Discover 10 idyllic islands in Spain

 
The Spanish islands are some of the most popular destinations for tourists. But if you’re looking for some peace and quiet rather than a party, you won’t have to look hard. It will be as easy as finding a (Spanish) island in the sun.
El Hierro

El Hierro Discover 10 idyllic islands in Spain

Golfo Coastline, El Hierro, Canary Islands

Welcome to the Wild West, Canarian style. The furthest Canary Island from Africa is unsurprisingly one of the most verdant. It’s also subject to a mighty wind that blows the juniper trees this way and that, to give the impression they’re bowing to you.
Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura Discover 10 idyllic islands in Spain

Fuerteventura – windmill

Think of Fuerteventura and you think of mile after mile of sand. Its interior, though, is mountainous, populated by goats which outnumber humans on the island. So, it’s a fantastic destination to explore by mountain bike if you ever tire of lying on a beach of white Canarian sand and then beating the heat by splashing about in the ever-so-inviting turquoise waters.
Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria Discover 10 idyllic islands in Spain

Amadores beach, Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is the island of contrasts. The developed south of the island is where the majority of the resorts are. Whereas the north coast is more rugged and resembles the Caribbean as banana plantations flank the Atlantic.

Elsewhere, the east is where you’ll find the main archaelogical remains of the canarii, the Berber tribes who occupied the islands before the 15th-century Spanish invasion. The west, meanwhile, is best for isolated beaches like Guigui. Finally, the interior is perfect for hiking with caminos reales allowing you to get up close and personal with such landmarks as Roque Nublo (Clouded Rock).
Ibiza

Ibiza Discover 10 idyllic islands in Spain

Ibiza – Eivissa view

Party by night, sleep by day doesn’t have to be the way on Ibiza. Discover pretty-as-a-picture-postcard villages away from the excesses of San Antonio where every building’s the colour of ivory. They don’t call this Balearic island the White Isle for nothing.
La Gomera

La Gomera Discover 10 idyllic islands in Spain

Los Roques, La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain

The highlight of a trip to one of the lesser-spotted Canaries is visting the Parque Nacional de Garajonay. Whose 40 square kilometres will transport you to a South American rainforest. Whose trees, despite the odd forest fire, have stood tall for the last 11 million years.
La Palma

La Palma Discover 10 idyllic islands in Spain

Caldera de Taburiente, La Palma

Visit La Palma’s world-famous Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos during the day and an astronomy tour by night. On a good evening, about 3,000 stars are visible with the naked eye. Recently, La Palma became the world’s first Starlight Reserve as well as Starlight Tourist Destination. For the non-starstruck, hiking around the Caldera de Taburiente will result in some unique holiday snaps.
Lanzarote

Lanzarote Discover 10 idyllic islands in Spain

Timanfaya – Lanzarote

Brace yourself for a moonage daydream on Lanzarote. Especially if you visit this Canary Island’s Parque Nacional de Timanfaya, whose landscape is more lunar than earthly. And a bottle or two of wine from the celebrated La Geria wine region makes for the perfect souvenir.
Mallorca

Mallorca Discover 10 idyllic islands in Spain

Mallorca – Son Marroig, Sa Foradada, Valldemossa, Deia

For generations of holidaymakers, it’s always been Majorca. Think Majorca, though, and you think hedonists’ playground, Magaluf. However, Mallorca, the local spelling, is the Balearic island of glamorous capital Palma de Mallorca and glorious hidden coves.
Menorca

Menorca Discover 10 idyllic islands in Spain

Menorca, Cala Tortuga

If Mallorca is just too hectic for you, how about its smaller neighbour, Menorca? Aka Minorca but not in the native Catalan, this Balearic isle is perfect for families. There are also more beaches to explore than are on Ibiza and Mallorca combined.
Tenerife

Tenerife Discover 10 idyllic islands in Spain

Masca Village, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

Tenerife, much like life, is what you make it. If you want banging beatz, head to the clubs of Las Américas and Los Cristianos. If you want something milder, the stunning village of Masca, one of the most picturesque of all the Canary Islands, is a must visit on any tour of the island. And if you’ve got a head for heights, how about scaling Spain’s highest mountain, Teide?