The
Canary Islands, Spain - Travel & Accommodation Guide
Magnificent,
endless sandy beaches, volcanoes, deserts and cities with interesting architecture,
restaurants and shops - the seven islands off the coast of North Africa
offer something for everyone.
Currently
we are offering accommodation options in Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Isla
de la Palma, Lanzarote and Tenerife. You can finance
your trip to the Canaries at our partner.
Choose your
accommodation and travel guide options from the
links
below...
La Palma Island
-
Eternal spring on "Isla Bonnita" (Spanish for beautiful island) or "Isla
Verde", the Green Island. The most attractive island in the Canaries
with temperate weather, beautiful scenery and magnificent beaches.
La Caldera del Taburiente on La Palma is the world's largest volcanic crater,
with a diameter of 9 kilometers and a depth of 770 meters.
Los Cancajos
Beach
- The best and most protected beaches in La Palma, close to the
airport and old typically Spanish capital of Santa Cruz de la Palma.
The beach is a mixture of black sand and rocks, and features some lovely
fish restaurants. Buses are available from Santa Cruz to the beach.
Aparthotel
El Cerrito, Playa los Cancajos, Brena Baja, La Palma Aparthotel El Cerrito, in
the style of the Canaries, yet contemporary, is surrounded by lush nature
and offers guests 37 rooms as well as a foyer, an air-conditioned restaurant
and a hotel safe. The complex is situated in a quiet area of the
tourist centre of Los Cancajos a mere 300 m from the beach. Guests will
find restaurants and links to the public transport network in the surroundings
and it is only 4.5 km to Santa Cruz de la Palma, and some 4 km to the airport.
The pleasant rooms are decorated in modern style and are fitted with an
en suite bathroom with hairdryer, a small kitchen with a fridge, a microwave,
a coffee machine and a washing machine.
Hotel
Las Olas, Playa los Cancajos, Brena Baja, La Palma The hotel is located in
Breña Baja, La Palma, one kilometre from the sandy beaches of Los
Cancajos and five kilometres from Santa Cruz De La Palma city centre. La
Palma Airport is five kilometres away. The hotel has two outside
swimming pools surrounded by sunloungers; one designated specifically for
children. A complimentary buffet breakfast is served each morning,
and the half-board rate includes breakfast and dinner. The onsite restaurant
is open in the evenings for dinner, and drinks and light snacks can be
purchased at the poolside bar. Cocktails are served in the Hall Bar.
Tennis, squash, table tennis and billiards can be pursued within the hotel
grounds, where there is also an onsite playground. The hotel organises
a beginner's diving session each week; the local coastline is perfect for
snorkelling.
H10
Costa Salinas, Holiday Apartment Complex, Playa los Cancajos, La Palma The H10 Costa Salinas is
located in Playa de los Cancajos, on the island of La Palma, part of Tenerife,
Spain. The beach is 300 metres away, and Santa Cruz de la Palma is
at a five-kilometre distance. The residence extends to an outdoor
pool with separate children's area, and offers table tennis, mini-golf,
and billiards at its nearby sister property. The H10 Costa
Salinas houses an informal buffet restaurant with bright, checked tablecloths.
Guests of the residence can also enjoy use of the snack bar at the neighbouring
H10 Taburiente Playa. The half-board rate includes breakfast and dinner.
The 140 apartments have simple, modern decor in neutral tones and extend
to kitchenettes, living areas, and balconies.
H10
Taburiente Playa, Playa los Cancajos, Brena Baja, La Palma This seafront hotel is located
on the island La Palma, with Los Cancajos beach at 200 meters from the
hotel. Its varied offerings, its complete sports facilities which
include swimming pools, tennis courts and miniature golf, its 3 convention
halls, and its location make it the ideal hotel for a visit to La Palma,
whether for business or pleasure. In the hotel you can contract excursions
to the famous ´Caldera de Taburiente´, the observatory ´Roque
de los Muchachos´ and the woodland of `El Canal y los Tiles.
The hotel is famous for its delicious international buffet. Both breakfast
and dinner consist of a great variety in both warm and cold dishes, show
cooking, vegetarian and diet options. The H10 Taburiente Playa has
283 guestrooms and 9 suites that feature air conditioning, heating, satellite
television, safes, minibars and balconies.
Parador
de La Palma, Brena Baja, La Palma The Parador de la Isla de
La Palma is located in an area of great scenic beauty, close to the capital
of the island and to the airport known as ‘El Zumacal’, within the municipal
area of Breña Baja. The Hotel building is newly-constructed with
traditional Canary Island architecture. It has an extensive garden of 44,000
m2, home to native plants and fruit trees allowing us to enjoy pleasant
walks along several paths where the plants are identified by their scientific
names. Stupendous views over the Atlantic Ocean invite us to relax
in this incomparable hotel. In the restaurant we can taste magnificent
traditional Canary Island produce, including a great variety of fresh fish
such as Pompano and Cherne, amongst others.
-
LOS LLANOS DE ARIDANE HOTELS, LA PALMA, CANARY ISLANDS, SPAIN
Los Llanos
de Aridane
- the largest and busiest town on the west side of the island
with a population of just over 20,000. There are many modern buildings
but the traffic-free centre and surrounding side streets still retain their
old character. Los Llanos is approximately 35 kms from the airport
and capital of Santa Cruz de la Palma.
Sol
La Palma Hotel, Puerto Naos, Los Llanos de Aridane, La Palma Major resort complex including
both the Sol La Palma Apartments and Sol La Palma Hotel along the shoreline,
overlooking the tranquil beach of Puerto Naos and located in the middle
of an exotic banana plantation. Sol La Palma is located 8 km from
Los Llanos de Aridane and 35 km from the airport and Santa Cruz de la Palma.
Restaurant Los Tilos, offers an assortment of tapas and a daily menu. Beach
Bar and Pool Bar, perfect for a quick lunch, an exotic cocktail or drink.
Bar Taburiente with its musical duet, informal and relaxed atmosphere.
2 Swimming pools with sea-views, bar service, sunshades, sunbeds and towels.
307 Rooms: 11 Junior Suites, 20 Superior Suites and 276 Double rooms with
balcony/Terrace and with sea or mountain views.
Sol
La Palma Apartments, Puerto Naos, Los Llanos de Aridane, La Palma Major resort complex including
both the Sol La Palma Apartments and Sol La Palma Hotel along the shoreline,
overlooking the tranquil beach of Puerto Naos and located in the middle
of an exotic banana plantation. Sol La Palma is located 8 km from
Los Llanos de Aridane and 35 km from the airport and Santa Cruz de la Palma.
Restaurant Los Tilos, offers an assortment of tapas and a daily menu. Beach
Bar and Pool Bar, perfect for a quick lunch, an exotic cocktail or drink.
Bar Taburiente with its musical duet, informal and relaxed atmosphere.
2 Swimming pools with sea-views, bar service, sunshades, sunbeds and towels.
163 Apartments resembling a traditional Canarian town: 7 two-bedroom apartments,
110 one-bedroom apartments and 46 studios - all with terrace/balcony with
or without sea views.
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 largest of the Canary
Islands is Tenerife, which although by most standards a small island it
does carry a rich diversity of plant life. One of the reasons for this
diversity is the climate. Tenerife's climate is remarkably varied for such
a small island, apparently caused by the winds being affected by the rugged
contours of the land. There are reported to be some 140 plant species thriving
on the Island thanks to the climate and variety of volcanic soils.
For anyone interested in
wildlife or flora there is are many treats awaiting them on Tenerife. Although
the south of the island is quite dry and barren the rest of Tenerife has
a wide variety of plant life to marvel at.
The unusual Red Tajinaste,
which flowers in late spring and the Las Canadas are among the most spectacular
examples. The flowering Teide wall flower or Codesco spread a fantastic
yellow carpet during the spring, creating a sight to remember and enjoy.
Tenerife is also well known
for the Drago tree, which is one of the oldest living members of the plant
kingdom. 20 million years ago it was prevalent throughout the Mediterranean
but the coming of the Ice Age meant that they remained only in Madeira,
the Canary Islands and the Cape Verde Islands. Today they are only naturally
grown in Tenerife and the neighbouring island of La Palma.
Tenerife's ancient settlers,
the Guanches, revered the tree and performed sacred ceremonies with it.
What was particularly interesting to them was that the colourless sap turned
crimson upon contact with air and light. It became known as dragon's blood.
The trees were looked after and have achieved a great age but it is difficult
to be accurate because the bark does not create normal annual circles.
Nevertheless, the most famous Drago tree, the Millenium Drago at Icod de
los Vinos on the northern coast, is at least 650 years old and possibly
over 1000 years. It is 17 metres high with a girth of 6 metres. They can
be seen in most towns and villages in the north of the island. As well
as the Millenium Drago, it is worth seeking out the Drago de la Ramble,
magnificent against the blue ocean, and the Drago in the Sitio Litre gardens
in Puerto de la Cruz.
Endemic species of wild birds
also have appeal. With its dark blue feathers and elegant appearance, the
Blue Chaffinch is one of the most beautiful and distinct, and is found
in the pine forests. They may have originated from the nearby African continent
and then evolved during their isolation on Tenerife.
Take time to enjoy the fantastic
flora and fauna of Tenerife. Too often people only see the beaches and
nightlife, yet the natural world has so much to offer when walking in Tenerife.
Want
a hot summer? Head to the cool Canaries by Andrew Regan
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 appeared
earlier in Greek and Roman times and were written about in texts and affectionately
named the "happy islands" and "fortunate islands". It is no surprise that
the fantasy city of Atlantis has also been theorized to lie amongst the
sub-tropical islands making up the archipelago. Suffering some tumultuous
times in the past few centuries, the Canaries now enjoy the protection
of Spain while remaining an autonomous community with a thriving tourist
industry.
Nowadays the Canaries are
best known for being a popular tourist destination especially for Europeans.
In fact, tourism makes up 32% of the economy which is hardly a revelation
considering the islands' mild sunny climate that it enjoys all year round,
with temperatures rarely falling below 18C in winter or above 24C in summer.
The climate is regulated by the warm Gulf Stream and Trade Winds making
any time of year good for a visit.
The seven islands that make
up the archipelago offer visitors a range of activities, scenery and lifestyles
that can live up to any vacationer's desire. The lively islands of Tenerife
and Gran Canaria at the centre of the island chain host some wild resorts
teeming with beach activities and night life. Many people choose to stay
here for the social scene but the islands also offer plenty of options
for taking a break from the partying to enjoy some of the island's natural
beauty.
If nature rather than nightlife
is what appeals to you, there are plenty of other islands to explore. La
Palma is considered the most beautiful and untouched of the islands and
has its own microclimate. Visitors to the island seek its lush, green rainforest-like
atmosphere but often don't realize that this foliage is a result of the
higher levels of rainfall it receives! Designated a national reserve in
1974 and subsequently recognised as a globally protected site by UNESCO
(the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation)
Lansarote's Timanfay Park should not be missed by those seeking fantastic
volcanic island landscapes including black sand beaches and fields of petrified
lava.
The island Fuerteventura
boasts the longest beaches of the Canaries and is most popular for family
holidays or couples seeking a tranquil holiday away from it all. Cheap
flights to Fuerteventura and the other islands are easy to find in advance
or on the fly.
Whether you are looking for
all night raves and foam parties or a quiet holiday in gorgeous surroundings,
the Canary Islands can deliver. Choices amongst the seven islands abound
and the close proximity to the UK and plentiful flights available make
the islands an ideal destination for a short getaway or a longer visit.
