Planning a trip to the Canary Islands on your own? Consider the cost of the trip, find the best hotels, plane tickets and find out when is the best time to relax in the Canary Islands with children or together in a romantic setting.
The Canary Islands are a small archipelago of volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean with a surprisingly mild climate, which is just perfect for a vacation with a child.
Canary Islands weather in winter
Do you want to feel the summer warmth, breathe in the warm sea breeze in full breast? Then you are on the Canary Islands. In January, it is warm and sunny here in summer. It can be windy, but not windy enough to freeze.
Average daily temperature in December is higher +19 ° С, in January about +18 ° C. In fact, daytime temperatures can rise in winter to comfortable +25 ° С Average water temperature +21 ° C. It will be cooler in the mountains, but rarely anyone flies to the islands in winter in pursuit of the goal - to climb the mountains.
What to do on vacation and where to go?
- Tenerife... The largest of the islands of the Canary archipelago. The first capital of the islands. It has a well-developed infrastructure. High, in comparison with other islands, prices. The southern part of the island is dedicated to a beach holiday with good service. The northern part is for outdoor enthusiasts. Here you can practice different types of surfing and diving. Divers are attracted by underwater grottoes, caves and their inhabitants. Among the entertainment - there is even a submarine diving. A popular pastime among local divers is hand-feeding moray eels, stingrays and huge turtles. The island is home to the oldest types of forests, including laurel forests. The picture shows a dragon tree.
- Gran Canaria... It features long beaches with clean sand. Here is the best beach of the archipelago - Las Cantares. In Las Palmos, the capital of the island, you can get acquainted with the historical past of the Canary Islands, taste local cuisine and visit a rum factory.
- Fuerteventura... A surfer's paradise thanks to the strong winds from Atantika. The oldest of all the islands of the archipelago. There are ancient shrines revered by the inhabitants of the islands. In local villages, a simple way of life has been preserved, the production of products according to old recipes. The best goat cheese in Europe is made here. The tourist business is almost non-existent.
- Lanzarote... This amazing island is strikingly different from others. The landscapes here resemble lunar or Martian ones, and in some places the earth literally "burns" underfoot. This is one of the newest islands. Volcanic eruptions stopped here some 300 years ago. Nevertheless, people live here, there are hotels, vineyards growing right on the cooled lava. You can visit the restaurant located in the mouth of one of the volcanoes. The island is interesting for those who are fond of photography and beach recreation.
- La Gomera... The greenest island of all. Suitable for those who like secluded walks among picturesque rocks, gorges and thermophilic forests. Such forests covered the Mediterranean coast several million years ago. Here you can find a dragon tree, ancient junipers and several hundred endemics, plants that grow only on this island. There are also small beaches on the island.
- El Hierro... It is the smallest of the 7 islands in the archipelago. It has been declared a nature reserve, so there is no mass tourism here. But there are rural mini - hotels for divers who prefer walking around the island's water world. Groups of divers go on diving - safari in the ocean, to observe the population of whales that live near the archipelago.
- La Palma... The island is similar to Homer in landscape; the same forests and rocks, but there are differences. The beaches are quite safe, and the sand on them is black, volcanic in color. The island has been declared a biosphere reserve. The North European Observatory is also located here.
Hikers in the mountains, as well as fans of diving and snorkeling come here. Mountain tracks are carefully looked after, it is almost impossible to get lost on the island.
Artists and photographers prefer to settle in the western part of the island, while divers have chosen the eastern one. It is in the east of the island that diving centers and tourist hotels in Spain are located for every taste. Near the coast, you can find flocks of barracuda and grouper, electric rays and eagle rays. You can swim with turtles.
In 1971, the Teneguía volcano erupted here. The hot lava flowed directly into the sea. After that, new grottoes and labyrinths appeared in the water.
The cost of rest in the Canary Islands
The islands have the status of a "special economic zone", there are no many taxes. Therefore, prices are generally lower than on the mainland. For example, rental of equipment for diving on the islands will cost one and a half times cheaper. In general, prices are also lower than in Europe.
Rental housing in the Canary Islands, prices
Apartments are the best option for housing on the islands. The cost of apartments for 1-3 people starts from 30 euros per night.
The minimum prices for a double room in a chalet or camping are from 1700 rubles or about 25 euros.
Country cottages are houses with all the comforts, often with a swimming pool and panoramic views.
On the websites of individual islands, you can find accommodation for every taste and budget. After all, you can go with a large company and rent an apartment for the whole group. You can rent a house for girlfriends, bachelors and other categories to which you can only attribute yourself. Options for excellent accommodation at an affordable cost can be found on Iberostar.
Recommended calvingand the islands of Tenerife:
- Family hotel IBEROSTAR Bouganville Playa 4 *... Price for a double room - from 126 euros. All inclusive. Panoramic sea views, hotel 4 minutes walk from the beach, huge pool. Rooms with comfortable bedrooms and a balcony.
- Hotel Grand Hotel El Mirador on Costa Adeje 5 *... For adults only. Price for a double room - from 350 euros. Internet. First line. The food is being prepared in front of you.
At your service: Spa center, luxury amenities, color therapy, massage with volcanic stones.
- Prices for the best hotels in Lanzarote Island →
Prices for flights from Moscow
From Moscow to one of the island capitals, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, direct flights of Aeroflot and charterVIM-AVIA»... The one-way flight lasts only seven hours. The ticket price is 30,282 rubles. For charter flights, prices are set by tour operators selling tours to the islands.
Brussels airlines allows you to save some money on the flight.
Flight Moscow (Domodedovo) - Tenerife (South) for December 2021 they cost from 14,726 rubles round trip. Docking in Brussels takes several hours, and the flight time increases to 12 - 19 hours.
Flights from low-cost airlines are even cheaper. They fly to Tenerife from Helsinki, Tallinn, Riga and Kiev. For example, the cost of a ticket Riga - Tenerife is from 9373 rubles.
- Connecting flights:
Visa application
The Canary Islands are Spanish territory. To travel, Russians need to purchase a Schengen visa worth 35 euros. You can get it by contacting the Spanish embassy, visa center or travel agency.
Holidays in the Canary Islands with children
Couples with children stay in Gran Canaria and Tenerife. There are many activities for children and adults on these islands; parks, attractions, recreation areas with restaurants and bars.
Most visited places:
- Loro Park with a killer whale show, a parrot show and a huge penguinarium.
- Mountain village and Masca gorge.
- Siam Park is a water amusement park located on an area of 19 hectares.
- Costa Caribe is a Spanish aqua complex.
Thanks to the mild climate of the archipelago, the islands are rich in fruits throughout the year.
Canary Islands Map
