Canary Islands
Information
ISLANDS
Made up of a territory mainly of volcanic origin, the Canary Islands are divided into two provinces: Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
There are seven main islands of the Canaries: Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote are part of the district of Las Palmas, while Tenerife, La Gomera,
Hierro
and
La Palma
make up the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The total area of the territory measures approximately 7,447 sq km, the capital is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. the Administrative Order is represented
from an Autonomous Community of Spain.
Tourism
VACATION
Invaded throughout the year by mass tourism, the Canary Islands are a very sought-after destination for the development of modern tourist structures and a decidedly favorable climate, with very little rain. The characteristic of these islands is the climate, wonderful all year round for travel and holidays. The high season period is between December and February, consequently the prices of stays are higher. The most advantageous prices and the most convenient flights are found in the period between November and the first half of December or from March to May when the demand is less evident, with the exception of
periods falling during the weekday bridges of the festivities.
The Canary Islands correspond to the peaks of a large volcanic mountain range located in the Atlantic Ocean. Teide is Tenerife's highest volcano, with a height of 3718m it is also the highest peak in Spain and the third volcano of the world, after those of Hawaii. Morocco is the closest nation and is about 95 km from the eastern coast of Fuerteventura. All the islands have an airport, to accommodate tourists from mainland Spain and many European cities. A weekly ferry makes the maritime connection with the port of Cadiz, in southern Spain.
Transportation
Movements within the archipelago of the Canary Islands can be made by ferries, hydrofoils and planes of the local airline 'Binter'. The local buses are called Guaguas but the number of trips is limited, so it is convenient to rent a car or take advantage of taxis for short journeys.
Low cost flights
In northern Europe, flights are made at low cost fares to the Canary Islands. Airlines offer airline tickets for low-cost flights to the Canary Islands with reduced on-board services. The most interesting opportunities are enjoyed by those who book well in advance of the departure date, sometimes a few weeks before departure, the costs increase in value as the flight departs. Once the ticket has been purchased, the dates cannot be changed and reservations are generally made online via the internet or by contacting the airline by telephone, paying a commission, or with travel agencies. Among the main airlines that offer numerous low cost flights we mention Easy Jet, Meridiana, Myair, Ryanair.
Last minute
As far as last minute deals to the Canary Islands are concerned, it is necessary to check with the online sites of the airlines that offer last minute trips and low cost flights, if there are still seats on the planes left free for various reasons. These are truly convenient offers, where the tourist package is purchased at a particularly advantageous rate for the tourist and the savings are considerable as a competitive market is created on the numerous destinations and ticket rates planes at very affordable prices.
Population
predominantly formed by Spaniards, North Africans, small communities of Latin Americans and Northern Europeans for about 1,843,000 inhabitants. Capital of the Canary Islands is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with 344,400 inhabitants, the language spoken is Spanish.
Climate
With almost always blue skies, the Canary Islands enjoy a spring-like climate almost all year round with average temperatures of 18°C in winter and 24°C in summer. The rains can occur during the period between October and May. The trade winds from the north-west refresh the summer, while in autumn the sirocco coming from the Sahara covers the Canary Islands with desert dust, especially in the eastern sector of the archipelago. The climate is subtropical in the northern part of the islands of Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Gomera, La Palma and Hierro, while in their southern part and in the territories of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura the climate is drier and slightly warmer. Snow often covers the Teide de Tenerife until late spring. In general, the climate in the Canary Islands is affected by the influence of hot winds, keeping temperatures constant in the territory during the year.
Telephone
To call Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote dial the area code 928, for the other islands 922. The rescue and emergency numbers are 091 and 092. For calls from abroad, add teleselective number 0034.
Clothing
It is advisable to wear the classic bathing suit, light clothes with hat and sunglasses and comfortable shoes. For excursions in mountainous areas, bring a sweater and scarf. However, Canarians are used to wearing casual clothes.
Electricity
Electric users who use 220 volts are in force.
Evaluate
As in all of Spain, the currency currently in use is the Euro.
Border Controls
The Canaries are part of the border-free zone called the Schengen Area. For citizens of the European Union, no document is required for stays of up to 90 days. However, it is advisable to have a valid Identity Card with you for expatriation as for security reasons you may be required to prove your identity by the Border Police and to carry out the registrations in the hotel and in the hotels.
Airports
All the islands have an airport, to accommodate the tourists coming with the innumerable international flights and those from mainland Spain. Many European cities organize flights to the Canaries, sometimes making a stopover in some Spanish airport. In addition, a weekly ferry makes the maritime connection with the port of Cadiz in southern Spain.
Weather conditions
Due to the characteristic geographical position below the 30th parallel north, the climate in the Canary Islands is pleasant, generally subtropical, the presence of the Azores anticyclone ensures sunny, dry and stable weather with very little rainfall, even for long periods, especially during the months from April to September.
Temperatures in the Canary Islands have modest seasonal excursions. In the southernmost island, Gran Canaria, the average temperatures in Las Palmas vary from 17° Celsius in January to 24° Celsius in the month of August where the heat is highest during the summer. Normally during the year in the Canary Islands the seasonal averages measure around 18°-20° degrees in winter and 24° degrees during the summer months, therefore the climate is always spring-like.
As far as rainfall is concerned, we remind you that in the Canary Islands they are very scarce in the period between the months of May and September, at most they reach 200 mm / year with small oscillations between 150 and 180 mm., in particular in Gran Canaria the south of the island offers higher temperatures and very little rain as the Massif Central of Gran Canaria hinders the passage of clouds and winds from the north.
Overall, however, the Canary Islands are clearly an excellent tourist destination even during the winter and summer to escape from situations of intense cold in Europe or to enjoy a less torrid, dry and temperate heat.
The least favorable climate profile in the Canary Islands is evident during the period of the Calima, an African tropical wind coming from the southeast which is created when a depression stresses the lower Atlantic, bringing high temperatures , the sand of the desert and sometimes even poor visibility conditions. The Calima wind is more frequent in the late autumn or late winter period, when the North African tropical inflows occur with greater incidence. Furthermore
Furthermore, the coasts located south of Tenerife are subject to orographic fall favonian winds, when the intense north and north-west currents follow Atlantic fronts passing through Mediterranean Europe. The dry and fiery air descends from the Teide de Tenerife, at very high temperatures, sometimes exceeding 30°C with humidity values below 35%.
Thanks to the currents coming from the Gulf of Mexico, the waters of the Canary Islands have surface temperatures mitigated with low seasonal variations, with a minimum annual value of about 18.°- 20° C in winter .
In the archipelago of the Canary Islands the waters of the Atlantic Ocean remain colder than one might imagine considering their subtropical latitude, this is due to the fact that the gulf stream follows the north-south direction. Another characteristic of this sea remains the characteristic dark blue color due to the depth of the water which sometimes reaches even 3000 meters between the different islands.
Hotels
The majority of tourist accommodation facilities are concentrated near the sea where the climate is mild, with average temperatures that during the winter period are around 19° - 20° Celsius and in summer they do not exceed 25° Celsius. The tourist offer is in great demand, probably one of the most important at a European level, with a number of bed places around 450,000 distributed in the coastal urbanizations of the major localities or in tourist centers.
The majority of hotels in the Canary Islands guarantee a wide selection and availability of rooms. It is also possible to book rooms on weekends and in periods of greater affluence, on the occasion of travel events, holidays and high season periods. Normally the arrangement in the room is provided with two separate beds, while the triple room often involves the addition of a third bed in the same room. Single rooms are available in limited numbers and often a supplement is payable. Usually the rooms are assigned after 2 pm on the day of arrival and must be vacated before 11 am on the day of departure. Drinks, unless otherwise specified, must be paid for at the hotel as extra services. There are no refunds for food not enjoyed for any reason during the stay.
Gastronomy
The gastronomy of the Canary Islands is based on products such as vegetables, fruit and fresh fish. The numerous varieties of fresh fish are cooked in a very simple way, grilled, stewed or fried. The fish soup called 'Cazuela Canaria' is famous, in some islands 'Sancocho' is also served, a fish salad dressed with spicy sauce. Among the typical dishes we mention the Gofio, a pasta made with toasted cereal flour, the Papas Arrugadas, cherry tomatoes cooked with a lot of salt, as well as fresh fish and seafood cooked in different ways and grilled meat.
Shopping
The cost of living in the Canary Islands is on average slightly lower than in other European countries. Among the typical souvenirs of the islands of Tenerife and La Palma, embroidery works are the most popular. Enamelled terracotta, rag dolls in local costume, silk fabrics, embroidered tablecloths, woolen shawls and polished olivine jewels, are the other local handicraft products of the whole archipelago. The region of the Canary Islands are a free zone, the amount of liquor and tobacco they can be exported varies according to the origin of the tourist.
Tenerife
Currently the Island of Tenerife represents the symbol of mass tourism throughout the period of the year, thanks to the favorable climate and modern tourist accommodation facilities. By extension of the surface, the island is the largest of the Canary archipelago, its capital Santa Cruz, is located in the northern part of the territory. As regards tourism, the island of tenerife is divided into two areas, to the north Puerto della Cruz, characterized by luxurious structures surrounded by greenery, to the south Playa de las Americas developed at an urban level in the last years with modern hotels. The bulk of the Teide volcano, 3,718 m high, dominates all points of the island, the largest in the archipelago. To visit: La Orotava Valley and Puerto de la Cruz. San Cristóbal de La Laguna. Area of Anaga with laurel forests of Monte de las Mercedes. Creek of the Giants and Las Américas beach in the South.
Gran Canaria,
a small continent in miniature, the most populated of the islands, presents a variety of surprising landscapes, full of contrasts: from the miniature desert and from the palm groves of the sunny south, we pass to the wooded peaks, crossing volcanoes, deep ravines and impressive panoramas. Most of the beaches are located on the southern side of the island. To visit during your stay: Vegueta neighborhood in Las Palmas. Las Canteras beach, strip of sand, 3 km long. Puerto de Mogán: one of the most famous in Gran Canaria. La Cruz de Tejeda, Inland tourist route mountains of Gran Canaria (35-45 km) Teror, Artenara, Cruz de Tejeda, Roque Nublo, Pico de las Nieves. Maspalomas beach, with the famous dunes.
Fuerteventura,
the closest to Africa, the almost desert aridity of the island favors the presence of immense white sand beaches, which stretch out over a sea of crystalline waters. Here it is possible to walk for miles and miles along the coast, without seeing anyone. Windsurfing in Fuerteventura it is the main sport. Not to be missed: Jandía beach. Village of Betancuria, the most beautiful of the island. Caleta de Fustes, charming holiday complex in the resort of El Castillo. Puerto del Rosario, administrative capital of the island. Corralejo, one of the most important tourist centers of the island.
Lanzarote
This characteristic lunar-looking island is the northernmost and easternmost of the islands of the Canary archipelago, located about 1,000 kilometers from the Iberian peninsula and 100 kilometers from the coasts of Africa. The archipelago is an integral part of the Spanish national territory, remaining in constant communication with the main cities of Spain, thanks to continuous and frequent daily flights. The flight of just over two and a quarter hours covers the distance of 2500 km that separates the Spanish capital, Madrid, from the island of Lanzarote. The main airlines currently operate in Lanzarote, that unite this small island in the Atlantic with any part of the world.