The Canary Islands is the most remote autonomous region in Spain, located off the northwestern coast of Africa.
The Canary Islands are an amazing place with a special atmosphere, indescribable landscapes of the tropics, dunes, volcanoes, waterfalls, clean beaches and azure waters. The capitals of the autonomy are the cities of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, replacing each other every four years.
Photo: Santa Cruz de Tenerife The Canary Islands are a heavenly place where you can relax all year round. Almost no European beach resort can afford such luxury.
7 islands: Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, El Hierro, La Palma and La Gomera. Most often, tourists choose the first two - the infrastructure is appropriate. However, each of them will be remembered by the guests for a long time. These are amazing mountains, Teide volcano, black sand on the beaches, martian landscapes in Timanfaya park, sheer cliffs Los Organos and unusual shaped junipers and even ancient pyramids.
Take a look beautiful places in the Canary Islands in this video:
Tenerife hosts the most popular and largest carnival in the Old World. For two weeks in February, everyday life stops and everyone becomes active participants in the colorful show.
Twice a year there is a sales season in stores - in winter from January 6 to the end of February and throughout the summer. At this time, there is a chance to buy clothes and accessories of luxury brands for ridiculous money.
Geography of the Canary Islands
Photo: National park Timanfaya The Canary Islands is an Atlantic archipelago formed by 7 volcanic islands:
- Tenerife is the largest island with the most exotic and varied landscape. Against the backdrop of cacti, banana plantations and forests, the Teide volcano (3,718 m) rises powerfully. In the south, the beaches are covered with special black volcanic sand, there are beaches with white sand brought from the Sahara;
- Fuerteventura is the second largest island famous for its endless beaches and seclusion;
- Gran Canaria - this island is called "a continent in miniature" for the variety of landscapes from luxurious beaches, parks and dune desert;
- Lanzarote - it is called "the island of fire-breathing mountains" because of the three hundred volcanoes on its territory;
- El Hierro - the smallest and most western island, where you can see unusual shores and landscapes, groves of the Barbary thuja and the "end of the world";
- La Palma is the greenest corner of the Canary Islands for hikers, with beaches with both regular and black sand;
- La Gomera - interesting islandabounding mountain peaks and tourist routes.
There are 4 national parks in the Canaries that are amazing:
- Caldera Taburiente (Palma Island) - a grandiose crater 10 km in diameter, served the last stronghold the Guanches overtaken by the conquistadors;
- Garajonay (Gomera Island) - laurel forests, mysterious in the mists, which remained from the ancient subtropical forest;
- Teide (Tenerife Island) - the highest volcano mountain in Spain (3,718 m) in a huge pit where rare plants grow;
- Timanfaya (Lanzarote Island) is a land of fire-breathing mountains, craters and eye-catching Martian landscapes.
Climate
The trade winds constantly carry warm air from the Moroccan coast - this is the edge of the year-round resort. Throughout the year, the coast is moderately hot and dry, and you can cool off in the mountains or while swimming in the ocean. Sometimes an unpleasant, suffocating and dusty wind blows from Africa - sirocco (kalima).
How to get there and move around
Photo: Map of Tenerife Island There are direct and connecting flights to the islands. Usually fly to Tenerife and Gran Canaria. From Moscow, a round-trip ticket costs about 500 euros with a transfer and up to 1000 euros for a direct flight.
Photo: Map of Gran Canaria From St. Petersburg to the Canary Islands can only be reached with transfers for about 600 euros per person.
Photo: Fuerteventura Island Map Ferries run between the islands. There is almost always free places, and a car is transported for an additional fee. The cost of a ferry ticket is 30-40 euros one way, depending on the route.
Photo: Detailed map of Lanzarote island The local air carrier Binter Canarias also operates. Airplane tickets are not much more expensive - 40-60 euros.
Photo: Detailed map of the island of El Hierro To conveniently drive around the sights and beaches in the Canary Islands, it is easier to rent a car. This pleasure will cost about 25-30 euros per day.
Photo: Map of La Gomera Island Why go
The Canary Islands - 7 islands with 4 picturesque national parks and many UNESCO reserves, as well as amazing beaches and the Atlantic Ocean, where everyone will find the perfect vacation: beach, surfing, diving, exciting excursions, delicious cuisine, wine and fruits ...
When to go
The Canaries are waiting for tourists all year round, but the best time for a comfortable trip is from May to October. Tourists with harsh winters in their countries choose autumn-winter trips to the Canary Islands to hide from the cold.
Culture of the Canary Islands
Photo: The painting shows the natives of the island of Tenerife - Guanches Initially, the Guanches lived on the islands - light-skinned blondes or brunettes, who were subsequently conquered by the Spaniards in the 15th century, and then exterminated or sold into slavery. The small part that remained mixed with the Spanish and lost their language.
Interesting! The Guanches are the natives of the island of Tenerife, while the other islands were inhabited by the Mahorers, Aurites, and Bimbache, since there was no connection between the islands until the 15th century.
Colonial buildings (15th century) have been preserved in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Other cities were formed in the 20th century from small fishing settlements.
The main source of income is tourism, but there are others, for example, the layer of volcanic ash turned out to be an excellent soil for special grape varieties, from which Canarian wine is then made.
What to see
The Canary Islands attract not only for their unique nature and wonderful climate, but also for their numerous antiquities and other attractions.
We sorted it out and prepared a list of the most-most interesting places:
Tenerife
Photo: Tenerife Island - Black beaches near the town of Puerto de Santiago.
- Volcano Teide is the highest point in all of Spain. A large funicular takes tourists to the observation deck at an altitude of 3550 meters.
- Pyramids of Guimar - pyramids were built not only in Egypt, but also on the Canary Islands. The origin and purpose of these buildings still cause lively discussions among archaeologists.
- Chinyero Volcano is an active volcano, the life of which is closely monitored by scientists in order to have time to warn local residents about a possible eruption.
- Anaga Park - truly unique plants grow here, for example, tree daisies and even two-meter dandelions.
- Siam Park is a huge water park with dozens of slides, slopes and other entertainments.
- Maska is a small and very inaccessible village where real pirates once lived.
- Lunar Landscape is an amazing natural landscape near the village of Vilaflor.
Watch a beautiful video about Tenerife:
Photo: Gran Canaria - St. Anne's Cathedral - it was built for more than four centuries, therefore, during its construction, the traditions of several architectural styles were mixed: Gothic, Neoclassicism and Baroque.
- Cueva Pintada is the largest complex of caves in the Canary Islands archipelago, on whose walls are preserved drawings of primitive people.
- House of Columbus - the great navigator regularly stopped at the residence of the local governor, waiting for the completion of the repair of his ships in order to continue research.
- Artenara is the oldest settlement on the island. Some of the houses are built right in the rocks, while inside the living quarters there are all modern amenities. The church of La Ermita de la Cuevita is also located in a separate cave.
- The Black Church of San Juan is located in the small town of Arucas, among the snow-white residential buildings.
- Botanical Garden Jardin Canario - a garden of cactuses brought to the islands many centuries ago has a special value.
- Telde is a small town whose houses are decorated with ornate carvings and mosaics.
You can see the landscapes of the island in the video:
Photo: Fuerteventura - Oasis Park is a huge zoo with many exotic animals.
- Lobos Island - near Fuerteventura, with beautiful shallow coves and clear water lagoons.
- Akhuy is a resounding village for Russian-speaking, whose beaches and deep caves are lost among the rocks. On the observation deck, you can see waves crashing against huge stone boulders.
- Surf Beaches - Thanks to the constant winds, this island is very popular with surfers as there is almost no calm here.
You can watch the nature of the island in the video:
El Hierro
- Cape Orchilla - once it was considered literally the end of the world, and the prime meridian passed here.
- Valley of El Golfo - gorgeous gardens and vineyards, among which you can walk for hours.
- La Frontera is a small village where houses of local residents with original furnishings have been preserved.
- Mirador de la Peña is an observation deck at an altitude of 650 meters above sea level, as well as a whole complex for tourists with small houses made of volcanic stone and even a small garden.
The natural landscape of the island of El Hierro can be viewed in this video:
La Palma
Photo: A copy of the Columbus ship - Caldera de Taburiente Park - in its center is a deep crater that appeared here hundreds of thousands of years ago. There are several viewing platforms around it with convenient paths and paths.
- Observatory - the largest telescope in Europe is built here.
- Calle Maritima in Santa Cruz de la Palma is a narrow old street with preserved low houses, decorated with amazing carvings and endless tubs and pots of flowers.
- The Maritime Museum - the main exhibit is a replica of Columbus's own ship.
- Belmako is an archaeological park, in whose caves are preserved rock paintings of the ancient people who inhabited this island.
- La Glorieta is a unique square in the city of Las Manchas, made of brightly colored mosaics.
You will definitely like the fabulous nature of the island of La Palma, you can see it in the video:
Lanzarote
Photo: Hameol-del-Agua - Jameol del Agua is a complex of caves that were formed many thousands of years ago during a volcanic eruption. Some are open to tourists, and the walls and inner halls are beautifully illuminated.
- Teguise is a small settlement with an old 14th century fortress and Spinola's palace. On Sundays, it hosts the largest market on the island, which attracts everyone who wants to sell or buy.
- Yaiza - this small settlement was inhabited by wealthy merchants, whose beautiful original houses have been preserved in excellent condition. Yaiza has twice been recognized as the most beautiful village in all of Spain.
The nature and landscape of the island can be viewed in this video:
La Gomera
Photo: Garajonay Park - Garajonay Park - the remains of ancient volcanoes, whose peaks have changed due to erosion, are scattered across the territory of the national park.
- The Valle Gran Rey Valley - wonderful landscapes, cozy villages and comfortable beaches with clear water and unusual black sand.
- Hermigua - endless banana plantations.
The "Heads and Tails" program also did not ignore the Canary Islands - they came to the islands of Tenerife, Gran Canaria and La Palma.
The beauty of the island can be seen in this video:
Main cities and places of interest
On the island of Gran Canaria, there are magnificent dunes in the Maspalomas zone, the ancient city of Galdar, canyons, the Cueva Pintada caves with colorful Guanche drawings, the distinctive village of Pueblo Canario, the Aqualand water park.
The island of Tenerife beckons tourists with the Teide volcano mountain and extraordinary black beach sand.
Photo: Tenerife Island The island of Lanzarote surprises with the Martian landscape and the Timanfaya nature reserve with the Mirador del Rio observation deck.
Homera Island is home to the foggy laurel forests of the Garajonay National Park and natural columns and basalt, reminiscent of Las Organos organ pipes.
On the island of Hierro you can see the Norman settlement and Lagartario Park.
On the island of Palma, there is the Taburiente Nature Reserve - a grandiose crater 10 km in diameter, the petroglyphs of La Sarsa.
Fuerteventura is a wild paradise, a land of surfers and divers, caves and mills, Betancuria Museum on an extinct crater.
What to do in the Canary Islands
Photo: Holidays on the islands The Canary Islands are a tourist paradise. We have collected the top 20 most important things to do when arriving in the Canary Islands:
- Lie on the black beach by the ocean.
- Taste the real Canarian meat soup Rancho Canaria in Fuertoventura.
- Grab a surfboard and catch the wave.
- Feel like on an alien planet among the lunar landscape in Tenerife.
- Visit Columbus' house in Tenerife, and then climb on a replica of his ship on La Palma.
- Climb to the top of the Chinyero volcano crater.
- Visit the Jameol del Agua caves complex in Lanzarote.
- Go to the observatory on La Palma.
- Snorkel in the pristine lagoons of Lanserote.
- Stand at the edge of Cape Orchilla on El Hierro.
- Soak up the black sand of Tenerife.
- Drink Canarian wine made from grapes grown on volcanic ash.
- Take one of the trekking routes of Anaga Park, for example, "The Path of the Senses" or "Chamorga".
- Take a photo on Mars on Lanzarote Island.
- Enjoy the panorama of Mount Teide with refreshing drinks.
- Visit Timanfaya Park for meat cooked above the volcano's crater.
- See unusual vineyards on the volcano of Lanzarote island.
- Indulge in romantic feelings on the Maspalomas dunes.
- Try to decipher the messages of the Guanches in the caves of Cueva Pintada.
- Relax your soul in the bosom of the nature of Fuerteventura.
Shopping (What and where to buy)
Photo: Shopping in the Canary Islands The main shopping area is in Tenerife and Gran Canaria, but other islands also sell interesting, authentic souvenirs to commemorate this exciting trip.
Top 5 most popular purchases in the Canary Islands:
- Obsidian is a piece of solidified lava.
- Mojo sauce - in stores there is a huge selection of different flavors in beautiful bottles.
- Palm honey is not actually honey, but a syrup made from the heart of date palms.
- Cactus jam is a dessert made from the fruits of a certain type of cactus.
- Ceramic figurines - in small villages, local artisans create real hand-made masterpieces.
In the tourist cities of Las Americas and Costa Adeje in Tenerife, a huge number of shopping centers and various brand stores.
Gran Canaria will delight guests with an abundance of selection of goods in Las Palmas and Playa del Ingles.
Prices
The Canary Islands use the euro. It is advisable to exchange rubles for currency before the trip, otherwise the exchange rate on the spot will be very unprofitable.
A cup of coffee in a cafe costs an average of 1.70 euros.
Lunch at a restaurant costs about 20-25 euros per person. At the same time, many of them offer a la carte - a set menu. This option costs less - an average of 10-15 euros.
Products cost:
Bread - 1.10 euros
Milk 1 l - 0.70 euros
Chicken 1 kg - 5.60 euros
Tomatoes 1 kg - 0.90 euros
Fish (gilthead) 1 kg - 6.5 euros
One taxi ride costs an average of 25-40 euros, depending on how far you need to go.
The average budget for a trip to the Canary Islands for one person per day is approximately 100-120 euros.
Where to live
Photo: Hotel Apartments Los Telares On large islands a huge number of offers in inexpensive and cozy hotels: an overnight stay will cost 30-40 euros per day per person. There are also very good hostels where you can stay for about 20-25 euros per day.
On the islands of El Hierro, La Palma and Lanserote, less popular among tourists, there are fewer offers, but prices are not so high either. A 3-star hotel room costs about 25 euros.
- Apartaments Islamar Arrecife (Av. Rafael Gonzalez 15, 35500 Arrecife, Lanzarote) is a friendly oceanfront hotel with excellent service.
- Brenas Garden Aparthotel (Urb. Finca Amado II, 38712 Brena Baja, La Palma) is a small hotel with a beautiful view from the rooms.
- Silken Atlantida Santa Cruz (Avenida Tres de Mayo | (corner of Aurea Díaz Flores), 38005 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife) - excellent location and comfort.
- Hotel Faycan (Calle Nicolas Estevanez 61, 35007 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Gran Canaria) is perhaps the best value for money on this island.
- JM Puerto del Rosario (Avenida Ruperto Gonzalez Negrin 9, 35600, Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura) - small rooms with modern equipment and a good location.
- Apartments Los Telares (Calle Convento | Main Road 10 (GM-1 Km. 17), 38820 Hermigua, La Gomera) is a remote hotel where peace and quiet reign. Nearby banana plantations and mountains.
- Hotel Ida Ines (Calle Belgara Alta 2, 38911 Frontera, El Hierro) is a modern hotel with all the amenities for a quality stay.
Voucher plan, tours for 1-3-7 days
We have put together an interesting plan for an exciting trip to the Canary Islands, trying to capture all the most, the very thing that cannot be passed by. We recommend using ferries between the islands. If you have not 10 days at your disposal, but a full two weeks, then we advise you to devote one day to the islands of La Palma and La Gomera.
| Day | Morning | Dinner | Evening |
| 1 | Tenerife. Los Gigantes. Relax on the beach next to the rocks. | Trip to Teide Park | Puerto de la Cruz. Botanical Garden. Castle of St. Felipe. |
| 2 | Tenerife. Loro park | Santa Cruz de Tenerife. A unique Art Nouveau building of the Auditorio. Historic center with churches and streets. | |
| 3 | Tenerife. Costa Adeje. Siam Park Waterpark. | Walk along the beaches along the sea. | |
| 4 | Gran Canaria island. | Artenara Park. | Cueva Pintada. Black Church in Arucas. |
| 5 | Gran Canaria. Palmitos Park with a wonderful dolphin show. | Jardin Canario Botanical Garden. Telde town. | |
| 6 | Gran Canaria. Islet port. Rest by the ocean. | Underwater sculpture museum Museo Atlantico. | House Museum of Columbus. The Nestor Museum is the Pinacoteca of an outstanding Canarian artist. |
| 7 | Fuerteventura island. | Oasis Park. Akhuy town. | Lobos Island. |
| 8 | Relax on Corralejo beach - one of the best on the island. | Caleta de Fuste. Dream House Museum, which contains thousands of models of vehicles, dolls and even entire doll houses. | Walk along the promenade at the port of Puerto del Rosario. |
| 9 | Lanzarote island. Timanfaya National Park. | Streets of Tegis. | Yaysa village. |
| 10 | The volcanic caves and the unusual landscape of the Cueva de los Naturalistas. | House-Museum of Cesar Manrique, a brilliant architect and sculptor who managed to combine natural caves and formations with modern technology and create an original home. | Walk along the Arrecife along the coast along the embankments. |
What and where to eat
Photo: Paella with seafood Despite the fact that dishes from the mainland of Spain are also common in the Canary Islands, they also have their own culinary characteristics.
Must-haves to try in the Canary Islands:
- Paella with seafood. According to travelers' reviews, the best paella is prepared at El Rincon del Arroz restaurant in Tenerife (Avenida Sabandenos S / N | Los Cristianos).
- Jacket potatoes (papas arrugadas), adored here - on the menu. It is served with mojo sauce. Moreover, each institution has its own recipe for its preparation. On the island of Gran Canaria, the most delicious papas arrugadas are served in the El Senador restaurant (Paseo Faro del, 2, 35100, Maspalomas, Gran Canaria).
- Gofio (gofio) - flour made from fried grains of barley, corn, sometimes beans. It is used to prepare flour products, which are served with dishes instead of bread. A delicious snack is served at the Chip-Chipi restaurant on La Palma Island (Lugar Juan Mayor 42).
- Lamb or goat meat fried in olive oil (Asado carne de cabra) - on the island of Fuerteventura it is recommended to try this dish at a place called Kiosco Bar Las Naves (Urb. Risco Prieto, calle El Henequen, Corralejo, La Oliva).
- Rancho canario is a thick and fatty meat soup made from beef, chicken and rabbit with chickpeas. On the island of Lanzarote, it is most often ordered at the Patio Canario restaurant (Plaza de Pueblo, Avenida Islas Canarias).
Kitchen
Traditional dishes: bright thick soup canario ranch, marinated meat carne de fiesta, amazing bienmesabe dessert made of lemons, almonds, cinnamon and yolks, as well as fresh seafood. The Guanches left their culinary secret to the Canaries - gofio. It is not a stand-alone dish, but a base for hundreds of dishes made from ground roasted cereals and beans. Literally everything is made from gofio - from soup to ice cream.
Best excursions according to reviews
The Canary Islands are one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. And there are many interesting things here. We have collected the top 5 best excursions in the Canary Islands:
- Fishing in the Atlantic Ocean - a modern boat equipped with the latest technology will take you further away, and an experienced guide and captain will show and tell you who and how to fish.
- Reaching the stars - a night tour of Tenerife in an embrace with a powerful telescope, through which celestial bodies will appear almost as if in the palm of your hand.
- Sightseeing tour of Gran Canaria - to see the main thing and not to miss anything.
- To the bottom of the sea - no, you don't have to sink. It is necessary to use scuba diving and study the underwater inhabitants without harm to their own health.
- Walk through the El Hierro Caves - put on comfortable sports shoes and go in search of the treasure hidden by medieval pirates.
If you are fond of diving or like looking at the underwater world, then this video is for you:
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Instead of hotels, you can book an apartment (1.5-2 times cheaper on average) on AirBnB.com, a very convenient worldwide and well-known apartment rental service with a bonus of 2100 rubles upon registrationThe Canary Islands are a highly sought after destination, with endless beaches, upscale resorts, many sunny days, several archaeological sites from the Roman and Ottoman empires. Many tourists call their vacation here a good alternative to an exotic trip to the Caribbean Islands.
Nobody disputes: the main attractions of the Canary Islands are the Mediterranean Sea and local beaches. But there are other tourist sites here that can dilute the variety of lazy pastime on the sand.
The Cenobio de Valeron or “Monastery of the Caves” is a complex of 298 caves that were used by the Aboriginal people to store grain. It is a very common misconception that these caves were part of the monastery, where they kept, under the protection of the priests, the grown-up daughters before their marriage, and where a number of mysterious rituals took place. Today this complex of caves is accessible to the general public and is popular with tourists.
One of the most famous landmarks of the Canary Islands is located in the small village of Tejeda. This is Cruz de Tejeda, a cross carved in stone, located at a height 1580 meters away above sea level, which marks the geographic center of Gran Canaria. Due to the immense popularity of this attraction, bars, restaurants and souvenir shops have opened here. In addition, an enchanting panorama of this island, Tenerife, Mount Teide and the Mediterranean opens up from here.
According to research, the Guimar pyramids date back to the 19th century and are the product of modern farming methods. The Ethnographic Park "Pyramids of Guimar" offers tourists the opportunity not only to contemplate all 6 pyramids, but also to get acquainted with the exhibits of the Casa Chacona Museum, which displays a life-size reproduction of Dr. Heyerdahl's boat.
Location: Calle Chacona.
With area 20,000 square meters, the fortress of San Miguel invites you to take an unforgettable journey into medieval times. From the first step into the territory of the fortification, visitors will be fascinated by the world around them, walking knights and princesses, troubadours and chimney sweeps. The Tournament Hall is the most impressive venue in the fortress, where knights and their horses compete to the delight of the audience.
After the end of the tournament, Count Don Rodrigo will invite everyone to the Ballroom, where the cultural program will begin. Today there is a fortress and a museum, and nearby are the monasteries of San Francisco and Santa Domingo, which can also be visited.
Cueva Pintada is located in a small cave where the Guanche kings, the first inhabitants of the islands, once lived. Opened in the 19th century and carved in volcanic stone, it is full of rock carvings, geometric shapes, which are believed to be the ancient calendar.
The museum consists of several rooms, in which you can see beds, chairs, tables, tools, ceramic idols used by the aborigines. If you wish, tourists can travel back in time using a 3D projector and find out what happened here during the colonization of the islands.
The Columbus Memorial House celebrates the important role that the Canary Islands played in the discovery of America. It is not known for certain whether the famous navigator lived in this house during his voyage to Novaya Zemlya, but it is known for sure that he stayed in this house and was engaged in its repairs, according to local customs.
Location: c / Colón, 1 - 35001.
The largest botanical garden in Spain covers an area of \u200b\u200b27 hectares and is located 7 kilometers from Las Palmas. It was officially opened in 1959 and is home to nearly 500 species of endemic plants from all 7 islands of the archipelago. The garden is divided into several zones. Is there:
- “Garden of the Islands”, where plants bloom depending on the island of origin.
- "Cactus garden" with over 10,000 varieties of succulents.
- “Garden of Micronesia”, which specializes in ornamental plants.
- "Hidden Garden", which is one continuous greenhouse.
In the botanical gardens of Viero and Clavijo, there is a pine forest, a waterfall, a lake, an exhibition hall, and even a workshop set up in a cave.
Location: Ctra. del Centro, Km 7.
The Maspalomas Dunes are a nature reserve (since 1994) and a paradise for sun lovers, especially nudists. They are located next to the largest golf course in the islands, Maspalomas Golf Course and the famous Campo International Resort. There are many trails along the dunes for tourists who love to walk barefoot. The routes of these trails are marked on maps that are distributed to everyone.
The 80-meter volcanic monolith of Roque Nublo is known as sacred place for kings and old people of aborigines. It rises to an altitude of 1813 meters above sea level and is a favorite place for climbers, especially since it can be reached in just 30 minutes from the nearest parking lot.
Salinas de Tenefe was a sophisticated salt mining complex in Santa Lucia that has been in operation since the 18th century. Since 2005, it has been declared an area of \u200b\u200bcultural interest for the islands. Visitors today can see the entire installation of salt production, which will allow them to understand the process itself, as well as get a variety of information from the guide about the role of salt in nature and history.
In Teide Park you can get acquainted with a huge variety of invertebrates and it is valuable primarily for its unique flora. It is known that this ecologically clean area is the most visited natural park in Spain and one of the most popular in the world. It occupies a central position in Tenerife and most of the municipality of La Orotava.
Location: Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Amusement park Palmitos Park
Palmitos, one of the most beautiful Spanish subtropical amusement parks, covers an area of \u200b\u200b20 hectares and is home to 1000 palms of 42 species, 160 species of cactus, 1500 exotic birds of 230 species, many exotic animals such as monkeys, mongooses, crocodiles. It is located in the countryside, among the mountains, which provides the opportunity to enjoy the enchanting scenery before entering this oasis.
The most interesting sights of the park are: Dolphinarium, Parrot Exhibition, Interactive Botanical Garden, African and South American Ibis, Aquarium, Cayman Lake. The park is also famous for its Butterfly Pavilion, the largest in Europe.
Location: Barranco de los Palmitos.
The city of San Bartolomé de Tirajana has the largest theme park in the Canary Islands, Holiday World. The local attractions will satisfy everyone: the Roller Coaster and Sky Drop are specially designed for adults with healthy hearts, and the Merry-Go-Round and the ghost train, ball pools and pony rides are just some of the attractions designed for the youngest visitors. There is a bowling alley with 16 lanes, a gym, numerous cafes and restaurants, and 2 night clubs, one of which specializes in salsa.
Location: Av. Touroperador Tui.
Aboriginal World Theme Park
Deployed in an area of \u200b\u200babout 100,000 square meters, Mundo Aborigen is a reconstruction of an old Canarian village and is completely dedicated to the way of life of the local aborigines. With over 100 human-sized dolls, visitors can learn more about the way of life of the natives even before the colonial period. To make everything look even more believable, background noise is included, saturated with the howl of the wind, the noise of the sea and the sounds made by pets.
Location: Carretera Fataga, Km 6.
Camel Park is a theme park where tourists have the opportunity to ride camels, taste traditional Canarian and Mediterranean dishes at the El Cerro de la Luna restaurant.
It is located on the farm and is the site of the first camel breeding center, founded in 1988. There is also a souvenir shop with a rich assortment.
Location: Carretera Los Cristianos.
An interesting attraction in Puerto de la Cruz is the Cesar Manrique Maritime Park. It occupies an impressive area 22000 square meters and is decorated with works of art by Cesar Manrique. Apart from purely visual advantages, the park offers a truly impressive list of services and is also a very cozy place for events of all kinds.
Tenerife is the largest of the islands of the Canary archipelago. It is one of the most attractive tourist areas in Spain, replete with a variety of interesting and amazing places, incredible landscapes, landscapes, beaches and museums. Some of them are true symbols of Tenerife for the whole world.
Below are the main and most popular tourist attractions of the island of Tenerife, which you can see on your own or in the format of excursions.
One of the symbols of Tenerife and one of the most popular attractions can be considered the Teide volcano. All tourists visiting Tenerife try first of all to see Teide - the highest point of Spain and the Canary Islands, called the "white mountain" by the indigenous people.
The volcano itself, its slopes and surroundings amaze with their extraordinary, almost lunar landscapes, which more than once served as a stage for filming science fiction films, without even needing decorations.
Pine forests, amazing plants and bizarre figures of petrified lava of different shapes and colors grow around. All this creates an amazing alien atmosphere at the foot of a sleeping volcano that will leave a lasting impression. Daring visitors can climb to the top on foot or by car for 25 or 19 euros (children). This walk will allow you to look at the surroundings from the very high point, to fully appreciate the beauty and scale of Teide.
Amazing landscapes, valuable tree species, popularity among tourists and the beauty of the area have made it a national pride. A national park is organized on the slopes and at the foot of the volcano.
The Teide area is exactly what you need to see in Tenerife.
Observation Decks
You can see all the beauty of the island and enjoy its landscapes by visiting the observation decks. There is an opportunity to see interesting places from a height in many parts of Tenerife.
From the observation platforms, you can see entire cities and valleys, plantations and mountain ranges, gorges, reserves and many other beauties that unfold in all their glory from the heights of the platforms.
The most interesting of them are:
- El Bailadero allows you to see the valley and the city of Taganana, surrounded by mountain ranges and vineyards.
- From Pico de Inglés you can see evergreen forests, Taodio gorge and Afur gorge, the cities of Santa Cruz and La Laguna. The same forests of Anaga and the city of La Laguna can be seen from Cruz del Carmen and Jardina.
- Montaña Grande also offers views of the La Laguna Valley.
- The coast of the island can be seen from the San Pedro platform, and it can also be seen from the Masape observation deck.
- The view from Altos de Baracan will be spectacular. It allows you to visually see the differences and boundaries of the green drowning in the thickets of the north and the desert rocky south.
- From the Cruz de Hilda site, you can see the gorge and the village of Masca.
- Rocks and cliffs are visible from the Archipenke platform.
- A mesmerizing sea of \u200b\u200bclouds can be seen from the heights of the Cumbres del Sur or Chimage sites.
Only by visiting at least one of them can you fully appreciate all the beauty and grandeur of the area in all its manifestations from mountains and cliffs to lush green thickets and beautiful beaches... Thanks to the large number of options, you can choose exactly those landscapes that you want to see up close, comparing the diversity and contrast of local nature.
The village is lost among the mountains, and the road to it lies along a steep and dangerous serpentine. And half a century ago it was possible to get here only along the paths in the mountains. Now only 120 people live in Mask, who love to meet tourists and tell them all sorts of stories about pirates and their treasures hidden in these places. And having appreciated the landscapes and nature of these places, it is very easy to believe.
It is not known for certain who and why built these pyramids. Some scientists argue that the pyramids are the work of farmers and do not carry any magical meaning or special purpose. However, the pyramids have always been a mysterious heritage of mankind and have attracted researchers. Many of them believe that the pyramids of Tenerife were of particular importance to people, and their creation is credited ancient civilization, who lived in Tenerife long before the Spaniards.
It will be interesting to inspect and explore the pyramids regardless of which version of their origin is correct.
Museums
Museums of the island will also be interesting to visit.
Thus, the Pueblo Chico Museum of Miniatures is often the first point that tourists visit before sightseeing. Here all the sights of the island are reproduced in miniature. The most interesting places can be viewed on a kind of map before the trip and decide where you want to go most. The museum will be interesting for both adults and children.
Among the interesting things for both children and adults, the Museum of Science and Space can also be distinguished. An educational journey through this museum will reveal to visitors the laws of physics in nature, starting from the smallest particles and ending with the movement of huge celestial bodies in space.
Consisting of 7 large islands (El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura) and several small ones. The title of the capital of the archipelago is passed to each other every 4 years by the cities of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Despite the fact that the Canary Islands formally belong to Spain, the atmosphere here is by no means European. Tourists come here for real exotic: magnificent tropical landscapes, soft ocean waves, black volcanic beaches and delicious ripe fruits. Fortunately, this exotic is close and accessible: it takes only a few hours to fly to the islands, excluding transfers. In the Canaries, you can not only idly relax on the beach: all the islands are scattered with unique prehistoric monuments, volcanoes, waterfalls, "lunar" valleys of frozen lava. And also great service and real paradise for surfers and divers.
How to get to the Canary Islands
You can get from Russia to the Canary Islands only by air. The most convenient way is to fly to Tenerife South Airport (more on this on our page), but this is far from the only option. Several other international airports are located on the territory of the archipelago. One of them is located on the island of Gran Canaria, 20 km from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. There are no direct flights from Moscow, but there are connecting flights: Aeroflot, S7, Brussels Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Air Berlin, Jet Airways, Smart Wings, Vueling, Edelweiss. Transplants are carried out in Berlin, Brussels, Madrid, Prague, Munich and other cities. The cheapest tickets are from S7. The fastest flights are with Iberia: 10 hours 5 minutes with a transfer in Madrid.
There is another Canary airport on the island of Lanzarote. There are no direct flights from Moscow either; connecting flights are offered by Iberia, S7, Aeroflot, Vueling, British Airways, Air Europa and other carriers. The flight duration is from 8 hours 30 minutes.
Test: 11 Tough Questions for Tourists About Spain | Try to answer all of them:
International flights are also accepted on the island of Fuerteventura, near Puerto del Rosario. S7, SunExpress, Vueling, Iberia, Air Berlin have connecting flights. The cheapest flight is with an S7, the fastest is with Iberia (8 hours 55 minutes with a transfer in Madrid).
Finally, Transavia, S7, Iberia and Air Berlin will take to Santa Cruz de Palma (La Palma island). The flight duration is from 10 hours 15 minutes.
Search for flights to Tenerife (closest airport to the Canary Islands)
Major resorts and islands
Most big Island The Canary archipelago, Tenerife, has a choice of both calm, secluded relaxation and bustling fun. For example, Los Cristianos, like neighboring Las Americas, is a "lively" resort, visited mainly by the British and Germans, who are hungry for booze and discos. And Puerto de la Cruz, in turn, is well suited for a relaxing holiday "at one with nature." Only here the coast is steep and rocky, there are practically no beaches as such: tourists mostly splash in hotel pools.
Canary Islands Accommodation
Guests of the Canary Islands are free to choose from a variety of decent accommodation options. There are top-notch five-star hotels, casas rurales guesthouses in picturesque countryside, comfortable campsites, and aparthotels with private kitchenettes. If you wish, you can even stay in an old building: in the suburbs, there are many "paradors" - state hotels housed in restored historic buildings. Only prices differ, one thing remains unchanged: excellent service and sincere hospitality of local residents.
The cost of living in hostels is low - from 15 EUR per night. Two-star hotels are not much more expensive: from 20 EUR per day, but the amenities in them are often shared, on the floor. Most of the local hotels are four-star, with excellent service and a whole range of additional services... For a day in such hotels, they will charge from 45 EUR. Rooms in luxury 5 * hotels will cost from 77 EUR per day.
Transport
Most of the Canary Islands are covered by modern highways. Urban public transport in Tenerife is represented by the TITSA bus network. The rides are paid by the driver, the cost of tickets depends on the length of the journey (all prices are on the website). Global buses run in Gran Canaria, tickets - from 1.2 EUR. Routes on Homer connect San Sebastian with others major cities islands. The least common bus route is Hierro.
A 15-25 EUR reusable ticket, which is sold at bus stations in Tenerife, offers up to 30% discount on bus travel.
There is a tram service between the cities of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and San Cristobal de la Laguna. The ticket price is 1.35 EUR, the timetable can be found on the carrier's website (in English and Spanish). Prices on the page are as of November 2019. There are many metered taxis on the islands. Fares - from EUR 2.35 for a landing and from EUR 0.60 for each km.
Local taxi drivers rarely speak foreign languages, but they are well versed in the names of hotels and other tourist places, so just give the address and check the price.
The most convenient way to travel between the islands is by plane: local flights depart daily from Tenerife and Gran Canaria to all the islands of the archipelago, except for Gomera. Ferries operate here, transporting not only passengers, but also cars. High-speed hydrofoils run regularly between Homera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, ticket prices start at 20 EUR.
Canary Islands Maps
Rent a Car
In the Canaries, you can easily rent a car of any brand. This is a great opportunity to see all the local beauty, moving along the modern routes on the islands and on the high-speed ferries between them. Traffic is comfortable here, traffic jams are rare. But parking can be a problem: don't be surprised to see a line in front of the parking lot. The most convenient way is to leave the car in underground parking lots (from 2 EUR per hour).
Many cities in the Canary Islands have a very convoluted system of one-way streets, so you can't do without a map.
You can rent a car both at airports and at any popular resort. Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, La Palma 24 and many other well-known companies work here. The cost of renting a small car is from 25 EUR, a minivan - from 35 EUR, a premium car - from 52 EUR per day. Local rental companies often offer discounted rates for rentals of three days or more. In some offices, you can book not only cars, but also bicycles, motorcycles, scooters and mopeds - a great option for those who appreciate the spirit of freedom in any journey.
Connectivity and Wi-Fi
A very economical option for international negotiations is Telefonica payphones installed on the streets of all cities. They accept small coins, the cost of calls to Russia is from 0.40 EUR. Surprisingly, but true: from many local payphones you can not only call, but also send SMS and even an e-mail message.
There are 4 major mobile operators in the Canary Islands: Vodafone, Orange, Telefonica Movistar and Lebara. Their tariffs are practically the same, as well as the quality of communication. For calls to Russia, you can purchase an Orange Tarjeta Internacional card for 5 EUR, designed for 30-50 minutes of conversation. Telefonica Movistar offers a convenient Habla Internacional option: by connecting it for 1 EUR, you can call Russia for 0.20 EUR per minute.
Almost all hotels provide 24-hour Internet access, but it usually costs a lot: about 5-7 EUR per hour. It is much easier to leave your room and walk to the reception: Wi-Fi in the lobby is often free, as in many catering establishments.
Canary Islands beaches
The Atlantic coast of the Canary Islands is 1500 km of magnificent sandy beaches and steep rocky shores. The ocean water here is quite cool (the Gulf Stream flows from north to south), but its color is simply amazing: deep blue due to the enormous depth. The longest white beaches are in Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria. The coast of the western islands is more steep. Most of Tenerife's beaches are covered with golden sand, excavated from the ocean floor or brought from the Sahara.
The magnificent beach ensemble is located not far from the center of Santa Cruz de Tenerife: on Playa de Taganana - black volcanic sand, on Las Teresitas - more familiar, fine and golden. The real attraction of Puerto de la Cruz is Playa de Martyanes with a huge lake of flowing seawater, beautiful fountains and numerous bars and restaurants built on small islands.
Most Russians prefer to sunbathe on the southern beaches of Tenerife: long, narrow, comfortable, and ideal for families with children.
Guides in the Canary Islands
Canary Islands landmarks
In the northwest of Gran Canaria is the ancient city of Galdar with the remains of the settlements of the indigenous islanders. On the walls of the Cueva Pintada cave, you can see the mysterious drawings of the Guanches tribes: bright, large ornaments in the form of a frieze, which may have once served as a calendar. Another authentic corner of Gran Canaria is Pueblo Canario, a village with colorful buildings built in the traditional archipelago style.
Lanzarote has two ancient fortresses at once: Castillo de San Jose, within the walls of which the Museum of Modern Art is opened, and San Gabriel of the 16th century, now the location of the Archaeological Museum.
A trip to the pyramids in the Guimar desert in Tenerife will be unforgettable. Scientists believe that these structures were erected by local farmers who plowed the land and piled the stones found near the borders of the fields. Thur Heyerdahl discovered that the Guanches, the ancient natives of the Canary Islands, still lived in a cave under one of the pyramids. Today, an ethnographic park with a museum, a souvenir shop and a cafeteria is laid out on the territory of the desert.
One of the most interesting places in Tenerife is the Guimar pyramids.
The most famous building in Las Palmas is the House of Columbus (website in English), where the legendary navigator stopped to rest during his trip to New World... Behind the spectacular facade is a museum, where visitors can learn a lot about the adventures of the discoverer.
The local residents decided to compensate for the lack of large-scale medieval buildings by building the castle of San Miguel in the vicinity of the city of the same name. This is a carefully reproduced copy of an ancient knight's castle, where fascinating excursions are held, amaze with spectacular shows and are treated with a hearty dinner in the best traditions of the Middle Ages.
The main natural attractions of the Canary Islands are the Caldera de Taburiente volcano on the island of La Palma, the waterfall in the Ada Gorge (despite the name, the landscapes are truly paradise) and the majestic rock formations of Los Gigantes.
7 things to do in the Canary Islands
- Find yourself in February at the Carnival in Tenerife.
- Pamper your eyes with a visit to Loro Parque in Puerto de la Cruz (Tenerife).
- Dreaming about next time staying at the smallest hotel in the world, Punta Grande, on the island of Hierro (had to book in advance!)
- Get brand new heels after the fish spa.
- Feel like a grain of sand, standing on the shores of the formidable Atlantic Ocean.
- Admire the moonlit landscapes and palm oases 10 minutes drive apart in Gran Canaria.
- See the stars with excellent telescopes at the Roque Los Muchachos Observatory on La Palma Island.
Canary Islands for kids
There are many parks on the island of Tenerife, walks through which will bring joy not only to adults, but also to children. Teide National Park is famous for its unique flora and fauna, and most importantly, for the active volcano of the same name, 3500 m high. With older children, you can climb its summit on foot: fortunately, there is an excellent asphalt track and a funicular. Families with babies are advised to rent a car.
Not far from Las Americas, the Eagle Park is open. It is home to not only proud birds of prey, but also a variety of animals: from lions, tigers and crocodiles to monkeys and fur seals. For tourists there is a high-speed bobsleigh track, water shows and exciting performances with the participation of trained eagles are regularly organized.
The acquaintance with exotic nature can be continued in the Parrot Park. It is here that the world's largest collection of these birds is collected. And in general, this is a record-breaking park: the largest swimming pool in Europe for a dolphin show, the longest shark tunnel and the world's largest indoor display of penguins - all this is also located here. And in "Monkey Park" you can feed lemurs from your hands - impressions will last for a long time!
There is also an excellent place with water activities in the Canaries - Siam Park, built in Thai style. A wave pool, racing slides, funnel sliders, play areas for the little ones - you can spend an unforgettable day at the attractions here.
There are also few convenient beaches, but very green and amazingly beautiful. La Palma
The Canary Islands are the beach pearl of the Atlantic, a great place to relax in the bosom of pristine nature. Tenerife is the most big island archipelago. It is home to numerous national parks, coastlines covered with colorful sand, and the majestic Teide volcano.
The swimming season in Tenerife lasts until November. At this time, the gentle waters of the Atlantic Ocean still retain summer heat, even though the air temperature has dropped. The natural attractions of the island are so numerous and varied that it will take more than one week to visit them.
Tenerife is perfect for a wellness holiday. Picturesque hiking trails are laid among its gorges, relict forests allow you to breathe in the healing air with full breast, and sunbaths charge you with energy for many months in advance.
The best hotels and hotels at affordable prices.
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What to see and where to go in Tenerife?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
1. Teide volcano
The volcano is the highest peak in Spain (3718 meters). It is located in the center of Teide National Park. At an altitude of 3555 meters, there is an observation deck, from where almost all of the Canary Islands are visible. The volcano is the most popular natural attraction in Tenerife. A cable car connected to the highway leads to its top.
2. City of San Cristobal de la Laguna
The city is located in the northern part of Tenerife, near the capital of the island - the city of Santa Cruz. San Cristobal de la Laguna was founded in the 15th century by the military leader F. de Lugo after the conquest of Tenerife. Until 1723 it was the capital of the island. Now the city is the cultural and spiritual center of Tenerife. Since 1999, it has been included in the UNESCO lists due to its unique colonial architecture, which has been preserved almost unchanged.
3. Loro Park
A nature and entertainment park in the northern part of the island, which is home to up to 500 species of parrots, as well as dolphins, killer whales, penguins, sea lions, turtles, tigers and other animals. Loro Park unites on its territory a zoo, a dolphinarium, a botanical garden and an aquarium. Visitors can not only look at animals, but also visit various shows with their participation.
4. Siam Park water park
Siam Park is considered the largest European water park. This is a popular place for families with children. There are 25 slides of varying difficulty on the territory of the water park. Siam Park is designed in Thai style, as the owners have a special reverence for the culture of the countries of Southeast Asia. There is an impromptu floating market, Thai restaurants, statues of fabulous creatures from the Thai epic. The royal family of Thailand was invited to the opening of the park.
5. Menagerie Tenerife "Monkey Park"
A small zoo in the south of Tenerife, where, in addition to monkeys, reptiles, panthers, jaguars, exotic birds and even domestic animals live. But the main inhabitants of the park are still primates, there are about 20 species of them. For visitors there is an opportunity to go to the cages of some monkeys, communicate with them and feed them. Since 1991, the park has functioned as a primate breeding center.
6. Lago Martianez
A unique park consisting of a system of artificial islands and reservoirs located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. The fact is that the northern part of Tenerife is less suitable for swimming because of the constant waves, so the creation of such a place has fully justified itself. On the skeletons of the park there are restaurants, beaches, swimming pools and view terraces, from where you can see picturesque surroundings... Lago Martianez was designed by architect S. Manrique in 1971.
7. Auditorio de Tenerife
A concert hall located in Santa Cruz, the capital of the island. It was built in 2003 by S. Calatrava Vallas. The building is a picturesque example of modern architecture. The Great Hall of the Auditorio de Tenerife is designed for 1616 spectators, the chamber hall for 422 people. Outside, there are terraces with views of the Atlantic. From a distance, the silhouettes of the building resemble the outlines opera house in Sydney.
8. Museum of Nature and Man
The museum is located in the city of Santa Cruz, it was founded in 1958. The collection consists of archaeological, botanical, paleontological and other artifacts found in Tenerife and other islands of the Canary archipelago. The museum has a natural science library with an impressive book fund. The exposition is located in a neoclassical building of a former college.
9. Market Nuestra Senora de Africa
The market is located near the bus station of the capital of Tenerife and is well known outside the Canary Islands. It sells local delicacies, seafood, exotic fruits and vegetables, and traditional Spanish products. On Sundays, the market opens a flea market selling souvenirs and antiques. The shopping area is located in a typical North African building.
10. Basilica of Candelaria
The Basilica is located in Candelaria, 20 km away. from the capital of the island. Around the church there are nine statues of the leaders of the Guanche tribe - the indigenous inhabitants of the Canary Islands. The main shrine of the temple is a wooden statue of the Virgin of Candelaria. The monastery complex of the Dominican Order is adjacent to the building of the basilica. Together they form a single architectural ensemble.
11. Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The church houses the Holy Cross of the conquistadors, which was brought to Tenerife by the Spanish conqueror F. de Lugo in the 15th century. The temple played an important role in the spread of the Christian religion on the island, therefore it bears the official title of "Mother Church" and is popularly considered the main city cathedral. Until 1638, the church was called "Temple of the Holy Cross", which is where the name of the entire city came from.
12. Pyramids of Guimar
The pyramids of Tenerife are low, stepped mounds, whose origins are still shrouded in mystery. It is believed that they appeared long before the settlement of the island by the Guanche tribe. For a long time, the pyramids were not of great interest to researchers until their relative similarity with similar buildings in Mexico, Peru, Mesopotamia and a certain astronomical orientation were discovered.
13. Cave of the Wind
The underground part of Tenerife is replete with a large number of caves, galleries and passages created by the movements of volcanic lava. The Cave of the Wind is the largest in Europe (administratively, the Canary Islands belong to Europe, despite their location). It was formed over 27 thousand years ago as a result of the eruption of one of the island volcanoes. The cave is an underground complex with stone cascades, terraces and lava lakes.
14. Mask Gorge
Masca is a mountain village located at an altitude of 650 meters on the slopes of Masiso de Teno. The village is surrounded by picturesque cypress groves and palm thickets, from here originates the gorge of the same name, along which a hiking trail is laid to the ocean coast. In the 15th century, the village became the last refuge of the indigenous population who fled from the Spanish conquistadors. Up to the 70s. XX century, it remained practically isolated from the outside world.
15. Infierno Gorge
The gorge is located on the territory of the national park of the same name. Due to the unique geographical position, the endemic fauna and flora are still preserved here. The gorge is covered with vibrant tropical vegetation, its appearance does not at all correspond to the frightening name. A 6.5 km hiking trail has been laid through the mountainous area.
16. Cliffs de Garcia
The cliffs are located in the Teide National Park. It is impossible to pass them if you go to the cable car to the volcano. There are a lot of hiking trailsleading to natural viewpoints. The cliffs of de García are a fairly desolate rock landscape, in sharp contrast to the lush tropical vegetation of other parts of the island.
17. Rocks of Los Gigantes
Los Gigantes are located on the western slope of the Teide volcano. They represent an almost sheer wall of stone, which looks picturesque and impressive from the sea. Next to the cliffs is the small town of Los Gigantes, where there are exotic beaches of black volcanic sand. The indisputable advantage of this place is the small number of tourists and the possibility of a relaxing holiday.
18. Valley of Orotava
On the territory of Orotava, before the arrival of the Spaniards, there was a Guanche kingdom called Taoro. The place was not chosen in vain - the valley is surrounded by fertile lands and provided with a large number of fresh water sources. Wealthy settlers from Europe built magnificent baroque mansions for themselves here, and the mountain slopes were planted with sugar cane. Gradually the city was formed, which in our time has turned into a tourist attraction of the island.
19. Esperanza forest
A dense coniferous forest, where unique Canarian pine, eucalyptus and cedar grow. Locals consider these forests "a place of power", as the air here has healing properties and a unique coniferous smell. In the morning, a thick fog descends on the trees and an incredible scent of eucalyptus spreads through the forest. Tourists come here for wellness walks and enjoying the views of the rich island vegetation.
20. Botanical Garden (Puerto de la Cruz)
The garden was founded in the 18th century by order of Carlos III. It should be noted that the monarch was seriously interested in gardening, he was strongly interested in the issue of adaptability of plants to various natural conditions. Tenerife seemed like a great field to experiment. The park was created with the aim of acclimatizing exotic species to the natural conditions of Tenerife. Gradually the plant diversity of the garden increased to 4 thousand species brought from different parts of the world.
21. Dragon tree
This unique tree grows in the northeastern part of Tenerife, near the town of Icod de los Vinos. According to various estimates, the tree is more than 500 years old, since it already existed during the Spanish conquest. The weight of the massive crown of the tree reaches 80 tons, the height is 17 meters. The tree was declared a natural monument back in 1917, and its image was placed on the 1000 peseta banknote.
22. Taoro Park
A park with exotic vegetation located in the city of Puerto de la Cruz. Dozens of species of trees and flowers grow here, picturesque alleys have been laid, artificial waterfalls and fountains have been created. Taoro covers an area of \u200b\u200b10 hectares. The park is a popular walking place for locals and tourists. Here you can breathe fresh air, go in for sports or admire the blooming flower beds.
23. El Kaleton
The natural pools of El Caleton were formed by the meeting of hot lava and cool ocean waters during the eruption of Trevejo volcano in the early 18th century. When the tide is high, the niches are filled with water and become suitable for swimming. Over time, the pools were equipped with comfortable slopes. El Caleton is located in the town of Garachico. Pools are visited with pleasure by both the Spaniards themselves and foreign tourists.
24. El Duque Beach
The beach covered with yellow sand, which is located on south coast Costa Adeje. El Duc is considered one of the best beaches in Tenerife. It is surrounded by gourmet restaurants, a luxury hotel complex and numerous entertainment venues. The beach is considered the center of Tenerife's resort life. El Duque beach infrastructure is adapted to the most demanding needs.
25. Benijo beach
A wild beach with black volcanic sand and pebbles located at the foot of the cliffs in a conservation area. The locals consider it the most picturesque in Tenerife. The beach area is small - 30 meters of coastal strip and about 500 meters of coastline. The coastal cliffs offer magnificent views of the blue ocean waters, which are in stark contrast to the white sea foam off the coast.
26. Las Vistas Beach
The beach is located in the southern part of the island and is one of the longest in Tenerife. Special barrage structures protect Las Vistas from strong waves and currents, so comfortable swimming is possible in the coastal waters. The beach has bars, sports areas, equipment rental and other services. Moreover, there is a special infrastructure for people with disabilities.
27. Jardin Beach
The beach is located in the popular resort of Puerto de la Tenerife, located in the northern part of the island. Hardin is covered with black volcanic sand and is surrounded by numerous flowering terraces with coconut and banana palms. Lying in the middle of lush gardens, Jardín is a fairly quiet beach, suitable for a relaxing holiday, complete relaxation and enjoying the natural beauty.
28. Las Teresitas Beach
A half-kilometer beach with a coastline width of about 70 meters. Las Teresitas is covered with golden sand, which was specially brought here in the 70s. XX century straight from the Sahara Desert. This feature sets Las Teresitas apart from other beaches in Tenerife, as the latter are mostly covered with dark volcanic sand. The small village of San Andres is located nearby, and there is a large free parking for tourists.
29. Cape Teno
The cape is the westernmost point of the island. The area is rugged cliffs with a steep descent into the raging waves. From the observation deck, the ocean and the distant outlines of the Tenerife coastline are perfectly visible. There are two lighthouses on the cape - an old stone one from the 19th century and a new, higher one, which was erected in 1987. The rooms where the caretaker families once lived are available for inspection.
30. Teide Observatory
The Canary Islands are considered one of the best places to monitor starry sky In the southern hemisphere, many European scientists conduct their astronomical research here. The Teide Observatory was founded in 1964 at the Canary Institute of Astrophysics. The institution has international status and is one of the largest observatories in the world. The telescope is located at an altitude of 2390 meters.
