Which country does the Canary Islands belong to? Canary Islands: attractions, weather, tourist reviews. Guide to the seven most famous Canary Islands Where is the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, which have become a fashionable vacation for millions of tourists from all over the world.

The Canary archipelago includes 7 large islands

Fuerteventura

The second largest island of the Canary archipelago with an area of ​​1660 km² is the most unusual of all the Canary Islands.

The Harmattan wind, bringing the breath of the Sahara Desert here, has created unique landscapes reminiscent of Africa. But there is no African heat here, and the climate is even more comfortable than in Tenerife.

Many Russian tourists began to prefer this island because of its longest sandy beaches of all the Canary Islands, the width of which in some places exceeds 1 km. The Atlantic Ocean is special here - its waters are shallow, with crystal clear turquoise water.

The diverse underwater world attracts diving and spearfishing enthusiasts. In the strait that separates Africa from the Canary Islands, fishermen never leave empty-handed - here you can catch sardines, tuna and even swordfish.

The unabated wind and constant waves made the island is an ideal place for windsurfing and on its territory the World Cup stages in this sport are held.

The island's capital, Puerto del Rosario, is not attractive to tourists due to the lack of attractions and interesting amusement parks.

Tourists choose the main resort centers for their holidays - the Jandia Peninsula and Corralejo. Also from the small village of Morro Jable, located in the south, you can take a boat to the shores of the island of Gran Canaria, and in the north of the island you can go to Lanzarote or take a fascinating excursion to the volcanic island of Lobos.

The third largest island with an area of ​​1560.1 km² and the second most populous island is located in the heart of the Canary archipelago. Only 60 miles separate the island from the coast of Africa.


Sunny days throughout the year, a mild climate, warm gentle waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the unique natural landscape of the island of volcanic origin, rising from the ocean, explain the unique charm of the island and make it possible to compare it with the continent in miniature.


Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) - the capital of the island, with almost endless streets stretching along the ocean, is surprisingly harmoniously woven into the surrounding landscape.

The southern part of the island is characterized by excellent beaches with magnificent golden sand in Playa del Ingles (Playa del Ingles - from Spanish “beach of the English”) and dunes, oases in Maspalomas (Maspalomas). Playa de San Augustin (San Augustin), located east of Playa del Inglés, together with Maspalomas, forms the largest tourist center on the Spanish island.

The distance from San Agustin to the capital is 40 km, to Gran Canaria Airport – 20 km.

The distance from Playa del Inglés to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is 55 km, to the airport – 30 km, from Maspalomas to the capital of the island – 60 km, to the airport – 36 km.

Public transport on the island is provided by two bus companies, one of which operates in the south of the island, the second in the north.

The capital has the main bus terminal, from where buses regularly run to all tourist centers, including Puerto Rico and Palatavaca.

Lanzarote

The fourth largest island of the Canary archipelago with an area of ​​795 km² called the "island of volcanoes".


A third of the island today, after eruptions that lasted 6 years, remains covered with lifeless ash and basalt, which is not conducive to agriculture and the cultivation of many crops.

The busiest tourist area is in the Tias area, where visitors to the island are struck by the striking contrast between the black volcanic rocks scattered in abundance throughout the island and the light sand.

The island of Lanzarote is simply made for relaxation- endless sun, silence, fresh sea breeze and the whisper of the ocean - all this attracts tourists seeking solitude and peace.

You should definitely visit the capital of the island - Arrecife, which is the commercial and administrative center of the island, and its streets breathe centuries of history and reflect the unique maritime character of all of Lanzarote.

Tourists also flock to one of the the greenest places on the island - the Valley of a Thousand Palms, where unique fire palms and unusual tropical plants grow.

Do you want to try wines made from grapes growing on fields with solidified lava and other Canarian cuisine? Then you.

In this case, don’t hesitate, the holiday season is open.

We will help you find a resort in Spain that meets your requirements.

La Palma

The fifth largest island of the Canary archipelago with an area of ​​795 km² is rightly called isla bonita (beautiful island).


The island was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2002.. It is also called isla verde (green island), due to its vast territory covered with laurel and pine forests.

The island was formed 2 million years ago during the eruption of an underwater volcano. In the south of the island, the tourism sector is poorly developed, as several volcanoes remain active, which does not attract hotel business owners to build hotels and equip pristine beaches.


However, tourists can be advised to relax in a small nice resort - Puerto Naos with the longest beach on the island, covered with black sand.

It is noteworthy that this particular beach has proudly carried the blue flag of one of the cleanest beaches in Spain for many years.

Along the beach there is a chain of numerous shops, restaurants and cafes, where you should definitely try Canarian cuisine and young wines.

The picturesque sandy beach of Charco Verde is ideal for a family holiday., located 2 km south of Puerto Naos.

Attractions La Palma

A trip to the capital of the island, Santa Cruz de la Palma, is recommended for fans of a rich excursion program.

Plaza de España, Avenida Marítima embankment, Constitution Square, 16th-century town hall. (Aiantamiento), Dali Street, the Salazar Palace of the 17th century, the Church of the Holy Light of the 16th century, the House of Tobacco and many other attractions of the capital can satisfy lovers of exciting history and architectural monuments of the Middle Ages.

La Gomera

One of the most beautiful islands of the Canary archipelago With an area of ​​369.76 km², it is the sixth largest Canary Island.


You can get to the island with the unique vegetation of Monteverde - laurel forests by ferries departing to La Gomera from Tenerife from the port of Los Cristianos.
Travel time varies from 35 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes.

The cost also ranges from 21 to 30 €. This discrepancy in time and cost is explained by the types of ferries and their speed.

In addition, the island has direct air connections with the islands of Gran Canaria and Tenerife.

Tourism on the island is not as developed as on other popular islands of the Canary archipelago. The bulk of tourists are represented by German citizens vacationing in Valle Gran Rey (“Valley of the Great King”), which is resort complex of coastal villages:

• Vueltas,
• La Puntilla,
• La Playa,
• La Galera.

The Spanish land has given the world the most extraordinary creative people, and among them great architect - Antonio Gaudi.

This man left behind priceless cultural creations. The one he created is the calling card of Barcelona.

The last one The charming village was named Montmartre due to its many expensive boutiques and restaurants.- the name of one of the districts of Paris. Russian tourists prefer to come to the island on a one-day excursion, which starts from the capital of the island - San Sebastian de la Gomera.
A city with only 9 thousand. residents rich in attractions:

• This is Plaza de las Americas
• Church of Virgen de Asuncion, where, according to legend, Christopher Columbus prayed before continuing his sea voyage,
• Gothic tower of Torre del Conde,
• Historical fortress of Christopher Columbus, etc.
• After visiting the capital, tourists go to the outskirts of the island, where the pristine nature with gorges, mountain peaks and endless laurel forests will take your breath away.

With its 450 species of rare trees and plants, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986.
Guides take travelers to Laurisilva, an ancient laurel forest where trees reach 20 meters in height.

Beautiful photos can be taken from the Mirador de Agando observation deck, near which there is a children's playground and a good restaurant.

Waiting for tourists during the meal traditional show silbo gomero ("Homer whistle"). In ancient times, when there were no telephones, the inhabitants of the island, who were mainly engaged in cattle breeding, exchanged the language of whistling. They could whistle to warn of danger, of some joyful event, and even report news, and maybe even gossip.

A whole Silbo dictionary, which has become a national treasure. Today the whistling language is taught in schools on the island. There is no practical use for this language, but as an entertaining performance for tourists, it will exist for a long time. So tourists don’t have to worry - their great-grandchildren will also be able to hear Silbo Gomero.

Hierro

Square the smallest of the seven main Canary Islands is only 277 km². Like all the islands of the Canary archipelago, Hierro is an island of volcanic origin.
More recently, in 2011, an underwater volcano erupted near the town of La Restinga, from where residents were evacuated.

The tourism industry has barely affected the island, as there are no sandy beaches on the westernmost island. However, the islanders and a few tourists enjoy a beach holiday in Tamadosta, a quiet cove located 10 km from the island’s capital, Valverde. Also 8 km from the capital is the beach of Pozo de las Calcosas with convenient backwaters for swimming and many bungalows made of steep stones.

Playa de Verodal - the most beautiful beach on the island, covered with volcanic sand and located at the foot of a high cliff. Due to poor access road, the beach is almost empty.
Diving enthusiasts flock to La Restinha, one of the island's popular resort centers, having the status of a marine nature reserve. A large hotel, numerous bars, restaurants and shops along the Avenida Marítima promenade attract tourists.

Fans of excursions have practically nothing to gain here. Worthy of attention in the capital the only historical monument is the Church of Santa Maria de la Concepción, the date of construction of which dates back to 1767.
A complex of shepherd's huts, which have been reconstructed and furnished from different eras, can be found in the ecological museum located in Casas de Guinea, an ancient Norman settlement of the 15th century.

Intrepid travelers can check out Lagartario, a nature reserve home to one and a half meter rare breeds of lizards.

Since there is no public transport on the island at all, the only way to travel around the island is to rent a car.

Of the 6 small Canary Islands, only one is inhabited - Graciosa(27km²). It is located just 2 km north of Lanzarote. They are separated by the narrow El Rio Strait.
In the port village of Caleta del Sebo and the fishing village of Pedro Barba there is not a single hotel, only a few boarding houses.

According to ancient legend, There are countless treasures buried on the island. They were never found, and among the local population there are no treasure hunters, only friendly and smiling fishermen with very weather-beaten and tanned faces.

Holidays in Spain can please the most discerning travelers, regardless of whether you decide to spend your vacation on the mainland of this beautiful country or on the islands. Read about holidays on the mainland. If you still prefer to relax on the islands, I have collected a lot of useful information for you below. I hope it's useful. The Spanish islands - the Canary and Balearic - amaze with the diversity of landscape and climatic conditions. But what they have in common is that they are all literally created for the perfect holiday. It is only important to understand which island is exactly what you need at the moment.

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Canaries- a symbol of the luxurious life of the “new Russians” of the early 90s, the land of eternal summer, a stunningly beautiful archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean with picturesque valleys and cliffs, wide beaches, and a very favorable climate. The archipelago includes 7 large islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, La Gomera, El Hierro, La Palma, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote) and several small ones. Interestingly, the capital of the island alternates between two cities: every four years the capital status passes from Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria or vice versa.

Canary Islands(Islas Canarias - in Spanish, Canary Islands - in English) is an autonomous province of Spain, but the nature and atmosphere here are absolutely not European. Those who come here are looking for real exoticism: stunning landscapes with lush tropical vegetation, beaches with black volcanic sand (beaches with golden sand are also present!), real ocean waves, ripe tropical fruits, etc.

Moreover, holidays in the Canaries are by no means passively relaxed: the islands have so many natural and cultural attractions and opportunities for active recreation that not a single lover of active recreation will be bored here. Volcanoes and “Martian” landscapes in valleys of solidified lava, waterfalls, prehistoric monuments, not to mention numerous dive and surf clubs, the service of which is of the highest (!) European quality.

Canary Islands – which island to choose as a “location point”

If we describe all the islands of the archipelago briefly, then Gran Canaria- the largest, hospitable and one of the most picturesque islands of the Canary archipelago. Holidays here can be surprisingly varied - exactly the way you want at the moment. Among the many hotels in the main resort of Gran Canaria - Maspalomas - you can find accommodation to suit every taste. On Tenerife, traditionally popular among Russians, has a rich nightlife and a lot of entertainment for children and adults (in this sense, the island of Tenerife, perhaps, has no competition), but the coast is steep and rocky in places. True, there are also good sandy beaches, but the island, in any case, is considered less picturesque compared to Gran Canaria and any other islands of the Canary archipelago.

Rest on Lanzarote It will definitely impress nature lovers - there are as many as 300 extinct volcanoes here. On La Palma And El Hierr There are few beaches suitable for swimming, but they are surprisingly beautiful and have a lot of greenery. Holidays on these islands are measured and calm. Fuerteventura It will also appeal to those who want to take a break from the hustle and bustle. A mysterious La Gomera will enchant with ancient legends about witches, fabulous landscapes and will interest fans of ecotourism.

Getting to the Canaries quite simple: there are international airports in Tenerife (in the north of the island - TFN, and more favorable for tourists, located in the south of the island, Tenerife Sur Aeropuerto (TFS)), Gran Canaria (LAS, 20 km from the capital of the island), Fuerteventura (FUE ) and Lanzarote (ACE). A direct flight, for example, from Moscow to Tenerife will take about 7 hours, and to the rest of the Canary Islands you will have to fly with a transfer. Many airlines fly - Aeroflot, S7, Spanish Iberia and Vueling, the ubiquitous European giants such as Lufthansa, Finnair, etc.

Tenerife

The largest of the islands of the Canary archipelago, its area is more than 2 thousand km², its length is 80-85 km, and its maximum width (in the southwest) is 50 km. The length of the coastline is 342 km. The nature here is truly exotic, because from the coast of Tenerife to the coast of Africa is only 300 km (while the Iberian Peninsula, to mainland Spain, is about 1000 km.

Tenerife resorts - how to choose

The most popular resorts on the island of Tenerife:

Los Cristianos (Los Cristianos) - perfect for families with children, since, on the one hand, the place is quite calm, without big waves and strong winds, and on the other hand, there are many entertainments and parks around, which are interesting primarily for young tourists.

Playa de Las Americas (Playa de las Americas) – a super-modern resort, with excellent infrastructure, an excellent place for those who prefer a noisy, fun holiday.

Costa Adeje (Costa Adeje) - in fact, the wide beaches of Costa Adeje smoothly transform into the beaches of Playa de las Americas, and the strip of beautiful beaches stretches for more than six kilometers in this part of the island. Costa Adeje is a quieter place, compared to Las Americas, conducive to a family holiday. There is a trend here: the further from the border with Las Americas, the quieter it is.

The western, far end of Costa Adeje, near the excellent Playa El Duque beach, is the most privileged and, naturally, expensive part of the resort, and it is here that the best hotels and apartment complexes in the south of Tenerife are located.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Santa Cruz de Tenerife) – this city, which is the capital of the island, is certainly interesting to visit: both in the city itself and in its surroundings there are a lot of must-see attractions. There are several good beaches in the city and near its border, however, I would not recommend Santa Cruz for a beach holiday: the wind rose here is such that in the northern part (where Santa Cruz de Tenerife is located) it is often cloudy and rainy . So, it’s definitely worth visiting the city while traveling around the island, but as a “permanent deployment point,” I would personally recommend one of the resorts in the southern part of the island.

El Medano (El Medano) – located in the southeast of the island, open to all winds, so it is suitable for windsurfing enthusiasts.

Attractions in Tenerife

Natural attractions of Tenerife

Climate and beaches of Tenerife

The main thing that people come to Tenerife for (as well as to the other Canary Islands) is the unique climate and magnificent beaches. The length of Tenerife's coastline is 342 km. The southern part of the island is better suited for a beach holiday: the climate here is drier and sunny (while north of the mountain range formed in Tenerife as a result of volcanic eruptions, the climate is damper and cooler). The island is located at the latitude of the Sahara Desert, so even in the ocean the water warms up above 24 degrees by the end of summer and autumn (which, in my opinion, is, of course, not the Caribbean +27, but is already enough for more or less comfortable swimming).

The best beaches and tourist centers of the island are concentrated in the southwest, in two areas: Costa Adeje and Playa de las Americas. In the southeast there are quite strong winds and waves, so windsurfing and kitesurfing lovers are welcome here.

Tenerife is a volcanic island, so it has many beaches with black volcanic sand, which is considered terribly healthy due to the large number of minerals in its composition.

However, the island also has many beaches with traditional light golden sand (in the south). All of them are man-made, and the sand for them was specially brought here from the Sahara.

Teide National Park

The park is located around the impressive Teide volcano, which is also the highest point of the island (3718 m). The beauty of the park, with its almost unreal landscapes, as well as unique flora and fauna, is truly impressive. The park is especially beautiful from April to June - the flowering period of many plants.

You can get to an altitude of more than 2000 meters by car along a fairly decent quality asphalt road. Then you can take the funicular up another 1000 meters higher. The funicular operates daily, ascents are from 9:00 to 16:00, and the last descent is at 16:50 from the top (data as of June 2016, check the time on site!).

The ascent and subsequent descent by funicular costs €25 (adult ticket) and €12.50 for children. In 10 minutes, the 38-seater cable car will take you to a height of 3555 meters, and after taking the cable car you only have about 200 meters left to the very top. Those who wish can climb there on foot, but to climb on foot you must first obtain a pass from the park administration. Upon presentation of a passport, it is usually issued to everyone, and absolutely free.

It is popular among tourists to watch the sunrise at the top of the Teide volcano. There is even a guest house where you can spend the night for €20 in tolerable conditions. Don’t be fooled: it only sounds romantic, but in practice... I remember how in Sicily we once decided to “romantically” watch the sunset on the top of Mount Etna (Etna’s height is 3329 m).

(By the way, this was in August, and the temperature on the coast was about +40 degrees. And on Etna, not even at night, but in the evening, at sunset, it was +8 degrees, and in addition there was a piercing wind. In the end, the husband even refused get off the bus (most of our group did this), and I, having pulled on not only my warm clothes, but also my husband’s sweater and windbreaker, in company with a couple of other maniac travelers, ran to photograph that same “sunset” Two short runs from the bus and back, and even in this form I became numb. An altitude of more than 3000 meters is no joke, even in the summer in the south!)

But during the day it’s probably worth taking the funicular, at least to the observation deck on Teide. You just need to arrive either right before the opening (at 9 o’clock) or after lunch, since there are a lot of people who want to climb to the top of the volcano, and you risk “killing” the whole day in line for the funicular.

Laurel forests (Laurisilva)

Laurisilva is a rare evergreen relict forest that appeared several thousand years ago, during the Jurassic period, when there were probably no people on Earth. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Laurisilva is located in the northern part of Tenerife, in the Anaga mountain range, at an altitude of 500-1000 m.

This spectacle is truly unique: prehistoric trees intertwine branches overhead, from which lush garlands of green moss hang. The ground is covered with a dense carpet of moss, green ferns and other vegetation, and tree trunks and stones, due to dampness, are covered with lichens.

There are many walking routes in the forest with signs. One of them - the most spectacular - leads to the Anaga lighthouse located at the extreme northern point of the island, from where a stunning view of the mountains and ocean opens. Several trails lead through the thicket of the forest, offering rest at tourist sites. The longest route ends at the small but very picturesque village of Taganana.

The TF-12 highway leads right through this relict forest in the Anaga Mountains. A visit to the forest can be combined in one day with an excursion to the top of Teide. If you travel by car, then, having approached the volcano along the road from the south side, you will have to go down along the only path, moving north, straight through the forest.

Just like for a trip to Teide, here you will need warm clothes and comfortable shoes, because it is much cooler here than in the southern part of the island, and the asphalt and paths are slippery from the constantly drizzling rain.

Cultural and historical attractions of Tenerife

Auditorio de Tenerife

One of the famous concert halls in the world, the creation of the outstanding Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, impressive not only for its appearance, but also, according to experts, for its amazing acoustics.

The Auditorio de Tenerife, built in the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2003, is both an opera house and a concert venue. Tourists have the opportunity to visit the site as spectators: tickets are sold 2 hours before the performance or concert, and also from 10 to 15 hours (Mon-Fri), and on Saturdays from 10 to 14 hours. Prices are very reasonable: from 15 to 90 euros.

Pyramids of Guimar

Like most pyramids on our planet, these ones, located in the town of Guimar, in the southeast of Tenerife, are full of mysteries.

Scientists are still arguing, trying to unravel the mystery of their origin and purpose. These pyramids, made of processed stones of volcanic origin, have a strictly defined orientation to the sun, they are very reminiscent of the pyramids in Mexico, Peru and Mesopotamia.

The famous traveler Thor Heyerdahl proved that the pyramids also have a sacred meaning - how else can you explain that all 6 pyramids have stairs facing the sun, and at the top of the highest of them on the day of the summer solstice you can watch the sun set twice?

An ethnological park has been created around the pyramids, the museum of which, in particular, displays an exhibition dedicated to the discoveries of Thor Heyerdahl. Ticket price for an adult is €18, for students under 25 years old – €12.15, for children – €5.50. The pyramids and ethnological park are open to the public every day from 9:30 to 18:00, except Christmas Day (December 25) and New Year's Day (January 1).

Official website (there is a version in Russian): http://www.piramidesdeguimar.es/

Basilica of Candelaria

The most famous religious landmark of Tenerife is the Basilica of Candelaria (located in the city of Candelaria). It is worth your attention: the richly decorated interior of the cathedral, consecrated in honor of Our Lady of Candelaria, is adjacent to a high bell tower. The basilica was erected on the site of the old temple relatively recently, in 1959.

The visit is free, the doors are open from Monday to Friday 7:30 - 13:00 and 15:00 - 19:30, and on Saturdays and Sundays - without a break, 7:30 - 19:30.

Twice a year the basilica becomes the epicenter of public festivities - on February 2 and August 15. Thousands of pilgrims come here, but the events, unlike many other places of worship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, are not held here in a purely religious vein, but are very fun, with dancing and fireworks.

La Orotava (La Orotava)

A city in the north of Tenerife, in a picturesque valley, founded by the Spaniards in the 16th century.

When approaching Orotava from the east, along the TF-21 highway, stop at the observation point - the Mirador, named after the German explorer von Humboldt (Mirador de Humboldt), which offers stunning views of the city and the valley in which it lies.

The architecture, typical of the Canary Islands at that time, has survived to this day in its original form. Fans of architectural history will find here a large number of mansions with wooden balconies decorated with carvings. In one of these mansions, the most famous (Casa de los Balcones), today there is a museum and a craft workshop, and opposite it stands the oldest building in the city, a 500-year-old building, the “Tourist House” (Casa del Turista), open to the public. .

Another attraction of the city is the church. Iglesia de la Concepcion(Iglesia de la Concepcion) is the best example of 18th-century Canarian Baroque in the archipelago. Tourists who have visited Latin American countries will find similarities with the churches built there. This architectural monument of national importance - a Baroque church with two symmetrical bell towers and a richly decorated facade - is visible from afar.

Orotava also has a botanical garden. True, it is not very impressive compared to continental European ones, but still the flora of the subtropics and tropics is well represented in it. Plants were brought here from different continents, and now the garden’s collection includes more than 3,000 species.

Part of the territory of the botanical garden is occupied by Victoria Park, designed specifically for walks in the shade. The attraction of Victoria Park is the magnificent tomb of Roja, carved from delicate Carrara marble.

Every year in June, on the eighth day of the Catholic holiday of Corpus Christi, a solemn procession walks through the streets of La Orotava. On the eve of this very important event in the life of the city, they are decorated with original carpets made of flower petals, sand, stones and colored sawdust. The action is called “Carpet Day” (Dia de las Alfombras). And this, perhaps, is the main reason why tourists come to La Oratava.

The largest and most spectacular carpet is traditionally laid out on the square in front of the city hall. Two dozen craftsmen begin work on its creation from multi-colored volcanic sand from the Teide volcano a month and a half before the holiday. Unlike the monumental sand canvas in the main square (by the way, the pattern is never repeated), smaller-scale flower paintings on the streets of La Orotava appear directly on Carpet Day.

There are a lot of tourists in the city on this day, which creates certain problems, in particular with parking. The maximum number of spectators is at 10-13 o'clock, since the process of creating carpets itself is of greatest interest. As a rule, none of the tourists wait for the religious procession led by the bishop.

"Carpet Day" in La Oratava in 2017-21:

Icod de los Vinos (Icode de los Vinos)

Like Orotava, Icod de los Vinos is a typical Canarian town, built by the Spanish in the 16th century, with traditional colonial architecture, impressive mansions, several cathedrals and, like Orotava, wooden balconies. All ancient buildings are concentrated in the city center, and visiting them will not take more than a couple of hours. Plaza Pila, one of the most beautiful squares in the Canary Islands, is lined with old mansions, among which stands out the Casa de los Caceres, which now houses a museum. There is also a small botanical garden here. Nearby is the Church of St. Mark, built on the site of an ancient Guanche sanctuary.

But the most important attractions of Icod are not architectural: the city is famous for its wines, and the main thing for which tourists come here is the thousand-year-old dragon tree (one of the types of dracaena) with a trunk more than 10 meters in girth, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2011 . The tree grows in a park not far from the Church of St. Mark, and experienced tourists say that it is not worth paying money to view the tree up close, since from a distance it looks much more impressive.

About three kilometers from the city center is the Wind Cave (Cueva del Viento), a bizarre lava tunnel stretching for more than 17 kilometers, almost Martian in appearance. The Wind Cave is the longest cave of its type in all of Europe. Its voids are located on three levels. You can walk along it with a guide (the excursion must be booked in advance), the journey takes 2 hours and requires at least basic physical fitness.

Amusement parks in Tenerife

Tenerife is truly famous for its amusement parks.

Loro Parque in Tenerife

The name Loro Parque translates as “Park of Parrots,” but parrots are not the only thing here. This is a huge amusement park (13+ hectares in area) located in the suburbs of Puerto de la Cruz, where you can see a huge variety of animals and plants. In fact, if you want to combine a visit to a zoo, a circus, an aquarium and a botanical garden in one excursion, this is the place for you. But be prepared that it will take a whole day to walk through the park and attend at least some of the shows held here. The park opened in 1972, and, indeed, it began with only 150 parrots living on 1 hectare. Today, the collection of parrots in the park has increased to 4,000 individuals of 350 different species, and has become the richest in the world. So Loro Parque became the world's largest center for the study and conservation of parrots.

Every day the park hosts a variety of shows with animals: 5 times a day - with sea lions, 4 times a day - with dolphins (here, by the way, is the largest pool in Europe for shows with dolphins), Loro show (with parrots) - 6 times a day day, etc. More than 40 million people visit the park every year.

The owners of Loro Parque also own the second stunning amusement park on the island - Siam Park, and it is possible to visit both parks in two days, with a double ticket at a discount.

In Loro Parque you can see sea lions and otters, gorillas, chimpanzees and marmosets, jaguars and rare white tigers, flamingos and pelicans, alligators, as well as piranhas and a variety of sharks (the local aquarium has the longest tunnel in Europe). The park is only the second place in Europe where killer whales live and breed in captivity. In the wild bird zone, birds are kept without cages, almost in natural conditions. Plus, the park has a large greenhouse with truly rare orchids. On site there is a Kinderlandia playground, a station where chicks grow up, a baby zoo that you can also explore, a market and many restaurants.

The park's newest attraction opened in 2014 - a large aquarium with jellyfish, beautifully illuminated in the dark.

Address: Avenida Loro Parque s/n.

Loro Parque is located in the north of the island and is easy to find by following the signs. From popular resorts in the south of the island, for example, from Las Americas, you can get here in an hour and a half.

Opening hours: 8:30 - 18:45 (the entrance closes at 16:00, but I advise you to arrive before the opening).

Entrance ticket for adults (from 12 years old) - €34, for children - €22. Combined ticket for 2 days to visit Siam Park and Loro Parque (excluding transfer costs from the resorts): adults - €58, children - €28.

Siam Park in Tenerife

Siam Park in Tenerife is the main water park on the island. It is located in Costa Adeje, close to the popular resorts of Las Americas and Los Cristianos. The park's territory is huge: it occupies almost 19 hectares. The creators of the park set an ambitious goal: to build the most spectacular water attraction in all of Europe.

The Thai theme in Siam Park can be seen everywhere (which is not surprising, as it follows from its name): all the slides, park buildings and restaurants are designed in the Thai style. There are a total of 25 buildings in the park, which is the largest collection of Siamese-style buildings outside of Thailand. The park's designer, Christoph Kiessling, received permission from the Royal Family of Thailand to fully exploit the name and theme. However, he abandoned the concept of exact copies of palaces, temples and Buddha statues, so all the buildings on the territory of Siam Park are fantasy. It is home to the world's largest Thai-style building outside of Asia, and a gigantic dragon sculpture, the world's largest.

Construction of the park began in 2004, and it was finally completed in 2008. The total cost of the project was 52 million euros. The Grand Opening of Siam Park was personally attended by the Princess of Thailand.

They say: what water entertainment is not in Siam Park is almost impossible to find somewhere else. The Wave Palace, a pool with artificial waves and an artificial white sand beach, hosts a surf school. Here you can catch the highest artificially created wave in the world (about 3 m). In addition, the park has built slides with six race tracks; twin pinwheels spinning in different directions; vertical slide “Tower of Power”, rushing along which you will watch sharks and rays through transparent walls. And in 2012, a 200-meter-long slide was built in the park. Those who like a more relaxing holiday can go rafting on the river (the “lazy river” here has the highest rise in the world - 8 m). For children, there is a play area called “The Lost City” with 120 different games. On the “Dragon” slider, inside a funnel with a diameter of 20 meters, light shows are staged.

The park's restaurants offer visitors both Thai dishes and traditional fast food. The park also has its own charming, small Thai floating market.

The park is built on a hill, and its slides and other structures follow the terrain. In addition, this is the world's first green water park, and this is also its uniqueness. The water here is heated to +25°C, and its creator, designer Christoph Kiessling, called Siam Park "the world's first air-conditioned open-air water park."

Address: Autopista TFE-1, Salida, 28.

A free bus to the water park runs from the resorts of Las Americas, Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje.

Opening hours: daily, from 10:00 to 18:00, entrance - from 10:00 to 17:00.

Adult entrance ticket for the day is €34, children's ticket is €23. Adult premium day ticket (with towel, locker and lunch) - €51, children - €36. Adult ticket for 2 days to visit Siam Park and Loro Parque (excluding transfer costs) - €58, children - €39.50.

Jungle Park Tenerife

Near Las Americas in Tenerife there is another amazing attraction - the Park of the Eagles. A complex has been built here where animals - from tigers, lions, crocodiles to fur seals and monkeys - live in natural conditions. Navy SEALs delight audiences of all ages with hilarious performances.

But the hallmark of the Eagle Park is a unique show featuring birds of prey. Trained eagles (this is an exception, very rare!) perform various steps and tricks, delighting the audience. You can happily spend the whole day in the Parque des Eagles in Tenerife: in addition to shows with animals and birds, there are plenty of other entertainments.

For visitors there is an 800-meter high-speed bobsleigh track, along which you can ride through a real jungle. Tourists are also offered to feed the inhabitants of the Park (of course, not all, but only those with whom communication is safe).

Visitors themselves have the opportunity to have a meal at a local restaurant.

Ticket prices to the Park of the Eagles in Tenerife: for adults (over 11 years old): €26, for children (depending on height) - €9-17.50. (You need to pay extra for attractions separately).

The Eagle Park in Tenerife is open all year round, from 10:00 to 17:30 (entrance until 16:30).

The easiest way to get here is by free buses that run every day from Las Americas and Los Cristianos.

Monkey Park in Tenerife

Monkey Park is not the most popular amusement park in Tenerife (compared to Siam Park or Loro Parque ) . But if you love monkeys and lemurs, you should visit here. A pleasant difference between this park and the parrot park (Loro Parque) is that in the Monkey Park you can communicate with the animals very close. It is absolutely safe, so visiting the park will be a great pleasure, especially for children.

The park is quite small, and it is impossible to get lost in it. Allow 3-4 hours for your visit: there is simply nothing more to do here. The route passes through a contact area where you can interact with animals, a swamp with alligators, a reptile area, areas of small and large primates, and then birds. The park is home to several species of lemurs, chimpanzees and monkeys. The park is also home to iguanas, which you can feed by hand.

In the middle of the day, lemurs overeat and no longer strive to communicate with visitors, but strive to doze off. Therefore, it is better to arrive in the morning or, conversely, closer to closing.

Feeding the animals is an almost obligatory part of visiting the park: without a treat, the animals will simply ignore you. But if you come with a treat, rest assured: the lemurs will sit on your neck, and they may even get into your pocket or steal your camera or bag. “Animal food” is sold at the entrance to the park, but you can also take it with you, for example, apples and grapes, lettuce, and biscuits for the parrots. Lemurs and monkeys are very fond of dates and bananas, but they quickly gain weight from them, so it is forbidden to bring these fruits into the park.

But do not try to force feed or pet the lemur: if you “get them” too much, they will bite.

Address: Llano Azul 17 La Camella, Arona.

The Monkey Park is located near Las Americas, but is not accessible by public transport. It takes about 10 minutes by car from Las Americas; the park is located right off the TF-1 highway and is easy to find.

Opening hours: daily, from 9:30 to 17:00.

Entrance: for adults (over 12 years old) - €10, for children from 5 to 12 years old - €5.

Official website: http://monkeypark.com/

Castle of San Miguel in Tenerife

To be honest, I was wondering where to classify this attraction: a historical one, or an amusement park? Still a castle...

But the fact is that the Castle of San Miguel in Tenerife is an exact, albeit slightly reduced copy of a medieval castle that exists in reality, built to host a costume show. According to the creators, this action takes guests back several centuries, to the romantic era of chivalry, familiar to us from historical books and films about King Arthur.

At the entrance to the castle, all guests are given multi-colored capes: during the tournament, you were given a lot to root for a knight wearing a cape of the same color. The entrance is guarded by horsemen willing to pose for photos.

At 20:00 the gates open and the action begins. First, a short excursion: you will pass through the armory room, where the king himself personally greets every guest of the castle. This moment will definitely be captured by a staff photographer, and towards the end of the tournament the photographs will be ready, and you will be offered to purchase the photo you like. (For this reason, you cannot take photographs yourself in the weapons room (but outside this room - as much as you like)).

Next, guests enter the hall where the knightly tournament is held. At the beginning of the show, the participating knights in armor demonstrate a variety of horse riding tricks. The winner wins the right to choose the “lady of his heart” from the spectators who were rooting for him. And the “lady of the heart” is sent to a place of honor in the royal box until the end of the performance. However, the honorary role of the “lady of the heart” has a serious drawback: the “lady,” alas, will have to do without a hearty knightly dinner of soup and chicken. And the rest will have to eat it from iron utensils with their hands, due to the lack of forks and spoons during the Middle Ages. But an undeniable advantage of the medieval way of life will be an unlimited amount of white and red wine, which, of course, will also have to be drunk from iron glasses.

The role of the entertainer at the dinner is played by a black dwarf, who amazes the audience with his ability to extinguish a burning torch in his mouth.

In the second part of the program, a battle “for life and death” takes place, during which out of six knights only one of the strongest will survive. Here you need to loudly support your knight, since the one whose supporters most actively expressed their support in the tournament wins. The outcome of the battle ultimately depends only on you. Here it is permissible to whistle, shout, jump, stomp your feet, rattle dishes and insult the “rival” knights with not entirely decent gestures. It is not allowed to throw bottles or other heavy objects at knights.

It should be noted that an unlimited number of strong drinks contributes to an adequate perception of what is happening in the arena even by guests who are quite reserved in everyday life. The Middle Ages after all...

The Castle of San Miguel is open to visitors on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays (in summer) and Saturdays. The show itself usually starts at 20:30. Ticket prices to the San Miguel Castle: for adults – €48, for children – €24.

The castle is located in the town of Aldea Blanca on the TF-65 road to San Miguel. Exit highway No. 24 (if you go from the west side - before reaching the interchange - the turn to the airport).

The closest bus route to the castle is No. 416 (Las Americas - San Miguel)

Gran Canaria

The third largest island of the Canary archipelago (1560.1 km², 50 km in diameter), Gran Canaria is sometimes called a “continent in miniature”: the diversity of climatic zones, flora and fauna on the island really justifies such “exaggeration”.

Resorts of Gran Canaria - how to choose?

The tourist area located in the southern part of the island is Maspalomas, also sometimes called Costa Canaria - these are magnificent, wide and stretching 17 kilometers beaches with the finest golden sand. It is the oldest tourist destination in Gran Canaria. The main attraction of Maspalomas (and the entire island of Gran Canaria, if you think about it) are the Dunes (Dunas de Maspalomas): the Sahara desert in miniature with the purest golden sand and a 5-kilometer luxurious beach.

Maspalomas united 6 resorts, in fact, flowing into one another:

Bahia Feliz - a favorite vacation spot for windsurfers. There are two first-class windsurfing schools located here. But for other guests this resort will not be so attractive: at any time of the year, especially in winter, there are strong winds and waves.

Playa del Aguila- a quiet and small resort located in the southeast of the island of Gran Canaria, between the resorts of Bahia Feliz and San Agustin. The resort is popular with windsurfers (there are several centers for practicing this type of outdoor activity) and everyone who does not like fuss, but is looking for the ocean and sun away from the noise of large resorts. The beaches here are mostly pebble, but sandy ones can also be found. The beaches stretch in a continuous strip along the promenade. The hotels here are mainly 3-4*, as well as many apartment complexes and bungalows. There are practically no opportunities for shopping and entertainment here; for them you need to go to neighboring resort towns.

San Agustin - one of the most popular resorts on the island of Gran Canaria. Located in the southern part of the island. A special feature of the resort is a 2 km long beach with dark gray sand of volcanic origin. There is a lot of entertainment, restaurants, bars, shops, etc., but most of all this resort attracts the attention of fans of family holidays, including those with children. The surrounding picturesque rocks protect the beach from the wind and put you in a relaxed and peaceful mood, and the abundance of children's entertainment will not allow even the most spoiled little tourists to get bored. For example, the Sioux City theme park is located next to the San Agustin resort. The main feature of the park is its similarity to a typical American village of the Wild West. On the territory of the park there are saloons, in which traditional shootouts (staged, of course!) and other cowboy attractions take place every now and then. Throughout the day, actors and knife throwers perform a variety of colorful shows in the park. An unforgettable sight - cowboys driving a herd of cows. In the evening, visitors enjoy an open-air picnic, an event that children really enjoy.

Near the resort there is the Gran Canaria Sports Aero Club, from where helicopter rides are also available. Amateurs can make a parachute jump. Yacht excursions are also available here. A trip along the longest karting track in the Canary Islands (1650 meters) will also add adrenaline.

San Agustin is no less famous for its thalassotherapy clinics, in particular, the largest thalassotherapy center in the Canaries, Thalasoterapia Canarias, is located here, from the terraces of which there are magnificent views of the ocean coast. Therefore, there are quite a lot of elderly vacationers in San Agustin.

Playa del Ingles- the largest resort on the entire coast of Gran Canaria. Perhaps the best beach on the entire island with fine golden sand. The resort is democratic and cheerful. It got its name at the beginning of the 20th century, when English sailors were hanging out in pubs here. Since then, life here continues to be in full swing. In terms of the scope of fun throughout Spain, this place is second only to Benidorm and Ibiza. Playa del Inglés has a well-developed tourist infrastructure: excellent hotels and restaurants, street markets and luxury shopping centers, nightclubs, bars, water activities, water parks and much more. The four-kilometer Playa del Inglés beach in its western part turns into sand dunes.

Campo International - an upscale resort with lots of greenery, a natural palm oasis and luxurious 5-star hotels. Holidays here are relaxing, and in the evening, when all the interesting things are just beginning in Playa del Inglés, Campo Internacional is already falling asleep. The architecture here is mainly low-rise buildings. The main attraction of the resort is the 120-year-old lighthouse, the largest and oldest in the entire Canary Islands archipelago.

In the Campo International resort, in a nature reserve covering 400 hectares, there is a large golf course (18 holes) - the Maspalomas Golf Club. Also here you can take a break from the bustle of the metropolis, watching rare species of birds that live in the local freshwater lake. The beaches of the Campo International resort smoothly merge into the beaches of the Meloneras resort.

Meloneras - a resort with a long promenade - an embankment for leisurely walks, along which there are numerous restaurants. bars and shops. There is also a large Varadero shopping center, several new hotels surrounded by greenery with a huge territory. The most impressive of them is the Gran Hotel Costa Meloneras, which houses one of the two casinos located in Maspalomas. Meloneras is also home to the Convention and Exhibition Center. From Meloneras it is no further to the Maspalomas Golf Club than from Campo Internacional, but much closer there is another golf club with an 18-hole course - Lopesan Meloneras Golf. According to reviews from golf fans, it is even superior to the Maspalomas Golf club, because the Lopesan Meloneras Golf course offers stunning views of the ocean coast.

Pasito Blanco - located in the southwestern part of the island. A small resort with a sandy beach, several shops and restaurants. Here is the yacht port and the Lopesan Meloneras Golf Club.

Not far from Maspalomas there are separate nudist beaches. However, the whole of Gran Canaria is a resort without unnecessary prejudices, and even on ordinary beaches here every second person goes without any clothes at all.

Puerto Rico - the second most important resort of the island, the southern center of water entertainment in Gran Canaria. Here you can rent a yacht, go diving, windsurf, take a boat trip or even a glass-bottom boat, go water skiing or go fishing. There is a port for yachts, but large ships do not come here. Recently, this resort has become a favorite place on the island for tourists with children. Today the port is divided into two parts by the beach, and on the rocky slopes there are several dozen hotels and apartments, all of the same type.

The beach in Puerto Rico is small (only 280 m long), but very cozy, with light sand, located in a bay and therefore protected from the waves.

Puerto de Mogan- a small resort, built on the site of a former fishing village, with Andalusian-style houses, allowing you to plunge into the romantic setting of southern Spain. To the west of Puerto de Mogán are inaccessible mountains that can be admired from the observation deck. The resort also has a yacht port, making it very convenient for boat trips.

On the northern coast of Gran Canaria there are picturesque cliffs, stones of volcanic origin, small bays with azure ocean water. The central part of the island is a riot of diverse tropical vegetation, evergreen trees and an interesting mountainous terrain with two high peaks (Pico de las Nieves, 1949 m) and Roque Nublo, 1813 m above sea level.

Sights of Gran Canaria

Natural attractions of Gran Canaria

In the central part of Gran Canaria, a few kilometers from the city of Tejeda, there is the famous Roque Nublo National Park(Roque Nublo). The main attraction of this huge (26 hectares) park is the rock of the same name, Roque Nublo, - basalt cliff 60 meters high. From its top you can see the Teide volcano on the neighboring island of Tenerife. In the national park, extremely popular among ecotourism enthusiasts, you will be surprised by the diversity of flora and landscapes.

Roque Nublo National Park address: Los Manantiales, S/N, 35015 Tejeda.

Another natural park is located in the northwestern part of Gran Canaria, this Tamadaba National Park(in the northwestern part of the island, not far from the city of Agaete. Tamadaba occupies 7,500 hectares, and most of it is located in the mountains, at an altitude of more than 1,000 meters. The park is extremely picturesque: here you can admire protected pine forests, dizzying gorges in which unique cacti.The park is also home to a large number of rare bird species.

Away from the coast, south of the town of Carreteria, there is a small Doramas Natural Park. This is a nice landscaped park with laurel and dragon trees, as well as waterfalls and lakes. It was defeated by the British in the 19th century.

Another impressive natural attraction of Gran Canaria is Caldera de Bandama. Located in the northeastern part of the island, a few kilometers from the capital, Las Palmas, near the town of Tafira Alta. This nature reserve consists of two parts: Bandama Peak and Bandama Caldera. At the top of the peak, at an altitude of 569 meters, there is an observation deck from which an impressive panorama of the capital of the island and its surroundings opens, and in clear weather even the outlines of the neighboring island of Fuerteventura (northeast of Gran Canaria) are visible from here.

Caldera (essentially a volcanic crater) Bandama with a diameter of 1000 meters and a depth of 200 meters. At the bottom of the crater, if you go down the path (quite steep, so you need comfortable shoes), among palm trees, fig and orange trees, you can see the remains of farm buildings, and in the 17th century, the Dutch merchant Daniel Van Dam grew grapes on the slopes of the volcano. (And it is in part of this merchant that the park is named).

Very close by is the oldest (founded in the 19th century) and one of the most prestigious golf clubs in all of Spain (Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria).

Cultural and historical sights of Gran Canaria

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria)

The capital of Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is home to more than a third of the island's total population. This is where the nightlife of the entire island is concentrated. The city shares with Santa Cruz de Tenerife the status of the capital of the entire Canary archipelago (the status changes from one city to another every 4 years). Among the attractions worth visiting in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, it is worth noting:

• medieval quarter of Vegueta with picturesque narrow streets and the famous cathedral Santa Ana with a history of half a thousand years; here, on the square in front of the cathedral, you can admire Bishop's PalaceXVIcentury, city hall buildings and colorful colonial-style buildings. On one of the facades you will see bronze figures of eight dogs - it is these animals that have earned the right to decorate the coat of arms of the Canary Islands with their image.
• Casa de Colon (House of Columbus). The building was the residence of the governors of the island, and, according to legend, Christopher Columbus stopped here during his journey to the shores of America, waiting for his ships to be repaired; today there is a museum dedicated to the great navigators and geographical discoveries of the past, as well as a library and research center.
• Museum of the Canary Islands with an exhibition on pre-Hispanic culture and archaeology. In the 11 halls of this museum you can see many exhibits from different eras (from 500 BC to the 15th century) - figurines of ancient gods, ceramics, Cro-Magnon mummies, models of historical buildings and much more. Particularly interesting here is the exhibition telling about the history of the Guanches - the indigenous population of the Canary Islands archipelago.
• Museum of Science and Technology ELDER(the exhibition is completely interactive; the museum has an impressive collection of aircraft models);
• Atlantic Center for Contemporary Art(opened in 1989, the collection includes about 2,600 exhibits) is an interesting museum of avant-garde art, designed to show the influence of European traditions. Africa and Latin America on Canarian culture. Interestingly, the Center occupies an ancient building of the 18th century, the facade of which has retained the characteristic features of the colonial style.
• Nestor Museum, featuring works by renowned local artist Nestor Martin Fernandez de la Torre. He was born in Gran Canaria and, being part of the Symbolist movements in Europe, left behind an impressive collection of works.

Arucas (Arucas)

14 km from the capital is the town of Arucas, famous for the largest rum factory in the entire Canary archipelago (called the Destilerias Arehucas factory, operating since 1884). However, even for fans of this drink there is something to see in Arucas: much more interesting, in my opinion, is the neo-Gothic Church of San Juan, built in the 20th century. The towers of the church, 60 meters high, and the rest of the facades are lined with black basalt from a local quarry. Because of this, the church looks gloomy, even ominous, against the background of the surrounding light-colored colonial-style houses (from a distance it appears completely black). In the interior of the church, noteworthy are the multi-colored stained glass windows, as well as the figure of the resting Christ, which belongs to the hand of local sculptor Manuel Ramos Gonzalez.

Telde (Telde)

South of the capital, on the eastern coast of the island, is the small town of Telde. Its historical center is included in the list of national treasures of Spain, and not by chance: on the green cobbled streets there are cute colonial-style houses, the facades of which are decorated with carvings and mosaics. The Church of St. John the Baptist, founded in the 15th century, is especially impressive. The Gothic temple itself has undergone numerous restorations and reconstructions (even in the 20th century, the church had a new tower in the neo-Gothic style), but the original gates from the 15th century have been preserved here.

Among the interiors of the church, of particular interest is the Flemish gilded wooden altar (16th century), as well as the crucifixion of Christ, an image made around the same period by Mexican Indians using a unique traditional technique.

Artenara (Artenara)

Not least among all the historical attractions of Gran Canaria is the mountain village of Artenara (in some sources its name is found Artinare). This is one of the oldest villages in Gran Canaria, dating back to before the arrival of the conquistadors. In addition, it is also the most mountainous (located at an altitude of 1270 meters). The village is unique in that many of the houses here are simply built into the rock (and at the same time have all the most modern amenities).

The chapel deserves special attention from guests of Artenara. La Ermita de la Cuevita(La Ermita de la Virgen de la Cuevita), in which stands the famous miraculous statue of Our Lady of Cuevita.

Archaeological Park and Museum of Pintada Cave

The Pintada Cave Archaeological Park and Museum (Museo y Parque Arqueológico Cueva Pintada) is located in the northern part of the island, in the town of Gáldar. The city of Galdar (Agaldar) was the capital of the ancient Guanche kingdom during the island's pre-Hispanic period. This tuff cave, containing vases, shards and fragments of human skeletons, was discovered by chance in the northern part of the island in 1873 during agricultural work. Presumably, the cave once served as a necropolis for the Guanches.

This cave is popularly known as the Painted Cave in Galdar, which is not surprising: here you can see six interconnected caves, on the walls of which amazing drawings have been preserved - researchers suggest that this is an ancient calendar. Archaeological research in the complex continues to this day.

Amusement parks of Gran Canaria

In addition to excellent beaches and resorts, Gran Canaria has a lot of activities that can make your holiday truly unforgettable! Like the neighboring island of Tenerife, Gran Canaria is famous for its amusement parks.

Waterpark Maspalomas in Gran Canaria (“Aqualand Maspalomas”)

A world-famous water park, owned by a world-famous network of water parks. In order to simply walk around it completely at a fast pace and visit each of the huge number of attractions once, it will take several days, because the area of ​​the park is more than 13 km 2 . It is this amusement park that is recommended to tourists in Gran Canaria first of all: a good mood and a powerful adrenaline rush are guaranteed! In the park there are attractions that are quite harmless, but there are also ones for real extreme sports enthusiasts. For example, a slide consisting of three almost vertical pipes. The widest slide in the world with the most impressive angle of inclination is also located here. This is why some attractions do not allow children under 12 years of age.

For those who are alien to all this extreme, the park is equipped with a huge swimming pool with a Jacuzzi and a lazy river. The park also has a large selection of attractions for the youngest guests.

The park is usually open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but it’s best to check opening hours and ticket prices.

Address: Carretera Palmitos Park, Km 3, 35100 Maspalomas, Las Palmas, Spain

SIOUX CITY A PARK

"Sioux City" is a theme park with an area of ​​320,000 square meters, stylized as a Wild West town. Particularly recommended for fans of Westerns, children and anyone who doesn't mind having some fun. The park is built with typical Wild West houses, a church, a ranch, a bank and a saloon.

Actors perform performances here all day long, and the public is offered such shows as “Duel to the Death,” “Saloon Brawl,” and “Indian Rain Dance.” Several times a day, cowboys drive a herd of bulls along the main street, and also show a skit about a bank robbery with the subsequent hanging of the criminal in the city square. Everyone is given the opportunity to take a souvenir photo with the sheriff.

And of course, wherever there are cowboys, there must be Indians... Don't miss the opportunity to look into the Indian reservation!

There are also performances by Mexican acrobats performing tricks with lasso, whips and knives, and much more.

In the saloon you can drink beer and have a snack (don't look for pickles, however: standard fast food), there is also a performance with shooting and a show with dancing and throwing knives at a woman (more precisely, around her)).

For children, in addition to everything already listed, there is a small zoo with cute animals.

Opening hours: from 10:00 to 17:00 from Tuesday to Saturday, closed on Monday.

On Friday from 20:00 to midnight there is an open air barbecue and evening shows.

Address: Barranco del Aguila, s/n, 35100, Las Palmas, Spain

Official site(alas, only in Spanish): http://siouxcitypark.es/index.php

CACTUS PARK – “Cactualdea Park”

A large botanical garden, the main “exhibit” of which is, of course, cacti. This park is located near the city of San Nicolas and is considered truly unique. It is famous for its amazing variety of exotic ornamental plants from all over the world. There are more than a thousand species of cacti alone, of very different shapes, colors, sizes - it’s hard to even imagine! There are similar nature reserves on all the islands of the Canary archipelago, but the park on Gran Canaria is the largest of them.

The easiest way to get to the Cactus Park is by car, or on one of the tour buses that run from all major cities and beach resorts - almost all of them stop near the Cactus Park.

In the Cactus Park in Gran Canaria, they breed and grow various types of cacti, so if you like a specimen, you can buy one for yourself right in the park for a small amount. (Only the import of plants with soil and roots, for example, to Russia, without special phytosanitary documents is prohibited; so if you want to bring a cactus home as a souvenir, keep in mind that it will almost certainly be smuggling).

In general, if you still think that a cactus is just a prickly plant that has little to do with beauty, you should definitely visit this park to see otherwise.

In addition to many interesting plants from all over the world, the park houses an amphitheater where spectacular Canarian wrestling competitions are regularly held. There are also several historical exhibitions located on the territory of the reserve, the most impressive of which is a copy of the Guanche cave, with rock writings of primitive tribes.

Address: Carretera del Hoyo Tocodoman, 35478 La Aldea de San Nicolas

PALMITOS PARK (Palmitos Park)

Palmitos Park is located in the south of the island, far from the Maspalomas resort area, and is easily accessible from almost any major city or resort on the island, either by car or by excursion bus. This park is both a reserve for many rare species of animals and plants, and an entertainment center for everyone who loves nature and wants to have a good time with family or friends.

One of the unique features of Palmitos Park is the large number of truly rare birds, most of which do not sit in cages, but move freely throughout the park and beyond. Sometimes you can watch them literally at arm's length and even feed them with special food, which is sold at the entrance to the park and in small shops inside the park. Birds are brought to Palmitos Park from countries in Africa, South America and other equatorial zones. In addition to birds, you can observe many exotic animals in the park.

Also in Palmitos Park, rare plants from all over the world coexist with each other. In the park there is a clearing full of various orchids, and very close to it there are cacti - the pride of the Canary Islands.

In addition to simply observing the flora and fauna of the park, you can visit various exhibitions of animals and insects - the local butterfly house will definitely not leave you indifferent, and you can observe exotic fish - both marine and freshwater - in the local Aquarium.

Especially for children and inquisitive adults, the park regularly hosts performances in which trained eagles, falcons and parrots play the main roles. Birds perform amazing tricks worthy of the best circuses on the planet - don't miss this spectacle!

The park is constantly expanding. Not long ago, a dolphinarium was opened on its territory, where anyone, for a fee, can chat and swim with dolphins, or simply watch exciting shows with the participation of these intelligent animals. For monkey lovers, the park has a “primate island” where you will meet many different types of monkeys, from miniature chimpanzees to huge humanoid orangutans.

Palmitos Park in Gran Canaria is full of various places to relax, cafes and restaurants, and souvenir shops. There is convenient parking near the park and a luxury hotel with beautiful views of the island.

Opening hours and show times: http://www.palmitospark.es/timetables/?lang=en

Address: Barranco de Los Palmitos s/n., 35109 Maspalomas (Gran Canaria)

HOLIDAY WORLD to GRAN CANARIA

Holiday World is the largest amusement park in the Canary Islands. Here you can spend time with the whole family and everyone will definitely find something interesting for themselves. Of course, this is not Disneyland, but this park is good as entertainment for the evening.

Entrance to the amusement park is free. You can walk around it for free. And if you want to go on the rides, you will need to buy a magnetic ticket with the required denomination. The conventional units in an amusement park attraction are points. At the entrance to each attraction there is a sign indicating the price in points.

There are rides and other entertainment for visitors of all ages: in addition to the symbol of the park - the Ferris wheel, shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow - there are many excellent slides, spinners, carousels, slot machines and much more.

For adults who are not fans of the rides, the park has a 16-lane Punto Zero bowling alley and an Irish pub.

Adults will also definitely enjoy the local wellness center: Finnish sauna, Turkish bath, beauty treatments, outdoor pool with hydromassage and heated. There are also plenty of restaurants, bars, Internet cafes, slot machines and billiards in the park.

The amusement park is open daily. The operating hours are different in winter and summer.

On Fridays and Saturdays, attractions are usually open from 18.00 to 00.00, on other days - until 23.00. And you can play bowling on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 to 02, and on other days of the week - 9 am to 1 am.

Opening hours and prices can be clarified before your visit.

Address: Holiday World Maspalomas Avda.

SUBMARINE (Atlantida Submarine)

Journey to the bottom of the ocean for everyone

If you are not a fan of diving, but the ocean depths still attract you, diving on the “Atlantida Submarine” is what you need!

On board this submarine, everyone can contemplate with their own eyes the beauty of the underwater world, diving to the ocean floor. Company “Atlantida Submarine” S.L. guarantees absolute safety to its passengers. The submarine makes several 45-minute tourist walks every day - dives to a depth of 20-25 m.

During the dive, the guide will tell you about each of the ocean inhabitants that you will meet along the submarine’s path.

Naturally, the design of the excursion submarine differs significantly from military prototypes. The excursion submarine is much smaller in size and equipped with huge acrylic windows for observing the ocean, its inhabitants and inspecting the wrecks that you will encounter along the way.

The pleasure boat runs on batteries and therefore has a limited cruising range, but this 45-minute dive will still remain a very vivid memory in your memory. Special monitors clearly show what is happening above the submarine at the moment. Directly from the hotel there is a transfer by a special bus, directly to the submarine pier.

Address: 35138, Mogan, Las Palmas, Spain

KARTING IN GRAN CANARIA (Gran Carting Club)

In Gran Canaria you have the opportunity to drive a go-kart, getting a lot of fun and a powerful adrenaline rush. Gran Karting Club is located in the south of the island, next to Maspalomas. Upon your request, a free shuttle bus will be sent directly to your hotel (only for hotels located in nearby resort areas - San Agustin, Playa del Ingles or Maspalomas).

On the vast territory of this club there is the longest racing track in all of Spain, 1650 meters long. Anyone can feel like a supercar pilot, from a child (at least 5 years old) to an experienced driver. Some kart models are able to accelerate to 100 km/h.

Truly, every boy’s dreams come true here! There is a separate area for children where all safety rules are followed, and there is no need to worry about your children. Experienced instructors closely monitor young riders and come to their aid in any difficult situation. For children aged 10-15 years there is a separate sector with a junior track. And on the “adult” track (Senior class), racers over 16 years old compete.

All racing participants must follow several important rules:

• Each participant must wear a protective helmet before boarding the kart.

• In the event of an emergency, it is prohibited to leave the kart. In this case, you should call the instructor by extending your hand up.

• If a participant breaks the rules or provokes other race participants into collisions, the club administration has the right to disqualify such a racer and not reimburse him for the cost of the race.

• Drivers under the influence of alcohol are not allowed to operate a kart.

Address: Carretera General, 1, 35107 San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Las Palmas, Spain

How to get to Gran Canaria: There are no direct flights to this island from Russia, so the most convenient way is by plane to Tenerife, and then another half hour by local flight, or for a longer time by ferry to Gran Canaria. There are also flights to Gran Canaria from Madrid, Barcelona, ​​as well as various European cities - London, Frankfurt, etc.

La Gomera

If you are looking for peace and tranquility in the Canaries, this small (with an area of ​​just under 370 km2) picturesque island of volcanic origin is for you. (Don't worry, there hasn't been any seismic activity in this region for a long time). La Gomera is located in the western part of the Canary archipelago and boasts an extremely beautiful, almost pristine nature.

How to choose a resort on La Gomera

Valle Gran Rey (Valle Gran Rey) – the main, most popular resort area, located in the west of the island. Includes several coastal villages - Vueltas, La Puntilla, La Calera, Playa de la Calera.

The area of ​​Valle Gran Rey attracts travelers with a developed tourist infrastructure, excellent sandy and pebble beaches (in some places black, due to volcanic origin) and magnificent landscapes. The island is also popular among surfers thanks to the almost continuous ocean waves all year round. It is in this area that the most beautiful road on the island lies, surrounded by picturesque basalt rocks. And the miniature agricultural fields located on terraces along the slopes of the valley are very reminiscent of the rice fields of Bali. The surroundings of Valle Gran Rey are simply ideal for a break from the hustle and bustle of civilization, which is why for several years now the place has been popular among fans of alternative tourism.

Playa de Santiago (Playa de Santiago) - the second largest resort center in La Gomera (after Valle Gran Rey). This resort is located in the south of the island and grew up on the site of a former fishing village.

This place has its own microclimate: it is considered the sunniest on the island. And the local pebble beach (1.5 km long) is very convenient for swimming, as it is protected from the ocean waves by huge breakwaters.

There are a lot of hotels, restaurants and shops in the area.

San Sebastian de La Gomera (San Sebastian de la Gomera) – the capital of the island, this resort can be recommended to those travelers who still want to enjoy the benefits of civilization: go to museums, walk around the city, visit a nightclub. All the sights of this city are in one way or another connected with the name of the great navigator Christopher Columbus.

In the main church of the city (Iglesia Matriz de la Asunción), Columbus offered prayers before continuing his long journey. further path. And he spent the night in the Casa de la Aduana house during his entire stay on the island. Now there is an exhibition dedicated to the voyages of Christopher Columbus to America. In the courtyard of the Casa de la Aduana there is a well preserved, from which water was drawn to consecrate the unknown continent.

If you find yourself in San Sebastian de la Gomera, it is also recommended to visit the Count's Tower (Torre del Conde), built in 1447. The tower was built west of the central city square, by order of the first Spanish ruler.

The length of the beach in San Sebastian on the island of La Gomera is 600 meters, and the width of the coastline is 55 meters. The beach is well equipped: rental of umbrellas and sun loungers, water activities. What is important is that the beach is reliably protected from tides and waves by a breakwater.

There are also several nudist beaches on the island - for example, the Playa de Argaga beach, reliably protected from prying eyes by rocks, is located near the Vueltas resort.

Sights of the island of La Gomera

How to get to La Gomera: There are no direct flights to this island from Russia, so the most convenient thing is to fly to Tenerife or Gran Canaria, and then another half hour by local flight (the local airport is considered the most modern in the entire Canary archipelago, although it only serves domestic flights), or about 50 minutes - by ferry from Tenerife or Gran Canaria to the island of La Gomera.

El Hierro

The islet of El Hierro is the smallest in the Canary Islands archipelago and the most remote island of the archipelago (located 480 km from the northwestern coast of Africa and 120 km southwest of Tenerife). Because of this, the western coast of the island was long recognized as the “end of the world,” and cartographers mistook El Hierro for the prime meridian (which, as we know, was later “moved” to Greenwich.

The area of ​​El Hierro is only 268.71 km². The highest point is 1501 m above sea level. Population: about 11,000 people. The island of El Hierro, like the entire Canary archipelago, is of volcanic origin. Due to the activity of local underwater volcanoes, earthquakes have frequently occurred on the island since 2011. The underwater volcanoes erupted between October 2011 and March 2012, and for safety reasons, the authorities even evacuated the residents of the village of La Restinha for a short time.

How to choose a resort on El Hierro Island

Most of the coastline of this small mountainous island is made up of almost sheer, bizarre cliffs. There are no beaches with regular light sand or pebbles on El Hierro, there are only a few tiny beaches with black volcanic sand (for example, in La Restinha), as well as natural pools with clear water suitable for swimming.

In addition, the island is very popular among divers - the water off the coast is truly crystal clear.

The capital of El Hierro is the city Valverde, where almost half of the island's total population lives. Most of the hotels are also located there. In addition to Valverde, you can also stay in towns Frontera, La Restinga, in villages Timihirake, Tamaduste, Sabinosa or Isora. One thing to remember is that all of these resorts are not beach resorts, in the traditional sense, they are more of eco-resorts.

Attractions of the island of El Hierro

The most famous historical landmark of the island is the Faro de Orchilla lighthouse - the westernmost lighthouse in Spain, when visiting which you can even receive a certificate of crossing the prime meridian. Otherwise, the main local attractions are stunning nature, unique landscapes, peace and quiet. Due to the lack of full-fledged good beaches, there are usually few tourists on El Hierro, which, you see, in itself is already an advantage of this place.

El Hierro is a unique place with amazing, truly pristine nature. The island is divided into 5 environmental zones protected by UNESCO. In fact, the entire island is a biosphere reserve. The relief of El Hierro is very diverse, with several hundred large craters formed as a result of volcanic activity. For the same reason, a large number of caves and natural tunnels appeared on El Hierro. But at the same time, there are enough dense forests and fertile fields where local residents grow vegetables and fruits. Also, a significant part of the island is occupied by vineyards.

The main natural attraction of El Hierro, thanks to which the island has gained worldwide fame, is its juniper forests. To admire the beauty of the protected park with relict plants, it makes sense to head to the highest point of the island. Along the way, you will have stunning views of the picturesque El Golfo valley. At the highest point of the island - the top of La Dehesa - grows the oldest tree on the island, a real natural treasure of El Hierro. This is a juniper, the tree received the name: “Sabina de El Hierro”. Under the strongest winds, it changed the direction of growth, bent down to the ground and formed an arch with its powerful branches. Located in the West of the island (along the HI-500 highway), near the holy places of Nuestra Señora de los Reyes. A short walk from the parking lot you will see the "Sabina de El Hierro" sign and the tree itself.

La Palma

La Palma is a small, beautiful green island (with an area of ​​only 728 km2), which, like the entire archipelago, is of volcanic origin (some volcanoes are still active, although the last major eruption occurred here in 1971). The coastline of the island of La Palma is mostly rocky, and, just like El Hierro, there are not many convenient beaches here, but it is very beautiful and green (the island is recognized as the greenest of all the islands of the Canary archipelago).

La Palma is an unusually mountainous island. Its highest peak is Peak Roque de los Muchachos– reaches an altitude of 2387 m. The northern part of the island, at an altitude of 500-1500 m above sea level, is covered with cherry laurel forests. Once such forests covered the entire south of Europe, but now they can only be found here. The forested ravines of Cubo de la Galga and Los Tilos are declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. There are numerous hiking routes throughout the reserve. (Alas, in August 2016 there was a severe fire here, caused by a 27-year-old German tourist who “for environmental reasons decided to burn used toilet paper.” The result is sad: about 5 hectares of forest burned. However, fortunately, the fire was managed stop, and there are still many untouched corners left on the island.)

Sights of the island of La Palma

Capital of the island Santa Cruz de La Palma– a cute town with cute narrow streets and ancient buildings. In the city center is the Plaza de Espana, a miniature Plaza of Spain with a stone fountain (1776). On the square there is the Church of the Savior (Iglesia Matriz de El Salvador), built in 1503, with a high bell tower. The ceiling is made in the Mudejar style from the heartwood of pine trees. The church's sacristy houses a collection of magnificent Gothic wood carvings.

On the opposite side of the square you will see Town Hall(Ayuntamiento), built in 1569, with an arcade in the Italian Renaissance style. There is also a fortress towering over the city. Castillo de Santa Catalina, which once served faithfully in protecting Santa Cruz from pirates.
At the end of Calle Real you will find a life-size model of Christopher Columbus's famous ship Santa Maria. There is a maritime museum inside.

To the north of the capital, in the mountains, there is a chapel - a sanctuary of the patroness of the island, the Madonna of the Snows ( Nuestra Señora de las Nieves). The altar in the chapel is made of Mexican silver, and it is in it that the terracotta statue of the Madonna is located. Once every 5 years, Madonna is brought to the capital, Santa Cruz, to participate in the festival La Bajada de la Virgen(The Apparition of Madonna) is a purely Spanish “mix” of religious experiences and general fun and entertainment.

Another holiday takes place in the city of Santa Cruz de la Palma on May 3 - the Day of the Cross, when a nationwide competition of decorated crucifixes is held with fun, with dancing and music.

But La Palma is especially rich in its natural attractions:

Palmitos Park– a huge garden-reserve for butterflies. In addition to butterflies, you can see about 230 species of exotic birds here.

La Caldera de Taburiente National Park (Caldera de Taburiente)

This extraordinary park is essentially a giant crater with a diameter of 8-10 km and a depth of up to 2 km. It was formed, naturally, as a result of powerful volcanic eruptions. In 1954, this place was given the status of a National Park. The park has a huge number of walking routes (climbing some of them requires truly excellent physical shape). In addition to the giant volcanic rocks (up to 10 km in diameter), there is also the “Gorge of Fear” (the height of the walls reaches 2000 m). The park can be easily reached by bus or car from Santa Cruz (8 km).

Pico de la Cruz is one of the highest peaks in the park. The ascent to it can be completed in 4-5 hours. Roque de los Muchachos is a trail that runs along the highest peaks and offers breathtaking views of the crater. At the very top of Mount Muchachos, at an altitude of 2400 m, the highest observation deck on the island has recently opened. This site is part of the popular tourist route Espigon del Roque de los Muchachos. Roque de los Muchachos is also home to the International Astrophysical Observatory, opened in 1985, which houses Europe's largest telescope. And from the bottom of the crater rises an 800-meter stone spire - Idafe Rock. Legend has it that there was a Guanche altar on which sacrifices were made. But not everything is so scary in this park: there are quite simple and short routes, for example, the Lomo de las Chosas trail.

Los Tilos (Los Tilos)

It is in this park that you can see what people mainly come to the island of La Palma for: on the rocky walls of the Barranco del Agua gorge there is the largest site of ancient laurel forest on the island - laurisilva. In 1983, Los Tilos was declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO.

This small National Park, with an area of ​​only 5 km2, has several hiking trails. One of them leads to the Mirador Las Barrandas observation deck. The longer (6 km) and more challenging route, with steep climbs, leads northwest to the Caldera de Marcos y Cordero, where you can enjoy beautiful views of the waterfalls.

La Zarsa (La Sarsa)

In the archaeological site of La Zarza, evidence of the existence of the ancient inhabitants of the island - the Benajoares - was discovered. Evidence of their existence that attracts tourists is the bizarre symbols carved on the rocks (petroglyphs), which can be seen in the areas of Roque Faro, Don Pedro and Juan Adalid. These writings consist mainly of spirals, linear figures and circles, and their meaning is not understood to this day. The most common designs on postcards and other local souvenirs are those whose style is strongly reminiscent of the Aztecs - this is an image of a man and an abstract figure of a woman with the head of an insect.

There is a tourist information center in the excavation area, which houses a museum. The museum's exposition is dedicated to the life of the ancient Benajoares people. From the 20-minute film you will learn a lot that archaeologists have discovered about the medicine, nutrition and funeral rituals of these people.

For divers La Palma has a very exotic attraction: Las Cruces de Malpique (Las Cruces de Malpique)

Not far from the southernmost point of the island of La Palma, at a depth of 25 meters in the Atlantic Ocean, there is a unique underwater cemetery. The story goes: in 1570, a ship carrying 40 Jesuit monks was attacked by pirates. The captain of the ship invited the monks to take up arms and defend themselves, together with the entire crew. But they refused to kill, preferring to humbly pray for salvation and help the wounded.

The ship ended up in the hands of Protestant pirates, who demanded that the brethren renounce the Catholic faith. But the Jesuits preferred death to apostasy. Local residents installed 40 stone crosses at the bottom of the ocean, at the site of the heroic death of the monks, in memory of their feat.

At the end of the 20th century, UNESCO included this memorial complex in the list of natural reserves (i.e. places that clearly demonstrate the harmonious interaction of man with nature). Every year this mystical place attracts thousands of diving enthusiasts, but only the luckiest ones get to see the burial with their own eyes, because diving to 25 meters in this place is only possible in clear and windless weather.

How to get there: Las Cruces de Malpique is located at the very beginning of the Costa el Faro highway, not far from the famous Fuencaliente Lighthouse (Salinas de Fuencaliente, or, in English, Lighthouse Fuencaliente), built at the southernmost point of the island.

Resorts and beaches of La Palma island

Despite the fact that the coast of the island of La Palma is rocky and there are not too many beaches here, several amazingly beautiful beaches can still be found here:

1. Puerto Naos– black sand, an abundance of palm trees and developed infrastructure;
2. Tazacorte– black sand, clear water and an abundance of fish restaurants;
3. Charco Verde– a small beach with black volcanic sand, surrounded by picturesque cliffs; ideal for a leisurely day;
4. Los Cancajos– the best place on the island for lovers of diving and snorkeling. Small secluded bays, a separate pond for children and clear water are the main advantages of this beach;
5. Playa Nueva– there are constant waves here, so the beach is popular with surfers;
6. Las Monjas– official nudist beach, located 1.5 km from Puerto Naos.

The island of La Palma has excellent opportunities for all water sports and hiking. In the capital of the island, the city Santa Cruz de La Palma, there is a yacht club, as well as a famous sports fishing club - La Gaviota.

Puerto de Naos- the largest and most popular resort on the island with stunningly beautiful black sand beaches. Nearby is the village of San Nicolas, buried in 1949 as a result of the eruption of the Nambroque volcano. Now, among the frozen lava fields, only a lonely church rises here.

Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura is the second largest island of the Canary archipelago (after Tenerife). Its maximum length is 100 km, width – 25 km, area – 1660 km 2. It is called the island of sun and tranquility, although Fuerteventura owes its name to the wind that almost never ceases here (in Spanish “fuerte” - strong, “el vento” - wind). This island is considered to be the oldest of all in the Canary archipelago, formed, like its neighbors, as a result of volcanic eruptions many millennia ago.

Initially, Fuerteventura was covered with dense forests, like its neighboring islands, but these forests fell victim to the archipelago's turbulent naval past - in other words, they were used for the construction of ships. Now the landscape of the island is quite deserted. But, unlike Lanzarote and Tenerife, some of the beaches in Fuerteventura are covered not with black volcanic sand, but with golden sand.

There are no noisy nightclubs and discos in Fuerteventura; relaxation here is quiet and secluded, family-friendly; The island is also loved as a holiday destination by surfers from all over the world.

Sights of the island of Fuerteventura

There are, of course, not as many historical attractions and amusement parks in Fuerteventura as, for example, in neighboring Tenerife and Gran Canaria - the local attractions are mainly natural. However, you won’t be bored on your holiday in Fuerteventura.

Oasis Park (Oasis Park)

– the largest amusement park on the island (with an area of ​​about 800,000 m2). In fact, this is a huge zoo, which has a dolphinarium and a lot of other entertainment for tourists, such as a camel safari in the park, etc.

Walking along the shady alleys and various recreation areas of this park, you will meet on your way more than 6,800 species of plants and animals brought from all over the world.

Rare birds (living not in cages, but almost in a natural environment), giant reptiles, monkeys and lemurs, kangaroos, hippos, giraffes, cheetahs, ... - in such an environment, complete immersion in the atmosphere of a real African savannah is guaranteed! Special areas of the park - a camel farm, an antelope valley, an elephant trail, a dolphinarium with a daily sea lion show - will not leave anyone indifferent. The park also has a good selection of restaurants and cafes, so you could easily spend a whole day there.

Prices and opening hours of Oasis Park – at official website

Aqua Water Park

A water park in the Corralejo area with a lot of water activities for children and adults. A pleasant place with free parking, free sun loungers and opportunities for both active recreation (slides and other attractions) and not so much (lazy river, jacuzzi area, relaxation area, area for the youngest visitors, etc.)

Check the opening hours and entrance ticket prices on the official website.

Village of Betancuria

The most beautiful village on the island of Fuerteventura, with a rich historical past, the village of Betancuria was founded in 1404 and received its name in honor of the conqueror of the island, Jean de Betancourt.

Betancuria was well protected from pirate raids, but in 1593, a Berber bandit named Haban de Arraez finally reached this city and destroyed all the buildings of Betancuria, including the Church of Santa Maria. The church was rebuilt in 1620, and Betancuria continued to serve as the capital of the island until 1834.

Today in the village of Betancuria you can admire the picturesque ruins of an ancient monastery and the “devil's hollow” (Pozo del Diablo) located next to them. According to legend, local heroes managed to chain the Devil to a rock and force him to break out and carry stones to build the monastery walls.

The exhibition of the city Archaeological Museum is dedicated to the life and rituals of the Machos - this is the local, Fuerteventuran, name of the Guanche people.

"American Star"

The luxury cruise liner, launched in 1940, was converted for the needs of the US Navy during the Second World War and took an active part in sea convoys.

Since 1946, American Star again began operating transatlantic flights as a passenger ship. In December 1993, the ship was decommissioned and planned to be used in Thailand as a floating hotel. However, unable to withstand the storms, the American Star was thrown aground off the west coast of Fuerteventura and broke into two parts.

Today, tourists specially come to the coast near the Playa de Garcey beach (otherwise unremarkable) to take pictures against the backdrop of the bow of the liner, or rather, its skeleton.

Yes, the sights are not what most tourists come to Fuerteventura for, however, there are plenty of opportunities for entertainment and a busy holiday, for example:

• Deep sea fishing(fishing boats depart from the ports of Corralejo and Morro Jable).
• Boat trips(from Corralejo - on the glass-bottomed catamarans "Celia Cruz" and "Blue Delfin" or on the sailing catamaran "Catlanza", the captain of which, on the way to the island of Lanzarote, will kindly allow you to “steer”; or on a yacht chartered just for your trip).

Pleasure boats also depart from the port of Morro Jable on the Jandia Peninsula, but the choice of boats and route options here is significantly less.

Detailed information on the websites:

• Diving

Due to cold currents, there are no coral reefs off the coast of the Canaries, and the fauna of the Atlantic Ocean is not as diverse as in warm tropical seas. However, diving enthusiasts here will still be able to get a lot of impressions from observing underwater caves, volcanic landscapes and the unique spirit of the ocean.

Diving is indeed very popular in Fuerteventura, and you can find a diving center in almost any popular tourist area of ​​the island.

Detailed information on the websites of diving centers:

• Windsurfing and kitesurfing in Fuerteventura

Thanks to the incessantly strong wind here, surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing are the most common sports in Fuerteventura. Add to this the year-round beach season, and as a result, Fuerteventura is now the most popular place in Europe to practice this sport. Every year, tens of thousands of professionals and amateurs of various types of surfing flock here to hone their skills, and in the summer even the World Championships are held here.

The largest windsurfing center not only on the island, but throughout the world is called “Pro Center Rene Egli” and is located on Sotavento beach, next to the Sol Gorriones hotel. Visitors to this center have about 450 boards and 1000 sails at their disposal.

And there are several more windsurfing centers in different parts of the island of Fuerteventura.

Detailed information is available on the websites:

Winter's Mysterious House

During the Second World War, in which, as is known, Spain formally maintained neutrality, the Jandia Peninsula was a closed area where, according to guesses and assumptions, a top-secret German submarine base was located.

Speculation began to appear not unfounded: in 1939, all local residents were evicted from the peninsula, and on April 28, 1941, a notary in Madrid registered an agreement for the sale of the Jandia Peninsula to the company “Dehesa de Jandia S.A.” under the management of the German engineer and industrialist Gustav Winter.

On Cofete Beach, in the most secluded place of the peninsula, Winter built a villa in which he lived with his family until old age. Legends and speculation still hover over this villa. Historians claim that in caves among the rocks, which could only be reached from under water, German submarines “sat out” between campaigns, and Winter’s house is just a “surface”, very small, part of the iceberg. It is known for certain that there were underground passages under Winter’s villa, the entrances to which were walled up during the reconstruction of the villa in 1985. One of these tunnels, according to Gustav Winter's son, connected Cofete Beach with the village of Morro Jable. Today, rumors about Nazi treasures hidden here “until better times” haunt many treasure hunters.

How to choose a resort on the island of Fuerteventura

The main resorts of the island of Fuerteventura are located on the Jandia Peninsula (in the south of the island) Costa Calma, Morro del Jable and Playa Matorral, as well as Corralejo (or Playa de Corralejo) and Caleta del Fuste. Each resort has its own characteristics.

Peninsula Jandia famous for its stunning white sandy beaches. Also, this is where the highest point of Fuerteventura is located - the 807-meter Pico de Zarza, a peak from which stunning views of the island open. Tourists come to Jandia for a calm and peaceful holiday in nature, without noise and fuss. Jandia and the towns on this peninsula are the most popular tourist destinations on the island of Fuerteventura.

Costa Calma (Costa Calma) – a resort popular among windsurfers, who are especially numerous here from March to October. This is the greenest resort on the island, with truly lush vegetation. The thickets of palm trees and other plants in Costa Calma are especially striking in contrast to the desert landscapes of other Jandia resorts. From the town of Costa Calma begins the many kilometers and almost deserted coast of Sotavento - the longest beach line in all of Fuerteventura. This resort is especially popular among German tourists.

Morro del Jable (Morro del Jable) – near this town the many kilometers of beach coast of Sotavento ends, and at the western borders of the resort the coast is already rocky. Morro del Jable has a beautifully preserved historic resort center with charming houses and a picturesque port. On the waterfront, in countless restaurants you can try a variety of dishes made from freshly caught fish.

Playa del Mattoral (Playa del Mattoral) – here you will find an amazing, wide and clean snow-white beach, stretching for 12 km. This beach receives the Blue Flag award year after year. The Playa del Mattornal resort itself is much larger in size than the neighboring Costa Calma: there are more entertainment options, hotels, restaurants and cafes.

Corralejo, or Playa de Corralejo is one of the largest resorts on the island of Fuerteventura, but this does not prevent the residents of the town from leading a calm, measured lifestyle and maintaining the lifestyle and atmosphere of a tiny provincial town. At the same time, Corralejo is considered a more modern and party resort than Jandia. A large number of people always relax on the coast of the city (mostly English, in contrast to the resorts of Jandia, which are completely “occupied” by German tourists). The most attractive for tourists is the southern part of Corralejo, where there is a stunning 10-kilometer beach. The distance from Corralejo to Fuerteventura Airport is 70 km.

Castillo Caleta de Fuste, often referred to simply as El Castillo, is located just 9 km from the only airport on the island. It is this convenient location that, first of all, determines the popularity of the resort among tourists. The beaches of Caleta de Fuste are mostly rocky. But within the resort town itself there is an artificial sandy beach, perfectly protected from the waves by the shores of the bay.

In all the resort towns and villages of the island of Fuerteventura, diving clubs with diving schools and windsurfing schools are organized: this place was literally created for practicing these sports. Also in Fuerteventura you can have plenty of golf on courses specially equipped for this game. In addition, an underwater photo and video photography competition is organized on the island every year.

How to get to Fuerteventura island

You can get to Fuerteventura by plane from Barcelona, ​​Madrid, or from the island of Tenerife, which has air connections with Russia. There are ferry and air connections between Fuerteventura and the other Canary Islands. It is convenient to get around the island by bus, taxi or rent a car.

Lanzarote

Lanzarote- the fourth largest island of the archipelago. Lanzarote is the most unusual of all the islands of the Canary archipelago: it is an island-reserve of volcanoes. There are about 300 volcanoes on its territory, for which the island received the name “island of fire-breathing mountains.” In 1730, an almost simultaneous eruption of 30 volcanoes began here. It lasted 6 years. Since then, approximately 30% of the island's surface has been covered with volcanic ash and hardened lava. Because of this, the plants seem to grow directly from dry soil. The landscapes here are more Martian than typical island: bright colors of the earth (or rather, lava) and absolutely no signs of life.

Entertainment and attractions in Lanzarote

Located in the western part of Lanzarote Timanfaya National Park- this is where the volcanoes are located, which once so dramatically and forever changed the appearance of this island. Tourists travel around the famous hardened lava field “Fire Mountains” by bus. Even so, you can easily feel the heat emanating from the depths of the earth, because already a few centimeters from the surface the temperature reaches +350°C.

The territory of the Timanfaya Nature Reserve is especially protected, so walking on the solidified lava is not allowed here.

In the northeast of the island there is a massif La Corona, where, under the vast lava fields of the Corona volcano, there are unique volcanic pipes Los Jameos del Agua And volcanic cave Cueva de Los Verdes. Cueva de los Verdes is the largest volcanic cave in the world, 6 km deep. Some of its halls reach 15 meters in height and 24 meters in width, and thanks to the excellent natural acoustics, they were able to equip a unique concert hall inside. Attending a concert in this cave is almost a must for any self-respecting traveler who gets to Lanzarote!

In the coastal area of ​​Los Ervideros, where lava intricately merges with the sea, there is the amazing green crater El Golfo.

Connoisseurs of ancient architecture will love the fortress. Castillo de San Jose- an impressive fortification built in 1779 on a high basalt ledge to protect the entrance to the port of Lanzarote. Inside the fortress is the Museum of Contemporary Art (MIAC), which houses a rich collection of paintings and sculptures of the 50-70s of the twentieth century, in the style of abstract art, as well as works by the great founder of the museum, Cesar Manrique, who was friends with Picasso and Miró.

In the north of the island there is a beautiful " Valley of a Thousand Palms", visiting which you will get an idea of ​​what the landscape of the island was like before the volcanic eruptions. The northern part of Lanzarote is separated by a narrow, 1.5-kilometer strait from the tiny island of La Graciosa, where, according to legend, pirates hid looted treasures.

Once on Lancerote, it is also worth visiting:

• Rocks of Tamar. In the northwestern part of the island, a beach of golden sand stretches for 5 kilometers - Playa de Famara. The beach is located within the Chinijo Archipelago Natural Park, between the maritime settlement of La Caleta de Famara and the base of the impressive Famara Rock. It is especially beautiful here at low tide: the sky and rock are reflected in the water, which covers the wide one in a thin layer, like in a mirror. If you are lucky enough to watch the low tide here at sunset, you will be able to enjoy one of the most beautiful landscapes of the Canary archipelago, with the island of Graciosa visible on the horizon.
• cactus garden(the creation of landscape architecture by the same Cesar Manrique);
• Mirador del Rio observation deck, which offers stunning views of the neighboring Chinijo archipelago.
• Volcanic cave complex Jameos del Agua- like the Mirador del Rio observation deck, was created by the most famous resident of Lanzarote, the restless Cesar Manrique. This unique complex includes, for example, a small bar overlooking the lake, a water grotto with a lake (which serves as a haven for small blind albino crabs), a huge cave with tropical plants and a swimming pool (swimming in this pool is strictly prohibited, but, they say, the king of Spain once did this) and a cave-concert hall for 600 people. Jameos del Agua, like the Cueva de los Verdes cave, is part of a 6-kilometer lava tube formed during the eruption of the Montaña La Corona volcano about 4,000 years ago. Cesar Manrique sought to combine art and nature in his native Lanzarote and create unique attractions, contrasting them with popular water parks, amusement parks and standard, tourist-trodden resorts. And, I must admit, he succeeded quite well.
• In the town Salinas de Janubio, in the southwest of Lanzarote, there are salt marshes - a habitat for small shrimp. Numerous flocks of pink flamingos flock here to feast on seafood - an amazing sight, simply a fantastic landscape!

How to choose a resort on Lanzarote

The best beaches of the island, with clear water and white sand, stretch along the southern coast of Lanzarote, in the bay Papagayo (Playa de Papagayo). But getting to this bay is quite difficult, perhaps that is why the beaches have not lost their pristine beauty.

In the southeastern part of Lanzarote are the oldest resorts of the island: Puerto del Carmen (Puerto del Carmen) and Costa Teguise (Costa Teguise) . The constant winds blowing here have made them favorite resorts for windsurfers. But just relaxing on the beach here is unlikely to be comfortable (due to the same rather strong winds). Costa Teguise is literally a 15-minute drive from the airport.

Playa Blanca Resort(PlayaBlanca) - relatively young, but already now it can boast of excellent service, as well as very beautiful beaches that are easily accessible to tourists. This resort is perfect for families with children. Off the coast of Playa Blanca, at a depth of 12 meters, is the first underwater museum in Europe. About 300 human-height sculptures standing on the seabed are available for inspection here. The author of all these creations is British sculptor Jason Taylor. The exposition is available for inspection by divers and free divers, and other curious people can look at the sculptural exposition from a special vessel with a glass bottom.

Restaurants with cuisine from a variety of nations and regions of the world are abundant in Lanzarote: Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Caribbean, Mexican, Indian, etc. As a result, even real gourmets will be able to find many noteworthy places here.

(mainland)

Excursions from the Costa Brava

Monastery of Montserrat

Girona

: 28°32′11″ n. w. 15°43′17″ W d. /  28.53639° N. w. 15.72139° W d. / 28.53639; -15.72139(G) (I)

Etymology

According to another version, sea dogs were called “dogs” (lat. canis marinus) or sea lions, which previously had large colonies on the islands.

It is also possible that the indigenous population of the archipelago, the Guanches, considered dogs to be sacred animals. It is possible that there is a relationship between the Egyptian cult of the deity Anubis with the head of a dog and the Canarian dog worship.

Ancient Roman sources also contain a version of the name of the islands based on the Berber tribes living in Morocco.

Geography

The archipelago consists of seven large inhabited islands and several small ones. In the center is the largest island - Tenerife (2057 km²), Tenerife is the largest and most densely populated island. To the west are the islands of La Gomera (378 km²), Hierro (277 km²) and Palma (708 km²). The island of Gran Canaria is located east of Tenerife. It is the third largest island of the archipelago (1532 km²). Further east are Fuerteventura (1659 km²) and Lanzarote (795 km²). Of the six small islands, only Graciosa Island (27 km²) is inhabited by people. To the east are the islands of Alegranza (10 km²), Montaña Clara (1 km²), Lobos (6 km²), Roque del Oeste and Roque del Este. There are 13 islands in total.

Geographically, the archipelago is part of Macaronesia, a group of volcanic islands along with the Azores, Cape Verde Islands, Madeira and Selvagenes.

Climate

The climate of the Canary Islands is tropical trade wind, moderately hot and dry, it is determined by:

1. It is close to Africa (the Sahara Desert), which is why the Shergi (Sirocco) wind blows here in waves, bringing heat and sand. The eastern islands are drier;
2. Constant trade winds blowing from the northeast. They carry moisture and soften the influence of Africa;
3. The influence of the Atlantic Ocean, the cold Canary Current, and the presence of a permanent anticyclone over the Azores softens the climate. It should be noted that due to the current there is less precipitation on the islands, but it is not hot on the coastal beaches;
4. These islands are mountainous, so the climate and weather are also affected by altitude and topography. This is especially noticeable on Tenerife, Palma, Gran Canaria - the highest islands of the archipelago. They are said to be “continents in miniature”: the climate varies dramatically from sea level on the coast, where the temperature even in winter rarely deviates from 20 ° C, to 2000 m altitude, rising to which you can see snow, sometimes even in summer;
5. The entire archipelago is characterized by significant differences in climate and weather between north and south - the northern islands are greener and wetter, the southern islands are drier.

In general, the islands are characterized by an extremely uniform temperature distribution. Most days the weather is warm, sunny, dry, the water temperature is constant all year round, does not fall below 20 °C, on the coast the air temperature rarely drops below 10 °C and rarely rises above 25 °C in winter, while in summer the temperature is rarely lower 20 °C, but often exceeds 30 °C.

Story

Before Europeans arrived on the islands, they were inhabited by Guanche tribes. Their development was at the level of the Stone Age, they were engaged in cattle breeding and primitive agriculture. Animal skins were used as clothing. They knew how to mummify their leaders. They left behind the Guimar pyramids - an amazing monument of megalithic architecture.

In Antiquity, the Canary Islands were visited by the Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians, as mentioned by Pliny the Elder.

Provinces	Adm. center	Population, people (2011)	Square, km²	Municipalities	Qty municipalities
Santa Cruz de Tenerife	Santa Cruz de Tenerife	995 429	3381	Santa Cruz de Tenerife, San Cristobal de la Laguna, Arona, Adeje, La Orotava, Granadilla de Abona, Los Realejos, Puerto de la Cruz, Candelaria, Icod de Los Vinos, Tacoronte, Los Llanos de Aridane, Guia de Isora, Guimar, El Rosario, San Miguel de Abona, Santa Cruz de la Palma, Santa Ursula, Santiago del Teide, Tegueste, San Sebastian de la Gomera, El Sauzal, La Victoria de Acentejo, La Matanza de Acentejo, Arico, El Paso, Breña Alta, Tazacorte, Arafo, La Guancha, Garachico, Breña Baja, Los Silos, Buenavista del Norte, Valle Gran Rey, San Juan de la Rambla, Valverde, Villa de Maso, San Andrés y Sauces, Frontera, Vallehermoso, El Tanque, Fasnia, Tijarafe, Puntallana, Barlovento, Hermigua, Puntagorda, Alajero, Fuencaliente de la Palma, Vilaflor, El Pinar de el Hierro, Garafia, Agulo
Las Palmas	Las Palmas de Gran Canaria	1 087 225	4066	Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Telde, Santa Lucia de Tirajana, Arrecife, San Bartolome de Tirajana, Arucas, Puerto del Rosario, Ingenio, Aguimes, Galdar, Mogan, La Oliva, Pajara, Teguise, Tias, Santa Brijida, San Bartolome, Yaiza, Santa Maria de Guia de Gran Canaria, Tuineje, Teror, Antigua, Valsequillo de Gran Canaria, La Aldea de San Nicolas, Moya, Vega de San Mateo, Firgas, Agaete, Tinajo, Aria, Valleseco, Tejeda, Artenara, Betancuria

Population

The inhabitants are descendants of marriages between the Spaniards and the ancient indigenous population, the Guanches (proto-Berber population), although there is a significant preponderance in favor of the Spaniards:

Total population: 2,111,013 people

Cities with more than 10 thousand inhabitants as of January 1, 2005

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 378,6 Candelaria 20,6 Santa Cruz de Tenerife 221,6 Los Llanos de Aridane 19,9 San Cristobal de La Laguna 141,6 Santa Brijida 18,8 Telde 96,5 Guia de Isora 18,7 Arona 65,6 Plowman 18,2 Santa Lucia de Tirajana 56,3 Santa Cruz de la Palma 17,8 Arrecife 53,9 San Bartolome 17,5 San Bartolome de Tirajana 46,4 La Oliva 17,3 La Orotava 40,4 Tias 16,9 Los Realejos 36,2 Guimar 16,5 Arucas 34,2 El Rosario 16,0 Adeje 33,7 Mogan 16,0 Granadilla de Abona 33,2 Teguise 15,8 Puerto de la Cruz 30,6 Santa Maria de Guia 14,1 Puerto del Rosario 30,4 Santa Ursula 12,6 Ingenio 27,3 Tuinehe 12,5 Aguimes 25,5 Terror 12,2 Icod de los Vinos 24,3 San Miguel de Abona 11,7 Galdar 23,2 Santiago del Teide 11,2 Tacoronte 22,3 Tegeste 10,3

The problem of illegal immigration

In recent decades, the Canary Islands have gradually become a transit point for people from West African countries (Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Mali, Gambia, Senegal, etc.) trying to move from their countries to Spain or other countries of the European Union. Many die at sea before reaching land in their homemade boats or rafts. The islands have special relief camps for refugees, including specialized facilities for children, whose number among illegal immigrants is constantly increasing due to the fact that Spanish laws prohibit the deportation of persons under 18 years of age.

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Literature

• Knipovich N. M.// Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg. , 1890-1907.
• Bolshakov A. A. Behind the Pillars of Hercules. Canary Islands. - M.: Science, 1988.

Notes

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Excerpt describing the Canary Islands

– So, did our militias really benefit the state? No! They just ruined our farms. It’s better to have another set... otherwise neither a soldier nor a man will return to you, and only one debauchery. The nobles do not spare their belly, we ourselves will all go, take another recruit, and all of us just call the goose call (that’s how the sovereign pronounced it), we will all die for him,” the speaker added with animation.
Ilya Andreich swallowed his drool with pleasure and pushed Pierre, but Pierre also wanted to talk. He stepped forward, feeling animated, not yet knowing why and not yet knowing what he would say. He had just opened his mouth to speak when one senator, completely without teeth, with an intelligent and angry face, standing close to the speaker, interrupted Pierre. With a visible habit of leading debates and holding questions, he spoke quietly, but audibly:
“I believe, my dear sir,” said the senator, muttering his toothless mouth, “that we are not called here to discuss what is more convenient for the state at the present moment - recruitment or militia.” We are called to respond to the appeal with which the Emperor has honored us. And we will leave it to the highest authorities to judge what is more convenient - recruitment or militia...
Pierre suddenly found an outcome to his animation. He became bitter against the senator, who introduced this correctness and narrowness of views into the upcoming occupations of the nobility. Pierre stepped forward and stopped him. He himself did not know what he would say, but he began animatedly, occasionally bursting into French words and expressing himself bookishly in Russian.
“Excuse me, Your Excellency,” he began (Pierre was well acquainted with this senator, but considered it necessary to address him here officially), “although I do not agree with Mr.... (Pierre paused. He wanted to say mon tres honorable preopinant), [my dear opponent,] - with Mr.... que je n"ai pas L"honneur de connaitre; [whom I do not have the honor to know] but I believe that the class of nobility, in addition to expressing its sympathy and admiration, is also called upon to discuss the measures by which we can help the fatherland. I believe,” he said, inspired, “that the sovereign himself would be dissatisfied if he found in us only the owners of the peasants whom we give to him, and ... the chair a canon [fodder for guns] that we make of ourselves, but I wouldn’t find any co…co… advice in us.
Many moved away from the circle, noticing the senator’s contemptuous smile and the fact that Pierre spoke freely; only Ilya Andreich was pleased with Pierre’s speech, just as he was pleased with the speech of the sailor, the senator, and in general always with the speech that he last heard.
“I believe that before discussing these issues,” Pierre continued, “we must ask the sovereign, most respectfully ask His Majesty to communicate to us, how many troops we have, what is the situation of our troops and armies, and then...”
But Pierre did not have time to finish these words when he was suddenly attacked from three sides. The one who attacked him the most was a Boston player who had known him for a long time and was always well disposed toward him, Stepan Stepanovich Apraksin. Stepan Stepanovich was in his uniform, and, whether because of the uniform or for other reasons, Pierre saw a completely different person in front of him. Stepan Stepanovich, with senile anger suddenly appearing on his face, shouted at Pierre:
- Firstly, I will report to you that we do not have the right to ask the sovereign about this, and secondly, if the Russian nobility had such a right, then the sovereign cannot answer us. Troops move in accordance with the movements of the enemy - troops depart and arrive...
Another voice came from a man of average height, about forty years old, whom Pierre had seen in the old days among the gypsies and knew to be a bad card player, and who, also changed in uniform, moved closer to Pierre and interrupted Apraksin.
“And this is not the time to speculate,” said the voice of this nobleman, “but we need to act: the war is in Russia.” Our enemy is coming to destroy Russia, to desecrate the graves of our fathers, to take away their wives and children. – The nobleman hit himself in the chest. “We will all get up, we will all go, all for the Tsar Father!” - he shouted, rolling his bloodshot eyes. Several approving voices were heard from the crowd. “We are Russians and will not spare our blood to defend the faith, the throne and the fatherland. But we must leave nonsense if we are sons of the fatherland. “We will show Europe how Russia is rising up for Russia,” the nobleman shouted.
Pierre wanted to object, but could not say a word. He felt that the sound of his words, no matter what thought they contained, was less audible than the sound of the words of an animated nobleman.
Ilya Andreich approved from behind the circle; some smartly turned their shoulders to the speaker at the end of the phrase and said:
- That's it, that's it! This is true!
Pierre wanted to say that he was not averse to donating money, men, or himself, but that he would have to know the state of affairs in order to help him, but he could not speak. Many voices shouted and spoke together, so that Ilya Andreich did not have time to nod to everyone; and the group grew larger, broke up, came together again and all moved, buzzing with conversation, into the large hall, towards the large table. Not only was Pierre unable to speak, but he was rudely interrupted, pushed away, and turned away from him as if from a common enemy. This did not happen because they were dissatisfied with the meaning of his speech - it was forgotten after a large number of speeches that followed it - but in order to animate the crowd it was necessary to have a tangible object of love and a tangible object of hatred. Pierre was the last. Many speakers spoke after the animated nobleman, and everyone spoke in the same tone. Many spoke beautifully and originally.
The publisher of the Russian Bulletin, Glinka, who was recognized (“a writer, a writer!” was heard in the crowd), said that hell should reflect hell, that he saw a child smiling in the flash of lightning and the rumble of thunder, but that we will not be this child.
- Yes, yes, with thunder! – they repeated approvingly in the back rows.
The crowd approached a large table, at which, in uniforms, in ribbons, gray-haired, bald, seventy-year-old noblemen sat, almost all of whom Pierre had seen in their homes with jesters and in clubs outside Boston. The crowd approached the table, still buzzing. One after another, and sometimes two together, pressed from behind to the high backs of chairs by the overlapping crowd, the speakers spoke. Those standing behind noticed what the speaker had not said and were in a hurry to say what was missed. Others, in this heat and cramped space, rummaged in their heads to see if there was any thought, and hurried to say it. The old noblemen familiar to Pierre sat and looked back at this one, then at the other, and the expression of most of them only said that they were very hot. Pierre, however, felt excited, and the general feeling of the desire to show that we didn’t care, expressed more in sounds and facial expressions than in the meaning of speeches, was communicated to him. He did not renounce his thoughts, but he felt guilty of something and wanted to justify himself.
“I only said that it would be more convenient for us to make donations when we know what the need is,” he said, trying to shout over other voices.
One of the nearest old men looked back at him, but was immediately distracted by a scream that began on the other side of the table.
- Yes, Moscow will be surrendered! She will be the redeemer! - one shouted.
– He is the enemy of humanity! - shouted another. - Let me speak... Gentlemen, you are pushing me...

At this time, with quick steps in front of the parting crowd of nobles, in a general's uniform, with a ribbon over his shoulder, with his protruding chin and quick eyes, Count Rostopchin entered.
“The Emperor will be here now,” said Rostopchin, “I just came from there.” I believe that in the position we find ourselves in, there is not much to judge. The Emperor deigned to gather us and the merchants,” said Count Rastopchin. “Millions will flow from there (he pointed to the hall of merchants), and our job is to field a militia and not spare ourselves... This is the least we can do!”
Meetings began between some nobles sitting at the table. The entire meeting was more than quiet. It even seemed sad when, after all the previous noise, old voices were heard one by one, saying one: “I agree,” the other, for variety, “I am of the same opinion,” etc.
The secretary was ordered to write a decree of the Moscow nobility stating that Muscovites, like Smolensk residents, donate ten people per thousand and full uniforms. The gentlemen who were sitting stood up, as if relieved, rattled their chairs and walked around the hall to stretch their legs, taking someone by the arm and talking.
- Sovereign! Sovereign! - suddenly echoed through the halls, and the entire crowd rushed to the exit.
Along a wide passage, between the wall of nobles, the sovereign walked into the hall. All faces expressed respectful and frightened curiosity. Pierre stood quite far away and could not fully hear the sovereign’s speeches. He understood only from what he heard that the sovereign was talking about the danger in which the state was, and about the hopes that he placed in the Moscow nobility. Another voice answered the sovereign, reporting about the decree of the nobility that had just taken place.
- Gentlemen! - said the sovereign’s trembling voice; the crowd rustled and fell silent again, and Pierre clearly heard the sovereign’s so pleasantly human and touched voice, which said: “I have never doubted the zeal of the Russian nobility.” But on this day it exceeded my expectations. I thank you on behalf of the fatherland. Gentlemen, let's act - time is most valuable...
The Emperor fell silent, the crowd began to crowd around him, and enthusiastic exclamations were heard from all sides.
“Yes, the most precious thing is... the royal word,” said the sobbing voice of Ilya Andreich from behind, who heard nothing, but understood everything in his own way.
From the hall of the nobility the sovereign went into the hall of the merchants. He stayed there for about ten minutes. Pierre, among others, saw the sovereign leaving the merchants' hall with tears of tenderness in his eyes. As they later learned, the sovereign had just begun his speech to the merchants when tears flowed from his eyes, and he finished it in a trembling voice. When Pierre saw the sovereign, he went out, accompanied by two merchants. One was familiar to Pierre, a fat tax farmer, the other was a head, with a thin, narrow beard, yellow face. They both cried. The thin man had tears in his eyes, but the fat farmer wept like a child and kept repeating:
- Take life and property, Your Majesty!
Pierre no longer felt anything at that moment except the desire to show that he didn’t care about anything and that he was ready to sacrifice everything. His speech with a constitutional direction appeared to him as a reproach; he was looking for an opportunity to make amends for it. Having learned that Count Mamonov was donating the regiment, Bezukhov immediately announced to Count Rostopchin that he was giving up a thousand people and their contents.
Old man Rostov could not tell his wife what had happened without tears, and he immediately agreed to Petya’s request and went to record it himself.
The next day the sovereign left. All the assembled nobles took off their uniforms, again settled in their houses and clubs and, grunting, gave orders to the managers about the militia, and were surprised at what they had done.

Napoleon started the war with Russia because he could not help but come to Dresden, could not help but be overwhelmed by honors, could not help but put on a Polish uniform, could not succumb to the enterprising impression of a June morning, could not refrain from an outburst of anger in the presence of Kurakin and then Balashev.
Alexander refused all negotiations because he personally felt insulted. Barclay de Tolly tried to manage the army in the best possible way in order to fulfill his duty and earn the glory of a great commander. Rostov galloped to attack the French because he could not resist the desire to gallop across a flat field. And so exactly, due to their personal properties, habits, conditions and goals, all those innumerable persons who took part in this war acted. They were afraid, they were conceited, they rejoiced, they were indignant, they reasoned, believing that they knew what they were doing and that they were doing it for themselves, and all were involuntary instruments of history and carried out work hidden from them, but understandable to us. This is the unchangeable fate of all practical figures, and the higher they stand in the human hierarchy, the more free they are.
Now the figures of 1812 have long since left their places, their personal interests have disappeared without a trace, and only the historical results of that time are before us.
But let’s assume that the people of Europe, under the leadership of Napoleon, had to go deep into Russia and die there, and all the self-contradictory, senseless, cruel activities of the people participating in this war become clear to us.
Providence forced all these people, striving to achieve their personal goals, to contribute to the fulfillment of one huge result, about which not a single person (neither Napoleon, nor Alexander, nor even less any of the participants in the war) had the slightest aspiration.
Now it is clear to us what was the cause of the death of the French army in 1812. No one will argue that the reason for the death of Napoleon’s French troops was, on the one hand, their entry at a late time without preparation for a winter campaign deep into Russia, and on the other hand, the nature that the war took on from the burning of Russian cities and the incitement of hatred towards the enemy in the Russian people. But then not only did no one foresee that (which now seems obvious) that only in this way could the army of eight hundred thousand, the best in the world and led by the best commander, die in a clash with the Russian army, which was twice as weak, inexperienced and led by inexperienced commanders; not only did no one foresee this, but all efforts on the part of the Russians were constantly aimed at preventing the fact that only one could save Russia, and on the part of the French, despite the experience and so-called military genius of Napoleon, all efforts were directed towards this to stretch out to Moscow at the end of summer, that is, to do the very thing that should have destroyed them.
In historical works about 1812, French authors are very fond of talking about how Napoleon felt the danger of stretching his line, how he was looking for a battle, how his marshals advised him to stop in Smolensk, and give other similar arguments proving that it was already understood there was danger of the campaign; and Russian authors are even more fond of talking about how from the beginning of the campaign there was a plan for the Scythian war to lure Napoleon into the depths of Russia, and they attribute this plan to some Pfuel, some to some Frenchman, some to Tolya, some to Emperor Alexander himself, pointing to notes, projects and letters that actually contain hints of this course of action. But all these hints of foreknowledge of what happened, both on the part of the French and on the part of the Russians, are now exhibited only because the event justified them. If the event had not happened, then these hints would have been forgotten, just as thousands and millions of opposing hints and assumptions that were in use then, but turned out to be unfair and therefore forgotten, are now forgotten. There are always so many assumptions about the outcome of every event that takes place that, no matter how it ends, there will always be people who will say: “I said then that it would be like this,” completely forgetting that among the countless assumptions, completely opposite.

For many decades, the Canary Islands have remained one of the most attractive places for a beach holiday on our planet. The picturesque archipelago consists of 7 islands of volcanic origin. They are located in the Atlantic Ocean, near the northwestern coast of the African continent (Morocco and the western regions of the Sahara are closest to the Canaries). The islands are part of Spain.

Canary Islands on the map

The Canary Islands include not only 7 large and inhabited island formations, but also 6 tiny, practically uninhabited islets. Only one of them, the island of Graciosa with an area of ​​about 30 km 2, has a population. Roque del Este, Alegranza (area 10 km2), Roque del Oeste, Lobos (area 6 km2) and Montaña Clara (area 1 km2) are real corners of virgin nature .

Canary Islands on the world map

The local climate is of the tropical trade wind type and is considered warm and fairly dry. Since the islands are located close to the Sahara Desert, the sirocco often blows from there, bringing heat and sandstorms. Most often, dry weather prevails on the eastern islands. The rest of the region is dominated by northeastern trade winds, bringing precipitation and somewhat softening the African heat.

The cold Canary Current off the coast of the archipelago also softens the climate, although it is responsible for a decrease in precipitation. Tourists are also attracted by the lack of heat on local beaches. On the most mountainous islands - Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Palma - the weather changes dramatically when descending from the mountains to the coast. If in the coastal zone, even in winter, the thermometer rarely drops below +10–20 °C, then at the same time there may be a thick layer of snow on the mountain peaks. In summer, the air temperature is +20–30 °C, and the weather is mostly dry and clear. The northern islands generally receive more rainfall than the southern ones.

Seven major islands of the Canary archipelago

Large islands are popular among tourists, including:

• Homer;
• Hierro;
• Palm;

Tenerife

This is the largest and most populous Spanish island not only in the archipelago, but throughout Spain. With an area of ​​just over 2000 km2, more than 900 thousand people live here. Tenerife is home to one of the two capitals of the Canary Islands, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The island is ideal for diving and exploring ancient cultures. It is here that you can see the 6 mysterious step pyramids of Guimar, the picturesque Infierno nature reserve and the ancient Basilica of Candelaria - the largest sanctuary in honor of Our Lady on the islands

Homer

The island, with an area of ​​about 370 km2, is considered the only one in the Canaries where not even the slightest traces of volcanic activity have been recorded. Visitors to the island will be able to visit its capital San Sebastian de la Gomera with its unique ancient architectural monuments, cross the Garajonay National Park and hear the famous “Gomeran whistle”. Due to the rugged terrain of the island, this is how local shepherds talked to each other through gorges and abysses.

Hierro

Its area is about 280 km2. The island is considered the smallest among the inhabited islands and is located in the westernmost part of the archipelago. Hierro is characterized by almost high-mountainous terrain. From a wide mountain plateau, located at an altitude of almost 1500 m above sea level, an almost vertical row of cliffs descends to the shore. A gentle and comfortable descent leads only to the Gulf of El Golfo.

Palm

Quite a large island with an area of ​​almost 700 km2. Almost the entire area of ​​Palma is occupied by chains of high volcanoes, interspersed with laurel and pine forests.

Gran Canaria

The island is the third largest in the archipelago with an area of ​​about 1600 km2. The second capital of the Canaries, the city, is located on it. The center of Gran Canaria is characterized mainly by a mountainous landscape, which is cut through by deep gorges stretching all the way to the coast. This is one of the popular centers of tourism in the Canary Islands: here guests of the island are provided with all the conditions for cycling and water sports, golf, and exciting hiking

Scientists consider it the oldest of the Canary Islands (area about 1,700 km 2). There are the most beaches here, and the height of the mountains does not exceed 1000 m, which provides a relatively mild, warm and comfortable climate. Fuerteventura is very popular among lovers of secluded recreation and windsurfing.

The area of ​​the island reaches 850 km2. You should be careful when traveling here as volcanic eruptions in Lanzarote are quite common. As a local attraction, guides show tourists the volcanic cave Cueva de los Verdes.

How to get to the Canaries?

Direct flights have been established between the Canary Islands and Moscow due to the presence of Tenerife. The cost of the flight will be 450–500 USD, but you can choose a more budget option with a transfer in Barcelona or Madrid. Tickets from the capital of the Russian Federation to these cities will be cheaper - only 250–300 USD. After arrival, you need to transfer to an Iberia or Ryanair flight, thanks to which for only 70–90 USD you can get not only to the largest Canary Islands, but also to Lanzarote or Fuerteventura. There is also a ferry service within the archipelago.

Beaches of the Canaries

Most visitors to the Canary Islands come here to relax by the sea or enjoy water sports.

Beaches of Tenerife

Their “highlight” is the amazingly beautiful and soft golden sand, brought here especially from the Sahara or extracted from the ocean depths. Not far from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, tourists will find some of the most popular beaches of the Canary Islands: with fine light yellow sand and Playa de Tanagana with dark sand of volcanic origin.

Beach Playa de Martianez located near Puerto de la Cruz and impresses with original fountains, a giant lake filled with sea water and many restaurants and bars.

Beach Los Cristianos is located in the port area and has convenient access to the water. Umbrellas and rattan sun loungers are provided to visitors for a fee.

Beaches Playa de Benijo And Playa de San Roque in the northern part of Tenerife will delight visitors with an almost perfect pebble surface. The El Médano area is a favorite place for windsurfers to relax.

Beaches of Gran Canaria

They amaze with the variety of landscapes: from flat strips of sand to real rock formations. The most popular beaches on the island are: Maspalomas And. The latter stretches almost 3 km in length and is great for water skiing and jet skiing, as well as windsurfing, diving and sailing. With plenty of eateries serving local cuisine, it's possible to spend an entire day at the beach. What makes Maspalomas unique are the unique sand sculptures sculpted from the dunes by the elements of wind and water. In the south of the island near Las Palmas there is a narrow sandy strip of beach Las Canteras. It is securely fenced by a reef on the sea side, so it is completely safe for swimming.

Beaches of Fuerteventura

They are covered with fine white and golden sand. The Jandia Peninsula is located as a quiet and uncrowded beach Kofete so lively Sotaverno. The beach looks original, where black volcanic sand and fine gravel are mixed.

Cuisine of the Canary Islands

The cuisine on the islands of the archipelago is truly distinctive thanks to the complementary influence of several culinary traditions: Spanish, Latin American (in particular Venezuelan), African and the cuisine of the indigenous Canary Guanche people. The local restaurants are a must try.

In the category "Best Resort on the Atlantic Coast of Europe" for 2007-2009.

The Canary Islands (Islas Canarias, area 7,500 sq. km) are an autonomous region of Spain, located in the Atlantic Ocean 1,500 km from the Iberian Peninsula and 100 km from the coast of Africa. Geologically, the islands are of volcanic origin and belong to relatively young formations of the oceanic platform, as well as the nearby Azores, Cape Verde and Madeira Islands (this scattering of islands in the eastern part of the Atlantic is often classified as a special natural zone, conventionally called Macronesia). The archipelago consists of seven large inhabited islands and several small ones, administratively divided into two provinces - Santa Cruz de Tenerife (the islands of Tenerife, Gomera, La Palma and Hierro) and Las Palmas (the islands of Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote) .

The climate of the Canary Islands is tropical trade wind, moderately hot and dry. Its characteristic feature is the small temperature difference throughout the year - in summer there is about +21°C, in winter - not lower than +17°C, and the water temperature almost never drops below +20°C. The reason for such an even climate is the unique location of the islands - lying in the hot tropical zone off the very coast of desert Africa, they experience the beneficial effects of the western ocean trade winds all year round, and the water off the coast is cooled (and saturated with oxygen!) by the cold Canary Current. As a result, all local differences are determined only by the topography of a particular island. The warm and mild climate, fertile volcanic soils and long-term isolation from the mainland have formed an amazing natural complex here with unique flora and fauna (almost a quarter of the species living here are not found anywhere else on Earth), diverse landscapes and rich marine life.

The islands were inhabited by humans around the 3rd millennium BC. Greek and Roman sources linked this land to the mythical Atlantis, but they themselves knew about them only by rumor, since the entire territory beyond the Pillars of Hercules, as the Strait of Gibraltar was then called, was controlled by the Sea Peoples, primarily the ubiquitous Phoenicians. The indigenous Guanche tribes that inhabited the islands, practically exterminated immediately after the conquest of the islands by the Spaniards (1402-1496), were and remain one of the biggest historical mysteries. These blond-haired (often red-haired!) and blue-eyed people, who had a complex system of mythology and their own cosmogony, a whistling language and a completely unique system of hieroglyphic writing (at least this is how numerous petroglyphs of the Canary Islands are interpreted, which are still not solved, by the way), original art stone processing and architecture, mastered the art of mummifying the dead and taming animals (the huge Bardino herding dogs, brought to Europe from the Canary Islands by the Moors, gave rise to many modern breeds). But at the same time they lived at the level of a primitive communal system, used stone tools and, by all indications, could not get to the islands themselves - they did not even have an idea about the possibility of building watercraft larger than a fishing boat! But after the assimilation of the Guanches (the bulk of them were exterminated or taken into slavery), the mystery of their origin and the mystery of their strange skills remained unsolved, only the whistling language “silbo” is still used to transmit information over long distances (up to 15 km!), yes Bardino dogs are still thriving today.

The largest (2034 sq. km) and most popular island among tourists lies in the center of the archipelago. Like all the Canary Islands, Tenerife is of volcanic origin, which is clearly visible even on the approach to the island - its highest point, the Teide volcano (3718 m), is a clearly visible landmark for all ships passing by.

The island is the third largest in the archipelago. It is a rounded island with a diameter of approximately 50 km, capped by the volcanic cone Pico de las Nieves (1949 m).

The fourth largest island of the archipelago and one of the most volcanically active places in the Canary Islands. Almost the entire center of the island is occupied by lifeless tuff fields, volcanic cones and caves (in the 18th-19th centuries, local volcanoes filled the entire island with lava, almost completely “rewriting” its landscapes).

The least known island in the Canary archipelago. However, more than half of its shores are lined with magnificent beaches of white or golden sand.

On a small island Palm(La Palma, 728 sq. km) of interest are the huge crater La Caldera de Taburiente, the entire territory of which is covered by the national park of the same name, numerous craters of ancient volcanoes, the Cueva Bonita grotto, as well as the picturesque capital of Santa Cruz de la Palma and excellent beaches of Cancajos, Puerto de Naos.

Small mountainous island Homer(Gomera) is considered the greenest place in the archipelago - more than 70% of its territory is covered by dense evergreen forests. It is this piece of land that is considered the birthplace of canaries (which is not surprising - more than 40 species of these birds live in the local forests), the Silbo whistle language, and its Alto de Garajonari mountain range (1487 m) is a huge nature reserve.

The westernmost and smallest island of the Canary archipelago - Hierro(Hierro, 278 sq. km) differs from the other islands of the group in its rocky and steep coastline, due to which it has almost no beaches. But here there are the thermal springs of Sabinos, the Tiñor plateau with its amazing landscape, the large lake El Tamaduste, the vineyards of Frontera, the picturesque bay of El Golfo and a real Mecca for fishermen - the village of La Restinga.