Where are the Canary Islands on the world map and which island is better to choose for a holiday. Where are the Canary Islands

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The Canary Islands are a picturesque archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, the land of eternal summer with an ideal climate, emerald valleys, quaint cliffs and sandy beaches. Officially, the Canaries are an autonomous province of Spain, consisting of 7 large islands (El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura) and several small ones. The title of capital of the archipelago is transferred to each other every 4 years by the cities of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Despite the fact that the Canary Islands formally belong to Spain, the atmosphere here is by no means European. Tourists come here for real exotica: magnificent tropical landscapes, soft ocean waves, black volcanic beaches and delicious ripe fruits. Fortunately, this exoticism is close and accessible: the flight to the islands is only a few hours without transfers. In the Canaries, you can not only idly relax on the beach: unique prehistoric monuments, volcanoes, waterfalls, and “lunar” valleys made of solidified lava are scattered throughout the islands. There is also excellent service and a real paradise for surfers and divers.

How to get to the Canary Islands

You can only get from Russia to the Canary Islands by air. The most convenient way is to fly to Tenerife South Airport (more about this on our page), but this is far from the only option. There are several other international airports located on the archipelago. One of them is located on the island of Gran Canaria, 20 km from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. There are no direct flights from Moscow, but there are connecting flights: Aeroflot, S7, Brussels Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Air Berlin, Jet Airways, Smart Wings, Vueling, Edelweiss. Transfers are carried out in Berlin, Brussels, Madrid, Prague, Munich and other cities. The cheapest tickets are with S7. The fastest flights are with Iberia: 10 hours 5 minutes with a transfer in Madrid.

Another Canary airport is on the island of Lanzarote. There are no direct flights from Moscow either; connecting flights are offered by Iberia, S7, Aeroflot, Vueling, British Airways, Air Europa and other carriers. Flight duration is from 8 hours 30 minutes.

International flights are also accepted on the island of Fuerteventura, near Puerto del Rosario. S7, SunExpress, Vueling, Iberia, Air Berlin have connecting flights. The cheapest flight is from S7, the fastest is from Iberia (8 hours 55 minutes with a transfer in Madrid).

Finally, Transavia, S7, Iberia and Air Berlin will take you to Santa Cruz de Palma (La Palma island). Flight duration is from 10 hours 15 minutes.

Search for flights to Tenerife (the closest airport to the Canary Islands)

Main resorts and islands

The largest island of the Canary archipelago, Tenerife, can offer a choice of both a calm, secluded holiday and noisy fun. For example, Los Cristianos, like neighboring Las Americas, is a “brisk” resort, visited mainly by the British and Germans, eager for booze and discos. And Puerto de la Cruz, in turn, is well suited for a relaxing holiday “alone with nature”. Only the coast there is steep and rocky, there are practically no beaches as such: tourists mostly splash in hotel pools.

Transport

Most of the territory of the Canary Islands has modern highways. Urban public transport in Tenerife is represented by the TITSA bus network. Trips are paid for by the driver, the cost of tickets depends on the duration of the journey (all prices are on the website). Global buses operate in Gran Canaria, tickets start from 1.2 EUR. Routes on La Gomera connect San Sebastian with other major cities on the island. Buses go to Hierro least often.

A multi-use ticket for 15-25 EUR, sold at Tenerife bus stations, gives a discount of up to 30% on bus trips.

A tram has recently been running between the cities of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and San Cristobal de la Laguna. The ticket price is 1.35 EUR, the schedule can be found on the carrier's website (in English and Spanish). Prices on the page are as of September 2018. There are many metered taxis on the islands. Tariffs - from 2.35 EUR per landing and from 0.60 EUR per km.

Local taxi drivers rarely speak foreign languages, but they are well versed in the names of hotels and other tourist places, so just give the address and check the price.

The most convenient way to travel between the islands is by plane: local flights depart daily from Tenerife and Gran Canaria to all the islands of the archipelago, except La Gomera. Ferries also operate here, carrying not only passengers, but also cars. High-speed hydrofoils regularly operate between Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura; tickets cost from 20 EUR.

Rent a Car

In the Canaries you can easily rent a car of any brand. This is a great opportunity to see all the local beauties, moving along modern routes on the islands and on high-speed ferries between them. Traffic here is comfortable, traffic jams are rare. But parking may be a problem: don’t be surprised to see a line in front of the parking lot. It is most convenient to leave your car in underground parking lots (from 2 EUR per hour).

Many cities in the Canary Islands have a very confusing system of one-way streets, so you can’t do it without a map.

You can rent a car both at airports and at any popular resort. Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, La Palma 24 and many other well-known companies operate here. The cost of renting a small car is from 25 EUR, a minivan - from 35 EUR, a premium car - from 52 EUR per day. Local rental companies often offer discounted rates for rentals of three days or more. In some offices you can book not only cars, but also bicycles, motorcycles, scooters and mopeds - an excellent option for those who value the spirit of freedom on any trip.

Communications and Wi-Fi

A very economical option for international calls is Telefonica payphones, installed on the streets of all cities. They accept small coins, the cost of calls to Russia is from 0.40 EUR. Surprisingly, but true: from many local payphones you can not only make calls, but also send SMS and even email messages.

There are 4 major mobile operators in the Canary Islands: Vodafone, Orange, Telefonica Movistar and Lebara. Their tariffs are almost the same, as is the quality of communication. For calls to Russia, you can purchase an Orange Tarjeta Internacional card for 5 EUR, valid for 30-50 minutes of conversation. Telefonica Movistar offers a convenient Habla International option: by connecting it for 1 EUR, you can call Russia for 0.20 EUR per minute.

Almost all hotels provide 24-hour Internet access, but it usually costs a lot: about 5-7 EUR per hour. It’s much easier to leave your room and walk to the reception: Wi-Fi is often free in the lobby, as is the case in many catering establishments.

Beaches of the Canary Islands

The Atlantic coast of the Canary Islands is 1,500 km of magnificent sandy beaches and steep rocky shores. The water in the ocean here is quite cool (the Gulf Stream flows from north to south), but its color is simply amazing: rich blue due to its enormous depth. The longest snow-white beaches are on Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria. The coast of the western islands is steeper. Most of Tenerife's beaches are covered with golden sand, dredged from the ocean floor or transported from the Sahara.

A magnificent beach ensemble is located near the center of Santa Cruz de Tenerife: on Playa de Taganana there is black volcanic sand, on Las Teresitas there is more familiar, fine and golden sand. The real attraction of Puerto de la Cruz is “Playa de Martianez” with a huge lake of flowing sea water, beautiful fountains and numerous bars and restaurants built on small islands.

Most Russians prefer to sunbathe on the southern beaches of Tenerife: long, narrow, well-maintained and ideal for families with children.

Sights of the Canary Islands

In the north-west of Gran Canaria is the ancient city of Galdar with the remains of settlements of the indigenous islanders. On the walls of the Cueva Pintada cave you can see the mysterious drawings of the Guanche tribes: bright, large ornaments in the form of a frieze, which may once have served as a calendar. Another authentic corner of Gran Canaria is Pueblo Canario, a village with colorful buildings built in the traditional style of the archipelago.

Lanzarote has two ancient fortresses: Castillo de San Jose, within whose walls the Museum of Contemporary Art is opened, and San Gabriel from the 16th century, now the location of the Archaeological Museum.

A trip to the pyramids in the Guimar desert in Tenerife will be unforgettable. Scientists believe that these structures were erected by local farmers who plowed the land and piled the found stones along the borders of the fields. Thor Heyerdahl managed to discover that the Guanches, the ancient aborigines of the Canary Islands, also lived in a cave under one of the pyramids. Today, in the desert there is an ethnographic park with a museum, a souvenir shop and a cafeteria.

One of the most interesting places in Tenerife is the Guimar pyramids.

The most famous building in Las Palmas is the House of Columbus (website in English), where the legendary navigator rested during his voyage to the New World. Behind the spectacular façade lies a museum where visitors can learn a lot of interesting things about the adventures of the discoverer.

Local residents decided to compensate for the lack of large-scale medieval buildings by building the Castle of San Miguel in the vicinity of the city of the same name. This is a carefully reproduced copy of an ancient knight’s castle, where they conduct fascinating excursions, surprise with spectacular shows and treat you to a hearty dinner in the best traditions of the Middle Ages.

The main natural attractions of the Canaries are the Caldera de Taburiente volcano on the island of La Palma, the Ada Gorge waterfall (despite the name, the scenery here is truly heavenly) and the majestic rock formations of Los Gigantes.

7 things to do in the Canaries

1. Find yourself in February at the carnival in Tenerife.
2. Pamper your eyes with a visit to Loro Parque in Puerto de la Cruz (Tenerife).
3. Dream about staying at the smallest hotel in the world, Punta Grande on the island of Hierro (you should have booked in advance!) next time.
4. Get brand new heels after the fish spa procedure.
5. Feel like a grain of sand, standing on the shore of the formidable Atlantic Ocean.
6. Enjoy lunar landscapes and palm oases within a 10-minute drive of each other in Gran Canaria.
7. Look at the stars through excellent telescopes at the Roque Los Muchachos Observatory on the island of La Palma.

Canary Islands for children

The island of Tenerife has many parks, walks through which will bring joy not only to adults, but also to children. Teide National Park is famous for its unique flora and fauna, and most importantly, for the 3,500 m high active volcano of the same name. With older children, you can climb to its peak on foot: fortunately, there is an excellent asphalt track and a funicular. Families with children are better off renting a car.

Not far from Las Americas, the Park of the Eagles has been opened. Not only proud birds of prey live here, but also a variety of animals: from lions, tigers and crocodiles to monkeys and fur seals. There is a high-speed bobsleigh track for tourists, water shows and exciting performances with the participation of trained eagles are regularly organized.

You can continue your acquaintance with exotic nature in the Parrot Park. It is here that the world's largest collection of these birds is collected. And in general, this is a record-breaking park: Europe's largest swimming pool for dolphin shows, the longest shark tunnel and the world's largest indoor penguin exhibition - all this is also located here. And in the “Monkey Park” you can hand-feed lemurs - the impressions will last for a long time!

There is also an excellent place with water activities in the Canaries - Siam Park, built in Thai style. A wave pool, racing slides, sliders with funnels, play areas for the little ones - you can spend an unforgettable whole day on the local attractions.

There are also few convenient beaches, but they are very green and amazingly beautiful. La Palma - ancient laurel forest and petroglyphs of La Zarsa. Sights of Fuerteventura - herds of goats, caves and mills, as well as the Betancuria Museum on the crater of an extinct volcano.

When we talk about the Canary Islands, we are primarily talking about the island of Tenerife, although in fact it is a beautiful, but not at all the best island in the archipelago. There are thirteen Canary Islands in total, of which seven are large and another six are small. Rumor has it that there is another island... We will definitely talk about this in our article. In addition, you will find myths and realities about the Canaries, revealing the secrets of the climate and showing significant differences not only between the islands of the archipelago, but within them. First, let's list the islands, since they are closely interconnected, and then we'll talk about the classification from different sides, which will help you decide on the choice of vacation spot exactly to your taste and according to your wishes.

Inhabited Canary Islands:

There are eight inhabited islands, of which seven are large and one small (La Graciosa)

• - the largest and most densely populated island in the center of the archipelago, with an area of ​​more than 2,000 km2
• Fuerteventura - located in the east of the archipelago, is the second largest and first most popular among surfers
• - the third largest island with the largest city of the Canaries - the capital of the island of Las Palmas
• - the northeastern island, which the Canarians call “the other island”, and all the rest are the island of fire-breathing mountains
• La Palma is the fifth largest island located in the West, the greenest island of the archipelago
• La Gomera is an island near Tenerife in the southwest, popular due to its larger neighbor
• El Hierro is an area of ​​less than 300 km2 in the southwest of the archipelago with a population of about 10 thousand people.
• La Graciosa is a satellite island of Lanzarote in the northeast of the archipelago, the northernmost, but not the coldest Canary Islands

Uninhabited islands of the Canary archipelago:

These small but proud islands can be admired from the observation decks of their larger Canary neighbors and through the window of an airplane, flying between the islands of the archipelago.

• Alegranza
• Montagna Clara
• Lobos
• Roque Del Oeste
• Roque Del Este

Why are the Canary Islands so popular for winter holidays?

There are many reasons, for example:

• The duration of the flight cannot be compared with flights to countries where a comfortable beach holiday is possible in winter. A flight from Europe takes from 4 to 5 hours depending on the departure city and the island where you are heading. For example, it takes 4.5 hours to fly from Berlin to Lanzarote, and 5 hours from Berlin to Gran Canaria. This fact explains the huge number of Europeans who vacation in the Canaries every year.
• Comfortable and not too hot air temperature, while low relative humidity (within 50%). If we compare the humidity indicator with the popular Russian resort of Sochi, then in the latter in the summer it can reach 95% and even 100%. Therefore, if acclimatization almost never happens in the Canary Islands, then when you arrive in Sochi or another resort with high air humidity, you can get seriously ill or simply not feel very well during your vacation. In winter (January, February) in the resorts of the Canary Islands the temperature is about 20-25 degrees. Why I wrote “at the resorts” and not “on the islands” You will find out when you read the article to the end and understand how different the weather can be even within the same island.
• No poisonous snakes or other dangerous animals. Even in the sand dunes in the south of the island of Gran Canaria, you can safely swim in the sand and not be afraid that you will encounter something there that threatens your health and life.
• No sharks dangerous to humans. Since the ocean is quite cold, for example, compared to the Indian Ocean, heat-loving sea predators do not like to swim into its waters. There are several species of sharks off the coast of the Canary Islands, but they are not dangerous to humans and no cases of attacks have been recorded.
• Holidays at the European level among people with a similar culture and worldview. When visiting Asia, there are a huge number of precautions associated with different religions, their customs and morals that are unclear to a Russian tourist, in addition, in the Canary Islands, unlike Asia, there is quite traditional cuisine and there is no unsanitary conditions.
• The Canarians are very friendly and welcoming people. If you want to feel like you're having dinner with your family in a restaurant, see open and cheerful people everywhere and enjoy extraordinary beauty, then the Canary Islands are for you!

Borondon Island:

Since we have sorted the islands into inhabited and uninhabited, we should divide them into real and fictitious, or rather not fictitious, but not proven to exist. In fact, there is only one such unconfirmed and unmapped island in the Canary archipelago - San Borondon.

Lost or not found, the island is a source of pride for the Canarians and a mystery for visitors to the archipelago. History contains a lot of evidence that different people at different times confidently said that they not only saw San Borondon from the Shores of La Palma and El Hierro, but also landed on its shores during the shipwreck. From time to time, strange plants and even the fruits of fruit trees that do not grow on the Canary archipelago wash up on the shores of the western islands, which in itself is an indirect confirmation of the existence of this place. This unique island is located in the west of the archipelago, southwest of the island of La Palma and north of El Hierro. It appears suddenly in both cloudy and clear weather, and disappears in fog or behind a rain stream.

The outlines of the island, according to eyewitnesses, are unchanged, which made it possible to draw up a description of the “mirage”: oblong in shape, the island stretches from north to south, the relief is a plain between two mountains of different heights.

The island received its name from the name of the monk Brendan, who first spoke of the existence of a mysterious lost Holy Land.

It is believed that this is a floating island, formed as a result of the collapse of a layer of volcanic rocks from one of the mountain peaks of the archipelago. Volcanic rock is porous, so it can float freely on the surface of the water, and in the event of a storm, go under water, which confirms the fact of sudden appearance and disappearance. This theory has its adherents and opponents, but be that as it may, it will not be possible to go to the island yet.

On all the islands of the archipelago there is sure to be an establishment called San Borondon, and more than one, since you want to believe in beautiful legends.

Islands of the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife:

The province includes islands located in the west of the archipelago

• Tenerife, where the capital of the province is located -
• La Palma
• La Gomera
• El Hierro

Islands of the province of Las Palmas:

The province includes islands located in the east of the archipelago

• Gran Canaria, where the provincial capital is located - the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
• Fuerteventura
• Lanzarote
• La Graciosa
• Alegranza
• Montagna Clara
• Lobos
• Roque Del Oeste
• Roque Del Este

Active volcanoes in the Atlantic Ocean:

• Tenerife is the largest and most populous island, on which the highest point of the archipelago is located -. The island of Tenerife is the capital of the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and the most visited island of the archipelago among Russian tourists. You can come to Tenerife and not visit the volcano only if weather conditions do not allow it, otherwise it is simply unacceptable.

• - an island on which there are 300 active volcanoes, that is, a third of all volcanoes on our Earth. The landscapes of the island are not real and it seems that you find yourself on another planet. Those who have visited Lanzarote believe that Teide is just a mountain peak and nothing more, although Lanzarote does not have such high and large craters as Teide, so you should definitely visit both Teide in Tenerife and the volcanoes of Lanzarote before drawing conclusions...

I will not highlight other volcanoes of the archipelago separately, although they deserve attention; nevertheless, the largest and highest crater is mentioned above, as well as the island with the largest number of craters and consequences of the eruption.

Beaches of the Canary Islands

Fuerteventura confidently leads the ranking, as the number of beaches on this island exceeds 150 and stretches for more than 70 km. Most beaches boast white sand, but there is also black volcanic sand. In fact, this island is exclusively a beach holiday, since it has a minimum of infrastructure for other entertainment. Not many restaurants and shops and endless beaches with constant wind and waves. This is a favorite place for surf lovers. The name of the island speaks for itself: “fuerte” translates as “strong”, and “el viento” means wind.

In terms of unusualness, I consider it necessary to mention second Maspalomas beach on the island of Gran Canaria:

The uniqueness lies in the fact that the coastline of the beach is sand dunes with an area of ​​about 400 hectares, which are a protected area along which it is prohibited to travel by any type of transport. A special feature of Maspalomas beach is the constantly present wind, which redistributes the sand along the coast. This is the southernmost point of the island, to which the sand was brought by the wind from the Sahara Desert.

The sand is distributed differently and every day you can see a hill in a place where only yesterday there was no trace of it. This place is unusual, but in my opinion, its choice depends on the season, since in winter, with fairly low air and water temperatures, the presence of wind makes a beach holiday here not comfortable, while Amadores beach, located in the southwest, is an ideal location. Amadores is a closed artificial bay of white sand, protected by mountains from the wind and breakwaters from the waves, offering a calm warm ocean in a comfortable temperature without wind. In my opinion, this is the ideal place for a beach holiday in the Canaries in winter.

When talking about Tenerife, one cannot help but mention the beaches of the island, since our compatriots love and know this particular island and want to know more about it. It is believed that it is located in the resort of Adeje.

I’ve been there, I’ve seen it, there’s something to compare it to on the island and beyond, so I’ll mark it as worthy, but I don’t consider it the best. In my opinion, the highlight is.

The island of Lanzarote has the famous beaches of Puntade Papagayo (Punta de Papagayo). Separated by volcanic rocks, coves with yellow and white sand and turquoise water are the highlight of the island. There is a separate bay for nudists and 5 more beaches stretching for kilometers where you can enjoy the beauty of pristine nature.

There are other beaches on other Canary Islands that are distinguished by their rare water color, landscape, legends created around them or other significant facts, but we won’t be able to discuss everything in one article, so I suggest moving on to the next question.

Canary Islands ocean what and when:

Among the large islands, two have much colder ocean water temperatures almost all year round than the others. These are the two eastern islands of the archipelago: Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. This is due to the cold currents off the coast of these marvelous islands. Therefore, you should not assume that you can choose any island for a beach holiday at any time of the year; you may be disappointed. Of course, in the summer, when the air temperature exceeds 30 degrees, the cool ocean invigorates and saves you from overheating, but in the windy and cool winter, most of the beaches are empty. Except that surfers surf the waves at any time of the year, and it is on these islands that the vast majority of them are found.

The cold waters of the ocean do not attract dangerous predators, so shark attacks do not occur here, just as there is not a wide variety of dangerous stingrays or sea urchins.

But just because the ocean water temperature in Lanzarote is cold doesn't mean you can't take a dip in the ocean. Residents of Lanzarote already in February go on a regularly running boat to the neighboring small island of La Graciosa and swim with great pleasure, since the water temperature there is higher.

On other islands of the archipelago, the ocean water temperature is higher, but it also depends greatly on the season and the resort. For example, in Tenerife, in the northern part of the island, in the oldest resort of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the water temperature barely reaches 19 degrees in winter, and in the south of the island at the same time many swim in the salty ocean at a temperature of about 23 degrees. The situation is similar in Gran Canaria, where in the north the ocean is cold, not criminal and cold,

and in the south in Puerto Rico and on Amadores Beach the water is full of people wanting to swim at the same 23 degrees.

Which Canary Islands are the warmest:

The warmest eternal rivals, the islands of the provincial capitals - Tenerife and Gran Canaria. But the concept of warm is very specific to the Canary Islands. I will explain why by giving a specific example.

The mountain peaks correspond to areas of the island where it is colder and rainier, clouds cling to the high mountains and settle there. This is more true for islands where the elevation differences are greater, such as the aforementioned Tenerife and Gran Canaria. On flatter islands without high peaks, the temperature is more or less uniform.

A large friendly family who had long dreamed of visiting the Canary Islands decided to do so for a long time and chose the sunny island of Gran Canaria for their two-week vacation. Well, the choice is excellent. But the vacation was not entirely a success... And the thing is that, in order to save money, the family decided to rent a country house in a place called Moya in the northern part of the island in the mountains. It is a pity that they did not take into account the peculiarity of the island due to the fact that in the mountain areas the air temperature is much lower than on the coast and the possibility of precipitation is much higher here. And so it happened, instead of the temperature of 23 degrees promised in numerous stories about the island’s resorts, they had to be content with 12 degrees. As a result, the savings came at a cost, as they say. We had to rent a large minivan for the whole family and make two-hour round trips every day to Amadores Beach, which is comfortable at this time of year. In order not to spoil your vacation and not be disappointed, you should carefully consider not only the choice of the island, but also the choice of the resort on it!

The greenest island of the Canary archipelago

The greenest island with the most vegetation is La Palma, the westernmost in its geographical location.

The most deserted island of the archipelago is Lanzarote. Vegetation on it in the form of green bush-like plantings appears after short rains and disappears within a week, leaving lava fields and lifeless plains.

The most popular island of the archipelago among residents of the Scandinavian countries is Gran Canaria. The tourism business of Gran Canaria, represented by guides and hotels, dreams of tourists from Russia, while the island of Tenerife, the most popular among Russians, dreams of tourists from Scandinavia and Europe. Therefore, if you want to be surrounded by compatriots and most services are provided in Russian, then you are better off going to Tenerife, and if communicating in English and German is not a problem for you, then why not go to Gran Canaria.

If you just can’t decide which island to choose, then don’t. I suggest that you do not stop at one, but if time permits, visit two islands during your vacation, or maybe choose new islands each time. I did exactly this and between 12/30/2014 and 01/09/2015 I managed to visit Lanzarote and Gran Canaria. I have described it in detail, and more than one article will be written about the extraordinary beauty of the islands.

Wishing you an exciting journey and bright emotions!!!

See you on the site and thank you for your comments)

The Canary Islands are rightly called the place of eternal spring, where there is never rain or bad weather. The mild climate, lush valleys, picturesque beaches and quaint cliffs have made the Canaries one of the most famous places on the planet, where everyone dreams of visiting.

Officially, the Canary Islands belong to Spain and are its autonomous province, but the local views and atmosphere in general have little in common with Europe. People come here for exotic things. The unique natural conditions of this place have no analogues. Magnificent beaches and beautiful landscapes, as well as accessibility (just a few hours of flight from Europe) and well-developed tourist infrastructure - all this makes the Canaries one of the most popular resorts, which has long earned worldwide recognition.

The Canary archipelago includes seven main islands and several smaller ones. Of course, each island is unique and interesting in its own way, but the most popular among vacationers are Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria. Gran Canaria and Tenerife have the best developed tourism and hotel infrastructure: there are the most luxurious hotels and plenty of opportunities for any kind of recreation and entertainment. Well, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote will be of interest to those travelers who prefer peace and solitude.

Climate and weather

The Canaries have a tropical trade wind climate, making the weather moderately hot and dry. Moreover, from the point of view of the level of humidity and precipitation, as well as the number of sunny days, the climate of the Canary Islands is considered almost ideal. Literally the whole year the weather here is dry, sunny, comfortable: in summer the air temperature is +24...26 °С, and in winter - + 18...20 °C. The water temperature is constant all year round and never drops below +19 °С, and on average stays within +20...+25 °С.

It is worth saying that while it is warm on the coast of the islands, it is always cool in the mountainous regions. Also, from time to time, the African sirocco wind reaches the Canaries, suffocating and dusty.

You can visit the Canary Islands all year round, but the peak beach season is from mid-July to October.

Nature

The Canary archipelago, which consists of 13 islands of volcanic origin, lies off the northwestern coast of Africa and is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The largest islands of the archipelago are Tenerife, Gomera, Palma, Hierro, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria And Lanzarote.

The nature and landscape of the islands are extremely diverse: tropical forests, volcanic plateaus, palm oases, green fields, beaches, vineyards, olive plantations, extinct and active volcanoes. The vegetation is dominated by evergreen trees and shrubs, as well as many species of cacti.

Attractions

The main attractions of the Canary Islands are, without a doubt, its natural treasures and magnificent beaches, which are simply impossible to list. However, there are also man-made objects here that deserve attention and admiration. For example, in the north-west of the island of Gran Canaria there is an ancient city Galdar. He's famous Cueva Pintada cave with wall paintings of Guanche tribes, remains of settlements of indigenous islanders and graves Necropolis de Galdar.

No less remarkable is the ancient fortress of the 16th century on Lanzarote island, which now houses a large archaeological museum. In addition, there is another fortress on Lanzarote - Castillo de San Jose, within the walls of which is located the Museum of Modern Art with a large collection of abstract paintings and sculptures. Also interesting objects are the pyramids in the Guimar desert on the island of Tenerife. Moreover, they were built according to all the principles of the buildings of Peru, Mexico and ancient Mesopotamia. Now on the territory where they are located there is an Ethnography Park with a museum Casa Chacona, gift shop, cinema and cafeteria.

It is also particularly popular among tourists Loro Park, which boasts a huge number of parrots, as well as an aquarium, a penguinarium and an Orchid House. Another interesting island park is Teide, attracting tourists with a rare sight - a huge crater of an extinct volcano.

If we talk about natural attractions, then the most beautiful La Palma island With volcano Caldera de Taburiente which is surrounded by high mountain peaks. You can't visit the Canaries and not see Giant's Cliffs, which are magnificent rock formations, mountains and with traces of archaeological excavations and hell's Gulch waterfall, and Dragon tree in, which is more than 1000 years old.

Nutrition

To try authentic Canarian cuisine, we recommend visiting establishments whose names include the word tipico. The local cuisine has much in common with Spanish traditions, so such treats as “paella” with seafood or chicken and “tortilla” made from potatoes are widespread here. In addition, Canarian chefs can boast of their own inventions. Firstly, these are fish and seafood dishes: "sardinas"(boiled fish), "sakonkho"(dried fish with garlic and sweet potatoes), "zarzuela"(fish soup), roast tuna, sole, octopus and squid meat, etc.

Meat dishes are no less popular in the Canaries. Among them, the most frequently offered "carne de fiesta" from marinated pork or goat meat, "conejo en salmorejo"(rabbit dish) and "puchero"(stew of beef, corn, pears and apples). Well, as a side dish - boiled potatoes (“papas arrugadas”).

Typical Canarian food is simply unthinkable without sauce "moyo" and gofio cereal flour, which is used as an independent dish and as an additive.

You can’t help but try local desserts - "bienmeabe"(cream made from egg yolk, cinnamon and almonds), flan pudding made from eggs and sugar, baked milk, palm honey, as well as all kinds of exotic fruits.

Among the alcoholic drinks, it is worth highlighting Canarian wine, honey rum, banana liqueur and local beer brands Dorada and Tropical.

Of course, in addition to national dishes, Canarian restaurants offer European cuisine for literally every taste and budget. There are also many fast food establishments ( McDonald's, Pizza Hut, KFC and etc.).

Accommodation

The Canary Islands are ready to offer their guests a wide range of accommodation options: from first-class hotels 5* to guest houses in rural areas. There are also many campsites, budget hotels, apartment hotels with kitchenettes, bungalows and hotels operating on the islands "all inclusive".

The main advantage of hotels in the Canary Islands is excellent service and a high standard in literally everything. Moreover, the vast majority of Canary hotels are four-star, which are excellent for a comfortable but not ruinous holiday. Well, luxury hotels 5* and can completely leave even the most sophisticated and capricious tourists speechless.

Entertainment and relaxation

The main source of prosperity of the Canary Islands is the tourism business, so the choice of all kinds of entertainment here is simply colossal. The main vacation spots on the islands are numerous beaches. Most of them are marked with the Blue Flag of the European Union, which indicates a high level of service and cleanliness. In addition, most beaches have breakwaters for safe swimming. In general, the islands have both developed beaches, wild ones, and even nudist ones. There are a lot of ways to have fun on the beaches: all kinds of water sports, fishing in the open ocean, windsurfing, yachting, sea excursions and parachute jumping. In addition, the Canary Islands are ready to offer jeep safari, karting, rock climbing, hiking along numerous tourist routes, cycling and horseback riding. Also here you can always play on the tennis courts, practice shooting at moving targets, visit the magnificent golf courses, and even watch cockfights.

The Canaries offer almost any leisure option: nightlife is in full swing here, and during the day entertainment venues and amusement parks are in full swing. The islands can also boast of their numerous restaurants, elite country clubs, zoos, sports facilities, gyms and health centers.

There are a lot of holidays, festivals and carnivals in the Canaries: they are celebrated here literally every week. First of all, these are religious holidays, which are celebrated here with special joy and unprecedented scope ( Epiphany, St. Joseph's Day, All Saints' Day, Good Friday in Holy Week, Corpus Christi, Immaculate Conception and etc.). In addition, each island holds its own original fiestas and festivals.

Purchases

Since the Canary Islands are a free economic zone, prices for many goods here are significantly lower than in Europe. High-quality imported alcohol, by general standards, is sold here practically for nothing, the choice of perfumes is large and pleases with reasonable price tags, and tobacco products, cameras, video cameras, radios, watches and jewelry are cheaper than in the countries of their production. Although it is worth noting that European brands of clothing and shoes are not represented here in a very wide variety, so it is better to pay attention to Spanish brands. You can also buy items made from crocodile skin at a good price on the islands. Standard souvenirs (toys, postcards, magnets) are sold almost everywhere and are very cheap. However, it is recommended to pay attention to more original things, for example, handicrafts (ceramics, embroidery, lace, wickerwork, etc.), local tobacco and souvenirs made from Canarian pine, as well as natural and artificial pearls.

In addition to the fact that prices in the Canaries are much cheaper than in Europe, seasonal sales (rebajas) are held here twice a year. They start in mid-July and at the end of the first week of January. Initially, discounts do not exceed 20-30%, but gradually increase and reach 90% by the end of sales. The biggest sales take place in Santa Cruz, where there are many shopping centers and galleries.

Most shops are open every day except Sunday from 9:00 to 20:00, large supermarkets and department stores are open from 10:00 to 21:00.

Transport

The Canary Islands have a large number of airports that provide international and domestic passenger transport. Among them, the most significant and largest are Gran Canaria Airport, Lanzarote Airport, Tenerife South Airport and Tenerife North Airport. In addition, the islands of the archipelago are connected by ferries that can transport cars. There are high-speed boats between the islands of La Gomera, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Tenerife. Internal communication on the territory of all islands is carried out through highways.

City public transport is represented by a wide network of TITSA bus routes. Bus fares are low. As a rule, the trip is paid to the driver at the entrance to the front door.

In addition, on the islands you can always use taxi services, which operate on a meter. It is worth keeping in mind that local taxi drivers rarely speak any foreign language, but they know the names of all hotels, restaurants, commercial centers, etc. very well.

Also in the Canaries you can always rent a car of any brand. Moreover, there are often preferential rates (for three days or more). To use car rental services, you must present a document confirming your identity and age of at least 21 years, as well as international rights and security deposit. Several companies on the islands offer bicycles, scooters, mopeds and motorcycles for rent.

Connection

For international calls, the most economical option is the blue-green Telefonica payphones, which are installed on the streets of all cities. They work from any small denomination coins, and the minimum amount for a call to Moscow is $0.5. By the way, from some local payphones you can not only make calls, but also send SMS or email messages. In addition, you can call from phones that are available in almost all bars, from call centers of travel agencies and from a hotel room. In the latter case, an international conversation will cost an order of magnitude more.

Cellular communications on the islands are of excellent quality and uniform coverage. Roaming is available to all subscribers of major operators. It is possible to purchase a local SIM card or rent a phone.

24-hour Internet access is provided in almost all hotels, however, it is not cheap ($6-8 per hour). It will be much more economical to go to an Internet cafe or slot machine hall, where cheap access to the Internet is provided. Many public places have wireless Wi-Fi hotspots.

Safety

There are unlikely to be any dangers awaiting you in the Canary Islands. Tourists here walk absolutely calmly in any place and at any time of the day. Of course, no one has canceled the basic precautions: you need to take care of the safety of your wallet, do not leave things unattended, and store large sums of money and documents in the hotel safe (you can only have a copy of your passport and visa with you). It is also worth keeping in mind that on the streets of most cities you can often find sellers of so-called free lottery tickets. They are completely harmless, but extremely intrusive. To avoid becoming a target of fraud, it is recommended to simply ignore them.

There are no mandatory vaccinations required for a trip to the Canary Islands, and the likelihood of getting any infection is extremely low.

Business climate

In the Canary Islands, tourism is the basis of economic and business life. More than 3 million tourists come to the island of Tenerife alone every year. Rapid economic growth here began at the end of the twentieth century and is associated with large foreign investments in the tourism and hotel industries.

The most important industries here are oil refining, chemicals and food. Also, as a duty-free zone, the islands have important trade importance and are a major international transit base in the Atlantic Ocean. In addition, some of the Canary Islands' income comes from industry and agricultural exports.

Real estate

The main advantage of real estate in the Canaries is its high rental potential, which is explained by the year-round attendance of the resort. In addition, the islands' real estate market was not too affected by the crisis.

The most popular property is on Tenerife, the largest and most populous island, which is the easiest to reach from Europe. Most often, apartments are offered here in residential areas, as well as small bungalows in secluded areas near the ocean. On any island there is the opportunity to buy a villa, both luxurious and more modest.

The procedure for purchasing real estate in the Canary Islands is carried out in accordance with Spanish legislation, registration is notarized.

According to customs rules, citizens of countries that are not members of the European Union are allowed to import no more than 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, 2 liters of wine and 1 liter of alcoholic beverage with a strength of more than 22° to the Canary Islands. The import of drugs, weapons and certain medicines is prohibited. The export of jewelry, historical valuables and antiques is permitted only upon presentation of a special permit. The import of foreign currency is not limited in any way (if the amount exceeds 500 euros, a declaration will be required). The export of previously imported foreign currency is permitted upon declaration.

Visa information

The Canary Islands belong to Spain, therefore, to enter their territory from a country outside the European Union, a Schengen visa is required. In Moscow, it can be issued at the Spanish Embassy (Bol. Nikitskaya St., 50/8) or the Consular Section (Stremyanny Lane, 31/1), in St. Petersburg - at the Consulate General (Furshtatskaya St., 9).

It is necessary to take into account that when departing from Spain, a mark on leaving the country is often not placed in the passport. In this regard, you must always save your air tickets, as they will be required when you subsequently apply for a visa to a country included in the Schengen zone.

The Canary Islands consist of 20 islands of volcanic origin. The largest of them, Tenerife, is famous throughout the world for its beaches, hotels and nature; it is adjacent to 6 more fairly large islands. But the remaining 13 islands are too small and therefore they are still uninhabited. The total area of ​​the islands is just under 7.5 thousand sq. km.

Tourists from different countries fly to the Canary Islands to enjoy surfing, diving and mountaineering. Beautiful nature and inviting waves await everyone.

The Canary Islands' closest neighbors by sea are Morocco and Western Sahara in Africa, Cape Verde to the southwest and the Portuguese island of Madeira to the north.

The smallest island in the Canaries, Montaña Clara, covers an area of ​​only 1 square km.

Geographically, the Canary Islands archipelago is located in the Macaronesia group of islands along with the Azores and Cape Verde Islands, Madeira and Selvagenes. The Canary Islands are located off the northwestern coast of Africa. Because of this position of the islands, the wind from the Sahara Desert, the Sirocco, often blows on them, bringing with it heat and sand. But cool air currents blowing from the northeast soften the effect of the desert winds.

On the island of Yero in the Canary archipelago, the smallest hotel in the world, called Punta Grande, has opened, although it is difficult to stay in it - rooms are booked several months in advance.

History of the conquest of the islands

There are hypotheses that the Canary Islands are part of the sunken Atlantis. Therefore, confirmation of the existence of the island is constantly being sought on the islands. Scientists are interested in still unsolved ritual structures on the islands of Tenerife and Guimar.

The Canary archipelago is a treasure trove of picturesque nature and interesting sights. Traveling through its islands is always an exciting adventure, in which maps invariably help tourists. They simplify the “life” of guests of the islands, contribute to an eventful and productive pastime, and also significantly reduce the search for certain objects. In this section, we have tried to collect the most useful and informative diagrams, plans, routes and maps, thanks to which you will find out what is located near your hotel, how to get to this or that part of the island, what reminders are worth looking at in between taking sea baths and much more other.

Geographically, the Canary Islands are located near the northeastern part of Africa (Morocco and Western Sahara) at the latitude of the Tropic of Cancer, 1200 km southwest of mainland Spain and 400 km south of the Portuguese island. Madeira. For a more detailed representation of the location of the archipelago, we suggest you take a look at the map.

The Canaries are a group of 7 islands washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. See the order of their location relative to each other on the map we offer below.

Maps of Tenerife

The largest and highest of all the islands is Tenerife, adjacent to La Gomera to the west and Lanzarote to the east.

Its area is 2057 square meters. km, the central part is occupied by a volcano, which is clearly highlighted on this topographic map.

There is a bus network running along the perimeter of the island, connecting cities and towns. On this map you can see their movement patterns and the actual schedule.

Next, we bring to your attention two colorful tourist maps of Tenerife, illustrating the main attractions and demonstrating their territorial affiliation.

Below we post detailed maps of such popular resorts and cities of the island as Santa Cruz de Tenerife,

Las Americas,

Los Cristianos

Costa Adeje
,

Puerto de la Cruz,

Los Gigantes,

El Medano,

.

as well as the Costa del Silencio

Maps of Fuertoventura

Fuertoventura has a large meridional elongation and is considered the second largest island after Tenerife. It is shaped like a chicken leg. This map shows beaches, bays, road forks and all the infrastructure.

Map of the Oasis Park in Fuertoventura

Maps of Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria has an honorable third place in terms of territory. This map shows all the cities, villages, natural and historical monuments.

Below see detailed diagrams of Maspalomas.

Maps of Lanzarote

Lanzarote occupies the easternmost position in the archipelago. We hope that maps of this island will provide significant assistance in its exploration.

La Palma Map

La Palma is a tiny island of volcanic origin. Its map shows places of roads, harbors, beaches, hospitals, government. institutions, noteworthy places.

La Gomera

One day is enough to visit this island. But the card, despite its modest size, will still not be superfluous.

El Hierro Map

El Hierro is the smallest island of the Canary archipelago - only 80.66 km².


Have a nice trip!