Destination Fly4free: Gran Canaria and Tenerife

The Canary Islands are world-renowned for fabulous landscapes and warm, sunny weather during the whole year. Explore Tenerife with its great volcano, amazing natural parks and black sands beaches. Then head to Gran Canaria to explore the massive sand dunes, relax by the Atlantic Ocean and soak up the sun!

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Black and gold beaches, Tenerife

Tenerife’s authentic beaches, just like those in Hawaii, come in black sand form - the result of a volcanic basaltic coastline being eroded by the sea. Visit the dramatic and beautiful Playa Bollullo in La Orotava or Playa Jardín in Puerto de la Cruz. You can also choose Playa del Socorro or Playa de San Marcos. Remember that black sand absorbs the sun’s heat and retains it. In winter months that keeps the beach pleasantly warm but in summer, it can burn your feet - don't forget your flip flops!

Playa de Las Teresitas, located north of the village of San Andrés, is one of the few on Tenerife that do not have the volcanic sand. Originally the beach, bounded by the ravine of Las Teresas, consisted of mostly rocks and a small strip of black sand. In 1973, 270,000 tons of white sand was shipped from the Sahara Desert. Two piers and a kilometre long breakwater located 150 meters from the beach were constructed to prevent waves from carrying the sand out to the sea. In 1998 another 2800 tonnes sand from Sahara was added to replenish the sand lost in the beach's 25 first years of existence. Another white sand beach, Las Vistas in Los Cristianos is also artificial.

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How to get there:
Take a look at the flight deals to Gran Canaria and Tenerife:

• SUMMER: 7-night all inclusive stay at 4* hotel in Tenerife + flights from Cologne for €389 >>
• 7 nights at well-rated hotel in Tenerife + flights from Madrid for only €188 >>
• 2 in 1: Christmas flights from Hamburg to Gran Canaria & Western Sahara for just €131 >>
• Half Board 7 nights at top rated beach hotel in Gran Canaria + flights from Basel for €350 >>
• Half Board 7 nights at top rated 4* seafront resort in Gran Canaria + flights from Germany (4 cities) from €404 >>
• Paris to Tenerife for only €55 >>
• 7-night stay in Tenerife + flights from Manchester for just £169 >>
• Cheap flights between the Canary Islands from just €8.25 each way >>

Where to stay:
In Gran Canaria we recommend you to book Casa Luna. This top rated hotel is located just a 15-minute walk from Puerto de las Nieves. The area is famous for its natural pools and rocky beaches. Featuring free Wi-Fi access throughout and a 24-hour front desk, Casa Luna offers nice accommodation in Agaete. Each room has its own distinctive décor, and the private bathroom comes with a shower. Some rooms have a balcony. From Casa Luna, guests can easily reach Tenerife from Puerto de la Nieves, which has daily connections with the island. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a 30-minute drive from the property.

In Tenerife, we encourage you to stay at 3* Hotel Principe Paz with very good reviews. It’s is located in central Santa Cruz de Tenerife, in the city’s historic and commercial centre. It offers a 24-hour reception and rooms with satellite TV and a minibar. The hotel’s restaurant offers breakfast with great views over Príncipe Square. The café serves tapas, sandwiches and salads. Teresitas Beach and Tenerife Norte Airport are just 15 minutes’ drive away.

What to do in Tenerife:
Tenerife offers awesome, varied landscapes, from dry, heavily touristic south, through the mountainous centre with the moonlike, volcanic scenery, to the lush green north, full of colourful flowers. Either you’re looking for an adventurous road trip or a relaxing beach vacation, in Tenerife you’ll find everything you may expect. The biggest of Canary Islands is a perfect tourist destinations whether you’re looking for relax, outdoor activity or vibrant nightlife.

In the south, the weather is generally warmer and sunnier, while the north is rather humid and cloudy. In the northern coast you can explore the Taoro Park, unique public botanical garden in the heart of Puerto de la Cruz.

There is an extensive network of trails in the Teide National Park (Cañadas del Teide). Tenerife’s proximity to the equator makes it a perfect place for dazzling starscapes. You can also go hiking in the Anaga Mountains, located in the north-east part of the island. This rural park includes the areas of primary laurisilva, a previously widespread laurel forest type.

Almost 400 km of oceanic coastline make perfect conditions to practice water sports. If you like kitesurfing or windsurfing, go to Las Americas and El Medano (close to Tenerife Sur airport).

Visiting Lago Martianez in Puerto de La Cruz is a fantastic opportunity to relax in the beautifully designed seawater pools and enjoy all the sculptures and art at the open air museum.

If you’re looking for entertainment, go to Siam Park, incredible water park inspired in Thai architecture. You can also spend a day in Loro Parque, an impressive zoo with marine theme park.

To taste local food, visit “guachinche”, a typical Canary Island restaurant serving traditional cuisine and wine from its own vineyard. The delicious food will seduce you with its African, French, and Arabian influences. Orotava Valley is one of the oldest wine growing regions in the Canary Islands. White houses in the sleepy villages on the coast are surrounded by banana plantations, vineyards and fruit groves.

In February you can join the Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, a celebration second only to Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro on the world party stage. On 24th of June you can watch the ritual ‘Bano de las Cabras’ (goats bathing) in Puerto de la Cruz. This ancient ceremony takes place on a beach on the night of San Juan.

What to do in Gran Canaria:
This island offers good conditions for hiking, cycling and water sports. Explore the unspoiled peaks and valleys and enjoy a rugged coastline with white sandy beaches.

The Roque Nublo is a natural symbol of Gran Canaria. This scenic hiking route on the west side of the island runs through the Gran Canaria’s Biosphere Reserve. From La Fogalera viewpoint you can see a stunning sight of the Roque Bentaiga. Most of the days, you can also see the Mount Teide over the clouds.

Explore the fascinating underwater world by taking a trip on a submarine or spending some time on a deep-sea fishing boat.

Visit the Palmitos Park or Jardin Canario. Culture-vultures can be satiated in the historic cosmopolitan capital of Las Palmas.

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Start planning your next trip with Lonely Planet’s travel guide >>

Tenerife from Christian Kermer on Vimeo.

Gran Canaria Timelapse from Javier Guijarro on Vimeo.