Planning a trip with children is a bit of a puzzle: how far you can drive, when to eat, where to fit the nap and which plan to move to tomorrow if today runs long. To save you that work, Mundo Traveler has prepared day-by-day itineraries for all eight Canary Islands. Here is how they are designed and how to choose yours.
What each itinerary includes
Every route combines places, experiences, restaurants, rest and transfers, with a map for each day. They are not lists of everything there is to see, but a realistic plan to enjoy the island without rushing, with time for the beach, for relaxed meals and for improvising.
Choose the length
If you only have one day, for instance on a stopover or a trip from another island, the one-day itineraries cover the essentials. For a short break, the two-day and three-day routes balance visits and rest. And if you are travelling for a week, the five-day and seven-day routes let you get to know the island in depth without changing hotel every night. Five- and seven-day routes are available on the larger islands: Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.
Choose the pace
On the four larger islands, every length comes in two versions: “as a family”, with plans that work for all ages, and “with kids”, with more activities designed for them. There are also two special routes on each island. The gentle-pace routes for babies, such as Tenerife with babies in 4 days, leave room for naps, feeds and short walks. The adventure routes for children, such as Lanzarote with kids in 4 days, raise the pace for families whose children never stop.
Choose the island
If it is your first trip to the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria in 5 days or Tenerife in 5 days are a great way in, with beaches, nature and plenty of family facilities. Fuerteventura is the island of endless beaches, and Lanzarote the island of volcanoes and César Manrique. For a quieter trip, the smaller islands have routes of one to three days: La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Graciosa, as well as their versions for babies and for kids.
Our advice
Choose fewer plans than you think will fit. With children, the best memory often turns up in the gap you left free: one more afternoon on the beach, an unhurried ice cream or a conversation looking out to sea. If you are still choosing between islands, our guides to the small islands and to each of the larger islands will help you decide.