6 tips on where to elope on the Canary Islands
Do you love the mountains but don’t want to be far from the sea either? The Canary Islands may be just the place for you! Their wild landscape is so versatile and you can spend the day swimming in the ocean and finish it off with stunning views from a mountain top. Gran Canaria is the perfect spot for beautiful elopement pictures: Everyone gets their share of adventure here. Adrenalin junkies can go paragliding or diving, passionate hikers can search for hidden spots in the forests or explore the highest peaks. If you are after a very special elopement adventure, the Canary Islands have it all!
Why eloping on the Canary Islands?
Those beautiful islands hold a very special place in my heart. What’s so special about it is that you can find charming black sand beaches everywhere.
Mount Teide on Tenerife is the highest mountain on the island and in all of Spain. Climbing the active volcano is a long and strenuous tour that’s only recommended for experienced hikers. However, a cable car gets you to the top in no time and hikes in the surrounding area offer a unique volcanic landscape with lush greenery and stunning views.
You can find mystical forest walks and beautiful rock formations in the Anaga Range in the northeast of Tenerife. Its rich moss forests invite for dreamy strolls - or you can choose to hike through impressive cacti instead.
El Hierro, the second smallest of the Canary Islands, is absolutely perfect for long snorkeling trips and diving through beautiful caves. Its volcanic soil is perfect for its springy fern forests and invites to long walks.
For dune lovers, Gran Canaria is the place to be. Maspalomas is a long stretch of sand towering over crystal clear water. It’s the perfect spot for elopement pictures from another world.
Lanzarote is perfect for a beach elopement. Its earthy tones build a wonderful backdrop where the waves gently wash on the shore. The crystal clear water invites for a swim afterwards and will leave you breathless.
Santa Cruz de La Palma is a beautiful harbour town with beautiful black lava beaches all around. The dark sand has a very special atmosphere and builds a stunning contrast with a white wedding dress.
I could go on raving about the Canary Islands forever: Lanzarote, La Palma, Fuerte Ventura and La Gomera have plenty of opportunity for the adventurous kind. Helicopter flights over the Islands, paragliding, and adventure diving could be on your itinerary if you choose to elope there…
Inspiration: Wild nature and breathtaking views on Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria has conquered my heart by storm. It is one of the most wonderful spots for elopement pictures and there is no doubt that I will come back in the future. During my first visit, I immediately fell in love with the island. When I came back for my second trip, it was confirmed: This place will always excite me. It has everything I need to be happy. Deserts, mountains, beaches, the sea - Gran Canaria has a special place for everyone on offer.
Together with a friend, I travelled across the island for two weeks. The trip was one big adventure, each day a new discovery. We discovered its wonderful beaches and our hearts felt full of its beauty. This needed to be captured, not only with my eyes but with my camera. On the last day of my holiday, I met these two wonderful people for a photo shoot. Nora and Till had only gotten married a few days ago and you could really see their happiness and infatuation. They were radiating positive energy, beaming with their love for each other.
A round tour of Gran Canaria
Our first spot was the breathtaking view of the Roque Nublo - what a stunning place! From the top, you can see the open valley in its full beauty while the magnificent volcanic rock towers above you. It’s hard to choose where to look!
Whoever had a shooting with us before knows that we attach great importance to a relaxed atmosphere and do all we can to make you feel at ease. And so it happened again: The two of them had almost forgotten that I was standing in front of them with a camera. What a blissful moment for a photographer.
When the temperature started getting too cold, we left the highest point of Gran Canaria and we drove by car towards the valley. Our hope was to chase the sun and catch its last rays in a different spot. A short time later, we discovered a viewpoint where I couldn’t resist taking pictures. The backdrop was a stunning arch that framed the mountain scenery perfectly. The soon was peeking behind it, absolutely perfect!
↠Marina
At the end of the photoshoot, we took some pictures on the beach and used the waves that hit the rocks with full force.
The couple, the atmosphere, the places - on this last day on Gran Canaria everything was perfect. If you are looking for a place to elope in Europe, Gran Canaria has so much more beauty to offer. It is the perfect place for the wild, the free, the adventure seekers. Your elopement can be anything you want. You can hide away from the big crowds, just you and your loved ones or you can find hidden bars with friendly locals and explore the hidden gems that Gran Canaria has to offer. It has wonderful hikes in stunning scenery, lush greenery, and lakes that invite you for a leisurely swim. However, it’s beaches have taken the biggest place in my heart. Where is your next big adventure going to start?!
