to ask you all for recommendations for a Christmas break in the Canary Islands?

[FastAbsorbing]

I have not had a holiday in 5 years, I am burnout and exhausted. I won't get into the ins and out of why, that's the situation, but DH and I are saving up for a decent break this December. We would like to not be in the UK for Christmas day, so a break of a week including the 25th would be good. This will be for 4 of us, 'kids' will be 16 and 19.

I am thinking the Canary Island so that we can really switch off from everything as it will be warm and so different to what we're used to, but also because I am not a fan of flying, and this feels manageable.

I am worried about being in a really boring place with absolutely nothing to do though, so I was wondering if I could have your recommendations for specific destinations for the 4 of us. We enjoy long walks, yoga, bike rides, some culture and shopping, eating out, people watching, etc. I am just mindful that these touristy places can feel very sad in the winter, and we definitely don't want that. Equally, we are not interested in AI-type entertainment, British pubs, etc.

I'd really appreciate your suggestions. The Canary Islands is just a thought, not dead set on that.

TIA!

Currently in Playa del Ingles in Gran Canaria. What a dive! Full of closed down restaurants and shops.
Fuerteventura is much nicer.

These places have stuff open all year round as they are "winter sun" destinations. So you shouldn't have too much trouble finding places open, Christmas Eve might be the only day you'll struggle to find places open, and Christmas Day if you're in one of the more British resorts.

We've been to most of the Canaries for New Year. It's certainly better standing outside at midnight in t-shirt and shorts with a drink than being stuck indoors with the heating on at home. And only four hour flights to get some sun in late December/early January is a bonus.

The Canaries are certainly not sad in the winter months, may be a bit windy though .

We weren't able to go last New Year and crikey did I miss it.

Look at each island as a separate destination and see what interests you about each.

Playa Blanca in Lanzarote. Been several times at Christmas. Perfect balance of chill / nice restaurants / good shops. Fantastic scenery and places to visit close by.

Overall the weather in Gran Canaria is slightly better in the winter months and a lot less windy than Lanzarote or Fuertaventura both of which can be extremely windy.

If you are looking at Gran Canaria I'd focus on the Maspalomas area, there are some lovely hotels and it it is more upmarket that Playa Ingles and again has the better weather which out of season is important.

We stayed at the Tabaiba Princess in February and it was really good, lovely rooms and the food was excellent.

Lanzarote will be my recommendation as well. It's still a big enough island with plenty of local life, great restaurants and activities. It's also really beautiful.

The Canaries have stable weather all year around but it can get a bit cold in winter. If you are lucky, temperatures will be 22-24 degrees, if you are unlucky 18-20. Still pleasant if you are coming from the UK