Beauty and Adventure in the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands have a lot to offer visitors. There are lovely beaches, everywhere you look the beauty of nature surrounds you and you can visit picturesque colonial towns. This archipelago includes seven large and six smaller islands located 200 kilometers off the northwest coast of Morocco and Western Sahara Africa. The largest island is Tenerife. You’ll find UNESCO-listed heritage sites and UNESCO Biosphere Reserves.

The colonial city of San Cristobal de la Laguna on Tenerife Island is the former capital of this island. It is a lovely historic town with an impressive cathedral, Renaissance and neo-classical churches, and grand mansions built by wealthy families in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The town’s parish church Iglesia de Nuestra La Concepcion was built in 1496. It is an architectural gem both outside and inside.

Dating from the 17th century is the lovely Iglesia de Santo Domingo de Guzman. The facade has Plateresque details and an ornately designed Mudejar ceiling. In the interior, you can see paintings by Canary Island artist Cristobal Hernandez de Quintana.

To discover the history of this region head for the History and Anthropology Museum. This museum introduces visitors to the history and culture of Tenerife Island through the centuries.

Those who wish to sunbathe can choose between three beaches:

Al Apio Beach has a sandy and gravelly shore with moderate waves.

El Navio Beach is great for those interested in water sports and windsurfing.

Arenisco Beach is near the lighthouse and visitors here love to take scenic walks along the coast.

You’ll find the island of Gran Canaria about 90 miles off the African coast. There is amazing natural beauty here and practically half of the island has been protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The island has dramatic cliffs to the north and beautiful beaches to the south.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a lovely sun-filled seaside town. It was influenced by a Spanish colonial past dating back to the 15th century as well as the culture of the aboriginal Guanche people.

An architectural highlight is the impressive Cathedral Las Palmas de Gran Canaria dating from the 16th century with Neo-classical features. The interior is Gothic with unusual palm-shaped columns. In the south wing, you’ll find the Diocesan Museum, displaying a collection of religious art and ceremonial objects.

Take the time to explore the Museum of the Canary Islands with an impressive archaeological and ethnographic collection. It shows visitors the pre-Hispanic culture of the island.

Art lovers will enjoy the Nestor Museum which exhibits the artwork of Nestor Martin-Fernandez de la Torre, one of the most renowned Spanish Symbolist painters. Here you can see portraits and landscapes as well as drawings, sketches, and craftwork. The museum belongs to the Pueblo Canario or Canaries Village which was built by the artist’s brother in the neo-Canarian style.

Las Canteras Beach offers a wide sandy shore with gentle waters due to a natural breakwater formed by volcanic rock. Here for the comfort of visitors, you’ll find public toilets, umbrella and lounge chair rentals, water sports rentals, and a play area for children. There is even an area for scuba diving.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a picturesque seaport that has been built with broad avenues, lovely squares, exotic gardens, and impressive architecture.

Among the visitor highlights is the Museum of Fine Arts with a wide variety of paintings by many different artists. It also displays the artwork of Canary Island painters like Gaspar de Quevedo, Cristobal Hernandez de Quintana, and Gonzalez Mendez.

To find out about the native people of Tenerife see the Museum of Nature and Man. You’ll find out about the original inhabitants before the arrival of European settlers.

Among the beaches, the best choice is Las Teresitas Beach with golden sand and two breakwaters giving way to gentle waves and waters safe for swimming. It is also popular with snorkelers. There are public toilets, sun lounges for rental, water sports rentals, a snack bar, and a play area for children.

On Fuerteventura Island, you’ll get to know the religious heritage of Betancuria which was the capital until 1834.

This town has an impressive cathedral the Catedral de Santa María de Betancuria which was originally built in Norman-Gothic style but later renovated in the 17th century in Baroque style. In the interior, the sanctuary is lovely, especially the choir and baptistry.

Also on Fuerteventura Island is Corralejo Fishing Port and beaches. Corralejo is a fishing port located in northern Fuerteventura. It is surrounded by an impressive desert landscape of sand dunes. The town happily combines traditional seafaring culture with tourism. Around the port, visitors will find picturesque houses with many restaurants and cafes. There is a beautiful waterfront promenade that ends in a small urban beach.

You’ll discover that the biggest tourist attraction on Lanzarote Island is Puerto del Carmen. Once an old fishing village, it has been transformed into a beach resort with many modern hotels and restaurants. There are over six kilometers of sandy beaches with calm waters.

Cactuaidea Park Gran-Canria is the largest cactus park in Europe where the tallest cactus measures six meters in height. It is located in La Aldea de San Nicolas in the west of Gran Canaria. You can find over 1,200 cactus species here. There is a cactarium with palm trees, aloe vera, peacocks, and a tortoise. Not only will the cactuses delight you but there is a lot of babbling water and just past the amphitheater, you’ll find an erupting artificial volcano that leads visitors to the beautiful garden.

A stone path takes you around and you can see the peacocks, ducks, tortoises, and donkeys. You can also visit a cave, have tapas at the outdoor bar, and buy souvenirs.

Whether you are visiting with children or not you have got to see Holiday World in the southern part of Gran Canaria. There are lots of activities for children like pony rides, parrot shows, and a 4D cinema. For the older crowd, there is a Ferris Wheel and even a roller coaster as well as a 20m free-fall Sky Drop. All of this is located in a shopping center. You’ll even find tenpin bowling in a U.S.-style bowling alley that offers hot dogs. If you wish to indulge yourself there is a children’s entertainment service and you can head for the spa or gym.

Visit the friendly and delightful animals of Loro Parque one of Tenerife’s most popular attractions. You can see wonderful dolphin shows and see sea lions do tricks. There are jumping orca whales and parrots chattering to one and all. Visitors delight in over 300 species of birds, gorillas, chimpanzees, tigers, sloths, jaguars, meerkats, giant tortoises and so much more.