Janine Kelso looks at attractions, food and nightlife on seven of the Canary Islands, including lively Tenerife and unspoilt La Graciosa
Sun-soaked beaches, a sub-tropical climate and dramatic scenery make the Canary Islands a top holiday choice for British holidaymakers.
We explore seven of them and find out what each one has to offer.
Tenerife
Attractions: The largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife welcomed more than 1.7 million British tourists last year and it has much to offer beyond its picture-perfect beaches.
The island’s newest star attraction is Siam Park, a Thai-themed aquatic park expected to open next month.
Explore Mount Teide National Park, where Spain’s highest peak is surrounded by volcanic scenery and forests.
Also worth a visit is the capital Santa Cruz for its shops, cafes, arts scene and archaeological museum.
Adventure seekers can climb, canoe, mountain bike, kitesurf, go whale watching or fishing.
Food: Tenerife’s cuisine fuses traditional Spanish dishes with African and Latin American influences. Quaff ron miel, a honey and rum drink and munch on carne con papas, a satisfying stew and potatoes dish.
Nightlife: Playa de Las Americas is Tenerife’s nightlife capital, with bars and clubs that rock until the early hours. Costa Adeje has a range of beachfront bars, while Los Cristianos throbs with late-night fun.
Well-heeled visitors can enjoy classical music at the Tenerife Auditorium in Santa Cruz or place a bet at the casino.
Fuerteventura
Attractions: Famed for its beaches, where the colour of the sand varies from snow-white to ink-black, Fuerteventura is known as the tranquil island.
Its strong waves and Atlantic winds make it popular with surfers and windsurfers, and there is no shortage of schools offering expert tuition.
Jandia peninsula is home to the annual world windsurfing championships, while most beaches are perfect for surfing. And for golfers, there’s the 18-hole course at Costa Caleta.
Food: There are plenty of fish restaurants serving up local dishes such as the spicy Sancocho Canario.
Nightlife: Most resorts have a range of bars and cafes while hotels host folklore shows and cabaret.
Gran Canaria
Attractions: Visit the rural mountainous interior, including the quaint villages of Tejeda and Artenara, or take a boat trip around the island’s southwest coast.
The charming northern villages of Firgas, Arucas and Teror also merit exploration. Other attractions include the famous dunes of Maspalomas and the Botanic Gardens in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Food: The old quarter of capital Vegueta is alive with restaurants, such as Casa Montesdeoca. For a beachfront treat, try Amadores Beach Club Restaurant, on Playa Amadores. Plump for authentic Spanish dishes such as tapas, paella or fresh dorada – locally caught white fish served with potatoes.
Nightlife: The Kabash centre throbs with bars and clubs, while Maspalomas and Puerto Rico offer a more sedate night out. For casinos, head to San Augustin and Playa Meloneras.
Lanzarote
Attractions: This island of fire has a lunar-like landscape, awash with 300 extinct cones. Beaches are characterised by their dark sand and are popular with surfers thanks to their rolling waves.
Food: Get your taste buds fired up by smothering your food with mojo picon, a Canarian sauce. Don’t leave without trying the seafood and fresh fish, particularly the white fish pescado al plancha.
Nightlife: Night owls should make a beeline for Puerto del Carmen’s seafront cocktail bars, Spanish bars and a casino.
Clients staying in Costa Teguise will find most of the entertainment in the hotels, while the quieter Playa Blanca has clubs, music venues and karaoke bars.
La Palma
Attractions: This small island is great for walkers and cyclists thanks to its dramatic landscape made up of rugged coastline, dense forests and the Caldera de Taburiente, one of the world’s largest volcanic craters.
There are a number of black sandy beaches, such as Puerto Naos and Los Cancajos, which are worth visiting.
Food: There’s no shortage of bars and restaurants. For a local treat, try churros de pescado – crispy fishcakes.
Nightlife: La Palma isn’t known for its night scene – evenings usually involve a chilled-out fish dinner followed by a relaxed drink in a small village bar.
La Gomera
Attractions: Hikers and cyclists will love the forests, volcanic peaks and colourful flowers in Garajonay National Park or the Valle Gran Rey. The island has escaped mass tourism and is ideal for nature lovers.
Food: Head to Playa de Santiago for fish restaurants built into caves or try Valle Gran Rey for its seafood eateries. Hearty rural cuisine is in abundance as is exotic fruit.
Nightlife: La Gomera does not have a wild party scene, although there are a few Latino bars dotted throughout the island. San Sebastian has a string of laid-back open-air bars where glamorous clientele drink cocktails or champagne.
La Graciosa
La Graciosa’s pristine beaches are a stone’s throw from Lanzarote. There are no roads so exploration is by foot.
There are no upmarket restaurants and bars, but there is plenty of fresh fish and seafood to get stuck into.
La Graciosa is only sold through operator Cachet Travel.
Sample product
Cadogan Holidays offers four nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-star Jardin Tropical in Tenerife and three nights’ half-board at the four-star Jardin Tecina in La Gomera for £1,385 per person in September, including flights and transfers (0845 615 6793).
Seligo offers seven nights’ self-catering at the three-star Atlantic Gardens in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, for £242 for a one-bed apartment sleeping three, in October (0871 230 0030).
Classic Collection offers seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the Sheraton Fuerteventura Beach Golf and Spa Resort in Caleta de Fuste for £681 per person in September, including flights and transfers (0800 008 7288).
