Canary Islands
A perfect year-round climate
The volcanic Canary Islands, south of the Iberian Peninsula in the Atlantic Ocean, are blessed with a perfect year-round climate with mild winters and warm summers. This makes them a perfect destination for an enjoyable holiday at any time of the year. There are 8 islands in total: Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Graciosa.
Beautiful scenery and picturesque settings make these islands a very romantic destination for a couple. It is also a good family destination thanks to its well-known leisure centres such as Loro Parque or Siam Park.
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MUST-SEE
National Parks
Visit impressive national parks such as the volcanic Teide National Park in Tenerife, home to Spain's highest peak and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote, famous for its unique volcanic landscape, and the Garajonay and La Caldera de Taburiente National Parks.
Beaches
Enjoy the beautiful beaches with golden sand and crystal clear waters, such as Playa de las Teresitas beach in Tenerife, Playa de Maspalomas beach in Gran Canaria and Playa de Famara beach in Lanzarote.
Hiking
Explore breathtaking natural landscapes along hiking trails, such as the Barranco del Infierno ravine in Tenerife, the Guayadeque ravine in Gran Canaria and the Garajonay National Park in La Gomera.
Stargazing
Make the most of the clear night sky for stargazing and visit places such as the Teide Observatory in Tenerife or the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory in La Palma to soak up the sky. The breeze from the trade winds and the thermal inversion they generate prevent clouds from forming, making the skies of the Canary Islands the clearest in Europe.
Water sports
Take part in a variety of water sports, such as surfing, windsurfing, diving and kayaking, in the magnificent Atlantic Ocean waters surrounding the islands.
Historic architecture
Explore the historic architecture of cities and towns, such as the World Heritage city of San Cristobal de La Laguna in Tenerife, the neighbourhood of Vegueta in Gran Canaria and the city of Arrecife in Lanzarote. The original and modern creations of César Manrique are also typical features of the island. His work can be admired above all in Lanzarote, but also in Fuerteventura, Tenerife, La Gomera and El Hierro.
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WHAT CAN YOU EAT IN THE CANARY ISLANDS?
Typical Canarian dishes include papas arrugadas, served with a spicy sauce called mojo; gofio, a toasted flour used in various dishes; Canarian cheeses, such as majorero cheese and palmero cheese; fresh fish; and, for dessert, bienmesabe, made with almonds and eggs. This diverse range of food captures the fusion of Spanish, African and Latin American influences in Canarian culture. If you want to try truly delicious food, Gran Canaria has 3 Michelin-starred restaurants such as Tabaiba, Muxgo and Poemas by the Padrón brothers.
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SHOPPING IN THE CANARY ISLANDS
Check out the Avenida de las Américas in Tenerife and the Avenida de José Mesa y López in Gran Canaria. Other highlights include the Siam Mall in Tenerife and the El Corte Inglés shopping centre, with a wide variety of international luxury brands. In Lanzarote, Puerto Calero Marina offers designer shops and fashion boutiques along with restaurants overlooking the harbour.
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HOW TO GET TO THE ISLANDS?
You can reach the Canary Islands by air or by sea. By air, there are direct flights from Spanish and European airports directly to the main Canary Islands airports. By sea, there are ferry services from Spanish cities on the mainland coast and from other nearby islands.
