Canary Islands www.spain.info Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Published by: © Turespaña CONTENTS Created by: Lionbridge Introduction 3 NIPO: 086-18-006-3 Gran Canaria 4 FREE COPY Tenerife 9 The content of this leaflet has been created with the utmost care. However, if you find an error, Lanzarote 15 please help us to improve by sending an email to [email protected] Excursion to the Isle of La Graciosa 18 Front Page: Fuerteventura. La Palma 21 Back: Maspalomas Dunes, Gran Canaria. Fuerteventura 24 La Gomera 28 El Hierro 29 Discover the taste of the Canary Islands 31 Canary Islands for children 33 Enjoy the nightlife in the Canary Islands 34 How to get there 35 2 INTRODUCTION A privileged climate all year round, The Canary Islands also mean nature: idyllic beaches, nature, culture, The islands are home to four National entertainment... It's so easy to fall in Parks and Biosphere Reserves. There love with the Canary Islands. Paradise are surprising volcanic landscapes in out in the Atlantic Ocean, eight islands Lanzarote, there's the Teide in Tenerife each with its own spirit and its own (an inactive volcano which is the highest personality. mountain in Spain), the sand dunes in At any time of the year you can take a Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria, the exuberance of El Hierro and the green dip, lie in the sun or go windsurfing on fine, sandy beaches with crystal-clear forests in La Palma and La Gomera. waters. But the Canary Islands have If you're interested in culture, then you much more to offer than the seaside. must visit monumental sites like the The interior of the islands is ideal for World Heritage City of San Cristóbal de hiking, cycling, climbing and pot-holing. la Laguna in Tenerife. Or enjoy works by Towns and cities full of fun and charm the painter, sculptor and architect, César are the perfect complement for these Manrique. Viewing points, gardens, outdoor activities. In the islands you'll installations along the coast, cultural find nightlife and festivities to suit all centres... An extraordinary dialogue tastes, as well as traditions like the between the artist, the countryside unmissable carnaval. and the natural environment which will leave you lost for words. Come to the Canary Islands and discover a whole world of sensations. 3 PLAYA DE MASPALOMAS BEACH GRAN CANARIA CANARY ISLANDS GRAN CANARIA Can you imagine a miniature continent where there is so much to do that every single day is special? That is Gran Canaria, an island of contrasts. The lively capital city provides a wide selection of leisure activities, as well as being a benchmark for those who love shopping and water sports. In the north you'll find delightful seaside towns, ideal for resting and enjoying the cuisine. In the south you'll love the endless beaches and sand dunes sculpted by the wind on a daily basis. Whatever you like doing, you're bound to have fun here. ` BASILICA CATHEDRAL OF SANTA ANA LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA CULTURE Take a walk through the historical old Columbus. Here you can learn about town, the Vegueta neighbourhood, the history of the Canary Islands, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the their relationship with America and capital of the island. Here you'll find the footprint left on the islands by the the Cathedral of Santa Ana, a blend of explorer. Gothic, Renaissance and Neoclassical A walk through the elegant Triana architecture with magnificent twin neighbourhood will reveal architectural towers. It houses the Diocesan Museum gems like the Pérez Galdós Theatre, of Sacred Art which exhibits a number the Literary Cabinet and the Church of of valuable artistic objects, paintings San Francisco. and an important collection of Spanish sculpture. The museums are another of the tourist attractions in Las Palmas. The Néstor Stroll around the delightful, lively streets Museum is devoted to one of the main near the cathedral, all full of colourful artists of Spanish Symbolism. To explore facades, and while you're there you the Pre-Hispanic culture and the history should visit the Vegueta Market. of the archipelago, the best place is the Nearby you'll see the old Governor's Canario Museum. House which is now the House of 4 GRAN CANARIA The Pérez Galdós Home-Museum exhibits furniture, personal objects, books and documents belonging to this famous Spanish writer from the Canary Islands. Meanwhile, the Atlantic Centre of Modern Art (CAAM) is one of the most important art centres in the whole archipelago, specialising in Canary Island artists from the 1930s and 1940s. The Tufia archaeological site is surrounded by coast and consists of a Pre-Hispanic Canary Island settlement comprising caves and stone houses. The biggest festival on the island is the Gran Canaria Carnival which takes place between January and March (depending on the year). Here are the essential events you should mark on your calendar: the Gala Queen celebration, the carnival troupe, street a ATLANTIC MODERN ART CENTRE, CAAM LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA band and fancy-dress competitions and the Grand Parade. b VIERA Y CLAVIJO CANARY ISLAND BOTANICAL GARDENS NATURE LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA The island overflows with natural life. Following the network of trails on foot or by bike is a magnificent way of exploring the Biosphere Reserve. One of the most unforgettable experiences you can enjoy in Gran Canaria is whale watching in Puerto Rico. You don't need to go far from the coast before you find dolphins, finback whales, long-finned pilot whales, sperm whales... Your best bet is to be guided by the experts who know all about the waters where these creatures can be found and how they behave. More outdoor wonders: in the Viera y Clavijo Canary Island Botanical Garden you can learn all about the islands' flora. 5 CANARY ISLANDS If you love landscapes and wild nature, and consists of unique rock formations, then you should visit the Pilancones incredible viewing points and walking Nature Reserve where you can walk routes leading to all its secret places. amongst really beautiful plateaus and Another wonderful location where you gullies. can enjoy nature in all its splendour is The Roque Nublo Rural Park, in the the Tamadaba Nature Reserve, with district of Tejeda in the heart of the island, natural Canary Island pine forests, has been declared a Biosphere Reserve. sheer cliffs and amazing biodiversity in The largest natural area in Gran Canaria the ravines. spreads out over 30 municipal districts b PILANCONES NATURE RESERVE SAN BARTOLOMÉ DE TIRAJANA, GRAN CANARIA 6 GRAN CANARIA BEACHES Gran Canaria has an almost endless selection of fine sandy beaches, dunes and coves. The little villages in the north are real seaside treasures and ideal for taking a dip and trying some delicious fresh fish. The city of Las Palmas has a lively, well-kept town beach, with all the benefits of being located in a great city. The south of the island features amazing beaches and sand dunes. They are part of the Maspalomas Dunes Nature Reserve and there are areas ideal for families, for nudists and some areas with waves which are ideal for windsurfers. There are other family-friendly beaches and lively tourist resorts like Puerto Rico. PLAYA DE LAS CANTERAS BEACH One of the best urban beaches in the world, where the temperature means you can swim all year round. It has a lively seafront promenade. MASPALOMAS An enormous tourist beach where you can sunbathe in comfort. Golden sands and gentle waves, together with numerous facilities, hotels and apartments. MASPALOMAS DUNES GRAN CANARIA 7 CANARY ISLANDS PLAYA DEL INGLÉS BEACH PLAYA DE LAS SALINAS BEACH Probably the most famous beach in Gran Quiet and isolated, this rocky beach is in Canaria. Here there are all imaginable an unspoiled area at the edge of an old leisure options. salt pan, you'll love it. PLAYA DE MOGÁN BEACH PLAYA DE AGUADULCE BEACH Fine sand and crystal-clear waters. A beautiful beach sheltered from the There's also a lovely little town with the currents. Don't forget to take your same name. goggles, this beach is perfect for snorkelling. L Further information: www.grancanaria.com/turismo b PLAYA DE MOGÁN BEACH GRAN CANARIA 8 TENERIFE The largest of the Canary Islands which has a great variety of landscapes and everything from the Teide volcano to cities with delightful historical old towns, vast protected nature reserves and fantastic golf courses. Along the coast and inland you'll find delightful little towns and villages surrounded by mountains, where local traditions are maintained and you can breathe an air of tranquillity. The south is renowned especially for its large holiday resorts, theme parks and lively nightlife. One of the greatest attractions is its famous carnival, an explosion of glitter, colour and rhythm. a SAN CRISTÓBAL DE LA LAGUNA TENERIFE CULTURE Tenerife is just brimming with culture. gardens. It is in the heart of the city Here you'll find architectural gems next to the Plaza del Charco and the like San Cristóbal de la Laguna, a seafront promenade. World Heritage City, formerly the capital of Tenerife and a model for PUERTO DE LA CRUZ colonial town planning. You'll love the TENERIFE pedestrian streets and the religious temples, the cathedral is not to be missed. Everywhere you look there are palaces and stately houses with brightly coloured facades and stone porches. Puerto de la Cruz is the nerve centre of the north of the island. There you can visit architectural marvels like the delightful Church of Nuestra Señora de la Peña de Francia, surrounded by 9 CANARY ISLANDS Photo: dziewul/123rf.com Photo: dziewul/123rf.com a CORPUS CHRISTI CARPETS LA OROTAVA, TENERIFE A fascinating excursion would take to the sound of traditional "tajaraste" you to the popular fishing town of music (of Berber origin) accompanied Candelaria.