The Canary Islands have quietly become one of the most sought-after filming destinations in Europe. With year-round sunshine, dramatic volcanic landscapes, and generous tax incentives of up to 50%, the archipelago attracts a growing number of international productions each year. But choosing the right island for your project can be the difference between a smooth shoot and a logistical headache.
Here is our insider guide to the five best islands for film production in the Canaries, based on over a decade of local production experience.
1. Tenerife: The All-Rounder
Tenerife is the most popular island for film production in the Canaries, and for good reason. Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak at 3,718 metres, sits at the centre of a UNESCO-listed national park that has stood in for Mars, alien planets, and desert wastelands in dozens of productions. But Tenerife offers far more than volcanic landscapes.
The island’s north coast features lush laurel forests in the Anaga mountains, while the south offers arid cliffs and resort towns. The colonial city of La Laguna (also UNESCO-listed) provides period architecture, and Santa Cruz delivers a modern urban backdrop. Tenerife also has the largest local crew base in the Canaries and excellent studio facilities.
Best for: Feature films, sci-fi, period dramas, and any production requiring diverse locations on a single island.
2. Gran Canaria: The Mini Continent
Gran Canaria packs an astonishing variety of landscapes into a relatively small area. The Maspalomas dunes on the south coast are a cinematic goldmine — vast, Sahara-like sand formations that have featured in everything from fashion shoots to feature films. Head inland and you will find pine forests, deep ravines, and mountain villages that feel centuries away from the coastal resorts.
The island has invested heavily in film infrastructure in recent years, with growing studio capacity and an experienced local crew base. The capital, Las Palmas, offers colourful colonial districts alongside modern cityscapes.
Best for: Desert scenes, diverse location needs, commercials, and productions requiring strong local infrastructure.
3. Lanzarote: The Otherworldly
If your script calls for an alien landscape, Lanzarote should be your first call. The island’s volcanic terrain — created by eruptions in the 1730s that buried entire villages — is genuinely unlike anywhere else on Earth. Timanfaya National Park, with its red and black lava fields, steaming geysers, and complete absence of vegetation, has served as a stand-in for Mars, the Moon, and post-apocalyptic wastelands.
Beyond the volcanoes, Lanzarote offers the unique Jameos del Agua lava caves (designed by artist Cesar Manrique), whitewashed villages against black volcanic rock, and dramatic coastal cliffs. The entire island is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with strict building regulations, meaning no high-rises or visual clutter in your wide shots.
Best for: Science fiction, fantasy, music videos, high-fashion editorials, and any project needing an otherworldly visual signature.
4. Fuerteventura: The Wild Coast
Fuerteventura is the least developed of the four major Canary Islands, and that is precisely its appeal for filmmakers. Miles of empty beaches, windswept dunes, and arid plains stretch in every direction with virtually no modern structures to spoil a period or wilderness shoot.
The Corralejo dunes in the north and the Jandia Peninsula in the south offer pristine, crowd-free locations that would be impossible to find in more developed destinations. The island’s consistent trade winds also make it a natural choice for sailing and water sports content.
Best for: Beach scenes, desert settings, adventure content, and productions requiring empty, unspoilt landscapes.
5. La Palma: The Hidden Gem
La Palma is the Canary Islands’ best-kept secret for filmmakers. The island’s Caldera de Taburiente — a massive volcanic crater surrounded by pine forests — creates a dramatic natural amphitheatre that photographs beautifully from any angle. The Roque de los Muchachos observatory, perched above the clouds at 2,400 metres, offers a surreal high-altitude setting found nowhere else in Europe.
La Palma’s recent volcanic activity (the Cumbre Vieja eruption in 2021) has added an entirely new landscape of fresh lava flows that is both eerie and visually striking. The island remains very quiet and unspoiled, with excellent cooperation from local authorities for film permits.
Best for: Documentaries, atmospheric dramas, nature content, and any production seeking a unique, untouched setting.
Making It Happen
Choosing the right island is just the start. Each location comes with its own permitting requirements, crew availability, and logistical considerations. At CineIslas, we have spent years building relationships across all seven Canary Islands, and we know which locations work for which type of production.
Combined with tax incentives of up to 50%, year-round sunshine, and direct flights from most European capitals, the Canary Islands offer an unbeatable combination of creative and practical advantages. Get in touch to start planning your next production.