Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest of the islands and is dominated by a central mountain range and several spectacular valleys. The national park is a gigantic natural crater some 19km (12 miles) in diameter and, to the north and the Pico del Teide, the highest mountain in Spain.
The capital, Santa Cruz, is a cosmopolitan city, rich in architecture, notably the Church of San Francisco, and has an excellent art and history museums.
In the village of Güímar, 25km (16 miles) southeast of Santa Cruz, is Pyramid Park, where the archaeological digs are worth a visit. Puerto de la Cruz is the most important resort and has buildings dating back to the 17th century. Other places to visit include the second city of La Laguna, La Orotava (centre of a lush valley), Garachico (the ‘Pearl by the Sea’) and Los Cristianos.
La Palma
La Palma boasts one of the largest craters in the world, the Caldera de Taburiente, which is best viewed from the La Cumbrecita look-out point. The capital of Santa Cruz (not to be confused with Santa Cruz de Tenerife) is also worth visiting for its 16th-century architecture and the Natural History Museum. Also worth a trip are the woods of Tilos near Los Sauces, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Cueva Bonita, a beautiful natural grotto, and the beaches of Los Llanos de Aridane, Los Cancajos and Nogales.
Gomera
Gomera is rich in vegetation and is blessed with white sand beaches, particularly Vallehermoso. Though not as mountainous as other islands, the terrain is rugged and the most practical method of getting around is often by sea.
The capital, San Sebastián, is interesting for its connections with the explorer Christopher Columbus, who is commemorated by the Torre del Conde, an old fortress and is now a national monument. Other noteworthy places on the island worth a visit are the fishing ports of Playa de Santiago and La Rajita and the primeval laurel forest of the Garajonay National Park. Gomera is famous for its ‘whistling’ language, used by the islanders to call from mountain to mountain.
Hierro
The smallest and least-visited island with hardly any beaches, Hierro’s coastline mostly comprises of sheer cliffs. Valverde is the attractive capital. La Peña is a look-out point with commanding views as well as a restaurant. The tiny fishing village of La Restinga is the most southern point of the Canaries. Surfers head for Timijiraque, one of the few sand beaches on the island. |
