How UK Holidaymakers are blending sunshine and hobbies in the Canary Islands
Ask almost any British traveller about their favourite winter escape and the Canary Islands usually pop up somewhere near the top of the list. It makes sense. The flights are short enough. The weather behaves itself (most of the time), and the pace of life is slow enough that even the most restless person eventually stops checking their emails.
But something quite noticeable has happened in recent years. People aren’t just going away to switch off, they bring little bits of their everyday routines with them. The hobbies and habits that help them unwind at home come to the Canaries.
Some do it without thinking about it. A podcast by the pool, a crossword on the terrace, a quick scroll through a familiar game in the shade, it’s part of their holiday rhythm.
Familiar Habits in a Sunny Setting
One thing about UK travellers: we’re creatures of habit, even on holiday. Give us some quiet time, and we naturally fall into the small, comforting things we enjoy. Some read, some play games on their phone, others keep up with the football scores from back home, even if they're sitting on a beach with a volcano in the background.
It’s in these places that digital hobbies slot in quite naturally. While waiting for everyone else to get ready, or during the late-afternoon lull (siesta time, anyone?). Many people dip into the same low-key entertainment they use at home. For some, this includes bingo either through hotel game nights or, when avoiding the hottest part of the day, through trusted online bingo sites. It’s a familiar way to relax without leaving the sunbed. Of course, it’s not the main event of the holiday… It’s more like a small piece of home that travels well.
Why the Canary Islands Feel So Comfortable for UK Travellers
There’s something about the laid-back structure of the day, long breakfasts, late dinners, warm mid-afternoons that slow everyone down. It’s like the mainland but guaranteed year-round warmth.
The islands are also very English-speaker-friendly, in the main resorts especially. That sense of familiarity here encourages people to settle in quickly, it feels so normal to mix reading with exploring or to alternate a day of hiking with an evening of your favourite small comforts.
Some people see a holiday to the Canaries as the best time to do things they don’t have time for at home. A book that’s been sitting half-read, a forgotten craft project, or simply the mindless pleasure of a game you don’t have to think too hard about.
The Social Side and Local Culture
UK residents have been going to the Canaries for decades. Long before Kindles, phones and iPads, UK visitors love a bit of organised fun and the islands know this (and cater to it). Bars and small venues in places like Costa Adeje, Puerto del Carmen and Playa del Inglés run quizzes, karaoke nights and casual game evenings that attract a mix of tourists and locals.
Some hotels run regular bingo sessions or themed nights that feel like a throwback to classic package holidays, in a good way. These small events make people feel part of a group, even if everyone had only met half an hour ago.
Balancing Relaxation and Exploration
What’s interesting is that UK holidaymakers aren’t choosing between adventure and familiarity, they’re doing both. Morning hikes in the volcanic landscapes. A ferry trip to La Graciosa. Whale-watching off Tenerife’s south coast, and then, later, an hour of complete stillness with a book before deciding where to eat and enjoying a pint of Guinness in the Irish bar.
There’s actually research suggesting that people relax faster when they mix in familiar, low-effort activities. It acts as a mental anchor, something steady amid the novelty of a new place. So, whether it’s bingo, journaling, listening to music or podcasts, sketching, reading or something else, none of them takes anything away from the holiday. If anything, they make the downtime feel more satisfying. These low-key activities slow down the mind, so the rest of the trip feels richer.
Final Thoughts
UK travellers have always had a soft spot for the Canary Islands, but the way they holiday has changed. Trips are no longer about disconnecting from every part of normal life, we’ve started blending the best bits of home, the hobbies, the comforts, the small rituals, with sunshine, scenery and a slower pace.
Maybe that’s why the islands remain so popular. They adapt to the traveller, not the other way around. Whether you spend your days hiking, reading by the pool or sipping cocktails, the Canary Islands give you room to shape the holiday you want, and the mix of new experiences and easy comforts is exactly what UK visitors come back for time and again.
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