Lonely Planet Canary Islands , livre ebook

Canary Islands

Contents

Plan Your Trip

Welcome to the Canary Islands
Canary Islands’ Top 17
Need to Know
Accommodation
Getting Around
If You Like…
Month by Month
Itineraries
Activities
Travel with Children
Eat & Drink Like a Local
Regions at a Glance

On The Road

GRAN CANARIA
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Eastern Gran Canaria
Caldera de Bandama & Santa Brígida
Telde
Agüimes
Barranco de Guayadeque
Temisas
Northern Gran Canaria
Teror
Arucas
Moya
Santa María de Guía
Gáldar
Agaete & Puerto de las Nieves
Central Gran Canaria
Artenara
Tejeda
San Bartolomé de Tirajana
Fataga
Southern Gran Canaria
Maspalomas
Puerto de Mogán
Mogán
Road Trip: Agüimes to Mogán

FUERTEVENTURA
Puerto del Rosario
Central Fuerteventura
Betancuria
Antigua
Pájara
Caleta de Fuste
Gran Tarajal
Northern Fuerteventura
La Oliva
Corralejo
El Cotillo
Lajares
Península de Jandía
La Lajita
Costa Calma
La Pared
Playa de Sotavento de Jandía
Morro Jable
Cofete

LANZAROTE
Central Lanzarote
Arrecife
Costa Teguise
Teguise
San Bartolomé
Tiagua
Parque Nacional de Timanfaya
Northern Lanzarote
Arrieta
Malpaís de la Corona
Órzola
Mirador del Río
Haría
La Caleta de Famara
Isla Graciosa
Southern Lanzarote
Puerto del Carmen
Yaiza
El Golfo
Playa Blanca
Punta del Papagayo
Lanzarote’s Lazy Days
Southwest Coast & Wine Region

TENERIFE
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Northeast Tenerife
La Laguna
San Andrés
Anaga Mountains
North Coast Tenerife
Puerto de la Cruz
La Orotava
Garachico
Central Tenerife
Parque Nacional del Teide
Vilaflor
Northwest Tenerife
Punta de Teno
Santiago del Teide
Masca
Los Gigantes &Puerto de Santiago
South Coast Tenerife
Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas & Costa Adeje
Las Galletas
El Médano
East Coast Tenerife
Candelaria
Güímar

LA GOMERA
San Sebastián de la Gomera
Parque Nacional de Garajonay
Northern La Gomera
Hermigua
El Cedro
Agulo
Vallehermoso
Alojera
Los Órganos
Southern La Gomera
Playa Santiago
Alajeró & Around
El Cercado
Valle Gran Rey
Hiking on la Gomera

LA PALMA
Santa Cruz de la Palma
Southern La Palma
Villa de Mazo
Parque Ecológico de Belmaco
Fuencaliente
Central La Palma
Los Cancajos
El Paso
Parque Nacional de la Caldera de Taburiente
Los Llanos de Aridane
Puerto Naos
Northern La Palma
San Andrés
Los Tiles
Barlovento
Parque Cultural La Zarza
Hiking on la Palma

EL HIERRO
Northern & Eastern El Hierro
Valverde
Echedo
El Mocanal
Mirador de la Peña
Tamaduste & La Caleta
Timijiraque & Las Playas
San Andrés
Isora
Southern El Hierro
El Pinar
La Restinga
El Golfo
Tigaday
La Frontera
Las Puntas
Los Llanillos & Sabinosa
La Dehesa
Hiking on el Hierro

Understand

Understand Canary Islands
The Canary Islands Today
History
Canarian Arts & Culture
Life on a Volcano

Survive

Directory A–Z
Accessible Travel
Customs Regulations
Discount Cards
Electricity
Embassies & Consulates
Health
Insurance
Internet Access
Language Courses
Legal Matters
LGBT+ Travellers
Money
Opening Hours
Post
Public Holidays
Safe Travel
Telephone
Time
Toilets
Tourist Information
Visas
Women Travellers
Work
Transport
Getting There & Away
Getting Around
Language
Glossary
Behind the Scenes
Our Writers
Welcome to the Canary Islands

Scented pine forests, haunting volcanoes, lunar-like landscapes, sandy coves, miles of Sahara-style dunes, beach-hugging resorts – the beautiful, unique Canary Islands wear many tantalising hats.

Otherworldly Landscapes
Marvel at the pine-forested peaks of Gran Canaria’s mountainous interior, the tumbling waterfalls of La Palma or the subtropical greenery of Parque Nacional de Garajonay. Then contrast all this lushness with the extraordinary bare flatlands flanking Tenerife’s El Teide, the surreal party of colours glittering across Lanzarote’s lava fields, the gentle flower-filled hillsides of El Hierro, and Fuerteventura’s endless cacti-sprinkled plains. The Canary Islands’ near-perfect temperatures mean that, year-round, you can soak up fantastical, varied landscapes otherwise only found by crossing continents.

The Great Outdoors
It’s this very diversity that makes outdoor pursuits such an easily accessible pleasure of the Canaries. Hike the many footpaths criss-crossing the islands, from meandering coastal trails to challenging mountain treks to tranquil forest walks; go diving or snorkelling in blissfully warm waters inhabited by more than 350 species of fish (and the odd shipwreck); or pump up the adrenaline by riding the wind and the waves – kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing and paragliding are all big here. Then slow things down with horse rides, boat trips, kayaking and paddle-boarding jaunts or beachfront yoga.

Art & Architecture
Contrary to expectations, the Canary Islands are immensely rich in both original art and architecture – you just need to know where to look. The spectacular surrealist canvases of acclaimed painter Óscar Domínguez grace his Tenerife homeland; the enormous abstract sculptures of Martín Chirino are impossible to miss on Gran Canaria; and César Manrique’s inspired ‘interventions’ pop up all over Lanzarote (and beyond). Everywhere, seek out the emblematic wooden balconies, leafy internal patios and painted facades that typify vernacular Canarian architecture, and pop into palm-shaded churches, many of which date back centuries.

Or Just Relax…
If your perfect trip is all about that enticing combo of R&R, the Canaries are the ultimate destination. The most obvious spot to kick back on is the beach, and you’ll be spoilt for choice – from Fuerteventura’s rolling dunes to Tenerife’s sandy golden arcs to Isla Graciosa’s wild strands. Yoga, meditation, massages and a world of other self-care therapies abound across the archipelago, and thalassotherapy is something of a local speciality. Alternatively, nothing soothes the soul like relaxing over a tropical cocktail or a glass of local wine as the sun sinks into the Atlantic.

Jardín de Cactus , Lanzarote | MARQUES/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Why I Love the Canary Islands
By Isabella Noble, Writer
Those who love Las Canarias are in on a sunny secret: there’s a whole lot more to these sparkling, far-flung islands than their much-maligned reputation. Having grown up in Andalucía, I’ve always been fascinated by the Canaries, with their Latin American–influenced accents, cultural riches and glorious volcanoscapes. This is an entrancing, wonderfully varied pocket of Spain – intimately interwoven with the mainland, yet also worlds apart. I can’t help but smile when landing on Lanzarote’s volcanic shores; hiking through La Gomera’s magical laurel forests; or escaping into natural pools on distant El Hierro.
For more, see Our Writers
The Canary Islands’ Top 17

El Teide
Start with a gentle hike around the base of Tenerife’s El Teide , kidding yourself that you’re enjoying a stroll on the surface of the moon; it really is that extraordinary. Trails take you deep into an alien landscape with red, yellow and brown craters resembling giant prehistoric molehills, bizarre volcanic rock formations and pebble-like lapilli. If you’ve booked a permit you can hike to the summit; otherwise, take it easy on the cable car to the top. Wrap up warm: it gets chilly up in the clouds (especially in winter).

SANTIAGO URQUIJO/GETTY IMAGES ©

Top Experiences
Carnaval!
The canarios love a good party and, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the fiesta spirit reaches its sequin-clad crescendo during the annual Carnaval . Festivities generally high-kick off with a flourish in early February and last for around three weeks, featuring gala performances, fancy dress competitions, fireworks and Rio-style parades. All of the Canary Islands celebrate Carnaval with dawn-to-dusk frivolity and distinctive customs, so book your accommodation way ahead of time (unless you aren’t planning on sleeping at all, of course).

LUCIANO DE LA ROSA/SHUTTERSTOCK ©


Top Experiences
Driving Gran Canaria’s Rugged Heart
While most people stick to Gran Canaria’s coast, it’s in the mountains that you’ll be wowed. Around every bend – and there are a lot of bends – you’ll discover another stand of towering pines, or another dramatic view that will have you desperate for a spot to pull over. Luckily, there are also plenty of pretty villages, such as Tejeda , dotted around where you can take a break to sample hearty soups and sugary cakes without ever tearing your eyes away from it all.

ALEXANDER FRIEDRICH/500PX ©

Top Experiences
Hiking the Caldera de Taburiente
Put your best hiking boot forward and discover La Palma’s spectacular Parque Nacional de la Caldera de Taburiente by trekking one of its numerous trails. For many, the pine forests and curtains of clouds slipping over the side of the sheer caldera walls add up to the finest walking experience in the archipelago. Walks here range from simple hour-long strolls to demanding day-long feats of endurance.

Waterfall in the Parque Nacional de la Caldera de Taburiente | TANE-MAHUTA/GETTY IMAGES ©

Top Experiences
Fuerteventura’s Stunning Beaches
Some of the Canary Islands’ most glorious beaches are on Fuerteventura and possibly the finest of them all is remote southern Playa de Cofete . To escape the rows of sunbeds, head for the northwest of the island and the wild beaches and thundering surf around El Cotillo. Windsurfers can catch waves at Playa de Sotavento de Jandía. For paddling tots and kids’ activities, check out family-friendly beaches like Costa Calma and Caleta de Fuste.

ANDREAS WEIBEL-WWW.IMEDIAFOTO.COM/GETTY IMAGES ©


Top Experiences
César Manrique Art & Architecture
The late César Manrique’s influence on Lanzarote is special in many ways. Forest-gr