Remember when I first went to Albania and could not stop talking about it? Well, I think Spain might be my new Albania, because I’m suddenly obsessed. It’s crazy because before this year the last time I had visited Spain was back when my shoes closed with velcro, but in the past twelve months I’ve visited Barcelona, then Galicia, and most recently Mallorca.
A few language app downloads later and my travel wish list is now dominated by Spanish destinations – who would have thought?
And since it’s summer and my two weeks on Mallorca weren’t quite long enough to work on my tan (and by “tan” I mean when my skin turns from bluish white to pinkish white) I’ve got my eye on a few more Spanish islands. So, what are everyone’s thoughts on the Canary Islands?
The Canary Islands are also really popular with Norwegians heading to big resorts on packaged holidays. But after my last holiday to Spain I’m now thinking that maybe the Canary Islands have more to offer than big hotels as well, right?
At least I’m really hoping that’s the case, because since the Canary Islands are so far south (they lie off the northwestern coast of Africa), they seem like the perfect place to find some sunshine and warmth even when it’s really cold in the rest of Europe. And after two years in Norway I’m thinking I might start adding a few more sunshine runs into my travel plans this year.
Plus have you guys seen the new videos of the Canary Islands on Facebook? Here are my three favorites:
El Hierro
During the past few weeks I’ve felt even more worried for our environment’s future, so watching how El Hierro is working towards using 100% renewable energy was so encouraging! Plus, how gorgeous does the landscape here look?
La Gomera
When I lived in Japan one of the islands I taught on had a cedar tree that was over 7,000 years old and it just seemed so crazy that I could look at something that had already been super old back when Plato and Aristotle were alive. So I’d love to see the forests on La Gomera and imagine what the earth looked like millions of years ago.
La Palma
I’ve wanted to visit La Palma ever since Dan’s mother showed me photos of her holiday there, but this video makes the island seem all the more intriguing. Pirates? Underwater cemeteries? I mean, Peter Pan and the Little Mermaid were two of my favorite movies growing up so…
Have you been to any of these islands? Or do you have any other islands to recommend?
Nynke says
La Gomera looks dreamy! Imagine seeing a whole primeval forest, rather than just horsetail weeds by the roadside, and the occasional man-planted ginkgo tree (even though I have been known to get carried away by the presence of both, at different ages).
I’d also love to see the video of La Palma, but right now it’s just a second copy of the El Hierro one…
My personal experience with the Canaries was a cheap package deal holiday to Fuerteventura in the early 2000s. We had full board in a little German holiday park from the 1980s – it was like being lifted out of the real world, and not in a good way. Never again! What I did really like about the island was that it had an actual desert, and that desert contained lots of fossilized bee holes. Fascinating! I also really liked cycling inland (not that I would recommend cycling by the side of the highway there, but you could drive!), climbing a mountain there, and having lunch at a wonderful countryside restaurant. So it really depends where on the island you are!
Silvia says
Oh no, that doesn’t sound like the ideal holiday! Though maybe funny in retrospect? I do love that it seems like the islands have a lot to offer outside of resorts, and the nature really does sound stunning. I guess I will have to see them for myself!
Silvia says
Hi Silvia! You know you are totally right… I was born and raised in Fuerteventura, as is the rest of my family. I’ve witnessed the industry tourism boomed while I was growing up, but to this day I’m still surprised it’s only resort-tourism!! Every single one of the Canary Islands has amazing landscapes to offer, and all of them remain relatively untouched by tourists who tend to stick to all-inclusive resorts.
I’ve been to every single one of the seven Canary Islands, and I’d recommend them all – though it depends what you are looking for. Tenerife for instance, is full of beautiful villages full of history and heritage, Lanzarote has the craziest volcanic landscapes, Fuerteventura the best beaches, La Gomera the best forests, etc. And the food is also pretty amazing by the way! I’ve written some posts on el Hierro and La Palma actually, if you are looking for some more info! If you do decide to drop by for a visit (which you definitely should), feel free to throw any questions my way. You can find me on my blog, Finding Upendi.
Silvia
Silvia says
That’s so great to hear! You’re now making me want to visit even more. I will definitely use your blog as a resource when I do go – bookmarking it right now!
Tosh says
Yesss!!! Canary Islands!! I’d love to go there! They have an amazing motorcycle route along the coast that I’m DYING to do one day!! Also, I LOL’d HARD at the comparison of your “tanning skin colour”. Ummm….I hear that! #PaleGirlProblems haha
Silvia says
Hahaha glad someone can relate! And a coastal motorcycle routes sounds sooo up my alley!
Cristian says
I was in Tenerife in august 2007, and in Formentera one year afer it.
If you go to Tenerife, you’ll need to rent a car to see the island, whereas in Formentera you can visit almost all the island with a rented bycicle or motorcycle, because it’s a small island.
The main things I recommend you to do in each place:
Formentera is very special for diving, because of the posidonia meadows, and its night sky is very clean and clear. The main beach is Ses Illetes, a large isthmus in the north.
In Tenerife, visit the highest mountain of Spain, Teide, which is a volcano that you can climb on a cable car until 200 metres below the top. Unfortunately, you need a special permission to visit the crater in the top. But you get to a height of 3.555 metres, and the view is astonishing. Usually, a while before you reach the foot of the Teide you are already above a sea of clouds. It’s beautiful crossing the top of that sea of clouds while you cross dense conifer forests in the north part of the island. Also, you shouldn’t miss the natural rock pool in Los Gigantes, a perfect spot to take a swim. I don’t recommend you the beach of Santa Cruz, Las Teresitas, because it’s an artificial beach with very fine sand brought from Sahara that won’t let you rest comfortably if there’s a little wind. There are better beaches in the north, between the mountains, in terms of natural beauty, although maybe dangerous to swim. I think we were in Playa de Benijo.
Silvia says
Thanks for all the tips! The Teide hike sounds amazing, I would love to do it someday.
Sirjana says
Well written
Silvia says
thanks
Amalie says
I’m Norwegian, and I’m at the canary Islands just now! My best tip is to book your rental car through “pluscar”, we payed 65 eur for a week which includes full insurance 🙂 The beaches are also beautiful, especially Playa del Amadores. We’ve been at a dolphin/whale safari departing from puerto rico, at a camel safari through the mesapalomas’ dunes, visited the incredible animal rescue/zoo “cocodrilo park”, and shopped at Las Arenas in Las Palmas. Yet there’s still so much to discover!
Silvia says
Whoa, that’s so cheap for a car! It sounds like you’re having a dream trip. Now I want to go even more!
Khalid says
I lik your travel and you are welcome in Morocco 🙂
Silvia says
Thanks, I would love to go back to Morocco someday!
Khalid says
You are welcome any time
We have More very nice place you don’t visited
Anna says
Really like your post. Is is super interesting 🙂 Will definetly check out this islands one day!
I know Mallorca is really touristy but in the center and in the north of the island you do not notice that. Also this island has a lot of beautiful corners.
Greetings,
Anna
Silvia says
Yeah I was surprised by how few tourists I saw on Mallorca – I guess they are all at the resorts.
El Aviador says
Don’t go to La Palma!
You’ll hate it.
And if you do go, please don’t write about it.
Some places can remain illusive.
Johanna Podhorny says
Lol, i hear you!
Shhhh, dont tell…
Johanna Podhorny says
So, did you go to your three new favourite destinations?
I would live to hear what you chose.
I have been visiting friends in Gran Canaria once and backpacked Gran Canaria once (agaete valley/ agaete itself, Puerto de las nieves and Las Palmas).
The best trip ever was going to La Palma with my husband. We rented a car and covered the island from head to toe, south to north, beach to mountain. Raven black sands, subtropical forests and amazing wiews everywhere. Loved it so much!
jack ryanwills says
Great description of La Gomera, especially about its nature and trees. Good comparisons and analogies were drawn in the writings.
jackrabbie says
I keep following your awesome blogs often and this one also matches the previous ones in giving all round information. I just love to be in Canaries and Thanks for sharing those marvelous videos.
Gil says
Just started reading your blog today . Was invited by Spanish friends to visit La Palma island recently and fell for ´La Isla Bonita ´ or The Green isle ´ . Am a Perpetul Traverler and this is one of my prefered islands as a place to retire , escape to or hangout in the world . That is saying alot , when i happen to own an exotic tropical island paradise in Central America ! So what makes this isla so special – 1. Reported to have Best Climate in the world 2. Part of Europe but really closer to Morocco ( it´s Natives were Berbers ) with all that that implies ! 3. Has incredible mix of cultures , because so many Palmeros needed to seek work worldwide and they have kept family ties in such countries such as Cuba , Mexico , Venezuela +++ and that has created wealth of diverse food , music and enviroment there . So much so , every area has parties/fiestas to keep those traditions alive . 4. When asked locals if they consided themselves Spanish or Cuban or Mexican , they said Both but they seemed proud to be Palmeros with a love for the Culture where they had gone to work and live , more so than being a Spanish citizen . 5. By far the Greenest and least afected by tourism 6. Water 7. Best Walking/Hiking trails of all the Islands 8. Excellent Cultural Events 9. Very good restaurants with reasonable prices 9. Cheap second hand cars in good conditons 10. One of the safest spots in All Europe 11. Good Air connections to many capitals 12. Friendly people 13. Lots of villages to visit 14. Very Good roads 15. Sooo many Caves to discover and maybe buy to fix up and rent on AirBnb ! It seems Germans vacation here more than the English . Need to visit all Canary islands but have been told that this is the very best , unless one wants to see alot of tourists in Tenerife . Hope did not bore you Silvia , Gil