Canary Islands Holidays
The Canary Islands also referred to as the Canarias, Canaries, or Island of the Canary are situated northwest of Africa and southwest of Spain in the Atlantic Ocean. Likewise, they are right in off of the Moroccan Coast so the location enjoys some brilliant weather conditions all year long.
The Canary Islands is an autonomous community of Spain and a European Union’s outermost region and is made up of seven major islands which include Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, Tenerife, El Hierro and La Gomera, as well as some smaller islands including Graciosa, Alegranza, Clara, Montana, Roque del Oeste, Roque del Este, and Lobos. The entire archipelago is of volcanic origin.
Romans and Greeks called this archipelago Atlantida, Garden of the Hesperides, and the Happy Islands and various historians, archaeologists, and researchers suggest that The Canary Islands was once the location of the legendary Atlantis, but to date the actual location of mystical Atlantis remains a mystery buried in the sands of time.
The Canary Islands is a major tourist destination with approximately 12 million tourist visits annually, concentrated in the islands of Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Tenerife areas which positively affects industry and commerce on each of the islands adding hugely to the economy. The archipelago generally enjoys a sub-tropical climate, with various types of beaches and magnificent natural attractions.
Aside from the extensive selection of beaches on each of the islands, one of the most visited national attractions includes the Teide National Park in Tenerife because of Mount Teide which is the third largest volcano worldwide.
Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria island’s capital is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria which is the ninth largest Spanish city, the capital of The Canary Islands, along with Santa Cruz de Tenerife arguably the most populous city. Gran Canaria is The Canary Islands’ second most populated island.
While in the city, you can visit The Cathedral, Santa Ana and the Archiepiscopal Palais, La Casa de Colon (The House of Columbus), Jardin Canario, Doramas Park and Barrio de la Vegueta with its impressive manorial homes. Museums include Centro Atlantico de Arte Moderno, Nestor-Museum, Museum Perez Galdos, and the Museo Canario with its extensive exposition on the Guanches, The Canary Islands’ original settlers.
Perhaps the major tourist destinations and natural attractions in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria are the beaches. The most popular beaches include the 6 km white beach of Maspalomas and Playa de Ingles. Other beaches include San Agustin, Playa de Patalavaca, Puerto Rico, Costa de Banaderos, Galdar, Sardina del Mar, Playa de las Nieves, and Playa de las Canteras directly situated in the capital.
Tenerife
Tenerife is the most populated island of Spain and The Canary Islands’ largest island. Undoubtedly, the major tourist destination in Tenerife is the Teide National Park which boasts of the volcano Mount Teide 3718 meters tall and the highest mountain in all of Spain and the Atlantic Ocean.
Puerto de la Cruz is the island’s center of international tourism, while San Cristobal de La Laguna is UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The coast of Tenerife is mostly steep and rugged with the best known beaches, Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americanas found in the south of the island. Playa de las Castillas is also a major tourist destination, as well as Las Teresitas beach located in the north of the island. Other beaches include Playa de El Puertito, Playa de las Galletas, Playa del Roque, Costa Martianez and the nudist beach Las Gaviotas.
Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura is known to have the longest beaches and oldest history of all The Canary Islands. It is likewise known as the archipelago’s surfing and diving tourist destination due to huge waves and various rock formations, tunnels, caves, and overhangs. Puerto de Rosario is the capital of Fureteventura. The Canary Islands’ oldest town, Betancuria is located here.
Major natural attractions in Fuerteventura are its beaches which include the beaches of Sotavento and Jandia which are havens for nudists and divers. Other popular beaches include Corralejos and the Lobos Island known to be the most pristine island of all since only few fishermen inhabit the island.
Lanzarote
Lanzarote is known as The Canary Islands’ moon island because most of its surface are coated with lava and ashes due to its number of historically active volcanoes. Arrecife is Lanzarote’s capital which boasts of three old fortresses, San Jose, San Gabriel and Castillo de San Gabriel for fending off pirate attacks in the past.
The former capital is Teguise, one of The Canary Islands’ oldest settlements with most of its original glory devastated by pirates. The town however, still maintained its manorial ambience with the tourist destination Castillo de Santa Barbara and manorial houses. Castillo de San Juan houses the Museum of Contemporary Art known for housing Cesar Manrique’s works.
In the south of the island, various popular beaches can be found: Las Playa del Sur, Las Coloradas, Playa Blanca, Playa Quemada, Punta del Papagayo, Playa Grande, Puerto del Carmen and Playa de los Pocillos. The Coast of Teguise offers Guacimeta, Reducto and San Jose where the most luxurious holiday apartments and hotels can be found. Quieter beaches include La Isleta and La Isla Graciosa.
La Palma
La Palma is The Canary Islands’ ‘green island’ declared by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve. La Palma’s major tourist destination is the National Park Caldera de Taburiente because of its depth of 770 meters and width of 9 kilometers. While in the island, you can also visit La Palma’s highest mountain, the Roque de los Muchachos and one of the world’s advanced astrophysical observatories, the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias.
In the south of the island lies Brena Baja and Playa de Cancajos perfect for beach lovers. The Cueva de Belmaco cave offers pre-historical engravings, Fuencaliente offers volcanic craters and vineyards, and Puerto de Naos and Tazacorte offers fine, sandy beaches. Other natural attractions worth visiting include Cueva Bonita, Sauces and San Andres.
El Hierro
El Hierro is situated in the western part of The Canary Islands and is the smallest island. Like La Palma, El Hierro is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and boasts natural protected areas including clear and natural swimming pools, volcanic craters and woodlands. El Hierro’s capital is Valverde where the historic 18th century Santa Maria de la Concepcion church is located.
Other tourist destinations include Tamaduste with its crystal waters in the north of the island, the 14 kilomtere beach at Golfo, Monacal, Pozo de las Calcosas, La Frontera for its vineyards and gastronomical delights, Malpaso, the island’s highest elevation, El Pinar, El Sabinal and Montana de Tanajara.
La Gomera
La Gomera, with its height of 1487 meters is the highest island in The Canary Islands. Inhabitants here are known for their continued practice of original customs such as communicating via a whistling language akin to yodeling. Christopher Columbus stopped by on this island on his way to the America. In San Sebastian, tourists can visit the Torre del Conde fortress and the Iglesia de N.Sra de la Asuncion.
Other tourist attractions include Playa de Santiago for its clear water and fine beaches, Valle Gran Rey valley for its huge plantations and the Playa de Vallehermoso beach near Acantilado de los Organos.
