Millions of Britons flock to the Canary Islands every year for a sunkissed holiday at a relatively reasonable price, but a travel guide has declared the Spanish archipelago off limits. Every year, around seven million British holidaymakers enjoy Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote, the four largest islands in the region.

But one travel guide has placed the Canaries, which also include La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro, on their 'no travel' list for 2026. The new rating comes in the wake of large protests against mass-tourism in previous years, where locals have said they are upset over the impact of visitors on the environment, local infrastructure and housing prices. Similar demonstrations took place on the Spanish mainland in Barcelona, as well as in the Balearic Islands on Ibiza, Majorca and Minorca. There were also protests in Venice and on some Greek islands. In the travel guide for 2025 issued by Fodor's Travel the Canary Islands was included in a "No List" and they remain on there for 2026.

Accordingto MEN, the publication clarified that the list is "not a call for boycott", but the aim is "to highlight destinations where tourism is placing unsustainable pressures on the land and local communities".

Fodor's said the key issues highlighted by the list are "overtouristed sites, fragile ecosystems and communities struggling to stay afloat".

They added: "The No List serves a gentle but pointed nudge to ease up on a spot for now-not forever-and give a rest to any location that clearly needs a breather."

Regarding the Canary Islands, it cited that tourism has soared in 2025, with 7.8million visitors arriving in the islands and more than 27million airport passengers processed in the first half of the year, a five per cent increase on the previous years.

Fodor's Travel points out that tourism contributes to more than a third of the Canary Islands' GDP and employs roughly 40 per cent of its population 'yet success comes at a price'.

Fodor's Travel points out that tourism contributes to more than a third of the Canary Islands' GDP and employs roughly 40 per cent of its population 'yet success comes at a price'.

The impact of visitors on traffic, housing prices, damage to the natural environment and water scarcity is felt by the local population.

The guide said: "Academics and experts warn that the combination of rising visitor numbers and a warming climate is unsustainable."

It added: "For many Canarians, tourism is both a lifeline and a burden. The islands rely heavily on visitor spending, yet locals often see little of it. "

Last year, Spanish destinations Barcelona and Majorca were also on the list, but this is not the case for 2026.

Fodor's Travel adds this doesn't mean that tourists should descend upon them in their thousands. The publication said: "These destinations haven't been magically cured-they're still mired in challenges-but the usual suspects too often pull focus from other hotspots in need of a break."

Alongside the Canary Islands, Antarctica, Glacier National Park (USA), Isola Sacra (Italy), The Jungfrau Region (Switzerland), Mexico City (Mexico), Mombasa (Kenya), Montmartre (Paris, France) also feature in this year's 'No List'.