Canary Islands Things to Do Tips by Maria_75 Top 5 Page for this destination

FUERTEVENTURA

Fuerteventura is much more quiet than any of it's neighbour islands. It is also protected from over-development, and the island has refused to be spoilt by tourism.

The resorts are surrounded by beautiful white sandy beaches. Follow the near deserted roads around the island and they will take you through some of the most staggering scenery - from barren volcanic mountains to vast, deserted sand dunes.

Legend has it that Jean de Bethencourt said "Que fuerte ventura" (What a strong experience) when he first arrived at the island in 1402. Others say it was the strong wind, el viento fuerte, that gave name to the island.

LANZAROTE

Lanzarote is the fourth largest and most north-easterly of the Canary Islands. It measures only about 60km north to south and 21km at its widest point east to west. It is known as the Isla de los Volcanes (island of the vulcanoes).

The islands name is assumed to be a corruption of Lancelotto Malocella, the Genoese seafarer who landed on the island in the late 13th or early 14th Century.

The scenery here is quite amazing, and often referred to as mystical and magical. The landscape is dominated by remains of the volcanic eruptions.

LA GOMERA

La Gomera is one of the smaller seven Canary Islands along with El Hierro and La Palma.

The island is an ideal escape for any tourist or resident wishing to get away for a few days in the tranquil surroundings of a beautiful natural island with its own national park.

The island has dense permenantly green forests and a continuous mist in its central region; this is a genuine subtropical island not to be missed.

EL HIERRO

This small island is the most western of the canarian islands. Until Christopher Columbus' discovery of America, it was also the most western part of the world. Zero degrees longitude was set at Punta Orchilla, the western tip of El Hierro, untill 1888 when it was moved to Greenwich.

The steep cliffs which fall into the sea and the rolling mists give an air of romanticism and mystery to this secluded island. There are no big beaches and touristresorts here.

LA PALMA

Unlike the four largest Canary Islands La Palma has plenty of water and therefore a great flora and fauna. The island oozes culture from the local crafts to the fine cuisine.

La Palma boasts unbelievable clear blue skies and is home to the Roque de los Muchachos Astrophysics Observatory. The island is not only a major banana producer, but it is also renowned for excellent farming skills.

The coast is rugged with steep hills almost falling into the sea. There are just a few small beaches with fine, black sand, and there are no big touristresorts here.

TENERIFE, the south

Like in Gran Canaria, there is a big difference between the north and the south of the island. The climate in the south is warmer and more sunny, and therefore more popular with the tourists. This is where you find the big touristresorts, and the most popular is Playa de las Americas with the nearby Los Cristianos.

TENERIFE, Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the capitol of the island, and is a very important harbourcity in Spain. It is situated between the sea and a very steep and rough mountain raging up from the city.

From a distance you can clearly see how the city is divided in zones; the first is the harbour, then the promenade with Plaza de España. From here starts the important shoppingstreet and at the end is the livingarea with beautiful villages.

TENERIFE

This is the largest of the seven Canary Islands, and it has the highest point of Spain, the mountain of Teide (3 718 m). This volcano actually had an eruption when Christopher Columbus sailed by on his voyage to the new world.

This is truly an island of contrasts, from the lush greenery of the north to the sun baked expanses of the south. With a fantastic blend of sandy beaches, spectacular scenery and an exciting nightlife.

GRAN CANARIA, the south

In the south of Gran Canaria is where you can find the biggest and most popular touristresorts. This area has the best climate, and most sunnydays of the island. While it can be raining in the capitol of Las Palmas, there can be a blue sky in the south.

When you go driving along the coast in the south you will find a new touristresort popping up around every corner, and still more are beeing built. But if you take off the mainroad and look closely you can find a few canarian villages without too many tourists.

One of the most beautiful touristresorts in the south is Puerto de Mogan. A beautiful example of how more touristplaces should be built.

Click here to read more about beaches in Gran Canaria

GRAN CANARIA, Las Palmas

Las Palmas is the capitol of Gran Canaria, and the largest city on the island.

In the old district of Las Palmas, Vegueta, you can find the historical and important buildings. This is were Christopher Columbus stayed before he went to the new world.

The city also has a great beach, Las Canteras, plenty of shoppingcentres and two very famous shoppingstreets, Calle Mesa y Lopez and Calle Mayor de Triana.

There are plenty of museums, parks, restaurants, bars, discos and other entertaining things to be found here. Definetly worth a trip.

Click here to read more about Las Palmas