Did you know that the Canary Islands are a favourite destination for honeymooners and couples? And that’s no surprise as these incredible volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean are full of romance. Together you’ll enjoy fairy-tale forests, unspoilt beaches, and sleepy little villages where you can relax and unwind. And best of all, the weather is gorgeous all year round, with an average temperature of 24ºC. Read on and find out some of the things you can do on an unforgettable holiday:
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Forget about the stresses and strains of everyday life as you lie in the sun on beaches that are the stuff of dreams.
One of the loveliest is the Playa de Cofete in Fuerteventura. A 12-kilometre-long sweep of sand well away from urban centres, this wild beach is perfect for leaving all your worries far behind you. And how about watching the sun slowly set over the “sea of dunes” in Maspalomas? Pure magic. Or maybe a bike ride around the island of La Graciosa. There are no crowds or pollution here, and you’ll find beaches with crystalline waters that are like a real taste of paradise, where you’ll feel almost as if there were no-one but the two of you around. La Graciosa can only be reached by boat from Lanzarote, another island with a myriad of places to discover with your partner, such as the Papagayo beaches. Do you dream of losing yourself on an unspoilt beach with your partner? Check out where you can find one in the Canaries.
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Admire the spectacular views from some of the viewpoints
One thing you’re sure to love is a cable car ride right up to the top of El Teide in Tenerife, a chance to get up close and personal with the impressive volcano that’s the highest in Spain. But there are many more places with viewpoints that you’ll love. A few examples: From the La Cumbrecita viewpoint in La Palma there’s an excellent panoramic view of the Caldera de Taburiente National Park. In Lanzarote you’ll find the famous Mirador del Río viewpoint, the work of César Manrique. From here you can see the whole of the Chinijo archipelago. The artist also designed the most famous viewpoint in Fuerteventura: Morro Velosa. You’ll also love the Valle de El Golfo viewpoint in El Hierro, where there’s an imposing view of the valley opening out to the sea. At the Abrante de La Gomera viewpoint the glass floor will make you feel as if you were floating over the cliffs, light as air. And in Gran Canaria you’ll experience some amazing sunsets from viewpoints such as Degollada Becerra and El Balcón.
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Enjoy long, relaxing walks
Take a stroll along the narrow winding streets of traditional little villages where time seems to have stood still. Sound enticing? Many have lovely old quarters dotted with whitewashed houses. Some of the most romantic might be Tejeda and Puerto de Mogán (Gran Canaria); San Cristóbal de la Laguna (World Heritage City in Tenerife), Garachico (Tenerife), Teguise (Lanzarote), Betancuria (Fuerteventura) and the Vegueta neighbourhood in Gran Canaria.If the joys of the natural world are more your thing, a laurel forest like the one in the Garajonay National Park (La Gomera) is perfect for you. The park takes its name from the tragic legend of the lovers Gara and Jonay.Check out more captivating places on the Canary Islands Tourist Office website.
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Discover incredible natural swimming pools
Every one of the islands has natural saltwater swimming pools where you can enjoy a relaxing (and refreshing) dip, like for example Los Charcones (Lanzarote), Roque Prieto (Gran Canaria), Charco Azul (La Palma), Puertito de Lobos (Fuerteventura), Charco del Viento (Tenerife), Charco del Conde (La Gomera) and La Maceta (El Hierro). You’ll find all of them here.
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Try some of the delicious local dishes
Papas arrugadas with mojo picón (‘wrinkled’ potatoes with a slightly spicy red pepper sauce), ropa vieja canaria (a typical dish made with shredded beef and chicken), gofio, a staple of the islands’ cuisine that’s served up in a multitude of different ways, honey rum - all these and many more mouthwatering treats await you in the Canaries! And there are lots of restaurants hidden away in supremely romantic places, such as the lighthouse on the Playa de Arinaga beach in Gran Canaria. Or in the Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote, where they cook meat using the heat generated by the volcano itself. Or at the heart of the salt flats, the Salinas de Fuencaliente, in La Palma where you can tuck into the very best of local produce. You could also go to a tasting event and discover regional wines and cheeses that have a subtly unique flavour due to the climate. Did you know that there are vineyards where the vines grow in volcanic sand?
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Looking up at the stars
Stargazing with your partner might well be one of the most romantic things you can possibly do, and even more so if you’re in the Canaries, as the skies here are considered to be among the best in the world for enjoying this activity. You can contemplate 83 of the 88 officially recognised constellations, and you’ll find astronomical trails and viewpoints, rural retreats equipped with telescopes, and lots of companies that organise night tours.There are so places where you can see and learn more about the stars. For example, in La Palma you can visit the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory.
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Do something a bit different
Tour the dunes and volcanic landscapes of Fuerteventura by buggy, learn to scuba dive, visit botanical gardens like Viera y Clavijo, go to a concert in a really unusual place like Jameos del Agua (Lanzarote), go whale watching, stay in what’s thought to be the smallest hotel in the world (in El Hierro), let yourself be swept away by the otherworldly beauty of the lunar landscape of Timanfaya from the back of a camel, have a halotherapy treatment at a spa - the list could go on forever!And a final tip: be sure not to miss the characteristic “sea of clouds” that forms over many of the high points on the islands thanks to the strong trade winds. You’ll feel as if you were actually walking on them.
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