[2025 Valsequillo de Gran Canaria Attraction] Travel Guide for Canary Islands (Updated Apr)

Name of place (Spanish)📝: Gran Canaria, Spain Where it is 🗺️: it is an island in the south of Spain, west of Africa near the Western Safari. How to access 📍: by flight ✈️ from the south of Spain (eg Malaga) for 2.5 hours or by ferry ⛴️ from Cadiz, west of Spain which takes over 37 hours but you may treat it as a cruise excursion. What’s special ✨: the beaches🏖️ , the dolphins🐬 and whales watching 🐋 tours, the colourful Latino style houses and the relaxing vibe 🍵. #CanaryIsland #LasPalmas #spain #island #europe

The Canary Islands are a captivating archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa, known for their year-round pleasant climate, stunning volcanic landscapes, and pristine beaches. Among the many attractions, Loro Park stands out as a must-visit destination! Located in Tenerife, Loro Park is a world-class animal and conservation park that mesmerizes visitors with its diverse collection of wildlife, thrilling shows, and beautiful botanical gardens, making it an unforgettable experience for nature lovers of all ages. We loved it so much that we watched the Orco show twice!

The Canary Islands are a group of volcanic islands located deep in the Atlantic Ocean. While known for sunshine and beaches, the true uniqueness of this archipelago lies in the volcanic energy hidden deep within the Earth's crust. Tens of millions of years ago, a series of violent eruptions shaped these seven main islands and six islets, giving them a rich and diverse landscape. Lanzarote Timanfaya National Park (Parque Nacional de Timanfaya) (Figures 1-2) is almost entirely covered in volcanic ash and lava. Layers of rock in red, orange, and yellow resemble solidified flames, recording the intense geological activity that once took place within the Earth. Tenerife Here stands Spain's highest peak and the world's third-largest volcano—Mount Teide (El Teide), reaching an altitude of 3,718 meters (Figures 3-4). Its crater-like landscape and volcanic rock plateaus have attracted filmmakers, with movies like "10,000 BC" and "Star Wars" using it as a backdrop, making it feel like stepping onto another planet. La Gomera The northwest coast of this small island hides an inconspicuous yet breathtaking wonder. Los Órganos (The Organs) (Figures 5-6), a basalt cliff formation spanning 200 meters wide and about 80 meters high, rises above the sea like a giant pipe organ, naturally sculpted by cooling magma. From volcanic peaks to magma remnants, the Canary Islands showcase a world shaped by geological forces. It's not just a vacation paradise, but a journey into the deep history of our planet. 📷 If you've captured these wonders, share your photos and let others see this "volcanic archipelago."

At 28 degrees north latitude, the Atlantic current weaves seven temperate pearls along the western edge of the African continent. While Northern Europe is plunged into the polar night of December, the palm leaves of the Canary Islands still sway in the 22°C sea breeze. This isn't a seasonal escape; it's mainland Europe's thermostat, providing 300 days of sunshine and extending daylight for six million sufferers of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Mount Teide on Tenerife is the first to catch winter's initial rays. A thin layer of snow covers the 3,718-meter-high crater, while the scent of sunscreen drifts through Santa Cruz port below. Olaf, a Norwegian, jogs along the beach in a t-shirt. His fitness tracker shows this is his seventh consecutive winter escaping Oslo's polar night. "Here, every inch of skin absorbs vitamin D." On the beach behind him, an elderly German man pushes his wife, who suffers from depression, in a wheelchair, letting the subtropical sand sift through her pale fingers. The Maspalomas Dunes on Gran Canaria conceal the wrinkles of time. A 15th-century Spanish watchtower stands across the dunes from the white walls of a 21st-century Nordic sanatorium. In a spa hotel at the foot of the dunes, a Swedish doctor administers light therapy. Data shows that the incidence of winter depression in the islands is 67% lower than in Northern Europe. A 1975 photograph hangs in the hotel corridor: Sanmao, in a bohemian dress, walks across the dunes, while in the lens of José's camera, the sand reflects the same sunlight as today. La Palma's Starlight Reserve offers another healing space. While mainland Europe is shrouded in clouds, a Danish astronomer adjusts his telescope at the observatory. "The polar night deprives us not only of light but also of our perception of the universe." He points to a white village beneath the Milky Way. Stone houses built by Spanish immigrants a century ago are now converted into stargazing accommodations. Nordic tourists lie in hammocks on the terraces, observing the Magellanic Clouds with the naked eye—a visual feast absent in their homelands for three months, now restoring their retinas, damaged by the polar night. Fragments of time float in every port of the islands. On the old lighthouse in the port of Las Palmas, a 16th-century bronze bell coexists with modern weather radar. The bell once guided Columbus's fleet and now directs Nordic cruise ships to shore. In the nearby fish market, Moroccan fishermen and Spanish vendors haggle in a mix of dialects. Sanmao memorabilia—coconut shell necklaces, desert scarves—remind people that this Eastern writer planted her Saharan nostalgia in Gran Canaria's soil in the 1970s. The Church of San Cristobal in Tenerife witnesses transtemporal rituals. Every Sunday, Nordic visitors and locals share in the sacrament of sunlight: Norwegian housewives dry linen beneath Gothic arches, German painters capture light and shadow in Moorish cloisters, and their children chase Spanish children in the square, their footprints overlapping Sanmao's. Church archives record that at José's funeral in 1976, islanders spontaneously sent 99 yellow roses. Today, descendants of those roses grow wild outside the cemetery walls. The islands' affordability is revealed in corner cafes. A latte costs €1.50, 40% less than in Madrid. A Swedish backpacker can stay here for three months for less than a week in the Maldives. In a weaving shop in San Bartolomé, 82-year-old Maria weaves baskets from palm leaves, just as her great-grandmother did for Sanmao, crafting coconut shells to hold water. "The Chinese girl loved to watch the sunset from the pier. She said the twilight here resembled the Sahara." Subtropical sunlight is embedded in the old woman's wrinkles, and the patterns in her weaving are the islands' love letter to the European winter. When the polar night finally ends in Northern Europe, faded sunscreen marks remain on the beaches of the Canary Islands. But the islands know that the wounds kissed by the sun, the eyes awakened between volcanoes and waves, have etched the islands' warmth into the rings of life. This is not a winter retreat, but another heart of mainland Europe, beating with the hope of daylight at a constant 22°C.

Spain is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, thanks to its rich tourism resources, deep historical heritage, and unique architecture. More than 1,000 km from mainland Spain, in the Atlantic Ocean, lies a famous "enclave" known as the Canary Islands (Islas Canarias). Like a pearl in the ocean, the Canary Islands are known as the "private garden of Europe's rich." The Canary Islands have a unique geographical location, with the vegetation and natural environment of North Africa, a mild climate, and the Mediterranean culture of Spain, creating an isolated and artistic island atmosphere. The famous writer Sanmao once lived here, where she met her tragic love story, and made more Chinese people yearn for this land. The Canary Islands are made up of seven beautiful islands, facing the Sahara Desert across the sea. The largest island is La Palma, which is like a real-life paradise, primitive and tranquil. Volcanoes, beaches, forests, and oceans blend perfectly to create an ultimate beauty. The small towns and villages by the sea are scattered, exuding a leisurely and comfortable atmosphere. La Palma has a great climate and natural scenery that is completely different from the European and African continents. The pure sky, dense forests, and spectacular volcanoes are all intoxicating. Stepping on this land, you feel as if you are one with the sea, forest, and island, and you don't feel like a tourist at all. The island has less than 100,000 residents, who live a quiet life away from the hustle and bustle. The houses are built on the hills, and the residents drink coffee in their spare time, enjoying a peaceful life. It makes people sigh that this is the "poetry and distance" that people dream of. The sky of La Palma is the most unique, known as the purest and clearest sky on earth. The unique geographical location, climate conditions, and strict control of light pollution make it possible to see a clear and beautiful starry sky at night, which is why it is designated as one of the world's few "starry sky tourist destinations." There is also a legendary astronomical telescope on the island, installed on a mountain at an altitude of 2,400 meters, through which you can clearly observe the night sky, and it is loved by astronomy enthusiasts and astrophotographers. Every summer, you can take pictures of the Milky Way, which is close and breathtaking. At sunset, the beach becomes the most popular place on the island. People swim, sunbathe, and listen to the wonderful music composed of the sea breeze, waves, and open-air bands, reaching a harmonious state of unity between man and nature. Visitors who love Sanmao will also come here to experience the indescribable beauty of the Canary Islands.

Sanmao, a person who lived her life as if the "poetry and the distance" in many people's hearts were the most ordinary days. She, who wandered all her life, chose to stay in a small seaside town on Gran Canaria, Spain: Telde. She lived here for many years, and many stories were written on this island. Today, there is still her former residence (p4) on the island. Another "beautiful island" in the Canary Islands, La Palma, is the last paradise on earth for Sanmao and Jose (p8, Sanmao's former residence Rocamar Apartment 306). Sunshine, beaches, and waves are all available on La Palma. The beautiful La Palma has a deeper feeling and bond for Chinese people because of Sanmao and Jose. Follow the footsteps of the female writer and embark on the "Sanmao Road" in Spain.

Did you know that The Witcher and Black Mirror were also filmed in Spain? Let's take a look at these stunning filming locations in Spain. 🎬The Canary Islands (Islas Canarias) - Filming location for The Witcher🧙‍♂️ Pic 1: Roque Nublo This natural wonder🌋 is located in the center of Gran Canaria, surrounded by mountains and valleys, towering into the clouds, and is extraordinarily magnificent. Pic 2: Dunas de Maspalomas The south of Gran Canaria is famous for its golden beaches and Maspalomas dunes🏜️. The desert and the sea "fall in love", is this an accident? Pic 3: Roque de Los Muchachos Roque de Los Muchachos is located on La Palma, with an altitude of up to 2,400 meters. It is sparsely populated and far away from the city, making it very suitable for watching meteor showers🌠. Pic 4: Bosques de tilos It is also located on La Palma and is one of the few ancient forests🌳 in the world. In this vast forest, you can forget all your troubles. Pic 5: El Cedro This forest🌲 is located in the center of La Gomera and is also part of the Garajonay Forest. This forest is dreamy and mysterious. 🎬Gran Canaria - Filming location for Black Mirror🤖 Pic 6: Tejeda It is the main scene of the sixth episode of the third season of Black Mirror. Tejeda🏙️ is one of the most beautiful towns in Spain. There are white houses and green plants everywhere. White and green have become the theme colors of the town, which is harmonious and healing. Do you know any other classic TV series or movie filming scenes in Spain? Come and share with us!

On the last day of our trip, we planned a long hiking route, determined to take one last vigorous walk. The route is 13 kilometers long, and if you discount the beginning and end, the middle section is almost a flat path laid out halfway up the mountain, then it descends to the beach, and finally enters a valley before climbing back up to the starting point, which is quite strenuous. This route is quite famous, not only because you can enjoy both sea and mountain views along the way, but also because the path is not too difficult, resulting in a higher number of visitors (compared to being completely deserted)! While playing on the beach, we didn't notice that the originally clear sky had stealthily filled with dark clouds, quietly pressing in from behind. We hurried on our way, but it was too late, and the raindrops pitter-pattered from sparse to dense, and in just about ten minutes, several mountain paths had turned into streams. Wearing soaked clothes and shivering from the cold, I comforted myself: This isn't rain, it's just heaven not wanting to let us go tomorrow, crying a storm! With that thought, I didn't feel so unlucky anymore. Overall, the scenery of the Canary Islands can be very beautiful, but there are also many places that are truly ugly! Banana houses covered with plastic tarps everywhere, haphazardly constructed buildings, and nearly bare mountain ranges... Staying for two or three months is fine, but any longer would feel confining and oppressive! After all, an island is an island, and once you've seen it all, there's nowhere else to go! Of course, we would still like to come again, to properly walk all the paths of the island, because, after all, its beauty is intoxicating!

White-sand beaches, rugged mountains, luxury resorts, island adventures Off the coast of northwestern Africa are a delightful chain of islands that should be on every sun-seeker's to-do list. The Canary Islands are all a bit different from one another, allowing the intrepid traveler to have four or even five (or more), experiences in one trip. The Canary Islands are especially known for their beaches. Stunning white-sand beaches washed by crystal-clear waters are among the best beaches in Spain. Many people come here to stay at the multitude of luxury resorts that line the waterfront, and rarely venture off the property. Those that have a taste for adventure will find towering volcanoes, stunning hiking trails, towering pine forests, and authentic old towns dating back to the time of Christopher Columbus. Some of the most popular islands are Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura. Each of these offers its own unique experience and landscape. #placetosee #stunningbeach #beachparty #beachlovers #topbeach #placetovisit #bestbeach #travel #perfectbeach #localescapes #helloautumn #beachvacation #hotelstaycation

Van life lets you reclaim a sense of serenity, simplicity, and adventure and the best part is no worries about where to sleep. Bond with hard-to-reach areas, natural landscapes, countless breathtaking pictures within the camper’s comfort. Find a perfect spot under the stars, and effortlessly live on a fluid and flexible itinerary.

Have you ever wished to explore the hidden paradise without any haste? Hitching your life on wheels can make it all happen! Discover the tranquil yet breathtaking island of Lanzarote with the famous Famara beach as your home base. Meet friendly locals, surf the waves, and experience the true spirit of living outdoors.