Canary Island Articles and Info

A holiday in the Canary Islands offers you everything you need like sun, beaches, adventures, excursions, good food and great shopping.

Below you´ll find a selection of great articles on the Canary Islands, a paradisiac group of Spanish islands with a fantastic climate, the eternal spring as it is called. They are situated in the Atlnatic Ocean outside West Sahara, Africa.

The Canary Islands consists of seven larger islands (Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, El Hierro, La Palma y La Gomera). Each island has its own characteristics like canyons, sand dunes and pine forests. The whole area is volcanic and you can see real volcanic activity by your self in Lanzarote, for example.

• Canary Islands - sub-tropical vacation possibilities

  Seven islands make up the archipelago known as the Canary Islands. These are La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote. Because they are an autonomous region of Spain, many tourists do not realise that they lay in the Atlantic ocean, 750 miles south of...

• Download the Lanzarote Guidebook

  The Canary Island of Lanzarote is a popular year round destination, attracting over one million British and Irish tourists every year. And now anyone with an interest in the volcanic Island of Fire can download a comprehensive 104 page Guidebook to Lanzarote – entirely free of charge. ...

• The top five attractions of Lanzarote, Canary Islands

  Lanzarote´s year round clement climate is the primary draw for most visitors to the island. As here, even in the depths of a northern European winter, the temperature rarely falls below 21C. Add in four-hour flight times, over ninety great beaches and an abundance of high quality hotels and...

• The fantastic beaches of Fuerteventura

  Fuerteventura – blessed with over 150 beaches - is one of the least spoiled and the least discovered of the canary Islands. With a dramatic volcanic landscape, little rainfall and all year round warm temperatures, the desert landscape is unique and large areas of the island are protected...

• La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro

  La Palma La Palma is the north-westernmost of the Canary Island Archipelago and is known as the “Pretty Isle” due to its outstanding natural beauty. It has the most precipitation out of all the Canary Islands and is one of the world’s most mountainous Islands. Roque de los...

• Shopping in Tenerife, Canary Islands

  Shopping in Tenerife is not exclusively a tourist activity and when expat families first take the plunge to move to the island, they are faced with a bewildering choice of supermarkets and stores. In the initial stages of taking up residency in Tenerife, some people like to be able to buy brands...

• Canary Islands - the fortunate islands

  In Christopher Columbus’s time, the Canary Islands were believed to mark the end of the world. After being conquered by the Spanish in the 15th Century, the Canaries become a popular stopping point for explorers, traders and missionaries on their way to the Americas. The islands have also...

• Guanches - the aborigins of the Canary Islands

  The Guanches are believed to be the first inhabitants of the Canary Islands. Where they came from is still uncertain, but they could actually be a mix of Berbers from the north of Africa, and scandinavian vikings. Written material from the spanish ‘conquistadores’ in the 15th century...

• Long period renting in Spain

  Those who bought off plan a couple of years ago with the intention of renting out their property as a holiday let are now considering the long term rental market. It offers more peace of mind knowing that there are less people in and out of your apartment and a guaranteed rental income for a long...

• Diving holiday in Tenerife

  If you are planning a scuba diving holiday to Tenerife, when you venture under the waves you may find yourself pleasantly surprised. The impressive underwater rock formations rich in both plant and animal life make the island of Tenerife an ideal and increasingly popular scuba diving destination....

• Dorada, Tropical and Reina Beers

  The Canary Island archipelago is famous for its sunny beaches, night life, excursions, hiking… Well people seem to find these islands suitable for a wide range of activities. One common factor is the climate, the Canary Islands are blessed with a pleasant temperature all year round. So what...

• Brief introduction to Canary Islands history

  Canary Islands, Span. Islas Canarias, group of seven islands (1990 pop. 1,589,403), 2,808 sq mi (7,273 sq km), autonomous region of Spain, in the Atlantic Ocean off Western Sahara. They constitute two provinces of Spain. Santa Cruz de Tenerife (1990 pop. 770,627), 1,239 sq mi (3,209 sq km),...

• Introduction to Canarian palm tree

  Everybody recognises palm trees, they are the universal symbol for the tropics but many are hardy enough for our temperate climate gardens. Until recently New Zealand gardeners have had only a very limited range of palms to choose from. In the last five years the range has grown enormously as...

• Introduction to the island of La Gomera

  La Gomera, belonging to the Canary Islands, is a very peculiar and interesting spot. This island has a central massif of a height of about 1490 meters which can easily be seen from the distance and is, without any doubt, a unique peculiarity. This massif shows a dramatic drop which turns it to be a...

• Some great Lanzarote attractions

  There is a great amount of different things to do and places to meet in the island of Lanzarote. Lanzarote is located towards the eastern area of the Canary Islands, and shows a size of about 13 miles in width and 40 miles in length. One of the most appealing characteristics of Lanzarote is its...

• Tips for coping with car rentals

  With rising gas prices, driving causes more headaches than it used to. When traveling, though, you may need to rely on a car rental. There are ways to save money if you plan well. Next time you?re looking for a quality, affordable car rental, consider the following: 1. A car rental at the airport...

• History of Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

  It may surprise some of the most frequent tourists but the island of fuerteventura is actually thought to be the oldest island in the Canaries. Below we take a closer look at Fuerteventura´s colourful history and how you might discover it on your next trip to the island. When you mention...

• Perro de Presa - a Canary Island guard dog

  The Canary Dog history includes the now extinct native dog of the Canary Islands, the Bardino Majorero, crossed with imported English Mastiffs. It is interesting to note that the Islands were not named for the little yellow singing bird known as the Canary, but rather for the fierce fighting dogs...

• The Canary Island is a fantastic leisure destination

  Travel and leisure is a sure thing for my family and me. I like a holiday cruise during the year. Great beaches, blue skies and nice people really give me the charge up I need when I get back to work. When I travel for leisure, the Canary Islands off Spain is never far from my mind. You can get...

• Beaches in Arrecife, Lanzarote

  Arrecife is the smallest of the islands seven municipalities and house the islands new capital (having taken over the mantel from Teguise at the end of the 18th century). Like neighbouring San Bartholme, there are relatively few beaches in this area, although the two that follow are well a visit. ...

• Canary Island favorite beach vacations

  When it comes to a great vacation, having a cruise with the family can be a great choice. And, if you’re pretty much like me, you’ll definitely enjoy a good holiday cruise anytime of the year, especially if it comes with great beaches, blue skies, and friendly people. One of my favorite...

• Pancakes and Tortillas in Canarias

  For the British at least, Shrove Tuesday is probably better known as Pancake Day. Those wonderful delicacies, smothered in sugar and lemon and often tossed around in village competitions. As you will see from the recipes below, the Brits certainly don’t have the monopoly of this type of fare...

• Canary Islands, a tropical paradise

  Located off the northwestern coast of Africa, the Canary Islands are one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet, especially with Europeans. The seven main islands that make up the Canary Islands are well spaced out so that it is only a day’s sail between most of them. The...

• Introduction to Tenerife wines

  Wine searcher say, "Ycoden-Daute-Isora is the most ancient but most recently Denominated of Spain’s regions. The best dry white wines in Tenerife, from the Listan Blanco grape, are made here." (I think the reds are even better.) The region of Ycoden-Daute-Isora, which was...

• Aloe Vera is a common plant in the Canary Islands

  Aloe has been used for centuries to heal burns cuts and bruises. Aloe also helps diabetics who suffer from topical sores due to their disease. Another topical use for aloe is skin care. The list of topical problems that aloe is used for is of a decent size. Aloe can be used to enhance skin growth,...

• The history of the Guanche population

  Many years have passed since the Canary Islands were considered by Latin writers and Greek historians as the Garden of the Hesperides, the Fortunate Islands or the Elysian Fields. It was an attractive archipelago beacuse of its climate, the prosperity of its winds, the purity of its air, and the...

• Escape to the Canary Islands

  A chain of exotic volcanic islands off the coast of Africa that happens to receive about 10 million visitors a year has the kind of appeal that is difficult to ignore. There must be some wonderful sights to see and probably many fine vacation memories to be made in the Canary Islands, so take a...

• Holidays in Tenerife, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura

  The seven Canary Islands are located in the Atlantic Ocean, just off the north coast of Africa. They have been formed as a result of volcanic activity, which happened thousands of years ago to produce the islands we see today. The canaries are geographically split into two provinces. The western...

• Duty Free: What You Need To Know

  One of the highlights of a holiday abroad is the opportunity to stock up on items such as cigarettes, alcohol and perfume - collectively known as "duty free" goods. Duty free items have no state, local or provincial taxes, federal import duties, or any other type of taxation added to...

• The spooky Villa Winter in Fuerteventura

  Aliens and Adolf Hitler might not seem to have much in common. But lying in isolated mountainside in one of the most secluded areas of the Canary Islands lies an spacious villa that has given birth to mysterious legends about both This spacious villa lies hidden from the world nestling between the...

• Some Gran Canaria basic facts

  Gran Canaria geography Gran Canaria, rarely Grand Canary (archaic), is the third largest island of the Canary Islands, an archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean 210 km from the northwest coast of Africa and belonging to Spain. It is located southeast of Tenerife and west of Fuerteventura. The...

• Best shopping in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

  Shopping in Las Palmas is, nowadays, an activity that attracts locals as well as tourists. Las Palmas is the capital of the eastern Canary Islands, with about 400.000 inhabitants. This gives you enormous shopping possibilities. To tackle all the great shopping areas in Las Palmas, you will...

• Las Canteras - the famous beach of Las Palmas

  The vibrant city of Las Palmas enjoys the best climate in the world, according to a study carried out by the Syracuse University, USA. Imagine combining this climate with a huge beach in the middle of the city… This is basically what the Las Canteras beach is about. The Las Canteras beach...

• Roque Nublo - a Canary Island landmark

  Roque Nublo is one of the more famous landmarks of Gran Canaria. Situated in the center of the island, and surrounded by the mountains of the Tejeda region, this monolith monument from the volcanic era of the Canary Islands erects 80 metre vertically up into the sky. Since we´re talking...

• Las Palmas, capital of the eastern Canary Islands

  Las Palmas is an incredible large city on a rather small island, Gran Canaria. With almost 400.000 inhabitants, Las Palmas is the capital of Gran Canaria as well as capital of the province of Las Palmas (covering the islands of Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura). It´s situated about...

• Letting laws for apartments in Lanzarote

  The letting laws for villas and apartments in Lanzarote and other Canary Islands have been the subject of much debate over the past few years. Many statements have been made by elected presidents of villa and apartment communities intent on stopping holiday rentals in their community in an effort...

• The Legacy of Cesar Manrique, Lanzarote

  Lanzarote Repackaged For centuries philosophers and geographers have debated whether the Canary Islands are the remnants of the lost continent of Atlantis. According to Plato civilization here was wiped out. The inhabitants had "fallen prey to the worst vices", he said. Today these seven...

• Finance your villa in Lanzarote

  More and more people are buying a villa in Lanzarote in the Canary Islands. So you´ve spent many, many hours searching for the perfect villa, and you´ve found it! Everything is arranged with the estate agent at lawyer, now you just need to pay for it. So how do you send over the...

• What can Lanzarote offer you on your holiday

  The short answer is "It can offer you anything and everything", but surely you want to know more ? Where is Lanzarote? - It is located on the eastern side of the Canary Islands and is a mere 13 miles wide and 40 miles long, so you can travel to each and every part of the island and spend...

• About moving your life to Lanzarote

  So you´ve made the big decision and decided to leave the UK behind and go and live in a villa in Lanzarote. But how do you go about it and what things do you need to do? The important thing first of all of course is to buy your villa in Lanzarote and sell your UK home! Once you´ve done...

• About Estate Agents in Lanzarote

  Lanzarote is a wonderful place to buy your dream villa in the sun and enjoy your holidays in the year round warm climate, but you can´t do it alone. Unless you can find a private sale, you´ll need the services of an estate agent. So how do you choose which one? Buying a villa in...

• Discover Lanzarote by car

  Lanzarote is situated just 70 miles off the coast of Africa and is the most easterly of the Canary Islands. The island is 37 miles (60km) long and 12 miles (20 km) wide, making it the fourth largest island in the Canaries. Lanzarote enjoys a mild dry climate with average daytime temperatures...

• How is the weather in Lanzarote

  You´ve chosen your beautiful luxury villa with its private pool for your holiday and are eagerly awaiting your (hopefully) break in the sun. But will the weather live up to expectations? Lanzarote lies off the west coast of Africa, about 400 miles south from the south coast of Spain, so...

• Tourist activities in Lanzarote, Canary Islands

  Many people come to Lanzarote for the weather and to relax by a pool or on the beach. However Lanzarote has far more to offer tourists than its fabulous climate. No visit to this stunning volcanic island is complete without a visit to Parque Nacional de Timanfaya home of Lanzarote’s only...

• Best Beaches in the Yaiza region, Lanzarote

  In this particular article (I have written others about beaches in other areas of the island), I will cover beaches in Yaiza, one of the seven municipalities of Lanzarote. This part of Lanzarote is occupied, principally, by the town of Playa Blanca (once a sleepy fishing village), but in the midst...

• Beaches in Tinajo, Lanzarote

  Tinajo is located in the central north part of Lanzarote and considered by many to have the best surfing conditions in Europe. Elements of the coastline have become synonymous with the term "The Hawaii of Europe". The first of two beaches takes us to La Santa, in a village by the same...

• Lanzarote, a Spanish island outside Africa

  The Canary Islands are Spanish Islands. Lanzarote is one of these islands. It is the most north eastern of the Canary Islands. It is an island within the heart of the Atlantic Ocean whose people have created a privileged home of lava and ashes. It is situated on the most northern latitude and...

• Visit museums in Santa Cruz, Tenerife

  A Tenerife holiday has more to offer than you think. Museums abound. If you are happy to while away your days on the beaches or around the pools of tenerife then that’s fine but there are other things to do. Like museums in the UK those on the island of Tenerife have had to move with the...

• Discover the beuatiful island of Tenerife

  Have you discovered Tenerife yet? Many UK holidaymakers describe Tenerife as their dream holiday island. So, what is it about this island which makes it so popular with the UK holidaymakers? The island of Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands, and probably the most popular with visitors. In...

• Rural tourism in Tenerife

  The Spanish island of Tenerife is a popular destination for tourists seeking its volcanic sand beaches, lunar landscape and sub tropical climate. Increasingly dependent on tourism, the Tenerife Tourism Corporation are now promoting the attractions of the island’s lesser known regions - called...

• Buy long-term property in Tenerife

  When you decide to buy a property, takes a completely different perspective than choosing a holiday destination. Everyone has their favorite holiday places but many of these have been overtaken by more appealing places or have grown into noisy haunts of the younger tourists. Tenerife is changing...

• Telescopic sights in Tenerife, Canary Islands

  SLOOH is a robotic observatory on the Canary Islands. Every Monday, whenever conditions permit viewing, you can participate in mulitple SLOOH "missions" over the course of an hour-long session. What does SLOOH stand for? Apparently it’s about putting the OOH into SLEW! High atop...

• How to find your hotel in Tenerife

  Have you always dreamt about a one-week vacation in paradise? Are you one of those persons whose dream vacation includes wide beaches, crystal clear ocean water, luxurious hotels with saunas and a wild nightlife? Well, then you should consider the Canary Islands as a destination for your...

• Tenerife daytrip ideas

  Regardless of your reasons for visiting Tenerife, you will want to explore the island. As nice as basking in the sunshine is on any visit to this remarkable island, a trip here is not complete without taking a break from the beaches and making the most of the attractions and diverse landscape. By...

• The flora and fauna of Tenerife

  Macaronesia is the name given to the groups of Islands which scatter across the centre of the Atlantic. One such group is the Canary Islands which boasts the greatest variety of flora. Throughout the Canaries there is a mixture of endemic and cultivated plants, tropical and sub-tropical. The...