Where to stay in the Canary Islands

The architecture of accommodation in the Canaries differs greatly according to the purchasing power of the owners and the urban or rural setting. In general, they use local materials such as volcanic stone walls, tea wood (Canary Island pine) with a distinctive smell and clay tiles. They can be white, as in Lanzarote, but they can also diversify in cheerful colours, such as yellow, red or blue.

The layout of the rooms inside Canarian houses can vary, but it is common to find a layout around the central courtyard, which may or may not be covered. In the villages, some lodgings have beautiful wooden balconies. Roof terraces are also a common feature, flat or sloping, offering space to dry clothes, relax or enjoy views of the surrounding landscape.

The buildings are adapted to the climatic conditions to cope with the warm and sunny climate.

In our selection, we offer rural houses on banana plantations, stylish villas by the sea, romantic boutique hotels in iconic villages like Teguise, 5 star hotels in traditional manor houses and, why not, a family-friendly fisherman's cottage on a cliff overlooking the sea. If you are looking for something more specific, our collections may be able to help you find it:

* Luxury hotels and villas to enjoy the best of the island

* Romantic getaways for couples

* Holiday cottages and accommodation ideal for families

* Accommodation in charming villages in the Canary Islands

* Inexpensive guest houses and hotels on a budget

* Beautiful villas and vacation rentals in the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands have many places of great tourist, cultural, artistic and ecological interest. Its volcanic remains are, without doubt, one of the mainstays of tourism in this region. Highlights include Pico del Teide in Tenerife, the firth largest volcano of Europe; the entire island of Lanzarote; and La Palma, where we find the most recently erupted volcano in the Canary Islands.

In the Canary Islands, the traveller discover beautiful natural landscapes such as the Costa Adeje and Costa Teguise; charming historic quarters in towns such as La Orotava, La Laguna, Santa Cruz de La Palma or Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; countless protected natural parks such as the Garajonay National Park, La Caldera de Taburiente, the Timanfaya National Park or the El Teide National Park; dream beaches such as Las Teresitas, las Canteras, Playa el Cofete, or Playas del Papagayo; and art and culture centres such as El Jardín del Cactus, the Monumento al Campesino Museum, the Castillo de la Fortaleza Museum, the Tenerife Auditorium or the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium.

Tenerife is the largest island of the archipelago and is full of must-see places, beaches, monuments, natural parks and theme parks. Gran Canaria is one of the most popular islands and stands out for its diversity of landscapes ranging from enormous sand dunes up to lush green valleys in the interior. Lanzarote offers undoubtedly the most distinct landscape in the region, an island full of beautiful volcanic scenery and beautiful beaches and villages. Fuerteventura boasts some of the best beaches in the Canary Islands even though the landscape looks more like a lunar landscape. La Palma has been declared a Biosphere Reserve because of its vast forests, making it the perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts. La Gomera shows nature in its purest form with a natural park full of dwarf pines and El Hierro, despite being a small island, has very diverse landscapes and charming villages.

We wouldn't know where to start, but the most obvious are the water sports. The beautiful beaches, coves and cliffs are perfect for snorkelling in crystal clear waters. You can also take a boat trip to see whales and dolphins in their natural habitat.

Hiking and visits to natural parks are possible on all the islands. Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are perfect for cycling. For golf lovers, there are several high quality golf courses in Tenerife, as well as in Gran Canaria and Lanzarote.

Don't miss the fiestas and cultural events. Each municipality has its own traditions and festivities, making each celebration unique. They range from pilgrimages and popular festivals to the famous Canarian carnival, considered one of the best in the world, with colourful parades, elaborate costumes and lively street parties.

And finally, we turn our heads to the sky, the conditions for stargazing are perfect, with dark, clear nights and clear skies making it a delight for astronomy enthusiasts.

Simplicity is a hallmark of Canarian food. One of the key ingredients that can be found in many of its dishes is gofio: toasted wheat or maize grain, a fundamental part of breakfast in these lands and an accompaniment par excellence to the different island stews.

The same simplicity and exquisite flavour can be found in the mojos (or sauces), which accompany most meals. Mojo picón - with pepper, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, cumin, salt and paprika - and mojo verde - made from parsley and coriander, with a milder flavour - have reached the status of true institutions in the Canary Islands.

The Canary Islands, in the middle of the route to America, saw its cuisine enriched with products from there, such as tomatoes, bananas, potatoes and potatoes. The fish is also of high quality. The most outstanding are wreckfish, wreckfish, wahoo, sama, sea bass, sea bream, bream, bogue, mackerel and, above all, vieja (old mackerel). The fish is usually prepared in salt, on the back, or "jareados" (sun-dried and seasoned).

Seafood also enjoys a well-deserved reputation in the Canary Islands. The most typical are the grilled limpet, the burgado and the clam. In addition, the Canary Islands' climate is particularly favourable for the cultivation of tropical fruits such as bananas (the islands' most representative product), papaya, mango, avocado and pineapple.

Local confectionery includes the typical bienmesabes, made with honey and ground almonds; ñames (a local root); pasties stuffed with sweet potato, almonds and sultanas; Quesadillas from the island of Hierro; torta vilana from La Gomera; marzipan and almonds from Gran Canaria; and raspaduras from La Palma.

These islands are home to ten exquisite wine designations of origin: Abona, El Hierro, Lanzarote, La Palma, Tacoronte-Acentejo, Valle de Güimar, Valle de la Orotava, Icoden-Daute-Isora, Monte Lentiscal and Gran Canaria; and some of their own beverages, such as banana liqueur and rum-honey.