Just off the western shore of Africa sits an idyllic archipelago lush with shaggy palm trees, brightly painted homes, jagged cliff lines and lavish beachside resorts. It’s a place where picturesque, bluer-than-blue surf crashes onto golden and black sand beaches, remnants of the volcanic activity that caused the destination to be. That place is the Canary Islands, a Spanish autonomous community and Mediterranean paradise nestled in the Atlantic Ocean.
Consisting of eight main islands — Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Graciosa — the Canary Islands are a dream vacation spot that attracts millions of visitors each year. And with their pleasant climate, jaw-dropping scenery and diverse culture and traditions, it’s easy to see why.
Natural Wonders
Nicknamed the Fortunate Isles by 15th-century Romans, the Canaries have long been adored for their abundance of natural wonders, especially those of the eruptive variety. In Lanzarote, there’s Timanfaya National Park, a Mars-like stretch of volcanic wasteland that wows visitors with dormant slopes painted in colorful shades of red, black and gray. On the island of Tenerife, there’s Volcan El Teide, a 170,000-year-old volcanic structure that’s the third highest and most voluminous in the world. The volcano’s impressive beauty is best observed at the corresponding Teide National Park, where travelers can spend their time trekking alongside towering, spindle-like rock formations, tufts of green desert brush and from above the clouds when they ride the park’s famous cable car.
On the island of Gran Canaria, jet setters will find an unexpected treat in Playa de Maspalomas, a sprawling expanse of rolling sand dunes that both delight and intrigue with their otherworldly terrain, clothing-optional beaches and fantastic seaside sunsets. Also on Gran Canaria is Roque Nublo, one of the world’s largest natural crags and an important site for ancient aborigines, the base of which is accessible to visitors via a moderate hike amongst soaring pines and tumbled rocks.
Manmade Fun
In addition to their unique natural sites, the Canary Islands also present vacationers with plenty of manmade fun. For a taste of Cambodia in the Mediterranean, travelers can visit Siam Park, a highly-rated Thai-themed waterpark with a variety of slides, wave pools and even a lazy river. There’s also Poema del Mar, Gran Canaria’s massive, state-of-the-art aquarium which boasts three elaborately decorated zones — jungle, deep ocean and reef/beach — and the largest tank in the world.
Of course, theme parks aren’t the only thing that the Canaries have going for them. History buffs will enjoy exploring places like Tenerife’s Centro Histórico de La Laguna, a colonial town and UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Lanzarote’s Fundación César Manrique, a specialty museum that was home to the famous Spanish artist of the same name. Finally, for those who enjoy a stiff cocktail, there’s Arehucas Rum Distillery, a spot where tour-goers learn about the history of rum while exploring and sampling beverages crafted in one of Europe’s oldest rum cellars.
Originally appeared in the Spring 2023 issue of The Compass magazine
About the Author
comments