The Canary Islands are a string of volcanic pearls adrift in the Atlantic, famed for spring-like weather all year and a landscape that runs from black-sand beaches to pine forests and lunar lava fields. This 15-day itinerary pairs two standouts—Lanzarote and Tenerife—for travelers who want art and geology, ocean adventures and quiet villages, world-class stargazing and memorable island cuisine.

Lanzarote is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with a distinct aesthetic shaped by artist-architect César Manrique, whose vision fused architecture, lava, and light. You’ll sip wines grown in ash-ringed pits in La Geria, walk ancient lava flows in Timanfaya National Park, and watch surf thunder into the cliffs at Los Hervideros.

Tenerife is the archipelago’s big island, anchored by Spain’s highest peak, Mt. Teide. In the south, warm seas invite whale watching and kayaking with dolphins; in the north, colonial towns and laurel forests (Anaga) offer a greener, cooler mood. Expect microclimates—pack layers, sunscreen, and a sense of curiosity.

Puerto del Carmen (Lanzarote)

Base yourself in Puerto del Carmen, where the Old Town harbor meets a long promenade of cafes, beaches, and snorkel coves. From here it’s easy to reach Lanzarote’s star attractions—Timanfaya’s steam vents, Manrique’s subterranean concert hall at Jameos del Agua, and the cliff-top Mirador del Río.

Where to stay: Search seaside apartments near the Old Town harbor or villas with pools above the coast. Browse VRBO in Puerto del Carmen and compare hotels on Hotels.com for Puerto del Carmen.

Getting in: Fly into Lanzarote Airport (ACE). Compare fares and routes on Omio (flights in Europe). Coming from outside Europe? Check Kiwi.com. Rental cars are the easiest way to explore (from ~€25–45/day); parking is generally straightforward outside peak hours.

Days 1–5: Lava, art, beaches, and wine

• Timanfaya National Park and the wild west coast (1 day): Arrive early for the Route of the Volcanoes bus inside the park and the heat demos at Islote de Hilario. Loop to El Golfo (the Green Lagoon) and the blowholes of Los Hervideros. Lunch on just-landed fish at Casa Rafa – Restaurante de Mar in El Golfo; linger for limpets with mojo and papas arrugadas.
• César Manrique day (1 day): Descend into the lava tube at Cueva de los Verdes, then continue to the lava-lake amphitheater of Jameos del Agua. Drive up to Mirador del Río for views over La Graciosa. On your way back, swing by surfy Famara for a late lunch at El Risco—a Manrique touchstone with ocean views and excellent vieja (parrotfish).
• Beach-hop south (½–1 day): Snorkel at petite Playa Chica, then head toward Papagayo coves (small access fee; dirt road). Bring water shoes and a picnic. Sunset sangria along Puerto del Carmen’s Old Town harbor is a simple pleasure.
• Historic Teguise and Arrecife (½ day): If it’s Sunday, explore the Teguise market, then grab canary buns and coffee at Jonnie Bakes (Teguise) or, in Arrecife, pastries at Dulce de Leche. Evening tapas around the lagoon at Charco de San Ginés—try Naia for creative plates or book Lilium at the marina for modern Canarian cuisine.
• La Geria wine country (½–1 day): Visit ash-ringed vineyards and taste Malvasía Volcánica whites and sweet moscatels. Consider this small-group experience:

Taste Tradition 4 Wineries and Tapas Bar — Explore four distinctive wineries in La Geria and finish with a rustic tapas bar tasting. From ~€85–110, 4–6 hours, hotel pickup often available.

Breakfast & coffee: Dulce de Leche (Arrecife) for almond croissants and cortados; harbor-side cafes in Puerto del Carmen for a classic barraquito (layered coffee with cinnamon and lemon zest).

Dinner ideas: La Cabana Macher (tasting menus in a quiet villa), La Bodega de Santiago (Yaiza; serene courtyard and local fish), La Cofradía del Puerto (Puerto del Carmen; grilled cherne and octopus).

To Tenerife (Day 6, morning): Fly ACE → TFS or TFN (~50 minutes, from ~€30–90). Search on Omio. There are occasional long ferries (8–11 hours) from Arrecife to Santa Cruz—if you prefer the sea, check schedules via Omio Ferries and plan it as an overnight.

Costa Adeje (Tenerife South)

Sun-blessed and sheltered, Costa Adeje and neighboring Los Cristianos are your launchpad for warm-water beaches, whale and dolphin encounters (resident short-finned pilot whales live offshore year-round), and Siam Park—often ranked among the world’s best water parks.

Where to stay: Choose a resort near Playa del Duque for calm seas, or apartments by Puerto Colón if you plan boat trips. Explore options on VRBO in Costa Adeje and Hotels.com for Costa Adeje.

Days 6–10: Beaches, whales, water parks, and Teide

• Beaches and Siam Park (1 day): Ease into Tenerife with a lazy morning at Playa del Duque or Playa Fañabé. After lunch, spend your afternoon riding Siam Park’s lazy river and Tower of Power. Expect €42–€52 tickets; bring water shoes for grippy steps.
• Whale & dolphin day (½ day): Head to Puerto Colón for a respectful small-group cruise:

Whale and Dolphin Watching Catamaran with Transfer and Buffet — Friendly crew, light buffet, and time to swim; 3 hours, from ~€55–€75.

• Kayak & snorkel with turtles (½ day): Launch near Palm-Mar or Los Cristianos with a guide; calm mornings are best.

Tenerife : Kayak and Snorkel Tour with Dolphins & Turtles — Small groups, wetsuits, and photos included; 2–3 hours, from ~€40–€55.

• Masca & Los Gigantes (1 day): Drive (or tour) the hairpin road into the ravine village of Masca, then continue to the 600m cliffs of Los Gigantes. If you prefer to sit back, this full-day covers Teide’s caldera villages and Masca:

Mt. Teide and Masca Valley Tour in Tenerife — Full-day coach tour through Teide National Park and Masca; from ~€40–€60.

• Choose-your-adventure day (1 day): Go airborne with a tandem flight (takeoff in Taucho; land by the sea):

Tandem Paragliding Flight in South Tenerife — 10–25 minutes in the air, from ~€90–€120.

Or take a ferry-assisted day trip to another island:

Full Day Guided Tour to La Gomera from Tenerife — Expect dramatic viewpoints, Garajonay laurel forest, and lunch; passports required; from ~€80–€120.

Breakfast & coffee: Zebra Coffee & Kitchen (brunchy bowls and espresso), Churrería Marcos (fresh churros and thick hot chocolate) in Los Cristianos. Try a local barraquito (layers of coffee, condensed milk, Licor 43, cinnamon, and citrus).

Lunch & dinner: El Cine (Los Cristianos; chalkboard fish, no-fuss), La Vieja in La Caleta (seafood rice, lapas), Mesón Castellano (Playa de las Américas; jamón carving, grilled meats), sunsets at Coqueluche Beach Bar (La Enramada) for mojitos and live music.

Up to the north (Day 11, morning): Drive Costa Adeje → Puerto de la Cruz in ~75–90 minutes via TF-1/TF-5. Without a car, TITSA bus 343 runs direct (about 1h15; ~€12–€16). For intercity bus planning, check Omio (buses in Europe) and confirm locally on arrival.

Puerto de la Cruz (Tenerife North)

Set in the lush Orotava Valley, Puerto de la Cruz blends old-world plazas and oceanfront promenades with cultural heavyweights like the Botanical Garden and César Manrique’s seawater pools at Lago Martiánez. The climate is a touch cooler and greener—perfect for strolls, markets, and hikes.

Where to stay: Aim for the Martiánez side (walkable to pools and the promenade) or a hillside apartment with Teide views. Compare VRBO in Puerto de la Cruz and Hotels.com for Puerto de la Cruz.

Days 11–15: Pools, colonial towns, Anaga, and the stars

• Lago Martiánez and Old Town (½–1 day): Swim in Manrique’s seawater pools amid lava sculptures, then wander the pedestrian streets for boutiques and wine bars. Sunset at Playa Jardín (another Manrique design) beside black lava sands.
• La Orotava & guachinches (½ day): Explore carved-wood balconies on Calle San Francisco and stop for pastries at Casa Egón. Lunch in a traditional guachinche (family-run eatery) in the hills—think roast pork, vine-leaf wine, and wrinkled potatoes; try Guachinche El Pino (Santa Úrsula) for a rustic, local vibe.
• Santa Cruz & La Laguna (1 day): Ride into the capital for the lively Mercado Nuestra Señora de África (cheese, gofio, mojo tastings). Continue to UNESCO-listed San Cristóbal de La Laguna for pastel palacios and café terraces.
• Anaga Rural Park (1 day): Hike laurel forests along the Sendero de los Sentidos or the ridge to Taganana, then descend for lunch at a simple seaside shack—grilled moray, papas, and a sea breeze. Pack layers; mist can roll in quickly.
• Teide by sunset & stars (evening): Cap your trip with a stargazing safari on the slopes of Spain’s highest peak. The sky here regularly yields naked-eye views of the Milky Way.

Teide National Park Sunset & Stargazing with Dinner (Star Safari) — Sunset cava above the “sea of clouds,” a light Canarian meal, and guided telescope viewing; from ~€70–€95.

Prefer a daytime panorama with village stops? This classic circuit hits the highlights:

Mt. Teide and Masca Valley Tour in Tenerife — Reaches viewpoints across the caldera and dramatic Masca; from ~€40–€60.

Breakfast & coffee: Café de Paris (seafront pastries by Martiánez), Plaza del Charco kiosks for a morning cortado and people-watching.

Lunch & dinner: El Taller de Seve Díaz (inventive tasting menu; book ahead), Regulo (classic Canarian in a historic casa), La Hierbita (Santa Cruz; traditional rabbit in salmorejo and gofio escaldado), and the fish market kitchen at La Cofradía de Pescadores (Puerto de la Cruz) for grilled sardines at communal tables.

Practical notes: Weather shifts quickly—bring a light jacket for Teide nights (near 2,000–2,400 m on tours). Reef-safe sunscreen is a must; the UV index is high even on cloudy days. Driving mountain roads (Masca, Anaga) requires patience and low gears; consider tours if you’re uneasy with hairpins.

Getting around: A rental car gives maximum flexibility for Anaga, Teide viewpoints, and winery detours (parking in Puerto de la Cruz is easier on the Martiánez side). Buses are modern and punctual; for broad planning use Omio (buses), then confirm on-island schedules. Expect city rides ~€1.50–€3; intercity ~€8–€16.

Summary: Over two weeks you’ll trace lava tubes, sip ash-grown wines, watch pilot whales and dolphins, swim Manrique-designed pools, wander UNESCO-listed streets, and gaze into a canopy of stars over Teide. Lanzarote and Tenerife reward a slow pace—one day for the sea, the next for the mountains, and always time for tapas.