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A Tourist's Guide To The Canary Islands

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Written by Katy Bivens

Monday, 07 April 2008

by KatyBivens

Situated in the Atlantic Ocean about 100 miles from the coast of Africa, the Canary Islands enjoy a climate that is reported to be the best in the world. Average temperatures vary little during the 12 months of the year, peaking at around 27 degrees in the summer and falling to a low of 21 degrees in the winter.

The islands are the most popular winter holiday destination in Europe and attract self catering holidaymakers throughout the year. Although the Canary Islands are a part of Spain, English is widely spoken and tourism is the largest industry.

The coastal areas of all the islands are well developed with hotels, apartment blocks and villas. Many of the apartments and villas were purchased by absentee owners who spend only part of the year in their properties. Most are rented during the remainder of the year on a self catering basis, a profitable business as holiday accommodation is in demand all year because of the agreeable climate.

Tenerife is the largest of the islands. Triangular in shape with a dormant volcano, Mount Teide, in the middle of the island, Tenerife is the most popular winter holiday destination in Europe with most visitors coming from the UK. Tourism is concentrated in the south of the island which is hotter and drier. The north is more lush and cooler. Mountains separate the two different mini-climates.

The largest population live on the island of Gran Canaria which is also home to Las Palmas, a shopper's paradise. Like Tenerife, Gran Canaria is also split into two distinct halves with mountains separating the north from the south of the island. here too, the south is drier and warmer than the lush green of the north.

Again, like Tenerife, tourists flock to the south of the island which is home to the well known beaches of El Ingles, Maspolmas, and Casa de los Coroneles. If you visit Gran Canaria you should take trips to the picturesque fishing villages of Puerto de Morgan, Pasito Blanco and Puerto Rico.

The volcanic origins of the Canary Islands are most noticeable in Lanzarote which has a dark, almost black landscape. The beaches are famous for their fine sand. Anyone visiting Lanzarote should visit the National Park of Timanfaya which boasts fantastic scenery.

The island of Fuerteventura boasts the longest beaches in the Canaries. Best is the 4 mile stretch running between Pajara and Jandia which is home to uninterrupted golden sands and a spectacular underwater world which attracts divers from all over the world.

The three other islands in the Canaries group are less popular with tourists and there are few hotels or self catering apartments or villas available. They are, however, worth a visit if only for the day. The island of La Gomera is connected to Tenerife by ferry and is home to large banana plantations. It has small, sandy bays. La Palma, also known as Green Island because of its lush vegetation and forests, has a wild landscape, huge waterfalls and tall pine trees. El Hierro is the smallest of the islands and is popular with divers.

The popularity of the Canary Islands results from a climate that is close to perfection, and varied and spectacular scenery. Tenerife and Gran Canaria take this variation to an extreme with the north and south of each island experiencing different local climates and vegetation. Visitors to these islands return time after time, as each experience is a different one.

About the Author:

Self catering apartments and villas in the Canary Islands are the favourite holiday destination for Europeans. Tenerife, Gran Canaria Lanzarote and Fuerteventura all offer a wide choice of holiday accommodation, excellent weather all year, and fascinating scenery.