Josephine Quintero - Lonely Planet Canary Islands

Looming volcanoes, prehistoric sites, lush pine forests, lunar landscapes, camel rides, and miles of pristine Sahara-style sand dunes. Yes, there is another world beyond the Canary Islands seafront resorts.

The Canary Islands boast near-perfect year-round temperatures, which means whether its summer or winter you can enjoy the dramatic and varied landscape here that you usually have to cross continents to experience. Marvel at the subtropical greenery of La Gomeras national park, the pine-forested peaks in Gran Canarias mountainous interior, or the tumbling waterfalls of La Palma. Then contrast all this lushness with the extraordinary barren flatlands flanking Tenerifes El Teide, the surreal play of colours of Lanzarotes lava fields and Fuerteventuras endless plains, punctuated by cacti, scrub and lots (and lots) of goats.

It is this very diversity of landscape, coupled with those predictable sunny days, that makes outdoor activities so accessible and varied here. Hike the signposted footpaths that criss-cross the islands, ranging from meandering trails to trudging up mountains and across volcanic fields; scuba dive in enticing warm waters, marvelling at more than 350 species of fish (and the odd shipwreck or two); kick back with a glass of sparkling wine on the deck of a catamaran cruiser; or pump up that adrenalin by catching the wind and the waves on a kiteboard or windsurf board. For the slightly less energetic, there are camel rides, rounds of golf, horse treks and boat rides.

If your idea of a perfect holiday is that enticing combo of R&R, youve come to the right place. The most obvious place to relax here is on a beach, and there are plenty to choose from, ranging from the soft rolling dunes in Fuerteventura to the wide arcs of golden sand in Tenerife. Others may like to gloss up the self-pampering stakes by visiting a spa. Thalassotherapy centres are spouting forth throughout the islands and offer a tempting range of treatments and massages. Theres also a tidal wave of oceanfront bars where you can enjoy a cocktail at sunset contemplating nothing more challenging than the gently lapping sea.

While the Canary Islands may not boast thegrand-slam museums of Spains big mainland cities, there is plenty to compel art andculture aficionados here. Surrealist fansshould check out world-acclaimed painter scar Domnguez spectacular canvases inhis Santa Cruz de Tenerife home town, while the huge abstract sculptures of local lads Martn Chirino and Csar Manrique are near impossible to miss on Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. If buildings are your thing, look for the emblematic wooden balconies, leafy internal patios and brightly painted facades that typify vernacular Canarian architecture.

Endemic plants in the Malpais de Gimar, Tenerife
DIEGO LEZAMA/LONELY PLANET IMAGES

CURRENCY

Euro ()

LANGUAGE

Spanish

MONEY

ATMs are widely available. Credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops.

VISAS

Generally not required for stays of up to 90 days; some nationalities will need a Schengen visa.

MOBILE PHONES

Buy a pay-as-you-go mobile with credit from 25. Local SIM cards are widely available and can be used in European and Australian mobile phones.

ACCOMMODATION

If you are looking for a place to stay, refer to the Accommodation chapter ().

When to Go

HIGH SEASON (DECAPR & JULAUG)

Coincides with Christmas, carnival season and Easter celebrations

Accommodation prices are highest in January and February

Mid-summer is holiday time on the Spanish mainland, so expect more tourists

July and August are the hottestmonths of the year, but temperatures rarely hit higher than 38C

SHOULDER SEASON (MAYJUN & SEPNOV)

Temperature does not differ hugely from summer, although nights are cooler

Fewer tourists visit in the autumn overall

Higher altitudes, particularly in Gran Canaria and Tenerife, can be far cooler with some fog

Your Daily Budget

BUDGET LESS THAN

Budget hotel room (with shared bathroom): 2535

Excellent markets and supermarkets for self-caterers

Check out museums with free entry, parks, churches and walks

MIDRANGE 60120

Double room in midrange hotel: 5575

Three-course meal in midrange restaurant: 25, plus wine

Top museums, galleries and sights: average 6

TOP END OVER

Four-star hotel room: 110

Fine dining for lunch and dinner

Car rental from 35 per day

Websites

Lonely Planet ( www.lonelyplanet.com/canary-islands ) Destination information.

Canary Islands Government ( www.gobiernodecanarias.org in Spanish) Local government information.

Official Tourism Office ( www.turismodecanarias.com ) Region-wide and island-specific information.

Rural Tourism ( www.turismoruralcanarias.com ) Rural accommodation.

Daily English-language news ( www.islandconnections.eu ) Daily news.

Exchange Rates

Australia	A$1	0.75
Canada	C$1	0.74
Japan		0.90
UK		1.14
New Zealand	NZ$1	0.51
US	US$1	0.71

For current exchange rates see www.xe.com .

Important Numbers

If you are calling within the Canaries, all numbers will have a total of nine digits beginning with 9.

country code	34
directory enquiries	11818
international access code	00
ambulance	61
Police	112

Arriving

Aeropuerto de Gran Canaria

Regular buses to Las Palmas. Taxis 28; around 25 minutes ()

Aeropuerto de Lanzarote

Regular buses to Arrecife. Taxis 11; around 15 minutes ()

Aeropuerto Tenerife Sur

Regular buses to Los Cristianos. Taxis 18; around 30 minutes ()

Aeropuerto de Fuerteventura