5 Canary Islands airport spotting tips

So many European holidaymakers visit the Canary Islands every year. The Spanish islands, off the west coast of Africa, boast year-round sun, sea and sand and many charter and low-cost airlines ferry passengers there every day.

If you’re an aviation enthusiast, here are some tips on the airports in the islands

Tenerife South (Reina Sofia)
Spots at either end of the single runway are the best places for photography. You will need a car to reach these, via small roads leading away from the main motorway.

If you don’t have the luxury of a car, there are a couple of spots at either end of the terminal which give some views of aircraft parked on the ramp.

Once in the departure lounge, you have fairly good views over the runway and taxiway, and most parked aircraft.

Tenerife North (Los Rodeos)
The alternative airport for Tenerife. If you have a car, follow motorway TF-5, leaving at Junction 9 towards La Esperanza. After passing under the runway approach lights, the road leads up a hill with places to park and great views. You can also take the bus from Santa Cruz to reach here.

Lanzarote (Arrecife)
There are many good opportunities around this airport, as bars, beaches and hotels surround it.

The beach running along the length of the runway is the best spot, although it’s difficult to photograph aircraft on the ground from here.

In the town of Matagorda, it is only a short walk to the end of the runway for some great views.

Once through to departures, there is a terrace from which you can watch aircraft.

Gran Canaria (Las Palmas)
If you have a car, head to El Burrero on the south side of the airport. From there you will see a number of small roads which lead to places to watch aircraft.

Most arrivals are on runway 03, so aim to position yourself to view at that end.

Once through to departures, there is a terrace from which you can watch aircraft.

Fuertaventura
Terminal 2 has some views at either side of it, revealing aircraft on the ramps. There is also an aircraft museum nearby.

If you have a car, there are various spots around the perimeter that you can use to stop and taking photos, and view what’s on the ground. At the 03 end of the runway, there is an area to park and watch arrivals.