Where are the Canary Islands in which country? Which country does the Canary Islands belong to? Canary Islands: attractions, weather, tourist reviews. Family holidays at the zoo and dolphinarium

Canary Islands practically invisible on the world map, but popular as a tourism destination. Few people know that the archipelago was formed on the site of volcanoes active on the seabed.

The Canary Islands on the world map resemble a rainbow in their shape; they are visible off the African coast in the Atlantic Ocean, at the same latitude as the Kingdom of Morocco. Despite their proximity to Africa, they belong to Spain. Their total length is about 500 km. 7 large inhabited islands: Tenerife, La Gomera, El Hierro, La Palma, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.

The islands also include 6 small ones. The main population is concentrated in Tenerife and Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote was discovered 20 million years ago.

Climate on the islands. Weather by month, water and air temperature

The Canary Islands are located on the world map in such a way that their climate remains virtually unchanged all year round. The close location of Africa and the influence of the Sahara Desert are neutralized by trade winds.

Another feature of the weather is the absence of prolonged rains and sub-zero temperatures. A tourist going on a trip must take into account the weather conditions depending on the month and location of the resort.

Month	Island	average temperature air (day/night)	Average water temperature	Peculiarities
January	Fuerteventura	20°С/13°С	19°C	Possibly around 6 rainy days per month.
	Gran Canaria	21°С/15°С	19°C
	Lanzarote	19°С/13°С	19°C
	La Palma	19°С/13°С	20°C
	Tenerife	19°С/13°С	20°C
February	Fuerteventura	20°С/14°С	18°C	Daylight hours increase, amounting to 11 hours.
	Gran Canaria	21°С/15°С	19°C
	Lanzarote	19°С/13°С	18°C
	La Palma	19°С/13°С	19°C
	Tenerife	20°С/14°С	19°C
March	Fuerteventura	21°С/14°С	18°C	In the first month of spring, warming and preparation for the summer season are planned, no rainy days are expected, daylight hours are 12 hours.
	Gran Canaria	22°С/15°С	19°C
	Lanzarote	21°С/14°С	18°C
	La Palma	20°С/14°С	19°C
	Tenerife	21°С/15°С	19°C
April	Fuerteventura	22°С/15°С	18°C	Comfortable air temperature attracts those who do not like heat. Airlines offer discounts on tickets to attract tourists. Daylight hours increase to 13 hours.
	Gran Canaria	23°С/16°С	19°C
	Lanzarote	20°С/13°С	18°C
	La Palma	21°С/14°С	19°C
	Tenerife	22°С/15°С	19°C
May	Fuerteventura	23°С/16°С	19°C	Daylight hours are 14 hours. Due to the holidays, there is a large influx of Russian tourists.
	Gran Canaria	24°С/17°С	19°C
	Lanzarote	24°С/17°С	20°C
	La Palma	22°С/15°С	20°C
	Tenerife	24°С/16°С	20°C
June	Fuerteventura	25°C/18°C	20°C	Daylight hours last 14 hours, last month before the peak tourist season.
	Gran Canaria	26°С/18°С	21°C
	Lanzarote	25°C/18°C	20°C
	La Palma	24°С/17°С	21°C
	Tenerife	26°С/18°С	21°C
July	Fuerteventura	27°С/19°С	21°C	The largest influx of tourists occurs in July. It is worth taking care of purchasing a tour in advance. Daylight hours are 14 hours.
	Gran Canaria	27°С/19°С	22°С
	Lanzarote	27°С/19°С	21°C
	La Palma	26°С/19°С	22°С
	Tenerife	28°С/20°С	22°С
August	Fuerteventura	27°С/19°С	22°С	Daylight hours are reduced to 13 hours. The season is in full swing, the number of tourists is not decreasing.
	Gran Canaria	28°С/19°С	23°C
	Lanzarote	28°С/19°С	22°С
	La Palma	28°С/20°С	23°C
	Tenerife	29°С/21°С	23°C
September	Fuerteventura	28°С/19°С	22°С	Due to the start of the school year, the flow of visitors is noticeably decreasing. It is light, as in August, 13 o'clock.
	Gran Canaria	27°С/20°С	23°C
	Lanzarote	26°С/19°С	22°С
	La Palma	26°С/20°С	24°С
	Tenerife	28°С/21°С	23°C
October	Fuerteventura	26°С/18°С	22°С	The weather is still warm and comfortable for a beach holiday. Daylight hours last 11 hours.
	Gran Canaria	27°С/19°С	23°C
	Lanzarote	26°С/18°С	22°С
	La Palma	25°C/18°C	23°C
	Tenerife	26°С/19°С	23°C
November	Fuerteventura	23°С/17°С	21°C	Temperatures are dropping, but beach holidays are still possible.
	Gran Canaria	24°С/18°С	22°С
	Lanzarote	22°С/17°С	21°C
	La Palma	22°С/16°С	21°C
	Tenerife	23°С/17°С	22°С
December	Fuerteventura	21°С/14°С	20°C	The tops of the mountains are decorated with fallen snow, creating a beautiful view for those swimming in the warm ocean. Daylight hours - 10 hours.
	Gran Canaria	22°С/16°С	20°C
	Lanzarote	20°С/14°С	20°C
	La Palma	20°С/14°С	21°C
	Tenerife	21°С/15°С	20°C

Resorts of the Canary Islands

Each of 7 popular resorts The islands are different and have a number of features. Each of them meets certain requirements and expectations. For example, the southern part of the island of Tenerife is suitable for companies with children - a comfortable climate, long beaches.

But the resort of Playa de Las Americas is known for its noisy, long parties, which will interfere with sleep at night. An excellent alternative would be the resorts of the island of Gran Canaria with developed children's infrastructure. Fans of luxury hotels and luxury holidays will love the resorts of Lanzarote.

Tenerife has many European shopping centers where you can find exclusive items at affordable prices. Newlyweds or just romantics should also choose Tenerife resorts, where many hotels are aimed at organizing a comfortable holiday for couples.

Wild landscapes and unity with nature on the island of Fuerteventura. Supporters of eco-tours are recommended to visit Gran Canaria, whose nature delights with beaches, ravines, forests and marine species.

Tenerife. Description, advantages

The Canary Islands on the world map are located in the Atlantic Ocean, and the largest and most popular island of Tenerife is located in the center of the archipelago. Its highest part, the Teide volcano, is visible to those passing by water transport.

The flora of the island will not leave the most demanding tourists indifferent - a combination of plants characteristic of different climatic zones, as well as the presence of species that are found only on the island. Depending on the height of the site, the division into zones is clearly visible - gorges, mountain forests, wide fields and endless beaches.

The symbol of Tenerife is the Dragon Tree, which is found in other parts of the world only petrified, feels excellent in the climatic conditions of the island. Animal world is not particularly diverse, but the absence of poisonous snakes and insects makes the stay safe.

Depending on your expectations from your vacation, you should choose the northern or southern part of the island. In the first case, tourists are immersed in an atmosphere of calm and unity with nature. Wild beaches, the absence of a large influx of vacationers and noisy parties is an excellent option for those who are tired of the bustle of the city. Going to the South, you have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a series of boundless fun.

Developed infrastructure, equipped beaches, a large selection of hotels, animation, discos and bars will delight guests of the archipelago. The main influx of tourists is from July to mid-September. Despite the dynamic life in this part of the island, holidays with children are possible; many hotels have mini clubs. The choice of city is also determined by the purpose of your stay.

Big cities in Tenerife:

Cost of tours in Tenerife

Of course, the cost of the tour depends on the number of days of stay, time of year, level of hotel and incoming services. When considering travel options to Tenerife, you should take all these factors into account. Do not forget that residents Russian Federation To enter the country you will need a visa, which you need to think about in advance.

To travel to the Canary Islands, Russian citizens need to have a visa.

During the peak tourist season in the summer, prices start at 89 thousand rubles. based on double occupancy, 6 nights stay and two meals a day.

The upper limit of the amount can reach 500 thousand rubles. for two. In the fall, the cheapest ticket can be purchased for 61 thousand rubles. for two, with a trip duration of 7 nights and without meals.

IN winter time the price of tours does not change much. The minimum price for a trip for two people will cost 70 thousand rubles. for 7 nights and no meals included. By spring, the lower cost limit rises slightly and becomes 80 thousand rubles. based on double occupancy and a vacation duration of 7 nights.

Hotels and beaches in the resort

The most popular destinations beach holidays - Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje. A developed entertainment infrastructure, the presence of shopping centers, cafes and bars make these areas attractive to many. All beaches belong to the state, entry to them is free, but for a sun lounger and umbrella it will cost about 8 euros per day.

There is practically no direct access from hotels to the beach; more luxurious hotels organize transportation for tourists. The range of hotels ranges from the simplest to the most luxurious.

One of budget options – Hotel Mediterranean Palace 5*:

Location: Playa de las Americas.
Distance to the sandy beach – 10 m.
Meals - buffet.
2 adult pools and 1 children's pool.
4 mini clubs and animation for children.

The Best Semiramis 5* hotel offers a higher price:

Located in Puerto de la Cruz.
Founded in 1971, restored in 2005.
Meals – breakfast/half board/full board.
There are 2 adult swimming pools on site.
Mini-club, babysitting services in summer.

The place for have a relaxing holiday among tropical gardens – hotel Bitacora 4*:

Location: Playa de las Americas.
Built in 1985, restored in 2014.
Meals - buffet.
2 adult pools.
Mini-club "Spring World".
Recommended for business meetings and conferences.

A luxury hotel consisting of several detached bungalows right on the ocean - Regency Country Club 5*:

City of Los Cristianos.
1 large swimming pool for adults and 1 for children.
The main restaurant offers buffet meals.

Grand Canaria

Grand Canaria is the second most popular and third largest among all the islands of the archipelago. Possibility of a beach holiday whole year makes the resort attractive to tourists from all over the world. The absence of sweltering heat and the predominance of a dry climate ensures a comfortable stay. Interesting feature area is change of climatic zones - from snow-capped mountains to beaches.

The capital of Grand Canaria is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which is not so popular among tourists, but is better known as the administrative and business center. The most visited resort in Grand Canaria is Maspalomas. In addition to developed beaches and hotels for every taste, it is famous for educational institutions, golf courses, casinos, and a variety of catering establishments.

Families are encouraged to visit Puerto Rico. A special feature of the resort is water activities - diving, windsurfing, yachting and boat rides. For romantics whose soul requires solitude and tranquility, Puerto de Mogán is suitable. This quiet corner will delight you with mountain landscapes, a picturesque promenade and uncrowded beaches.

Cost of tours to Grand Canaria

Prices for resorts in Grand Canaria cannot be called cheap. High-level service, availability of entertainment for every taste, unique climate and natural attractions determine the cost of tours.

During the winter after New Year's holidays the cost of tours will vary from 140 thousand rubles. for two persons with all-inclusive meals and a trip duration of 7 nights.

In the spring, the minimum price limit is slightly reduced to 125 thousand rubles. under the same conditions. In summer, at the height of the season, those wishing to visit the island will have to pay an amount of 150 thousand rubles. for two. In autumn, the price will drop slightly to 130 thousand rubles.

Hotels and beaches in the resort

The popularity of the resorts on the island of Grand Canaria is due to the picturesque beaches. The sands there are multi-colored - from white to dark. The entire coastline is dotted with cafes and restaurants offering a large selection local cuisine and seafood. The beaches are located tourist centers, offering a wide range of services, ranging from massage to water activities.

All beaches are public, so you only have to pay for a sunbed and an umbrella. The range of hotels ranges from the simplest to the chic and fashionable. The best options in terms of price-quality ratio are presented below.

Budget option, but with a decent level of service Bull Reina Isabel&Spa 4*:

Located in the capital Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
1 swimming pool on site.
Type of food - buffet.
Gym.

The Maritim Playa 3* hotel complex is suitable for tourists with an average budget:

Location: Playa del Inglés.
Possibility to cook yourself, rooms are equipped with a kitchen.
Large swimming pool for all guests.
Gym, fitness, tennis court and golf course.

The luxurious five-star hotel with a large number of rooms Seaside Palm Beach will delight large territory and high level of service:

Located in Maspalomas.
Availability of a swimming pool, gym, and golf course.
They only offer breakfast.

Lanzarote

The fourth largest island of the Archipelago is famous for the fact that it is home to about 300 volcanoes. In the 18th century, 30 volcanoes erupted at once, and therefore most of The island is still covered in ash. For impressions of a non-standard landscape, head to Lanzarote.

The uniqueness of the island-reserve is determined by its unique flora, combination of volcanic formations and modern cities. It would seem that the plants emerge straight from the rocky, dried soil. Cinematography uses unusual terrain in films about unearthly civilizations and abandoned planets.

The climate in Lanzarote is different from neighboring areas, it is drier and cooler due to the lack of plants.

Periodically, a hot wind from the Sahara Desert from the African coast brings real heat to the island and the air temperature warms up above 30°C.

The sights of Lanzarote are closely related to volcanic origin. One of them is a lava field, from which heat emanates noticeably. It's interesting too architectural structure like the Castillo de San José, built to protect the entrance to the island.

Hotels and beaches in the resort

Papagayo Bay, located in the southern part of the island, is known for its pristine white sand beaches. Getting to it is not so easy, thanks to which the coast has retained the appearance of untouched and wild. Surfing fans are recommended to visit the beaches of the resorts of Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise - waves and clear ocean will be provided.

Families with children have the opportunity to relax on the well-maintained beaches of the Playa Blanca resort. As in other places, the beaches in Lanzarote belong to the State, so entry is free for everyone. There is a hotel for every request, according to the preferred type of vacation and the amount of money budgeted for the vacation.

One of the budget options is the Apartamentos Rosamar The Home Collection 2* hotel. Guests can enjoy simple but clean rooms, a communal swimming pool and sunbathing on the terrace. Those who wish can also take a massage complex. Hesperia Lanzarote Playa Dorada 4* belongs to the category of hotels with a higher price tag.

Impeccable service, a large area, a fitness center, as well as close proximity to the embankment for walking, raise the hotel to the top of the rating among tourists' choice. Luxurious Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort 5* offers its visitors 6 swimming pools, a thalassotherapy center and 8 restaurants. All rooms have ocean views and are quiet and comfortable.

Cost of tours in Lanzarote

Prices for tourist packages with a standard set of services cannot be called high, especially in comparison with more popular places the same country. In winter, tourists will be able to relax from 80 thousand rubles. for two people for 8 nights. In this case, only breakfast will be included, which opens up the opportunity for guests to visit numerous restaurants on the island.

In the spring, prices for tours can be found from 90 thousand rubles. for two persons. Summer tours more expensive, their cost is determined by high demand. The most cheap offer starts from 105 thousand rubles. based on double occupancy for 8 nights. In autumn, the number of tourists decreases, and therefore there is a tendency for prices to change. You can purchase a tour during this period starting from 85 thousand rubles.

Fuerteventura

The second largest island in the Canary archipelago is closest to the African mainland than the others; they are separated by only 100 km. Fuerteventura – quiet place, which has not yet fully come under the influence of tourism. The lack of water parks and other usual attributes for entertaining visiting guests attracts those who are tired of a standard beach holiday.

Opportunities for active beach holidays - diving, surfing, boat trips.

The land area in question is filled with rare representatives of the animal and plant world, the remains of volcanic rocks, caves and gorges. The presence of natural reserves makes Fuerteventura a center for eco-tourism. Each city and resort on the island is unique in its own way.

Basic settlements:

Puerto del Rosario– the center of Fuerteventura with many museums and a sculpture park under open air;
Betancuria – small town with ancient architecture and colorful atmosphere;
Corralejo– the second most popular resort, thanks to its 10-kilometer the beach, attracts young people from all over the world;
Jandia– a high level of service, nudist beaches, and remoteness from the outside world have made the resort the most populated point of tourists on the island.

Hotels and beaches in the resort

Famous beaches Fuerteventura is considered the best in the entire Atlantic Ocean. Many of them have retained their original appearance and have practically not come under human influence. Length beach line reaches tens of kilometers. Beloved by surfers from all over the world, Sotavento Beach, located in Jandia, hosts athletes every year to participate in the championship.

Based on reviews from tourists, the TOP 5 most comfortable hotels, with a good level of service and convenient location, have been compiled:

Cost of tours to Fuerteventura

The resorts of Fuerteventura can be classified as high-class holidays, with an appropriate level of service and quality of services provided. In this regard, prices cannot be called low. In January prices tourist trips start from 103 thousand rubles. for two people without meals and a stay of 7 nights.

You can have a cheaper holiday in April - subject to the same conditions, the price drops to 82 thousand rubles. At the peak of the season in July, the price is lower than in winter - from 95 thousand rubles. October is greeted with a decrease in prices - from 80 thousand rubles. for double occupancy.

La Palma

La Palma is the greenest island of the archipelago; the telling name indicates the presence of many types of palm trees. There are several national parks, and the volcanic past does not let you forget about itself - rocky terrain, winding roads and the volcanic caldera, overgrown with sparse forest.

Travelers come here to enjoy the beauty of nature, walks in the fresh air and a relaxing pastime.

The capital, Santa Cruz de La Palma, is rich in interesting objects. In the past, the port city is full of museums, historical buildings and churches - there are plenty of places to walk.

The main resorts of La Palma:

Charco Azul;
La Fajana;
Santa Cruz;
Los Concajos.

Hotels and beaches in the resort

A special feature of the island are its black sand beaches. The development of large coastal recreational areas is hampered by rocky terrain, but there are some that are worth visiting. Each beach of La Palma has its own focus.

For example, Playa Nueva is suitable for surfing, Las Monas is considered nudist, and Los Cancayos is the best place for snorkeling due to its clear water. Every traveler will be able to choose a hotel to their liking on La Palma.

The most comfortable and famous hotels on the island:

Cost of tours to La Palma

The desire to enjoy lush green plants against rocky landscapes, black sand beaches and clear oceans can be enjoyed for relatively little money. Those fleeing the cold January winter to a warm place will have to pay from 90 thousand rubles. for an 8-day tour for two. In the spring, namely in April, the cost will increase slightly to 96 thousand rubles. subject to the same conditions.

At the height of a beach holiday in the summer, you can fly to La Palma for a price starting from 120 thousand rubles. In the fall, when the bulk of tourists have gone home, there is an opportunity to enjoy a quiet, uncrowded vacation for a minimum price of 94 thousand rubles. for two persons.

La Gomera

La Gomera is the second smallest island in the archipelago. This small area sushi is located in close proximity to Tenerife, so tourists who stay there often visit La Gomera for fun. Being on the island, there is a feeling of unity with nature; it seems untouched by man and pristine.

In the heart of La Gomera is national park, entry into which is prohibited on mechanical vehicles, are only allowed walking. After driving along serpentines, walking through parks rich in natural exhibits, admiring the architecture of a small coastal town, it’s time to go to the black beaches.

The natural charm is felt here too - bays, rocky surroundings, clear ocean water. Coming to La Gomera means getting the opportunity to be alone with yourself or with a loved one, to think about the main thing.

Hotels and beaches in the resort

La Gomera has about 20 developed beaches, as well as an unknown number of wild ones. Despite the slow pace of life on the island, you can also find entertainment on the coast. The beaches of La Cueva and San Marcos are ideal for water sports.

Devotees of sunbathing without any clothing will love Argaga. Families with children will go to Vallermoso, where all conditions have been created for their comfortable stay. Based on the reviews of travelers left on the popular tourist portal, a list of accommodation places with the highest ratings has been compiled.

It is as follows:

Cost of tours to La Gomera

La Gomera is often visited by tourists staying in Tenerife. Tour operators offer vacationers to purchase one day excursion on small island, which can be reached by ferry. A walk through the park, the ancient city, famous places, as well as the opportunity to taste national cuisine– components of the excursion.

The cost of such a tour is from 40 Euros per child and from 78 Euros per adult. For those wishing to spend their entire holiday in La Gomera, there are also direct tourist packages, the price of which varies depending on the season (the price is for two people for an 8-day stay).

For example:

Winter – from 87 thousand rubles.
Spring – from 94 thousand rubles.
Summer - from 102 thousand rubles.
Autumn – from 97 thousand rubles.

El Hierro

On the world map it is the smallest among the Canary Islands, and before the discovery of America it was considered the most extreme point world, the prime meridian passed right there. Despite its small size, El Hierro is a favorite destination for tourists who prefer a beach holiday combined with walks along the historical places.

The atmosphere of the traditional Canary Islands is created by stylistic buildings, narrow streets, and plants that can only be found in this part of the world.

The capital Valverde is decorated with numerous green spaces that give the city its individuality. One of the most famous places– Hotel Pointa Grande. This popular place was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the smallest tourist accommodation in the world.

La Dehesa Forest is another place to visit, home to the rare Sabina tree, the trunk of which looks like a tangle of branches. The island is also known for other historical sights, which you should see with your own eyes.

Hotels and beaches in the resort

Fans of scuba diving and spending time on the beaches appreciate El Hierro for its beauty and originality. Families or simply romantic types choose Pozo de la Calcocas beach because of its distance from noisy places, clean shores and clear water. And the bungalows made of black stones give the place a special touch.

Another popular beach, Playa de Verodal, covered with golden sand, is remote from all the others and is best reached by boat. Playa de Arenas is for those who want to combine a beach holiday with active activities, visiting bars and restaurants.

The most popular hotels in El Hierro:

Cost of tours to El Hierro

Go to picturesque resort El Hierro is available at a very affordable price. Of course, in summer season prices are higher than at other times of the year, but the weather is warm all year round. A trip in July for two will cost at least 80 thousand rubles. without food.

With the start of the school year, prices will drop, and you can fly to El Hierro for 70 thousand rubles. together. You will be able to forget about the winter cold and plunge into the sunny atmosphere of the Spanish island from 65 thousand rubles. In mid-spring, a plane and hotel accommodation will cost from 72 thousand rubles.

Sights of the Canary Islands

Spending time in the Canary Islands cannot be called boring. In addition to stunning beaches, the archipelago also boasts historically significant sites, nature reserves, museums and other tourist attractions. Once on one of the islands, you should take the time to visit at least one of the resort’s attractions.

All significant places can be divided into 4 groups:

What should a tourist do on vacation?

The Canary Islands on the world map are washed by the Atlantic Ocean, and therefore we can conclude that the main activity is beach holidays. Of course, this type of recreation is of great importance, but the list of what a tourist can do while traveling is not limited to swimming.

While on one of the picturesque beaches of the archipelago, a vacationer has the opportunity to become a participant active species sports such as windsurfing, paragliding, water hunting, diving. On any beach there is an instructor who will give recommendations and point you in the right direction.

Tired of the beach, you can go for a walk into the city.

The surrounding attractions will tell you new facts about the Canary Islands, the history and culture of the island. Parks and others natural objects demonstrate the animal and vegetable world.

To get the highest point of relaxation, you can visit the SPA or Thalasso center, which is located in almost every hotel. A helicopter ride will be an unusual travel destination and will offer beautiful views of gorges, volcanic formations, hills and wide open spaces.

For new experiences - go to the Canary Islands! Their unusual position on the map is fully consistent with the archipelago’s climate and attractions. Even the most experienced tourist will be pleasantly surprised and the trip will remain in memory for many years.

Article format: Lozinsky Oleg

Video about the Canary Islands

How to properly relax as a tourist in the Canary Islands:

In nomination " Best resort Atlantic coast of Europe" for 2007-2009.

The Canary Islands (Islas Canarias, area 7,500 sq. km) are an autonomous region of Spain, located in the Atlantic Ocean 1,500 km from the Iberian Peninsula and 100 km from the coast of Africa. Geologically, the islands are of volcanic origin and belong to relatively young formations of the oceanic platform, as well as those lying nearby Azores, the Cape Verde Islands and Madeira (this scattering of islands in the eastern part of the Atlantic is often classified as a special natural zone, conventionally called Macronesia). The archipelago consists of seven large inhabited islands and several small ones, administratively divided into two provinces - Santa Cruz de Tenerife (the islands of Tenerife, Gomera, La Palma and Hierro) and Las Palmas (the islands of Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote) .

The climate of the Canary Islands is tropical trade wind, moderately hot and dry. Its characteristic feature is the small temperature difference throughout the year - in summer there is about +21°C, in winter - not lower than +17°C, and the water temperature almost never drops below +20°C. The reason for such an even climate is the unique location of the islands - lying in the hot tropical zone off the very coast of desert Africa, they experience the beneficial effects of the western ocean trade winds all year round, and the water off the coast is cooled (and saturated with oxygen!) by the cold Canary Current. As a result, all local differences are determined only by the topography of a particular island. The warm and mild climate, fertile volcanic soils and long-term isolation from the mainland have formed an amazing natural complex here with unique flora and fauna (almost a quarter of the species living here are not found anywhere else on Earth), diverse landscapes and rich marine life.

The islands were inhabited by humans around the 3rd millennium BC. Greek and Roman sources linked this land to the mythical Atlantis, but they themselves knew about them only by rumor, since the entire territory beyond the Pillars of Hercules, as the Strait of Gibraltar was then called, was controlled by the Sea Peoples, primarily the ubiquitous Phoenicians. The indigenous Guanche tribes that inhabited the islands, practically exterminated immediately after the conquest of the islands by the Spaniards (1402-1496), were and remain one of the largest historical mysteries. These blond-haired (often red-haired!) and blue-eyed people, who had a complex system of mythology and their own cosmogony, a whistling language and a completely unique system of hieroglyphic writing (at least this is how numerous petroglyphs of the Canary Islands are interpreted, which are still not solved, by the way), original art stone processing and architecture, mastered the art of mummifying the dead and taming animals (the huge Bardino herding dogs, brought to Europe from the Canary Islands by the Moors, gave rise to many modern breeds). But at the same time they lived at the level of a primitive communal system, used stone tools and, by all indications, could not get to the islands themselves - they did not even have an idea about the possibility of building watercraft larger than a fishing boat! But after the assimilation of the Guanches (the bulk of them were exterminated or taken into slavery), the mystery of their origin and the mystery of their strange skills remained unsolved, only the whistling language “silbo” is still used to transmit information over long distances (up to 15 km!), yes Bardino dogs are still thriving today.

The largest (2034 sq. km) and most popular island among tourists lies in the center of the archipelago. Like all the Canary Islands, Tenerife is of volcanic origin, which is clearly visible even on the approach to the island - its highest point, Teide volcano (Teide, 3718 m), is a clearly visible landmark for all ships passing by.

The island is the third largest in the archipelago. It is a rounded island with a diameter of approximately 50 km, capped by the volcanic cone Pico de las Nieves (1949 m).

The fourth largest island of the archipelago and one of the most volcanically active places Canary Islands. Almost the entire center of the island is occupied by lifeless tuff fields, volcanic cones and caves (in the 18th-19th centuries, local volcanoes filled the entire island with lava, almost completely “rewriting” its landscapes).

Least famous island in the Canary Archipelago. However, more than half of its shores are lined with magnificent beaches of white or golden sand.

On a small island Palm(La Palma, 728 sq. km) of interest are the huge crater La Caldera de Taburiente, the entire territory of which is covered by the national park of the same name, numerous craters of ancient volcanoes, the Cueva Bonita grotto, as well as the picturesque capital of Santa Cruz de la Palma and excellent beaches of Cancajos, Puerto de Naos.

Small mountainous island Homer(Gomera) is considered the greenest place in the archipelago - more than 70% of its territory is covered by dense evergreen forests. It is this piece of land that is considered the birthplace of canaries (which is not surprising - more than 40 species of these birds live in the local forests), the Silbo whistle language, and its Alto de Garajonari mountain range (1487 m) is a huge nature reserve.

The westernmost and smallest island of the Canary archipelago - Hierro(Hierro, 278 sq. km) differs from the other islands of the group in its rocky and steep coastline, due to which it has almost no beaches. But here there is thermal springs Sabinos, the Tignor plateau with its amazing landscape, big lake El Tamadoste, the vineyards of Frontera, the picturesque bay of El Golfo and a real Mecca for fishermen - the village of La Restinga.

Before planning a trip to the Canary Islands, travelers should decide on the island in advance, since there are 7 of them. To do this, it will be useful to know where the Canaries are on the world map and the characteristics of each of the islands.

Canary Islands: where are they located?

The Canary Islands are located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Morocco, stretching island territory 450 km. The Canaries belong to Spain, although geographically it is Africa. The Canary Islands are spread out on the map; the shortest distance between the island of Fuerteventura and Morocco is 96 km.

What animal are they named after?

The Canary Islands are named so interestingly not in honor of the famous canary bird, here the “culprit” is another animal - a dog. In fact, the canary is named after the Canary Islands, as it is included in the family of birds that live here. And what does the dog have to do with it? The name of the island territory comes from the Spanish language.

The Spaniards, after confronting and defeating the locals, gained full control of the Canaries (in Spanish Las Islas Canarias) in the 15th century, but they were not the author of the name. In the 6th volume of his comprehensive “Natural History”, the ancient Roman scientist Pliny the Elder spoke about the expedition sent by the king of Numidia and Mauritania Juba II (son-in-law of Cleopatra and Mark Antony) to the “Isles of Happiness”.

During the trip, large dogs were bred on one of the islands, so it was called Canaria (canis means “dog” in Latin). At first this island was called Canaria, but by the 4th century AD. e. the inhabitants of Rome called the entire archipelago Canaries. On the modern coat of arms of the Canary Islands you can see two dogs.

About the indigenous population: the Guanches

The Guanches are the indigenous inhabitants of the island territory of the Canaries, the only people on the planet that did not even have a primitive fleet. But people had unique physical characteristics and could swim from one island of the archipelago to another, like amphibians. “Guanches” is translated as “children of the volcano,” and in ancient writings one can see references to the fact that the people of the tribe were born from the depths of the fire-breathing mountain of Tenerife, the highest located Canary volcano.

One of the Canary Islands Fuerteventura

The people lived in caves that were made by hand in rocky mountains. Clothes included capes made of mountain goat skins. They could walk completely naked, since the Canary Islands are a place where climatic conditions are always favorable. The weather in the Canaries is always pleasant - be it November or May. Tourists annually plan a vacation by the ocean, and 2018 is no exception.

List of Canary Islands

The Canaries (Spain) are an archipelago, one of the 17 autonomous Spanish regions and the most distant from the European Union. The archipelago consists of 7 large island territories:

El Hierro.
La Gomera.
La Palma.
Tenerife.
Fuerteventura.
Gran Ganaria.
Lanzarote, forming the province of Las Palmas.

In addition, as part of the Canaries you can see the island territories of the Chinijo Archipelago (La Graciosa, Alegranza, Montaña Clara, Roque del Este and Roque del Oeste) and Lobos Island, which are part of Las Palmas.

The best beaches in the Canaries

Every month the islands are visited by a lot of tourists. Flights are organized travel agencies, travelers also prefer to fly independently. The Canary Islands on the map show the following beach areas:

Playa Jardin - Northern part Tenerife, volcanic sand;
Playa del Ingles - southern part of Gran Canaria, sandy coast;
Playa de Los Cristianos - southern part of Tenerife, golden sand;
Corralejo - northern part of Fuerteventura, snow-white sand, azure sea;
Playa de Las-Americas - south of Tenerife, dark sandy beach or golden sand, sometimes small pebbles;
Playa Torviscas - south of Tenerife, gray sandy beach;
Playa del Duque - south side of Tenerife, fine gray sand;
Maspalomas - the southern side of Gran Canaria, there are dunes and a golden sandy beach;
Papagayo is a bay of the island territory of Lanzarote, here is the most elite beach with snow-white sand;
Los Cancajos - east of La Palma, near Breña Baja, the beach area is strewn with black volcanic sand.

Tours to the Canaries include hotel accommodations close to the beach area.

Lanzarote Island

The island of Lanzarote (Spain) is located 125 km from Morocco and 2000 km from the mainland. This is the 4th largest island territory of the Canaries. Lanzarote, of volcanic origin, is often called the “island of fire-breathing mountains”; 300 volcanoes can be found on it.

The landscapes on the island are fantastic; every month tourists from all over the world come here to admire the unforgettable “lunar landscapes”. The territory of Lanzarote is mainly covered with solidified lava with colored volcanic cones of various sizes rising between the lava fields. Climatic zone subtropics, there are no large temperature changes, the weather is often comfortable.

Fuerteventura Island

Fuerteventura is the most suitable island for travelers among all the islands in the archipelago. It is elongated and narrow. The first days of autumn are here better weather, little wind, warm water. The air warms up to +23-26 ᵒC. Despite the fact that the infrastructure here is only on the verge of development, Fuerteventura has many hotels with the maximum allowed number of stars. You can stay in:

villa;
apartments;
bungalow.

Hotels can be found along the perimeter of the entire island territory. The price starts from 25 euros per day. Today's resorts in Fuerteventura are ancient fishing villages, where fishing is still in full swing at dawn. Kitchen local residents impresses with its simplicity and at the same time sophistication.

La Palma

La Palma Island

Pilgrims called La Palma Isla Bonita "Beautiful Island", or Isla Verde "Green Island". These names indicate extreme beauty and lush vegetation. Fern thickets and laurel forests in symbiosis with the Spanish orchards, the best in the Canaries, rightfully allow La Palma to be considered the greenest. It is located in the west of the archipelago, belongs to the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Important! The outline resembles the butt of a stone axe. Popular place on the island is Mount Roc de los Muchachos. Here La Palma is of volcanic origin, and the volcanoes have not yet completely died out. The island's capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma, has a population of 18,000. There are a total of 86,000 inhabitants on the island territory.

Attractions Canary Islands

A Russian tourist or a traveler from another part of the world can visit a lot of attractions. Having visited the Canaries, everyone simply must see:

Mount Nieves;
Orotava Valley;
Costa del Silencio;
Costa Calma;
El Grifo Wine Museum;
Museum of the Canary Islands;
open-air museum “Canarian Village”;
national parks Garajonay and Caldera de Taburiente;
Cueva de Achbinico;
Plaza de España;
Puerto del Carmen;
Agaete;
Aguimes;
Arrecife;
Archaeological Museum of Puerto de la Cruz;
botanical garden "Viera and Clavijo";
Valverde;
Teide volcano in Tenerife.

Also not to be missed is the excursion to Cueva de los Verdes. This is not just a laid out route with lighting, but music and light accompaniment combined with natural exoticism. The entrance is a narrow path through a gap, narrow winding corridors lead you into spacious halls, where fantastic patterns left by lava are decorated with red and ocher tones.

The cave is 2-tiered, in places about 15 m high, and the deep chasm goes 35 m below sea level. The elevation difference is approximately 230 m, the temperature in the cave is approximately +19 ᵒС.

At the bottom of Cueva de los Verdes there is a neat lake that is saturated sea water. There are no ripples on the water surface; you won’t immediately understand that it is water and not a straight surface. The lake is inhabited by blind albino crabs; throwing coins into it is prohibited, as rust has a detrimental effect on them.

On both sides, the walls of Cueva de los Verdes have collapsed, and the terraces where the cafeterias are located are partly illuminated by the sun. You should definitely drink a cup of coffee whenever the opportunity arises.

Important! The circular route ends at the exit, where a modern concert hall, the uniqueness of which is that the walls of Cueva de los Verdes do not give resonance. The facility can accommodate 500 people; tickets can only be booked by reservation. The circular route lasts 60 minutes.

How much is admission? The excursion will cost 9 euros, for children 7-12 years old there is a 50% discount. The cave is open from 10:00 to 18:00, in July-September until 19:00. If a tourist wants to walk through the unique cave on his own, he should do it in the afternoon, when it is not so crowded.

Entertainment in the Canaries

A holiday in the Canaries cannot be imagined without entertainment programs, and each of the resorts now offers fun for both the younger generation and older people, in addition there is a lot of interesting things for young tourists.

The Canary Islands offer a wealth of entertainment, among which there is something for everyone's soul and heart. Fans of grandiose spectacles will definitely enjoy the annual colorful carnival on the island of Tenerife, and those who adore extreme events sports recreation, you should prefer places for spearfishing, fishing in the open sea, diving and water sports, which are located on the island territory of Gran Canaria.

Canary holidays in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, although characterized by peace and tranquility, are not devoid of entertainment, which travelers can find along extensive beach areas and volcanic landscapes. A trip to the Canary Islands for one, two or a whole group in any season can be compared to an eternal celebration, because here you forget about work, the bustle of big cities, and plunge into cool waters Atlantic Ocean, sunbathe in the sun, build sand castles, dance in a night disco.

Important! Surfing will help make your trip to the Spanish resort the most exciting. Surfing in Tenerife is romance for active people. This is a combination of drive, extreme sports, beauty, and the power of nature. To experience what it is like on your own, you only need 2 hours of preparation with an instructor, and the first wave will be conquered, and where the first wave is, there will be a second one.

However, true mastery requires extensive training and professionalism. A surfing lesson on the island from an experienced instructor costs approximately 15 euros. After quality training, the vacationer is given a special certificate. For those who want to try themselves in action, travel agencies offer organized surfing tours.

Surfing in the Canaries

The combination of relaxing on the ocean coast with riding the waves on a board is a real pleasure, guaranteeing harmony, new sensations, adrenaline, relaxation and complete freedom. In Tenerife, travelers are offered tours to best places for doing this water sports, in demand among Western holidaymakers and not yet so familiar to Russian tourists. It is not necessary to look for those same surf tours on websites, since they will cost a little, but more. Everyone can go to the south of Tenerife on their own:

by purchasing a flight ticket;
making a hotel reservation;
renting an apartment in Playa de Las Americas.

Surf schools in Playa de Las Americas are open all year round and are happy to teach beginner surfers. Special equipment can be rented. When going to the Canary Islands, you should not forget about taking out medical insurance. It happens that it can come in handy, so it’s better to feel protected. Insurance will help you avoid unnecessary expenses, since any injury may result in placement in medical institutions; they are not cheap on the island.

The Canary Islands are a symbiosis of excellent conditions for practicing various types of surfing, service of European quality and comfortable transport links. Another advantage of surfing on the islands of the Canary archipelago is the opportunity to conquer the waves all year round.

Experienced travelers are advised to prepare in advance and take with them a list with the addresses of the places you plan to visit or what you want to buy on your trip, attractions, where to eat, what to try at a Spanish resort, what kind of wine and where to buy it, places for shopping, souvenirs and so on.

In such a situation, it is very convenient to use a navigator downloaded to your mobile phone in advance. Naturally, we must not forget about documents and funds. Be sure to take:

civil passports;
foreign passports with a valid visa;
medical insurance for the entire period of rest;
round trip air tickets;
Hotel reservation;
If you plan to rent a car, then a driver’s license.

Spanish resorts are part of the European Union, so the currency that is used throughout the country is EUR (euro). Cash You can take it either in cash or on a bank card. Currency can be exchanged at specialized exchange offices and banks in the Canaries. The language on the islands is Spanish, so it will be useful to take a translator to communicate with the locals.

The Canary Islands, which have become fashionable holiday for millions of tourists from all over the world.

Tenerife
Gran Canaria
Fuerteventura
Lanzarote
La Palma
La Gomera
Hierro

Tenerife and Gran Canaria are especially loved by Russian tourists..

Together with 6 other small islands (Allegranza, Graciosa, Lobos, Montagna Clara, Roque del Oeste and Roque del Este), the Canary Islands stretch for 450 km along the coast of Morocco. Geographically, the 13 Canary or otherwise “dog” islands are located on the African continent, although they belong to European country Spain. Only 96 km separates the island of Fuerteventura from the coast of Morocco.

Tenerife

Tenerife is the largest and most populous island in the center of the Canary archipelago with an area of 2057 km². The island has long been on a par with the most privileged and popular resorts in the world.

The unique natural and climatic features of Tenerife gave it title "Island of Eternal Spring". Net tourist routes, running along coastline with extensive open beaches of black and golden sand, steep and rocky areas forming small bays and grottoes, allows the traveler to see the wonderfully beautiful specially created unique parks and natural areas, as well as visit the large resort centers of the island and picturesque villages.

The southern part of Tenerife is protected from the cold trade winds blowing from the northeast by the high mountain range, thanks to which the south is bathed in sun all year round. The beneficial and surprisingly warm microclimate determined the development of resort tourism.

Such famous resort towns as Playa de Las Americas, Playa de Los Cristianos, Playa de Fanabe, El Medano and Playa Paraiso offer a wide selection of hotel services, a high level of comfort and a lot of water activities.

The north of Tenerife has a more humid climate, which contributes to the lush growth of subtropical vegetation and the fertility of the valleys. Most Tenerife's first resort and main city Valle Oratava – Puerto de la Crus has long been considered a recognized center of international tourism.

Those who are lucky enough to travel to this island should definitely visit specialized parks that contain interesting exotic representatives of flora and fauna.

Loro Park in Puerto de la Cruz,
Siam Park in the south of the island,
Las Aguilas del Teide,
Tenerife Zoo and Cactus Park in the vicinity of Arona,
A park water attractions Octopus 2km from Playa de Las Americas,
The astronomical observatory in the capital of the island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and much more can diversify the beach holiday of vacationers, adding bright and memorable moments to memory and electronic media.

An overview of the most popular resorts in Tenerife: Puerto de la Cruz, where we talk about the history of the resorts, hotels and beaches, entertainment and shopping.

Fuerteventura

The second largest island of the Canary archipelago with an area of 1660 km² is the most unusual of all the Canary Islands.

The Harmattan wind, bringing the breath of the Sahara Desert here, has created unique landscapes reminiscent of Africa. But there is no African heat here, and the climate is even more comfortable than in Tenerife.

Many Russian tourists began to prefer this island because of its longest sandy beaches of all the Canary Islands, the width of which in some places exceeds 1 km. The Atlantic Ocean is special here - its waters are shallow, with crystal clear turquoise water.

Various undersea world attracts lovers of diving and spearfishing. In the strait that separates Africa from the Canary Islands, fishermen never leave empty-handed - here you can catch sardines, tuna and even swordfish.

The unabated wind and constant waves made island ideal place for windsurfing and on its territory the World Cup stages in this sport are held.

The island's capital, Puerto del Rosario, is not attractive to tourists due to the lack of attractions and interesting amusement parks.

Tourists choose the main resort centers for their holidays - the Jandia Peninsula and Corralejo. Also from the small village of Morro Jable, located in the south, you can take a boat to the shores of the island of Gran Canaria, and in the north of the island you can go to Lanzarote or take a fascinating excursion to volcanic island Lobos.

The third largest island with an area of 1560.1 km² and the second most populous island is located in the heart of the Canary archipelago. Only 60 miles separate the island from the coast of Africa.

Sunny days throughout the year, a mild climate, warm gentle waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the unique natural landscape of the island of volcanic origin, rising from the ocean, explain the unique charm of the island and make it possible to compare it with the continent in miniature.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) - the capital of the island, with almost endless streets stretching along the ocean, is surprisingly harmoniously woven into the surrounding landscape.

The southern part of the island is characterized great beaches with magnificent golden sand in Playa del Ingles (Playa del Ingles - from Spanish “beach of the English”) and dunes, oases in Maspalomas (Maspalomas). Playa de San Augustin (San Augustin), located east of Playa del Inglés, together with Maspalomas, forms the largest tourist center on the Spanish island.

The distance from San Agustin to the capital is 40 km, to Gran Canaria Airport – 20 km.

The distance from Playa del Inglés to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is 55 km, to the airport – 30 km, from Maspalomas to the capital of the island – 60 km, to the airport – 36 km.

Public transport on the island is provided by two bus companies, one of which operates in the south of the island, the second in the north.

The capital has the main bus terminal, from where buses regularly run to all tourist centers, including Puerto Rico and Palatavaca.

Lanzarote

The fourth largest island of the Canary archipelago with an area of 795 km² called the "island of volcanoes".

A third of the island today, after eruptions that lasted 6 years, remains covered with lifeless ash and basalt, which is not conducive to agriculture and the cultivation of many crops.

The busiest tourist area is located in the Tias region, where visitors to the island are struck by the striking contrast between the blackness of the volcanic stones scattered in abundance throughout the island and the light sand.

The island of Lanzarote is simply made for relaxation- endless sun, silence, fresh sea breeze and the whisper of the ocean - all this attracts tourists seeking solitude and peace.

It is definitely worth visiting the capital of the island – Arrecife, which is a shopping and administrative center islands, and its streets breathe centuries-old history and reflect the unique maritime character of all of Lanzarote.

Tourists also flock to one of the the greenest places on the island - the Valley of a Thousand Palms, where unique fiery palms and unusual tropical plants grow.

Do you want to try wines made from grapes growing on fields with solidified lava and other Canarian cuisine? Then you.

In that case, don't hesitate, holiday season on open

We will help you find a resort in Spain that meets your requirements.

La Palma

The fifth largest island of the Canary archipelago with an area of 795 km² is rightly called isla bonita (beautiful island).

The island was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2002.. It is also called isla verde (green island), due to its vast territory covered with laurel and pine forests.

The island was formed 2 million years ago during the eruption of an underwater volcano. In the south of the island, the tourism sector is poorly developed, as several volcanoes remain active, which does not attract hotel business owners to build hotels and equip pristine beaches.

However, tourists can be advised to relax in a small nice resort - Puerto Naos with the longest beach on the island, covered with black sand.

It is noteworthy that this particular beach has proudly carried the blue flag of one of the most clean beach Spain.

Along the beach there is a chain of numerous shops, restaurants and cafes, where you should definitely try Canarian cuisine and young wines.

The picturesque sandy beach of Charco Verde is ideal for a family holiday., located 2 km south of Puerto Naos.

Attractions La Palma

A trip to the capital of the island, Santa Cruz de la Palma, is recommended for fans of a rich excursion program.

Plaza de España, Avenida Marítima embankment, Constitution Square, 16th-century town hall. (Aiantamiento), Dali Street, the Salazar Palace of the 17th century, the Church of the Holy Light of the 16th century, the House of Tobacco and many other attractions of the capital can satisfy lovers of exciting history and architectural monuments of the Middle Ages.

La Gomera

One of the most beautiful islands Canary archipelago With an area of 369.76 km², it is the sixth largest Canary Island.

You can get to the island with the unique vegetation of Monteverde - laurel forests by ferries departing to La Gomera from Tenerife from the port of Los Cristianos.
Travel time varies from 35 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes.

The cost also ranges from 21 to 30 €. This discrepancy in time and cost is explained by the types of ferries and their speed.

In addition, the island has direct air connections with the islands of Gran Canaria and Tenerife.

Tourism on the island is not as developed as on other popular islands of the Canary archipelago. The bulk of tourists are represented by German citizens vacationing in Valle Gran Rey (“Valley of the Great King”), which is resort complex from coastal villages:

Vueltas,
La Puntilla,
La Playa,
La Galera.

The Spanish land has given the world the most extraordinary creative people and among them great architect - Antonio Gaudi.

This man left behind priceless cultural creations. Created by him - business card Barcelona.

The last one The charming village was named Montmartre due to its many expensive boutiques and restaurants.- the name of one of the districts of Paris. Russian tourists prefer to come to the island on a one-day excursion, which starts from the capital of the island - San Sebastian de la Gomera.
A city with only 9 thousand. residents rich in attractions:

This is Plaza de las Americas
Church of Virgen de Asuncion, where, according to legend, Christopher Columbus prayed before continuing his sea voyage,
Gothic tower of Torre del Conde,
Historical fortress of Christopher Columbus, etc.
After visiting the capital, tourists go to the surroundings of the island, where there is pristine nature with gorges, mountain peaks and the endless laurel forests will take your breath away.

With its 450 species of rare trees and plants, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986.
Guides take travelers to Laurisilva, an ancient laurel forest where trees reach 20 meters in height.

Beautiful photos can be taken from the Mirador de Agando observation deck, near which there is a children's playground and a good restaurant.

Waiting for tourists during the meal traditional show silbo gomero ("Homer whistle"). In ancient times, when there were no telephones, the inhabitants of the island, who were mainly engaged in cattle breeding, exchanged the language of whistling. They could whistle to warn of danger, of some joyful event, and even report news, and maybe even gossip.

A whole Silbo dictionary, which has become a national treasure. Today the whistling language is taught in schools on the island. There is no practical use for this language, but as an entertaining performance for tourists, it will exist for a long time. So tourists don’t have to worry - their great-grandchildren will also be able to hear Silbo Gomero.

Hierro

Square the smallest of the seven main Canary Islands is only 277 km². Like all the islands of the Canary archipelago, Hierro is an island of volcanic origin.
More recently, in 2011, an underwater volcano erupted near the town of La Restinga, from where residents were evacuated.

The tourism industry has barely affected the island since sandy beaches actually western island none. However, the islanders and a few tourists enjoy beach holiday in Tamadosta - a quiet cove located 10 km from the capital of the island - Valverde. Also 8 km from the capital is the beach of Pozo de las Calcosas with convenient backwaters for swimming and many bungalows made of steep stones.

Playa de Verodal is the most beautiful beach on the island, covered with volcanic sand and located at the foot of a high cliff. Due to poor access road, the beach is almost empty.
Diving enthusiasts flock to La Restinha, one of the most popular resort centers on the island, having the status of a marine nature reserve. A large hotel, numerous bars, restaurants and shops along the Avenida Marítima promenade attract tourists.

Fans of excursions have practically nothing to gain here. Worthy of attention in the capital the only historical monument is the Church of Santa Maria de la Concepción, the date of construction of which dates back to 1767.
A complex of shepherd's huts, which have been reconstructed and furnished from different eras, can be found in the ecological museum located in Casas de Guinea, an ancient Norman settlement of the 15th century.

For intrepid travelers, check out Lagartario – nature reserve where they live one and a half meter rare breeds of lizards.

Because public transport on the island at all, then the only way to travel around the island is to rent a car.

Of the 6 small Canary Islands, only one is inhabited - Graciosa(27km²). It is located just 2 km north of Lanzarote. They are separated by the narrow El Rio Strait.
In the port village of Caleta del Sebo and the fishing village of Pedro Barba there is not a single hotel, only a few boarding houses.

According to ancient legend, There are countless treasures buried on the island. They were never found, but among local population there are no treasure hunters, only friendly and smiling fishermen with very weather-beaten and tanned faces.

Canary Islands (Las Islas Canarias) located in the Atlantic Ocean. Geographically, this is northwest Africa (the coast of Morocco is only 100 km away), but they belong to Spain, which is more than 1000 km away. The islands are of volcanic origin and consist of 7 large and 6 small islands total area which is 7500 sq. km.

The largest and most populous island is located in the center of the archipelago - the Island of “Eternal Spring” Tenerife (2057 sq. km).

To the east of it are three smaller islands: Gran Canaria(2532 sq. km.), Fuerteventura(1730 sq. km.) and Lanzarote(795 sq. km.). West of Tenerife: o.Homera(378 sq. km.), Hierro Island(277 sq. km.) and Palma Island(728 sq. km).

2 km. from Fuerteventura there is uninhabited Lobos, and to the north of Lanzarote there is the Chinijo archipelago, consisting of five islets, one of which, Graciosa Island, is inhabited. The main part of the population of the Canary Islands is concentrated on the island of Tenerife and the island of Gran Canaria.

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History of the Canary Islands

The origin of the Canary Islands is associated with the myth of Atlantis - a continent that plunged into the abyss of the Atlantic Ocean, and these small islands are considered heavenly corners of the Earth. However, genuine historical events devoid of romance.

The indigenous population - the Guanches, whose exact origins are unknown, have been and remain one of the biggest historical mysteries. Guanches are tall, fair-skinned, blond, often with red hair and blue eyes.

They spoke only by moving their lips a little and without uttering a sound; they had access to the whistling language “silbo”, which they used to transmit information over long distances (up to 15 km), as well as a completely unique system of hieroglyphic writing.

They mastered the art of mummifying the dead, bred bardino herding dogs, and possessed the original art of stone processing and special architecture. At the same time, they lived at the level of the primitive communal system and they did not have anything resembling a fleet or shipbuilding.

In addition, the features of the anthropological type of the Guanches (mechtoid race) are not typical for the latitudes of their habitat.

Thanks to his geographical location, the islands have been a tasty morsel and a target for capture and possession for many centuries.

In the 12th century Arab sailors visited the islands, in the 12th century - French, in the 14th - Portuguese and Spanish.

The local inhabitants, the Guanches, who had spears with stone tips as weapons, desperately fought for their territories, but the plague epidemic greatly weakened their positions and in December 1495 the aborigines had to admit defeat.

The Spaniards completely took possession of the archipelago. Along with the conquerors, technological progress also came to the islands, and after the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus in 1492, the islands turned into the most important sea transit transport point on the way from the Old World to the New.

The extraction of high-quality clay for pottery production was established on the islands, sugar was produced from local cane, winemaking developed, and the Canaries were famous for their rum. Commercial relations with America, Europe, and the British Isles developed.

In 1852 appeared decree on free ports, which established a free commercial regime on the islands, a kind of offshore zone. By the beginning of the 20th century, a crisis in the relationship between the two main cities emerged on the islands: Santa Cruz And Las Palmas. The political struggle complicated economic development the entire region as a whole. A solution to the problem was found in 1927 - the single province of Canaria was legally divided into two.

They still exist - the province of Las Palmas and the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. And only in the sixties of the 20th century, after the long post-war years, excellent weather and the beauty of these heavenly places were in demand by tourists. The construction business, the hotel and restaurant business, the real estate sector and the service sector began to develop.

Today tourists are welcome in the Canary Islands luxurious beaches, museums and galleries, theme parks, shopping centers, casinos and nightclubs, theaters. This international center tourism and recreation, which welcomes guests, thanks to its climate, all year round.

Video about the location of beautiful cities

Let's see how to get to the most beautiful cities on the islands, what you can see there and where to go. The most best restaurants and souvenir shops in the Canary Islands. The most favorite places tourists, as well as places where you can spend the night comfortably and inexpensively.

Weather conditions in the Canary Islands

Climate in the Canary Islands moderately hot, soft and comfortable for relaxation. Summers are not very hot, winters are warm, with little rainfall. The water temperature is almost constant and does not fall below +18C in the winter months, in April-May +21C, from June to November the water temperature on the beaches reaches +23+24C. For those who like to splash around in warm water, this is the best best time for a holiday on the islands.

The coldest months are January and February. The air temperature during the day can be +18-22C, at night +15-19C.

The hottest month is August. The average temperature during the day is +30C, in the evening +26C.

The presence of the cold Canary Current softens the August heat and it will not interfere with a comfortable holiday. Thanks to mountain ranges, dividing the islands of Tenerife, Gran Canaria and La Palma, there is a great difference in weather and climate between north and south. Strong winds and clouds saturated with moisture cannot overcome mountain ranges, therefore in the southern regions of the islands almost The weather is sunny and dry all year round. From the sweltering heat (a dry, sultry wind blows from the African coast to these islands) the northeastern wet and cool trade winds.

For those who are vacationing in the Dominican Republic, we will describe the best souvenirs from the Dominican Republic.

Before your trip, be sure to check it out so as not to fall into the rainy season and ruin your vacation.

And of course, don’t forget to resolve the visa issue! Here we have described all the key points for a comfortable stay in the country.

In the northern part of the islands the weather is more changeable and windy, but these areas boast lush vegetation and excellent conditions for more active rest– surfing. Climatic conditions make the Canary Islands a year-round resort.