Hola! We are planning for a 2 week break to the Canary Islands in mid November. We like hiking, beaches and history. Any suggestions on which island (s), where to stay, must see. Trying to avoid “resorts” and package holidayers. Muchas gracias!!
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
There are 4 main tourist islands - Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. Whilst all have been developed for tourism, the former two have been far more developed (and in many parts over developed) than the latter two. You don’t tend to go here for history.
I will be visiting my default Canarian location of Fuerteventura in October/November for (hopefully) some winter sun and walking. Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are drier than Tenerife and Gran Canaria and have a very different almost lunar landscape.
In Fuerteventura, avoid the ghastly resorts of Caleta de Fuste and Parque Hollandes and head north from the airport. The resorts in the far south of the island are more popular with Germans and are great beaches, but the walking in the hinterland isn’t as interesting as in the north. I stay in a cottage in Lajares, which is a short drive from the beaches in El Cotillo and in the opposite direction, the sand dunes at Corralejo. There is a kite festival on Corralejo beach 10-13 November this year which is a colourful spectacle.
There is good walking from Lajares up and round the extinct volcano - scramble into the crater and walk up to the lighthouse from El Cotillo. Also good walks around La Oliva and the north coast. Vega de Rio Palmas south of Betancuria is a lovely walk through a green oasis to the old tiny church.
Drive to Betancuria, the oldest settlement on the island and explore the museum and church and meander through the narrow streets. Combine it with a visit to Vega de Rio Palmas and have lunch at Casa Naturaleza.
It’s easy to explore the south of the island as the roads are good and fuel is surprisingly cheap (compared to the U.K.). The beach at Cofete is stunning.
After Lajares, my second choice of location would be El Cotillo followed by Corralejo. I spend at least 2 months a year here in the winter. Hire a car from AutoReisen at the airport.