Canary Islands
Culture and nature in the Canary Islands
If you're interested in culture, then you must visit monumental sites like the World Heritage City of San Cristóbal de la Laguna in Tenerife. The Canary Islands also mean nature: The islands are home to four National Parks and Biosphere Reserves. There are surprising volcanic.
Gran Canaria
Take a walk through the historical old town, the Vegueta neighbourhood, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the capital of the island. Here you’ll find the Cathedral of Santa Ana, a blend of Gothic, Renaissance and Neoclassical architecture with magnificent twin towers. It houses the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art which exhibits a number of valuable artistic objects, paintings and an important collection of Spanish sculpture.
Tenerife
Tenerife is just brimming with culture. Here you’ll find architectural gems like San Cristóbal de la Laguna, a World Heritage City, formerly the capital of Tenerife and a model for colonial town planning. You’ll love the pedestrian streets and the religious temples, the cathedral is not to be missed. Everywhere you look there are palaces and stately houses with brightly coloured facades and stone porches.
Lanzarote
To learn about the traditional way of life for the inhabitants of Lanzarote you should visit the Peasant’s House Museum, also the work of César Manrique. It is a tribute to popular architecture and displays objects and tools relating to culture and farming. For in-depth knowledge of the Lanzarote artist, a good option is the International Contemporary Art Museum (MIAC) which is located in what was the old military fortress of San José Castle.
La Graciosa
Explore the Janubio Lagoon and climb up to the viewing point overlooking the salt pans. In the Charco de Los Clicos Biosphere Reserve there is an extraordinary green lake over a volcanic crater.
La Palma
The beautiful town centre of Santa Cruz de La Palma has palaces, Renaissance buildings and traditional architecture which will remind you of its colonial past. Take a stroll through the narrow streets leading to the Church of El Salvador and the Convent of Santo Domingo. Take the Avenida Marítima, the Calle O’Daly and climb up to the Santa Catalina Castle.
Fuerteventura
If you’re interested in culture, Fuerteventura has some very interesting attractions. For example, the El Carmen Salt Pans are home to the Salt Museum. There you can follow its path from the sea to the table and discover the importance it had in the history of the Canary Islands. Another museum you shouldn’t miss is the Alcogida Ecomuseum, a group of dwellings that recreate traditional life on the island.
La Gomera
Explore the island on foot and visit the Garajonay National Park, a World Heritage forest of pre-historic vegetation. This perfectly preserved subtropical laurel forest is unique in the world and represents half the extension of this type of forest in the whole archipelago.
El Hierro
You’ll feel just like Jacques Cousteau in La Restinga Marine Reserve, in the southernmost town in Europe, a unique undersea landscape which is full of varied life resulting from its singular volcanic features.
