Live like a local: beating the tourist trap on the Canary Islands

The best way to enjoy the Canaries is island hopping, mixing up a wide range of holiday experiences like a native, writes Denise O’Donoghue.

A view of the beach and boat during the ‘I love La Graciosa experience’.

The Canary Islands are a beloved holiday destination for Irish people, but have you ever wondered how a Canarian holidays on their sun-kissed isles? From ‘popcorn beaches’ to the best surfing spots, and an all-day party boat to unwind, I spent a week enjoying Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and La Graciosa like a local — and it might change how you holiday there.

We touched down in Fuerteventura and went straight to Restaurant Villa del Mar in Costa Calma where we dined overlooking some of the best beaches the island has to offer. The Sotavento beaches are long stretches of golden sand and are a
breathtaking sight for the newly arrived, but at this stage, we were just scratching the surface of what the island has to offer.