The Canary Islands are part of Spain, yet the most easterly island lies barely 79 miles from the coast of West Africa. They were inhabited by a mysterious race whose origins are still hotly debated and were conquered by Spanish invaders 500 years ago. Their main towns were built and settled by a mix of Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Flemish and British merchants and yet the influence most prevalent in the culture is unmistakably South American.
In tourism terms, the Canary Islands are know as the place to find almost guaranteed sunshine and warm weather at any time of the year. Subsequently they became very popular during the mass tourism boom in the early 1970s and their appeal amongst northern Europeans has never faded. Tenerife is predicted to be the second most favourite holiday destination amongst British holidaymakers in 2010.
However, the mass tourist destination tag doesn’t give an accurate picture of what these islands are really like. For anyone trying to decide which of the Canary Islands are most suited to their preferences, it is essential to know what each actually offers.
Tenerife is Home to Mount Teide
The largest Canary Island plays host to the most visitors, almost 4 million annually. Most stay within a small geographical area in purpose built resorts in the south of the island. For anyone looking for sun, beaches, restaurants and night life, these areas offer an ideal holiday destination, but they don’t represent the character of the rest of Tenerife where there are historic towns, colourful fiestas, stunning areas for walking and the jewel in the archipelago’s crown, Spain’s highest mountain, Mount Teide.
Top spot to visit: Mount Teide volcano and crater – an out of this world experience which for once isn’t over hyped.
Windsurfing on Fuerteventura
The second largest Canary Island is quite sparsely populated due to its arid landscape and dry climate, but it does have some of the best beaches of the archipelago and as the name suggests, more than its fair share of wind which makes it a surfer’s and sun seeker’s paradise.
Top spot to visit: The seven miles of beach at Corralejo…for anyone who’s a windsurfer.
The Sand Dunes at Maspalomas on Gran Canaria
The third largest of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria suffers from the same image as Tenerife. Most visitors know it for sunshine and beaches, but much less for its sophisticated capital city of Las Palmas, rugged interior and lush northern side with its picturesque villages. In many ways, it is like a slightly smaller version of Tenerife, albeit one that doesn’t have a huge volcano dominating its skyline.
Top Spot to Visit: The rolling, golden sand dunes at Maspalomas look as though the Sahara has been relocated to Gran Canaria.
Timanfaya Natinonal Park on Lanzarote
The fourth largest of the islands lacks the beauty and diversity of the western islands, but its landscape is fascinating in its own right from the geysers and volcanic plains of Timanfaya National Park to the strange vineyards in the black volcanic soil. Some tourist resorts have a certain lack of charm, something which earned the island the nickname of ‘Lanza-grotty’ from unimpressed British visitors.
Top Spot to Visit: The Jameos del Agua are emerald lakes formed in a volcanic tube whose natural beauty have been given an exquisite finishing touch by famous Lanzarote artist, César Manrique.
La Palma: The Beautiful Island
Appropriately known as La Isla Bonita (the beautiful island), the fifth largest island is the perfect island for visitors wanting to experience a bustling Canary Island untouched by mass tourism. It has a stronger historic heritage than most of the other islands save for Tenerife and Gran Canaria, its capital is charming and has wonderful colonial architecture and its countryside delightful; softer than the other western islands and more lush than the eastern islands.
Top Spot to Visit: Punta de Fuencaliente, below the scene of the last volcanic eruption at Teneguia in 1971, has a coastline younger than most of the people who stand on it.
Garajonay National Park on La Gomera
The second smallest Canary Island has a reputation as an unspoilt walker’s paradise. It does have beautiful walking country but to experience it, it’s better to stay in the more charming towns in the interior of the island. The get away from it all feel does come with a certain lack of sophistication in some towns.
Top Spot to Visit: Garajonay National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and walking trails lead through the ancient laurisilva rain forest.
The El Sabinal Forest on El Hierro
The most westerly and smallest of the Canary Islands is a real ‘far from the madding crowd’ destination. With a population of only 10,000 people there’s plenty of space to find a spot to relax and do not a lot else; although the clear waters around the island are a diver’s nirvana. The island also claims to have the smallest hotel in the world.
Top Spot to Visit: Take a trip to La Dehesa and seek out El Hierro’s bizarre looking twisted trees in the El Sabinal forest.
Jack Montgomery - Feature writer, guidebook author, copywriter, blogger and photographer specialising in the Canary Island of Tenerife.
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