The Canary Islands are one of the most manageable sunshine destinations for families travelling with autistic children. If you are planning a trip to the Canary Islands with kids, they offer year-round warm weather, structured resorts, reliable tourist infrastructure and a slower pace of life than many mainland European destinations.
Although they are Spanish islands, the Canary Islands sit off the coast of northwest Africa and feel very different from mainland Spain. From Tenerife and Gran Canaria to Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, they provide the kind of routine-friendly holidays, open beaches and predictable resort days that many neurodivergent children respond well to. If you are also considering mainland Spain alongside the Canary Islands, my full guide to Spain with autistic children covers city breaks, beach destinations, airport support and how to choose the best area for your family. It is a helpful next step if you are deciding between the islands and places like Barcelona, Mallorca or mainland coastal resorts.
This page is your step-by-step Canary Islands planning guide. It walks you through how to plan a trip to the Canary Islands with an autistic child — from practical preparation and airport navigation to choosing the right island, selecting suitable activities and reducing day-to-day uncertainty.
Quick wins for visiting the Canary Islands with autistic children:
- Choose one island and one main resort base to reduce travel stress
- Stay in a resort with predictable meal times and familiar food options
- Book airport special assistance before you fly
- Choose spring or autumn for lower crowds and easier temperatures
- Build beach and pool time into every day for regulation breaks
Step 1: Planning Your Canary Islands Trip With Kids – Practical Information
Before booking flights, there are a few practical things to check.
Entry Requirements for The Canary Islands and Passport Validity
The Canary Islands are part of Spain and the Schengen Area. UK passport holders can usually travel visa-free for short stays, but always check official guidance before departure. Entry rules and passport validity requirements can change.
Always check how long you need to have left on your passport before you travel – it varies between countries. I have a guide that breaks down passport validity rules and the typical rules in different places.
Healthcare in The Canary Islands and Travel Insurance
The Canary Islands have strong healthcare facilities, particularly in larger resort areas. However, you must carry appropriate travel insurance that covers pre-existing conditions, medication and additional support needs. If your child has complex medical or behavioural needs, check that your policy explicitly covers these.
If you are British, don’t forget to travel with the free GHIC health insurance card. My guide to the GHIC card breaks down what it is, who can get one and how to apply.
Vaccinations for The Canary Islands (Spain)
There are no unusual vaccine requirements for most UK travellers, but always check the latest NHS travel health advice before travelling. Standard UK routine vaccinations should be up to date. The most reliable source for up-to-date travel vaccination guidance is the NHS Inform website and the Travel Pro website.
Currency Used in The Canary Islands
The local currency is the Euro (EUR). The Canary Islands are highly card-friendly, particularly in tourist areas. However, smaller cafés, markets or beach kiosks may prefer cash.
If you travel frequently or combine destinations (for example, cruise + island stay), using a multi-currency travel card can reduce the risk of card freezes. I use Wise because the app allows you to hold multiple currencies, access a digital backup card and reduce the risk of transactions being frozen while travelling between destinations.
If you would like to check out Wise, here is my referral link: Wise referral.
Language Spoken in The Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are Spanish islands, and the official language of Spain is Spanish. Always prepare key phrases in advance if your child finds language barriers stressful.
My guide to why it is important to learn key disability phrases before you travel includes a link to Lonely Planet’s free eBook with accessible travel translations. It includes 35 languages – including Spanish.
SIM Cards and eSIM for The Canary Islands
Mobile coverage is excellent across the main islands. If your child relies on devices for regulation, communication apps or visual schedules, stable data access makes a real difference.
I use a mix of Trip.com eSIMs and Airalo. Airalo is particularly helpful if you are combining Spain mainland and the Canary Islands under one regional plan. If you want to try Airalo, you can use my referral code NATASH7173 for £2.50 off your first eSIM.
Medication Rules for Visiting The Canary Islands
Always travel with medication in original packaging and carry a copy of prescriptions and a doctors letter. My guide breaks down what to include on your doctors letter to travel with medication and includes real examples. Always check airline policies in advance. Spain has rules around controlled medications, so check before travelling.
Time Difference in The Canary Islands?
The Canary Islands are at UTC time. This is the time in the Canary Islands now.
Step 2: Getting to The Canary Islands and Managing Airports
Most visitors fly into one of the main airports:
- Tenerife South Airport
- Gran Canaria Airport
- Lanzarote Airport
- Fuerteventura Airport
Flights from the UK are typically 4–5 hours, making this a manageable “medium-haul” option.
Consider:
- Booking airport special assistance (I have a seperate guide with links to all of the special assistance departments for Spain’s airports)
- Understanding airline disability codes (My guide explains airline disability codes and what they mean)
- Using the Sunflower Lanyard for hidden disabilities (Learn more in my guide to the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard)
- Using the Spanish hidden disability badge by AENA (I have a guide that explains how to get your own Spanish hidden disability badge)
- Preparing for a medium-haul flight with sensory needs
- Pre-booking seats to avoid last-minute stress
Summer and school holidays are extremely busy. If your child struggles with crowds and heat, consider:
- Late April to early June
- September to early November
Winter is also popular but generally less overwhelming than peak summer.
Helpful guides for the Canary Islands with kids:
- How to get help at the airport as a disabled person
- Airport and airline disability codes
- The Sunflower Lanyard
- The AENA Badge
- What is medical luggage?
- Medical luggage policies for Europe’s top 25 airlines
Step 3: Which Canary Island to Stay on With Kids
Choosing the right island is the single biggest decision.
Tenerife
Tenerife offers:
- The volcanic landscape of Mount Teide
- Family resorts in Costa Adeje
- Large water parks like Siam Park
- Promenade-style walking areas
Tenerife works well if your child needs variety and structured attractions.
Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria offers:
- The dunes of Maspalomas Dunes
- Resort areas like Puerto Rico
- Calm beaches
- Walkable old towns in Las Palmas
Gran Canaria is excellent for resort-based routines with predictable daily structure.
Lanzarote
Lanzarote offers:
- The dramatic landscapes of Timanfaya National Park
- Architecture influenced by César Manrique
- Calm resort bases like Playa Blanca
Lanzarote suits children who prefer quieter, less built-up environments.
Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura offers:
- Vast beaches
- Lower density tourism
- Windy but spacious environments
If your child regulates best with open space and water, Fuerteventura can be ideal.
How to Choose the Best Canary Island
- Choose Tenerife for variety, water parks and structured attractions
- Choose Gran Canaria for family resorts and predictable daily routines
- Choose Lanzarote for quieter surroundings and volcanic landscapes
- Choose Fuerteventura for beaches, open space and lower crowd density
- Choose smaller islands if your child regulates best away from busy resort areas
Step 4: Getting Around The Canary Islands With Kids
Transport options include:
- Local buses
- Taxis
- Car hire
- Pre-booked transfers
- Ferries
Resort areas are often walkable. However, some beaches and attractions require a car.
To get between islands, there are some Fred Olsen ferries you can use (such as from Corralejo, Fuerteventura to Playa Blanca, Lanzarote). This crossing takes only 25 minutes so offers a fantastic way to explore more than one Canary Island on your trip.
If unpredictability increases anxiety, pre-book transfers or hire a car to control timing. Predictable transport equals calmer days.
Step 5: Things to do in The Canary Islands With Kids
The Canary Islands offer:
- Water parks
- Boat trips
- Beach days
- Volcanic parks
- Submarine experiences
- Animal parks
When choosing activities, consider:
- Heat and sun exposure
- Shade availability
- Queue times
- Noise levels
- Toilet access
- Food availability
- Clear exit routes
Early morning activities are usually far more manageable than mid-afternoon in peak season.
Step 6: Visual Planning and Familiarisation
Before travelling, familiarise your child with:
- Airport layouts
- Hotel room types
- Pool areas
- Beach textures (sand vs volcanic rock)
- Restaurant environments
Visual Planning and Familiarisation for Visiting The Canary Islands With Autism
Tenerife:
Use videos and maps to build predictability. The Canary Islands are visually distinctive — black volcanic sand, bright sunshine, resort pools — so previewing helps reduce sensory shock.
Step 7: Visual Supports and PECS
If your child uses visual communication, here are some resources you can use for visiting Spain:
- Bumper pack of travel PECS
- Canary Islands PECS – coming soon
- Tenerife PECS – coming soon
- Spain PECS
- Free travel PECS pack
Destination-specific visuals make transitions smoother and reduce negotiation fatigue.
Affiliate and Booking Information
Disclaimer: this page includes affiliate links. If you use one of them to make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
For tours in the Canary Islands with kids, I recommend using GetYourGuide and I have a dedicated discount code on my GetYourGuide info page along with install links for the app.
The Canary Islands With Kids FAQ
Is the Canary Islands good for autistic children?
Yes, the Canary Islands can be an excellent destination for families travelling with autistic children. They offer predictable resort environments, warm weather, beaches, pools and slower-paced daily routines. Many families find the balance of structure and open outdoor space much easier than busy city breaks. Resorts with fixed meal times and familiar food options can also help reduce stress.
Which Canary Island is best for families with autistic children?
The best island depends on your child’s needs. Tenerife is great for variety, family attractions and structured activities like Siam Park. Gran Canaria works well for resort-based holidays and calm beaches. Lanzarote is often better for quieter surroundings and less built-up environments, while Fuerteventura is ideal for wide open beaches and lower-density tourism. Families who need routine often do best by choosing one island and staying in one main base.
Is Tenerife or Gran Canaria better for autistic children?
Tenerife is usually better if your child enjoys a mix of attractions, water parks and organised day trips. Gran Canaria is often better for families who want a calmer resort-style holiday with predictable routines and beach days. Both are good choices, but Tenerife suits families wanting more variety, while Gran Canaria often feels more relaxed.
Are Canary Islands airports autism-friendly?
The main Canary Islands airports like Tenerife South, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote are generally well organised and easier to navigate than many larger mainland European airports. You can pre-book airport special assistance, request help through your airline and use the Aena hidden disability badge. Because flights are often busy during school holidays, arranging help in advance makes a big difference.
Is the Canary Islands too hot for sensory-sensitive children?
The Canary Islands are warm year-round, but they are usually more manageable than mainland Spain in peak summer because of sea breezes and coastal weather. Spring and autumn are often the easiest times to visit if your child struggles with heat regulation. Choosing accommodation with air conditioning, pools and easy access to shade makes a huge difference.
Should I choose an all-inclusive resort in the Canary Islands?
For many autism families, an all-inclusive resort can make travel much easier. Fixed meal times, familiar buffet options, pools on-site and fewer daily decisions help create predictability. If your child has a restricted diet, contacting the hotel before travel about food options can help reduce stress even further.
The Canary Islands are one of the few destinations that combine reliable weather, structured resorts and wide open natural space. For many autistic children, that balance between routine and freedom works exceptionally well.
Follow the steps, choose the right island and build a trip that fits your child’s nervous system — not just a brochure picture.
For everything I’ve written about the Canary Islands in one long list, check my Canary Islands archives.
Continue Planning Your Europe Travel Itinerary With Children
- Start with planning your overall Europe family trip, including flights, transport, pacing and choosing destinations that suit your child’s needs
- Travelling through European airports? Learn how to book airport special assistance and what support is available across Europe
- Travelling with medication? Learn what to include on your doctor’s travel letter for medication and controlled prescriptions
- Looking for an easier first-time Europe destination? Consider visiting Denmark with kids for organised cities, reliable transport and family-friendly attractions
- Prefer beaches and slower-paced travel? Find out more about Greece with children for island stays, outdoor dining and flexible family days out
- Planning big city adventures? Discover what to expect in Paris with autistic children, including transport, attractions and sensory considerations
- Want scenic train journeys and nature? Learn more about Switzerland with autistic children for mountain views, calm towns and predictable travel routines
Continue Planning Your Trip With Autistic Children
- Find out about the help available if you are travelling through an airport
- Discover whether a cruise with an autistic child would work for your family
- Find out how to make travelling with ADHD manageable
- Learn more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard
- Check out guides to all of the different destinations we have travelled to with autistic children
- Learn step-by-step how to set up the accessibility feature on Google maps
- Learn more about our favourite sensory toys for travelling
- Discover an app that helps you locate a playground anywhere in the world
- Always alerted at the last minute that the little one needs a toilet? Find a toilet anywhere with this app
Continue Planning Your Accessible Trip With My Guides
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