Canary Islands
The seven major islands that make up the Canary Islands offer a lot of places to enjoy a vacation. Enjoy the beautiful weather and spend some time on the beaches, take a walk in one of the national parks or go scuba diving. In the evening enjoy the local cuisine and then dance the night away in one of the night clubs.
Location
The Canary Islands are located off the north-western coast of Africa, in the Atlantic Ocean. The official name is Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands and the archipelago is art of Spain.
The Canary Islands consist of seven major islands of volcanic origin:
- El Hierro
- Fuerteventura: very popular among windsurfers
- Gran Canaria: the largest island by population
- La Gomera: a paradise for those who enjoy walking
- La Palma
- Lanzarote
- Tenerife: the biggest island and home to the highest mountain in Spain
How to get to Canary Islands
There are two different airports on Tenerife and represent the main gateway to the Canary Islands although all seven major islands have their own airports. A lot of European airlines offer regular and charter flights to this famous tourist destination.
To travel between the islands, you can either use the ferries/boats or the local flights.
Search here for ferries:
More information on:
>>Getting from Barcelona to Tenerife
>>Getting from Barcelona to Fuerteventura
Weather and best time to visit
The weather is great all year round although from December to March the weather is a little cooler. The average temperatures through the year are between 19 and 22 C (66 and 72 F).
>>more information on Spain weather
The highest prices and the biggest crowds are also expected to be found from December to March, although summer –July to September- represents another high season.
During the Carnival season (February and March) the islands are crowded and the prices high.
Lowest prices can be found from November to mid-December and during April and May, as long as you avoid the Easter rush.
What to do
The Canary Islands are most famous for the numerous resorts. The main resorts on Gran Canaria are Las Palmas, Puerto Rico and Playa del Ingles while on Tenerife don’t miss visiting Santa Cruz, Puerto de la Cruz and Playa de las Americas.
Fuerteventura is very popular among surfers but is also home to several resorts, among which Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste and Morro Jable are the best well known.
If you enjoy walking/hiking, don’t miss visiting La Gomera island.
If you fancy some off-road driving, rent a 4x 4 or an ATV and explore the mountain tracks.
Offering a wide range of habitats, the Canary Islands are also home to a lot of national parks, mixing both European and African species.
The marine life is also very spectacular and in recent years scuba diving has become a highly popular activity among tourists.
Explore the local cuisine. The fish is spectacular and the plantain bananas are delicious here.