Tenerife vs Las Palmas (Gran Canaria): Mount Teide or city beach?
Tenerife has Spain's highest peak (Teide 3718m), black-sand beaches and whale-watching trips. Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) has a 3km city beach (Las Canteras) and the old town of Vegueta.
Updated: 22 July 2026 · compiled by the CheapTrips editors
Choose Tenerife for volcanic beaches and year-round sun. Choose Las Palmas for a city beach and year-round sun. Flights from the Netherlands take about 4 hours 30 to Tenerife and about 4 hours 30 to Las Palmas. On price, are similarly priced. For a first visit most travellers pick Las Palmas.
Tenerife
Tenerife combines black-sand beaches with Spain's highest peak (Mount Teide, 3718m). Whale-watching trips, starry nights. Flights from Schiphol from €100 return, 7 days from €600 per person.
Flight from NL: €100 return
View Tenerife →Las Palmas (Gran Canaria)
Las Palmas is a lively island capital: the 3km Las Canteras sandy beach right in the city centre, spring-like temperatures year-round. Flights from Schiphol from €120 return, 7 days from €650 per person.
Flight from NL: €120 return
View Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) →Tenerife vs Las Palmas at a glance
| Tenerife | Las Palmas | |
|---|---|---|
| Return flight from NL | €100 return | €120 return |
| Flight time from Schiphol | about 4 hours 30 | about 4 hours 30 |
| Coast / beach | Yes | Yes |
| Museums | Limited | A few good |
| Nightlife | Decent | Decent |
| Winter weather | Mild and sunny | Mild and sunny |
| Best months | January, February, March, November, December | January, February, March, November, December |
| Ideal length | 7 days | 7 days |
| Price level | €€ | €€ |
Tenerife and Las Palmas are both popular for a trip from the Netherlands, but they feel quite different. Tenerife is known for volcanic beaches and year-round sun, while Las Palmas is about a city beach and year-round sun. On price, are similarly priced. Tenerife ideally needs 7 days, while you can see Las Palmas well in 7 days. The best months are January, February, March, November, December for Tenerife and January, February, March, November, December for Las Palmas. Want to combine them: A ferry of about 2 hours 30 or a 40-minute flight links the two islands. All prices below are indicative and based on return flights from Schiphol or Eindhoven outside the school holidays.
Best time to visit compared
Tenerife
Year-round 20-28°C. December-March for a warm winter. July-August are warm + expensive.
Las Palmas (Gran Canaria)
Year-round 22-28°C. November-March for lovely winter sun. August is the busiest and most expensive.
Flights + transfer from the Netherlands
Tenerife
Directly from Schiphol to Tenerife South (TFS) in 4 hour 30 minutes. KLM, Transavia, Ryanair. Bus 343 to Las Américas €4.
Las Palmas (Gran Canaria)
Directly from Schiphol to Las Palmas (LPA) in 4 hour 30 minutes. KLM, Transavia. Global bus 60 to center €3.
Costs compared
Tenerife
Hostels from €20, hotels €70-130, vacation rentals €80/night. Food: papas arrugadas €5, lunch €12, dinner €20-30, a beer €3.
Las Palmas (Gran Canaria)
Hostels from €18, hotels €65-110, vacation rentals €70/night. Food: tapa €3, lunch €10, dinner €18-28, a beer €2.
Who is it for?
Choose Tenerife if you are...
Adventurers and whale-watchers who want variety (mountain + beach).
Choose Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) if you are...
Those who want to combine city and beach, love a great beach district and have a lower budget.
Our verdict
Las Palmas is cheaper. Tenerife has more activities. Both are mild year-round (20-28°C).
Plan your trip
Travel to Las Palmas (Gran Canaria)
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Plan Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) →Frequently asked: Tenerife or Las Palmas
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Tenerife or Las Palmas with kids?
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How long should you stay?
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Discover these destinations
See the individual travel guides with live prices from the Netherlands.