Discover the Canary Islands

Car hire is a great way to get around and explore the Canary Islands.

Found just off the North African coast in the Atlantic Ocean the Canaries are made up of seven individual islands, the four largest being Lanzarote, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Fuertuventura. Due to their all year round warm temperate climate the Canaries have always been popular with the British tourist, with each of the islands offering something quite different to the others.

The Canary Islands have a diverse variety of scenery from lush dense forests to volcanic lava flows, and a large number of tourist attractions from water parks to botanical gardens. These attractions are spread throughout the islands so often the best way to get around is by renting a car.

Car hire is a great way to get around and explore the islands. The international airports and a number of downtown locations offer car rental with a full range of vehicles, from small economy sized vehicles through to luxury saloon cars and people carriers. Canary Island car hire can be booked online or by phone, leaving you to focus on having a great holiday.

Tenerife is the largest of the islands and has the widest variety of flora and fauna, landscapes and towns on it. Puerto de la Cruz and Santa Cruz to the north of the island have a lot of tourist attractions to offer including water parks and nature parks and extensive shopping markets, and Los Christianos in the south has many similar tourist attractions. The Las Canadas National Park is located between Puerto de la Cruz and Los Christianos in the middle of the island and is well worth a visit. Mount Teide is the highest mountain on Spanish territory with a cable car to the peak, and really contrasts with the lush valleys closer to the coastline. The main town for nightlife is in the south of the island in Playa de las Americas a short drive from Los Christianos. Car hire is available from both of the island's airports.

Gran Canaria, like Tenerife, has a diverse range of scenery maintaining the Canary Islands' reputation of being where Africa meets Europe. Las Palmas, the island capital, is the largest city in the islands and is serviced by regular flights from Europe. The capital has the attractions of a large city, with hotels, bars, restaurants, shows and many tourist attractions. However, for history one needs to go to Vegueta. A short drive through the city will get you to Vegueta and here there is plenty to see from neo-classical architecture to museums. Las Canteras, Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas are the best beaches on the island and are found in the south of the island, a fair drive from the capital in the far north of the island. Car rental is available from Las Palmas airport.

Fuerteventura is famed for its long beaches and more relaxed feel. The capital is half way up the island and is called Puerto del Rosario. Being not particularly large, the capital offers a number of good beaches, and some of the best deep-sea sport fishing around. For the best beaches though one will have to drive a good distance to the north or south to Jandia or Corralejo. The drive is well worth it as the beaches are ranked amongst the best in the world. Rental cars can be collected and dropped off at Fuerteventura airport.

Lanzarote is one of the smaller islands and getting around is far easier. It is the very different to the other islands and, being dominated with lava flows as opposed to lush vegetation, a lot of it is not driveable. A fair drive north of the capital, Arrecife, are two very good volcanic attractions in Cuevas de Los Verdes and Jameos del Agua. The best beach on the island is Playa Blanca in the very south of the island. Car rental is available from Lanzarote airport.

Decided which island you want to visit? Car Hire Direct's affordable car rental service lets you get around and see all the sun, sand and sights on any one of the Canary Islands. Click here to book car hire in the Canary Islands.