The Canaries are an archipelago of Spanish owned volcanic islands off the northwestern coast of Africa. Despite their remote location, each outcrop of land has well appointed infrastructure and enjoys a lifestyle heavily influenced by Spain. For many tourists, self catering holidays in the Canary Islands prove ideal all year round not least because of the favourable climate and flight availability.
The largest island in the chain, Tenerife, is home to Spain’s highest mountain El Tiede and two clearly defined geographic areas
The northern part is warm and humid while further south has a drier, more arid climate. Tenerife holiday rentals offer a great deal of choice to the holidaymaker because the island has some of the most developed resorts in the Canaries. For example, villa rentals in Playa de las Americas means you’ll be close to pristine beaches as well as some of Europe’s best golf facilities. For a quieter stay, apartments in Puerto de la Cruz are often described as a mature choice and the town retains much of its old harbour charm.
Gran Canaria has the highest population density of the Canaries. Its capital, Real de Las Palmas shares executive responsibilities with neighbouring Tenerife and hosts a world famous carnival every spring. Despite being barely 50km in diameter, Gran Canaria is famed for its diverse geography and range of climate, with the south offering some great beach destinations and the north containing many of the islands natural highlights. Many visitors opt for apartment rentals in Playa del Ingles or San Agustin, with their wonderful beaches and first-rate nightlife, while further to the east the beautifully preserved town of Aguimes retains much of its original charm and offers great scuba diving opportunities.
Lanzarote and Fuertaventura are both low-lying islands boasting excellent water sports and, while they have been accused of being overdeveloped, both retain areas that have seen little change for centuries. Fuerteventura holiday rentals are often rented by those seeking or quiet relaxing holiday by the beach or sports enthusiasts seeking to take advantage of the wind conditions for surf board or kite surfering. Both islands have a distinctive desert feel, the result of recent volcanic eruptions, but make great holiday destinations if you are interested in water sports and nature. A trip to the Timanfaya National Park is a memorable excursion for many visitors who marvel at the reserve’s Mountains of Fire.
Visitors to La Palma at the western tip of the Canaries revel in its mountainous landscape and deep gorges. It’s a hiker’s paradise with a well-established series of trails and many choose farmhouse rentals in the island’s interior as a base to explore its famous blackened rocks and smouldering landscape.
The other islands in this chain, La Gomera and El Hierro, or the end of the world, are much less developed. Formerly a stop on the hippy trail La Gomera retains something of an alternative charm and remains the only island without its own airport.
El Hierro offers Spain’s best diving and between the two, there are just a handful of resorts and a single golf course. One of the major attractions on these islands is to rent a holiday cottage close to towns like Hermigua or Agulo and simply enjoy the great climate and tropical views. If understated resorts are to your taste, try Playa Santaigo or a small apartment in Valle Gran Rey with its terraced hillsides and dramatic rocky beaches.
For more information, click here for Lanzarote holiday rentals or return to the Canary Islands holiday rentals page.