Motorcycle travel story: the Canary Islands in one week
December sun, volcanic switchbacks, and two islands that ride like a private playground.
When Planet Ride scouts a new route, it’s never just “a nice loop on a map”. It’s real asphalt time, real wind, real traffic patterns—plus the small details that make a one-week escape feel effortless. In this motorcycle travel story, Laurent (Planet Ride Specialist Partner) shares how a mid-December scouting trip turned into a concentrated dose of riding pleasure across Gran Canaria and Tenerife. The promise was simple: sunshine within a short flight from Paris, serious corners, and zero need to overspend. The Canary Islands delivered—quiet backroads, dramatic calderas, and that rare feeling of being far away… without going far at all.
Before departure
November in Europe: grey skies, short days, rain that never really commits to stopping. With one week blocked in mid-December, we wanted three things: sun, scenery, and twisty roads—within a flight of roughly three to four hours from Paris. Budget mattered too: we weren’t chasing luxury, just maximum riding time.
Looking west into the Atlantic, the answer appeared almost too obvious: the Canary Islands. Seven volcanic islands off the coast of southern Morocco—Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Gomera, El Hierro, and La Palma. We chose Gran Canaria + Tenerife, the two largest, with enough variety to fill a week without rushing.
A week in the Canary Islands
Gran Canaria: a paradise built for corners
We landed in Las Palmas in the morning and stepped straight into summer: bright sun, a warm breeze, and that instant “holiday mode” you can’t fake. From the airport, it’s quick to reach town and get rolling; we dropped our bags, collected the bikes, and started riding.
The first shock is the road rhythm: Gran Canaria is almost all curves. You can spend an entire day linking tight bends and short straights without ever thinking about top speed. That’s why we loved having modest-displacement bikes: on these narrow, constantly turning roads, you don’t need big horsepower—what you want is agility, engine braking, and the freedom to stop often without pressure.
We wandered through villages that feel suspended on the mountain flanks—whitewashed, pastel, quiet. Teror was a standout: cobbled streets, a colonial atmosphere, and those carved wooden balconies that make you slow down and walk for a while.
Like anywhere, riders have their Sunday magnet. On Gran Canaria, we found it at Cruz de Tejeda, a central crossroads where the island’s roads converge. Sit on a terrace with a cold drink and you’ll watch a steady ballet of motorcycles coming and going—locals and visitors, sport bikes and touring rigs—everyone drawn by the same geometry of the place.
From there, the island turns cinematic: viewpoints toward Roque Bentayga and the iconic Roque Nublo, volcanic monoliths that give the landscape a near-desert grandeur. We also made time for the Cenobio de Valerón, an ancient granary complex carved into the cliff—an unexpected cultural stop that breaks the riding perfectly.
Planet Ride pro tip (pace management): on islands like this, daily distances look short on paper, but the real riding time stretches. Plan for frequent micro-stops (viewpoints, water, quick photos) and keep your “big stop” for lunch. It reduces fatigue and keeps your concentration sharp in continuous switchbacks.
Crossing to Tenerife: a new atmosphere
After a few days, we almost forgot we were on an island—until it was time to board the ferry. We left from Las Nieves, a small seaside port that feels far from the mass tourism zones. The crossing to Santa Cruz de Tenerife takes about an hour and a half, just enough to reset your head before the next chapter.
Santa Cruz is lively and welcoming, but we quickly fell for its neighbor, San Cristóbal de La Laguna: a UNESCO-listed historic center with colonial streets and ornate balconies—ideal for an evening walk when your riding boots finally come off.
Then, early start: Mount Teide. At 3,715 m, it’s the highest point in Spain, and the climb by road is one of those rides that changes character every few kilometers. Forests fade, the air dries out, and the terrain becomes increasingly mineral. The Teide cable car can lift you close to the summit—when wind conditions allow—and that “weather rules the plan” reality is part of the volcano’s charm.
We kept riding as the scenery shifted again: lava fields, rock formations, and—almost comically—the rare long straight that makes you realize how little you’ve had all week.
One of Tenerife’s most memorable sequences was the descent toward Masca: tight hairpins, dramatic drops, and a sense that the road is carved into the island’s bones. We stopped for lunch overlooking the village, perched on a rocky spur, and it felt like a reward for every precise corner entry.
Before leaving, we made a final detour to Icod de los Vinos to see the island’s emblem: a millennia-old dragon tree (Dracaena draco). Then one last coffee at a sea-facing viewpoint, with banana plantations below and salt in the air—an ending that stays with you long after the flight home.
Final word
One week, two islands, and a kind of winter escape that feels almost unfair: sunshine in December, relentless twisties, and landscapes that swing from tropical valleys to volcanic altitude. We came for a scouting mission. We left already planning the next islands.
Want to ride again soon? Explore what Planet Ride offers here: https://www.planet-ride.com/fr_FR/voyage-moto/
À savoir aujourd’hui
This story remains a solid blueprint for a one-week Canary Islands escape: Gran Canaria’s tight backroads, Tenerife’s Teide ascent, and the classic stops (Teror, Cruz de Tejeda, La Laguna, Masca, Icod de los Vinos) haven’t changed. What you should verify before leaving is the ferry schedules between islands, cable car access rules on Teide (wind closures), and any seasonal road restrictions or parking limitations at popular viewpoints.
Mini-FAQ
Do I need a big motorcycle for a Canary Islands roadtrip?
No. The riding is defined by tight, narrow, twisty roads. A mid-size bike is often the most enjoyable choice for pace and comfort.
Is December a good time for a Canary Islands roadtrip?
It can be excellent for sunshine and escaping European winter. Expect cooler temperatures at altitude (Teide) and occasional wind that can impact the cable car.
Can I combine Gran Canaria and Tenerife in one week?
Yes. The ferry link makes it realistic, but build your itinerary around real riding time—mountain roads are slow, and you’ll want stops for viewpoints and villages.
