Area of ​​the Canary Islands. Open left menu Canary Islands. Which Canary Islands are the warmest

The Canary Islands (Spanish: Las Islas Canarias, literally “dog islands”) is an archipelago of seven islands of volcanic origin in the Atlantic Ocean, off the northwestern coast of Africa (Morocco and Western Sahara).

The islands belong to Spain and are one of the autonomous communities of this country.

There are two capitals, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, but until 1927 Santa Cruz de Tenerife was the only capital.

Homeland of canaries.

The mild climate has attracted people to the Canary Islands since ancient times.

The history of the islands is very mysterious. The Canaries are supposedly the remnants of Atlantis. The Greeks placed here the gardens of the Hesperides; for centuries they have been referred to as the "Happy Islands". Currently, the Canary Islands are one of the most important centers of European tourism.

Geographic reference

The Canary Islands (Islas Canarias in Spanish) are washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Together with Madeira and the Azores to the north and the Cape Verde Islands to the south, they form what is commonly referred to as "Macronesia". The Canary Islands are located about 400 km from Madeira and 100-150 km from the northwest coast of Africa. The island of Fuerteventura, located in the southeastern part of the archipelago, lies 92 km from Cap Jubi - the most southern point Morocco. A little further south is Western Sahara, former colony Spain. The Canary Islands still belong to Spain, which is located in the northeast of them at a distance of 1500 km.

The total area of ​​the islands is 7500 sq. km. From east to west, the islands stretch for 500 km (between the islands of Palma and Lanzarote), and from north to south for 200 km.

There are seven main inhabited islands in the archipelago. In the center is the largest - the island of Tenerife (2057 sq. km). In the east there are three smaller islands: Gomera (378 sq. km), Hierro (277 sq. km) and Palma (728 sq. km). To the west of Tenerife is the island of Gran Canaria (1532 sq. km) - the third largest island in the archipelago. Then come the islands of Fuerteventura (1731 sq. km) and Lanzarote (795 sq. km). Four very small islands should be added to these islands: the island of Graciosa (the only one inhabited) - 27 sq. km; Alegranza island - 10 sq. km; the island of Montagna Clara - 1 sq. km north of the island of Lanzarote; Lobos island - 6 sq. km at the northern tip of the island of Fuerteventura. And finally, to the north of the island of Lanzarote, there are two very tiny islands, Roque del Oste and Roque del Este. Total - 13 islands.

The highest point of the islands is Pico del Teide (3718 m) on the island of Tenerife, which makes the island the highest in the Atlantic Ocean. Of all the other islands, only the island of Palma with the Roque de los Muchachos mountain exceeds 2000 m.

State structure

The Canary Islands are one of the 17 autonomous regions of Spain. The region is divided into two provinces (the whole of Spain is divided into 50 provinces). The Western Province includes the islands of Tenerife, Palma, Gomera and Hierro and is called the Province of Tenerife. The eastern province, called Gran Canaria, includes the islands of Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. The capital of the western province is the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. A Capital eastern province- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Within the framework of the provinces, each of the seven islands enjoys great independence. Each of them is managed by an island council, has a decent budget and the right to independently solve many autonomous problems, for example, in the field of health, urban planning, water supply, culture and tourism. The latter brings a number of inconveniences for tourists, especially those who would like to visit several islands at once.

Climate

The weather of the south coast of almost all the islands is a year-round hot summer with cloudless skies and an average temperature of 25°C. At the top of Mount Teide, the snow sometimes melts only in May. The Canary Islands have a temperate-hot climate, which is moderated by the trade winds blowing from north to east, and the cold current of the Atlantic Ocean, which is also called the Canary, and the constant good weather provides an anticyclone over the Azores. Temperature fluctuations are expressed very weakly. On the coast, the temperature rarely drops below 10°C and rarely rises above 25°C in winter, while in summer the temperature rarely falls below 20°C, but often exceeds 40°C. Despite these temperature fluctuations between maximum and minimum, the difference between the average temperature of the coldest month and the hottest is no more than 7°C. The water temperature is even more constant. It never drops below 20°C. Almost the entire amount of precipitation falls from mid-October to mid-April.

The Canary Islands can be visited throughout the year. Here all year round there are all conditions for recreation on seaside resorts and walks in the mountains. But the peak season starts from the end of July and ends at the beginning of October, and then a huge number of people come here at the end of February for the Carnival de Tenerife, which lasts until mid-March.

Population

Ethnically, the population of the islands is homogeneous - these are Canarians, who consider themselves descendants of the Guanches - the indigenous inhabitants of the Canary Islands before the arrival of the Spaniards. According to linguists, they spoke a language belonging to the Berber language group. For several centuries, Spain conquered the Canary Islands and by the end of the 15th century. finally mastered them. Part of the Guanches was destroyed, the other quickly mixed with the Spaniards. In addition to the Canarians, small groups of Spaniards and other Europeans, as well as Africans, Indians, and others live on the islands.

Language

The official language is Spanish. The Canarians speak Castilian, but much softer and faster than the Spaniards on the mainland. In addition, the Canarian vocabulary is very rich in words and expressions that came mainly from the Guanche language, but also from Portuguese and English.

Religion

Almost the entire population of the Canary Islands is Christian. Christianity began to spread here from the beginning of the 15th century, when four large islands were captured by the Spaniards. Almost all Canarians are supporters of the Roman Catholic Church. Catholicism is deeply rooted in the life of the locals. There are many Catholic cathedrals, churches and other places of worship in the Canary Islands. Protestantism is followed by an insignificant part of the population of the Canary Islands. These are local residents - Canarians, and foreigners - Americans, British, a small number of Spaniards from the continent, etc.

There are also groups of foreigners professing Islam or Hinduism in the Canary Islands. These are mainly people from countries North Africa and South Asia.

Kitchen

Canarian cuisine is very simple, but at the same time very wise and has a wide range of taste sensations. A climate of great diversity, the use of simple and ordinary products are the main factors influencing the traditional gastronomy of these islands. The fish caught here has an exquisite taste and is in no way inferior to fish from Bay of Biscay. The fish is usually served boiled or with a sauce made from vegetable oil, vinegar and capsicum.

A very popular dish is called "carne de fiesta" - "festival meat", which is prepared from pork in a special marinade with pepper and fried on a grill (las perrilladas). Usually these dishes are served with potatoes. "Papas arrugadas" (shriveled potato, "in uniform") is a potato boiled in sea water. Potatoes grown on the islands have excellent taste. Of the various varieties, differing in size, color and properties, the most valuable varieties are considered "papas bonitas" and "papas negras". It is impossible not to try the Canarian desserts. Most of the sweet dishes in Tenerife are eaten with palm honey (miel de palmera), which is made in Gomera. Try also sweet palm juice (guarapo).

The cheeses here are usually very tender, made from goat's milk and served as a starter, such as quesillo. It is impossible not to try local fruits: avocado, papaya, guava, melon, mango, pineapple. As well as other desserts: delicious egg and sugar flan pudding, sweets with honey and nuts (bienmesabe), baked milk (leche asada).

National Features

The inhabitants of the Canary Islands have a pleasant and cheerful character, and they are very fond of all kinds of holidays. Many traditional holidays have been preserved on the island, among which, without a doubt, the famous carnivals stand out. A rare resident does not prepare his carnival costume in a few months or does not participate in street orchestras. The center of the carnival is Santa Cruz, whose streets during the holiday turn into a continuous stream of dances and masks, and where music and songs do not stop for several days. Carnival is held in February. Popular and beloved holidays in Tenerife include romerias, religious holidays of the patron saint of a city.

During their conduct, you can see the procession of bulls harnessed to original carts, hear folk songs. Usually all participants of the holiday are dressed in national costumes. The Feast of Corpus Christi is another typical religious celebration that is usually held in La Orotava. A distinctive feature of this holiday is beautiful multi-colored carpets made of flowers.

And on central square you can admire the charm of "tapestry" made from special volcanic sands taken from Las Canadas del Teide. An interesting feast of St. Andrew, held on the night of November 29th. On this day, according to tradition, wine cellars are opened and young wine is tasted. A unique online photoshop site that allows you to create photo effects online. And in cities like La Orotava or Puerto de la Cruz, residents, mostly young people, run through the streets with bundles of empty tin cans that bang on the cobblestones and make a terrible noise. In the city of Icod, young people ride wooden boards along the steep streets.

Basic moments

The four western islands (Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro - in order to decrease in size) are famous for their picturesque rocky coastline. Sharp rocks rise above the ocean dizzy height. Decent beaches are only in Tenerife. The golden sand, which made the Canary Islands extremely popular, is brought from the Sahara or taken from the bottom of the sea. In general, the archipelago has about 1500 km of coastline. The bright blue color of the water is due to the colossal depth of the ocean - between the islands, the depth reaches 3000 m.

The bulk of tourists are scattered along the sandy beaches of Tenerife, the largest island, over which rises snow-capped peak Teide. The next most popular place is Gran Canaria with its rich nature. La Palma is distinguished by its green landscapes, which contrast with the unusual moonlit landscapes of Lanzarote or the deserts of Fuerteventura. Idyllic Gomera is overgrown with subtropical groves of palms and laurels, and the tiny cliffs of Hierro, exposed to the winds, end in rows of intertwined junipers.

Leisure

In a temperate climate in the Canary Islands, almost all sports can be practiced all year round. Although the dominant position is occupied by water activities - diving, surfing, sport fishing, but there are also surprises - from Canarian wrestling to parachuting.

shopping

After Spain joined the European Union in 1995, the duty-free status of the Canary Islands had to change. The islands still enjoy certain tax breaks, but from a tourist point of view, only liquor and local tobacco have remained real discounts, despite the fact that Las Palmas has duty-free shops selling watches, jewelry, optics and electronics.

Opening hours

Shops and offices usually observe a daytime siesta and are open Mon-Sat from 9.00 to 13.00, then from 16.00 to 20.00 (on Saturdays most often until lunch). But in tourist areas many shops are open all day and close very late. Banks are usually open Mon-Fri from 9.00 to 14.00. Some are open on Saturdays. The post office is open Mon-Sat from 9.00 to 14.00.

Best Buys

In Tenerife, we advise you to buy local wines. The best place to visit is Casa del Vino La Baranda in El Sauzal. In La Palma and Tenerife, you can buy excellent handmade cigars from local tobacco. The famous queso de flor cheese from Guia, Gran Canaria is famous all over the world. Check out the red and green jars of mojo sauce and the bien-mesabe almond dessert. Buy honey (miel) in Tenerife - Las Canadas del Teide is considered the best brand. Ask about the different varieties at the Honey House at the Wine House in El Sauzal.

Handicrafts, including fabrics, baskets and ceramics, can be bought in shops and markets in Gran Canaria, but you will always find the best products in the branches of Federacion para la Etnografia y el Desarrollo de la Artesania Canaria (FEDAC). Take a look at Calle Domingo J. Navarro 7, Las Palmas and to the tourist office on Avenida de Espana, Playa del Ingles.

In Tenerife, traditional folk crafts are embroidery and lace. Tablecloths and pillows will be a good souvenir. Such products should be purchased from reliable places, such as the House with Balconies in La Orotava or branches of this company. By buying such souvenirs, you support local crafts, but do not count on discounts. If the product is cheap, then it is a mass production. quality products handicrafts can be bought at the Artenerife shop located behind the port in Nuerto de la Cruz and at the Artesanas El Sol shop in Santa Cruz.

A few days before departure, buy a few Strelitzias - the "birds of paradise" in the world of flowers. The same flowers can be bought at the airport. Prices for exotic plants in the Canary Islands are surprisingly low. Plants are packed in special boxes, and it is very easy to transport them.

Market

The market in the Canary Islands is always interesting. Prices here change, merchants can be persuaded to serious discounts. The biggest and brightest markets usually work on Sundays. The Sunday morning flea market at the port in Las Palmas is extraordinarily attractive. At any time, you can come to the Nuestra Señora de Africa market in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. An excellent Friday market opens in Puerto de Mogán in Gran Canaria. The best in Lanzarote Sunday market crafts works in Teguise.

Night life

In the main tourist centers of the Canary Islands, you can find evening entertainment for every taste - from extravagant and informal evening shows in elegant restaurants to cheap karaoke bars. In addition, a wide variety of clubs are waiting for you everywhere. In Gran Canaria, Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas remain the centers of nightlife. You can also have fun in shopping centers. Among the largest and most interesting centers of the Kasbah are Fantasy Island and The Garage. The Yumbo Center is famous for its gay bars and clubs. However, there are also enough places for ordinary people here. In Las Palmas, the Mesa y Lopez quarter remains the center of nightlife. In Tenerife, the most active nightlife goes to Playa de las Americas. The most famous street is Veronikas, where there are more than a hundred bars and clubs open until the morning. The most extravagant shows are held at the Piramide de Arona. Dance and song performances are also given in Tropicana. Evenings in the medieval spirit are held in the fortress of San Miguel in the city of the same name in Tenerife.

Casinos are especially popular in the Canary Islands. There are gambling establishments in Gran Canaria in the hotels Santa Catalina, Las Palmas, Melia Tamarindos, San Agustin. In Tenerife: Taogo Casino, Puerto de la Cruz; casino "Playa de las Americas", hotel H10 Gran Tinerfe. A passport is required to enter the casino.

Festivals

The folk music of the Canary Islands recalls that the archipelago has always been a bridge between Spain and the New World. Most of all, Canarian music resembles South American. For local songs and dances, head to the "Canary Village" in Las Palmas. Traditional festivals are held on all islands, most often on the day of the patron saints of different cities.

Carnival

The Canarian carnival lasts ten days, usually from mid to late February - before Lent. Thousands of Canarians are having fun with all their hearts. Shops and offices close, young and old people in unusual costumes fill the streets and dance until the morning to energetic Latin music. Costumes are chosen according to the given theme. Stunningly beautiful carnival costumes are prepared all year long. Musical ensembles and dancers are located on large platforms and pass through the entire city. Tourists also often put on masks and costumes and join in the general fun.

The largest and most fun carnival in Tenerife takes place in Santa Cruz and Puerto de la Cruz, and in Gran Canaria - in Las Palmas. These carnivals are almost as good as the famous carnivals in Rio and New Orleans. Hotels are full during this period, so rooms should be booked in advance.

Corpus Christi

The Feast of Corpus Christi is celebrated from the end of May to mid-June, and is the most colorful event in the Canary Islands after the carnival. But the nature of the festival is completely different. On the streets and squares, real pictures are created from color volcanic sand, colored salt and flower petals. The plots are very diverse - religious, copies of paintings by famous artists or abstract. In Tenerife, very extravagant paintings can be seen in La Orotava and La Laguna, but the holiday is celebrated no less brightly in Las Palmas on Gran Canaria and other cities and villages on all islands. Pictures perish - sometimes in a few minutes - under the feet of participants in solemn processions.

Bright holidays with songs, dances, food and wine - romerias - are arranged immediately after the day of Corpus Christi. They restore the balance between sobriety and fun.

Lucha canaria and juego del palo

Lucha canaria - Canarian wrestling. This sport is very popular. Fights can be seen at rural festivals and special arenas in Canarian cities. Two teams of 12 wrestlers fight on the sand ring. The main goal is to throw the enemy to the ground. After three rounds, the winner is revealed - the team that has lost fewer wrestlers. This type of wrestling originated in pre-Spanish times, but then the battles were more serious.

Huego del Palo (stick wrestling) is another rural sport that can be seen at local festivals. The main task is to stay in place, despite all the attacks of the enemy, and repel all blows.

Holidays in the Canary Islands with children

Bright sun, sandy beaches and plenty of fun on and off the beach make the Canary Islands a great destination for kids of all ages. Many hotels have special programs for children: games by the pool, children's evening entertainment, and for the little ones - babysitting services. Here is something that will be of interest to your children.

The karts never go too fast, and they are so low that they can't flip over. The only problem is getting the kid off the track when it's time to leave. Karting Club Tenerife, Arona (10 minutes from Playa de las Americas) has a speed track and a regular track. Gran Karting Club has a branch in Gran Canaria, in Tarajalillo, San Agustin (next to the GC-1 track), in Lanzarote, in La Rinconada (near the airport). Karting centers have high-speed tracks for seniors, as well as children's tracks.

Museums

Children do not always like museums, but there are some in the Canary Islands that they will like.

Gran Canaria: Children take a look at the Guanche skulls and mummies in the Canary Museum in Las Palmas, as well as the reconstruction of the Guanche village in the Mundo Aboriginal Park (open: daily 9.00-18.00) near Maspalomas. Children also love the Elder Museum in Las Palmas.

Tenerife: Guanche skulls and mummies can be seen at the Museum of Nature and Man in Santa Cruz. Of interest to children is also the Museum of Science and Space (open: Tue-Sun from 9.00 to 19.00), which is located in La Laguna.

Animal and plant parks

Gran Canaria: Los Corralillos Park is near Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas. It contains parrots, monkeys, deer and crocodiles ( popular park Palmitos was badly damaged by fires in July 2007, information on its condition can be found at www.palmitospark.es).

Tenerife: Loro Park, which is located in Puerto de la Cruz, has an aquarium, a dolphinarium, where dolphins and sea lions perform. There are also many parrots here. Eagle shows are held in Las Aguilas Park (open: 10.00-16.30) in Los Cristianos. In addition, here you can see a variety of birds and animals. The park has a "Jungle Raid" obstacle course.

Lanzarote: At Las Pardelas Recreational Park, kids will love the farm with pets and donkey rides.

Water and leisure parks

Gran Canaria: here is the largest Aquasur park in the Canary Islands (open: daily 10.00-18.00). Another large Aquapark is located in Puerto Rico (open daily 10.00-18.30 in summer, 10.00-17.30 in winter).

Lanzarote: best park on the island - Ocean Water Park (open: daily 10.00-18.00).

Tenerife: Aqualand Dolphinarium Park (open: daily 10.00-18.00) is located on Costa Adeje.

Fuerteventura: Baku Family Park, Corralejo (open: daily 10.00-18.00 in summer, 10.00-17.00 in winter).

Cuisine of the Canary Islands

The traditional cuisine of the Canary Islands is one of the most unusual and delicious in Spain. It combines traditional recipes of Spanish cuisine with various "intervention" of Latin American and African culinary traditions.

The inhabitants of the Canary Islands love to eat a lot, so the cuisine here consists of high-calorie, satisfying and healthy ingredients.

In the Canary Islands, they know how and love to cook meat dishes very tasty. It serves a variety of incomparable meat stews, which include stewed beef or several types of meat at once. One of the most popular meat dishes, is "carne de fiesta", it is prepared from well-marinated pork.

Canarians love various vegetable soups: squash, watercress or mixed vegetable soup. A very thick soup is also prepared, which includes ingredients such as: beans, pork ribs, corn on the cob, greens and cumin.

Since the Canary Islands are washed by various waters, it is worth noting that, nevertheless, the traditional cuisine here is seafood dishes, mainly made from fish. For example, such as boiled fish, which is most often served with sweet potatoes ("sancocho") or a dish of fried fish with a sauce made from vinegar, coriander and a little garlic.

Residents of the Canary Islands, regarding alcoholic beverages, prefer wines, sweet and fortified. Canarian wines are very diverse, here you can find very young varieties that are served in small restaurants. Such a wine will be around 13-16 degrees and will be very easy to drink, but you can also find expensive wines with an earlier production date.

Many Canarians make their own wine at home, but it is usually not bottled but sold in small bars and restaurants in 16 or 18 liter wooden barrels.

Canarian cuisine is similar to Spanish cuisine in many ways, but there are also interesting regional differences. Many dishes are reminiscent of Latin American, although it is unclear whether these recipes were introduced in New World natives of the Canary Islands or American recipes appeared in the Canaries thanks to those who returned to their homeland.

You will see many restaurants of Basque (cocina vasca) and Galician (cocina gallega) cuisine. These regions of Spain are famous for their gourmet cuisine and similar restaurants are very popular.

Currency

As in Spain, the currency of the Canary Islands is the Euro. It is best to exchange currency in banks, but you can also do this at exchange offices (casas de cambio), which work even when banks are closed. Look out for cambio signs. You can also exchange money in large hotels, but the exchange rate here is less favorable than in banks. Banks and exchange offices exchange traveler's checks for more favorable exchange rate than cash. Do not forget to bring your passport with you or use an ATM where the exchange rate is the most profitable.

In the Canary Islands, you can easily use most of the international credit cards, although in small establishments still prefer cash. The most common cards are Visa, MasterCard and Eurocard. With the help of credit and debit cards, you can withdraw cash from ATMs, which are in all cities and resorts. This is the most convenient way to get cash, and the exchange rate is always the best.

Many hotels, large shops, restaurants and travel agencies in the Canary Islands cash traveler's checks. You can also do this at a bank, where the exchange rate will be more favorable (you will need a passport). It is safer to cash out a small amount at a time, and keep the rest of the checks in the hotel safe.

Safety

Crime

The most common crime against tourists in the Canary Islands is theft from rental cars. Never leave anything of value in cars. Keep valuables in the hotel safe, including your passport, and carry a photocopy with you. When leaving, as well as during sleep, lock the windows and doors of the room. However, crime in the Canaries is low, so just use common sense. All thefts must be reported to the local police within 24 hours in order to receive an insurance claim.

Police

In the Canary Islands, as elsewhere in Spain, there are three types of police. Most often you can meet the Guardia Civil (civil guard) in green uniforms. Each city has its own Policia Municipal - the color of the uniform depends on the city and season, but most often the uniform is blue and gray. The third type of police Cuerpo Nacional de Policia is the national police, which deals with the fight against crime. You will recognize these police officers by their light brown uniforms. All police officers are armed. Spanish police officers are strict but polite towards foreign tourists.

Most tourists, including citizens of the European Union and the United States, need only a valid passport to enter Spain and the Canary Islands. Tourists from other countries, including the Russian Federation, require a Schengen visa. However, since April 5, 2016, a year of mutual tourism has started between Russia and Spain, so the procedure for obtaining a visa for parents with children aged 6-12 has been simplified. Besides, visa centers Spain will issue visas for Russians within 3 working days.

From the Canary Islands you can bring 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g of smoking tobacco with you; 1 liter of spirits with a strength of more than 22° or 2 liters with a strength of less than 22° and 2 liters of wine.

Accommodation

Most of the hotels in the Canary Islands are designed for families and meet fairly high standards. international standards. There are many apartments and "apart-hotels" on the islands, where the rooms have their own kitchens, but otherwise are absolutely similar to hotel rooms. If you are going to come during the high season (from late November to March or in July, August), then you should book accommodation in advance. Breakfast is not always included in the price, and this issue must be clarified when booking. We recommend using the hotellook service, where you can compare hotel prices and book apartments with a discount of up to 60%.

Independent tourist finding cheap accommodation in major resorts is not easy, as most hotels are three and four star. But in big cities like Santa Cruz and Las Palmas, there are quite a few cheaper hotels.

In the Canary Islands, vacations in casas rurales are actively developing - rural or old town houses turned into small hotels and apartments. In such houses you can settle and live completely independently.

Paradors are state-owned hotels that are located in historical buildings outside the cities and in the countryside. There are paradors in Tenerife, El Hierro, Fuerteventura and La Palma. Rooms in such hotels should be booked in advance. Contact: Paradores de Turismo, Central de Reservas, Requena 3, 28013 Madrid, Tel: 902-547-979.

How to get there

By plane

Flights to the Canary Islands are carried out various airlines: Aeroflot, Iberia, Air France, Air Europa, Lufthansa, KLM and others. The flight time to Tenerife depends on the selected airline: a direct flight from Moscow by Aeroflot or Delta will take about 7-8 hours if you fly with a transfer, for example, by Lufthansa (via Frankfurt, Munich) or Airfrance » (via Paris), then the flight time can be from 12 to 14 hours and depends on the waiting time between flights. Many tourists go to the Canary Islands via aviasales - and this is the cheapest way.

To get to the smaller islands, fly to Las Palmas or Tenerife, and from there take local planes from Binter Airlines.

by sea

Trasmediterranea (www.trasmediterranea.es) organizes ferry services between Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, as well as to all islands except La Gomera and El Hierro.

The Fred Olsen Shipping Line (www.fredolsen.es) operates ferries from Gran Canaria to Tenerife 6 times a day. Ferries leave from Puerto de las Nieves, Agaete (journey time - about 70 minutes, free bus from Las Palmas). In addition, the company organizes a connection between Tenerife and El Hierro (journey time - 2 hours). Naviera Armas (www.naviera-armas.com) provides connections between Gran Canaria and Tenerife, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, Tenerife and El Hierro and La Palma.

Islands of eternal spring, a quiet, secluded place, which at the same time has a reputation as the best resort in the world. The Canary Islands forever captivate those who have ever been here. And I, too, was no exception.

The Canary Islands is an amazing journey through time and space. Formally, it is. In practice, you will not find so much Spanish here: except perhaps the language. It was here that the ancient tribes of the Guanches, the indigenous inhabitants of the islands, lived. True Canarians do not consider themselves Spaniards and are even offended if they are called that.

Why is the Canaries called the islands of eternal spring? Here, the temperature is approximately the same all year round: not too hot, set off by pleasant ocean freshness, truly spring. 13 climatic zones are concentrated here and the highest point of Spain is located - the stunning and mighty volcano Teide. Most tourists from Russia come to the island. He is definitely good. But other islands of the archipelago also deserve attention. There are seven in total:

• Lanzarote;
• Homer;
• Palm;
• Hierro.

If you ask me to name the best island in the Canary Islands, I will say: Fuerteventura. But you might like some other one the most. All of them are beautiful and unforgettable in their own way! But my heart belongs to Fuerteventura - the island of freedom, wind, flying sails of kitesurfers and happiness.

Many people think that the Canary Islands are named after canaries. In fact, everything is exactly the opposite. These little birds were first seen here and named after the islands. And the archipelago is named after dogs. The Spanish word for dog is el can. There are several versions of why dogs were given such an honor. Someone believes that ancient wild dogs lived here, someone says that the locals considered the dog to be a sacred animal. Nevertheless, the fact remains: the islands bear their name thanks to the dogs.

How to get there

The question of how to get to the Canary Islands is the easiest and most difficult at the same time.

The simplest - because there are not so many options. The most difficult - because most of them are expensive or inconvenient. Since the islands are located in the Atlantic Ocean, practically the only way to get to them from the "mainland" is by plane. But between the islands you can both fly and travel by ferry.

By plane

In the Canaries, there are airports on the following islands - Tenerife, Hierro, Las Palmas.

There are 2 airports in Tenerife - North (Los Rodeos) and South ( Tenerife Sur Reina Sofia). north airport serves flights arriving from Spain and departing to other islands. Yuzhny, in turn, is international and flights from Russia come here. There are many options for flights with transfers, but the most convenient direct flights from Russia () are carried out by 2 companies - Aeroflot and charter flights from Vim-Avia.

How long is the flight to the Canary Islands?

Travel time is 7 hours. But such a direct flight will cost about 500 EUR (34,000 rubles) per person in both directions from Moscow and a little more expensive from St. Petersburg (usually with a transfer in Moscow). You can see more accurate prices.

Clubs and nightlife

If you want to hang out, it's better to go to youth resorts or to Corralejo on. Although no city in the Canary Islands can be called a truly "discotheque", nevertheless, this area suggests a more relaxed and peaceful holiday.

1. In Lanzarote, nightlife lovers flock to Puerto del Carmen. In Corralejo in Fuerteventura, it is worth going to Mafaska or beach club Waikiki.
2. In Gran Canaria, the main center of nightlife is Playa del Inglés and its surroundings.
3. But the leader among all discos in the Canaries is Lounge Cabana, which takes place in the Seaside Park in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

extreme sports

But there is more than enough extreme here: kitesurfing and windsurfing, many kilometers hiking trips, paragliding, cycling, sailing, diving, horseback riding, camel rides - every island offers all these activities.

In Tenerife, divers can explore the El Condesito wreck, the Palmmar underwater cave, or explore the life of stingrays. The Arinaga Marine Reserve off the coast of Gran Canaria is of particular interest to lovers underwater world. And a Russian hydrofoil that sank here in 2003 is so well preserved that divers can get inside. Near Lanzarote there are coral caves Cathedral. It is worth considering that for independent diving you will need a diver's certificate, a dive book and a passport. Beginners are offered introductory dives to a shallow depth.

In Tenerife, the best place for surfers is Playa de las Americas and El Medano. On Gran Canaria - Playa del Aguila.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

Aloe, aloe and more aloe. This is the main product of the islands and the main souvenir that is brought from there. Of course, we are not talking about a plant in a pot, but about all kinds of products: creams and various care products, soap, jam - what they don’t do here!

In addition to aloe, cactus is more popular. Jam from it will also be a wonderful gift for friends and family. Shops on the embankments are full of standard souvenirs: magnets, cups, boomerangs, the nudist theme is played in an original way, and hipster buses are absolutely charming - from small toys to salt shakers and other utensils with their image.

How to move around the region

The two most convenient ways ride inside the islands: taxis and buses.
The two most convenient ways to travel between the islands are planes and ferries.

Taxi. What features exist

All taxis in the Canary Islands are official, the cars are painted white with a red stripe. If the taxi sign glows green, then the car is free.

Payment is by meter. Only the smallest islands have flat-rate taxis. As a rule, before the trip, the driver can roughly orient you how much the trip will cost.

The drivers are friendly, polite, ready to help, but unobtrusive.

Approximate prices: 1–1.5 EUR per kilometer. You can order a car in advance, or you can catch it on the street (it's even cheaper).

If you get into official taxis, and not to private traders, then there will be no problems!

Public transport

The Canary Islands has a well-developed bus network. The schedule can be found at bus stations and stops, you can take the bus along the entire route.

Buses run on schedule. This is a good, modern and comfortable transport. At bus stations, you can buy a ticket at the box office or from the driver, you can also get hooked at any stop and pay at the entrance. Inside the islands, we traveled by bus. I heard that there are situations when the bus simply does not come, but in my practice this has not happened. The buses always arrived on time and did not let us down.

Buses run between all major cities, the only thing to keep in mind is that the trip can be much longer than by taxi, as the bus will call into small villages and pick up passing passengers. But if you check the schedule ahead of time, you'll know what to expect.

Transport rental

Getting around each island by car is also very convenient. They are rented. But I don't drive, so it was irrelevant for me. In general, there are car rental points in every town and in every resort. Rental cars are available to travelers over 21 years of age. As a rule, a deposit is not required, but then you will not be able to leave the island by ferry. In some cases, you may still be asked for a deposit. Car rental costs from 30 EUR per day, but if you rent a car for a week or more, you can get a nice discount. By the way, you can order a car in advance, even from home, it will be provided to you right at the airport. You can see the prices for renting vehicles in convenient cities.

All the roads I have seen are free. But you need to be prepared for the fact that in some places the ideal track may end, and the primer will begin after it. Although recently almost all roads have been renovated and repairs are ongoing. The car must have full insurance. You will also need a passport and a driver's license.

A yellow line on the side of the road means you can't park here. Blue - that parking is paid.

You shouldn't ride passenger car on Cofete on (this is dangerous and not a single insurance covers the road there). In the Canary Islands, there are very large fines for violations of the rules traffic so it's best to follow them carefully.

Canary Islands: holidays with children

I vacationed in the Canary Islands without children, but it seems to me that they are well suited for holidays with kids: the mild climate practically does not cause acclimatization, it is safe, comfortable and predictable in a good way.

In addition, there are many ways to entertain children in the Canaries: these are Loro Park in Tenerife and the large Zoo on, and the Ostrich Farm, and the Camel Park, and the water park.

Ski holidays

5 things to do in this region

1. Hear the silence in the roar of the ocean.
2. Went to hiking along one of the routes of the national parks of the Canary Islands.
3. Experience the colonial architecture of one of the two (or both) capitals: Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
4. Watch birds, lizards, chipmunks or goats in the wild.
5. Feel like a tiny part of this huge, beautiful world!

Canary Islands (Las Islas Canarias) located in the Atlantic Ocean. Geographically, this is the north-west of Africa (only 100 km to the coast of Morocco), 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 with a total area of ​​7500 sq. km.

The largest and populated island 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: Father Homer(378 sq. km.), Fr Hierro(277 sq. km.) and o.Palma(728 sq. km).

2 km. from Fuerteventura is the uninhabited Lobos, and to the north of Lanzarote is the Chinijo archipelago, consisting of five islets, one of which, O. Graciosa, 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.

Are you planning to visit Mexico? Read our article on ancient city Latin America.

Tired of long flights? Then find out the travel time in advance - the flight time from Moscow to the Dominican Republic, what to do with yourself?

History of the origins of the Canary Islands

The origin of the Canary Islands is associated with the myth of Atlantis - the mainland, which plunged into the abyss of the Atlantic Ocean, and these small islands are considered paradise Earth. However, true historical events are devoid of romance.

The indigenous population - the Guanches, whose origin is not exactly known, has been and remains one of the biggest historical mysteries. Guanches are tall, fair-skinned, blond, often red-haired and blue-eyed.

They only spoke a little with their lips moving and without uttering a sound, they had access to the whistle 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 mummification of the dead, bred bardino shepherd dogs, 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 tidbit and a target for capture and possession for many centuries.

In the 12th century the islands were visited by Arab sailors, in the XII century - French, in the XIV - Portuguese and Spanish.

The local residents, the Guanches, who had stone-tipped spears as weapons, desperately fought for their territories, but the plague epidemic greatly weakened their positions and in December 1495 the natives had to admit defeat.

The Spaniards completely took possession of the archipelago. Together with the conquerors, technical progress also came to the islands, and after the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus in 1492, the islands turned into the most important maritime transit 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, the Canary Islands are famous for their rum. Developed commercial relations with America, Europe, the British Isles.

In 1852 appeared free ports decree, which established a free commercial regime on the islands, a kind of offshore zone. By the beginning of the 20th century, a crisis in relations between the two main cities, Santa Cruz and Las Palmas. The political struggle complicated the economic development of the entire region as a whole. The solution to the problem was found in 1927 - the unified 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 XX century, after long post-war years, the excellent weather conditions 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.

Tourists in the Canary Islands are waiting today luxurious beaches, museums and galleries, theme parks, shopping centers, casinos and nightclubs, theaters. This is an international center of tourism and recreation, which receives 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 best restaurants and souvenir shops in the Canary Islands. The most favorite places for 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, mild 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, +21C in April-May, from June to November the water temperature on the beaches reaches +23+24C. For those who like to splash in warm water, this is the best time to relax 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 is August. average temperature+30C in the daytime, +26C in the evening.

The presence of the cold Canary Current softens the August heat and it will not hurt comfortable rest. Thanks to the mountain ranges that divide 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 moisture-saturated clouds cannot overcome mountain ranges, therefore, in southern regions almost sunny and dry weather all year round. From the sweltering heat (a dry sultry wind blows to these islands from the African coast) save 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 the trip, be sure to look so as not to fall into the rainy season and not spoil your vacation.

And of course, do not forget to solve 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 their lush vegetation and excellent conditions for more active recreation - surfing. Climatic conditions make the Canary Islands a year-round resort.

In the nomination "The Best Resort on the Atlantic Coast of Europe" for 2007-2009.

Canary Islands (Islas Canarias, area 7500 sq. km) - Autonomous region Spain, located in the Atlantic Ocean, 1500 km from 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 distinguished as a special natural area tentatively 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 a small temperature difference during the year - in summer it is about + 21 ° С, in winter - not lower than + 17 ° С, and the water temperature almost never drops below + 20 ° С. The reason for such an even climate is the unique location of the islands - lying in a hot tropical zone near the coast desert Africa, they experience the beneficial effect 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 relief of an island. Warm and mild climate, fertile volcanic soils and long-term isolation from the mainland have formed here an amazing natural complex with unique flora and fauna (almost a quarter of the species living here are found nowhere else on Earth), diverse landscapes and the richest marine life.

The islands were inhabited by humans around the 3rd millennium BC. Greek and Roman sources associated this land with mythical Atlantis, but they themselves knew about them only by rumors, since the whole territory Pillars of Hercules, as the Strait of Gibraltar was then called, was controlled by the peoples of the sea, primarily the ubiquitous Phoenicians. The indigenous tribes of the Guanches who inhabited the islands, almost exterminated immediately after the conquest of the islands by the Spaniards (1402-1496), have been and remain one of the biggest historical mysteries. These fair-haired (often red!) and blue-eyed people, who possessed a complex system of mythology and their own cosmogony, a whistling language and completely unique system hieroglyphic writing (at least this is how the numerous petroglyphs of the Canary Islands are interpreted, which have not yet been unraveled, by the way), the original art of stone processing and architecture, they mastered the art of mummifying the dead and domesticating animals (huge shepherd dogs "bardino", brought to Europe from the Canaries Moors, gave rise to many modern breeds). But at the same time they lived at the level of the 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 boats larger than fishing boat! But after the assimilation of the Guanches (most of them were exterminated or taken into slavery), the mystery of their origin and the mystery of 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.

The largest (2034 sq. km) and the 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, the 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, topped by the volcanic cone Pico de las Nieves (1949 m).

The fourth largest island in the archipelago and one of the most volcanic 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 flooded the entire island with lava, almost completely "rewriting" its landscapes).

The least known island in the Canary archipelago. However, more than half of its coasts are bordered magnificent beaches from white or golden sand.

On 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 picturesque capital Santa Cruz de la Palma and the 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 with dense evergreen forests. It is this piece of land that is considered the birthplace of canaries (which is not surprising - in local forests more than 40 species of these birds live), the whistling language "silbo", and its mountain range Alto de Garahonari (1487 m) is a huge nature reserve.

The westernmost and smallest island of the Canary archipelago - Hierro(Hierro, 278 sq. km) differs from the rest of the islands of the group by its rocky and steep coastline, which is why it has almost no beaches. But here there is thermal springs Sabinosa, the plateau of Tiñor with its amazing landscape, the large lake of El Tamadouste, the vineyards of Frontera, the picturesque bay of El Golfo and a real Mecca for fishermen - the village of La Restinga.