The Canary Islands have much to offer travellers looking for picturesque vistas that they can show off to their friends through breathtaking photos. Because of the location of these islands, you can enjoy tropical to subtropical climates that offer fun in the sun virtually all year long.
When you visit the islands, you'll be met with extensive opportunities for fun whether you're visiting beaches, smaller islands, vineyards or villages. As such, you may want to take time to visit as much as you can to round out that Instagram portfolio. Check out the most Instagrammable places in the Canary Islands.
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Masca valley
Check out a remote village
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Masca valley is a relatively isolated village in the west part of Tenerife that offers immense grassy and rocky mountains among wild nature. The village itself looks all the more quaint when contrasted with the imposing natural features surrounding it, and you'll find several vantage points that let you capture both in a single photo.
When you visit this village, you'll have opportunities to capture photos of both the village itself and the surrounding nature. If you want to avoid worrying about crowds in your shots, however, you should try visiting before 11 am. It's located a few miles northwest of Santiago del Teide.
Location: Canary Islands, Spain
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Mount Teide
Visit a massive volcano
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Read moreMount Teide is an active volcano and the highest point in Spain, and you'll find impressive photo opportunities around the caldera rim and beyond. The volcano itself reaches heights of 3,718 metres, which makes it not only the tallest in Spain but one of the tallest in the world.
When you visit, you'll no doubt want to take photos that capture its imposing size and sheer geologic power. Climbing the entire mountain is a daunting task, but you can take photos even part of the way up that will be unforgettable. It's located near the centre of Tenerife.
Location: 38300, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
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Roque Nublo side rocks, Tejeda
Capture impressive geological formations
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Read moreRoque Nublo side rocks in Tejeda offer impressive opportunities for photos, thanks to the scenic vistas and imposing rock structures. The rock itself looks like a slab sticking out from the hill below and stands 67 metres tall.
While the size of the upper rock itself is modest compared to some of the mountains around, it's set on an elevated platform of the Cumbre Central, so you can see out for miles in every direction, with perfect opportunities for panoramic shots. You'll find it near the centre of Gran Canaria.
Location: 35369, Las Palmas, Spain
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Tejeda village
Take it easy in a charming town
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Tejeda village is a small community that sports notably Spanish architecture that combines traditional methodology with iconic white colouring throughout. The village itself is so small that you can essentially traverse the entire length of it in about 20 minutes.
When you're looking for unforgettable photos, you'll want to check out both the buildings and the vibrant natural surroundings. Almond trees are especially common, and the village even holds an Almond Blossom Fest every year. You can get there by heading to the centre of Gran Canaria.
Location: Canary Islands, Spain
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Maspalomas sand dunes
Get a taste of the desert
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Maspalomas sand dunes are located on the coast of Gran Canaria and allow you the chance to traverse interesting environments you may not have expected on an island. These dunes date back to the last ice age, letting you walk along a relic of times long before recorded history.
You're free to walk on the dunes here provided you stay on the designated paths during your visit. Photo opportunities are available virtually everywhere by the dunes whether you want to capture the dunes themselves or use them as a vantage point. You'll find it all along Gran Canaria's southern coast.
Location: 35100 Maspalomas, Las Palmas, Spain
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La Tejita
Immerse yourself in unspoilt nature
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La Tejita is a small, isolated beach that remains largely unspoilt, making it one of the best places in the islands to capture the natural beauty outside of towns. The lack of crowds makes it easy to take shots of the environment without having to worry about people sullying the view.
When you visit this beach, you'll find views of quite a few exciting features you may want to photograph. The beach itself is nice, of course, but you can also capture shots of Red Mountain and its reddish-brown volcanic crater. It's all located next to the nature reserve in southern Tenerife.
Location: Canary Islands, Spain
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Puerto de la Cruz
Venture to a town in a natural oasis
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Puerto de la Cruz is a lovely town where you'll find not only brightly coloured buildings but plenty of lush green landscape and fruit plantations, too. The town is built in traditional Spanish fashion with narrow, cobbled streets and colonial-style architecture.
The natural features of the area are particularly impressive, with palm trees and clear, blue waters surrounding the town. Even the beach features unique, dark-coloured sand, offering a stark contrast to the brightness of the ocean and surrounding buildings. You can visit it in Tenerife along the northern coast.
Location: Canary Islands, Spain
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Cofete beach
Visit what's practically a virgin beach
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Cofete beach is a relatively hidden and quiet beach that offers soft sands and inviting waters with a backdrop of immense towering peaks. With the sudden drop of the mountain range just before the beach coupled with the relatively difficult accessibility, you'll find that this beach remains mostly untouched.
Taking photos of this beach with the mountains as a backdrop is a common practice for photographers who visit. You may also want to turn your camera outward for a stunning view of the water. You can get to this beach around the southernmost part of Fuerteventura on the Jandia Peninsula.
Location: Las Palmas, Spain
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Lobos island
Discover the island of the sea lions
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Lobos island is more of an islet where you'll find breathtaking volcanic landscapes alongside crystal-clear waters, making it a perfect place for photographing nature. You won't find a single road on this island, so be prepared to be immersed in nature, as civilisation is left behind during your visit.
When you visit Lobos island, it's best to take photos on the way there as well as when you're on it. Seeing it on the horizon in the distance can be just as interesting as capturing it up close. You can get there via boat right from northern Fuerteventura about 15 minutes away.
Location: 35660, Las Palmas, Spain
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The Wine Valley of La Geria
See the local winemaking region
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The Wine Valley of La Geria is a stunning part of the Canary Islands where you can explore 20 square miles of space that houses vineyards and vibrant scenery. Some excellent wines are produced here, and taking photos of the vineyards captures an aesthetic of work ethic and sophistication simultaneously.
When you visit this region, you'll also find volcanic slopes that offer photo opportunities in their own right. The natural landscape here is a sight to behold and one that you'll want to take advantage of. It's all located in Lanzarote on the western side.
Location: Carretera de La Geria, km.19, 35570, Las Palmas, Spain
Open: Monday–Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm
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