Canary Islands, the biggest two, Gran Canaria and Tenerife

I just came back, a few days ago, from the Canary Islands, Spain. This time I wandered around Gran Canaria and Tenerife. This Spanish archipelago, made of seven major islands with many more smaller islands and islets, is the southernmost autonomous community of Spain located in the Atlantic Ocean, around 100 km west of Morocco at the closest point. The capital of the Autonomous Community is shared by the cities of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has been the largest city in the Canaries since 1768. The archipelago’s beaches, climate and important natural attractions, especially Maspalomas with its golden sand dunes in Gran Canaria and Teide National Park and Mount Teide, a Unesco World Heritage Site in Tenerife, which is the third tallest volcano in the world measured from its base on the ocean floor, make it a major tourist destination with over 12 million visitors per year. The following pictures are just a small excerpt from the whole work I did. But I have seen and photographed many more beautiful things.

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, the south eastern coastline with a historical vessel organized for touristic purposes

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, the south eastern coastline with a historical vessel organized for touristic purposes

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Mirador Degollada De La Yegua. A local busker playing a music box to collect some money

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Mirador Degollada De La Yegua. View

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Mirador Degollada De La Yegua, a tourist trap for pictures!

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Maspalomas, the sand dunes

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Maspalomas, Hotel Baobab Lopèsan

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Puerto de Mogàn

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Puerto de Mogàn

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Puerto de Mogàn

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, motorsailing around the south eastern coast, north of Puerto de Mogàn

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Playa de Güi-Güi – Chico

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, the landscape around the GC-200 driving away from Puerto de Mogàn towards the north

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, embalse de Soria

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, the village of Fataga

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, the village of Fataga

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria – The landscape from the Degollada de las Yeguas lookout point in south Gran Canaria is astonishing. The panoramic vista of the Fataga valley, a winding, fifteen kilometre canyon with smooth sides and sharp, almost vertical ridges is breathtaking. The wide valley floor and deep sides are all covered with arid, desert-like vegetation and the sea glistens in the background.

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Maspalomas, the sand dunes

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Maspalomas, the sand dunes

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Maspalomas, Hotel Baobab Lopèsan

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Maspalomas, Hotel Baobab Lopèsan

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Playa de Güi-Güi – Chico

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Playa de Güi-Güi – Chico

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Playa de Güi-Güi – Chico

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Maspalomas, the sand dunes

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Montaña las Tierras, near Ingenio and Agüimes – The Bar Restaurante Tagoror is created in the cave of the craft and tough way imaginable, thanks to the tenacity and commitment of D. Bartolomé Rodríguez López, Bartolo, who, having built his cave house back in 1955

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, the village of Agüimes

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, the village of Agüimes

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, the village of Agüimes

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, the village of Agüimes

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, the village of Temises

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, La Fortaleza de Ansite is one of the most important archaeological sites in Gran Canaria.

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Tejeda – Bodegas Bentayga. The winery is located next to the highest of the vineyards, at an altitude of 1.318m. Some of the winery’s facilities are excavated into the natural stone.

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Tejeda – Bodegas Bentayga. The winery is located next to the highest of the vineyards, at an altitude of 1.318m. Some of the winery’s facilities are excavated into the natural stone.

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Artenara. Mirador de Unamuno

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, the view from Cruz de Tejeda at sunset, looking toward west and the island of Tenerife

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, wonderful view from the Parador of Cruz de Tejeda looking towards west and the sunset

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Agüimes

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Tejeda – Bodegas Bentayga. The winery is located next to the highest of the vineyards, at an altitude of 1.318m. Some of the winery’s facilities are excavated into the natural stone. Here in the pic, Sandra Armas, the owner. Behind her, in the distance, the white village of Las Cuevas Caidas

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Tejeda – Bodegas Bentayga. The winery is located next to the highest of the vineyards, at an altitude of 1.318m. Some of the winery’s facilities are excavated into the natural stone.

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, the village of Cruz de Tejeda

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, the village of Cruz de Tejeda

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Arucas – Hotel Rural La Hacienda Del Buen Suceso. Located right in the middle of 50 hectares of banana trees, still producing bananas, the estate is the oldest in the Canary Islands, since it was established in 1572

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Arucas – Hotel Rural La Hacienda Del Buen Suceso. Located right in the middle of 50 hectares of banana trees, still producing bananas, the estate is the oldest in the Canary Islands, since it was established in 1572

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Arucas – Hotel Rural La Hacienda Del Buen Suceso. Located right in the middle of 50 hectares of banana trees, still producing bananas, the estate is the oldest in the Canary Islands, since it was established in 1572

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Arucas – Hotel Rural La Hacienda Del Buen Suceso. Located right in the middle of 50 hectares of banana trees, still producing bananas, the estate is the oldest in the Canary Islands, since it was established in 1572

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Arucas – The parish house Casa del Cura was built in the 17th century. It is a typical Canarian brick house with whitewashed walls and roof tiles. Like most Canary houses there is a courtyard with a Dragon tree (Dracaena draco) a typical tree which can be found only in the Canary Islands, Cape Verde and Madeira.

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Arucas – The Church of San Juan Bautista or Arucas Church, is a catholic temple. Due to the big dimensions, it is usually referred to as The Arucas cathedral. View from calle Gouriè

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Arucas – Destilerías Arehucas (Arehucas Rum Distillery) A must for anyone with even the slightest predilection for sweet molasses, this distillery dates back to 1884. In addition to a free guided tour, visitors are permitted to sample a tipple or two

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Cenobio de Valerón. This is a superb aboriginal grain collection store, in a settlement located up on a high escarpment at Montaña del Gallego. It was built by the ancient Canarians over 800 years ago, making full use of the geological conditions at the volcanic cone. With the help of flint stones they opened up over 350 cavities laid out on several levels, which were used for the storage of cereals and other foodstuffs

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Cenobio de Valerón. This is a superb aboriginal grain collection store, in a settlement located up on a high escarpment at Montaña del Gallego. It was built by the ancient Canarians over 800 years ago, making full use of the geological conditions at the volcanic cone. With the help of flint stones they opened up over 350 cavities laid out on several levels, which were used for the storage of cereals and other foodstuffs

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Arucas – Salinas del Bufadero (salt flats), from the 17th century, are located and whose salt is unique in Gran Canaria

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Arucas – Salinas del Bufadero (salt flats), from the 17th century, are located and whose salt is unique in Gran Canaria

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria – La Laja farm, located in the picturesque Agaete Valley is all about wine production, mangoes, orange and coffee cultivation. La Laja is also known for Arabica coffee, marketed as Coffee Agaete.

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria – La Laja farm, located in the picturesque Agaete Valley is all about wine production, mangoes, orange and coffee cultivation. La Laja is also known for Arabica coffee, marketed as Coffee Agaete.

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria – La Laja farm, located in the picturesque Agaete Valley is all about wine production, mangoes, orange and coffee cultivation. La Laja is also known for Arabica coffee, marketed as Coffee Agaete.

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Agaete, Parque Arqueologico del Maipès – On the edges of Agaete town as you enter the Valle de Agaete, you’ll find the Necrópolis de Maipés which is one of the major sites where the island’s pre-Spanish inhabitants, the canarii, buried their dead. Given its stunning setting, you can understand why the canarii thought it a fitting resting ground for their deceased.

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Agaete, Parque Arqueologico del Maipès – On the edges of Agaete town as you enter the Valle de Agaete, you’ll find the Necrópolis de Maipés which is one of the major sites where the island’s pre-Spanish inhabitants, the canarii, buried their dead. Given its stunning setting, you can understand why the canarii thought it a fitting resting ground for their deceased.

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Agaete –

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Agaete – La Ermita de Nuestra Señora de las Nieves

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Agaete –

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Hotel 21

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – the cathedral as seen from Hotel 21

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Hotel 21

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Arucas – Hotel Rural La Hacienda Del Buen Suceso. Located right in the middle of 50 hectares of banana trees, the estate is the oldest in the Canary Islands, since it was established in 1572

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Arucas – Hotel Rural La Hacienda Del Buen Suceso. Located right in the middle of 50 hectares of banana trees, the estate is the oldest in the Canary Islands, since it was established in 1572

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria,

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Arucas – Salinas del Bufadero (salt flats), from the 17th century, are located and whose salt is unique in Gran Canaria

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Arucas – Salinas del Bufadero (salt flats), from the 17th century, are located and whose salt is unique in Gran Canaria

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Agaete – the port

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Agaete – the port

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Arucas – Hotel Rural La Hacienda Del Buen Suceso. Located right in the middle of 50 hectares of banana trees, the estate is the oldest in the Canary Islands, since it was established in 1572

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – nightlife, going for tapas

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – nightlife, going for tapas

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – nightlife, going for tapas

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – the cathedral as seen from Hotel 21

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Vegueta, Plaza del Pilar Nuevo, Mueso Colon

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Vegueta, Plaza del Pilar Nuevo, Mueso Colon

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Vegueta, Plaza del Pilar Nuevo, Mueso Colon

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Vegueta, Plaza del Pilar Nuevo, Mueso Colon

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Vegueta, Plaza del Pilar Nuevo, statue dedicated to Néstor Alamo by author A.L. Benitez

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Casa de Colon, Museum. This fascinating museum documents Columbus’ voyages and features exhibits on the Canary Islands’ historical role as a staging post for transatlantic shipping

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Casa de Colon, Museum. This fascinating museum documents Columbus’ voyages and features exhibits on the Canary Islands’ historical role as a staging post for transatlantic shipping

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Casa de Colon, Museum. This fascinating museum documents Columbus’ voyages and features exhibits on the Canary Islands’ historical role as a staging post for transatlantic shipping

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Casa de Colon, Museum. This fascinating museum documents Columbus’ voyages and features exhibits on the Canary Islands’ historical role as a staging post for transatlantic shipping

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Casa de Colon, Museum. This fascinating museum documents Columbus’ voyages and features exhibits on the Canary Islands’ historical role as a staging post for transatlantic shipping

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Casa de Colon, Museum. This fascinating museum documents Columbus’ voyages and features exhibits on the Canary Islands’ historical role as a staging post for transatlantic shipping

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – the Cathedral

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Vegueta, the historical city centre, well preserved and looking as good as at the colonial time

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Vegueta, the historical city centre, well preserved and looking as good as at the colonial time

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Vegueta, the historical city centre, well preserved and looking as good as at the colonial time

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Vegueta, the historical city centre, well preserved and looking as good as at the colonial time

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – the Cathedral, plaza Santa Ana

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas –

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – the Aquarium Poema del Mar, at the Port

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – the Aquarium Poema del Mar, at the Port

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – the Aquarium Poema del Mar, at the Port

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – the Aquarium Poema del Mar, at the Port

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – the Aquarium Poema del Mar, at the Port

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – the Aquarium Poema del Mar, at the Port

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – the Aquarium Poema del Mar, at the Port

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Vegueta, the historical city centre, well preserved and looking as good as at the colonial time

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Vegueta, Plaza del Pilar Nuevo, statue dedicated to Néstor Alamo by author A.L. Benitez

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Vegueta, Plaza del Pilar Nuevo, detail of the Museo Colon

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Vegueta, Plaza del Pilar Nuevo, detail of the Museo Colon

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Vegueta, the historical city centre, well preserved and looking as good as at the colonial time

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Vegueta, the historical city centre, well preserved and looking as good as at the colonial time

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Vegueta, the historical city centre, well preserved and looking as good as at the colonial time

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Vegueta, the historical city centre, well preserved and looking as good as at the colonial time. Plaza de Cairasco

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Playa de las Canteras

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Playa de las Canteras

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Playa de las Canteras

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Playa de las Canteras

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Playa de las Canteras

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Playa de las Canteras

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Playa de las Canteras

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – view from the air of the Vegueta district with the Cathedral and the Plaza Santa Ana

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – view from the air of the Vegueta district with the Cathedral and the Plaza Santa Ana

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Vegueta, the historical city centre, well preserved and looking as good as at the colonial time

Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas – Vegueta, the historical city centre, well preserved and looking as good as at the colonial time

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Parque Nacional del Teide

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Parque Nacional del Teide

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Parque Nacional del Teide

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Parque Nacional del Teide

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Parque Nacional del Teide – Teleferico del Teide

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Parque Nacional del Teide – Teleferico del Teide

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Parque Nacional del Teide

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Parque Nacional del Teide – Los Roques de Garcia

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Parque Nacional del Teide – Los Roques de Garcia

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Parque Nacional del Teide

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Playa de Las Americas

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Playa de Las Americas

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Playa de Las Americas

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Los Gigantes

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – El Tanque

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Garachico and its natural pools

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Garachico and its natural pools

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Garachico and its natural pools

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Garachico and its natural pools

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Garachico and its natural pools

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Garachico and its natural pools

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Garachico and its natural pools

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Garachico and its natural pools

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Garachico and its natural pools

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Garachico and its natural pools

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Icod de los Vinos famous for the “Drago Canario” over 1000 years old

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Puerto de la Cruz

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Puerto de la Cruz

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Puerto de la Cruz

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Puerto de la Cruz

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – Puerto de la Cruz

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife, Santa Cruz – Auditorium Adán Martín. Designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, it is located on the Avenue of the Constitution in the Canarian capital, and next to the Atlantic Ocean in the southern part of Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The Tenerife Auditorium was officially opened by the Prince of Asturias Felipe de Borbón on September 26, 2003

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife, Santa Cruz – “Per Adriano” (1993) mask sculpture, by Igor Mitoraj, in front of the Teatro Guimerá, Plaza de la Isla de la Madeira

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife, Santa Cruz –

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife, Santa Cruz – coast north of Santa Cruz, right after Las Teresitas beach. Here is playa El Burro

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife, Santa Cruz – playa Las Teresitas

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife, Santa Cruz – Auditorium Adán Martín. Designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, it is located on the Avenue of the Constitution in the Canarian capital, and next to the Atlantic Ocean in the southern part of Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The Tenerife Auditorium was officially opened by the Prince of Asturias Felipe de Borbón on September 26, 2003

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife, Santa Cruz – Auditorium Adán Martín. Designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, it is located on the Avenue of the Constitution in the Canarian capital, and next to the Atlantic Ocean in the southern part of Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The Tenerife Auditorium was officially opened by the Prince of Asturias Felipe de Borbón on September 26, 2003

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife, Santa Cruz – Auditorium Adán Martín. Designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, it is located on the Avenue of the Constitution in the Canarian capital, and next to the Atlantic Ocean in the southern part of Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The Tenerife Auditorium was officially opened by the Prince of Asturias Felipe de Borbón on September 26, 2003

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife, Santa Cruz – Auditorium Adán Martín. Designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, it is located on the Avenue of the Constitution in the Canarian capital, and next to the Atlantic Ocean in the southern part of Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The Tenerife Auditorium was officially opened by the Prince of Asturias Felipe de Borbón on September 26, 2003

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife, Santa Cruz – a statue in plaza Europa

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife, Santa Cruz – playa Las Teresitas

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife, Santa Cruz – the coast north of Santa Cruz leading to Igueste de San Andrès village

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife, Santa Cruz – coast north of Santa Cruz, right after Las Teresitas beach. Here is playa El Burro

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife, Santa Cruz – rocks by the sea right below the auditorium have been frescoed with musicians of all time and type of music

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife, Santa Cruz – rocks by the sea right below the auditorium have been frescoed with musicians of all time and type of music

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – San Cristóbal de La Laguna

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – San Cristóbal de La Laguna

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife – San Cristóbal de La Laguna – Casa de Alvarado Bracamonte (1624-31)