The Canary Islands
The Canary Islands, off the west coast of Africa, consists of seven different islands. It’s a major destination for tourists, especially sun and sand lovers. It’s quite easy to waste away the days relaxing on the beach and enjoying the great year-round weather. While visiting the islands can be expensive, it’s also possible to find cheap holidays to Canaries.
Weather
One of the best reasons to travel to the Canaries is because of the weather. The islands are said to have a spring like feeling year-round, making it a popular destination any time. It does get a bit cooler in the winter months of December to March, but it’s still very pleasant and a great time to visit. The average temperature in wintertime is 64F (18C), while summertime sees averages at 75F (24C). Summer temperatures can reach into the 90′s F (~35C).
Things to See and Do
Whenever you visit an island destination like the Canaries, lounging on beaches is the top activity people take part in. The island of Tenerife is the most popular of the seven islands, with Gran Canaria and Lanzarote being right behind. The variety of activities on all three islands is astounding, and you will have plenty to do even if resting and relaxation isn’t your thing.
Consider heading to Lanzarote if you enjoy nightlife, as it is the place to be. If you’re looking for history, consider visiting San Cristobal de La Laguna on the island of Tenerife. The entire city is a World Heritage Site and is a great site to see.
If diving and snorkeling is what interests you, then you are in luck in the Canary Islands. It’s becoming more and more popular as the years go on, and many tourists come to the Canaries simply for the wonderful diving and snorkeling opportunities. There are over four hundred different marine species in the warmer than usual waters surrounding the Canaries, making it a great place to dive any time of the year. Head to the island of Gran Canaria and the Arinaga Marine Reserve if you’re looking for the best dive sites and snorkeling opportunities.
The Canaries are certainly beautiful, but one of the things that sets them apart are the four national parks that are located within their borders. Two of the parks have even been named World Heritage Sites by Unesco. There are mountains and observatories, interesting rock formations and subtropical forests, and even a park made up of nothing by volcanic soil. There are geysers and other volcanic sites to see at the Timanfaya National Park located on the island of Lanzarote. The most visited national park on the islands is Teide National Park on the island of Tenerife. Drawing around 3 million tourists a year, the park’s main attraction is Mount Teide.
The Canaries are a great place to visit for any travel lover. If you are a beach lover, you are in luck, but there is much more to see and do if you don’t want to spend your holiday lounging around the beach. Consider heading to the Canaries when you are looking to book your next vacation.
