Best destinations in the Canary Islands for holidays without a car
Beaches – Costa Adeje, Puerto Rico, Costa Teguise, Corralejo
City trip and exploring the island – Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Las Palmas, Arrecife, Caleta de Fuste
Touristy destinations with lots to do and see – Costa Adeje, Playa del Ingles
Party and nightlife – Playa de las Americas, Playa del Ingles, Puerto del Carmen, Corralejo
Beach holidays without a car
1. Costa Adeje in Tenerife
Costa Adeje has a wide variety of beaches, all within walking distance for most people. Playa de la Pinta is very good for families. Playa de Torviscas and Playa Fanabe are slightly more upscale, featuring Balinese-style beds and beach clubs. Playa del Duque is the most luxurious, and Playa el Beril has unique black sand. Playa el Bobo is further away, more towards Playa de Las Americas, but for most, it is also within walking distance.
Costa Adeje also offers an easy connection to the airport and plenty of activities to enjoy, including boat tours and tourbus excursions that can be joined.
Hovima La Pinta Beachfront is a great hotel in an excellent location. It is close to everything and right next to the beach.
2. Corralejo in Fuerteventura
Corralejo has five different beaches, including the famous Popcorn Beach, but also the Grandes Playas beach, just outside the town and about 10 minutes by bus. Boat trips from the local marina can give you an excellent beach day out to neighbouring islands and nearby beaches. The bus can also take you to more secluded beaches nearby.
It is best to book a shuttle or taxi before arriving to get here from the airport.
Barcelo Corralejo Sands is great for families, and H10 Ocean Dreams is better for couples and adults. Both are in an excellent location, for those who don’t hire a car, close to everything, like restaurants, nightlife, and the beach.
3. Puerto Rico in Gran Canaria
While staying in the Maspalomas area is ideal for those who want giant beaches, Puerto Rico is better for those who want a variety of more unique and different, smaller-scale beaches. These can easily be reached by bus, and some are within walking distance. Additionally, there are numerous boat tours available that can take you there. Beaches you can easily reach from here are the Playa de Puerto Rico, but also Playa de Amadores, Playa del Cura, Playa del Diablito and the famous Playa de Mogan.
While plenty of buses connect you to other places on the island, it is best to book a shuttle bus or taxi before arriving to get to and from the airport.
Gloria Palace Amardores is a great place to stay, with a lift to the beaches or your own “private” bus stop. Marina Bayview is great for couples and adults, close to the beach, bus stop, and marina.
4. Costa Teguise in Lanzarote
Costa Teguise has several lovely beaches to explore, but you can also take the bus from here to less touristy beaches in the less touristy North of the island. A long car-free promenade beside the beach makes this area ideal for beachgoers and water sports enthusiasts.
This area does not have a good connection to the airport, so the best option is to book a shuttle or taxi before arrival.
If you are staying here without a car, Los Zocos Impressive Lanzarote is ideal for families with older children and teenagers. Apartamentos Oceano is a great option for budget-friendly holidays, while Barceló Teguise Beach offers a luxurious holiday experience.
City trips and exploring the island without a car
1. Las Palmas in Gran Canaria
This is still one of my favourite places on the island. Las Palmas has a bit of everything you might want. From a large shopping centre, to excellent restaurants, lots of different markets and parks to explore and one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. None of it is too touristy, and it still feels very authentically Spanish.
You can use the excellent public transport to visit popular places on the island. The city is easy to explore on foot or by bike, with separated cycling lanes. Both Vegueta and Aquarium Poema Del Mar can easily be reached this way. There is a good connection to the airport by public transport, but depending on where your hotel is, the bus might stop far or close to it.
2. Arrecife in Lanzarote
It is a small city with an excellent beach, good restaurants, and few tourists. Popular parks like Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park and Aquapark Costa Teguise are just a few kilometres away and can easily be reached by bus. Getting here from the airport and exploring the rest of the island is also easy by public bus.
3. Puerto del Rosario in Fuerteventura
Caleta de Fuste is a great, cheap place to stay and explore Fuerteventura by public transport. It is the easiest place to explore nearby areas, mainly the North of the island. There are some lovely beaches and restaurants here, all typically Spanish, so it helps to speak the language a bit. Getting here from the airport is also easy, without the need to hire a car.
4. Santa Cruz in Tenerife
While Santa Cruz is a lovely city to explore for tapas, restaurants, parks and shopping, for beaches and activities, it is not ideal. While the Playa de las Teresitas can be reached by bus, it is pretty far outside the town, and most activities and popular amusement parks are on the other side of the island. However, you can easily take the bus from Santa Cruz to Puerto de la Cruz and some nearby hiking and nature parks. To explore in the city, you can do so by tourist bus or the tram system.
Touristy destinations with lots to do and see (and no need for a hire car)
1. Costa Adeje in Tenerife
By far the most developed and touristy holiday destination on the Canary Islands, Costa Adeje is ideal for a holiday without a car. Not only are there many different beaches, but there are also some zoos, amusement parks, and water parks here. From Costa Adeje, you can also join many different excursions daily to explore the island.
You can explore much of the coastline by boat, whether you go on a boat excursion or rent one of the touristy boats that don’t require a license. Costa Adeje can also be easily reached from the airport by bus, and the public transport to get around is easy, with many connections available to popular tourist spots.
Choose Hovima La Pinta Beachfront for a great hotel near everything you want and right next to the beach.
2. Playa del Ingles in Gran Canaria
Playa del Ingles is the second most developed tourist destination on the Canary Islands. It has some fantastic beaches and dunes. There are also many attractions, water parks, and amusement parks like Palmitos Park and Aqualand Maspalomas. You can join many jeep, buggy, or camel safaris from here. You can also connect to nearby hiking and mountain trails by bus.
There are plenty of excursions you can join daily to explore more of the island. Many other popular holiday destinations and villages are not too far away and can easily be reached by bus, as this area is the best connected to public transport after Las Palmas. You can also go by tourist boat along the coastline. Getting to Playa del Ingles from the airport is also easy and cheap by public transport or shuttle bus.
Choose Sol Barbacan or HD Parque Cristobal Gran Canaria for a family holiday. For adults, Playa del Sol or Bohemia Suites & Spa are ideal.
Party and nightlife without a car (more fun and safer!)
All these have everything you could want for a holiday without needing a hire car, great connections to the airport and other places on the island, things to see and do nearby during the daytime and some excellent beaches. On top of that, they are ideal for people who wanna party and enjoy the nightlife.
1. Playa de las Americas in Tenerife
Playa de Las Americas is the best place for a clubbing and party holiday on the Canary Islands. If you are staying here, not only do you have the famous Las Veronicas party street, but Costa Adeje, nearby, also offers the option for some really fun nights out.
2. Playa del Ingles in Gran Canaria
Playa del Ingles is the second-biggest party destination on the island. While the nightlife changes a lot throughout the year, it is especially popular for clubbing during school and university holidays. Other times of the year, the nightlife is more relaxed and focused on a somewhat older generation.
3. Corralejo in Fuerteventura
Here, you will find many live performances and shows in the evening. There is a small clubbing area in the direction of the marina. For the best clubbing scene, weekends, school, and university holidays are the best, but don’t expect too much.
4. Puerto del Carmen in Lanzarote
Nightlife here is also very good, but more focused on bands, shows and live performances.
