Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is often referred to as a ‘miniature continent’, as plants usually associated with Europe, Africa and the Americas all flourish well here. The super beaches include Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas, nearly 6km (4 miles) long.
The capital, Las Palmas (not to be confused with the smaller island of La Palma), is a lively city with a magnificent location between the two bays. The sights include the Old Town, the Gothic Cathedral of Santa Ana and several museums. Columbus lived in Las Palmas for a time before setting out on the voyage of discovery. The city also has a lively cultural life with opera, dance and music festivals. Ingenio is very famous for its crafts. San Bartolomé de Tirajana is dramatically located in the crater of a volcano. The fishing ports of Mogan and Sardina del Norte are worth a visit.
Fuerteventura
The second-largest of the Canary Islands has great beaches, particularly around Jandía in the south. The island’s capital, Puerto del Rosario, is home to about one-third of the population and was built during the late 18th century.
Attractions on the island include Corralejo in the far north (where straw hats are woven in the traditional manner), and the Norman castle of Rico Roque, near Cotillo. Betancuria, the ancient capital of the island, houses its most important monument, the Church of Santa María, noted for its painted ceiling and murals. Camels are a common mode of transport on this sandy island.
Lanzarote
The most easterly of the Canaries Lanzarote is dry and relatively flat. It owes its eerie landscape to the activity of over than 300 volcanoes long since dormant. The ash and craters have been turned to the islanders’ advantage for vine making. The capital is the port town of Arrecife.
Places of interest include Teguise, the picturesque old capital, with aristocratic palaces, historic convents and churches and a castle built on a volcanic cone. The National Park of Timanfaya is a spectacular lava flow, awe-inspiring in its barren majesty and covering nearly one-third of the island. Malpaís de la Corona has an immense volcanic cave called Los Verdes, 6km (3.5 miles) long, nearby is the Jameo del Agua lagoon. Camel rides to the volcanoes are very popular with the tourists. |
