Canary Islands
From World travel guide
The Canary Islands (Spanish: Las Islas Canarias) are an Atlantic territory of Spain. They're near Morocco, Cape Verde and the archipelagos of Azores Islands and Madeira Islands, both Portuguese.
Contents |
Regions
The following major islands make up the Canary chain.
Some minor islands of note.
Understand
The islands have a population of 1.5 million. Since the Canary Islands are a major European tourist destination, all the major islands have well-developed communication systems, airports, and ports.
Ethnically the population is mostly a mix of Spanish, Berber and Portuguese, with an increasing number of African and Eastern European immigrants.
Get around
By train
There are light trains in development, but none has yet been opened.
By bus
Buses are the most common method of public transportation around the islands. Mile per mile they are expensive while compared to mainland Spain but you are not going to travel really far away. We are, after all, islands. Most buses in touristic routes are adequate and air conditioning is being introduced even in the city buses of Las Palmas at Gran Canaria. Do not expect the drivers to know more than a couple of sentences in English or German, though they would try to be helpful.
By taxi
Taxis can be expensive, and inside a city they are not worth the money unless you are in a real hurry or can't balance yourself after a shopping day. It is unlikely that you would be cheated.
By ship
If you want to travel between the islands a good option might be to take a ship if you are in any particular hurry, specially between close by islands. Most ferries are now quite modern and cheap. The most important companies are Fred Olsen, Transmediterránea and Armas.
By plane
If you are afraid of the sea or get sick just by staring at a ship a plane is what you need, and that usually means a turboprop ATR-72 by one of the local airlines like Binter or Islas Airways. They are perfectly safe and adequately fast as you are likely to spend more time at the airport than in the plane itself.
See
Do
Eat
Papas Arrugadas - potatoes boiled in very salt water until they are "wrinkly" - hence the name - and served with mojo picon, a spicy cold red sauce made with chili and garlic. These are often served as a tapa or starter.
Drink
Stay safe
112 is the common emergency number.
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