Forget the glossy travel brochures, weekends in the Canary Islands aren’t all sun loungers and sangria. While tourists sip on a cold drink by the pool, locals across Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and beyond have their own way of doing things.
Our islands in the sun may be famed for their year-round sun and volcanic scenery, but the rhythm of everyday life is quite different for those who call them home.
For many Canarians, weekends begin and end with football. Whether it’s watching UD Las Palmas or CD Tenerife take to the pitch or turning out for a local amateur match, the sport is deeply rooted in island life. Pubs and bars fill up early when there’s a big game on, and it’s not uncommon to see multigenerational families watching together.
Alongside the football comes another common pastime: betting. While Spanish betting shops are available, a growing number of locals now place their bets online, often using top betting sites not on GamStop. These international platforms aren’t tied to the UK’s self-exclusion programme and tend to offer more flexible features, including in-play betting. That means you can adjust your wager while the match is still underway, switching tactics based on the score, a key substitution, or even a penalty.
Watching the match with mates while tracking your bets in real time has become part of the weekend ritual for some. It adds a layer of tension and banter; every goal, corner, or card becomes a shared moment that keeps you glued to the screen.
Saturday mornings are all about movement. Local markets spring up in towns like Tegueste, San Mateo and Arrecife. Here, fresh produce, cheeses, gofio, and local wines take centre stage. People stop by to pick up ingredients for a slow-cooked Sunday meal or just to wander and chat.
You’ll often find locals gathered at pavement cafés long after the shopping is done. A cortado and a slice of bizcocho might be all that’s on the table, but the real draw is the conversation. This is where news is shared, football debated, and plans made for the evening ahead. The pace is slow, and the atmosphere is familiar.
Yes, locals go to the beach. No, they don’t usually do it like tourists. Rather than sprawling at resorts, they tend to head for smaller, lesser-known spots like Playa de El Bollullo in Tenerife or Playa de Güigüí in Gran Canaria. These beaches don’t have many facilities, but they do have space, quiet, and the kind of surf you can enjoy without a crowd.
Sundays are popular for these little beach getaways. Families pack sandwiches, drinks coolers, and maybe a small barbecue grill. By mid-afternoon, the smell of grilled sardines or chorizo wafts through the air. It’s laid-back, familiar, and often ends with a game of cards or a dip before heading home.
Weekend evenings often carry a festive note. From February to August, different towns across the Canaries host romerías, traditional street processions that mix religion, folklore, and a whole lot of good food and music. These events aren’t put on for tourists, although visitors are welcome. They’re held in honour of local saints or harvests, and people come dressed in traditional clothes, pulling carts loaded with food and wine.
If there’s no romería in sight, chances are there's a smaller fiesta going on. A live band might play outside a town square, or a local group might host a late-night barbecue in a public park. These aren’t rowdy affairs. They’re gatherings with neighbours, shared meals, and dancing that lasts until early morning.
Not every weekend is about being social. The natural beauty of the Canary Islands draws plenty of locals outdoors. Hiking trails across La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro are well-trodden by residents looking to unplug. Even the popular routes in Teide National Park or Roque Nublo see their fair share of early risers trying to beat the sun.
For some, the best weekend is the quiet one. A walk up through pine forests, a packed lunch at a viewpoint, and time to clear your head. No screen, no schedule.
For locals in the Canaries, weekends aren’t about chasing entertainment, they’re about rhythm. Football and food are reliable fixtures, but the real draw lies in the familiar routines: a Saturday market run, a Sunday beach lunch, an impromptu street party, or a peaceful hike.
While tourists might come for the weather, locals stay for the lifestyle. That quiet blend of activity and ease, social life and space to breathe. It’s not glamorous, but it’s deeply lived. And that’s the real Canary weekend.
Gamble Responsibly: Gambling should be enjoyed as a form of entertainment, not a way to earn money. Always gamble within your financial means and set limits to stay in control. You must be 18 or older to participate in gambling activities. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, seek help from organisations like FEJAR (Federación Española de Jugadores de Azar Rehabilitados) at www.fejar.org. Stay safe and gamble responsibly.
