Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are a territory consisting of 13 volcanic islands located in the Atlantic Ocean, a thousand kilometers from mainland Spain and only 115 kilometers from the African coast. The Canary Islands are part of Spain, although today they have their own government, the Cabildo Insular. The six islands (Alegranza, La Graciosa, Lobos, Montaña Clara, Roque del Este, and Roque del Oeste) are tiny pieces of land in the middle of the ocean and remain uninhabited. The oldest geologically are the three eastern islands closest to Africa: Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura. They also have the longest coastline and the most beaches.
For those arriving in Gran Canaria, booking a taxi from Las Palmas Airport is the most convenient way to start exploring this incredible island. Unlike public transport, which can be time-consuming and crowded, a private transfer ensures door-to-door service, fixed pricing, and professional drivers who know the best routes to your destination.
With a variety of vehicle options, from budget-friendly sedans to spacious minivans for families or luxury cars for extra comfort, airport transfers cater to all travel needs. Pre-booking guarantees no waiting in long taxi lines and provides a stress-free start to your vacation. Whether you’re heading to the golden beaches of Maspalomas, the scenic mountains of Tejeda, or the lively capital of Las Palmas, a private transfer ensures a smooth and enjoyable journey.
Climate and nature
Despite the popular belief that the sun always shines in the Canaries, this cannot be said about all the islands. For example, at the same time it can be cold raining on La Gomera or La Palma, while the sun can be shining brightly on Fuerteventura. The mountains of Gran Canaria and the mountain range of Tenerife make the climate completely different in different parts of the Canary Islands. To feel comfortable in any part of the archipelago, travelers just need to remember 2 basic rules: the climate on the eastern islands is warmer and drier than on the western ones (Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are usually warmer than Gran Canaria); the southern shores of the islands are sunnier and warmer than the northern ones.
The Canary Islands lie on the Tropic of Cancer. The ocean at this parallel is usually a little colder than would be expected from such a subtropical latitude. The Gulf Stream, which approaches the islands from the north, and the trade winds make the climate in the Canaries, at least at sea level, very warm. Average temperatures on the beaches range from +19°C in winter to +25°C in summer. However, many of the islands are very mountainous. The height of Mount Teide in Tenerife is 3718 m. This mountain is the highest not only in the Canaries, but throughout Spain. Due to such a significant difference in altitude, the air temperature also fluctuates very sharply, not only between islands, but also within the same island.
The combination of such a climate and an unusual geological structure has led to the fact that the Canary Islands have developed unique flora and fauna – although they have no rivers at all. The isolation of the archipelago has contributed to the preservation of natural diversity. The Canaries are home to approximately 650 unique plants, making it one of the world’s most important biological zones, rivaled in importance only by other archipelagos such as Hawaii and the Galapagos. Recognizing this fact and intending to preserve the natural wealth of the archipelago, the government adopted the Law on Natural Areas of the Canary Islands, which created nature reserves, defining areas of natural monuments, protected landscapes and scientific interest. In these zones, human activity is sharply reduced. Such zones occupy about 36% of the archipelago’s territory.
Population and tourism
What can be said about the population of the Canary Islands? Since the end of the 15th century, the islands have belonged to Spain. To a foreigner, the people of the Canaries look like Spaniards, speak Spanish, develop a Spanish culture and are practically no different from the inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula – except perhaps a little calmer and less energetic than their compatriots from the mainland. However, for centuries the Canary Islands served as a bridge between Europe, Africa and America, as a result of which numerous representatives of different cultures settled there. There were especially many immigrants from Latin America, where Spanish colonies were once located. As a result, the Canary Islands are home to people who consider themselves Canarians first and Spaniards second. According to the 2015 census, the Canary Islands are inhabited by about 2.1 million people.
In the second half of the 20th century, the inhabitants of the islands learned to make excellent use of their natural resources – a magnificent climate and beautiful beaches that attract tourists from Northern Europe. Tourism has become a real business. More than 12 million people visit the Canary Islands annually, with most of them (approximately 9 million) holidaying in Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Some areas of the islands, especially the southern coasts of Gran Canaria and Tenerife and to a lesser extent Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, have become real tourist areas. On small islands, where there are no beaches suitable for mass exploitation, there are significantly fewer tourists. It would seem that with so many tourists the Canary Islands should always be very crowded, but this is not the case. Most visitors to the archipelago flock to large resorts – Playa de las Americas in Tenerife or Playa del Inglés in Gran Canaria. But if you add up all the areas occupied by tourists, it turns out that they make up only a small part of the total area of the islands.
History
- OK. 3000 BC e. Settlers from North Africa arrive on the islands.
- I century n. e. Ancient authors call the islands the edge of the world inhabited by dogs (canis, hence the Canaries).
- 1339 Genoese Lanzarotto Marcello discovers Lanzarote.
- 1402-1406 Norman Jean de Betancourt conquers Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and El Hierro. The islands go to Spain.
- XV century The Guanches desperately resist the Spanish conquerors. The last island of the archipelago, Tenerife, becomes Spanish in 1495.
- 1492 Columbus’s ships call at Las Palmas on their way to America. Columbus witnesses the eruption of Mount Teide.
- OK. 1500 Sugar cane and African slaves appear in the Canary Islands. Since 1554, sugar production has been gradually declining.
- XVI-XVII centuries Many residents of impoverished Lanzarote and Fuerteventura become pirates. Sugar production is replaced by winemaking.
- 1730-1736 Several eruptions of the Timanfaya volcano in Lanzarote.
- 1700-1950 Poverty is causing the population of the Canary Islands to flock to Latin America.
- 1825-1875 A brief economic boom was linked to cochineal production. The invention of chemical dyes puts an end to prosperity.
- 1852 Isabella II declares the Canary Islands a free trade zone.
- 1890 The British begin growing bananas on the islands.
- 1927 The Canary Islands are divided into two provinces.
- 1936 The military governor of the Canary Islands, Francisco Franco, begins a rebellion that leads to the Spanish Civil War.
- 1956 The first charter plane lands in Gran Canaria. In 1959, flights to Tenerife began. Beginning of tourism development.
- 1971 Teneguya volcano erupts on the island of La Palma.
- 1978-1982 Spain announces the formation of the autonomous region of the Canary Islands.
- 1986 Spain enters the European Union, stipulating a special status for the Canary Islands.
- 1995 The islands join the European Union, retaining certain tax privileges.
- 2002 The euro becomes the national currency.
- 2006. Sharp rise in illegal immigrants from Africa.
- 2007 Forest fires destroy the Mogán region of Gran Canaria.
Active leisure
With a temperate climate in the Canary Islands, you can practice almost all sports all year round. Although the dominant position is occupied by water activities – diving, surfing, sport fishing, there are also surprises – from Canary wrestling to parachuting.
Shopping
After Spain joined the European Union in 1995, the duty-free status of the Canary Islands had to change. The islands still enjoy certain tax incentives, but from a tourism point of view, the only real discounts remain on alcohol and local tobacco, despite the fact that Las Palmas has duty-free shops selling watches, jewelry, optics, and electronics.
If you plan to visit all the top attractions and interesting places in the shortest time possible, then you should use Kiwitaxi.com. This reliable transfer service allows you to move around the Canary Islands quickly and comfortably, avoiding the hassle of public transportation and the unpredictability of local taxis.
With fixed pricing, professional drivers, and a variety of vehicle options, Kiwitaxi.com ensures a seamless travel experience tailored to your needs. Whether you’re heading to historic sites, scenic coastal spots, or hidden local gems, a pre-booked transfer saves you time and guarantees a stress-free journey. Enjoy your trip without delays, knowing that your transportation is handled with efficiency and convenience.
Market
The market in the Canary Islands is always interesting. Prices here vary, and traders can be persuaded to offer serious discounts. The biggest and brightest markets usually take place on Sundays. The Sunday morning flea market near the port in Las Palmas is extremely attractive. You can come to the Nuestra Señora de Africa market in Santa Cruz de Tenerife at any time. An excellent Friday market takes place in Puerto de Mogán in Gran Canaria. In Lanzarote, the best Sunday handicraft market is in Teguise.
Nightlife
The main tourist centers of the Canary Islands offer evening entertainment to suit all tastes, from extravagant and informal evening shows in elegant restaurants to cheap karaoke bars. In addition, there are a wide variety of clubs waiting for you everywhere. In Gran Canaria, Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas remain the centers of nightlife. You can also have fun in shopping centers. Among the largest and most interesting centers of the Kasbah are Fantasy Island and The Garage. The Yumbo Center is famous for its gay bars and clubs. However, there are also plenty of establishments for ordinary people here. In Las Palmas, the Mesa y Lopez neighborhood remains the center of nightlife. In Tenerife, the most active nightlife is in Playa de las Americas. The most famous street is Veronicas, where there are more than a hundred bars and clubs open until the morning. The most extravagant shows are held in the Piramide de Arona. Dance and song performances are also given at Tropicana. Evenings in a medieval spirit take place in the fortress of San Miguel in the city of the same name in Tenerife.
Casinos are especially popular in the Canary Islands. There are gambling establishments in Gran Canaria in the hotels Santa Catalina, Las Palmas, Melia Tamarindos, San Agustin. On Tenerife: Taogo Casino, Puerto de la Cruz; casino “Playa de las Américas”, hotel H10 Gran Tinerfe. A passport is required to enter the casino.
Festivals
The folk music of the Canary Islands is a reminder that the archipelago has always been a bridge between Spain and the New World. Most of all, Canarian music resembles South American music. To experience local songs and dances, head to the Canary Village in Las Palmas. Traditional festivals are held on all the islands, most often on the day of the patron saints of different cities.
