Which Canary Island and then which area???

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Going on first holiday with. 8 month old end in April (hoping it's before he starts to crawl) and we are currently looking at the canary islands - can anyone recommend a specific one or area??? Guidebooks and searching online aren't really helping!

Looking for a non tacky pretty town not too far from the beach. Would love a harbour or pretty street to stroll around early evening, don't want to see endless American restaurants or English abroad cafes.

Thanks so much.

(only looking for villas not hotels)

I prefer Lanzarote

Puerto del Carmen is busy
Playa Blanca quieter but still plenty going on

we had a nice holiday here. www.holiday-villas-ownerdirect.com/

it's a bit of a walk into the nice old spanish town, but the taxis are cheap. Slightly shabby, but great terrace and good, safe fenced off terrace for the kids.

My main recommendation would be get into the hills - both Gran canaria and teneriffe have the most gorgeous alpine scenery up high.

Hiya.
I live and work in Tenerife and have my own childcare buisness.

I have seen many of the hotels through my work and here are just a few that i would recommend in areas that have a lovely beach close by and lots of things to do around for families around...

Iberostar Anthelia Park (my first choice)- right on the beach in Fanabe

Sheriton La Caleta - on the same stretch of beach but further up and slightly quieter.

Bahia Princess- right on Fanabe beach

Guyarmina princess- right on Fanabe beach

Noelia dream hotel- The quieter part of Las Americas- 10 minutes walk to beach

Paradise park- Los Cristianos - around 20 minute walk to beach and on a hill

Isabel hotel- 10 minutes walk to Fanabe beach

I could run off loads more but i will wait to get more of an idea on what you are looking for first.

Let me know if i can help further with any questions etc.

Lisa.

Tenerife, Fanabe or Adeje, newer resorts down from Las Americas

We've just had a great week at Las Brisas villas in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote (look on trip advisor and you'll find it).

I was really plesantly surprised by Playa Blanca. The complex is a 5 min walk to the beach and village, which is very very tasteful and traditional. They are super child friendly, and we had some excellent meals out. You do get all the english breakfasts etc, but lots of authentic places too. We hired a car so we could look around the island and it's really beautiful (except Pueuto del carmen, that's like Blackpool!).

Our villa was great, they provide high chairs and cots, and have a lovely big swimming pool which our DS (who was 16 months)loved.

Usually wouldn't go back to the same place twice, but I'm sure we'll go back here as it's perfect for a family.

We have stayed in both lanzarote and Tenerife. Lanzarote was nice but quite windy, we were near Costa Teguise which was pleasant enough, hiring a car is a good idea ( do it at the airport its cheaper) and you can go round the island which is surprisingly cultural.

We stayed in Tenerife in October and we are going back, staying at the Anthelia near Costa Adeje. We liked the climate at Tenerife and the beach, some nice authentic fish restaurants and water park for DS.

I second Las Brisas in Playa Blanca Lanzarote, had a fab holiday there in October, I think it ticks all your boxes! The harbour and beach are small but enough, never too busy and very few tacky places. We had some lovely meals out, loads of little ones asleep in pushchairs nearby (ours were 3 so had a siesta and then came out for dinner with us). I only saw one 'Full English Breakfast' type place and that was off the main harbour, and looked surprisingly OK!

The villa complex is nice (although I didn't rate the food there) and there is a good supermarket, bakery and fruit shop close by. Plus a nice coffee shop for an early morning caffeine hit - all about 5mins walk. The villas are quiet and peaceful and nice outdoor space for a nightime wine while children sleep.

It's not the most exciting place in the world, but IMO perfect for a relaxing week in the sun, pool and beach.

We rented a villa last year in Playa Blanca and we're going back again this year. But to a different privately rented villa.

It's close enough to walk to restaurants so you don't have to drive if you don't want to. Most of the pools are heated and the sea isn't as cold as it is in Portugal. The food and wine are good and it's not too busy.

We liked it.

Can be a little breezy in the evenings but still warmer than Portugal.