Lonely Planet Canary Islands

Lonely Planet Lonely Planet, Corne Lucy Corne, Quintero Josephine Quintero

Description

Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Lonely Planet Canary Islands is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Ride the cable car to the summit of Tenerife's El Teide, celebrate Carnaval with dawn-to-dusk frivolity, or catch the waves at Playa de Sotovento -all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of the Canary Islands and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet's Canary Islands Travel Guide: Colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - including customs, history, art, , music, architecture, politics, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, and wine Over 29 maps Covers La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Tenerife, Lanzarote, La Geria, Tahiche, Santa Maria de Guia, La Oliva, El Teide, La Laguna, and more Authors: Written and researched by Lonely Planet. About Lonely Planet: Since 1973, Lonely Planet has become the world's leading travel media company with guidebooks to every destination, an award-winning website, mobile and digital travel products, and a dedicated traveller community. Lonely Planet covers must-see spots but also enables curious travellers to get off beaten paths to understand more of the culture of the places in which they find themselves. eBook Features: (Best viewed on tablet devices and smartphones) Downloadable PDF and offline maps prevent roaming and data charges Effortlessly navigate and jump between maps and reviews Add notes to personalise your guidebook experience Seamlessly flip between pages Bookmarks and speedy search capabilities get you to key pages in a flash Embedded links to recommendations' websites Zoom-in maps and images Inbuilt dictionary for quick referencing Important Notice: The digital edition of this book may not contain all of the images found in the physical edition.

Sujets

• Canarias
• Canary Islands

Informations

• Publié par: Lonely Planet Global Limited
• Date de parution: 01 décembre 2015
• Nombre de lectures: 3
• EAN13: 9781760340070
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 36 Mo

Extrait

Canary Islands

Contents

Plan Your Trip

Welcome to the Canary Islands
Canary Islands Top 17
Need to Know
If You Like...
Month by Month
Itineraries
Outdoor Activities
Travel with Children
Regions at a Glance

On The Road

Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria Highlights
Las Palmas De Gran Canaria
The East
Tafira Alta
Caldera de Bandama & Santa Brigida
Vega de San Mateo
Telde
Agueimes
Barranco de Guayadeque
The North
Teror
Arucas
Moya
Santa Maria de Guia
Galdar
Agaete & Puerto de las Nieves
Aldea de San Nicolas
Central Mountains
Artenara
Tejeda
Around Tejeda
San Bartolome de Tirajana
Fataga
The South
Playa Del Ingles & Maspalomas
Puerto Rico & Arguineguin
Puerto de Mogan
Mogan
Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura Highlights
Puerto del Rosario
The Centre
Betancuria
Around Betancuria
Antigua
Around Antigua
Pajara
Caleta de Fuste & Around
The North
Road to La Oliva
La Oliva
Corralejo
El Cotillo
The Southeast
Tarajalejo
La Lajita
Peninsula de Jandia
Costa Calma
La Pared
Playa de Sotavento de Jandia
Morro Jable
Around Morro Jable
Lanzarote
Lanzarote Highlights
Arrecife
North of Arrecife
Costa Teguise
Teguise
The North
Guatiza & Charco del Palo
Arrieta
Malpais de la Corona
Orzola
Chinijo Archipelago
Mirador del Rio
Guinate
Haria
La Caleta de Famara
Wine Country
San Bartolome & Around
La Geria
The South & Southwest
Parque Nacional de Timanfaya
Puerto del Carmen
Puerto Calero
Yaiza0
El Golfo & Around
Playa Blanca
Punta del Papagayo
Tenerife
Tenerife Highlights
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The Northeast
La Laguna
San Andres & Around
Taganana & the Anaga Mountains
Punta del Hidalgo & Around
Tacoronte & Around
The North
Puerto de la Cruz
La Orotava
Icod de los Vinos
Garachico
The Centre
Parque Nacional del Teide
Vilaflor
The Northwest
Punta de Teno
Santiago del Teide
Masca
Los Gigantes & Puerto de Santiago
The South
Los Cristianos, Playa de las Americas & Costa Adeje
Las Galletas
The East
Candelaria
Gueimar & Around
El Medano
La Gomera
La Gomera Highlights
San Sebastian de la Gomera
Parque Nacional de Garajonay
The North
Hermigua
El Cedro
Agulo
Las Rosas
Vallehermoso
Around Vallehermoso
The South
Playa Santiago
Alajero & Around
Valle Gran Rey
La Palma
La Palma Highlights
Santa Cruz de la Palma
Around Santa Cruz
Los Cancajos
Brena Alta
The South
Villa de Mazo
Parque Ecologico de Belmaco
Playa Blanca
Fuencaliente
The Centre
El Paso
Parque Nacional de la Caldera de Taburiente
Los Llanos de Aridane
Puerto Naos
The North
San Andres & Los Sauces
Los Tiles
Barlovento
Parque Cultural La Zarza
El Hierro
El Hierro Highlights
Valverde
The North
El Mocanal
Echedo
Tamaduste & La Caleta
Puerto de la Estaca & Las Playas
Mirador de la Pena
San Andres & Around
Isora
The South
El Pinar
Hoya del Morcillo & Around
La Restinga
El Golfo
Las Puntas
La Maceta & Charco Los Sargos
Tigaday
La Frontera
Los Llanillos & Sabinosa
La Dehesa
Ermita de Nuestra Senora de los Reyes
El Sabinar & Around
Accommodation
Gran Canaria
Fuerteventura
Lanzarote
Tenerife
La Gomera
La Palma
El Hierro

Understand

Understand the Canary Islands
Canary Islands Today
History
Island Cuisine
Canarian Arts & Culture
Life on a Volcano

Survive

Directory AZ
Climate
Customs Regulations
Discount Cards
Electricity
Embassies & Consulates
Gay & Lesbian Travellers
Health
Insurance
Internet Access
Language Courses
Legal Matters
Money
Opening Hours
Public Holidays
Telephone
Time
Toilets
Tourist Information
Travellers with Disabilities
Visas
Women Travellers
Work
Transport
Getting There & Away
Getting Around
Language
Behind the Scenes
Our Writers
Welcome to the Canary Islands

Looming volcanoes, prehistoric sites, lush pine forests, lunar landscapes, sandy coves and miles of Sahara-style dunes. Yes, there is another world beyond the Canaries' seafront resorts.


A Dramatic Landscape
The Canary Islands boast near-perfect year-round temperatures, which means whether it’s 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 Gomera’s national park, the pine-forested peaks in Gran Canaria’s mountainous interior or the tumbling waterfalls of La Palma. Then contrast all this lushness with the extraordinary barren flatlands flanking Tenerife’s El Teide, the surreal play of colours of Lanzarote’s lava fields and Fuerteventura’s endless plains, punctuated by cacti, scrub and lots (and lots) of goats.

Be a Good Sport
It is this very diversity of landscape, coupled with those predictable sunny days, that makes outdoor activities so accessible and varied. Hike the signposted footpaths that criss-cross the islands, ranging from meandering trails to mountains treks; scuba dive in enticing warm waters, marvelling at more than 350 species of fish (and the odd shipwreck); or pump up the adrenalin by riding the wind and the waves – kitesurfing, windsurfing and surfing are all big here. Slow down the pace with camel rides, rounds of golf, horse treks and boat rides.

Or Just Relax...
If your idea of a perfect holiday is that enticing combo of R&R, you’re in the right place. The most obvious spot to relax is on a beach, and there are plenty of choices: from the soft rolling dunes in Fuerteventura to the wide arcs of golden sand in Tenerife. Others may like to up the self-pampering stakes by visiting a spa. Thalassotherapy centres are spouting forth everywhere and offer a tempting range of treatments and massages. There’s also a tidal wave of ocean-front bars where you can enjoy a cocktail at sunset while contemplating the gently lapping sea.

Superb Art & Architecture
While the Canary Islands may not boast the grand-slam museums of Spain’s big mainland cities, there is plenty to compel art and culture aficionados here. Surrealist fans should check out the spectacular canvases of world-acclaimed painter Óscar Domínguez in his Santa Cruz de Tenerife home town, while the huge abstract sculptures of locals Martín Chirino and César Manrique are 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.

Charco de San Ginés in Arrecife, Lanzarote Westend61 / Getty Images ©

Why I Love the Canary Islands
By Lucy Corne, Author
There are few destinations as underrated and maligned as the Canary Islands. My first real encounter, working in a Gran Canaria resort, wasn't the best introduction to the islands' scenic and cultural wealth. But on escaping I found dramatic mountains, quaint pueblos and charming seaside villages. I was enamoured with the underdog archipelago and moved there soon afterwards. For years I explored every island and was wowed – and wooed – over and over. On returning for this book I fell in love with the islands again. And when you hike through Tenerife's lava fields, drive Gran Canaria's central mountains or enjoy a plate of cheese in a hilltop pueblo, I suspect you might fall in love too.
Canary Islands Top 17

El Teide Magnificence
Start with a gentle hike around the base of Tenerife’s El Teide , kidding yourself that you are enjoying a stroll on the surface of the moon; it really is that extraordinary. The trails take you deep into an alien landscape with red, yellow and brown craters resembling giant prehistoric molehills, bizarre volcanic rock formations and pebble-like lapilli. If you have energy to spare you can hike to the summit, or take it easy on the cable car to the top. Wrap up warm, though; it can get pretty chilly up there in the clouds.

Tim E White / Getty Images ©

Top Experiences
Carnaval!
The Canarians love a good party and, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the fiesta spirit reaches its sequin-bedecked crescendo during the annual Carnaval . Festivities generally high-kick off with a flourish in early February and last for around three weeks, featuring gala performances, fancy-dress competitions, fireworks and Rio-style parades. All the islands celebrate Carnaval with dawn-to-dusk frivolity and distinctive customs, so book your accommodation way ahead (if you intend to go to bed, that is).

Juergen Richter / Look-Foto / Getty Images ©

Top Experiences
Driving Gran Canaria's Rugged Heart
While most people stick to Gran Canaria's coast, it is the mountains that hold the real appeal. Around every bend – and there are a lot of bends – you'll find another weird rock formation, or another view that will have you reaching for your camera and searching for a spot to pull over. Luckily, there are also plenty of pretty villages dotted around where you can take a break to sample hearty soups and sugary cakes without ever tearing your eyes away from it all.

Hans-Peter Merten / Getty Images ©

Top Experiences
Fuerteventura’s Stunning Beaches
Some of the Canary Islands’ most glorious beaches are located in Fuerteventura. If you want to escape the rows of sunbeds topped by slowly roasting tourists, head for the northwest of the island and the wild beaches and thundering surf around El Cotillo. Windsurfers can catch the waves at Playa de Sotavento de Jandía , while more watersports are on offer at Morro Jable’s spectacular sandy arc. For paddling tots and kids’ activities, check out family-friendly beaches like Costa Calma and Caleta de Fuste.

Pritz Pritz / Getty Images ©

Top Experiences
Hiking the Caldera de Taburiente
Put your best foot forward and discover the spectacular Parque Nacional de la Caldera de Taburiente by hiking one of the park’s numerou