FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

5 Canary Islands Beaches for Families

by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers

Jan 24, 2025

Beach las Teresitas © Elenatur | Dreamstime.com

Destinations / Europe

Spain’s Canary Islands are best known for the beaches, and each island has its share. But not all these beaches are good destinations for family travelers. Some of the most famous have heavy surf or steep drop-offs not safe for children, while others lack facilities family travelers look for. There are, however, quite a few family-friendly beaches in the Canary Islands.

 

Tenerife: Playa de Las Teresitas
Free parking, beachside restaurants and vendors, shallow water protected from ocean currents —  it’s easy to see why this white-sand beach near the capital of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a good one for families. You’ll meet more locals here than at resort beaches, and with nearly a mile of beachfront, there will always be a place to spread your blanket. You can also rent umbrellas and loungers from one of the beach clubs.

 

Tenerife: Playa Torviscas

Like Playa Teresitas, Torviscas is protected from high surf by a breakwater, but it’s smaller and more intimate. Behind the beach restaurants, you’ll find changing rooms and a sports center where you can rent paddleboards and even kayaks.

 

Gran Canaria: Playa Maspalomas
Kids will love the giant sand dunes bordering this beach on the largest island. Kids can even take camel rides when they tire of swimming. Older kids will like the availability of water sports equipment and lessons. If you arrive by car, expect a long walk from the parking lot, but you’ll find the beach worth it. Larger and with more tourist activity, nearby Playa del Ingles has closer parking and is busier, with more shops and restaurants bordering the sand.

 

Lanzarote: Playa Papagayo
Although less known to American travelers, the smaller island of Lanzarote has its own appeal with a dramatic volcanic landscape. At the southern end of the island, the beautiful white sands of Playa Papagayo stretch between two soaring headlands, which protect it from both wind and heavy surf. The water is shallow with a gradual slope. At the south end of the island, you can take the ferry to the neighboring island of Fuerteventura.

 

Gran Canaria: Playa de Maspalomas
No list of Canary Island beaches would be complete without Playa de Maspalomas. This iconic beach in Gran Canaria is famous for its expansive sand dunes, which feel like stepping into a desert. It’s ideal for sunbathing, exploring and watersports.

#WhereverFamily

Insta Feed
Hotels
Feb 4, 2025

Celebrate Love and Romance This Year at Regent Santa Monica Beach

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, skip family travel and trade the craziness for a romantic getaway with your special someone. Regent Santa Monica Beach curated a set of romantic experiences just for Valentine’s Day.

Discover the Magic of East Crete: A Perfect Family Getaway

East Crete is a blend of stunning landscapes, history and charming towns, making it an ideal family destination. Far from the crowds of the west, the region offers pristine beaches, ancient sites and authentic Cretan villages.

Hotels
Feb 3, 2025

The Gant Aspen Debuts Winter Offerings

Plan family travel to Aspen, Colorado, this winter with The Gant Aspen. This luxury resort has something for everyone this winter season, with thrilling experiences and new offerings.

Travel Tips
Feb 3, 2025

Tips for a Stress-Free RV Road Trip with Kids

Family travel on the road can be stressful for many reasons, from restlessness to boredom to spending too much time on screens in the backseat. But RV road trips foster curiosity in kids and enhance family bonding, so don’t miss out on the opportunity for an RV vacation because of these avoidable stressors and fears.

Madrid: A Destination for All Ages

However one is traveling, what matters is having fun and creating unforgettable memories. Among many ways to travel, multigenerational trips — on which grandparents, parents and children get to spend quality time together — are gaining popularity. Setting out on this sort of adventure? Madrid has something to offer everyone!

Hotels
Jan 30, 2025

This Lisbon Hotel Loves Kids and Babies

Family resorts often provide special accommodations for children, but beyond the availability of a crib, these are rarely found in city hotels. This is what makes Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Luxury Hotel & Apartments so extraordinary. For traveling families, this hotel is a revelation.