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Опубликовано: July 27, 2021 в 11:12 am

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Windsurfing, surfing, diving and sailing in Spain

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Spain is the ideal destination for water sports enthusiasts, as it is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean and the Cantabrian Sea. The sun shines for most of the year and some places simply have perfect weather conditions for water sports. There’s no room for boredom here. Come and have fun with your friends doing all sorts of activities.

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  • Dolphins jumping around a yacht

    ©

    Basquetour

    Its seas and coastlines

    The Mediterranean Sea bathes the eastern and south-eastern coasts of Spain, including popular tourist regions like the Balearic Islands, the Costa Brava and the Costa Dorada (Catalonia), la Costa Blanca (region of Valencia), the Costa Cálida (Region of Murcia) or the Costa del Sol (Andalusia). Its waters, in general, are the warmest and calmest. The Atlantic Ocean bathes the Canary Islands, the Costa de la Luz (Andalusia) and part of Galicia, with the Costa da Morte. Its constant currents and waves are great for nautical sports. The Cantabrian Sea bathes the regions of the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and northern Galicia. Its waters are the coldest, and it has well-renowned surfing areas.

  • El Palmar Beach in Conil de la Frontera (Cadiz)

    ©

    Vidar Nordli Mathisen

    The sun and weather conditions

    Good weather and an accompanying wind are two of the necessary conditions for enjoying many nautical sports. Andalusia and the Canary Islands have around 300 days of sunshine a year. In addition, the entire coastline has months of pleasant temperatures lasting from the beginning of spring until autumn. In mainland Spain, on the other hand, there are areas well known for their winds. The south in particular with the Strait of Gibraltar (Cadiz) area and its Levante and Poniente winds, the Canary Islands and its Alisios winds, and the more northern areas, in Cantabria and the Basque Country.

  • Surfing off the coast of Getxo (Bizcaya, the Basque Country)

    Surfing: where to catch good waves

    Surfing is one of the most fun sports in the world and in Spain you can surf all year round, although if you are just starting out or want to get started we recommend the spring and summer months. Cantabria, the Canary Islands, the Basque Country and Cadiz are the most popular areas, with famous beaches such as Los Locos (Suances, Cantabria), Somo (Ribamontán al Mar, Cantabria), El Confital (Gran Canaria), El Quemao (Lanzarote), El Socorro (Tenerife), Mundaka (Basque Country) and La Yerbabuena (Cadiz).
    In all these destinations, you will find companies to rent you the necessary material and schools for learning how to surf while on holiday. Many of them also offer packages for you to have an unforgettable holiday: a combination of surfing and yoga classes, trying a spot of glamping, meditation classes or an excursion to the city with party included.

  • Sailing in Minorca (Balearic Islands)

    Sailing: where to go on a sailing trip

    The Mediterranean coast is the perfect destination for a sailing trip and, more specifically, the Balearic Islands between the months of May and October. You will be met with turquoise waters, small coves hidden along the coast, a generally calm sea, sunsets with spectacular views and all kinds of leisure and entertainment services. For example, on the island of Ibiza you can find some of the most famous nightclubs in the country.
    The Costa Brava and Costa Dorada (in Catalonia), the Mediterranean coast of Andalusia, along with the Canary Islands are also popular destinations for days spent sailing. There are large boats to accommodate groups of more than 12 people (if you are travelling with a group of friends, for example).

  • Scuba divers

    Diving: recommended dives

    Clean seabeds, abundant biodiversity and diving areas close to the coast. You can find all of this and much more on your holiday in Spain. The seabeds of the Canary Islands are the most colourful and varied. Catalonia has some particularly interesting points, including the Formigues Islands, Cap de Creus and the Medas Islands. The Balearic Islands are known for their Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows, which are a habitat for many species. You’ll even be able to spot sea turtles. Other recognised dive sites in the Mediterranean include Cabo de Gata – Níjar (Almería, in Andalusia), Cabo de Palos (Region of Murcia) and Columbretes, and the island of Tabarca (Region of Valencia).

  • Windsurfing

    Windsurfing: where the best winds blow

    Spain is considered the Mecca of windsurfing in Europe. It has earned this reputation due to the strong winds that blow in the south of Cadiz. These are the Levante and Poniente winds, which make the Tarifa beaches the European capital of windsurfing. If you are keen on this sport, you should definitely head to the beaches of Bolonia, Dos Mares, Chica or Valdevaqueros. The Canary Island beaches are also frequented by professional and amateur windsurfers. The most well-known are Pozo Izquierdo (Gran Canaria), Jandía and Sotavento (Fuerteventura), Las Cucharas (Lanzarote) and El Médano (Tenerife). The Gulf of Roses, on the Costa Brava, areas such as La Llana and Los Alcázares in the Region of Murcia and the beaches of Ejido (Almería) or La Lanzada beach in Pontevedra are just some options to complete this list of essential windsurfing spots in Spain.

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find out why they love this place!

 

The Canary Islands have excellent climatic conditions. Proof of that is the enormous amount of people who decide to spend their holidays on these lands. However, they are not the only ones: whales consider that the Canary Islands have optimal conditions for their lives, too. These species, with other more, form the group of the cetaceans. Some of them only come for a short period of time, but lots of them live in the canary waters.

 

But…What are the cetaceans?

 

You may not recognize them by this name, but you sure know them. They are aquatic mammals. The name “cetacean” comes from ancient Greek and means “whale” or “maritime monster”. So, they are big animals which breath through their lungs –instead of gills, as fish do-. They are mainly whales, but there are also dolphins, orcas, sperm whales, belugas…

 

What do these islands have, that prokoves such

an amount of whales in the Canary Islands?

Why is it happening? As we already said in this post about the trade winds, this archipelago is located in a very charasteristic geographic spot. The part of the Atlantic ocean which surrounds the Canary Islands also has some peculiarities, and this makes possible that lots of whales come to this part of the Earth to live. These islands have a volcanic origin and are located specifically in the Noth Atlantic Ocean, in the subtropical region, which is a transition place between the template and the tropical zones. All these characteristics give the archipelago some oceanographic and geomorphologic conditions which make this place an idyllic zone for whales.

The Canary Islands are the southern limit of cold waters and the northern limit of hot waters. As a result, this place is a transition zone. Because of that, it harbors important migratory movements. In turn, their volcanic origin provokes the huge depth that surrounds the islands, which can be up to 3000 meters deep. This is fundamental for these species, because their feed lives in deep places such as these.

Therefore, the temperature conditions are adequate and the presence of feed is assured, so it is not surprising that this maritime species stay in the canary waters. In fact the Canary Islands are one of the places with the biggest cetacean biodiversity of the whole world, and the first of Europe. Here, you may find up to 30 different species that belong to this taxonomic order.

 

Some historic data:

The first texts that talk about this phenomenon are the ones regarding the trip that King Juba II of Mauritania made to the Canary Islands (First Century B.C.). This monarch highlighted, among other aspects, the amount of whales that arrived to the canary coasts. In turn, the aboriginal people themselves, called the guanches –in this post you will find why this name is not completely precise-, used whale bones and gave them different uses. We know that because of the archaeological sites that have been found.

During the Eighteenth Century, the priest, biologist, historian and writer José de Viera y Clavijo wrote the book Natural History of the Canary Island. In this text, he talked about the cetaceans which lived in the archipelago. Specifically, he explained some beachings that occurred. The one that took place in the port of La Luz (Gran Canaria) in 1747, and the one that took place ion Arrecife (Lanzarote) in 1796.

 

 

A notorious touristic potential:

Having seen a cetacean in captivity is easy: many zoos and aquatic parks have some of them. But…Have you ever seen one of these animals in their habitat? The idea itself is impressive. Now imagine you see not only one specimen, but a group of them. And you are able to do so because they always live in united groups. They hunt and travel together, and they do it especially for reproductive reasons: the mating is easier if they stick together for long periods of time.

The presence of cetaceans near the canary coasts is a fact that has not gone unnoticed. Many touristic enterprises have created varied tours to see them at a short distance. In some parts of the islands, it is very easy to achieve this goal. You will be able to see them when they are in the surface of the water, traveling or just resting.

This has been our first approach to the cetacean world. They are very big, aquatic mammals, and they have lived in the canary waters since forever. This is so, because of the climatic and geographic conditions present in this part of the planet. In future texts, we will talk about some other aspects of this taxonomic order.


To write this text, the following posts have been taken as reference: Cetáceos de Canarias, Avistamiento de cetáceos, Cetáceos en Canarias and Las ballenas también adoran las islas Canarias.


Photographs:

Featured image: Katja Hasselkus (link to the license)
Images 1 y 3: Wikipedia

Image 2: Ian Carroll (link to the license)
Image 4: Malcolm Murdoch (link to the license)


Canary Islands Sailing Vacation – Salty Seamen

A fun and informing blog written by Joseph Dieber and the intrepid Salty Seamen Sailing Team’s adventure sailing the Canary Islands. Joseph is a NauticEd Bareboat Charter Master graduate with International SLC certification.


The Salty Seamen’s Navionics Route

We had our vacation weeks secured, trip itineraries booked, and most importantly permission from the wives for another Salty Seamen Sailing Team vacation. This time adventure would bring us to the Canary Islands, a small Spanish archipelago 60 miles off the coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean.

Consuming sailing media such as magazines and podcasts, I had only ever heard of the Canary Islands as a starting point or break during various Atlantic crossings. I had never considered them for cruising purposes until seeing a post from NauticEd about Lava Charters. My sailing buddies and I are always looking for unique and challenging sailing locations rather than the common, safe, tried-and-true sailing trips. The last blog article I wrote, for example, was about our shoulder-season trip to sail out of Stockholm. The Canary Islands seemed to check all the boxes being both uncommon and somewhat ambitious.


The Salty Seamen Sailing Team

Getting to the Canaries involves a trip through Madrid, with a connecting flight of about 3-4 hours. Lava Charters is based out off of the southern port city of Arrecife on the island of Lanzarote, which is the eastern most island in the Canary chain. An easy 10-minute cab ride from the airport brought us to the marina.

Stocking up on supplies at the local chain grocery store was fairly easy. Unlike more popular European destinations, there were not a lot of locals that spoke English. Luckily one of my crewmembers was fluent in Spanish. Even without his language skills, I think we would have been fine using the typical cadre of hand gestures and translation apps.

Jan at Lava Charters and everyone else in their office were on the ball about preparing the boat and providing orientation in a timely and efficient manner. They also had a stocked chandlery for forgotten supplies.


Playa Francesca at La Grasiosa

We chose to cruise in a Dufour 412, which offered each of us our own cabin and had all of the amenities that the average charterer would require. There was, however, an issue with the house battery unable to hold a charge for an entire night and the blower running continuously, draining the starter battery (for reasons we never discovered). While these technical issues on a charter boat can be stress inducing, I tend to enjoy some of the added challenges of problem solving (and cracking a beer afterwards to celebrate arriving at a solution). Luckily cell phone coverage was great around the islands and they had someone available 24-7 from Lava Charters to offer mechanical advice.

More so than a most locations at which I’ve chartered, this felt like more advanced cruising. The Canaries are definitely out there. The full Atlantic Ocean surrounds you with very little protective buffer. The coves and bays in the Canaries do not offer the level of safety that abounds in the BVI. Swells can be large and wind gusts whip up to 25-30 knots on any given day. There are a handful of sailing schools around the islands that use the acceleration zones between the islands for their foul weather training. A sailing ground in the US that offered us a similar level of challenge was the northern Channel Islands in California.

Before chartering, Lava did require either the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) from RYA or the International Sailing License and Credentials (SLC). Having neither of these, I spent the months before this trip preparing and passing the requirements for the SLC. Special thanks go out to Bruce Schwaegel at Landfall Sailing for the lessons and the testing that got me ready to handle the challenges that the Canaries offered.

Our trip involved more than a 100-mile circumnavigation of Lanazarote counter-clockwise. A long first day sail from the marina at Arrecife landed us on the neighboring island of La Grasiosa, which is national park land and therefore required acquisition of a permit (applied for a few weeks ahead of time). Playa Francesca at La Grasiosa was a beautiful protected beach with an overlooking volcano and a small resort town nearby with a lively bar and restaurant scene. This was probably my favorite stop, and we spent an extra night at anchorage here that included grilling a whole octopus that we purchased at a local market.

The next long sail took us around the southwest side of Lanzarote to Isla de Lobos, which sits just off the coast of the next island down the Canary chain of Fuerteventura. This island is almost entirely uninhabited, which allowed for more volcano hiking, swimming/snorkeling, and people watching as ferried tourists and surfers from nearby resorts made their way in and out.


La Grasiosa: View from the Volcano

Before returning to the marina at Arrecife, one additional night was spent at Playa Papagayo on the southern end of Lanzarote. The beach was beautiful. Unfortunately, the prevailing wind and swell did not allow for much of a visit and really tested our skills and stomachs overnight and well into the next day as the Easterly picked up sand from the Sahara Desert and added a hazy yellow fog to the air.

On our circumnavigation, we stuck to the anchorages out of preference, but there are a fair number of nice marinas around the islands that would allow for that option, as well. A majority of the marinas are located on the south side of the islands because of the predominant northeasterly wind.

Before our departure back to the real world, we spent a day enjoying a guided tour of Lanzarote that let us visit some of the viewpoints of the island overlooking our previous anchorages. We also got to explore the spectacular Timenfaya National Park, which closely resembles Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii.

Having been home for a few days now, I am reflecting on what an adventure this trip has been. It would be perfect for someone who has chartering experience and desires a challenge that is both unique and unforgettable. A full week allows for a small taste of the area, but it may be better as a multi-week trip. I am already envisioning a return visit, as I would like to explore more of the western Canary Islands and grill some more fresh octopi.


Timenfaya National Park

Here is the NauticEd Canary Islands podcast.

Learn more about the Canary Islands in this previous blog post

Somewhere Wonderful in the Canary Islands Is Waiting

The landscape on Lanzarote is almost lunar, with these dramatic lava caves that fall into the sea | © Tetyana Kochneva / Alamy

Cassam Looch

Editorial Manager17 November 2021

The Spanish archipelago of the Canary Islands is closer to Africa than it is to Europe, with a climate to match. And for British tourists it offers a winning combination of good weather and a laid-back, almost Caribbean vibe. Here are some more reasons to visit the Canary Islands – and book your stay with Culture Trip.

Before the global pandemic, the Canary Islands saw a large number of international tourists visit throughout the year. The subtropical climate, abundance of beaches and important natural attractions made this an easy choice for anyone looking for a cheap holiday where sunny days are almost guaranteed.

Even though there are seven main islands, only four are true tourist hotspots. So while there’s plenty to see and do, especially for nature lovers, on the other three – La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro – we’ve picked out the highlights from the UK’s favourite Canary Islands. If you really want to explore the region as a whole, you could always opt for an island-hopping tour to take it all in.

Lanzarote has a reputation as the party island of the Canaries. The large airport sees its fair share of package-holiday passengers and youngsters heading to the nearest club, but there’s more to it than the night scene. Take the tunnel of Atlantis, the largest underwater volcanic tunnel in the world, which was forged by an eruption on the island around 20,000 years ago. The mountains in the north are a good spot to view of the surreal landscape that resulted from the eruption, although even at ground level you can see traces.

Nazaret is a typically white village on Lanzarote | © Tetyana Kochneva / Alamy

After years of decline, the tourism boom of the 1980s changed the fortunes of Fuerteventura for ever. Visitors came for the beaches, which are some of the best in the region, and the rich history of Puerto del Rosario, the capital. Desert and sand dunes that formed in the central region of the island have become a popular attraction – you can even drive through them. If you do visit, make sure you sample some majorero, the local cheese made of goat’s milk.

Canary Beach, near Corralejo in Fuerteventura, is a top windsurfing spot | © Jan Wlodarczyk / Alamy

If you want to get a sense of Spanish city life while on an island holiday, then the Gran Canaria capital, Las Palmas, is the place to head to. You’ll find some of the best beaches and restaurants here, as well as a great sense of culture amid the streets of what is the ninth largest city in Spain. There are plans to connect the rest of the island to the Las Palmas via a new train route, but until then, you can get around quite easily by car or bus.

The Maspalomas sand dunes, in Gran Canaria, are impressive | © Jan Wlodarczyk / Alamy

The largest and most populous island of all the Canaries, Tenerife can feel during peak season as if it was purpose-built for tourists. The key to making the most of your experience, if you want to leave the confines of your hotel, is to head inland. Away from the admittedly beautiful coastline is a rarely seen side of the island where lush massifs, undulating ravines and incredible valleys create an awe-inspiring landscape.

Mount Teide sits within a national park in Tenerife | © Jan Wlodarczyk / Alamy

Melia Salinas, Lanzarote

Courtesy of Melia Salinas / Expedia

This is a classic Canary resort with an extra dose of class. It’s actually hard to tell where the beach ends and the pool area – complete with beach bar – begins, such is the elegance of revered architect Fernando Higueras’s design. Outside you can expect spectacular gardens and fine white-sand beaches, while inside the sleek, white, wall design blends beautifully with water features and greenery. We recommend spending a little extra and booking a room on the Level, a VIP area that offers guests exclusive access to another luxurious pool, as well as preferential reservations for restaurant bookings, spa treatments and leisure facilities.

Barceló Castillo Beach Resort, Fuerteventura

Courtesy of Barceló Castillo Beach Resort / Expedia

This resort, on the east coast of Fuerteventura, gets its name from the old castle tower that still stands on the hotel grounds; however, everything that surrounds it today is ultramodern – from the pool areas, restaurants and bars to a theatre and spa. This place is heavily marketed towards families and watersports lovers. Children are catered for with a kids club, three swimming pools and endless activities on site, while scuba diving and windsurfing are among the most popular activities for adults. With more than 400 beachside bungalows and studios, and easy access to the airport, Barceló Castillo is as convenient as it is fun.

Hotel Parque Tropical, Gran Canaria

Courtesy of Hotel Parque Tropical / Expedia

Find yourself a peaceful home from home at the prime beachside location of Playa del Inglés, in the south of Gran Canaria. Its centralised position on a strip of hotels is masked by the fact that it sits in 10,000sqm (108,000sqft) of gardens, with more than 200 varieties of local plants. The natural theme continues inside, with wooden doors, windows and balconies, as well as terracotta paths and roofs that maintain a classic, airy Canary Island vibe. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, and all feature a furnished balcony or terrace to bring maximum relaxation to your stay.

Royal Garden Villas & Spa, Tenerife

© Royal Garden Villas

This spectacular resort, which dubs itself the most romantic hotel in the south of Tenerife, is the place to come if you’re looking for luxury – and are willing to splash the cash. Picture yourself in an individually designed villa, fitted with a private heated pool and surrounded by sub-tropical flora. Throw in some views of the dramatic southern mountains and the Atlantic Ocean and you have a stay at the Royal Garden Villas & Spa. Enjoy five-star restaurants and spa facilities, and finish every decadent day of relaxation with a few cheeky beverages at the casual poolside cocktail bar.

Gethin Morgan contributed additional reporting to this article.

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new deep sea species discovered off the Canary Islands

Owned by Spain, but located just off the northwest coast of Africa, the Canary Islands sport a wide variety of marine life, including five species of marine turtles, ten species of sharks and rays, and innumerable fish and invertebrates. However, a new expedition has gone beyond the known, sending a robot to depths of 500 meters to discover the secrets of the Canary Island’s deep sea.

Carried out by Oceana and Fundación Biodiversidad (Spain), the expedition has discovered approximately twelve new species, including glass and rock sponge; ball, white and black coral, and an armored searobin. The robot, equipped with a video camera, also took footage of little-known species, some of which have never before been filmed in their natural habitat, including channeled rockfish, anglerfish, silver and pink gallo fish, fan coral, bathyal sea fans, Venus fly-trap anemones, and lollipops sponges.

Top: Glass sponges (Asconema setubalense) field. NW La Gomera, Spain. Canary Islands Oceana Ranger Expedition. August 2009. Bottom: Channeled rockfish (Setarches guentheri) with unidentified sponge. 509 meters depth. South of Mogan, Gran Canaria, Spain. Canary Islands Oceana Ranger Expedition. August 2009. Photos © OCEANA.

The expedition’s goal is to identify species rich areas that should be made into Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). While the United Nations has called for 10 percent of the ocean to be protected, currently the EU has set aside 2.7 percent while the Canary Islands have protected only 0. 15 percent of its nearby waters.

“The lack of knowledge of the communities existing at great depths is one of the biggest problems when it comes time to decide which areas must be protected,” says Ricardo Aguilar, Director of Research for Oceana Europe. “The narrow platform existing around the islands makes the bottoms drop steeply to 1000 and 3000 meters, making it difficult to learn about them. It is essential that different habitats and species are included in the protected marine areas, since these serve as a refuge and breeding ground for the rest of the coastal and oceanic areas surrounding the archipelago”.

The expedition has been ongoing for a month with the robot having dived 40 times off of 6 of the 7 islands in the Canary Islands archipelago. The next month will visit the last island and revisit the other as well, says Oceana.

Venus fly-trap anemone (Actinosyphia saginata). 498 meters depth. Mogan, Gran Canaria, Spain. Canary Islands Oceana Ranger Expedition. August 2009. Photo © OCEANA.

African armored searobin (Peristedion cataphractum) Bocayna Strait, Lanzarote, Spain. Canary Islands Oceana Ranger Expedition. August 2009. Photo © OCEANA.

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The Cuisine of the Canary Islands: Where Europe, Africa and America Meet

It’s often said that the Canary Islands are a miniature continent, not only because of its range of landscapes, but also the rich cuisine that each of the islands has to offer. From the fresh seafood of the north, to the modern fusion restaurants of the south, take your taste buds on a gastronomic journey in the Canary Islands.

A World of Flavours

Tradition and innovation collide in Canarian cuisine. The islands boast some outstanding emerging young chefs, like Juan Santiago, World’s Best Young Chef 2015 Finalist. Santiago is known for experimenting with tradition, creating culinary delights such as the liquid croquette or the croquette foam, among others. As Santiago puts it, with 15 million tourists visiting the Canary Islands every year, it’s inevitable that new tastes and concepts keep emerging. Flavours of Spain, Latin America and Africa cross paths in this archipelago, forming a very unique culinary identity.

Tenerife for instance, the largest of the Canary Islands, is home of the famous Papas Negras (‘black’ potatoes) and known for Guachinches – humble, family-run restaurants, where guests enjoy local dishes at affordable prices. Haute cuisine and destination dining also has its place on the island. Five of the six Michelin star restaurants of the Canary Islands are situated on Tenerife.

In modern Canarian cuisine, foams and other methods associated with molecular cookery are combined with traditional fish dishes, the famous Canarian mojo sauces, award-winning cheeses, as well as bananas and pineapples, popular throughout Europe.

From the net to table

The Atlantic Ocean surrounds the Canary Islands and traditional fishing, regulated by legislation to preserve stocks and marine ecosystems, is a way of life. The waters around the islands are home to an incredible variety of fish, such as cherne, Atlantic croaker, salema, and sea bream.  Whether grilled, baked, marinated or fried, these fish give a true taste of the Atlantic. Sancocho is a dish of South American origins which is popular in the Canaries, consisting of salted fish served with potatoes, sweet potatoes, and mojo – the iconic sauce of the Canary Islands, made with olive oil, peppers and assorted spices.

Of course, nothing beats enjoying lunch or dinner by the sea, with a cooling breeze, a symphony of coastal sounds and the seductive aromas of freshly grilled fish wafting through the air. On the island of Gran Canaria, make your way over to the neighbourhood of San Cristóbal and Bar Zurita, where guests can enjoy fresh-off-the-boat octopus and calamari overlooking the sea. Also recommended is La Bahía del Pajar at Arguineguín, or any of the eateries at El Medáno – without doubt the most beautiful beach on Tenerife.  If you find yourself on Lanzarote or La Graciosa – the smallest of the Canary Islands – tuck into a plate of tiny, tasty La Santa prawns accompanied with nothing but a slice of lemon and a cold beer, you won’t be disappointed!

0 KM Cuisine

Chef Juan Santiago is a strong advocate of 0 KM cuisine, he explains “Buying and eating local produce, shortening distances between land or sea and the kitchen, and importing as little as possible.” This philosophy has yielded remarkable results; for the environment, for producers and, most of all, our taste buds.

The philosophy of 0 KM cuisine has always influenced eating habits on the Canary Islands. The most popular meat is not beef, but pork, rabbit, and goat. The best goats are reared in ​​La Palma, El Hierro and La Gomera, where it is mandatory to try roast baby goat. The meat has a strong flavour and is eaten with your hands. Accompanied with Papas Arrugadas (small potatoes with a salty crust), it’s perfection.

No meal on the Canary Islands is complete without local bread, essential for mopping up any mojo sauce left on the plate; a good wine, such as dry white from La Gomera, one of the world’s most unique wine regions, and above all, cheese.

Canarian cheeses, especially those of the islands of Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, are among the best in the world. In the 2018 edition of the World Cheese Awards, no less than 35 cheeses made on the Canary Islands received awards.  Standout farmhouse cheeses include Maxorata; a semi cured goat’s cheese spice with smoky paprika, and Majorero, a firm goat’s milk cheese similar to Manchego. Perhaps the most traditional Canarian cheese is Flor de Guía; a creamy, slightly salty cheese made with an exact combination of cow’s and goat’s milk and liquid extracted from thistle flowers (flors de guía) for the curdling process.

For the sweet tooth

The tradition of pastries, cakes and desserts from the Canary Islands is remarkable and largely unique, even to the rest of Spain. Take for instance, the Truchas de Batata of Lanzarote, a crescent –shaped Christmas pastry of almonds, raisins, sweet potatoes and a hint of anise. From Fuerteventura we have the puff shaped Suspiros de Moya Meringues, and Leche Machanga; creamy custard spiced with lemon and cinnamon. Over on the island of La Palma, Príncipe Alberto is a sinful, creamy dessert of sponge cake, chocolate, almonds and hazelnuts.

This quickest way to the heart is through the stomach.’ The people of the Canary Islands know the meaning of this all too well. Canarians identify as much with their local foods as with their oceans, beaches and majestic volcanic landscapes. So, treat your taste buds and discover Canarian cuisine today. Find more information and traditional recipes at https://www.hellocanaryislands.com/canaries-gastronomy/

 

ENDS

 

For more information on the Canary Islands please contact Niamh Waters – [email protected]

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Windsurfing, surfing, diving and sailing in Spain

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A group of friends on the beach

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Spain is an ideal place for those who love water sports, because its coast is washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Biscay. The sun shines most of the year, and there are places with ideal weather conditions for these sports. Forget boredom. Come here and have a great time with friends thanks to the many recreational opportunities.

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  • Dolphin jumping around the yacht

    ©

    Basque tour

    The seas and coasts of Spain

    The Mediterranean Sea washes the eastern and southeastern coasts of Spain, where such tourist regions as the Balearic Islands, Costa Brava and Costa Dorada (Catalonia), Costa Blanca (Valencian Community), Costa Calida ( Murcia region) and Costa del Sol (Andalusia). The waters of the Mediterranean are generally the warmest and calmest. The Atlantic Ocean washes the Canary Islands, the Costa de la Luz (Andalusia) and part of Galicia, including the Costa da Morte. Its constant currents and waves are conducive to water sports. The Bay of Biscay washes the regions of the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and northern Galicia. Its waters are the coldest, and there are favorable areas for surfing.

  • El Palmar Beach, Conil de la Frontera (Cádiz)

    ©

    Vidar Nordli Mathisen

    Sun and weather conditions

    Good weather and a fair wind are two necessary conditions for many water sports. In Andalusia and the Canary Islands, there are about 300 sunny days a year. In addition, along the entire coast, months with very pleasant temperatures last from early spring to late autumn. Meanwhile, in Spain there are areas known for their winds. Among them are the southern territories and the zone of the Strait of Gibraltar (Cadiz) with the Levante and Poniente winds, the Canary Islands with the trade winds, as well as the northern regions of Cantabria and the Basque Country.

  • Surfing on the coast of Getxo (Biscay, Basque Country)

    Surfing: where to catch a great wave

    Surfing is one of the most exciting sports and in Spain you can do it all year round. However, if you are just starting out or want to get into the sport, we recommend the spring and summer months. Cantabria, the Canary Islands, the Basque Country and Cadiz are the most popular areas with famous beaches such as Los Locos (Suances, Cantabria), Somo (Ribamontan al Mar, Cantabria), El Confital (Gran Canaria), El -Quemao (Lanzarote), El Socorro (Tenerife), Mundaka (Basque Country) and La Yerbabuena (Cádiz). In all these destinations you will find companies that rent the necessary equipment, as well as schools where you can learn to surf during your holidays . Many of them also offer travel packages to help make your vacation unforgettable: surf lessons combined with yoga lessons, glamping , meditation lessons or city tour including a party.

  • Sailing ship in Menorca (Balearic Islands).

    Sailing: where to go on a sailing excursion

    The Mediterranean coast is an ideal place for sailing. The Balearic Islands stand out in this sense in the period from May to October. Here you will find turquoise waters, small secluded bays on the coast, usually calm seas, beautiful sunsets and a wide range of offers for entertainment and leisure. For example, the island of Ibiza is home to some of the country’s most famous discos. The Costa Brava and Costa Dorada (in Catalonia), the Mediterranean coast of Andalusia and the Canary Islands are also popular destinations for sailing for a few days. There are quite large boats here, designed for groups of more than 12 people (for example, if you are traveling with friends).

  • Scuba divers

    Diving Recommended Dive Sites

    Clean seabed, amazing biodiversity and diving areas close to the coast – all this awaits you during your holiday in Spain. The seabed near the Canary Islands is one of the most colorful and varied. Diving spots in Catalonia include the Formigues Islands, Cap de Creus and the Medes Islands. The Balearic Islands are known for underwater meadows of the seagrass Posidonia oceanus, which are the habitat of many species of marine life. Here you can also see sea turtles. Other recognized diving sites in the Mediterranean are Cabo de Gata – Nijar (Almeria, Andalusia), Cabo de Palos (Murcia region), as well as Columbretes and the island of Tabarca (Valencian Community).

  • Windsurfing

    Windsurfing: where the best winds await you

    Spain is considered the Mecca of windsurfing in Europe. This is especially true for strong winds in the south of Cadiz. It is the Levante and Poniente winds that make the beaches of Tarifa the European capital of windsurfing. If you like this sport, we recommend doing it on the beaches of Bolonia, Dos Mares, Chica or Valdevaqueros. The Canary Islands also has beaches frequented by professional and amateur windsurfers. Among them, such places as Pozo Izquierdo (Gran Canaria), Jandia and Sotavento (Fuerteventura), Las Cucharas (Lanzarote), and El Medano (Tenerife) stand out. The Gulf of Roses on the Costa Brava, areas such as La Llana and Los Alcazares in the Murcia region, the beaches of Ejido (Almería) or La Lanzada in Pontevedra are all attractive places for windsurfing in Spain.

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Coast and beaches

Pictures of the bays of Mallorca

Coast and beaches

What do you know about beaches in Spain?

Additional information

What an ocean in Mallorca. What are the seas in Spain and resorts on their coast? Resorts of Spain on the Mediterranean Sea

And this, it should be noted, is not without reason. The sea in Spain is warm and so gentle that getting out of it
sometimes you don’t feel like it for hours.

In which sea do tourists swim in Spain?

Spain is bordered on the south and east by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, and on the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean.
The coast of the Mediterranean Sea stretches for 1660 km, and the coast of the Atlantic Ocean – for 710 km.

Going on vacation to Spain, you will probably ask yourself: “What kind of sea will be at your resort?”. As you already know, there are only two options, which one
You will give preference, purely your personal opinion.

Resorts in Spain
are divided into three groups:

  • mainland Spain

    Resorts in Spain belonging to the first group, such as: Costa del Sol, Costa Tropical, Costa Brava, Costa Dorada, Costa Blanca, are washed by the Mediterranean
    by sea.
    It is on these coasts that the sea warms up best and fastest, which allows the beach season to sometimes open as early as early May. Tourists on mainland Spain
    they will never forget what a sea is here – clean, gentle and warm. The beach season here ends only at the end of September, when the water in the sea becomes cool and uncomfortable for
    bathing;

  • Balearic Islands

    For many resorts belonging to the second group – the Balearic Islands, this is something unattainable and mysterious. Most people probably do not know what kind of sea surrounds these
    the islands (Majorca and Ibiza). The Balearic Islands are washed by the Mediterranean Sea, so loved by many travelers. The beach season at these resorts in Spain lasts from June
    to September;

  • Canary Islands

    Resorts of the third group, namely the Canary Islands, are of interest only to wealthy people who are ready to lay out large sums of money for their holidays.
    Which sea is washed by the Canary Islands, you ask? The Canaries are washed not by the sea, but by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Here you can relax all year round!
    Perhaps this is the only resort in Spain that can boast of this.

The main flow of tourists comes to Spain at the very time when the beach season opens. After all, for example, tourists from Russia, not spoiled by the heat, go abroad
originally for the sake of the sea and the sun.
What sea in Spain you became aware of thanks to this article. It remains to choose a resort and buy a ticket!

Enjoy your holiday!

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Majorca Island
( Mallorca)
) is the largest island of the archipelago located in the Mediterranean Sea in the territory. The length of the sandy coast of the island is more than five hundred kilometers. Wild nature, fertile lands with fruit trees growing on them, beautiful landscapes, comfortable hotels, developed infrastructure and magnificent sandy beaches annually attract not only numerous travel lovers from around the world, but also tourists from Spain.

Features

One of the main features of the island is the contrasting combination of old Spanish architecture with modern buildings. Sailing is incredibly popular here, and horse sleigh racing is a local pastime. Due to the fact that this resort is an elite one, celebrities from all over the world come here to rest, including members of royal families and show business stars. That is, if on the beaches of Mallorca you suddenly meet the son of the King of Thailand, the Beckham couple or some rock star, you can easily ask them for an autograph or offer to play poker. It should be noted that there are no rivers on the island, and drinking water is used from spring sources. But the real pride of Mallorca is its sandy beaches.

General information

Mallorca is washed by the Mediterranean Sea, and the area occupied by the island is 3640 square meters. km. The population is 777.9 thousand people. Time zone UTC + 1, local time is 2 hours behind Moscow.

Brief history

The history of the island goes back to antiquity. At one time, these lands belonged to different peoples, which was reflected in the modern appearance of Mallorca. In architecture, there are exquisite elements characteristic of the building style of the Phoenicians and Greeks. The culture and traditions of the locals are partially borrowed from the ancient Romans, Arabs and Byzantines. Mallorca became part of Spain in 1229.year.

Climate

Mallorca has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and relatively warm winters. But in some areas, snow falls from time to time in winter. The most favorable period for a holiday in Mallorca lasts from April to October, the influx of tourists reaches its maximum in July-August.

Getting there

The easiest way is by air. Air transport from Mallorca can only be used with a transfer at or, and during the high tourist season, direct charter flights rise along the Moscow-Palma route. It is also possible to purchase a ticket for a connecting flight through European cities, there are many options: through, etc. Palma de Mallorca International Airport (Aeropuerto de Palma de Mallorca,

IATA: PMI) is located 8 kilometers east of the city center in the south of Mallorca.

High-speed catamarans run from Barcelona to Mallorca, which take tourists to Palma in 4.5 hours. With the help of water transport, a transfer is carried out between the Balearic Islands.

Transport

Public transport is most widely represented by buses, from the city of Palma de Mallorca you can get to almost any locality on the island. It is practical, comfortable and fast enough, as buses run quite often. A rental car is also suitable for exploring the island on your own, which should be booked in advance.

Attractions and entertainment

First of all, note Bellver Castle
, which is a rounded fortress surrounded on all sides by dense green vegetation, Cathedral,
and Drach caves
, located in the eastern part of this wonderful “piece” of land.

The most popular resorts in Mallorca are Cala d’Or
, more suitable for honeymooners and couples, Arenal
, for lovers of discos and nightlife, Paguera
, for connoisseurs of wildlife, Alcudia
, for lovers of antiquities, and Puerto Polensa
, considered an elite beach area, where celebrities usually relax.

Holidays in Mallorca are good because there is always the opportunity to retire or find entertainment to your liking. All conditions are created both for lovers of water sports and for fans of extreme tours. All hotels are of good quality with a convenient location, and the tourist infrastructure is not inferior to the best resorts in the world. However, throughout Spain, the quality of a beach holiday has always been at the level.

Cuisine

Mallorca’s restaurants and eateries offer menus of the best traditions of Catalan, Mediterranean and Moorish cuisine. There are also restaurants specializing only in Spanish cuisine, which, as a rule, are located away from the tourist places and are often visited by locals. The main dishes in Mallorca are meat and vegetables, as well as seafood. Of the meat dishes, pork dominates, for example Lomo con Col – pork with cabbage, you should try the lamb el Frito Mallorquin, Lechona al Horno pig, Sopes Mallorquinas vegetable soup with mushrooms and meat, paella with seafood, and, of course, gourmet snails los Caracoles.

Shopping

Small shops and supermarkets in all tourist areas. But it is believed that the best shops are located in the city of Palma de Mallorca. As souvenirs, you can buy jewelry made of artificial pearls from the factory
Majorica, ceramic figurines
Ciurels, olive wood products, local embroideries.

The resorts of northern mainland Spain, washed by the Atlantic Ocean, are a less popular summer beach destination than the hyped Spanish resorts on the Mediterranean. But the section of the Atlantic coast of Spain is inferior to the Mediterranean only in length, but the ocean beaches of Spain in some ways even surpass the sea beaches: there are fewer people, therefore lower prices for holidays, and there are also incredibly beautiful places. This is probably why the Spaniards themselves prefer to relax in the resorts of the Atlantic Ocean.

The western and northern coasts of Spain are washed by the waters of the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic Ocean. These places are incredibly picturesque: they are indented with cozy bays, and proud rocky capes go far into the ocean, there are many completely deserted white sandy beaches. The most popular resort regions of northern Spain on the Atlantic Ocean: Galicia, Costa Verde or Asturias and Cantabria, we will tell you more about each of them.

Region of Galicia
– is the westernmost region of Spain, whose shores are washed by the Atlantic Ocean – from the west, and the Bay of Biscay – from the north. Since the region is far removed from the most visited places in Spain, and any foreign influence on the culture was excluded, therefore Galicia remained the “most Spanish province” in the country. The nature of this region is unusually beautiful, it managed to remain almost untouched, again, thanks to the underdevelopment of the tourism industry. There are really virgin corners here. The most popular Galician resorts: Ribadeo, Baiona, Vigo, Vivera, Grove, Pontevedra, Cariño, Ortigueira, Minho, Santa Eugenia de Riviera, Sanxenxo – they stretch along the coast for one thousand three hundred kilometers and are famous for their seven hundred beaches. Nevertheless, the main center of beach tourism in Galicia is located in the city of Sanxenxo, not far from the ancient port city of Pontevedra. No less popular among tourists is the resort town of Bayona. Tourists come here not so much because of the “vegetable” holiday on the beaches and not at all for the sake of breaking away at discos or festivals, but to get acquainted with the richest culture of this Spanish region, with its excellent gastronomy, and only when there is time left, they spend it on sparsely populated and quiet, but no less wonderful beaches.

Sanxenxo Resort
– “Sanxenxo” – a small and very modest town, famous for its wonderful beaches, with white sand and very clear ocean waters. The Atlantic Ocean in this part almost never warms up more than twenty-two degrees, and you’re still lucky, mostly the water has a temperature of twenty degrees, which is quite invigorating, but those who don’t really like the heat or come to rest in their cold regions will like it. The air temperature in summer does not rise above twenty-five degrees. On the local city beach “Sanxenxo”, there is the necessary infrastructure, there is good and clean sand. Another wonderful and long urban beach “Playa De La Lanzada” – with good, white sand, the water here is so clean that it is easy to see schools of fish swimming at a depth of ten meters.

Pontevedra Resort
– “Pontevedra” – the main city of the coast “Rias Baixas”, washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Many centuries ago there was a huge and very important port for the country. The most picturesque historical part of the city is located on the left bank of the Leres River. There are a lot of interesting sights here, so it is easy to combine a beach holiday with exciting excursions. In Pontevedra there is a wonderful three-hundred-meter sandy beach of Pinela – “Pinela”, which offers an excellent view of the city, there is another beach nearby, with golden sand “Playa do Polvorin” – “Playa do Polvorin”, stretching for seven hundred meters. It is framed by piers that go far into the ocean.

Bayona Resort
– a small town in the northwestern part of Spain, washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, founded in one hundred and forty BC. It was the first European city to learn about the great discovery of the New World by Columbus. The fact is that his ship entered the port of Bayona on the first of March 1493, in honor of which, in the local harbor you can see an exact copy of his ship “Pinta” – which is the main historical attraction of the city. It is open to tourists. Another attraction of the city is Monterreal Castle – “Castillo de Monterreal”, built by order of the Queen of Spain, Isabella of Castile, to protect the largest port of Galicia, in those days, from frequent pirate raids. As for local beaches, you should not look for them to the west of the city of Bayona, since that part of the coast is rocky and rocky, but in the east, it is here that there are magnificent sandy beaches. We especially recommend the excellent sandy beach “Playa Ladeira” – “Playa Ladeira”, more than a kilometer long, with the purest white sand. A couple of kilometers from the center of the resort of Bayona, there is a good beach “Playa America” ​​- “Playa America”, stretching for two and a half kilometers. It is not necessary to walk to it, use the Bayona-Vigo bus. Of course, there is a beach in the city itself, but due to the fact that it is adjacent to a large marina, it is a stretch to call it an ideal place for a beach holiday.

Region of Asturias
– it is often referred to as “Costa Verde”, which means “Green Coast”. Tourists come here in search of a measured and quiet rest. The resort region stretches for three hundred and forty-five kilometers, there are a lot of small and cozy coves, small resort towns, with numerous historical and natural attractions, and everywhere there are excellent conditions for fishing. On the coast of “Costa Verde” it will be good to rest for those who cannot stand the intense heat. Summer temperatures do not exceed twenty-six degrees, but the water in the ocean is never warmer than twenty-one degrees. The main resorts of the Costa Verde: Gijon, Llanes, Villaviciosa, Perlora, Celorio, Luanco, Cavedo, Aviles, Barro.

Gijon Resort
is probably the most popular resort on this coast. This is a fairly large city with a rich centuries-old history, providing tourists with excellent conditions for a beach, youth, sightseeing or family vacation. The city is incredibly beautiful: it has a smooth curve of the coastline, along which picturesque rocky cliffs, huge boulders and lovely coves with cozy beaches nestled between them stretch. Near the center of Gijón, there is an absolutely amazing central beach “San Lorenzo”, famous for its soft and clean sand. There are others here: La Cagonera y La Nora beach, Serin beach, Penarrubia beach, El Rinconin beach, El Arbeyal beach, Poniente beach and many small beaches among the rocks. Families with children choose to relax on the Arbeyal beach, as it is reliably protected from high waves by a huge breakwater, so the water here is always calm, the bottom is flat, the sand is clean and soft. The length of this beach is two hundred and fifty meters.

Villaviciosa Resort
– “Villaviciosa” – the whole city is completely buried in apple orchards stretching for many hectares. No wonder the town is called the “Apple Capital of Asturias”. This is an ancient city of the country, with numerous historical sights: churches, monasteries, castles, with ancient water mills, which tourists from all over the world come to see. You can relax in Villavicios in different ways, for example, in addition to ecological and historical tourism, beach tourism is very developed here. Surfers especially love this resort, there are a lot of surfer schools here. The city is famous for its magnificent sandy beaches. The main one is Rodiles Beach – Rodiles is the most beautiful in Asturias, it is a kilometer-long sandy area, picturesquely framed by dunes, and surrounded on both sides by rocks that are overgrown with dense forest. The territory has all the infrastructure necessary for vacationers: a rescue service, a cafe, a bar, a toilet, showers, rental of sports equipment, sunbeds and umbrellas. But, besides it, there are also very good beaches.

Aviles Resort
– “Aviles” – a large city located twenty-three kilometers from Gijón. More recently, this port city-resort was considered one of the most polluted European cities, but the city authorities, having made tremendous efforts, qualitatively changed the situation. Now it has become very clean and very attractive for tourists. The coast is washed by the waters of the Bay of Biscay, it is quite mountainous, which is not always liked by ordinary vacationers, but this city attracts hundreds of surfers. But there are good beaches here too. Near Aviles there are the most favorite surfer beaches – “Arnao” – “Arnao” and Xago – “Xago”. To find “Arnao”, you need to go down to him along the stairs going between two high rocks. By the way, from the stone terrace spread over the beach, stunning views of the ocean and surroundings open up. The sand and pebble beach “Xago” is surrounded by beautiful mountain cliffs and sand dunes. It has a rescue service. South of the city, stretches the long sandy beach “Salinas” – “Salinas” – a favorite vacation spot for the Spaniards themselves and the guests of the resort, where life does not stop around the clock from the beginning of the beach season until its end in October, however, then it is also not quiet here, because that instead of vacationers, the beach is filled with numerous fishermen. To the north of Aviles, there is another half-kilometer beach “Aguilera” – “Aguilera”, it is the widest in this resort, but nudists traditionally choose it for their holidays. From the local beach “Concha de Artedo” – “Concha de Artedo”, you can enjoy the most beautiful panorama of the ocean, shady green valleys and flowering meadows.

Cantabria region
– located in the northern part of mainland Spain, near the border with France, its coast is washed by the waters of the Bay of Biscay. The region is famous for its absolutely stunning mountain scenery, numerous caves, natural parks and beautiful beaches. The weather here is also never hot: summer temperatures do not exceed twenty-seven degrees. Spaniards prefer to have a rest in this region, tourists here are a rarity. The resort centers of Cantabria: Castro Urdiales, Santander, Laredo, Suances, Santonyi, Alto Campo.

Santander Resort
is the capital and the most beautiful city of the autonomy. This is the most favorite resort of the Spanish royal family, who annually come here in the summer. The city is proud of its magnificent beach area – “El Sardinero”, which consists of a beautiful promenade and a very wide strip of sand, framed by green palm trees. There are a huge number of comfortable hotels here. In the eastern part of the city there is the Magdalena Peninsula – a cultural and entertainment area with a picturesque amusement park, playgrounds, and a mini-zoo. Gambling enthusiasts will also find it very interesting here, as there is a casino on the peninsula. The beaches of the Magdalena Peninsula are magnificent, they are sandy, they are washed by the purest water. For connoisseurs of beauty, we recommend that you get acquainted with the royal palace “Palacio Real” located here.

Resort Castro Urdiales
is a small fishing village known for its mild climate and magnificent beaches, as well as numerous historical buildings. On the streets of the resort you can see old houses of various eras and styles. The symbol of the town is the old lighthouse, which can be seen from any street. In this settlement there are several interesting caves, decorated with ancient rock paintings. The most famous of them is the Peña del Cuco cave, its walls are decorated with numerous drawings of ancient people who lived during the Paleolithic period: deer, horses, goats.

Laredo Resort
is the pearl of Cantabria, one of the best Spanish resorts on the Atlantic Ocean. There are delightful beaches, the most beautiful historical part of the city, and a high level of service awaits the guests of the resort. Holidays in Laredo are chosen by lovers of new and unexplored places where there is no mass tourism. The beaches of Laredo are some of the best in. The leader among these beaches is “La Salve” – ​​pleasing vacationers with white sand. Windsurfers love it. In general, here is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. As elsewhere, at the end of this long beach, nudists rest. This beach is well equipped: there are changing cabins, it is possible to rent sports equipment, there is a lifeguard service on duty. Along the beach stretches a promenade with a bunch of souvenir shops, restaurants and bars. The next beach, Regaton, will delight you with the fact that here you can rent a yacht, other water vehicles and even take horseback rides along it.

City of San Sebastian
is by far the most popular resort center on the northwest coast. This is a fashionable and aristocratic resort located in the Basque Country. San Sebastian is known for its magnificent sandy beaches, there are three of them in the city: the quietest and cleanest beach, Playa de Ondaretta, Gross beach and Playa de la Concha beach – located next to the Miramar Palace. The structure of all beaches is sandy, they are washed by the purest and transparent waters of the Bay of Biscay. But rest here is incredibly expensive!

As you understand, the resorts of continental Spain are not counted by the Mediterranean coast, there are also a lot of interesting and worthy places for a beach holiday on the Atlantic coast. True, you need to be prepared that the water there, even at the height of the beach season, will be quite invigorating, but then there will be many fewer people.

Sunny Mallorca is washed by the waters of the Balearic Sea – one of the warmest, most beautiful and richest in vegetation and fauna. And the island itself, to match its resort neighbors, is distinguished by the breadth of its natural scope and friendly climate. Amazing bounty-style landscapes, lagoons untouched by civilization, secluded rocky coves, bronze tan and refreshing coolness of the purest water – all this is a holiday by the sea in Mallorca.

Basic information

In fact, the Balearic Sea is a part of the Mediterranean, separated from its main territory by the Balearic archipelago, to which Mallorca belongs. The sea is not very deep – the average depth is only 767 meters, and a relatively small area allows the water to warm up faster and delight vacationers with warm clear water.

By May, the sea in Mallorca warms up so much that even pampered connoisseurs of beach pleasures can comfortably swim here. The swimming season lasts until October itself, and in the summer months the water is at all temptingly warm and 25-27 ° – the usual figures for June-August.

Large rivers flowing into the Balearic Sea, such as Jucar, Mijares, Turia, make the water moderately salty, although you still cannot do without a shower after each bath.

Sandy clean bottom, even deepening, absence of swift currents and unrest have played a positive role in the development of the tourist power of Mallorca – beach holidays here are considered one of the best in, and the island’s beaches themselves are the standard of the resort industry.

Underwater world

High water transparency, excellent ecology and a rich natural world have allowed the development of such types of tourism as diving, snorkelling, yachting and other disciplines.

The sea in Mallorca is home to millions of colorful inhabitants. During the dive, you have every chance to meet moray eels, eels, groupers, rays, tuna, mackerel, scorpion fish, golden spar, octopus, anchovies, wrasse, crabs, spiny lobsters, seahorses and even sharks. But the most exciting thing about the Balearic Sea is its underwater landscape, which includes numerous caves and grottoes. Many of them are available for research, here you can admire stalactites and stalagmites, and some caves have their own lakes, such as the Geroni Cave.

Add to this dozens of coral species, multi-colored colorful sponges, and, well, fragments of sunken ships – where would we be without these objects, which are so attractive to divers and adventurers.

Near Mallorca, you can also observe such an interesting type of underwater vegetation as posidonii. Many dive sites are located at shallow depths, which will allow even novice divers to admire the underwater beauty.

Beach holidays in Mallorca

The Balearic Sea gave Mallorca a total of 260 stunning beaches, and a third of them are completely wild, devoid of annoying “care” of man. Many are completely hidden from people by the green growth of Mediterranean vegetation and rocky ledges. You can only get to some of them from the water, by boat or boat. But these are the most picturesque parts of the coast, with perfectly clear water and visibility up to 30-50 meters. The islanders themselves and experienced tourists who are well acquainted with the riches of Mallorca rest here.

The best beaches in Mallorca:

  • Alcudia.
  • Cala Mayor.
  • Magaluf.
  • Playa de Palma.
  • Sa Calobra.
  • Cala Millor.

Along with wide sandy areas, there are also pebbly areas. A large part of the coast is owned by hotels, but in any of the island resorts you can always find an excellent municipal beach with infrastructure, restaurants and bars.

Almost all beaches boast a gentle entry into the water and a clean, flat bottom, which is great for families.

In addition to the classic idleness in the shade of umbrellas, active holidays on the sea in Mallorca are also popular. This is a paradise for surfers, water skiers, skydivers, sailboat enthusiasts. The townsfolk can amuse themselves with a trip on a banana or a catamaran, a boat or a jet ski.

And, of course, nothing compares to the excitement and adrenaline of sea fishing, for which there is simply no better place than coastal waters. A rich catch and indescribable pleasure are guaranteed to everyone.

Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula. The state also includes a number of islands located in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. By land, France and Andorra approach Spain from the north, Portugal is located in the west of the peninsula. In the southern part of the country is the English colony of Gibraltar.

The Iberian Peninsula is separated from Africa by no more than fourteen kilometers.

The territory of Spain in the south and east is the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The western part of the country has open access to the Atlantic Ocean. From the north, the waters of the Bay of Biscay approach Spain. The position of the country is very convenient, since it makes Spain the point of intersection of the most important Mediterranean and transatlantic routes through which Europe is connected with Africa and America.

It is also customary to distinguish the Balearic Sea, which is located in southern Europe near the east coast of Spain. It is separated from the Mediterranean Sea by the Balearic Islands. The largest ports of the Balearic Sea are Barcelona and Valencia. In this region, shipping and fishing are especially developed.

The Mediterranean coast of Spain stretches for more than one and a half thousand kilometers. The coastline washed by the Atlantic Ocean exceeds seven hundred kilometers. Such a significant length of the coast, along with mild natural conditions, allows Spain to actively develop the resort business.

On the shores of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, there are many recreation areas that are well-deservedly popular among tourists from all over the world.

The climate on the coast of Spain

Surrounded by water from almost all sides, the Iberian Peninsula is protected from the influence of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean by mountain ranges. They are actually along the entire coastline of Spain, protecting the interior of the peninsula. Positive temperatures are observed almost throughout the country throughout the year.

The southeastern and southern coasts of Spain are dominated by a subtropical Mediterranean climate. It is characterized by short and very mild winters and hot and dry summers. Rains fall relatively abundantly only in autumn. The water is warmest in August. At this time, its temperature reaches 25 ° C.

The climate on the northern and northeastern coast is marine. It is formed by the Atlantic. Winters are wet and mild, summers are moderately warm. The maximum precipitation falls between December and

Gran Canaria – Canary Islands

This webcam broadcasts the Atlantic Ocean and a stretch of sandy beach opposite the Anfi del Mar hotel complex in the town of Arguineguin on the island of Gran Canaria . Broadcasting is carried out in real time and high quality without sound transmission.

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Marmaris , Mugla. Mediterranean Sea

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Amalfi , Salerno. Tyrrhenian Sea

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Warsaw , Palace of Culture and Science

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Kirillovka , beach in the center. Sea of ​​Azov

Biryuchiy Island
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Biryuchiy Island , beach. Sea of ​​Azov

Webcam on the island of Gran Canaria – Arguineguin

Benidorm

Benidorm – panorama

Villajoyosa – hill

Villajoyosa – sea view

Mahon – Menorca island

Canary Islands

Calpe – panorama

The webcam is installed on the building of the hotel complex “Anfi del Mar” .

Gran Canaria and the City of Arguineguin

Gran Canaria is the third largest island in the Canary Islands archipelago, divided into 21 municipalities and also considered the second most populated – about 800 thousand people.

The name of the island comes from the local aborigines who inhabited these territories long before the conquest by the Spanish conquistadors. Their physical strength and athletic physique in Spanish was characterized by the word “gran”, which literally means “big”. In 1483, the island was finally conquered by Spain, and the peak of tourist development came in the middle of the 20th century.

Canary Islands. ©Anton Roiko

The mild climate, which creates favorable conditions for year-round recreation, attracts about 2 million tourists from all over the world. The most common is beach holidays , scuba diving diving , windsurfing and kite surfing (especially in the northern regions), golf .

Gran Canaria occupies one of the first positions among the islands in terms of the number of beaches – there are more than fifty of them in total. The beach cover is often gray volcanic sand , sometimes with an admixture of black volcanic stone. All of them are municipal, which means they are free. Many beaches, especially wild ones, are located against the backdrop of high cliffs on the banks of the bays. The length of the coastline is more than 60 km.

The main sights of Gran Canaria

  • Dunes of Maspalomas (Dunas de Maspalomas) is a national natural reserve in the south, which is a desert with a palm grove, a salt lake and a lot of birds;
  • Caldera de Bandama Natural Monument (Caldera de Bandama) is a volcanic cauldron with a crater 1 kilometer in diameter, resulting from an explosive volcanic process that may have started 4,000 or 5,000 years ago;
  • Pico de las Nieves (Pico de las Nieves), literally “Snowy peak” is a mountain of volcanic origin and the highest point in the northern part, reaching 1949 meters above sea level. From here you can see the rock of Nublo;
  • Aqualand – the water park of the largest network of water parks in Europe in the city of Maspalomas;
  • museums , including those dedicated to local famous personalities;
  • religious buildings – Canary Cathedral, Church of Saint John the Baptist, Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pino.

Dunes of Maspalomas. ©Peter German

The island is home to the largest city of the Canary Islands and at the same time the capital – Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The largest tourist centers are: San Agustin, Playa del Ingles, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán. But there are also small towns focused on a quiet family vacation with children, for example, Arguineguin.

Arguineguín

Small fishing town Arguineguín is located in the southwestern part of the island of Gran Canaria and is part of the municipality of Mogán.

The main feature of the resort is mild climate and good weather all year round. The summer air temperature reaches +27-30 °C, but the winter period is considered especially comfortable here – the weather is milder at this time, the daily air temperature averages +21 °C, and sea water in the bays, which are not affected by cold currents, never cools below +18 °C. That is why the city is especially attractive for families and is popular among residents of the Scandinavian countries.

Since the island of Gran Canaria is of volcanic origin, the beaches of Arguineguin are also covered with dark sand, for example, Playa de Arguineguin. There are also beaches covered with white imported sand , for example, Anfi del Mar beach.

The streets of the city cannot boast of vegetation, and the flora of the suburbs does resemble a desert. Cacti are the only plants that feel comfortable under the scorching tropical sun. But local hotel complexes take care of landscaping: many of them are buried in trees and flowers.

Every Tuesday there is a big market in Arguineguin – people come here from all around and even from Las Palmas. On other days of the week there are small markets where they sell fish, vegetables and fruits.

Windsurfing in the Canary Islands. ©Natalia Zhidkova

Anfi del Mar Complex

“Anfi del Mar” is a hotel complex on the first coastline with direct access to the beach, which is popular among families with children, as it is located along the bay, where there are no waves, and the temperature of the water is always several degrees higher than in the open ocean. The beach complex is equipped with sun loungers and awnings.

The territory of “Anfi del Mar” is landscaped, equipped with a large capital swimming pool for children and adults. It also offers panoramic views of the coast and mountains. The infrastructure of the complex is a shopping center, a medical clinic, a health center, a gym, a beauty salon, restaurants, a mini market, a library, currency exchange offices and car rentals.

Atlantic Ocean and Canary Islands

The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest after Pacific. In the east, it washes the territory of Europe and Africa, in the west – North and South America. The northern regions of the ocean are adjacent to Iceland and Ireland, while the southern regions form the coast of Antarctica. Its total area is 91.66 million km 2 . It is characterized by a significant indentation of the coastline formed by numerous seas and bays, rather complex relief forms of the bottom and a relatively small number of islands and archipelagos.

The largest islands are concentrated in the northern regions of the Atlantic Ocean, among them the group of the British Isles, Newfoundland, Haiti, Iceland and others. Groups of smaller islands are concentrated in the west and east, among them Canary Islands located southwest of the Iberian Peninsula about 100 km off the coast of Africa.

Canary Islands. ©Yuna Saule

The Canarian archipelago consists of large islands: Hierro, Palma, Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and Graciosa, and small islands: Montagna Clara, Alegranza, Roque del Este, Roque del Oeste, Lobos and Graciosa.

In terms of tourism, the Canary Islands are attractive due to good climatic conditions, a combination of mountain and sea landscapes, beaches, most of which are are awarded the Blue Flag , a wide range of hotels with a high level of service.

Spanish resort towns on the ocean coast.

The seas of Spain

Tourists dreaming of a seaside vacation choose Spain as one of their preferred travel destinations. And no wonder, because there is a bright sun, sandy beaches, gentle sea, a lot of attractions.

What seas wash Spain?

What kind of sea is in Spain – those who go to this amazing and hospitable country for the first time ask this question. You should not expect that here, as in Turkey, there is a choice between several seas.

There is only one sea in Spain – the Mediterranean, but the Canary Islands, which belong to the category of the most expensive resorts and are an autonomous province, are washed by the Atlantic Ocean. The Mediterranean Sea is in the south and east of the country, and the ocean is in the north and west. The Mediterranean coast stretches for 1,600 km, while the Atlantic coast stretches for 710 km.

Sea resorts in Spain

Conventionally, everything is divided into mainland, resorts in the Balearic Islands and resorts in the Canary Islands. Where in Spain the sea is warmer, where it is preferable to go – you ask. Judge for yourself.

The first group includes such well-known resorts as:

  • Costa Brava;
  • Costa del Sol;
  • Costa Blanca;
  • Costa Dorada;
  • Costa Tropical.

All of them are located on the Mediterranean coast. Here the water warms up very early, and already in early May you can safely swim and sunbathe. Due to the fact that the sea temperature in this part of Spain warms up in the spring and does not cool down long enough, the holiday season here lasts from May to October.

On the beaches of the listed resorts, the sea is unusually gentle, the sun is hot, the water is clean and transparent. In general, tourists love to relax here.

As for the Balearic Islands, here the beach season opens a little later – around the beginning of June. By this time, the water warms up to a comfortable temperature.

The shores of the legendary and extremely popular lately islands and Ibiza are washed by the same Mediterranean Sea. The influx of tourists does not subside until September – while the water in the sea is still warm and pleasant.

Sometimes there are questions about the sea that washes this part of Spain. Some sources call it the Balearic Sea. It must be said that although it was singled out as a separate inland sea, in fact, the Mediterranean Sea is located in the space between the islands and the Gulf of Valencia. But you can call it whatever you like, whatever you like. The main thing is that it is just as warm and caressing in this part.

If the Mediterranean coast in Spain is not enough for you, go to the Canary Islands. Wealthy people rest there, and they do it all year round, because here the water of the Atlantic Ocean is always warm!

About ten million people have time to relax here every year. Russians prefer to relax on such islands as Lanzarote, Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Although no less popular among Europeans are the rest of the islands of the Canary archipelago.

Before you go on holiday, find out more about the country you are going to visit. Then the rest will become more interesting and meaningful.

For example, did you know that Majorca is the largest island in Spain? Its length is 96 km, and width – 78 km. And the largest archipelago is the Canary Islands, which are located one kilometer from Spain and 10 kilometers from Africa. The archipelago consists of 13 islands.

The largest bay in Spain is Cadiz, which is located between two capes: St. Mary and Trafalgar. The highest point in the country is Mount Maciso del Teide, which rises above sea level by 3715 meters and is located on one of the Canary Islands, or rather, on the island of Tenerife.

And this, it should be noted, is not without reason. The sea in Spain is warm and so gentle that getting out of it
sometimes you don’t feel like it for hours.

In which sea do tourists swim in Spain?

Spain is washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea from the south and east, and by the Atlantic Ocean in the west and north.
The coast of the Mediterranean Sea stretches for 1660 km, and the coast of the Atlantic Ocean – for 710 km.

Going on vacation to Spain, you will probably ask yourself: “And what kind of sea will be at your resort?”. As you already know, there are only two options, which one
You will give preference, purely your personal opinion.

Resorts in Spain
are divided into three groups:

  • mainland Spain

    Resorts in Spain belonging to the first group, such as: Costa del Sol, Costa Tropical, Costa Brava, Costa Dorada, Costa Blanca, are washed by the Mediterranean
    by sea.
    It is on these coasts that the sea warms up best and fastest, which allows the beach season to sometimes open as early as early May. Tourists on mainland Spain
    they will never forget what a sea is here – clean, gentle and warm. The beach season here ends only at the end of September, when the water in the sea becomes cool and uncomfortable for
    bathing;

  • Balearic Islands

    For many resorts belonging to the second group – the Balearic Islands, this is something unattainable and mysterious. Most people probably do not know what kind of sea surrounds these
    the islands (Majorca and Ibiza). The Balearic Islands are washed by the Mediterranean Sea, so loved by many travelers. The beach season at these resorts in Spain lasts from June
    to September;

  • Canary Islands

    Resorts of the third group, namely the Canary Islands, are of interest only to wealthy people who are ready to lay out large sums of money for their holidays.
    Which sea is washed by the Canary Islands, you ask? The Canaries are washed not by the sea, but by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Here you can relax all year round!
    Perhaps this is the only resort in Spain that can boast of this.

The main flow of tourists comes to Spain at the very time when the beach season opens. After all, for example, tourists from Russia, not spoiled by the heat, go abroad
originally for the sake of the sea and the sun.
What sea in Spain you became aware of thanks to this article. It remains to choose a resort and buy a ticket!

Enjoy your holiday!

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It cannot boast of such a number of seas as, but its shores are washed not only by the sea, but also by the ocean.

Most are located on the Mediterranean coast, which washes the eastern part of the northern coast of the country. The second half of the northern part of the country is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Here are such resorts as Cadiz, Isla Cristina, Huelva, etc. In addition, in the Atlantic Ocean there are those belonging to Spain. By the way, this is the only place in the country where the beach season lasts all year round. In winter, the thermometer does not fall below +20 °C.

Which sea in Spain to choose for recreation? It all depends on your individual preferences. The coast of the Atlantic Ocean is more even, with wide sandy beaches. In the Canary Islands, you can even find beaches with volcanic black sand. The Mediterranean coast has a more pronounced relief. There are many rocks, cliffs, not only on the coast, but also in the sea. That is why some resorts in the south of the country are completely unsuitable for lovers of shallow water. There are cliffs just a few meters from the shore, so it may not be very convenient for children. But there are also pluses. For example, cozy bays that protect the beaches from the winds. These are excellent diving sites.

Which sea in Spain washes? The most popular island resorts (, Fermentera,) are washed by the Mediterranean Sea. The swimming season here is a little longer than in continental resorts, in winter the weather is too cool for a beach holiday. It is believed that it is here that the sea is the cleanest and most transparent, and the sand is the whitest. It is this combination that gives the water a unique turquoise hue, which gives the impression that the boats do not float on the water, but hang in the air. This can be seen in all the photographs taken on these islands. In addition, some of the islands are protected areas with a unique ecosystem, so in addition to water, there is the cleanest air.

The Iberian Peninsula, on which Spain is located, serves as a barrier separating the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. From the north, the shores of the country are washed by the Bay of Biscay of the Atlantic, from the southeast by the Balearic Sea, from the south by the Strait of Gibraltar. There is also no unequivocal answer to the question of which sea washes Spain, also because the islands of the Canary archipelago, which are part of the Spanish territory, are located in the Atlantic Ocean.

Mediterranean resorts

The first violin among the seas of Spain is played by the Mediterranean. It is on its shores that the main resorts are located, where in the summer there is nowhere for an apple to fall from those who want to get a comfortable beach holiday and decent European service. Costa Brava and Alicante, Costa Dorada and Salou open the doors of their hotels and restaurants, and the famous Spanish Mediterranean beaches are becoming a favorite destination for young people, families with children, and travelers of the golden age.
A lot is connected with the Mediterranean Sea in Spain. It shapes the cuisine and directions of resort architecture, dictates bright colors and catchy headlines in the menus of coastal restaurants, becomes a fertile backdrop for photo shoots and a place for romantic walks to the sound of the surf.
When answering the question about what seas are in Spain, one should not forget about the Balearic, which, in fact, is part of the Mediterranean. It washes the shores of Barcelona, ​​the Balearic Islands, and Valencia is considered its largest port. The water temperature in the resorts of the Balearic Sea during the peak season reaches +25 degrees.

An ocean for the strong in spirit

The Mediterranean Sea flows smoothly into the Strait of Gibraltar, which leads to the waters of the North Atlantic. The ocean coast in the west of Spain is a surfer’s paradise, and the largest cities in this part of Spain are full of sights and architectural masterpieces. The ships of Columbus departed from here, and the Spanish port of Cadiz on the Atlantic Ocean became the main place to start expeditions to discover and conquer America.

  • The Atlantic makes Spain one of the ten countries in the world in terms of the amount of fish and seafood caught and exported.
  • The second name of the Bay of Biscay is the Cantabrian Sea.
  • The width of the Strait of Gibraltar does not exceed 14 kilometers.
  • Spain has almost 5,000 kilometers of coastline.

Portugal

Portugal is the westernmost country in Europe. It is washed by the Atlantic Ocean.

This is a country with a rich history. Every castle, palace and every street is fanned here with the spirit of the Middle Ages. The Portuguese are extremely sensitive to attempts to view their country as some kind of appendage of Spain. For many centuries they asserted their originality.

More than 500 years have passed since the Portuguese navigators crossed the oceans in search of new continents, but the nation is still proud of the glory of the great discoverers. With the loss of the colonial empire and world power, the Portuguese cannot come to terms to this day. Their distinguishing feature is melancholy, they are always attuned to the wave of world sorrow, to sadness about irrevocably gone times.

Currency

Euro

Currency can be exchanged at one of the many banks. Plastic cards are accepted for payment in large restaurants and supermarkets, and ATMs that work with European credit cards can be found in any tourist center. Those who do not want to change large amounts immediately should carry small US dollars or pounds in their pockets – many private establishments will gladly accept them for payment. In taxis and restaurants, it is customary to leave a tip of about 10% of the total bill. Bargaining is appropriate in food markets and small souvenir shops.

Visa

Portugal is one of the member countries of the Schengen Agreement. Citizens of the Russian Federation can obtain a Schengen visa at the Embassy of Portugal. In this case, you must enter the Schengen area through the territory of Portugal Required documents:

international passport, 2 completed application forms with 2 photographs,

certificate of employment

Consular fee – 40 USD

Processing time – from five working days

Embassy of the Portuguese Republic in the Russian Federation:

Moscow, Grokholsky per., 3/1

Tel: 230-24-35

Inquiry: 280-12-28

Consular Department: 280-13-32

Trading: 280-42-25

Secretary: 280-62-68

Reception: 280-92-03

Time

Time-Moscow Minus three hours

Geography 9000

The capital of Portugal is the city of Lisbon, the number of inhabitants of which is 1.8 million people]

The form of government is a parliamentary republic. Head of State – President Head of Government – Prime Minister

President – Jorge Fernando Branco de Sampaio

Climate

Subtropical Mediterranean climate with oceanic features. Spring is quite rainy. In summer, the heat is tempered by a constant breeze. Late autumn and winter – a very rainy season

Summer time

26.03-29.10

Population

Portuguese population about 9.92 million people, mainly there are Portuguese (combination of several ethnic elements, mainly Iberians, Romans and Visigoths) – 99%, Africans.

Embassy of Russia

42-23-33, 42-23-34.

Nature and animals

Portugal is located in the extreme south-west of Europe, occupying a smaller part of the Iberian Peninsula, as well as the island of Madeira and the Azores in the Atlantic Ocean. Facing the ocean and, as it were, drunk with its breath, Portugal is conqueringly beautiful.

The nature of landscapes with an Atlantic coastline exceeding 800 km is different in the north and in the south. The south is famous for its abundance of golden wheat fields, low rolling plateaus with olive plantations and cork oak groves. There is more greenery in the northern regions. The landscape is more like Russian. The country is crossed by numerous rivers, the largest of which – Tejo (Tajo), Douro (Duero) and Guadiana begin in Spain.

Religion

97% Catholics, 2% Protestants

CLASS

Number of the Police Number-112 or 22/66-90-50,

Fighting Fire Protection-110 or 22/11-44-55,

Ambulance-113 or 22/11-70-80,

Technical assistance-22/23-20-85

Capital

Lisbon

Customs rules

Customs rules are standard for EU countries. There are no restrictions on the import and export of currency in the form of banknotes and traveler’s checks. Duty-free importation of sports equipment (1 pair of skis, 2 tennis rackets, 1 set of fishing equipment), 2 sport hunting guns and 100 cartridges each (based on the permission of the Luxembourg Ministry of Justice), as well as radios, binoculars, portable tape recorders with a reasonable the number of magnetic film (cassettes), portable TV sets – one item of each item. In addition, up to 200 cigarettes can be imported duty-free from a European country that is not a member of the EU. (or cigarillos – 100 pcs., or cigars – 50 pcs., or tobacco – 250 gr.), coffee beans – 0.5 kg., strong spirits – up to 1 liter, sparkling or liqueur wine – up to 2 liters ., ordinary wine – up to 2 liters, perfume – up to 50 gr., toilet water – 0.25 liters. and other goods with a total value of up to 2,000 Luxembourg francs, as well as industrial goods and products, if they are not intended for commercial purposes. The import of drugs is prohibited. It is forbidden to export without special permission antiquities, weapons, as well as items that are national treasures.

Transport

The main means of transportation in the country is buses, in Lisbon the metro. Payment depending on the distance, by coupons or in small coins from the driver. There are taxis. Portugal has an extensive network of roads and railways.

Ticket prices are quite affordable for small country trips. Ticket prices for domestic flights are quite high. If you have rented a car, then you should know that most of the roads in Portugal are toll roads, their quality is generally good. However, there is no charge from Friday afternoon until Sunday.

Tourism

In principle, you can go to Portugal at almost any time of the year. The exceptions are the regions of Alto Duro and Alentejo, where the summer is unbearably hot, and clouds appear in the sky once a month. The official rainy season lasts from November to March, with most of the precipitation falling on the northern regions of the country and the Sierra da Estrela mountain range. The peak tourist season is in the middle of summer. The best time for skiing is January or February. Portugal hosts a huge number of religious festivals and holidays, and the further north you move, the more traditional they become. Among the most significant events of the cultural calendar are the noisy February Carnival, the March celebration of Easter in Braga, the June Saint Joao Day in Porto and the November Fair of Saint Martinho in Goleg.