Sunny Canaries
It’s all too easy to land in the Canary Islands and, feeling the sun on your face and the breeze in your hair, scurry straight to an idyllic beach resort or quiet rural retreat, not to be heard from again until the morning of your flight out. Yet while we’re sunbathing, swimming, sailing, snorkelling and strolling, the ‘real’ Canaries are chugging along in the background.
These islands are known for being the sunshine centre of Europe, and offer mild temperatures and a range of outstanding natural attractions. In fact, five of its seven islands have been declared a Biosphere Reserve, and the archipelago has four national parks.
Its beaches are its most outstanding attractions, and are perfect for relaxing in the sun or enjoying water sports such as windsurfing and scuba diving. In the interior you'll find amazing landscapes which are ideal for hiking, cycle touring, climbing and even caving. Some of the most spectacular include the volcanic scenery of Lanzarote, the beaches of Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria with their sand dunes, or the green forests of La Palma and La Gomera.
The Canary Islands also offer a range of cultural options to explore, including the monumental site at San Cristóbal de La Laguna, which has been awarded the World Heritage designation by the UNESCO, and the work of César Manrique in Lanzarote. If you're going in February you'll also be able to enjoy the spectacular Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
GRAN CANARIA: The Small Continent
... that is how this island is called because of its extremely varied landscapes with European, African and even American vegetation. The mountain range in the island's center, of a height of about 2000 meters, is cut by some bizarre canyons.
Hardly anywhere else you can find such different landscapes and even climatical zones being geographically that close one to each other: mountain, desert land, tropical forests, ...
Along the seaside there are wide beaches of sand, and while elsewhere people are shuddering of cold, here the tourists are lying in the sun and looking at those mountain peaks being covered with snow.
FUERTEVENTURA: The Old Land
Fuerteventura, the island with the oldest history, has the longest beaches of all the archipelago, of wonderful fine sand.Only a narrow channel separates Fuerteventura from the African continent.It is a paradise equally for spending holidays at the beach as for fishing. There are great beaches even very close to the islands capital, Puerto Rosario.
Fuerteventura is an ideal destination for surfers (the island has an important place on the windsurfing World Cup circuit) and for diving fans, thanks to the caves, tunnels, overhangs and rock formations to be found on its ocean beds.
LANZAROTE: Landing on the Moon
Lanzarote is different, not only compared to the other islands, but to everything else on this planet. This extraordinary landscape seems to be of another world, and the inhabitants of the islands use to say that God forgot of Lanzarote on the Seventh Day of the Creation.
Lanzarote is of volcanic origin, as the other islands of the archipelago as well, but here volcanos have been active still in 18th and 19th century. Great parts of its surface are covered with ashes and lava, making you feel that you were on the moon.
Not to forget about are also the works of great Canarian architect and artist Cesar Manrique, adding more attractions to this unique island.
TENERIFE: Island of Eternal Springtime
Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands, and also of volcanic origins. It is dominated by the 3718 meters high volcano Mount Teide with its mighty crater. The Teide is not only the highest mountain of all Spain, but also the mountain with the highest elevation in all the Atlantic Ocean.
LA PALMA: The Beautiful Island
La Palma, also called the "green island" because of its exuberant countryside was declared a Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO.
It's major sight is the National Park Caldera de Taburiente with its huge volcanic crater, 9 kilometres wide and 770 meters deep. From the view-point Mirador de la Cumbrecita this terrific natural monument can be overlooked best.
LA GOMERA: Island of Mountains
This island is characterised by its central massif of a height of 1487 meters, dropping steeply to the sea. The region of Alto de Garajonay was declared a National Park.
Particularly interesting are the population's very old and original popular customs. The inhabitants of the different valleys use to communicate with each other in a whistling language, comparable to the "yodling" in Central European Alps.
EL HIERRO: Small Unknown Island
El Hierro is the most westerly and the smallest island of the archipelago. The island has the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designation and is home to natural swimming pools and crystal clear waters, ideal for swimming and scuba diving, as well as huge areas of protected woodland in the inland area.
All those reasons made el Hierro an ideal place to make relaxing holidays in direct contact with nature. Its steep rocky coast is very different from the wide beaches which are dominating on the Canary Islands, though we find here as well a beach of 14 kilometers length, at Golfo.
Ideas for your holidays at Canaries:
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Beaches: Your skin brushes the warm sand; your mind and your body relax. You smile. You have come to paradise, you are on the beach in the Canary Islands…Take your time and enjoy it. 365 days of sunshine, great weather, natural beauty, leisure and excellent services are the setting for the beaches of the archipelago. Decide for yourself how to enjoy, whether alone.... on holiday with your family, or on a romantic trip. |
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Star-gazing: Get closer to the stars in the Canary Islands. Here, watching the skies and touching the shining stars of the heavens is within reach of everyone, children and adults, and what’s more, it is very easy to arrange. You can do it by yourself, or you can join a guided excursion. The privileged situation of the Canaries and the clean, protected skies put you in the best place in Europe to go star gazing... |
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Submarine: The perfect way to explore the sea depths of the Canary Islands without getting wet is a trip in a submarine. In the Canaries there is a wide choice of submarine excursions which make it possible for you to discover the colour and abundant life in the water with all your family, without the need to learn underwater diving. Whether Climbing onboard the submarine, diving to the bottom of the sea, the chance to see the underwater beauty of the Atlantic Ocean and enjoying with your children, is a must do. |
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Quads, scooters and buggies: These off-road vehicles are the most exciting way to enjoy adventures and discoveries during the holiday. The variety of leisure and fun in the Canary Islands never fail to amaze. The Canary Islands is pure adrenalin. |
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Wine routes: The Canary Islands seduce with their wines. Grape growing and wine production have strong roots in the history of the Canaries, and each of the Canarian wines offers different sensations and responses that will remind of the volcanic origin, the beauty and the character of the archipelago. Explore the wine routes of the islands and discover the vineyards and the way wine is made that contributes to the production of the exquisite Denomination of Origin wines of the Canaries. |
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Whale watching: A genuine adventure in nature with your family: whale watching in the Canaries. The movement of these impressive kings of the sea through the waters of the archipelago is an unforgettable activity that renews the energy. |
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Gastronomic tourism: In the Canary Islands discover a different world. New pleasures are waiting and one that will captivate is the delicious Canarian gastronomy. The food in the islands is a reflection of their volcanic origins, the quality of the land and the products, traditions and influences of other cultures and times. Propose a toast to these new sensations with Canarian wines, and taste the Canaries in traditional dishes or in the new recipes of the creative cuisine. The Canary Islands… enjoy your meal! |
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Cultural tourism: On holiday in the Canary Islands and one can engrossed in the history of the archipelago, its importance on three continents and its rich cultural life. In each island, one can find historic towns, museums, art centres and archaeological and ethnographic parks which will transport to different times and settings. |
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Endurance sports: One can just have a marvellous training day in the Canary Islands, feel inspired and ready to take on the toughest sports competitions. The mild climate of the Canaries and the fascinating landscapes motivate you; its mountains and hills demand concentration and effort. Today you have reached a goal... |
Accessibility
Air:
Airports & airlines -All seven islands have airports. La Palma absorb nearly all the direct international flights and those from mainland Spain, while the others are principally for inter-island hops.
The bulk of international flights serving the islands directly are charters. Remember that for charter flights you are obliged to ring to confirm your flight within 72 hours of departure.
Sea:
Just about everyone flies to the Canaries. The only other alternative (apart from a very long swim!) is to take the Acciona Trasmediterránea (www.trasmediterranea.com) ferry, which carries passengers, supplies and cars to the islands twice a week. |
