We might be the experts when it comes to accommodation, but we want to make sure that people have plenty of exciting activities to choose from when they book one of our fabulous properties. If you’re thinking of heading to one of our luxury villas in the Canary Islands, you might want to check out Dixkover before you head off. They manage loads of fantastic adventures and experiences on and around the Canary Islands, arranging everything from adrenaline-fuelled diving and paragliding trips to cookery classes and gastronomic experiences, as well as pottery classes, hiking excursions, spelunking and wine tasting – whatever your tastes, there’s bound to be something for you to enjoy! We asked if they’d put together a list of their favourite experiences on the islands and they happily obliged – you’ll find all the inspiration you need in their blog below!
Towering at 3,718 meters, Teide is the highest volcano in Europe, Spain’s highest peak and the world’s third largest volcano, if you’re measuring from its base on the ocean floor.
The actual climb to the top is easy, following a well-marked, excellent path – just keep in mind the effects of high altitude and give yourself plenty of time!
It’s best to start in the evening from Montaña Blanca parking spot at 2,300m, climbing up to the mountain hut at 3,270 where you can enjoy watching the sunset. Altavista Refuge is faces the East over Cañadas del Teide, an impressive circle formed by rugged peaks of an old crater. It’s the best spot to see the stunning effects of the sun throwing a perfect pyramidal shadow of Teide over the island and the ocean stretching beneath. A truly unforgettable sight.
To make the most of this experience, it’s best to get up early next morning and walk up to the summit to watch the sun rise. On a clear morning you see five of the Canary Islands and on some occasions, all seven of them, making this one of the most extraordinary experiences in the Canary Islands. The sight of the shadow of Teide on the island of La Gomera is breathtaking, and even more so, if it happens to be the full moon as well, you’ll see spectacular displays of colors and shadow falling over the sea and horizon.
On the way down you have the option of taking the cable car, which runs every hour and takes around eight minutes. This option will leave you with enough time and strength to explore nearby Orotava Valley and the town of Puerto de la Cruz, both rich in history, traditional Canarian architecture and numerous vineyards and restaurants where you can treat yourselves to well-deserved local delicacies and wine.
Eyes of Mount Teide – Guiri
2. Diving with turtles
There are a number of great places to dive on Tenerife, exploring it’s underwater landscapes and rich marine life. One experience that truly stands out is diving with green turtles in the south of the island and learning at first hand about the ongoing recovery projects of this micro marine reserve that has allowed the turtles to come back to Tenerife as they used to, over many years ago, to rear their young ones.
3. Paragliding from the top of Tenerife
Land, sea and sky. Another unique experience that Tenerife has to offer is a tandem paragliding flight , taking off at 2,200 meters, just below the world famous Observatory in the Teide National Park and landing on volcanic black sand beach in historic town of Puerto de la Cruz. This 35-45 minute flight, will take you over volcano craters, pine forests, la Orotava valley with its picturesque villages and also over the sea to appreciate the all imaginable shades of turquoise and blue, not to mention extraordinary sensation of a free flight itself. You can celebrate your flight in style on your landing, as Puerto de la Cruz boasts many top level traditional, European and contemporary restaurants with a twist to suit any taste, such as Lucas Maes, Kafka or Mil Sabores.
4. Lobos Island, diving and a picnic
Isla de Lobos (or ‘Island of Wolves’) is named after the colonies of monk seals that used to populate it. The island is situated between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. There are numerous options to make the most of the day out to the island. You can go snorkeling, diving, fishing or Stand-up Paddleboarding off the sailing boat and, once you are on the island, explore its beautiful, unspoilt beaches that are great for surfing, go bird watching or just relax. Most of the day trip organizers will offer you a lunch or picnic option on the boat, as facilities on the island are very limited.
Turtle – Nathan Slemers
Fuerteventura
5. Explore a windsurfing and kitesurfing paradise
Whether you are a well experienced sportsman or just curious about trying it for the first time, Fuerteventura won’t disappoint! It offers more than 152 beaches to choose from. Every July and August, one of it’s longest and most stunning beaches, Playa Sotavento, takes the center stage in the water sports world, as it hosts Windsurfing and Kiteboarding World Cup.
Being one of the lesser known (and hence unspoilt!) islands in the Canaries it offers you peace, tranquility, a chilled out atmosphere and many other activities to enjoy, such as surfing, diving, fishing, kayaking… and that’s just the sea.
Jameos del Agua is one of the most impressive and unique volcanic cave in the world. It is a combination of art and nature conceived by Cesar Manrique, a Lanzarote artist, who was inspired by the stunning natural beauty of the island to create different spaces and achieve the perfect harmony between nature and human creativity.
The cave has naturally great acoustics, which makes it a perfect place to hold musical concerts. Our favorite is the quartet of Toñin Corujo. Toñin is a timplista, and a timple is a small guitar that has a unique and original sound. Toñin is accompanied by Carlos Perez on saxophone, Yael Hernandez on guitar and bass, and Israel Curbelo on the piano. These concerts are held every Saturday at 10:30 pm, before which you can enjoy a dinner in Jameos restaurant. Early booking and arrival two hours prior to the performance is recommended.
7. Hiking and lunch at one of the Top Canary Restaurants.
Lanzarote is a volcanic island, with its predominantly otherworldly lunar landscapes, but if you like exploring off the beaten track and want to escape tour buses, there are some amazing routes that will take you through all the types of ecosystems and different landscapes of Lanzarote. You’ll see the best views of the Famara beach, the island of La Graciosa and the Chinijo archipelago to the north of the island.
One of our favorite routes takes you 500 meters down the Risco de Famara, the main mountain range on the island with impressive vertical walls falling down into the sea, and into the village of Famara where the famous Risco restaurant is hidden. It is one of the best restaurants on Lanzarote and the Canary Islands. Creative cuisine inspired by traditions and local produce will treat you to typical traditional dishes with a modern twist. Not only is it the most pleasant and satisfying way to end a good walk, it’s an experience in itself!
You can learn more about the formation of the island and its geology in the most exhilarating and fun way, exploring the volcanic pipe, abseiling, rock climbing, flying down a zip line of 60 meters and, of course, caving.
You don’t need to have any skills or prior experience – only desire for adventure, professional and well-experienced guides and instructors to look after the rest.
9. Horse Riding among the volcanoes
One of the best way to see more of Gran Canaria and its hidden treasures is on a horseback! The rides will take you past stunning coastline scenery, panoramic views of the Caldera and the Pico de Bandama, tropical plantations and cactus fields. The reddish, black and yellow colors are typical of the phenomenon of volcanic formations of this land and create unforgettable scenery.
You don’t need to be an experienced rider, just wear some comfortable clothes, sit back and enjoy!
Horse Riding – Oliver’s Travels
10. Private charter fishing
If the feeling of freedom, the immensity of the ocean, and good company is what you are after, than there’s no better way of finding it than spending a day or two on your own boat or a yacht in the company of friends and family.
With experienced crew on board to do all the hard work, all you have to do is enjoy the fishing, snorkeling, exploring the coastline for those hidden secluded beaches or just taking the time to relax and feel the wind and the sun.
Photo Credits: Feature Image Sunrise on Teide by Coleccionista via Flickr, Eyes of Mount Teide by Guiri via Flickr, Turtle by Nathan Slemers via Flickr, Famara Beach by Ben K via Flickr
PIN IT!
Previous
Unmissable European Events and Festivals in December
Next
Best Foodie Experiences in Tuscany
Popular Articles
The 10 Best Beaches in Cyprus
Cyprus has beaches for almost every kind of holiday, from soft, pale sands and shallow family bays to turtle-nesting shores, watersports hubs, and quiet coves beneath cliffs. Better still, the island makes it easy to combine time beside the sea with ancient ruins, mountain villages, and lunches in coastal tavernas. The best beaches in Cyprus […]
The 10 Best Beaches in Mykonos
Mykonos may be known for its whitewashed lanes, late-night parties, and famous beach clubs, but its coastline has more range than the headlines suggest. Long sandy bays curve around the south of the island, while the north coast feels wilder, more exposed to the Aegean wind. The best beaches in Mykonos cover almost every mood. […]
10 Best Villas in Ibiza
The fabled ‘White Island’ is a place of many faces. On the one hand, Ibiza is renowned as a prime clubbing destination with a vibrant nightlife that’s a magnet for partygoers. But there’s more to the island than exclusive clubs and dancing ’til dawn! Further inland, you’ll find there’s a much more laid-back atmosphere among […]
Want to host your own Traitors-inspired weekend? Here’s everything you need to know
We know you’re watching it. And if you’re anything like us, you’re also thinking about playing it. It’s easy to feel confident while you’re watching from the sofa, but how would you really fare if you were tapped on the shoulder? Could you hold firm when accused or give yourself away before breakfast? Chances are, […]
How to Make the Most of Your 2027 Annual Leave
Annual leave is one of the year’s more finite pleasures. Used without much thought, it can quickly disappear into the occasional Friday and a handful of Mondays. Place it more strategically, however, and the same allowance can turn four days away from your desk into nine or even ten days elsewhere. Easter falls early in […]
Sense and Sensibility: Where to stay for a Jane Austen-inspired escape
On 25 September, this year’s Sense and Sensibility will introduce Jane Austen’s razor-sharp wit and biting social commentary to a whole new generation of gooey-eyed romantics. Like Emma Thompson’s much-loved 1995 adaptation and the novel long before it, the new film promises fierce heroines, men whose charms cannot always be trusted and – of course […]
Venice Film Festival 2026: Where to Stay
Every September, Venice – a city already accustomed to grand entrances – becomes the stage for cinema’s most anticipated arrivals. First held in 1932, the Venice International Film Festival is the oldest in the world. Its 83rd edition runs from 2–12 September 2026 on the Lido, the long barrier island separating the Venetian Lagoon from […]
10 European City Breaks and Where to Stay
One of the great pleasures of living in the UK is its access to the rest of Europe. It is easy to forget quite how extraordinary it is until you hear it from someone who has crossed an entire ocean to get here. The distinctly American idea of “doing Europe”, which tends to mean a […]
7 Days In… Corfu
In the turquoise Ionian, just off the coast of Albania, lies Greece’s greenest island. Stand at the north-west of the peninsula at Paleokastritsa, and you will see the whole landscape open before you. Lush, green hills rise from every angle, their cypress trees fringing the rocky bay out into endless azure, the old monastery above […]
Solar Eclipse 2026: Best Places to Watch in Spain & Where to Stay
On 12 August 2026, the solar eclipse will sweep across Spain, coinciding with the peak of the Perseid meteor shower on the same summer night. Near sunset, the moon will pass across the sun, drawing a narrow band of darkness over the country. Hours later, beneath an almost moonless sky, the Perseids will reach their […]
Edinburgh Festival Fringe & International Festival 2026: What to See and Where to Stay
Every August, artists and visitors from around the world flock to the Scottish capital for the Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. For a few weeks, the city gives over its lecture halls, churches, music venues, theatres and pub basements, turning them into stages for one of the year’s most interesting arts events. […]
7 Days in… Mallorca
The largest of the Balearic Islands has long worn its paradisiacal reputation with confidence. Along Mallorca’s south coast, there is white sand and calm, turquoise water. In the north, olive terraces and ochre villages climb towards the ridges of the Tramuntana, the mountain range that runs along the island’s north-west coast. Between them, pine-covered hillsides […]
The Odyssey: Where to Visit in Greece
In Book XII of the Odyssey, Odysseus’ men bind him to the mast of the ship, beeswax in their ears, as he listens to the song of the Sirens. No man, they say, has heard the tune and lived to tell the tale. But this is Odysseus; he has already outwitted the Cyclops Polyphemus, survived […]
