Where to stay in the Canary Islands, quiet islands with sea views
Three places in the Canary Islands, one in Fuerteventura, one in La Gomera and one in La Palma, mixing apartments and sea-view houses. A good fit for couples, families and walkers who travel by car and want calm, sea and nature rather than nightlife.
3 places to stay
Written by Valeria Romano
Published
Places to stay in Canary Islands
3 places to stay
Where to stay in the Canary Islands by island
In the Canary Islands you choose the island first and the accommodation second, because each one feels very different. Here are three options on three islands: beach and flat land on Fuerteventura, valleys and forest on La Gomera, and a green, volcanic island on La Palma.
Fuerteventura, beaches and calm
- Residencial Playa Paraiso, in Costa Calma. A complex of independent apartments with a pool, a terrace or balcony and a fitted kitchen, with sea views and plenty of calm. I would recommend it for couples and families with a car who want to switch off close to the beaches, although the access road is unpaved.
La Gomera, walking in the valley
- Casa Rural Sofía, in Hermigua. A country house with a courtyard, a terrace, a fitted kitchen and a private car park, with views over the valley and the sea. It suits couples, families and walkers who want quiet and a base for Garajonay, best reached by car.
La Palma, privacy and nature
- Casa Nine con Piscina, in La Palma. A holiday house in Breña Baja with a private pool, a garden with a barbecue and sea views. It has only a few reviews, all very good. Good for families, couples or groups who want privacy and get around by car.
What kind of accommodation you will find in the Canary Islands
This selection leans towards apartments and self-contained houses, with their own kitchen and outdoor space. There are no large all-inclusive resorts or chain hotels here. The islands have both, but they are not what Mapiola covers.
Staying in a house has clear advantages in the Canaries. You can shop at the local market, cook at your own pace and enjoy the terrace, the pool or the garden without a timetable. In return, you have to organise yourself: car, shopping and final cleaning, depending on the place.
Casa Rural Sofía is the most traditional of the group. The other two are more holiday-style, one in the form of a complex and the other a house with a private pool.
Which one to choose for your trip
If you want beach and sun without thinking too much, go for Fuerteventura. If walking through forest and ravines is your thing, choose La Gomera. For total privacy and volcanic scenery, La Palma.
| Type of trip | Places that suit best |
|---|---|
| Couple who want to switch off by the sea | Residencial Playa Paraiso |
| Family with a car and the beach nearby | Residencial Playa Paraiso |
| Walkers and lovers of the hills | Casa Rural Sofía |
| Quiet break with a view of the valley | Casa Rural Sofía |
| Group of friends or a large family who want privacy | Casa Nine con Piscina |
A word about the ratings. The house in La Palma has a perfect five, but with very few reviews, so it is a good sign and little more. The Fuerteventura apartment and the La Gomera house have more reviews, and their high scores are more reliable.
When to go to the Canary Islands
The islands have a mild climate for much of the year, which is why they work as a winter destination for anyone who wants to escape the cold. In summer there are more people and prices rise, especially during school holidays.
Within each island the weather changes a lot. On La Gomera and La Palma, the north and the higher ground are damper and cooler, while the south is drier and sunnier. If you plan to walk, always pack a warm layer, even if it is hot on the coast.
How to get around the islands
You travel between islands by plane or by ferry, depending on which ones you want to combine. If you have little time, I would pick one island, or two at most, rather than trying to see everything.
On each island, the car is the most comfortable option. All three places are outside the bigger towns, and the reviews suggest the hosts themselves recommend it. Mind the access: in Costa Calma the road to the complex is unpaved, so drive slowly and check it with your car hire company.
On La Gomera the roads are mountain roads with plenty of bends, and on La Palma the slopes set the pace of the trip. Allow more time than you think for each journey.