The Canary Islands are a Spanish archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean, off the northwestern coast of Africa. Although they belong to Spain and are part of the European Union, geographically the islands sit much closer to Morocco and Western Sahara than to mainland Spain. This special location gives the Canaries a unique mix of European infrastructure and a warm, oceanic climate influenced by Africa and the Atlantic.
On the map, the Canary Islands lie roughly 1,000–1,500 km southwest of mainland Spain and about 100–500 km west of North Africa (depending on the island). Because of their position, they have become one of Europe’s most popular year-round destinations for sunshine, beaches, volcanic landscapes, and outdoor adventures.
The archipelago includes several well-known islands such as Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro. The two main travel hubs are Tenerife and Gran Canaria, both offering international airports, a wide range of resorts, and easy connections to the other islands by ferry or short flights.
In short, if you’re wondering where the Canary Islands are, they are Spanish islands in the Atlantic, geographically near Africa—an ideal location that helps explain their mild weather, diverse nature, and global appeal for