Are the Canary Islands Expensive to Visit? ULTIMATE Guide 2025

Q: What is the cheapest Canary Island to visit?

They all can be budget-friendly. The smaller islands are, in general, less expensive, particularly for accommodations. However, the larger islands have a lot more options so you have more flexibility to find the right option for your budget. For activities and food, we find the islands to all be pretty similar in cost.

Out of Office Mindset uses affiliate links.

Are the Canary Islands Expensive to Visit? We’ve got the details!

We travel year-round, always tracking affordability. When planning our Canary Islands trip, we wondered if they would be expensive.

During our month-long stay in the Canary Islands, we categorized all expenses to give you the answer!

The quick answer: we found that the Canary Islands offer many options for all budgets, so we’d say “no” to “Are the Canary Islands expensive to visit?”

Let’s dive into the numbers, including sample budgets and itineraries for budget, moderate, and luxury travelers!

Beautiful coastal view in the Canary Islands featuring a charming traditional house with wooden balconies, lush greenery, and vibrant bougainvillea. The backdrop includes the ocean and distant mountains, inviting the question, 'are the Canary Islands expensive to visit?' due to the picturesque and serene setting.

Need help planning?

We’re travel experts and would love to plan and
book your trip at $0 expense to you!

Get Started →

🦜 🔑 Join our Canary Islands Travel Facebook Group 👉

Are the Canary Islands Expensive to Visit?

Our answer: they can be…. but they can also be very affordable.

One of the reasons why we love traveling to the Canary Islands so much is they offer a wide range of options for food, accommodations, and tours, making it a great destination for all budgets.

We have had no problem finding budget-friendly choices and have stayed in some luxurious places when we had the budget. There is fortunately something for every price range.

Overall, the Canary Islands can be as affordable or as expensive as you want them to be, depending on your preferences and choices.

Currency in the Canary Islands

The currency in the Canary Islands is the Euro (€).

We found that credit cards are widely accepted, especially in hotels, restaurants, and larger shops.

However, it’s always good to have some cash on hand for smaller businesses and local markets. To get cash, you can use ATMs, which are readily available throughout the islands.

We recommend using a card that does not charge a fee and checking the ATM’s fee before withdrawing (they must inform you). In general, we avoid Euronet ATMs as they tend to charge high rates.

Close-up of a Euronet ATM machine against a building wall, with visible graffiti and signage for milkshakes on a nearby window. This image highlights the accessibility of banking services, raising the question, 'are the Canary Islands expensive to visit?' due to the convenience of accessing cash in tourist areas. — **AVOID** Euronet ATMs

In the Canary Islands, we found CaixaBank ATMs to have reasonable rates.

Sample 1 Week Budget to Visit the Canary Islands in 2025

In order to help you budget and answer for yourself “Are the Canary Islands expensive to visit?”, we have put together a 1-week budget based on our real-life experience and expenses in the Islands.

Logistically, you are likely not going to visit more than 2 islands if you visit for 8/9 days. For the purpose of this example, we are going to Tenerife and La Gomera in April.

Bright bedroom with a double bed and colorful bedding at La Tortuga Hostel, a cheap accommodation to keep the prices low when wondering Are the Canary Islands expensive to visit — La Tortuga Hostel

April is the shoulder season between winter and summer when traffic starts to pick up, but prices are not low or high. (Note: we think April is an excellent time to visit!)

The itinerary is set up so you stay in Southern Tenerife for 3 days, with daily activities, take the ferry to La Gomera for 2 days, and then head back to Tenerife to stay in Northern Tenerife for an additional 3 days.

Budget-Friendly Cost Estimate (2 people, 8 Nights)

Location	Category	Item	Cost
South Tenerife	Car	Rent a Car with DiscoverCars for the Week	€148
South Tenerife	Hotel	4 Nights at La Tortuga Hostel (Private room and bathroom)	€190
South Tenerife	Breakfast	4 Breakfasts from grocery store	€14
South Tenerife	Lunch	2 grocery store lunches and 1 restaurant lunches	€40
South Tenerife	Dinner	3 casual dinners at restaurants	€110
South Tenerife	Activity	No Chase Whale & Dolphin Boat Tour	€52
South Tenerife	Activity	Self-Drive Tour of Masca Valley	€0
South Tenerife	Activity	Barranco del Infierno Gorge Hike	€22
South Tenerife	Activity	Siam Park	€91
Transfer	Ferry	Round Trip Ferry between Tenerife and La Gomera (with Car)	€115
La Gomera	Hotel	2 Nights at Apartamentos Los Telares	€137
La Gomera	Breakfast	2 Cafe Breakfasts	€15
La Gomera	Lunch	2 grocery store lunches	€20
La Gomera	Dinner	2 casual dinners	€70
La Gomera	Activity	Walking Tour through San Sebastián	€20
La Gomera	Activity	Ethnographic Park of La Gomera	€10
La Gomera	Activity	Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour	€100
La Gomera	Activity	Self-Guided Hike of the Garajonay National Forest	€0
North Tenerife	Hotel	2 Nights at El Hostal del Cubo	€111
North Tenerife	Breakfast	1 Cafe Breakfast and 1 grocery store breakfast	€15
North Tenerife	Lunch	1 Cafe Lunch and 1 grocery store Lunch	€30
North Tenerife	Dinner	2 casual dinners	€70
North Tenerife	Activity	Self-Guided Teide National Park Tour + Cable Car	€46
North Tenerife	Activity	Stargazing at Teide National Park	€72
North Tenerife	Activity	Self-Guided Anaga Rural Park Tour	€0
		Total	€1,498

A group of dolphins swimming together in the ocean seen on a whale and dolphin watching tour in Tenerife. — No Chase Whale & Dolphin Boat Tour

If you are trying to keep your week budget-friendly, your costs, without flight, will likely be between €1,200 and €1,600. For the amount of things you can do in the week, that is a really good deal!

The inviting pool area of Adrián Hoteles Roca Nivaria, one of the best all-inclusive hotels in South Tenerife. — Adrián Hoteles Roca Nivaria

Moderate Cost Estimate (2 people, 8 Nights)

Location	Category	Item	Cost
South Tenerife	Rental Car	Rent a Car with DiscoverCars for the Week	€148
South Tenerife	Hotel	4 Nights at Adrián Hoteles Roca Nivaria	€755
South Tenerife	Breakfast	Included in hotel stay	€0
South Tenerife	Lunch	1 grocery store lunches and 2 restaurant lunches	€55
South Tenerife	Dinner	2 casual dinners at restaurants and 1 nicer dinner	€200
South Tenerife	Activity	Whale and Dolphin Watching Catamaran with Transfer and Buffet	€122
South Tenerife	Activity	Self-Drive Tour of Masca Valley	€0
South Tenerife	Activity	Barranco del Infierno Gorge Hike	€22
South Tenerife	Activity	Siam Park	€91
Transfer	Ferry	Round Trip Ferry between Tenerife and La Gomera (with Car)	€115
La Gomera	Hotel	2 Nights at Hotel Escuela Rural Casa Los Herrera	€200
La Gomera	Breakfast	Included in hotel stay	€0
La Gomera	Lunch	2 restaurant lunches	€40
La Gomera	Dinner	1 casual dinner at restaurants and 1 nicer dinner	€140.00
La Gomera	Activity	Walking Tour through San Sebastián	€20
La Gomera	Activity	Ethnographic Park of La Gomera + Wine Tasting	€30
La Gomera	Activity	Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour	€100
La Gomera	Activity	Private Guided Hike of the Garajonay National Forest	€135
North Tenerife	Hotel	2 Nights at La Laguna Gran Hotel	€303
North Tenerife	Breakfast	Included in hotel stay	€0
North Tenerife	Lunch	2 restaurant lunches	€50
North Tenerife	Dinner	1 casual dinner at restaurants and 1 nicer dinner	€175.00
North Tenerife	Activity	Self-Guided Teide National Park Tour + Cable Car	€46
North Tenerife	Activity	Teide Sunset Quad trip	€165
North Tenerife	Activity	Stargazing at Teide National Park	€72
North Tenerife	Activity	Guided Anaga Rural Park Hike with Food Tasting	€110
			€3,094

Rocky coastline and turquoise waters viewed from a cliffside path in Anaga Rural Park. — Guided Anaga Rural Park Hike with Food Tasting

The average traveler can expect to spend between €2,600 and €3,300 for 9 days and 8 nights in the Canary Islands for 2 people.

There is definitely room to spend less or more to stay within your budget. In general, a moderate budget goes a long way in the Canary Islands, which is why we say no to “Are the Canary Islands expensive?”.

Bright and airy hotel room with ocean view at Bahia del Duque — Bahia del Duque

Luxury Cost Estimate (2 people, 8 Nights)

Location	Category	Item	Cost
South Tenerife	Rental Car	Rent a Car with DiscoverCars for the Week	€148
South Tenerife	Hotel	4 Nights at Bahia del Duque	€1,513
South Tenerife	Breakfast	Included in hotel stay	€0
South Tenerife	Lunch	3 restaurant lunches	€75
South Tenerife	Dinner	1 casual dinner at restaurants and 2 nicer dinner	€300
South Tenerife	Activity	Los Gigantes Whale Watching Charter by Sail Boat	€144
South Tenerife	Activity	Private Excursion to Masca, Garachico, Icod in Tenerife	€175
South Tenerife	Activity	Barranco del Infierno Gorge Hike	€22
South Tenerife	Activity	Siam Park All-Inclusive Package	€312
Transfer	Ferry	Round Trip Ferry between Tenerife and La Gomera (with Car)	€115
La Gomera	Hotel	2 Nights at Parador de La Gomera	€350
La Gomera	Breakfast	Included in hotel stay	€0
La Gomera	Lunch	2 restaurant lunches	€40
La Gomera	Dinner	1 casual dinner at restaurants and 1 nicer dinner	€140
La Gomera	Activity	Walking Tour through San Sebastián	€20
La Gomera	Activity	Ethnographic Park of La Gomera + Wine Tasting	€30
La Gomera	Activity	Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour	€100
La Gomera	Activity	Private Guided Hike of the Garajonay National Forest	€135
North Tenerife	Hotel	2 Nights at Los Jardines de Abama Suites	€663
North Tenerife	Breakfast	Included in hotel stay	€0
North Tenerife	Lunch	2 restaurant lunches	€50
North Tenerife	Dinner	1 casual dinner at restaurants and 1 nicer dinner	€200
North Tenerife	Activity	Private Tour of Teide National Park + Cable Car	€175
North Tenerife	Activity	Teide Sunset Quad trip	€165
North Tenerife	Activity	Stargazing at Teide National Park	€72
North Tenerife	Activity	Guided Anaga Rural Park Hike with Food Tasting	€110
			€5,054

Dramatic view of the Tower of Power water slide with a temple-like structure at Siam Park. — Siam Park All-Inclusive Package

A luxury trip to the Canary Islands can range pretty dramatically. For 2 people, we’ve estimated €5,054 for 8 nights. Depending on your hotel, activity, and dining preferences, you could definitely spend a good amount more.. or less!

General Prices in the Canary Islands

Cost of Flights to the Canary Islands

The cost of flights to the Canary Islands varies depending on the island and your departure location. Here’s a breakdown for each island:

Tenerife: Roundtrip flights from Europe can start as low as €40 with budget airlines like Ryanair, with an average cost around €180. Direct flights from New York during summer are also available.

La Gomera: You typically fly to Tenerife or Gran Canaria first, then take a short inter-island flight or ferry. The ferry from Tenerife to La Gomera is typically €50 per person.

Aerial view of Tenerife's coastline and Mount Teide from an airplane window, highlighting the scenic route of how to get to Tenerife.

La Palma: Flights from mainland Europe start around €50 with budget options, with average prices around €200. Inter-island flights from Tenerife or Gran Canaria range between €55 and €125.

Gran Canaria: Similar to Tenerife, budget airlines offer flights starting around €40, with average prices between €100 and €200.

Lanzarote: Budget flights from Europe can be found starting at €50, with an average of €150 to €250.

The ferries in the Canary Islands are quite larger than we expected, with this one again the backdrop of a city and mountain

Fuerteventura: Flights from Europe start at €50, with average costs around €150 to €250.

El Hierro: Accessed via inter-island flights or ferries from Tenerife or Gran Canaria, with prices similar to those for La Gomera.

Overall, the Canary Islands are well-connected and have affordable flight options for different budgets.

Cost of Transport in the Canary Islands

In general, we recommend renting a car when exploring the Canary Islands. Renting a car enables you to explore the islands with a lot more flexibility.

There are bus and taxi options on all the islands but they do require a lot of planning and patience.

We always recommend renting a Car with DiscoverCars. As you saw in the cost estimates above, a week long rental will cost around €150.

🚗 Click here to get a great deal on your rental car for your trip with Discover Cars!
^{By booking with this link, you will help our small business at no extra cost to yourself!}

Plus, if you are taking the ferry between the islands, you can take your rental car with you! We found this to be super convenient.

Cost of Accommodation in the Canary Islands

Accommodation costs in the Canary Islands offer a wide range to suit every budget.

Budget Options: Hostels are a great choice for budget travelers, with shared dorms costing around €20 per night and private rooms about €50.

Moderate Hotels: These typically range from €100 to €200 per night, providing a comfortable stay with good amenities.

The beautiful view of H10 Atlantic Sunset, one of the best all-inclusive hotels in South Tenerife.

Luxury Accommodations: For those looking to splurge, luxury hotels and resorts offer a wide variety of high-end experiences. Prices can vary greatly depending on the location, amenities, and level of luxury, but you can expect to pay significantly more for these top-tier stays.

No matter your budget, the Canary Islands have accommodation options that cater to all types of travelers, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay.

Cost of Activities in the Canary Islands

Activities in the Canary Islands offer something for every traveler.

Many attractions, like hiking trails and beaches, are free or low-cost.

Popular spots such as Mount Teide can be explored on your own or through various day trips that range from €30 to €300, depending on the experience.

A Mount Teide cable car suspended mid-air against a backdrop of a clear blue sky and expansive volcanic landscape in Tenerife, Canary Islands.

Water sports, guided tours, and cultural visits typically cost between €20 and €100.

High-end experiences, like private excursions or specialized activities, can cost more. The variety ensures that you can enjoy the islands no matter your budget.

Cost of Restaurants in the Canary Islands

There are a LOT of options for eating in the Canary Islands which helps if you are trying to stick to a specific budget.

Local cafes and casual restaurants offer meals for around €10-€15 per person. Local Canarian restaurants away from the main tourism areas are also a great way to eat affordably.

At restaurants near town centers, expect to pay between €20-€40 per person at mid-range restaurants, where you can enjoy a variety of local and international dishes.

A display case at a café near the Mount Teide Cable Car, filled with various pastries, snacks, and sandwiches.

Fine dining establishments can range from €50 to €100 or more per person.

We also took advantage of the supermarkets on the islands to grab food for quick and easy breakfasts and lunches. We liked Mercadona and Lidl the most. This definitely helps keep costs down!

Tips for Traveling on a Budget in the Canary Islands

There are definitely ways to keep costs low in the Canary Islands! Here are our top tips:

Travel Off-Peak: Visit during the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) to find cheaper flights and accommodations.
Stay in Hostels or Apartments: Opt for budget-friendly accommodations like hostels or apartment hotels.
Eat Local: Dine at local cafes and tapas bars to enjoy delicious, affordable meals.
Check out the Supermarkets: We saved a lot of money by having grocery store breakfasts and lunches most days.
Free Activities: Enjoy free or low-cost activities like hiking, visiting beaches, and exploring villages.
Book in Advance: Secure flights, accommodations, and tours early to get the best deals.

Hiking trail with stunning mountain views at Mirador Aguaide in Rural de Anaga Park

FAQs for Are the Canary Islands Expensive to Visit

How expensive is it to go to the Canary Islands?

Flights can be very affordable to get to the Canary Islands from mainland Europe. Budget airlines run deals for as little as €40 roundtrip.

Once you are in the Canary Islands, you can keep the trip as budget-friendly as needed!

Are the Canary Islands affordable?

Yes, the Canary Islands can be very affordable, offering options for all budgets. You can enjoy budget-friendly accommodations, local dining, and free activities while also having the choice to splurge on luxury experiences.

What is the cheapest Canary Island to visit?

They all can be budget-friendly. The smaller islands are, in general, less expensive, particularly for accommodations.

However, the larger islands have a lot more options so you have more flexibility to find the right option for your budget.

For activities and food, we find the islands to all be pretty similar in cost.

Which Canary Islands are the most expensive?

Tenerife and Gran Canaria are generally the most expensive Canary Islands. They attract many tourists and offer a wide range of luxury accommodations, high-end restaurants, and premium activities, which can drive up costs.

That being said, they also have A LOT of options so there are plenty of options for budget travelers.

Winding road surrounded by lush greenery and clouds in the distance, a scenic route for getting around Tenerife.

In Conclusion: Are the Canary Islands Expensive to Visit?

The Canary Islands offer a diverse range of options to suit any budget, making them an attractive destination for all types of travelers.

Whether you’re looking for affordable accommodations, budget-friendly dining, or luxury experiences, the islands have it all.

Our month-long stay showed that you can enjoy these beautiful islands without breaking the bank.

Ready to explore? Pack your bags and get ready for an amazing adventure!

We wish you the best travels, and don’t forget to set your “Out of Office!”

🌟 Loving our content? Support the journey and buy us a coffee! ☕️

DONATE 👍

Read More About the Canary Islands

Tenerife

La Palma

La Gomera

Canary Islands Travel Planning Guide

🚙💨 Is it safe to rent a car in the Canary Islands?

Yes! Renting a car is a necessity in the Canary Islands if traveling between cities! If you want to go on day trips or adventures outside of the major cities, you can use public transportation, but we recommend renting a car. Discover Cars is our go-to choice for car rentals in the Canary Islands.

📲 Will my phone work in the Canary Islands?

Maybe, but it will be expensive! Depending on your provider, plans can charge you $10 per day while in Europe. To use your phone in the Canary Islands and save money, we recommend an eSim with Airalo. Airalo simplifies the steps and provides you with all the necessary data for convenient travel. There is not a lot of free WIFI in the Canary Islands, so you’ll need your phone for navigating.

🌐 Do I need a VPN when on the internet in the Canary Islands?

While abroad, we consistently prioritize our online security by using a VPN to appear as if we’re streaming from the US and protect ourselves from cybercrime. NordVPN serves as an incredibly convenient solution for both mobile phones and laptops, effortlessly ensuring our safety while browsing or streaming.

🏩 What’s the best way to book my the Canary Islands?

Our go-to for Canary Islands hotels is Booking.com. They offer the widest range of choices, and their filtering system simplifies the process of discovering the perfect accommodation for your needs.

✈️ What’s the best site to buy flights to the Canary Islands?

For finding cheap flights to the Canary Islands, we recommend Kayak. Their awesome multi-city flight search and handy price notifications help us save big, allowing us to splurge on other adventures once we arrive. Vueling and Iberia are usually our airlines of choice to get to the Canary Islands. Air Europa and Binter Canarias are the main inter-island airlines.

🚐 Should I book tours in the Canary Islands? Do the guides speak English?

We LOVE taking tours in the Canary Islands. We prefer to book our tours on Viator and GetYourGuide for easy searching, trusted reviews, and transparent pricing. We always filter for the tours that are offered in English. For free walking tours in English, we always book through GuruWalk.

🚑 Should I buy Canary Islands travel insurance?

100% YES! Spain has a publicly funded healthcare system known as the Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS), which provides universal healthcare coverage to all Spanish citizens and legal residents in the Canary Islands! Foreigners visiting need travel insurance in case anything happens on their visit. We recommend Safety Wing – they provide general travel coverage as well as medical!

💧Can you drink the water in the Canary Islands?

The water in the Canary Islands is safe to drink. In some rural or remote areas, or in older buildings with outdated plumbing systems, water quality might not be as high. For an extra layer of protection, we recommend always using a LifeStraw Go Series to stay safe and hydrated.

🎫 Do I need a visa for the Canary Islands?

Likely Not! US passport holders don’t need Spanish visas for travel less than 3 months. If you plan to stay for more than 3 months, you will be considered a resident and must have an entrance visa.