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Discover a great trip through the Canary Islands in a motorhome, visiting 4 of its islands.
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Without a doubt, this family is one of our favorite instagramers and bloggers in family travel. Your posts on Instagram add value and help inspire us to plan and decide next routes.
They are a Valencian family made up of Marian, Raúl and their little one.
Vayaviajecito began in 2009 on their first backpacking trip to India and Nepal with friends, where when imagining the trip they were going to take, they always thought "what a trip awaits us!!!!".
Then other countries from Asia, Africa and America came, with friends and as a couple, until the youngest of the family arrived, with him they continued traveling. They love to discover the world with him, the near and the far. Traveling is a must for this family and they have many traveling dreams. But what they like the most about traveling is the time they spend as a family.
And while they are not traveling, they love to do hiking trails (which they have many on the C. Valenciana blog).
After renting motorhomes and campervans several times, since December 2020 they've been traveling with their own campervan. This way of traveling brings them back to the backpacking lifestyle, with the flexibility of not having to book in advance or plan ahead.
Today they tell you all about their trips to the Canary Islands by motorhome and camper, a place they have traveled to several times and are all experts, do not miss it!
The Canary Islands by motorhome or camper
Our trips to the Canary Islands
The first time we went to the Canary Islands was shortly after we met. We visited Tenerife and rented a rather beat-up car to get around. The truth is, the experience was great, but often, if we liked a place, we wished we could have spent more time there , as we had to return to the hotel for the night.
A few years later we went to visit the island of Lanzarote and again booked accommodation and rented a car to get around. Once again, we ran into the same problem: we couldn't stay in one place if we liked it , and every day we spent more than two hours traveling.
In 2020, we took our third trip to the Canary Islands. This time, as a family, we decided to visit three of the islands on a 21-day campervan trip . You can see the complete route at this link.
The flexibility of not having to get up early to visit a place, being able to extend the day as much as we wanted and having a kitchen that allowed us to eat lunch or dinner without fixed schedules, was exactly the extra we were looking for, and we have to say, it has been the best way to travel around the Canary Islands.
In this article we tell you why we believe that traveling around the Canary Islands in a motorhome or campervan is a good idea, we offer some practical tips to keep in mind and we mention the most interesting places to visit on each island.
Why travel to the Canary Islands by motorhome or camper?
The Canary Islands are an archipelago of eight islands and five islets , all of volcanic origin . They have a subtropical climate , which makes them a popular tourist destination year-round; hence their nickname, "the Fortunate Isles." However, as we discovered, the climate varies locally depending on altitude and slope, so it's always advisable to bring a light jacket.
This varied climate gives rise to great biodiversity, which, together with its incredible geological and scenic richness, justifies the declaration of four national parks , two of which are World Heritage Sites . Furthermore, all of its islands are UNESCO Biosphere Reserves .
But regardless of whether or not national parks are present, each island is a treasure in itself. To date, we have visited four islands and one islet, and none have left us indifferent.
In this article we tell you about the three islands we visited in a campervan (Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura):
Spruce Canaria
It's the second most populated island, and that's reflected in its landscape. It boasts a significant historical, cultural, and artistic heritage . Visiting its highlands is one of the best things you can do; climbing Roque Nublo at sunset or spending a night under the stars is a fantastic plan.
Lanzarote
It owes its name to the Genoese sailor Lancelotto Maocello. It is the third most populated of the Canary Islands, after Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Its main attraction is Timanfaya National Park . It also boasts beautiful volcanic landscapes , vineyards, and stunning beaches, such as Papagayo Beach and Caleta de Famara, our personal favorite. From Lanzarote, you can visit the island of La Graciosa.
Fuerteventura
The oldest island in the archipelago, Fuerteventura has created extensive plains as a result of erosion. Sparsely populated and wilder , its landscapes will leave you breathless, with the Jandía Natural Park as a major highlight and the impressive Corralejo Dunes . The islet of Lobos can also be visited from Fuerteventura.
Lobos Islet
A small island, once a pirate haven and now a natural park , is perfect for spending the day exploring and stopping to cool off at one of its two most popular beaches, although we were more interested in hiking its interior. You need to request permission from the Island Council to visit the islet, and above all, sunscreen, water, and, if you plan on going to the beach, a parasol are essential.
In short, the Canary Islands will surprise you with their scenery, gastronomy, and friendly people . And if, like us, you enjoy independent travel, the islands make it easy, boasting excellent tourist infrastructure , a wide range of accommodations to suit all budgets, a thriving hospitality sector , good transport links both within and between islands, and an extensive car rental network.
Guide to travel to the Canary Islands by motorhome or camper
Prepare your trip to the Canary Islands by motorhome
When you have already decided that you want to visit the Canary Islands and you are clear about which Islands you want to visit, the first step is to compare by island, the prices of the flights and the rental of the campervan or motorhome, since it can vary considerably and once there , you will realize that moving from one island to another is very simple.
I rent or take my camper / AC
If you don't have a campervan/motorhome, there's only one option: renting . We manage this from Valencia through Yescapa, a platform for renting motorhomes and campervans between individuals, although there's also Campifly, which is also a peer-to-peer service.
After our experience we believe that it is a platform to take into account due to the simplicity in its processing, the cheapest price and the services it offers. At this point it is important to consider what the rent does or does not include; insurance, bedding, dishes, etc.
However, if you already own a campervan or motorhome , you can choose to have it transported from the mainland . Companies like Baleària, Transmediterránea, and Fred Olsen offer this service, but you'll need to consider the cost, the ferry's departure point, and the travel time. For trips longer than a certain number of days, it's a viable option. Departure ports are Cádiz and Huelva , and the journey typically takes between 30 and 40 hours.
Canary Islands by motorhome or camper
We have to say that traveling around the Canary Islands in a campervan has been very easy from the start . Day-to-day life is simple: you plan your approximate route , have a general idea of where you want to spend the night , and of course, if you fancy trying Canarian cuisine , you can include a restaurant with good reviews or one recommended by a local in your stops.
Furthermore, traveling in a campervan or motorhome means spending more time outdoors than indoors , and it is precisely this characteristic, combined with the fact that after a certain hour all tourists return to their accommodations, that allows you to enjoy a unique place with the great treasure of the islands, its people, so who better than a local to recommend a nice place off the beaten track, or somewhere to eat or have dinner.
Driving in the Canary Islands in a motorhome or camper
The Canary Islands generally have a good network of roads and tracks, making it easy to get anywhere without any problems. After 21 days exploring the islands, we can say that, apart from the GC-210 in Gran Canaria , which climbs towards Cruz de Tejeda from Los Caserones and is quite stressful with a large van or motorhome, driving is not at all difficult . There will simply be some roads or tracks where you'll need to drive more slowly. What we can guarantee is that many of these roads and tracks are truly wonderful for enjoying the scenery.
Movement between the Canary Islands by motorhome or camper
Getting around the islands is easy , with a wide range of options and flexible schedules.
Transmediterranea, Balearia, Fred Olsen and Armas offer this service and we only recommend planning a little in advance if there are holidays or weekends, since at the end of the day, we are going to transport a vehicle of about 6 meters.
Park, spend the night and camp in the Canary Islands in a motorhome
For these three essential needs of any campervan or motorhome, we used the Park4night app . Here's a summary of our experience.
Camping: Please remember that camping is prohibited anywhere in Spain unless it is a designated campsite or private motorhome area. Therefore, you are not allowed to place tables, chairs, awnings, or any other items from your motorhome or campervan on any of the islands. Anyone who leaves the vehicle's perimeter will be considered to be camping and may be fined.
Overnight stays: The fact that the islands are not very big makes it much easier to find a place to sleep, since if you don't like one, you can always change, although we also had to sleep in some open fields or village streets (that's what happens when you want to stretch the day too much ;-P).
Aside from protected natural areas where overnight stays are prohibited , finding a place to sleep wasn't difficult. As long as you're not camping, you can park and spend the night in any designated parking area.
To sleep in the highlands of Gran Canaria, you need to request permission from the Island Council (sleeping under the stars is a true luxury) and only in designated areas. We stayed in the Corral de los Juncos Recreational Area.
Water services for motorhomes and campers
The Park4night app also makes this process easier. We emptied our black and grey water tanks on the three islands we visited (Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and Gran Canaria) mainly at gas stations and a few campsites.
There are some places like the BP service station in Doctoral , Gran Canaria, and the BP in Corralejo , Fuerteventura, that are truly wonderful, but equally, we didn't find it difficult to find water emptying and filling points for very economical prices or for free.
To keep in mind: We recommend making a map locating on each island some places to change the waters, that way, you will travel more relaxed and if you know that you are going to be a couple of nights somewhere without service and with the waters half full, you make sure to empty or fill before leaving. Neither does it hurt to combine emptying and filling water with showering.
Finally, you should know that in the Canary Islands, it is difficult to find municipal motorhome areas, as we can find in the peninsula.
You can find more information at the following link.
Travel Days & Routes
We believe that at least 7 days to visit each island is a good starting point , allowing you, with a little common sense, to explore at a leisurely pace. A good idea is to decide which places you absolutely want to visit and then plan your trip around those visits you consider important. Here are the places we recommend most for each island:
Visiting Lanzarote is like visiting another planet , a volcanic island of great beauty with the unmistakable mark of Cesar Manrique.
Some of the most important places are:
- El Timanfaya National Park: Result of the violent eruptions that took place in the XNUMXth century. It's like visiting Mars.
- Caleta de Famara beach: Beach that begins in the town and extends for several kilometers to the slopes of the spectacular Risco. Our favorite.
- La Geria: Area of great scenic and cultural value, famous for the planting of vines in a volcanic environment for the production of wine.
- The Jameos del Agua : Volcanic tube modeled by Cesar Manrique.
- Cueva de los Verdes: Grotto formed by the eruptive activity of the Corona volcano, a marvel that you cannot miss.
- La Papagayo Beach: Place where you can enjoy one of the most desired baths in Lanzarote in a unique landscape.
- El Charco de los Clicos: Near the town El Golfo. A phenomenon of nature formed by a greenish lagoon surrounded by black sand.
- Janubio Salt Flats: Nice landscape formed by salt flats in production.
- The breathtaking views of the River viewpoint.
Fuerteventura awaits you with arid and winding roads, dunes of great beauty that reach infinity and a wild landscape.
Some of the most important places are:
- Dunes of Corralejo: The small desert of Fuerteventura, declared a natural park in 1982. Natural space of white sands with long beaches with turquoise waters. It is a spectacle of nature and a good place to make the croquette.
- Walk the north coast stopping at its beaches or coves: Route that we recommend doing without haste, stopping at the innumerable coves that appear to us, with the unrepeatable and curious Pop corn beach.
- Sotavento Beach: One of the most visited enclaves, its large stretches of sandy areas together with the turquoise water of its sea. It is an idyllic place for practicing water sports and it is not difficult to find companies that offer courses.
- Betancuria: Former capital of Fuerteventura. It is a beautiful town located inland on the west coast of the island of Fuerteventura.
- Jandía Peninsula: Natural space that will leave you speechless. They say it has the best beaches on the island and possibly the Canarian archipelago. It is a practically virgin natural space with a great variety of landscapes. The easy thing is to arrive, the difficult thing is to leave.
- Caves of Ajuy: One of the main tourist attractions on the island. If you like caves and seascapes, be sure to visit them.
- And of course the Cofete beach: On the Jandía peninsula, you will find the great treasure of Fuerteventura, the Cofete beach. Incredible sandy area of more than 12 kilometers long with the ridges of the Jandia Natural Park protecting it.
Former lair of pirates and corsairs. The best way to get there is through a ferry that departs from Corralejo.
The place is worth visiting without haste and taking a refreshing swim on its beaches. Don't forget the sunscreen and water.
In Gran Canarias we will visit towns again and enjoy the gastronomy.
Some of the most important places are:
- Sleep in the Confital beach, with all the hustle and bustle of the people of the capital.
- The popular viewpoint of Cruz de Tejeda and the town of Tejeda: Geographic center of Gran Canaria, with lively restaurants and bars, as well as souvenir shops. The town of Tejeda is settled on the slopes of a crater.
- Visiting The Roque Nublo at sunset: Natural Monument and emblematic place on the island. The rock rises 80 meters above its base and it is not difficult to understand why the aborigines used it as a place of worship. The sunset excursion is the best plan you can do.
- Guayadeque ravine: Ravine that separates the municipalities of Ingenio and Agüimes. It stands out for the cave houses that are located in its territory.
Without forget:
- Maspalomas Dunes: Natural Area formed by a set of dunes of great beauty and height. This mixture of desert presents beautiful and well-known beaches in this area of the island. We enjoyed Playa del Inglés and we toured the dunes from top to bottom. We recommend dining at the Romantic Park Restaurant.
- Teror: Village of great beauty and place of pilgrimage for the inhabitants of Gran Canaria as it houses the Basilica of the Virgen del Pino.
- Agaete: One of the most beautiful towns in Gran Canaria. The houses with a patio from the XNUMXth century and the beauty of the white houses of its historic center stand out.
- Visit some of their Puddles or natural pools. If you want to disconnect, be sure to visit the island's many natural pools, such as the one in Roque Prieto, in the north of Gran Canaria. Although you will always have to be attentive to the open sea.
And that concludes our notes from a campervan trip through the Canary Islands. We hope this post helps you discover that this type of travel is perfect for exploring the Fortunate Isles.
