- Qué Leche
Bookable for day 4 · Viator
2 recommended tours
Day 05
Maspalomas — Sahara-blown dunes and endless southern sunshine on Gran Canaria
Sleep in · Maspalomas
Day 5 centred on Maspalomas. Sahara-blown dunes and endless southern sunshine on Gran Canaria. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Maspalomas: Maspalomas dune reserve and Faro de Maspalomas.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Maspalomas Dunas (or Playa del Inglés if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Ovo (back-up: 360º (Bohemia rooftop)).
Where to eat
- Ovo
- 360º (Bohemia rooftop)
- Rías Bajas
Bookable for day 5 · Viator
2 recommended tours
Day 06
Playa Blanca — Southern tip of Lanzarote and gate to the Papagayo coves
Sleep in · Playa Blanca
Day 6 centred on Playa Blanca. Southern tip of Lanzarote and gate to the Papagayo coves. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Playa Blanca: Marina Rubicón and Castillo de las Coloradas.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Papagayo coves (or Playa Dorada if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at La Cocina de Colacho (1★) (back-up: Kabuki (1★) at Princesa Yaiza).
Where to eat
- La Cocina de Colacho (1★)
- Kabuki (1★) at Princesa Yaiza
- Ambassador
Bookable for day 6 · Viator
2 recommended tours
Before leaving home
Packing and logistics tips
- 01Layer for cool mornings and hot midday sun
- 02Book restaurants and top-tier tours 2–3 weeks ahead
- 03Comfortable walking shoes — most old towns are cobbled
- 04A small day-pack for water, sunscreen and a light shell
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