The Canary Islands have been a major European tourist destination ever since mass air travel started to gain in popularity. One of the last 'European paradises', the Canary Islands provide an exotic getaway without having to travel to south Asia or the Americas. Furthermore, because the Canary Islands are essentially European, British and other European visitors can trek out to the Canary Islands without losing the comforts of modern communication, modern airports, and modern amenities.
Several islands are especially popular with visitors, including:
- Gran Canaria: By population, Gran Canaria is the largest island in the Canary Islands. Its southern region is filled with beach resorts.
- Tenerife: By geographical reckoning, Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands. Tenerife has a variety of natural and urban sites of interest.
- La Gomera: Nicknamed the 'Magic Isle', La Gomera is home to the only remaining Laurisilva rainforest in northern Africa.
- Lanzarote: Volcanic eruptions in the eighteenth century wiped out most of Lanzarote's history, which is too bad since it has been a part of the known world at least since the time of the Phoenicians. A mostly barren desert island, the best attractions here are the national parks, where visitors can hike the surreal volcanic landscape.
- El Hierro: The smallest island in the Canary Islands, UNESCO declared it a Biosphere Reserve in 2000, meaning that almost all of its flora and fauna are protected. Most visitors spend their time here horseback riding, biking, hiking, paragliding, or scuba diving – in other words, it's a spot for lovers of the outdoors.
- La Palma: Also called 'La Isla Bonita', or the beautiful island, La Palma has a relatively small population clustered in its few towns. The main attraction here is the countryside, where otherworldly volcanic landscapes covered with dense vegetation are quite inviting for hikers.
- Lobos: Considered one of the least important of the Canary Islands, Lobos is nevertheless a birdwatcher's paradise, and draws its visitors primarily for that reason.
Getting There and Getting Around
The largest airports in the Canaries are located on the islands of Gran Canaria and Tenerife. There are other, smaller airports, and some of these even handle international traffic, but these airports, by-and-large, are far more expensive. If you wish to explore the lesser-known Canary Islands, fly in to Gran Canaria or Tenerife, then take a local flight to one of the other islands, or hop onto a ferry, of which there are many in the Canary Islands.
Once you're on one of the islands, it's often a good idea to plan on hiring a car. In most cases, the best way to get to the more remote and beautiful areas of the islands, especially if you plan to see more than just the beach, is by driving. Besides renting a car, you may also decide to rely upon the bus system, which is the most common form of public transit in the Canary Islands.
In all, the Canary Islands are one of those holiday destinations that's been drawing visitors for decades, and will continue to draw them for decades to come. With fantastic beaches and water perfect for scuba diving and, in some spots, surfing, a holiday in the Canary Islands is a classic beach vacation with nothing left out.
