The Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago off the coast of northwestern Africa, are rugged volcanic isles known for their black- and white-sand beaches.
Tenerife, the largest island, is dominated by the sometimes-snowy active volcano Mt. Teide, which has its own astronomical observatory and is part of Teide National Park.
Tenerife hosts a huge pre-Lent Carnival in the capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
The seven other main islands are (from largest to smallest in area) Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Graciosa.
Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura offers beaches with pools full of small fish along with easy trails to explore on foot or by bike, and small, white villages.
The island is rarely crowded with dunes of Corralejo are one of the attractions.
The soft and undulating hills of fine and clean sand are bordered by beaches with crystalline waters.
Another attraction is the islet of Lobos which has dreamy beaches and coves with intense turquoise waters.
The Molino de Antigua is an authentic windmill.
Tenerife
Tenerife offers culture, nature, and gastronomy along with the beaches and natural pools, such as Bajamar.
A major attraction is the Siam Park, water park and there is whale-watching or dolphin-watching trip year-round.
Star gazing is excellent from Mount Teide, the Llano de Ucanca viewpoint and the Guajara mountain.
Gran Canaria
This island has diverse landscapes along with Maspalomas, a several-kilometre-long beach and Playa de las Canteras, a three-kilometre-long stretch of golden sand with calm waters.
Vegueta is the historic centre that preserves traces of the last five centuries of history, while the fishing village of Agaete has beaches and natural pools.
Lanzarote
Lanzarote is a volcanic island, with lunar landscapes and black beaches.
The size of the island, about 850 km2, means it is easy to get around easily and take in the Timanfaya National Park, Jameos del Agua, the Cueva de los Verdes, Teguise and the Costa de Papagayo.
La Gomera
La Gomera offers hiking and cycling, with 600 kilometres of trails, along with water activities.
La Gomera, one of the most important whale-watching points in all of Europe, has been declared a World Whale Heritage Site by the World Cetacean Alliance.
Because of the island's privileged climate and geographic location, the sighting of dolphins, whales and even sea turtles is possible during most months of the year.
El Hierro
El Hierro's landscape comes from its black and red volcanic terrain, its green forests, and its turquoise ocean.
Declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, the island has undeveloped beaches and natural pools such as the Charco Azul which is made by the historical lava flows in the El Golfo Valley.
The natural pools of La Maceta, also on the coast of the spectacular El Golfo Valley, are sheltered from the waves.
La Graciosa
La Graciosa is a small 29-square-kilometre island located northwest of nearby Lanzarote.
Along with four other islets, it forms part of the Chinijo Archipelago Natural Park.
On the island practically all of the 700 inhabitants live in Caleta de Sebo and visitors are surrounded by an unspoiled landscape and often empty.
La Palma
La Palma is home to ancient forests, a gorgeous coast, volcanic history, and exceptionally clear skies.
UNESCO has declared the island a Biosphere Reserve and offers black sandy beaches such as Nogales, in Puntallana and villages like El Porís de Candelaria, which is hidden in a cave.
The telescopes at the Roque de los Muchachos Astronomical Observatory is a science hub located at 2496 metres above sea level with views of the Caldera de Tabueriente National Park.