Year round sunshine, stunning beaches, volcanoes and sand dunes make the Canary Islands – a Spanish archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa – a popular winter sun destination, as well as a favourite with tourists throughout the year. Its most popular island destinations, Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, are best known for their amazing beaches (including the unique black sand Bollullo on Tenerife) but once visitors head off the beaten track they can also find charming colonial churches, other-worldly volcanic landscapes and lively towns with cutting edge architecture.