Canary island tourist attractions: 20 Top Attractions & Places to Visit in the Canary Islands
Canary Islands tourist attractions – pearl of Spain
Canary Islands tourist attractions are part from tourist attractions in Europe, especially during the winter months when the continent is paralyzed with cold. Astonishing variety and picturesque scenery attracts many tourists from around the world.
Canary Islands is composed of several large islands – Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, El Hierro and La Gomera. In general, the beaches are covered with black volcanic sand composition for the islands.
These beaches are white sand and it are rare because the surface is imported from Morocco or the Netherlands. The largest population is in Tenerife, because the island is very friendly with nature and the mountains.
Along the coast is covered with palms and citrus, and in the mountains with evergreen broad-leaved and coniferous forests. The architecture of the Canary Islands as a whole is short low-rise small balconies and small Catholic church.
Visit complex Lago Martianez and Teide National Park. Here is the highest peak of Spain with the same name. Visit a favorite place of Homer “Los Gigantes” (Giants). In ancient Greece it was believed that this was the end of the world. The most visited Canary Islands attractions is Loro Park.
Trip and cruise to Canary Islands tourist attractions
This is a great zoo that has dolphinarium and even underwater tunnel in the tank itself. You can see both gorillas and parrots, to sharks and dolphins.The second largest population and Gran Canaria island, it is not as green as Tenerife, but tourists prefer it in the winter because the climate is warm and pleasant.
If you want to see the rainforest of Canary Islands, La Gomera is the best.
The richness of different plant species is palpable and you will be very pleased. Islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are the east and does not claim to be green and beautiful.
The most beautiful Canary Islands tourist attractions
It dominates the desert in all its forms, as the only plants are cactus and dry shrubs. Tourists often come only for privacy. In recent years to Canary Islands has been great interest in diving and in particular underwater fishing. One of the most attractive attractions on the Canaries volcano Teide. For lovers of natural beauty we have prepared a visit to Las Kanyadas National Park, which is close to the crater of the volcano Teide. Then head to the Roques de Gracia, where you can see the highest point in Spain, Teide (3718 m).
Then lower the Orotava Valley to taste the delicious specialties of local restaurants. Other Canary Islands attractions is knightly tournaments in San Miguel Castle. You will be pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere of the medieval castle and well organized show a true tournament performance. You can also visit Natsonalniya Garahonay Park and its world famous “relict forests. “
Visit the capital of Tenerife, San Sebastian and feel the spirit of the city and its well preserved streets as he walked Christopher Columbus 500 years ago. If your holiday is more than 10 days, we recommend you make a trip to Puerto de la Cruz and Loro Park. For more tourist attractions click here…
Canary Islands / Tourist attractions, interesting places and monuments / Holidays 2022
The attractions of the Canary Islands are mainly the local nature and favorable climate. The greatest magnet of this archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean are its varied beaches, interesting landscapes and lush vegetation. In the Canary Islands, there are also charming towns with historic architecture that still remember the colonial times. The entire archipelago is diversified by mountainous areas and cliffs falling straight into the ocean.
But perhaps the biggest attraction of the Canary Islands is the local climate. It is the perfect weather conditions that attract tourists from all over Europe and from other parts of the world. This archipelago is often called the Islands of Eternal Spring due to the favorable temperatures that reign here all year round. The Canary Islands are particularly popular not only in summer, but also in winter, when the thermometer bars do not fall below these 20 degrees.
Attractions of the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are a volcanic archipelago consisting of: Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Fureteventura, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro and several smaller islands.
The greatest tourist traffic takes place on four of them – Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. It is there that crowds of tourists most often look for relaxation and active rest, and of course attractions. These islands tempt with their difference from the Spanish continent, not only because of the unique nature, but also the local gastronomy and, above all, the local culture.
Canary Islands tourist attractions / Interesting places and monuments / What is worth seeing and visiting?
Visiting the Canary Islands
Visiting the Canary Islands takes time, because each of them is slightly different and it is worth spending at least a week of time on each of them. Tenerife is the largest of them and the best developed tourist destination. There is no shortage of amusement parks, mountain trails, and night venues where the fun lasts until dawn. It is an ideal island for families with children, groups of friends, as well as for elderly people who just want to relax.
Gran Canaria, in turn, is called the Spanish continent in miniature. This island offers not only vast beaches, often varied with dunes, but also many mountain trails, exotic vegetation and historic towns. This is the second place that is most often visited in the Canary Islands by families with children, the elderly, but also young people.
Fuerteventura is most often chosen by water sports enthusiasts, because it is their Mecca due to the wind blowing here and numerous beaches. Families with children and all those who like to spend time on the sand or in the ocean will also find their place here. There are also many places to visit on the island, such as the famous windmills and botanical parks.
Lanzarote, on the other hand, will delight fans of exploring unique, elegant architecture and, above all, interesting nature. The island is full of volcanic landscapes and various formations associated with them, and even national parks and reserves to protect them. The island is also a good place for lovers of sunbathing and blissful relaxation.
When it comes to the best time to visit the Canary Islands, it lasts almost all year round. The local ocean and subtropical climate means that the weather is good 365 days a year. Temperatures range from 20 to 24 degrees, no matter what the season. The Canary Islands are therefore the perfect place for a winter break in the sunshine. The warmest of them are definitely Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. However, the most important thing when visiting the Canary Islands is the fact that it will never be too hot or too cold. This also applies to the temperature of the water in the ocean.
Monuments of the Canary Islands
Canary Islands attractions and monuments / What is worth seeing and visiting in the Canary Islands?
Casa de los Balcones in Tenerife
When it comes to monuments in the Canary Islands, there aren’t many of them. The archipelago is dominated by natural attractions rather than historical buildings. Nevertheless, in Tenerife, and more specifically in La Orotava, we have an example of a historic building, which is the House of Balconies from the 17th century, i.e. Casa de los Balcones.
It is an example of classic Canarian architecture that still remembers the times of the first conquistadors. Casa de los Balcones has three floors, and what makes it stand out is wooden, carved balconies. The House of Balconies was built in 1632 and now houses a museum. On site, you can learn a lot of information about the craft traditions of the local population, including the production of artistic handicrafts and wine production.
See also the attractions of Gran Canaria.
Columbus House in Gran Canaria
Another undoubted monument in the Canary Islands is Casa de Colón in Las Palmas, or the House of Columbus in Gran Canaria. It is a historic building, actually a three-house estate that belonged to the governor. This is where Christopher Columbus stopped on his way to America.
Fragments of the original 16th century architecture have survived to this day. Currently, in Case de Colón there is a museum devoted to the travels of the famous traveler, divided by themes. Here you can learn about the history of discovering America, as well as the history of the island itself and the city of Las Palmas. Columbus House is a colonial-style house located in the historic Vegueta district.
Betancuria on Fuerteventura
Fundación César Manrique in Lanzarote
Tourist attractions of the Canary Islands
Canary Islands interesting places / The greatest and most important monuments and attractions
Teide National Park in Tenerife
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Dunas de Maspalomas in Gran Canaria
A big tourist attraction of the Canary Islands is also the Dunes Reserve – Dunas de Maspalomas in Gran Canaria. It is an amazing place where sand covers an area of over 400 hectares. Such amount of it makes you feel like you are in the African desert. The largest dunes here are up to 20 meters high. Dunas de Maspalomas is the largest area of this type in the entire Canarian archipelago.
Maspalomas dunes are also home to several species of local flora and fauna. Here, for example, you can see a gallotia (a kind of lizard) or a palm – Canary date palm. You can move around Dunas de Maspalomas in a designated area, which is to prevent further destruction of this area.
Dunas de Corralejo National Park in Fuerteventura
Another attractive tourist area in the Canary Islands is the Dunas de Corralejo National Park on Fuerteventura. This is another large area – over 26 square kilometers, covered with sand. There is no shortage of beaches and places for blissful relaxation. The light sand here contrasts with the blue of the water, which translates into the landscapes of extraordinary beauty.
In the Dunas de Corralejo National Park you can not only enjoy the beach and the possibility of swimming in the ocean. There are also water equipment rentals in this area, thanks to which we can try our hand at windsurfing, kitesurfing and diving. It is also worth adding that interesting beach events and sports events are organized in the Corralejo commune, such as, for example, a half-marathon or the International Kite Festival.
See also the attractions of Tenerife.
Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote
What’s worth seeing in the Canary Islands?
Loro Park and Siam Park in Tenerife
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Jardin Botanico Canario Viera y Clavijo in Gran Canaria
Windmills of Villaverde, Fuerteventura
While visiting the Canary Islands, it is also worth seeing the windmills in Fuerteventura, which are located mainly in the vicinity of Villaverde. They were erected in the 17th and 19th centuries for the purpose of grinding the grains of local farmers. The windmills in Fuerteventura have two types of construction, female (molina) – single-story and male (molino macho) – two-story. Interestingly, these structures are most often equipped with four wings, but there are also six-arm windmills on this island.
If you are interested in exploring and learning more about Fuerteventura’s windmills, head to the Los Molinos open-air museum in Tiscamanita, where you can see them not only from the outside, but also from the inside. Thanks to such a visit, you can also find out what the production of gofio, so popular in the Canary Islands, looked like in the past.
See also the attractions of Fuerteventura.
El Golfo in Lanzarote
Another place worth seeing in the Canary Islands is the small village of El Golfo in Lanzarote. The town is located in an area where a volcanic eruption took place in 1730-1736, which made the area resemble an amphitheater with a view of the ocean. It is also worth adding that it is currently located in the Los Volcanes nature reserve.
However, the biggest attraction of El Golfo is the local lake – Charco de Los Clicos, whose waters have a rare green color. This color comes from the phytoplankton living here and the presence of a certain type of algae. The green lake in El Golfo is part of a volcanic crater flooded with seawater, surrounded by a black beach. This reservoir is protected and it is not allowed to drip in it.
Interesting places in the Canary Islands: Masca gorge in Tenerife
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Roque Nublo in Gran Canaria
Playa de Cofete and Villa Winter on Fureteventura
Jameos del Agua in Lanzarote
Canary Islands, Spain | Landmarks of the planet
The Canary Islands are located in the Atlantic Ocean, in an archipelago that offers not only beautiful beaches, but also beautiful landscapes. Although they are located only 100 km from the coast of Africa, since 1405 the Canary Islands have been Spanish possessions and are one of the autonomous regions of Spain .
The Canary Islands consist of the islands: El Hierro, La Palma , La Gomera, Tenerife , Gran Canaria , Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.
El Hierro Island.
This island is the westernmost island of the archipelago and thanks to its steep coasts it has been spared from mass tourism. On the interior of the island there are conifers and Canarian pines, as well as numerous other tree species typical of tropical forests. There are traces of volcanoes, lava that passed here in the past, and magnificent mountains of forests that have changed their shape due to the wind. One might wonder if such a place even exists.
El Hierro looks to the future. Modern equipment has been built there that uses the power of water and wind, and thus processes and uses bioenergy. For El Hierro, this will be independence from other sources of energy.
La Palma.
La Palma is the richest island in the Canary Islands and is the largest reservoir of fresh water. The island was formed by underwater volcanic eruptions and here is the largest crater in the world – Caldera de Taburiente with a diameter of 9km. and a depth of 1800 m. The crater is the unique center of the island.
La Gomera.
This is a small island whose vegetation is still intact. In the area of Bosco del Cedro grow old trees and small cedar groves, which fall under the protection of UNESCO. There are countless other plant species that have long disappeared in other parts of the planet, but here you can easily observe and admire them.
Tenerife.
Tenerife is the largest Canary Island, and the Pico de Teide volcano located on it (3730m.) is considered the highest mountain in Spain. The name of the island means “snowy mountain”. The biggest attraction here is the Teide National Park, which is located in the middle of the island. Interesting climate changes here due to the volcano, which acts as a boundary between two separate areas. So the north is characterized by abundant vegetation as a result of the invasion of moisture while the south of the island is sunny and dry.
Gran Canaria.
Among many explorers, Gran Canaria deserves to be called a “little continent” due to the huge variety of natural forms. The former volcanic island is 55 kilometers wide and 47 kilometers long. The northeastern part is the most populated, but perhaps one of the biggest attractions here in the south in Maspalomas. This natural area consists of many kilometers of protected dune landscape.
Fuerteventura.
Fuerteventura is the second largest and most sparsely populated island. It is located 100 km. from Morocco. Unfortunately, when the settlers arrived here, they put a lot of effort into deforesting the island, using the natural resources for shipbuilding. The island is deserted and like most of the islands grew out of a volcano that is no longer active.
Lanzarote
Lantsarote have similar problems as deforestation in Fuerteventura. There are countless seawater desalination facilities on which the island is completely dependent. The richness of the island in its special volcanic landscape, which was obtained after the devastating eruption in 1730
When choosing which island to visit, you should know that the eastern islands such as Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are more suitable for beaches, as the sandy beaches here consist of fine golden sand, while the western islands of El Hierro , La Gomera, La Palma and Tenerife, beaches made of volcanic sand, uneven and sometimes rocky.
The best hotels in the Canary Islands, according to tourists, are:
Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia – Gran Lujo
Red Level at Gran Melia Tenerife — Adults Only
Iberostar Grand Hotel El Mirador — Adults Only
Hotel Suite Villa María
Gran Hotel Bahia del Duque Resort
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Holidays in the Canaries – sights of the islands
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The Canary archipelago is an elite resort accessible only to the powerful, a paradise on earth for politicians and thieves in law. This is such an erroneous opinion among the people about the Canary archipelago. During the period of reckless 90’s, the Canary Islands rhymed in the mass consciousness of tourists exclusively with the word “bunks” and were associated with “raspberry jackets”. In fact, there are practically no representatives of the criminal world and deputies here, it is better to go to Sardinia for such a society. But the fact that the Canary Islands is a paradise is the true truth, besides, the prices here are quite affordable, which makes holidays in the Canary Islands quite affordable.
Therefore, put aside your doubts and go to the islands where eternal spring reigns – the Canaries.
Composition of the Canary Islands
The Canary archipelago consists of 13 islands, each of which is unique in its climate, topography and aura. Large Islands:
- Gran Canaria,
- Lanzarote,
- Fuerteventura,
- La Palma,
- Tenerife,
- Hierro and Homer.
There are smaller islands around them:
- Roque del Este,
- Graciosa,
- Lobos,
- Montaigne Clara,
- Alegranza,
- Roque del Oeste.
The Canaries belong to Spain. The capital of the islands, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is a very compact but very colorful town, located on the slopes of volcanoes. You can go on vacation to the Canary Islands many times and discover something new all the time. The largest and most popular in the tourist world is the island of Tenerife.
City streets descend to the sea, where life is concentrated, as in every port city. True, with a mandatory break for a daytime siesta. In the center of the city is La Candelaria Square, where there are many museums, administrative buildings and the Carta Palace, built in the 17th century. Not far from it, against the background of the sky, the spiers of the Baroque church of St. Francis are visible.
But the main asset of the Canary Islands is not the wonders of human hands, but of nature. Amazing landscapes and nature reserves, surrounded by the blue of the sky from above, and from all other sides by the endless azure ocean, can amaze even the most spoiled imagination. The best view of the amazing landscape of the Canaries opens from the highest point…
Teide Volcano – Canaries business card
The extinct Teide volcano has a conical shape and a panorama of a quarter of Spain opens from it. And although climbing the Tenerife peak you will not make a discovery and set a new record, but you will definitely experience an emotional shock, as when discovering a new continent. There is nothing to compare the panoramic view with, there is no other such amazing combination of climate, relief and vegetation in the world as on Teide.
At the top of Teide you will be 3778 meters above sea level. At the time of Paganel, the journey to it lasted about a day, now it is only 15 minutes if you use the cable car. Not seeing the landscape from the top is the same as ignoring Red Square in Moscow. This is a corner of the earth outside of time and space, sometimes it seems that you are in another dimension. No wonder Star Wars was filmed here.
Nature of the Canary Islands
Holidays in the Canary Islands – a continuous carpet of greenery, except for rocks and coastal stones. Thanks to the warm, even climate and volcanic soil in this piece of paradise, you can see subtropical forests and an incredible variety of cacti growing in flowerbeds like tulips in our latitudes. According to the ancient Greeks, it was here that the garden of the Hesperides was located, in which apple trees grew, giving immortality. Cacti of a wide variety of shapes and colors are found everywhere, from decorative ornaments to hedges. Surprising skill of local domestic animals to make their way through the barriers with five-centimeter thorns.
However, the peculiarity of the local flora is not cacti, and not even palm trees, but the Dragon Tree, that is, the well-known dracaena. The town of Icod de los Vinos is notable for its luxurious thousand-year-old dracaena, although with regard to the life expectancy of a unique tree, you have to take the word of the locals, the plant does not form growth rings.
Loro Park
Another attraction is Loro Park. A great place to relax – rides, dolphinarium, zoos, botanical garden. Just a fantastic place where you can not only see, but also touch almost all representatives of the African and Asian fauna. Here you can spend the whole day, the service is at an excellent level and therefore you will not feel boredom, fatigue and hunger.
Why go to the Canaries?
The first is the beaches and the omnipresent ocean. Omnipresent because there is no place on the islands where the view of the majestic blue expanse does not open. Beaches can be found for every taste, the choice of relaxation by the waves in the Canary Islands is very diverse.
Windsurfers and nudists will find their paradise on the sands and waters of Corralegio, fishermen can enjoy both conventional and spearfishing on the island of Hierro, while the island of Gran Caria has the best beaches in the world, the famous dunes of Maspalomas, unless you are confused by nudists and free morals of the European “golden youth”.
The beaches of Maspalomas are a protected area, so it is quite possible to meet a rabbit or a desert fox on the beach. And the water is simply replete with different living creatures: moray eels, stingrays, huge tuna. You can meet all these representatives of marine life in local cafes at fairly affordable prices.
Climate
On the islands, spring is all year round, in winter +22, in summer +28, but on Tenerife you can catch any climatic phenomena.
Canarian cuisine
Canarian cuisine is a bizarre mix of European, African and Latin American culinary traditions. Canary chefs prepare completely unique dishes, simple in appearance, but at the same time incredibly tasty, satisfying and low-calorie. No matter how much you eat, you will not be able to take a single extra centimeter with you. Either the air is like that, or the sea, but the fact remains. As a souvenir, it is better to take malvasia with you to your homeland – sweet liqueur wine and palm honey.