The 9 essential things to do in the Canary Islands

Visit the Canary Islands: What are the best things to do and see in the Atlantic volcanic gem?

The Canary Islands are an archipelago of the Atlantic Ocean located off the coasts of Western Sahara and Morocco . They are part of the Macaronesia, and consist of seven main islands of volcanic origin: Lanzarote, whose relief indicates a still very active volcanism; Fuerteventura, rather flat and arid, closest to the continent; Great Canaria, and its mountainous relief; Tenerife, the largest and most populous island, which includes the Teide volcano, the highest point of Spain with its 3,715 m; The Gomera, and its green valleys; Palma, the most wet island of the archipelago, with the false tropical island airs; and el Hierro , which was the door of America for centuries...

Each of these islands has its own personality, its soul: the ideal being of course to visit the Canary Islands, by making them all or at least to find out exactly what one wants to discover.

Are you wondering what to do in the Canary Islands during your stay? We present you the 9 essentials to fully enjoy the treasures of this volcanic archipelago!

1. Gran Canaria

Nestled between Tenerife and Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria or Gran Canaria is one of the jewels of the archipelago. Renowned for its incredible landscapes, the island enjoys a natural beauty recognized by UNESCO. Des dive sessions to the visit to the capital Las Palmas to the cruises in catamaran , she promises a lot of discoveries!

Among the most famous activities, hiking in camel . On the programme, the crossing of the Maspalomas dunes, comfortably installed. No worries, however, a comfortable saddle (two places) allows you to feel at ease and admire the valiant desert landscapes of the region. Ideal to fill small and large, this activity is an immanquable, to recommend if you do not know yet what to do in the Canary Islands!

2. Siam Park

What to do in the Canary Islands if you like strong sensations? The incredible Siam Park, an aquatic amusement park, opened its doors in 2008 and has been able to grow a place of choice in this economic area popular with Spanish.

Siam Park is above all an entry ticket for a relaxing moment between friends and family! After devaluing the slides (whose greatest pass under an aquarium containing sharks) to any berzingue, try to relax on the spectacular exotic beach that borders the park: from Asian inspiration, this one makes the beautiful part to the attractions with original and colorful decoration! For the most intrepid, don’t forget to take a tour of the wave pool that produces the world’s largest artificial waves: 3 m.

3. Tenerife

A popular island of the archipelago, Tenerife hosts some small treasures on its land. With a volcano, she portrays a raw and preserved nature. Visitors enjoy discovering its landscapes and its essentials to the image of the city of Santa Cruz , its carnival or its black sandy beaches.

It is not necessarily known, but the cold and tormented waters of this Atlantic region are a sanctuary for cetaceans, an enriching activity for those who want to visit the Canary Islands. It is possible for you to organize your excursion in the middle of these marine mammals , and therefore to see whales and dolphins, along the south coast and enjoying the view on Mount Teide! On the program, learn with cachalots, whales, sea turtles, as well as many species of dolphins, jellyfish and marine birds.

4. Snorkeling with turtles

The dive, do you mind? Always on the island of Tenerife, you can enjoy an original and quite remarkable trip to the Canary Islands: all year round, from shipments of snorkeling are organized by competent monitors to go to admire tropical fish, rays and.. sea turtles, palm and tuba!

If you are lucky, you can approach these animals very close and bring back unforgettable memories from the island of Tenerife. A good point: the spot in question is quiet and technically affordable, so it does not require any pre-sea diving experience, to advise those who have not yet decided to do at the Canary Islands!

5. Lanzarote

Lunar and volcanic, the island of Lanzarote offers a timeless show to your stay in the Canary Islands. The volcanic eruptions of the 18th century - which are at the origin of the emergence of much of the surface of the island - are responsible for the spectacular lunar landscapes that it would be a shame not to survey during your stay.

Timanfaya National Park is a perfect place to develop a excursion unusual . Walk through the volcano road, then the exceptional geothermal phenomena of the islet of Hilario, before camping to the moonlight on the ground consisting of dried lava.. This landscape yet sorry will amaze you with its brutal beauty. A must for lovers of large spaces!

6. La Palma

Oasis of greenery, La Palma yet discreet, is one of the islands of the Canary Islands that is worth a visit. Luxuriant by its nature, tasty with its vineyards, it hosts a rich and authentic heritage that visits on foot as a bike!

Among its natural treasures, the Caldeira de Taburiente National Park: located in the center of the island, it coincides precisely with the geological formation of the Caldeira de Taburiente, about 7 km wide. The Caldeira is a deep bowl of up to 900 m below sea level, it even surrounded by a steep rocky ridge reaching more than 2400 m!

Those who know what to do in the Canary Islands will advise you to go through this natural crown, named Roque de los Muchachos, today hosting an astronomical observatory that benefits from the exceptional nightlight due.. to the absence of light pollution.

7. Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura is nicknamed the “red island”, due to its dry landscapes made of dunes caresed by the aisles. Visiting the Canary Islands on this wild land is climbing the steep paths of the mountain of Tindaya, considered by the first inhabitants of the island as a sacred place to the magical virtues, which must be made in the Canary Islands!

Because it houses a preserved nature, Fuerteventura is also popular for its Oasis Park : a superb reserve hosting an eco-system of more than 3000 animals! To the programme your visit , a tour of the world of fauna before discovering the incredible botanical garden of the park, the only one on the island of Fuerteventura.

Finally, enjoy a relaxing moment on one of the beaches of the island. The fans of sliding them, will enjoy Fuerteventura for its waves the time of a surf session .

8. The volcano La Gayria

To be on the Canary Islands, why not undertake the ascent of a volcano, symbol of the archipelago? The Gayria is one of the riches of Fuerteventura: located in the center of the island, it sets a part of its history.

The time of a unusual hiking , go to his discovery by taking his roads: you will discover these famous landscapes that draw the portrait. Attach its surface before descending towards the winery of the finca La Gayria. There, a wine tasting awaits you, history of savouring in every sense the treasures of the island.

9. A boat ride

If you are on the Canary Islands, it is a step that you must not miss under any pretext: a boat ride. Indeed, very nice excursions are to be made, they will allow you to discover the islands otherwise, from the crystal clear waters.

It would be a shame not to rent a boat on the Canary Islands , and thus fail to discover the magnificent setting to get there! With or without a permit, with the help of a skipper or not, you will undoubtedly spend one of the best afternoons of your stay!

How do I go to the Canary Islands?

If the seven islands own their airport, only Tenerife, the Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and La Palma host international flights and flights from continental Spain; airports in the other islands are mainly limited to ensuring domestic flights to the archipelago. It is therefore easy to land directly on the island you will like: indeed, our partner Ulysses will allow you to get there by finding a flight at the best price.

To make the maritime connection between the different islands, ferryes are made available to travellers and form a rather well-designed network: it is the ideal way to visit the Canary Islands while enjoying the sea air and a vivid boat ride. To find all the information on the various routes and routes, do not hesitate to consult the site DirectFerries .

Once on land, and often at the airports of the archipelago, each island has many car rental agencies that will allow you, for a modest price, to move freely!

Where to stay in the Canary Islands?

Visiting the Canary Islands means that you will only have the embarrassment of choosing between the different types of accommodation: to select according to your wishes and budget. The archipelago includes many hotels, including Tenerife (the largest island) where you can find a room with views of the Teresitas. Gran canaria and Lanzarote are not yet with a beautiful selection of establishments, and you will find the one that best suits you by consulting the offers on this Compare hotels .

For all lovers of unforgettable nights in the beautiful star, know that about thirty campsites offer pitches in order to make no longer one with a wild and preserved nature.

From now on, you know what to do in the Canary Islands and exploit all the charms of the Canary Islands Archipelago and the points of interest offered on these small stretches of land, pulled between sea and fire: but which will seduce you.