Apartments in Gran Canaria
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Spanish by ownership but close to the coast of North Africa, the Canary Islands have become very popular as sunshine destinations an easy three hours flying time away.
There are seven islands in the group and four of them – Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Tenerife have gained a good reputation in mass tourism.
The three smaller islands – La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma situated to the western edge of the archipelago which lies off the Moroccan coast – are much less frequented but they do offer holidaymaker's the chance of more Canaries voyages of discovery in the future. In essence the Canaries are desert islands and first timers there often comment that they were expecting lush tropical isles; not essentially the barren and volcanic places that they are.
The islands have a wide appeal across all ages of families and couples. They are surrounded by the blue clear Atlantic Ocean and boast more than 3,000 hours of sunshine each year. The weather conditions are similar to Florida and Mexico which are on the same latitude.
Some of the Canary Islands offer long golden sand beaches where binoculars might be needed to see your nearest neighbour so many yards away; others have curious black beaches of volcanic sand. Oceanographers say the islands’ climates and conditions are dictated by a unique combination of the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean seas. They come together to produce some of the best windsurfing, surfing and scuba diving conditions in the world. These sea breezes are also a godsend for those who love the beach as they provide a cooling element for what can be a fierce summer sun.
Fuerteventura Accommodation
The closest Canary Island to the African coast with only 100km separating it from Cape Juby in Morocco. The second largest of the Canaries group after Tenerife, there is nowhere else in archipelago with as many enormous sand dunes and long sandy beaches. Such are the beaches and sand dunes of southern Fuerteventura, they were convincing enough to have been used in the desert scenes in Lawrence of Arabia.
Water sports are very popular in Fuerteventura and every year hundreds of , windsurfers and divers descend there. New attractions include the Bentacuria Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography and Tefia Craft Village.
The main holiday town is Corralejo in the north with its good beaches but also clubs, pubs and restaurants. Certainly worth the drive is the southern Jandia Peninsula where some of the most dramatic dunes and empty beaches can be discovered.
Gran Canaria
An island of varied landscapes with European, African and even American plants species and a mountain range at its centre peaking at about 2,000 metres. Along the coast the beaches are sandy and wide. Gran Canaria is home to the Canaries capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, with its individual architecture and colourfully painted houses. The capital’s contrasts include a Gothic cathedral built just after the discovery of America and the Barrio de la Vegueta quarter with its Latin-American influences. The House of Columbus is a reminder that Christopher stopped off here on his voyage of discovery to the Americas. Museums include the Museo Canario highlighting the islands' original inhabitants, the Guanches and the Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno with a collection of contemporary art. Eight kilometres out of Las Palmas there is the Jardín Canario, which shows the island group’s incredible variety of plants. Days exploring Gran Canaria can take in the fishing village of Arinaga with its panoramic views and Teror, the village which seems to float in the air 575 metres above sea level. In the north, Guia has a group of caves carved from petrified lava. Of Gran Canaria’s beaches, Maspalomas has six kilometres of fine white sands up to a kilometre wide. Playa del Inglés is one of the most famous beaches of the island, with modern hotels plus restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs. By contrast San Agustín is quieter and more relaxing. Costa de Bañaderos is a collection of small bays.
Lanzarote Accommodation
Best described as a moonscape, Lanzarote is different from its Canary Islands’ sisters. They are all volcanic but Lanzarote’s eruptions have been right up to the 19th century and parts of its surface are still covered with ash and lava. Arrecife is the island's capital with its twin fortresses and harbour. Capital attractions include the Museum of Contemporary Art and nearby Teguise with its castle, the Castillo de Santa Barbara. Lanzarote is not large and can be toured in a day by car. Highlights include a sea of cactuses at Guatiza and Cueva de los Verdes’ seven kilometres of caves which connect the Corona volcano with the sea. The south of Lanzarote has the best beaches, over 20 kilometres of them. Las Caradas has small bays while Punta del Papagayo’s beaches are golden sands.
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