Canary Islands holidays in winter: The 6 most beautiful villages on the islands

What makes a Canary Island village so charming? Is it its beautiful location by the sea or in the mountains? Is it a historic old town with cobblestone streets and charming shops? Or cultural diversity and the opportunity to immerse yourself in the history of the village and its surroundings?

Often, a combination of these and other ingredients makes a village in the Canary Islands stand out as particularly charming. We'll reveal which six villages on Lanzarote , Gran Canaria , Tenerife , La Gomera , La Palma , and El Hierro are our absolute favorites.

When a municipality is known as the "Valley of a Thousand Palms," that's enough to evoke images of a warm-weather vacation. Haría in northeast Lanzarote has fewer than 5,500 inhabitants, but it boasts a particularly pleasant microclimate, home to numerous plant species found nowhere else on Lanzarote. It also boasts a rich history, as pirates, among others, once particularly enjoyed attacking the region. Today, it's relaxed locals and tourists who stroll through the snow-white village houses, through palm groves, past cacti, and other tropical plants.

You can get a beautiful overview of the village and its surroundings from the "Mirador de Malpaso" or "Mirador del Río" viewpoint at 474 meters. The latter features the architecture of local artist César Manrique (1919–1992), in whose honor a museum was even opened in Haría (C. Elvira Sánchez, 30).

If you're in Haría on a weekend, a special travel tip is the Haría Artesanal craft market, which takes place every Saturday morning. Since 2001, it has primarily sold handmade products, providing a platform for local artists and conveying a sense of Haría's cultural diversity.

In the surrounding area, a visit to the Cueva de Los Verdes lava cave on the way to Órzola is worthwhile. This underground passage is even considered the world's longest volcanic tube!

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In the northwest of Gran Canaria, the village of Agaete, with a population of approximately 5,600, nestles 43 meters above sea level on the verdant cliffs. Hikers enjoy climbing the 1,180-meter-high mountains of the Pinar de Tamadaba pine forest and nature reserve, but we recommend lingering a little longer in the village: It boasts a picturesque old town that testifies to the region's rich history.

For example, there's the Maipés Necropolis and Archaeological Park, one of the most important of its kind in Gran Canaria. Or the Town Hall and Cultural Center, housed in traditional 19th-century buildings. And not to forget the pretty Iglesia de la Concepción church.

Not far from the small town center, you'll also find beautiful beaches, such as Las Nieves, and natural sea pools. Both the village itself and its surroundings are ideal for relaxation and hikes with views of the valley or the sprawling pine forests of the Tamadaba massif. In the valleys, oranges, tropical fruits, and coffee grow alongside them.

San Cristobal de la Laguna in northeastern Tenerife, with a population of just under 158,000, is no longer a village but a city. And yet, it's a must-see on your travel bucket list: It's been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1999, and a stroll through the old town will soon show you why. The streets transport you back to the 16th century, when towns were still built according to nautical charts. A glance at San Cristobal's city map reveals that it resembles an "astronomical star chart." The colonial spirit lives on today.

It's best to just go with the flow, and sooner rather than later you'll reach gems like the island's only cathedral, as well as the Church of Concepción. You can climb it and it offers a beautiful panorama of the town.

But even beyond the many sights, the pastel-colored villas of San Cristobal de la Laguna, the wooden balconies in many courtyards, and the daily Mercado de la Laguna on Plaza del Cristo are enchanting. Even those who don't want to buy anything can enjoy the abundance of flowers and the scent of various specialties.

The translation of the term "Vallehermoso" already reveals a lot about this village with its almost 3,000 inhabitants in the northwest of La Gomera: "beautiful valley." Green mountains rise protectively behind the village with its colorful houses, cozy alleys, and the village square, Plaza de la Constitución. From the terrace of a café or bar there, you can wonderfully observe the hustle and bustle of the square and admire the town hall.

However, Vallehermoso is known far more for its unique orchards than for its architecture or the Iglesia San Juan de Bautista church. The apricots, pears, apples, and even tropical fruits that thrive there are best sampled in the market hall in the village square.

Those who enjoy hiking can start exciting tours from Vallehermoso, both into the side valleys and to the peaks of the national park of the same name.

"Bananas" is a key word when it comes to the village of Tazacorte on La Palma, with a population of 4,500. Not only is it surrounded by banana plantations, but it also houses Europe's only banana museum! Besides the plantations, something else immediately catches the eye: imposing lava walls that rise up next to the village and the black sand beach.

Tazacorte developed from the Barrio del Charco district, and there you can still trace the village's history. Witnesses include stately aristocratic houses from the 16th and 17th centuries. Equally historically interesting is the Plaza de España, where mosaics imported from Seville can still be admired.

The rugged coastline from Tazacorte is ideal for hiking, with great viewpoints such as the Mirador de la Punta north of Tazacorte beach.

El Pinar, with fewer than 2,000 inhabitants in the south of El Hierro, is like a green oasis on the volcanic island: The village is characterized by pastures and farmland, as well as countless fruit trees, including almond and fig trees, right next to extensive pine forests. During your visit to El Pinar, you'll notice that the clocks still tick slowly there, and that traditional island life still holds great significance.

To enjoy the full beauty of El Pinar from above, head to the Tanajara viewpoint, where you can see as far as the Mar de las Calmas marine reserve.

If you have the chance to stay in one of the beautifully decorated country houses for tourists, take it – there's no better way to experience relaxed island life and completely switch off from everyday life.

Looking for more inspiration? You can find tips for all the top travel destinations at reisereporter .

travel reporter