- Let's take a look at the map
- Beach vacation and its features
- Tenerife. By far the first violin
- Colorful calendar
- Useful observations
The Canary archipelago was born thanks to volcanoes that spewed lava on the surface of the young planet in prehistoric times. That is why most of the beaches on the distant islands are black. An amazingly beautiful combination of colors is not the only charm of the archipelago, territorially belonging to Spain. When asked when it is better to have a rest in the Canary Islands, each of their residents will answer with a smile and advise not to particularly check the calendar. The blessed landmass in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Africa is most often referred to as the Islands of Eternal Spring, and therefore nearly 13 million annual tourists are evenly distributed over all four seasons.
Let's take a look at the map
Seven large inhabited islands, among which the largest is Tenerife, and six small ones you can easily find on the map west of the Moroccan coast. The geographical latitude largely determines the climate of the archipelago, but other natural factors are invariably involved in the formation of the weather in the Canary Islands:
- The most arid islands are considered to be Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. The reason is the proximity of the Sahara desert and the periodically blowing sirocco winds from there, bringing sandstorms and intense heat.
- In contrast, the northeastern trade winds provide the islands with moisture and soften the heat. The opposition of air currents ensures optimal conditions for relaxation even in the height of summer.
- The Atlantic influences the climate in its own way. The cold current in the area of the islands and the constant anticyclone over the neighboring Azores cause a low amount of precipitation.
- On large islands, the mountainous relief helps create a special microclimate, and even in the middle of winter you can find a place here where the air temperature does not drop below + 25 ° C.
Dry and sunny weather is observed in the Canary archipelago most of the days of the year. Average temperature indicators on the coast are from + 15 ° С in winter and from + 25 ° С - in summer months. The absence of sharp temperature fluctuations and other weather features make the Canary Islands an ideal holiday destination for a traveler with almost any climatic preference.
Not too large fluctuations in water temperature in the Atlantic in the Canar region allow divers to do what they love here almost all year round. The cold current provides good visibility to the water.
Beach vacation and its features
Fans of the islands of eternal spring know that it is better to relax on the Canary beaches when the water warms up to at least + 19 ° С. The cold current of El Golfo makes water treatments possible only at the end of April. Before that, the ocean seems too cold and you can hardly enjoy swimming comfortably. At the height of summer, thermometers show in coastal waters about + 25 ° C and the swimming season lasts until the end of October.
The air becomes especially pleasant for sunbathing much earlier. You can sunbathe on the Canary beaches in winter, but gusts of wind often force daredevils to cover themselves with towels. It becomes much more comfortable on the black volcanic sand closer to April. In mid-spring, mercury columns confidently reach + 25 ° C by 10 am, and shortly before the May holidays, the Canary Islands become a favorite vacation spot for golden-age tourists and those who do not welcome too hot sun.
The "high" beach season in Tenerife and Gran Canaria is considered July-August and the first half of autumn. During the day, thermometers can show up to + 30 ° C at this time, but the famous northeast trade winds help to withstand high temperatures very easily. By the way, the Canary volcanic sand has its own characteristic features. Even in the afternoon heat of July, its temperature remains pleasant, and therefore, on the black beaches of the Canary Islands, you can comfortably sunbathe without a sun lounger and allow children to sculpt Easter cakes without fear of burns.
Tenerife. By far the first violin
Among its brothers-islands, Tenerife is the most popular, frequently visited, large and densely populated. It is located almost in the center of the island chain. Despite the relatively small size of the island, the climate in its south and north has some differences. The reason for this is the mountain range stretching from east to west.
The northern part of Tenerife is more humid and cooler, and in the south there are more sunny days, it rains only in the winter months, and even then it is extremely rare. The average air temperature in July reaches + 29 ° С, and in winter and in the northern regions the thermometers do not drop even below + 20 ° С at night.
In Tenerife, you can choose your holiday destination according to your own aesthetic and color tastes. The north will appeal to fans of pebble beaches and black volcanic sand. If you belong to the adherents of classic beach canons, choose the southern resorts, where the shores are covered with sand from the Sahara desert brought by dust storms.
Colorful calendar
The Canarian tourist is not alive by the beach alone, and therefore even in winter it is quite crowded here. The reason for such popularity of the archipelago is the schedule of its holidays and public events, to which tens of thousands of fans of spectacular shows flock.
The most grandiose Canarian event is the winter carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. He deserved the second place of the podium among the world shows of this level by right, yielding only to the holiday in Rio de Janeiro. The Canary Festival attracts about a million people annually, and its weekly program is designed and prepared throughout the year. The program of the holiday includes colorful processions, the election of a queen, dance and costume contests, fireworks and special ceremonies that have existed for tens and hundreds of years.
If you want to fly to the Canary Islands for the carnival, book tickets and hotels several months in advance so as not to overpay. Even so, the chances of finding a flight and an inexpensive hotel at the end of February and the beginning of March are usually very small.
If you failed to get to the carnival, do not rush to be upset! There are many other vibrant holidays in the Canary Islands that are worth seeing:
- At the end of January, Tenerife traditionally hosts the participants of the De Música de Canarias music festival.
- In February, the almond blossom season begins and the Fiesta de almendro en flor festival takes place on the island of Gran Canaria, symbolizing the arrival of spring. The main treats in cafes and restaurants these days are almond wine and desserts prepared with the addition of fragrant nuts.
- You can taste the delicious cheeses in early May at the Flower Cheese Festival in Guia, Gran Canaria. The feast is accompanied by folk dances and performances by folklore singing groups.
- Local florists cover the streets of La Laguna and La Orotava with carpets of fresh flowers in late spring and early summer. This is the time for the Feast of the Body of the Lord in Tenerife.
- It is best to get acquainted with the art of winemaking in September, when the inhabitants of Tenerife remember the Savior during the Cristo de los Dolores.
- You will be taught how to fish by hand during the second week of September in Gran Canaria. The Lagoon Festival also introduces other ancient rituals in the archipelago.
- You can easily make noise for no reason and legally on November 29 in the northern regions of Tenerife. On this day, the locals remember St. Andreas in a special way. They build noisy devices from scrap materials and compete on the streets and squares, who can do it louder.
The sheer number of holidays in the Canary Islands is another reason to plan a trip there. Whenever you find yourself on the islands of eternal spring, you will be guaranteed a good mood and a lot of pleasant impressions.
Useful observations
Canary winds make it possible to tolerate heat relatively easily, but also often cause sunburn.
Protect your skin with high factor creams and suitable clothing. Do not neglect protection even in winter, because the sun on the islands is always very active
When choosing when is the best time to fly to the Canary Islands, consider the popularity of the islands among tourists not only in Europe, but throughout the world. Be sure to book your plane tickets and hotel rooms well in advance.
In the "high" season, there is a high likelihood of a lack of vacant places, and the prices for the rest may seem not at all humane
If you appreciate the opportunity to do some shopping on your vacation, you'd better fly to the Canary Islands when the traditional sales kick off. This usually happens in the middle of summer and just after the Christmas holidays. However, in other seasons, shopping in Tenerife or Grand Canaria is still profitable, because the islands are a free economic zone.
