Parts of the Canary Islands remain relatively undiscovered (Picture: Getty Images) The Canary Islands have had a rough time of it lately. After welcoming a record-breaking 18.4 million tourists in 2025, the Spanish archipelago was placed on Fodor’s 2026 ‘no travel’ list — an annual selection of destinations that travellers are advised to avoid. Not because they are unattractive places to visit. But because they’re struggling with issues like overtourism and environmental damage. The list does not endorse a boycott — it’s more of an encouragement to give places like Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote a breather. So to help you (and the islands) this summer, we’ve done a deep dive into some lesser-known spots. La Gomera A short jaunt from Tenerife is La Gomera, an island world’s away from its more popular neighbour. Of the 3.83 million British tourists that visited the Canaries in 2025, only around 70,000 went to La Gomera. With sweeping coastlines, black sand beaches and spectacular viewpoints, it’s a great alternative for more authentic experiences. La Gomera is a short boat ride from Tenerife (Picture: Getty Images) A hiker’s paradise La Gomera is an island of adventure. Its impressive rock formations and ravines showcase its volcanic nature and make it perfect hiking territory. Perhaps its most famous landmark is La Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to the best-preserved Laurel forests in the Canaries. Hike the steep trek to the Roque de Agando lookout for panoramic views of the island. On a clear day, you can see Tenerife. Dedicated walking holidays are popular here, too. Chris Bladon, travel expert at sustainable tour operator, Pura Aventura, runs week-long expeditions. Travellers start in the capital San Sebastián, for tapas and tales of Christopher Columbus — the island was the explorer’s final stop before crossing the Atlantic in 1492. Then it’s through Valle Gran Rey, one of La Gomera’s biggest and most impressive ‘barranco’ gorges. @stephanieschreibt in ein paar Tagen gehts schon wieder zurück und ich will nicht 😭 Es ist so schön hier! Die Landschaft hier ist atemberaubend und ich fühl mich so ein bisschen wie in Jurassic Park 🦕 #vacation #vacationmode #lagomera #lagomeraisland #island #urlaub #jurassicworld #jurassicpark #nature #loveit ♬ Riptide – Tik Toker Don’t fancy an itinerary? Chris says you can follow the ‘Old Royal Path.’ Here, you’ll come across lava cliffs and coves from which La Gomera once exported wine and bananas, eventually bound for London’s docks that gave Canary Wharf its name. While walking, see if you can hear La Gomera’s ‘whistled language’ called Silbo Gomero, used by farmers to communicate across the steep folds of the gorges. Culinary heaven All that walking requires fuel. Luckily, La Gomera is a culinary paradise. Nicky Evans from Polarsteps can vouch for the cuisine — her husband is from the Canaries, and she’s spent many summers exploring this island. ‘Some of the freshest fish you’ll find are at the local fishers’ cooperatives,’ she tells Metro. ‘They’re usually basic and busy, you can’t book, and service can be abrupt, but the prices are low and the quality is superb.’ @dancingtheearth Welcome to La Gomera 🇮🇨 Have you ever been to the second smallest island of the Canary Islands? 😍 📌 SAVE this post for your next trip: – Playa del Inglès – Agulo – San Sebastián de la Gomera – Alojera – Mirador de Abrante – Garajonay Natural Park – Pescante de Hermigua – Mirador del Morro de Agando – Cumbres de Igualero vineyard #lagomera #canaryislands #islascanarias #visitspain #canaryisland ♬ оригінальний звук – petrozhytska_daria Nicky recommends the one next door to Playa de Vueltas. For an island-specific dish to accompany Canarian classics like papas arrugadas con mojo (wrinkly potatoes with spicy pepper sauce), Nicky suggests ‘almogrote’, a garlicky goat’s cheese spread. Try it out at Amparo Las Hayas, an authentic Canarian family-run restaurant in Las Hayas village. It’s a good place to stop on a visit to Garajonay National Park. Alternatively, try Restaurante La Cuevita, a scenic spot built into a cave that serves fresh seafood, right next to Playa de Santiago. Beaches with a twist Although La Gomera isn’t known for its sunbathing beaches, it does have a stunning coastline with lots of secluded spots. Playa de la Caleta near Hermigua has a scenic, pebbly cove and is surrounded by dramatic cliffs. Playa de Vueltas is sheltered with calm waters, making it a popular swimming spot. For families and holidaymakers, Playa de la Calera is the island’s largest beach and features black sand and calm snorkelling conditions. How to get to La Gomera and where to stay La Gomera isn’t the easiest Canary Island to get to. The most affordable route is to fly to Tenerife and then take a ferry. On Sunday, July 5, Ryanair is flying from London Stansted to Tenerife South for £32. The journey time is four hours and 30 minutes. La Gomera does have an airport, but there are no direct flights from the UK. You either have to stop in Gran Canaria or Tenerife. From Tenerife’s Los Cristianos, jump on a 50-minute ferry to La Gomera. Fares average around £44 one-way. They run up to 6 to 8 times a day. British Airways Holidays offers seven nights at the 4* Jardin Tecina, from £799pp, travelling on selected dates between 1 July and 31 July 2026 from London Gatwick. Fancy a boutique hotel? On the same dates from Gatwick, BA has seven nights at the 4* Bancal Hotel & Spa, from £849pp. Both include breakfast. El Hierro El Hierro is the smallest and most low-key of the Canary Islands. In 2024, seven million people visited Tenerife, but just 26,000 made their way to El Hierro. That makes it the least-visited. A designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the island trades glossy resorts for lava fields and natural pools carved by ancient eruptions. Tim Hentschel, CEO of HotelPlanner, tells Metro that El Hierro’s ‘vast landscapes take you back to a time before overcrowding and commercialisation.’ El Hierro is known as the ‘island with soul’ (Picture: Getty Images) Steeped in history You can’t go to El Hierro without visiting Valverde, says Tim. Sitting high in the hills, expect cobbled streets with sweeping ocean views, small cafés and family-run shops that give it a lived-in feel. Valverde is a historic, social, and religious centre. It dates back to the 15th century, during the initial stages of the conquest of the Canaries. Main attractions in the town include the 18th-century church of Santa María de la Concepción, which houses a period carving of a local saint. Traditional music and folklore remain central to island life, too, especially during local fiestas. ‘One of the most distinctive — and most important — celebrations is the Bajada de la Virgen de los Reyes.’ Every four years (the last was 2025), this centuries-old procession of the patron saint unites communities from coast to highlands. The saint travels from her sanctuary in La Dehesa (a remote plateau in the westernmost part of the island) to Valverde, accompanied by dancers, chácaras, and drums. Beaches with a twist If you’re seeking a typical beach holiday with golden sands and turquoise waters, El Hierro might not be for you. But for adventurers, it ticks all the boxes. In summer — the island boasts 3,000 hours of sunshine annually — head to the natural pools of Tamaduste. Summer days in El Hierro (Picture: Getty Images) Locals love these calm, crystal-clear bathing waters: Whether you fly and flop on the sundecks or take part in water sports like diving or paddleboarding is up to you. Over in La Restinga, a tiny fishing village on the southern tip, you’ll find a legendary marine reserve. It’s a haven for underwater enthusiasts, who marvel at volcanic seascapes, rays and schools of glittering fish. How to get to El Hierro and where to stay Like La Gomera, your best bet is to fly into Tenerife South and then jump on a ferry from Los Cristianos to El Hierro. The ferry time is two hours and 20 minutes, and costs around £46. During summer, there are around 10 sailings per week. The eco-certified Parador de El Hierro has rooms available in July for as little as £54 per night. The hotel is nestled between a volcanic mountain and the ocean, and described as a ‘paradise for diving enthusiasts.’ For something a little boujier, stay at Villa Vista, a private villa with sea views and a hot tub. Rooms start from £401 and sleeps three.