Greece and Turkey take a close second place, but Spain proves to be the all-time favorite again this year. And specifically the Canary Islands. Over 45% of all Spain travelers head to the Canary Islands. And not without reason!
1. Sun all year round
The Canary Islands are hot. Literally and figuratively! Thanks to their location near the equator, and therefore a lot further south than most European destinations, you can count on beautiful weather here all year round. Even in November, a bikini is not an unnecessary luxury here.
2. Walhalla for nature lovers
The diversity of the various islands is amazing. Especially in terms of nature. On Gran Canaria, you have the opportunity to walk through endless sand dunes. You almost feel like you are walking in the Sahara!
Lanzarote has a unique lunar landscape due to its vast volcanic past, and Fuerteventura is home to remarkable desert landscapes. La Palma is the greenest island and highly recommended for hikers. Along the way, you will encounter banana plantations and dragon blood trees.
In short: every Canary Island has a reason to visit it as a nature lover. It is up to you to see which one suits you best!
3. Affordable winter sun
When you think of winter sun, do you think of faraway destinations like Curaçao, Thailand, Bali, and Orlando? Chances are you will immediately feel the pinch in your savings account. This is not the case for the Canary Islands. For a reasonable price, you can be sitting on a sunny island enjoying a cocktail in the winter!
4. Unlimited tapas
Holidays and good food go hand in hand, if you ask us! Especially if you are staying in Spain, because tapas are the best! On Gran Canaria, there are plenty of them. And on top of that, they have local specialties in store for you.
For example, order papas con mojo; potatoes with a sauce. The most famous sauce is the green version (verde), but do not hesitate to order mojo picón either. This spicier version is divine. As a side dish, pimiento de padrón (peppers fried in olive oil and sea salt) is highly recommended, and a fresh fish dish is, of course, a must. Pescado a la plancha (grilled fish) is preferred!
5. A land of plenty for beach lovers
You don't pack that bikini or swimming trunks for nothing, of course; off to the beach! And you will find plenty of beautiful beaches on the Canary Islands. And not a single one looks the same.
Due to their volcanic background, the Spanish archipelago boasts a huge number of black lava beaches, but there is no shortage of white beaches either.
On Gran Canaria, for example, you will find a 12 km long sandy beach at Playa del Inglés, and on Lanzarote, Playa de Papagayo is highly recommended.
6. Open-air markets
Speaking of shopping; if there is one thing we love, it is open-air markets. And you will find them in abundance on the Canary Islands. At these markets, you can buy local specialties, handmade souvenirs, or—in some cases—even antiques or nice second-hand goods. And even if you don't want to buy anything, strolling through the markets, often located in old villages, is an experience in itself. Time to list a few markets:
On Sundays, you can visit the market in Teguise (not to be confused with Costa Teguise) on Lanzarote. Hundreds of stalls line the narrow streets. The beautiful centerpiece is the white church!
Are you on Tenerife? Visit the Teguise market on Saturday or Sunday. It is quite a bit smaller than the one in Teguise, but in terms of quality, it is a real winner.
In the pilgrimage site of Teror on Gran Canaria, you will find one of the oldest markets in the Canary Islands. There are a few stalls every day, but on Sundays, with around 140 stalls, it is a real party! And the local cakes are divine; you definitely have to taste them. In La Oliva, in the north of Fuerteventura, a market takes place every Tuesday and Thursday morning. Buy handmade artworks, oil paintings of the fantastic landscape, or local specialties.
What are the most important reasons for you to book a holiday to the Canary Islands?
