disclosure: this is a paid collaborative post
Set just off the coast of Morocco in the wild Atlantic Ocean, the seven main islands that make up the Canary Islands archipelago are superb vacation destinations. Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro, are a gorgeous combination of tropical island paradise, rugged mountainous interiors, and stunning beaches, alongside a delightful blend of North African and Spanish culture.
There’s so much to see and do in the Canary Islands that it is almost impossible to see everything in just one trip, and they are all so delightful that a repeat visit is almost guaranteed! So if you are planning to jump on a cruise sailing from Southampton to visit this little slice of heaven, here are five of the best places to discover in the Canary Islands.
The Pirámides de Güímar
These mysterious stone structures are a fascinating place to visit, even though what they are and how (and when) they were built baffles historians and scientists to this day. These square, stepped pyramids that look like a combination of Egyptian and Mayan pyramids were likely used for ceremonial purposes, and there are a number of theories about where they came from. These include being built by ancient nautical explorers from North Africa, to having more modern links to Freemasonry! Either way, they are an exciting place to explore, with an excellent museum where you can discover more about their history.
Teide National Park
Towering over the island of Tenerife at nearly over 10,000 feet, Mount Teide is the third-highest volcano on the planet! It is the centrepiece of the gorgeous Teide National Park, and offers the opportunity to hike your way right into the crater itself! Here you will find yourself in a barren landscape, more like the surface of some alien world than a gorgeous tropical island.
Charco Azul
Directly translated as the ‘Blue Puddle’, these gorgeous natural volcanic bathing pools on the smallest island of El Hierro are a wonderful place to relax, refresh, and get close to nature, surrounded by the peace and tranquillity of El Golfo valley.
Tilos de Moya
Put on your best outdoor shoes and set off on a hike through the stunning Tilos de Moya canyon inside Doramas Rural Park. There are a number of well-marked, attractive hiking trails, which take you on a delightful ramble through, around, and up and down the canyon, which give you the chance to see charming small natural springs, as well as a wide variety of plants and flowers native to the island of Gran Canaria.
Teror
One of the most attractive towns in the Canary Islands, Teror boasts a glorious rainbow of vibrantly-coloured houses, beautiful cobbled streets, and a grand basilica on the main square. It is therefore one of the nicest and most photogenic spots to visit in Gran Canaria. As a result of a vision that appeared to shepherds in the 19th century, Teror is a popular pilgrimage destination, and totally belies its teror-fying name!