Holidays to the Canary Islands

Canary Islands – unique landscapes full of opportunities

We’re all looking for our own paradise. And in the Canary Islands, many people claim to have found it. This group of islands is part of Spain, and it lies off the coast of West Africa.

The Canary Islands are made up of seven large islands which are Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzorote, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro as well as some smaller, less populated islands.

The magical thing about these islands is that they each have a vastly different landscape, so if you do want to explore more than one island on your Canary Island holidays, you will experience a good variety.

The surroundings are what keep around 14 million visitors coming back for Canary holidays every single year: with volcanic craters and unusual black beaches adding a unique twist on your standard beach holiday destinations.

You can choose which island to visit according to your interests. For example, some of the smaller islands are great for people who want to get closer to the great outdoors and nature, while the larger islands offer a livelier beach holiday atmosphere. The islands are actually tips of a volcanic mountain range which lies beneath the sea, and they are renowned for being areas of great natural beauty, boasting seven national nature reserves.

The Canaries have long been a haven for sun-hungry Europeans. Not only can you tan here, but also, you’ll find plenty of Sangria, beer and fine Spanish wine to enjoy.

Now you might think that the sun is all there is to it, but no. This is where the Spanish galleons replenished stores and took on water and fresh fruit for the long voyages to the Americas. And not just the Castilian Spanish either; the Phoenicians, the Berbers, the Romans, the Portuguese and Arab traders were all familiar with the islands and all have left their mark. The historic little towns and villages reward the modern-day explorer well. And getting away from the main tourist areas around Tenerife will satisfy your history bug! History buffs and architecture fans are catered for in the grand Cathedrals and churches left behind by explorers’ past. The Church of San Juan Bautista in Gran Canaria is particularly beautiful. You’ll see contemporary architecture on display and hear beautiful sounds at the Auditorio de Tenerife.

All in all, sun, sea and history are the star attraction in the Canaries – and who can argue with that?

Destinations within the Canary Islands

Hints and tips for your Canary Islands holiday

Canary Islands attractions

Gran Canaria and Tenerife are popular with young travellers looking for a good time on their holidays to Canaries. They offer fantastic nightlife and the chance to work up a good tan during the day with some pretty little beaches to become familiar with. But these resorts have undergone a lot of change in recent years. Gone is the image of the 18-30s paradise and what’s left is a vibrant atmosphere perfectly blended with some beautiful landscapes, ideal for walking and relaxing.

La Palma is the island to choose for your Canary holidays if you’re looking for some stunning surroundings. This island has been fairly left alone and as a result, it boasts a very different atmosphere to some of the other island resorts. Here, you can enjoy plenty of greenery and very little in the way of commercialisation. This island is always a favourite with walkers and people keen to discover the great outdoors. It’s a similar story at La Gomera which is a charming little island.

Lanzarote is a traditional island which has been shaped by the volcanic eruptions of its past. At the Timanfaya National Park you will see the Fire Mountains which is where one of the world’s largest and most violent volcanic eruptions happened in 1730. Whole towns and villages were wiped out and the landscape was completely changed. Tourism has not affected this island too much and traditional building styles continue to be adhered to.

Fuerteventura is a peaceful island and a favourite for water sports enthusiasts on Canary Island holidays. It boasts an unusual landscape with sand dunes and vast deserts creating a really secluded atmosphere. El Hierro is another remote island which boasts a simple and slow-paced atmosphere; ideal if you are hoping to just get away from it all.

Eating in the Canary Islands

You will find a good mix of influences when it comes to eating in the Canary Islands. With some traditional Spanish food as well as a mix of African and Latin-American flavours, there is a huge choice with some interesting recipes to try.

Papas Arrugadas is a simple and well-known recipe which consists of potatoes boiled in salt water. You will find that these accompany many of the dishes you will be served while on your holidays to Canaries.

Most dishes will be fish based but there are some well know options for vegetarians too, including Potaje de Berros which is a hot pot made from chick-peas.

Canary Islands transport

Visitors who rent a car are pleased to find that the road network is very straight forward, and it is not very difficult to get lost here. But one of the main ways to travel on Canary Island holidays is by bus. The buses run a reliable service here, but they are less frequent on the smaller islands. Getting between the different islands is also easy with a reliable ferry service operating between the Canary Islands.

Things not to miss in the Canary Islands:

The volcanic crater of Mount Teide is a popular spot in Tenerife. It is a national reserve and Teide is the third tallest volcano in the world so it really is a spectacular site, and you can take a cable car up to it.

Take a look around Santa Cruz in Tenerife. The architecture and the bustling markets can certainly fill an entire day of your Canary holidays.

You can actually hike in Caldera de Taburiente on the island of La Palma. This is one of the largest volcanic craters in the world.

Indulge in some water sports in Fuerteventura. The clear waters and inviting golden sands at the beaches on this island make it ideal for water sports of all kinds.

Teguise used to be the capital of Lanzarote and it now provides tourists with a picturesque location for a day trip during their holidays to Canaries. There are churches and palaces and even a castle built on a volcanic cone in the town.

The botanical gardens in Tenerife are well worth a wander – the benign climate makes the Canaries ideal for growing almost anything and the Canaries positioning as a way point for seafarers on the way to the Americas has meant a stunning array of exotic plants and trees.

Don’t miss the Boiling Pits on Southwest Coast of Lanzarote. The last big eruption caused lava to reach the sea and the resulting bubbles from the rapidly cooling magma is quite something to see.

Weather in the Canary Islands, Spain

The Canary Islands enjoy a beautiful climate with temperatures rarely dipping below 18 degrees, even in the winter. In the summer, they remain pleasant but don’t become too warm as they rarely climb too far above 24 degrees. This means that anyone considering Canary holidays can book to go at any time of year and they should not have to worry about rainfall or temperatures becoming uncomfortable. The Canary Islands have developed a good reputation for their pleasant climate and the group of islands is often referred to as The Land of Eternal Spring.

CANARY ISLANDS WEATHER

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