Hello all,
I'm wondering what island would you recommend for a first visit to the Canaries? I have my opinion but I'm curious to hear what you say and for what reasons...
Thanks

It depends on your trip. Who's gong, any children, what components of a holiday do you enjoy? Food, architecture, sunbathing? What sort of a budget do you have for accommodation?

Well my favourite is La Palma. Small, friendly, nice back beaches, good walking, interesting museums and buildings. The volcanic eruption has messed it up a bit, but my son, who was there last November again says most places are accessible though it is heartbreaking to see the destruction.
The west coast has the better weather and is generally quieter. Should the weather be bad on one side you go through the tunnel to the other where it will often be better. A car is more or less essential, though there are plenty of guaguas (buses) to use as well. Use a local company for car hire, cheaper and more forgiving to dings. You do have to like driving mountainous roads with bends though.
La Gomera is another quiet island.

Some of the islands are big enough I'd suggest not thinking about whole islands but be more focussed.

Ok. To help to launch the debate I would personally recommend Tenerife or Gran Canaria for a first visit

If the target is beer, cake, beach and vespas then Tenerife and Gran Canaria are a good start. There are lots of family friendly zones, and just a large feeling of "beach holiday".

More interesting, is Fueteventura and Lanzarote due to less development and even more dryness.

All are fine

Plenty of places on Tenerife away from the tourist mess, but be aware that there is a big backlash starting against tourists in all the islands. Tourists contribute to the economy enormously but they deplete scare natural resources and make it impossible for islanders to remain living there.

I guess it depends why you want to visit which is the best island.

I chose Lanzarote for my first visit, and plan to spend about 10 days there.

I became entranced after seeing the episode about the island on the José Andrés CNN series on USA tv. Although there are pockets of tourist hotspots, much of the landscapes look almost primeval and from my reading I see that there are some very good places to eat that do not cater to the average foreign tourist. I'd give that island a close look if you want to be away from the package-tourist scene. There is a law restricting the height of buildings so you willl not see those giant concrete mass tourism hotels, or at least I do not think so. And there are a number of architectural wonders created by Local Architect Cesar Manrique.

Or at least that is the impression I am getting.


TRAVELSOFALIFE appears to have answered his or her original question....have you been before? To which island? I'm confused by your question....

Hetismij2: Have you been to Lanzarote?

Just returned from nine days on Lanzarote and the stay was a journey of adventure and discovery, along with lovely accommodations and excellent food. I'd not thought of the Canarias before but so glad we took this trip and I would recommend the island highly with a few caveats depending on what one is looking for on a vacation.

I am writing a food report on another site and might do a small report here if there is any interest....

Lanzarote can be many things to different people: A place to drink cheap beer and hang out at bars that could be anywhere in the coastal Mediterranean tourist resorts. OR, a foray to volcanic terrain where geysers spring and lava fields gash the lands. Or a stay at inland villages with protected architecture where, to me, the word "magical" kept entering my mind.

The scenery is glorious and for the cactus alone, a plant lover would find paradise. Not to mention the incredible food. And the beaches, some cleaved in sections divided by stagnant flows of black lava rocks with tidal pools.

Please let me know if anyone here has interest in this island that remains undiscovered by American tourists.
We took a direct flight from Galicia.







Lanzarote cactus at our hotel

Famara..seafront village with sand streets and surfers!

Cactus, one of hundreds of varieties at our hotel

Yet another specimen

And a succulent

Glorious!

Timanfaya National Park entrance

Timanfaya..highlight of Lanzarote

Timanfaya geyser

Palacio Ico in the enchanting village of Teguise...among the best restaurants we sampled on Lanzarote. A world away from the resorts of the coast, but in actuality, only about 30 minutes by ( fairly priced) taxi or (moderately priced rental) car.

Thanks for the photos, ekscrunchy. Palacio Ico is where we hope to lodge in November. Glad you enjoyed your dinner there!

Maribel you are going to love Palacio Ico. It's another world from where we stayed, as you know, but you know I always want my swimming pool.
There was SO MUCH of the island we didn't see; we were very lazy about driving. Is a return in my future? My sister saw some of my photos; she just spent three weeks in Iceland and saw so much similarity with all the lava. But with much better climate!!!

I just don't know if I have it in me to start another thread here; maybe I will just do a separate thread with some more photos with captions... I was one of those people who had no interest in Lanzarote before, and I can't imagine that there is much interest on this forum.

Home now, wading through all the mess on the floor, with all the clothes pouring out of the opened suitcases!!
One thing I have to mention is that IBERIA has become a fantastic airline! The seats and, especially, the food----just superb!!

Looks like the OP is gathering material for his/her blog. Doesn't appear to be a genuine question..