Fun things to do in Canary Islands

El Hierro is one of the most unspoilt natural treasures the world has to offer! Rising out of the ocean millions of years ago, the volcanic coastlines and mountains really do send shivers down your spine. El Hierro is the perfect place to go to escape, particularly if you enjoy walking, scuba diving or swimming. We saw an incredible variety of fish, you don't even need a snorkeling kit to get a good look at the sea creatures just below the water surface. You can easily see the island thoroughly in a few days, bikes are not recommended (at least not for the faint hearted!) as the terrain is incredibly undulating!

As Europe’s number one haven of tranquillity, the Canary Islands are your perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Many premium hotels offer on site spa facilities and beauty treatments, guaranteeing to send you home feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. The beaches, some of the most beautiful in the world, showcase the finest views of the Atlantic and the surrounding islands. If you’re looking to book a holiday or romantic getaway, you are sure to find your dream break. Many companies offer weekend spa packages to some of the most peaceful areas of the archipelago, letting you really get away from it all.
With their idyllic location, the Canary Islands benefit from year-round sun. Where else in Europe can you swim in the open sea on Christmas Day? Everything has been thought of, ensuring a worry free stay and allowing you to simply relax. Multi-lingual, friendly staff will go out of their way to put your mind at ease. For those who prefer to take a little exercise, you can be sure to find group classes and walking tours to stretch your legs. The tropical climate is perfect for the cultivation of exotic fruit – what could be better than watching the sunset over another beautiful canarian day with a fresh fruit cocktail?

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In 1991 the controversial researcher Thor Heyerdahl studied the pyramids and proclaimed that they could not be random stone heaps. First of all, the stones on the pyramids’ corners show clear marks of working, and the ground had been levelled before the pyramids were built. According to him, the material is not stone from the nearby fields, but lava rock.

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At 3,718 metres (12,198 ft) above sea level, Teide is the highest mountain in Spain.
Teide (pronounced "Tay-deh") or Pico del Teide, is an active though dormant volcano which last erupted in 1909. Another notable eruption occurred in 1798. The volcano and its surrounds comprise the Parque Nacional del Teide. The park has an area of 18900 ha and was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
A cable car (Teleférico Teide) goes from the roadside at 2,356 m most of the way to the summit, reaching 3,555 m.
Take warm cloth with you!!

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Loro Parque ("parrot park") is a zoo located on the outskirts of Puerto de la Cruz on Tenerife.
300 species and sub-species, making 3,000 in total, (700 of which are located in the park) and a vast 135,000m2. This collection is claimed to be the largest in the world. Europe's largest Dolphin show pool, the world's largest indoor Penguin exhibition, the longest Shark Tunnel in Europe, the largest Thai village outside Thailand, and is the only place in Europe to feature an Orca Ocean.

Adult 30 €
open daily, 08:30 till 18:45 h

The Ecomuseo de Guinea is located to the North of the island of El Hierro a short drive from La Frontera. The museum is a collection of original houses dating from the 17th century up to the mid 20th century. What is surprising is just how similar the houses were as regards construction, and all very basic inside. Surprising too that these houses were still being lived in up until the 1950's, the house shown in the photograph dates from the 20th century (yes 20th!). Located nearby is the Lagartorio which houses several examples of the rare endemic El Hierro Giant Lizards. The Lagartorio has a breeding programme and the species which so very nearly became extinct* is now being reintroduced to several locations on the island.

*(indeed it was thought that they had become extinct until several were found living on a virtually inaccessible rock outcrop back in the 1970's)

El Golfo is a naturally occuring pool of water at the top of the beach, exceptional because it is bright green due to the minerals found there. This is especially vivid as the beach itself is black volcanic sand. There are two vantage points to see El Golfo from - if you follow the tourist signs you will come to a carpark with a trail leading up into the hills. Following this will bring you out high above the beach looking down on El Golfo, but I would recommend heading a little south along the coast road and following the signs directing you to a lookout point from where you can actually walk down onto the beach itself.

On the South West coast of the island of Lanzarote is an area calle Los Hervideros (The Boiling Pits). This was created when the last eruption reached he sea and cooled rapidly, forming large bubbles in the magma which are now open to the elements. There are marked paths along the top of the coast from where you can look down through cracks in the rock into these voids which are being constantly battered by the tide with white spray and water everywhere. This is very dramatic scenery, and if you aren't good with heights i wouldn't recommend it as some observation points have little more than a 18" high wall between you and a 50'+ drop onto the rocks below. Also, some parts of the pah are uneven but there is a main path that is sufaced with tarmac and so quite level. It's also free!