The one thing we learned during the Covid-19 Pandemic was not to take our freedom for granted. We were grateful to have made it home from Australia, as there’s no other place on earth we’d have rather spent a lockdown than in Lanzarote. We really appreciated the climate and landscape of this volcanic rock in the Atlantic ocean, that we’re proud to call home, during the months that the world as we knew it paused. During this time we reflected that we’ve spent the last few years travelling long haul, but hadn’t fully explored all of the Canary Islands on our doorstep. That is when we decided to embark on our 8 islands road trip, so that we could visit the smaller islands of La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro for the first time.
The following was our itinerary for the 8 islands road trip which we completed in July 2021, with links to photo albums, videos and more detailed articles (as we get chance to write up the different islands).
La Graciosa
The 8th island of La Graciosa is situated off the Northern tip of Lanzarote and within the protected Reserva Marina del Archipiélago Chinijo. We’re no strangers to La Graciosa, it’s a fabulous choice for a day out in Lanzarote, but just because we know the island, we couldn’t leave it off our 8 Islands Tour.
Our plan for Friday 16th July:
- Ferry with Líneas Romero from Órzola to Caleta de Sebo
- Jeep Safari Tour
- Playa de las Conchas
- Playa de la Cocina
- Lunch in Caleta de Sebo
Facebook album: La Graciosa photos
Lanzarote
Having lived in Lanzarote for 20 years we didn’t need to spend time exploring this island!
Our plan for Friday 16th July:
- Drive from Órzola to Playa Blanca via Timanfaya for a scenic route
- Check in to the Natura Palace hotel for 1 night
- Dinner in Playa Blanca town centre
Facebook album: Lanzarote photos
Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura is the second largest of the Canary Islands and famous for fantastic beaches. We’ve enjoyed a few short breaks before in Fuerteventura, it’s the easiest option from Lanzarote to island hop for a change of scenery. Whilst Corralejo is the closest resort to home, we tend to head further South and this trip was no exception.
Our plan for Saturday 17th July 2021:
- Fred Olsen ferry Playa Blanca – Corralejo 10:00-10:45
- Drive to the Parque Natural de las Dunas de Corralejo
- Drive to Popcorn Beach
- Find somewhere for lunch on route to our hotel
- Check in to the Barcelo Castillo Royal Level for 1 night
- Swim at the natural pool in Caleta de Fuste
Our plan for Sunday 18th July 2021:
- Check out of our hotel after breakfast
- Drive to Jandia via the FV-30 & FV-605 with a stop in Betancuria & Mirador astronómico de Sicasumbre
- Check in to the Iberostar Selection Fuerteventura Palace for 1 night
Facebook album: Fuerteventura photos
Gran Canaria
It’s been a while since we’ve been over to Gran Canaria. Las Palmas is great for an island hopping shopping trip, we’ve also previously stayed in Playa del Inglés and Puerto Mogán.
Our plan for Monday 19th July:
- Drive to Morro Jable for the 12:00 ferry to Las Palmas arriving 14:00.
- Check into the Bed & Chic hotel in Las Palmas (base to explore) for 3 nights
- Visit La Vegueta (old town Las Palmas) for lunch & wander maybe visit Casa de Colón (Columbus) & Catedral de Santa Ana apparently you can climb to the top for a fabulous view! Mayor de Triana street to find more fabulous old buildings
- Stroll along the promenade at Las Canteras beach
Our plan for Tuesday 20th July:
- Visit Firgas to see the natural water features
- Rum tasting at Arehucas!
- Visit Agaete to see a coffee plantation & Las Salinas de Agaete for a swim
Our plan for Wednesday 21st July:
- Visit Agüimes to stroll around the streets
- Drive the GC-550 through the olive trees
- Drive up to the highest point of Roque Nublo
- Visit Puerto de Mogán
- Drive the coast road GC-500 to Meloneras through the resorts
Facebook album: Gran Canaria photos
Tenerife
We like spending time in Tenerife. Santa Cruz is great for a city vibe, Puerto de la Cruz has a lovely Spanish feel and we’ve enjoyed experiencing some quality hotels in Costa Adeje. For this trip, Tenerife will be the gateway to the smaller islands.
Our plan for Thursday 22nd July:
- Ferry from Gran Canaria to Tenerife: Agaete 10:00-11:30
- Check into the Spring Arona for 1 night
Facebook album: Tenerife photos
La Palma
La Palma, known as La Isla Bonita is the island I’m most excited to have visited on this trip!
Our plan for Friday 23rd July:
- Ferry from Tenerife to La Palma 08:30-11:00
- Drive to Los Tilos for a short walk to the Cascada de los Tilos (waterfall) in a laurel forest
- Lunch at Chipi Chipi
- Visit the capital of Santa Cruz to see the famous balconies on Avenida Marítima
- Check into the H10 Taburiente Playa for 2 nights
Our plan for Saturday 24th July:
- Visit the Museo del Puro Palmero
- Drive up to the Roque de los Muchachos (observatory viewpoint & highest point 2,426m)
- Visit Poris de candelaria (houses built in a sea cave)
- Visit Tazacorte beach & harbour town, plus banana plantations
- Visit Playa de Echentive (youngest beach 1971 when Mt Teneguiá erupted) & El Aljibe
Facebook album: La Palma photos
For more detailed info read: La Palma (Camel Travel on Tour)
La Gomera
La Gomera, known for their Silbo whistling language and the last port of call for Christopher Columbus before sailing into the unknown.
Our plan for Sunday 25th July:
- Ferry La Palma to La Gomera via Los Cristianos 10:00-12:30 then 15:30-16:20
- Check in to the Jardín Tecina hotel for 2 nights
Our plan for Monday 26th July:
- Roque de Agando viewpoint
- El Cedro forest & church
- Visit Mirador de Abrante (a glass viewing deck between Hermigua & Vallehermoso)
- Visit Mirador César Manrique
- Lunch in Valle Gran Rey at a fresh fish restaurant
Our plan for Tuesday 27th July:
- Visit Playa Santiago
- Visit the capital of San Sebastián
- Ferry La Gomera-Los Cristianos 14:00-14:50
Facebook album: La Gomera photos
For more detailed info read: La Gomera (Camel Travel on tour)
Tenerife
Back to Tenerife for a brief overnight stop.
Our plan for Tuesday 27th July:
- Visit Masca, said to be the most beautiful village on Tenerife
- Walk the Rambla de Castro footpath to see the Antigüo Elevador de Aguas de la Gordejuela (recently voted one of the most beautiful ruins on the planet!)
- Check in to the H10 Tenerife Playa hotel in Puerto de la Cruz for 1 night
Facebook album: Tenerife photos
El Hierro
El Hierro, the island with soul. This is the furthest South West island of the Canaries, also known as the Isla del Meridian (Meridian 0).
Our plan Wednesday 28th July:
- Flight from Tenerife North to El Hierro 10:00-10:40
- Collect hire car
- Holy tree Árbol Garoé
- Lunch at the Guachinche Aguadara
- Check in to the Parador El Hierro for 2 nights
Our plan Thursday 29th July:
- Visit Las Puntas to see Hotel Punta Grande (smallest hotel in the world) & Roques de Salmor
- Visit Ecomuseo de Guinea caves to see the rescue centre for the Lagarto Gigante (giant lizards)
- Try a Quesadilla
- Visit the Charco Azul (natural pool in a cave)
- Visit El Verodal (red beach)
- Drive through La Sabina (bent trees) and El Pinar (forest)
- Late lunch at El Refugio in El Restinga
Our plan Friday 30th July:
- Visit Pozo de las Calcosas (swimming pool, Neptune sculpture & traditional thatched houses
- Visit the Gorona del Viento (renewable energy source)
- Lunch at the Mirador la Peña
- Visit Tamaduste for a swim
- Flight from El Hierro to Tenerife North 18:45-19:25
Facebook album: El Hierro photos
For more detailed information read: El Hierro – Camel Travel on Tour
Tenerife
Back to Tenerife for a final stay in the capital before heading home.
Our plan Friday 30th July:
- Check in to the Hotel emblematic Hi Suites for 2 nights
Our plan Saturday 31st July:
- Shopping in Santa Cruz
- Drive the TF-12 through the Parque Rural de Anaga
- Stop at the Camino Viejo al Pico del Inglés
- Mojito at Playa de las Teresitas
Our plan Sunday 1st August:
- Ferry from Santa Cruz in Tenerife to Agaete in Gran Canaria 10:30-11:50
- Drive across the north of Gran Canaria from Agaete to Las Palmas
- Ferry from Las Palmas, Gran Canaria to Morro Jable in Fuerteventura 14:00-16:00
Facebook album: Tenerife photos
Fuerteventura
Back to Fuerteventura for our last night.
Our plan Sunday 1st August:
- Check in the the XQ El Palacete hotel in Morro Jable for 1 night
- Dinner at Restaurante Laja (seafood on the beachfront)
Our plan Monday 2nd August:
- Relaxed morning at our hotel
- Drive from Morro Jable to Corralejo
- Ferry Corralejo, Fuerteventura to Playa Blanca, Lanzarote 15:00
- Drive home
That’s it! We had good fun exploring all of the Canary Islands during our 8 Islands Road Trip over 17 days. Admittedly it was a bit of a whirlwind visit in places and if you’re planning something similar, you may want to build in more time for exploring or relaxing. If you like videos, you can find our YouTube playlist here: 8 Islands Road Trip
