Should I go to Canary Islands or or the Azores Islands?

We have visited the Canary Islands (Gran Canary) as well as the Azores (twice). Also, Madeira, an island between the Azores and mainland Portugal.

We visited all these islands while on cruises. We visited the Canary Islands twice on two different transatlantic cruises.

All the island are very scenic with unusual plant life. Madeira is probably the most trendy resort for wealthy.

The Azores and Madeira are a part of Portugal, while the Canary Islands are a part of Spain. All, have an interesting history and are worth a visit.

Not sure what the airfare would cost to go to any of these islands from North America or the European mainland. All the islands are mountainous and very scenic. Madeira is a smaller island than the others.

Thank you for your help, this will lead me on where to look.

Does anyone have a comment on how the food is?
Is it spicy or seafood or veggie based?

When did the Azores or Canary Islands become part of Europe?

When did the Azores or Canary Islands become part of Europe?

Depends who you ask. Spain claims the Canary Islands, so by extension, part of Europe. If you ask people who live there, many would say they are a colony of Spain (at least that's what I found). Looking at a map...they're link a piece of Morocco broke off and drifted out to sea, complete with big sand dunes (a bit of the Sahara) and volcanic crater moon-scapes.

Haven't been to Azores or Madeira so can't compare. Keep in mind that The Canaries are a group of islands, which are surprisingly diverse. Gran Canaria, the largest and most-visited island, has some really grotesque mass tourism (wall to wall northern Europeans roasting in the sun, massive expat enclaves just like Spain's Costa del Sol), but also some spectacular terrain once you get away from the mega-resorts. The other islands are much more low-key, and quite pretty in many places - I liked Fuertaventura and Lanzarote. Lots of surfers and wind-surfers. The islands are linked by ferries, but you will need more time than you think to see them.

I flew there from southern Morocco (cheap, quick, quite a cultural shift) but I'm not sure I'd go all the way there from NY as my only destination. You may want to do some serious research - check Lonely Planet forums.

Hi ntchir,

I will send you the link to my Azores guide in a PM. Delta Airlines will be starting service to Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel in June from JFK. I will be flying them from Boston (connecting at JFK), as the fare is around $300.00 p/p round-trip cheaper than Azores Airlines. For a one week trip, I recommend staying on Sao Miguel only. I have visited Madeira and still prefer Sao Miguel. I have not visited the Canary Islands. You will understand in much more detail after reading the guide.

Don't know where you are from but the Carnaries are a hot spot for mainly British a Europeans sunshine holidays,I have been to Lanzarote several times for a bit of winter sun.Food is generally pretty British in style but lots of steak places, pizza joint and burger bars.

David Canaries use the Euro and are a Spanish dependency . I know they are closer to Africa but there again the Falkland Isles are British and they are in a different hemisphere to Britain.

None of your options will be dead by 8pm. You are more likely to struggle to find accommodation that hasn't already been taken than finding places closed up! June and September are the peak travel months for those not tied to school holidays.

You don't generally go to Madeira for the beaches (there aren't really any to speak of) - you go there for the scenery and the walking.

The Canaries are the most southerly of your options and these will therefore be the warmest. The islands vary significantly in their scenery and appeal. Tenerife and Gran Canaria are the most developed for tourism and are particularly popular in the winter for pensioners staying for 1-3 months to avoid the miserable weather in northern Europe. The beaches are best on Fuerteventura, being white sand, although the island is an arid, volcanic lanscape. Lanzarote is also dry and has black beaches. There are smaller islands such as La Gomera, but there are no flights here, only ferries, so you need longer here.

I haven't been to the Azores yet, so I can't comment.

Depends who you ask. Spain claims the Canary Islands, so by extension, part of Europe.

I think Claudia was attempting to suggest that the Canary Islands are not part of the European continent but rather the EU.

Hello ntchir,

I've sent you a PM with some information on the Azores and more specifically São Miguel island. It's an amazing island with lots of places to visit ;)

Enjoy!

The Canary Islands has good and interesting wine. I don't know about the Azores.

I have visited Gran Canaria and Tenerife in the Canary Islands. I agree with David, that I don't think I would go to either place as my only destination coming all the way from New York. Both islands will be busy with northern European vacationers. Playa de la Americas on the southern part of Tenerife will have numerous clubs and is the best place for partying all night long. Some of those bars will not get busy until after midnight. Puerto de la cruz is on the northern side of Tenerife and is a nice mix of places to relax and also have places to go in the evening. A jeep tour to Mount Teidi is a great way to explore the island and volcano. Gran Canaria, also has many places to party all night. The beaches are better on this island than Tenerife (that has dark sand because of the Volcano).
Gran Canaria has the famous Maspalomas Dunes. (makes you feel like your are in the desert). From the USA, I am not sure I would go to all that trouble to get to either destination. (I lived in Europe when I visited the Canary Islands). Now if I was perhaps going to spend some time in Spain and then I wanted to relax on one of the islands for a week, I might consider it - but then I would probably consider the Balearic Islands in the med or Sardinia or Corsica.

I had a wonderful eco-trip to Lanzarote in November. I did some great tours with Eco-Insider - volcano hikes, desert beaches, wine grown in pits of volcanic ash - it was really, really interesting. Well worth checking out. Lanzarote gets my vote!

Now if I was perhaps going to spend some time in Spain and then I wanted to relax on one of the islands for a week, I might consider it - but then I would probably consider the Balearic Islands in the med or Sardinia or Corsica.

I agree. Mallorca in late June would be an excellent choice. The Tramuntana Mountains are fantastic for exploring with some wonderful villages within and incredible food. There are also myriad secluded coves dotted around providing some fantastic beach opportunities and combined with the city of Palma (my favourite Spanish city) it's the perfect island for a holiday.

Given a choice of the Canaries or Mallorca then Mallorca wins every time.