Top destinations: Canary Islands
There’s more to Spain than Barthelona! With flights from the east coast right around $500 round trip, now is the time to book your tickets to the Canary Islands. Although it may sound exotic and out of reach, these beautiful Spanish islands have never been more inviting and accessible to Americans.
Right off the coast of northwest Africa, you’ll find a small paradise with affordable hotels, amazing food and some of the most stunning views in the world. Tenerife is most likely where you’ll fly into, this is the largest and most developed island in the archipelago and is also home to the volcano, Mt. Teide, Spain’s tallest mountain.
What to do
Whether you are an adventure seeker, beach bum or gastronomy enthusiast, these islands truly have it all.
Mt. Teide
Of course, number one on the list has to be visiting the famed Mt. Teide. So imposing, this peak was revered by the native people of the island, the Guanches, who believed it held up the sky. Looking up at this technically active volcano is indeed humbling, and worth a visit. The nutrient rich volcanic soil makes this area home to a plethora of flora and fauna that are found nowhere else in the world, such as Gallot's lizard, the Teide finch, and even a unique species of big-eared bat.
The best part of visiting Teide is that anyone can do it; there's a cable car that picks up passengers from the base station which is accessible by car. The Teide Cableway offers amazing views as it glides up the mountain, stopping 11,663 ft above sea level at La Rambleta station. From here you can explore the peak or take a guided tour, however to access the tallest point of the mountain (the tippy top, if you will), you'll have to get a free permit as this area is limited to about 200 people per day. But don’t feel left out, when stepping out of the cable car, I’m sure you’ll agree, 11,663 ft is impressive enough.
Beaches
The beaches of each island offer a little something different, but overall I definitely recommend checking out Las Canteras beach on Gran Canaria. Yes, it’s a tourist spot, located in the capital of the island, however it’s proximity to restaurants, shops and other amenities make it ideal for first time travelers to the Canaries. It’s also perfect for spending a relaxing afternoon after exploring the city of Las Palmas.
If you are visiting the easternmost island of Lanzarote and don’t mind trekking out a little farther, you can’t miss Playa de las Conchas on La Graciosa. La Graciosa is a tiny island right off of Lanzarote and this beach is one of the most pristine, stunning beaches you’ll ever see, straight out of a postcard. A great way to experience it is with a day sail from Lanzarote; there are many available and some include lunch and water sports.
Playa de las Conchas
Highlight: la Casa de Colón
Your visit to the Canaries will most likely end you up in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria at some point. This historic, capital city is not just a beach destination. You could spend all day wandering through the gorgeous cobblestone streets, sampling local dishes like papas arrugadas and local wines made from the rich, volcanic soil-grown grapes…BUT you really should check out la Casa de Colón (Columbus’ House). This tropical mansion which was once the residence of governors hosted Columbus multiple times as the Canary islands were a vital stop on the journey to the Americas. The museum is incredible to walk through and contains many pre-columbian artifacts as well as a picture-perfect courtyard. Be sure to say hello to the very talkative parrots that reside there.
Santa Ana cathedral in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Visiting la Casa de Colón will put you in a perfect position to explore la Vegueta, the old town. Don’t miss the Plaza de Santa Ana, a beautiful plaza full of great cafés, bars and restaurants. You can pay a small fee to climb the tower of the Santa Ana cathedral for a 360 view of the city.