11 Stunning Islands in Spain You Must Visit

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Are you looking for the best Spanish islands? Wondering which island is perfect for you but don’t know where to start?

If you’re looking for a destination that might pleasantly surprise you, then consider a trip to one of Spain’s many beautiful islands. Okay, I know what you’re thinking – the Spanish islands are hardly surprising. Well yes, you’re right… If you follow the crowd!

There are plenty of hidden gems and gorgeous undiscovered spots on Spain’s islands that will take you by surprise. Heck, even some of the islands themselves you might not have heard of.

So, whether you’re looking for a quiet and relaxing getaway or an action-packed adventure, these are the 11 most beautiful Spanish islands to explore – the well-known spots, and the hidden gems!

11 Incredible Spanish Islands to Visit

1. Mallorca

Of course, you’ll probably have heard of Mallorca! The largest island in the Balearic Islands is well-known for its nightlife. But, there is much more to the island than just its party scene.

It has outstanding beaches, limestone mountains, delicious local cuisine, and beautiful architecture. Palma is the main city on the island, and there is no visit to Mallorca without visiting Palma.

One of the best things to do is to contemplate the Cathedral of Mallorca. This is a Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral that was built in 1229 by the Crown of Aragón. Not only does it look impressive from the outside, but on the inside too.

If you are a food-lover, you can’t miss the opportunity to try Mallorcan dishes such as arrós brut (a rice dish with meat and vegetables) and coca of Trampó (a pizza dough topped with peppers, tomatoes, onion, and paprika.)

If you have a sweet tooth, then you need to try ensaimadas at Can Joan de S’Aigo, one of the best places to enjoy these traditional sweets. 

The best way to get to Mallorca is by flying to Palma de Mallorca Airport. To make the most of the island, renting a car is the perfect way to access less-known places such as the pretty village of Deià

✅ Discover the best places to stay in Mallorca

2. Formentera

From the largest Ballerica island to the smallest the difference between this island and the one above is palpable! If you’re after a completely different vibe and a hidden European gem, I highly recommend a trip here.

Formentera is the smallest inhabited island in the Balearic archipelago, but still easily one of the best islands in Spain islands to visit, primarily because it’s not as well known.

It’s located south of Ibiza and north of Majorca in the Mediterranean Sea. It is possible to reach it by boat from Ibiza and there is a regular passenger service from mainland Spain.

Formentera has no shortage of things to do despite its small size. The island is well known for its beautiful beaches, clear waters, and relaxed vibe. It’s the perfect place to unwind and soak up the Mediterranean sun.

There are over 20 beaches on Formentera with the most popular ones being Platja de Migjorn, Es Pujols, and Playa de Ses Illetes. On many of its beaches, it’s also quite popular to sunbathe nude.

Other than lounging on the beach, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy. Windsurfing, kitesurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkelling, and scuba diving are all very popular. It also has some of the top hiking in Spain with several hiking and cycling trails crisscrossing the island.

Formentera is the perfect island to visit if you’re looking for a relaxed and laid-back trip. It’s also a great place to escape the crowds, experience authenticity, and it’s a pretty romantic escape too.

✅ Discover the best places to stay in Formentera

3. Lanzarote

One of the most obscure and beautiful Spanish islands is easily Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands. This volcanic landscape is one of the best islands in Spain to visit.

An easy and cheap flight from Madrid and other cities in Spain and you will find an incredible array of activities to keep you occupied here.

Be sure to start your trip by exploring Timanfaya National Park. This park is teeming with red, brown, and black landscapes from its volcanoes.

While you will need to explore it from inside a car due to safety reasons, some professional hiking tours can take you through the park.

Another must-visit is the island of La Graciosa off the northern coast near Orzola. This island is tiny and it is considered to be the ‘newest’ Canary Island. It is an easy and affordable ferry ride and you will find a lot of snorkelling and hiking excursions there.

One of the best places to visit in Lanzarote is the resort area of Playa Blanca. While many may write the town off, it is the gateway to another island by ferry (Fuerteventura). It’s also a good base for exploring the Papagayo Beaches or taking a day trip to Lobos Island (part of Fuerteventura).

You will find pretty warm weather year-round in Lanzarote but the best time to visit is in the summer or shoulder season. It’s definitely one of the top autumn destinations in Europe. The winter can be rather windy and bring sporadic rainstorms throughout the day.

Before you leave Lanzarote, don’t skip out on trying Papas Arrugadas (Canarian potatoes) with Mojo sauce, gofio, and some of the freshest seafood you can get your hands on!

✅ Discover the best places to stay in Lanzarote

4. La Palma

La Palma is the most north-westerly island of the Canary archipelago. It’s often referred to as “La Isla Bonita” due to its stunning landscapes.

It’s a relatively small island with a surface area of only 708 square kilometres, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in beauty.

The island is very mountainous with the highest peak being the Roque de los Muchachos at 2423 meters. La Palma is home to several volcanoes, the most famous being the Teneguía which last erupted in 1971.

Because of its location, La Palma has a much milder climate than the other Canary Islands. As such is often referred to as “the island of eternal spring”.

It’s one of the best places to visit in March, April, and May when the island is in full bloom. It’s also a great travel destination for Easter.

There are many things to see and do in La Palma but some of the highlights include hiking through the Caldera de Taburiente National Park and visiting the fishing village of Tazacorte.

You can also take a dip in the natural pools of Charco Azul, and stargaze at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory.

✅ Discover the best places to stay in La Palma

5. Tenerife

Tenerife is one of the best places to visit in Spain! Located in the Canary Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of Africa, this island is the most touristy one of the archipelago. 

The best way to get there is by flight. There are two international airports in Tenerife: one in the north and one in the south.

Tenerife is blessed with a pleasant climate all year long so you can visit it at any time of the year. But if you don’t like the crowds, it’s better to avoid travelling here in summer.

One of the most interesting landmarks in Tenerife is Mount Teide. This impressive volcano is the third tallest volcanic structure in the world. Also, Mount Teide National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

If you like outdoor activities, another great place to visit in Tenerife is Masca Valley. It’s a great place for a hike and it’s highly photogenic.

If you like white-sand beaches, you have to go to Playa de Las Teresitas. It’s the most beautiful beach in Tenerife and one of the most stunning beaches in Spain. But this isn’t the only beach worth seeing.

Do not miss Playa de Benijo. This one is a very photogenic black sand beach. Plus, have a look at “Charco El Diablo”, it’s one of the most scenic natural pools in Tenerife!

✅ Discover the best places to stay in Tenerife

6. La Gomera

La Gomera is one of the most unique islands in the Canary archipelago. It’s known for its lush vegetation and breathtaking landscapes.

As well as this, La Gomera is definitely one of the best Spanish islands due to its remarkable history. This place was one of the last places that Christopher Columbus stayed before his journey around the world.

For nature lovers, the island is home to Garajonay National Park which is a UNESCO world heritage site. The park is covered in subtropical laurel forest and is home to many incredible species of flora and fauna.

As such, the island has several hiking trails that wind through the pine forests and offer stunning views of the island and its dramatic coastline – this makes it a great place for hiking holidays.

There are also several small villages dotted around the island where you can learn about the traditional way of life.

Other activities on La Gomera include taking a trip on the old El Palmar cog railway, visiting one of the many museums, or simply relaxing on one of the black sand beaches.

✅ Discover the best places to stay in La Gomera

7. Fuerteventura

One of the not-so-touristy Spanish archipelagos of the famous group of Canary Islands is Fuerteventura. It’s located in the far south of Spain in the Atlantic Ocean and close to Morocco.

With 1660 square metres it is the second biggest island after Tenerife and certainly one of the best islands in Spain to visit. 

It’s famous for the strong wind that is present year-round. The best way to reach the island is by flying to the main airport situated in the east part of Fuerteventura or by boat from one of the other islands. 

You might be disappointed, but Fuerteventura is more known for the best European beaches than for food. The cuisine is relatively simple and mainly concentrates on various fish dishes, accompanied by a traditional sauce called mojo (hot pepper sauce). 

Once you land, make sure to visit some of the most exciting places Fuerteventura has to offer. Go sunbathing or windsurfing at Costa Calma’s white sand beaches, get lost in the sand dunes in Corralejo, hike the volcanoes, or admire the windmills.

✅ Discover the best places to stay in Fuerteventura

8. Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is one of the most popular Canary Islands, located in the Atlantic Ocean, southwest of Morocco. It’s the third-largest island in the archipelago with a surface of 1560 square kilometres and is home to around 865 thousand people.

It’s full of diverse landscapes with towering mountains, sandy beaches, dunes, and ravines. However, the capital, Las Palmas, is a bustling city – one of the largest cities in Spain in fact – and is also the cultural and economic centre of Gran Canaria. 

Gran Canaria has a lot to offer when it comes to activities and attractions. You can find more than 80 beaches, many of them awarded with the Blue Flag. The most popular ones are Playa del Ingles, Puerto de Mogán, and Puerto Rico.

If you’re into hiking, you should definitely visit the Parque Nacional de las Dunas de Maspalomas (Maspalomas Dunes) or go on a jeep safari through the mountains.

There are several great diving locations, as well as golf, and surfing schools, and treks to the fascinating cave villages in the island’s heart.

Plus, beneath the waters that surround this island are just as exciting as above them. So, don’t forget to pack your scuba gear. And, don’t forget to try the local food! 

✅ Discover the best places to stay in Gran Canaria

9. Menorca

The island of Menorca (also known as Minorca) is the northernmost island of the Balearic Islands. With an area of 695 square kilometres, it’s the third-largest island in the archipelago.

The island is quite a flat island with only a few hills and mountains. The highest point is Mount Toro which stands at 358 meters.

Menorca is also well known for its breathtaking beaches and crystal-clear waters. In fact, it has more coastline per square kilometre than any other island in the Mediterranean. You can find some of the best beaches near the towns of Ciutadella, Fornells, and Cala Galdana.

Other than lounging on the beach, there are plenty of things to do in Menorca. You can visit the capital city of Mahon, go hiking or cycling in the countryside, take a boat trip to see the dolphins and whales, or explore one of the many caves on the island.

It’s also a great island to visit for history lovers with plenty of prehistoric monuments, some of which date back to 1300 BC.

✅ Discover the best places to stay in Menorca

10. El Hierro

This is arguably the most remote and least visited island of the Canary archipelago. It’s possibly also one of the least visited places in Spain. It’s located in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Africa, and is the furthest south and west of all the islands.

El Hierro is quite mountainous with its highest peak being the volcano of El Golfo which stands at 1418 meters.

The island has a subtropical climate with average temperatures ranging from 18-24°C. It’s one of the best places to visit in Europe in May but October is also great as the weather is most pleasant.

There are several things to see and do in El Hierro. Like most of the Spanish islands, you can go hiking in the mountains, but for even more natural beauty, I suggest looking beneath the surface.

El Hierro has more than 40 dive points across the tiny island. It has been rated as one of the best places for scuba diving in the world. This is due to the clear waters, diverse marine life, and lack of crowds.

Other activities on the island include bird watching, stargazing, visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site of La Dehesa del Calvario, and taking a dip in one of the many natural pools.

✅ Discover the best places to stay in El Hierro

11. Ibiza

One of the best islands in Spain is Ibiza. It’s a wonderful part of the Balearics and there are many amazing things to do in here. Of course, one of the things the island is most famous for is its incredible nightlife. 

You can find lots of clubs in Ibiza where many famous DJs from all around the world perform. For example, you should definitely consider going to Hï Ibiza. This is an amazing club with great performers. 

Another thing you have to do on the island is visit Ibiza Town and other fishing villages on the island. Ibiza Town is a lovely place with great shops and a wonderful port.

Also, be sure to visit the Es Vedra – one of the most beautiful enclaves on the island. It’s also a very photogenic sunset spot. Many people consider it one of the most romantic places on the island! 

Getting to this popular island isn’t tricky as many flights go directly to the airport. Besides that, you can also get to Ibiza by boat. The best time to visit Ibiza is in summer, during this time there are many events on the island.

Furthermore, if you are on the island, you should definitely try paella. It is to die for!

✅ Discover the best places to stay in Ibiza

Final Thoughts on the Best Islands in Spain

Overall, Spain is so much more than just the mainland. It’s more than Barcelona, Madrid, paella, and flamenco. Spain is rich, volcanic, and mountainous. It has small villages tucked away in the hills, gorgeous gardens, and black sand beaches – the best islands in Spain are proof of this.

If you want a unique getaway in Spain, there are so many options here. And you don’t just have to head to the more well-known islands like Tenerife and Gran Canaria either. Although, if you do head here, there are plenty of off-the-beaten-path places to explore away from the touristy spots.

So, are you planning an island escape this summer (or any time of year really as Spain is a great winter sun destination in Europe) and are considering Spain? In that case, I hope these 11 spectacular islands have given you a lot of inspiration.

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