Canary Islands

Canary Islands is one of the ideal tourist destinations. It is inexpensive, with good climate and pleasant people.


Getting there

Most tourists fly to the island of Tenerife, which has two airports: in the north and in the south. Other islands have smaller airports.

Climate

Ideal at any time of the year (wikipedia), the temperature varies slightly from 21 degrees in January to 29 in August. Tenerife and La Palma have unique climate. Even if the whole island is covered with clouds and the rain, in less than an hour you can get to sunny mountains.

Getting around the island Tenerife

Tenerife has very well developed bus service (http://titsa.com/). You can easily visit everything without a car. Although the roads are good and empty, car rentals are cheap and most importantly...

Parking

Everywhere and free! Paradise for autotravellers. This point is very important, especially for those who previously rented a car in Italy or France and was looking for a place for half an hour.

Prices

The average in comparison with the Central Europe. In restaurants we spent less than expected. There are also a lot of super cheap offers. Taxi, compared to Central Europe, is a little bit cheaper. For example we paid 20 EUR from Los Gigantes to Masca village (20 km).

Hotels

We lived in hotels and apartments in 6 locations for 50-80 euros. For this money it's not a problem to find average accommodation. The most expensive hotel, the Parador near the Teide volcano, worth 100 euros.

Moving between the islands

Each island has an airport, but we used the ferries to travel with a car. The longest route La Palma - Tenerife is covered by Fred Olsen ferry in 3 hours and cost 150 euros (4 people and a car). Ferry tickets are not necessarily to buy on the internet, we bought at the box office in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Mobile Internet

We bought 4 simcards of Movistar (15 EUR each) in the shopping center in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The problem is that for each simcard you need sign the contract and it took more than an hour. Internet was everywhere, even on the top of the Teide volcano (3718 meters).

Islands

Tenerife

The largest island and the main tourist attraction. Has the best infrastructure and everything for a good holiday. Good beaches in the south and interesting sights in the north.

Gran Canaria

The most populous island, but loses much to Tenerife due to the lack of sights. Although the beaches are good.

La Palma

The most remote island, little visited. Best mountains and nature.

Lanzarote

Good beaches, volcanic landscapes, but very little vegetation.

Fuerteventura

Paradise for surfers, best beaches of the Canary Islands.

La Gomera

80% of tourists come here for a one day trip from Tenerife. There are several beaches and forests in the heart of the island. Popular with hikers.

Hierro

Does somebody visit it?

Our route

We chose the three islands: Tenerife, La Gomera and La Palma. The route and the Canary Islands we liked very much. If you want to use this route, add one day for La Gomera and La Palma.

Day 1 - Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Day 2 - Las Teresitas Beach, Benijo Beach, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Day 3 - San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Puerto de la Cruz
Day 4 - Masca Gorge
Day 5 - Puerto de la Cruz
Day 6 - Loro Park, Teide National Park
Day 7 - Teide National Park, Garcia rocks
Day 8 - Monkey Park (Monkey Park), La Gomera
Day 9 - La Gomera, La Palma Island
Day 10 - La Palma island
Day 11 - El Medano Beach
Day 12 - Airport

Day 1 - Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Arrived at Tenerife North Airport (Los Rodeos), rented a car and went to Santa Cruz de Tenerife where walked around the city. Visited botanical garden Palmetum (open until 17:00).


Day 2 - Las Teresitas Beach, Benijo Beach, Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Walked around the Opera at dawn.


Went to Las Teresitas beach where rested till noon.


In the afternoon went to the Benijo beach, across the Anaga mountain range. There are few fish restaurants near the beach, where we had a dinner.


Returned to Santa Cruz de Tenerife and walked in the center. In the evening ate in the Chinese restaurant "all for 10 euros".


Day 3 - San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Puerto de la Cruz

In the morning went by car to the viewpoint Mirador La Cruz. Also visited ticket office and bought ferry tickets.


Then went to San Cristóbal de La Laguna.


Next to Puerto de la Cruz where walked around the city and rested on the Playa Martianez beach. Lunch we had again in the Chinese restaurant (on the second floor in front of the entrance to Lago Martianez swimming pools).


Day 4 - Masca Gorge

In the morning we went to the Masca vollage, through the nice viewpoints on the way.


Went down the gorge to the beach


Got to Los Gigantes on the boat where had a lunch at the port and went back to the Masca village by taxi. Next, we wanted to go to Cape Teno, swim there and watch the sunset. But the road was closed, seems this happens from time to time. Therefore, returned to Puerto de la Cruz and went by taxi to the viewpoint Panorama El mirador. There is a café there and the best place to meet the sunset.


Day 5 - Puerto de la Cruz

This day was a reserve, now we always add it to plan. So just relaxed at the outdoor pools Lago Martianez.


In the evening, met the sunset at the pier.


Day 6 - Loro Park, Teide National Park

In the morning we visited Loro Park. Had a lunch at the restaurant on site.


Then we went to the Teide park, read in detail here. I slept on top of the volcano, the others at the hotel.


Day 7 - Teide National Park, Garcia rocks

On this day, we climbed to the summit of the volcano, relaxed in the hotel and in the evening walked around the Garcia rocks.


Day 8 - Monkey Park (Monkey Park), La Gomera

In the morning we went to the Monkey Park, where had a great time.


Then walked along the promenade of Los Cristianos, where we waited for the ferry. It's full of restaurants with an inexpensive special-offers.


On the ferry got to La Gomera. Since we had booked self-catering apartments, we purchased everything in the supermarket and went through the whole island to Valle Gran Rey.


This is a wonderful and quite place. Be sure to stay here for 2 nights.


Day 9 - La Gomera, La Palma Island

In the morning we went back to the ferry through the misty forest in the center of the island.


Got to La Palma, settled in the hotel and went to the Playa los Cancajos beach. There had a lunch at a restaurant.


In the evening walked around the city


Day 10 - La Palma island

In the morning met the dawn at the viewpoint Mirador de la Concepción.


During the whole day we were visiting interesting places around the island, read details here.


Day 11 - El Medano Beach

On this day we planned to relax until dinner, but the ferry was moved to the morning, so we had to get up early. Therefore take one additional night on the La Palma island.

The ferry arrived in Los Cristianos and we got to El Médano beach, where rested all the day.


Day 12 - Airport

Flew home.