The Canary Islands with way fewer British tourists than Tenerife and Lanzarote

The Canary Islands have long been a favourite tourist destination for Brits.

But now activists are taking to the streets – including in London tomorrow – to warn of over-tourism on the sunny Spanish islands.

They say that there is a lack of housing for locals and pollution caused by the booming tourist industry on the most popular islands of Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote.

But there are some of the eight islands that are far less well known, where tourism isn’t as rife – but equally as beautiful.

Here Express.co.uk takes a look at the islands of La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma.

La Gomera 

La Gomera is the third-smallest of the archipelago’s eight main islands with 22,361 inhabitants. Its capital is San Sebastián de La Gomera

One travel blogger – of The World on my Necklace – explains why she was drawn to the tiny island. 

Katie said: “I read about La Gomera, one of the smallest islands in the archipelago. 

“While Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote have areas that are awash with generic package hotels and Irish bars – although even Tenerife has a lot of beauty away from the touristy stuff if you know where to look – La Gomera sounded like a more relaxed and authentic experience and the more I read, the more excited I was to visit.

“I was sold on this idyllic island paradise still untouched by the commercial tourism that steered me away from the larger islands.”

The little volcanic island boasts plenty of hiking and cycling routes for those after a more active escape. The 100-km coastline also features stunning beaches with striking black sands.

El Hierro

Nicknamed Isla del Meridiano – the Meridian Island – El Hierro is the second-smallest and farthest south and west of the Canary Islands. It has a tiny population of 11,659 and is 103.67 sq mi.

It’s well-known to diving enthusiasts and is also en route to being fully energy self-sufficient through clean, renewable energies.

Travel blogger Silvia wrote about the island on her website https://findingupendi.com/

She said: “Let me start with a clear message: el Hierro is the best hidden gem you will find in the Canary Islands. Given that it is the smallest island of them all, I figured there wasn’t that much to see… boy, was I wrong!” 

Those who do make the journey can look forward to hiking, diving and a gastronomical adventure with a wide range of acclaimed restaurants.

La Palma

La Palma is also known as La isla bonita – The Beautiful Island.

It has an area of 273.48 sq mi which makes it the fifth largest of the eight main Canary Islands, with a population of 84,338.

The tiny island is keen that tourists come to explore what it has to offer – with its very own tourism website explaining more.

It says: “Home to incredible landscapes, imposing volcanoes, dense forests, unique beaches, and star scattered skies, the island of La Palma is rightfully named ‘La Isla Bonita’ (the Pretty Island).”

It adds: “A safe destination, whose main attribute is its environmental quality, an unmistakable sign of healthy surroundings.”