Super spots off the Spanish coast
From the Balearics to the Canaries, Leon Beckenham picks the best Spanish islands to add to your bucket list. Tenerife Lanzarote Fuerteventura Isla de Arosa
Spain is the second most-visited country in the world, hitting a new high of 82 million visitors last year. And although Madrid and Barcelona are popular cities worth visiting, there are plenty of must-see islands, too. the yachting set, though the influx of well-heeled visitors hasn’t detracted from its charm. It’s the smallest of the Balearic Islands, with miles of white-sand beaches and crystal clear seas. The secret may be out, but the lack of an airport keeps visitor numbers down. It’s only accessible by sea, and a regular ferry service runs from Ibiza to Formentera for those of us who aren’t lucky enough to have a private yacht.
Formentera hotel pick: Talaya Formentera. The largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife has a lot more to it than sunshine and beaches. The dramatic landscape is dominated by Mt Teide volcano, but there are also mountain ranges, forests and rugged cliffs that make the island a great place for hiking. Somewhat surprisingly, Tenerife is also home to five Michelin-starred restaurants and numerous vineyards that produce tasty local wines.
Tenerife hotel pick: Royal Garden. Known for its dramatic volcanic landscape, Lanzarote is arguably the most interesting of the Canary Islands. As with the other islands in this archipelago, the year-round mild climate makes it a great place for an off-season beach holiday – that is, if you’re not put off by the unusual presence of black volcanic sand. The house of local artist Cesar Manrique is well worth a visit – it’s built into the caves formed by bubbles in the lava flow. The vineyards on the island are also popular, as the vines are planted in pits dug into the black soil, and they strongly resemble lunar craters.
Lanzarote hotel pick: Arrecife Gran Hotel. As its name suggests, Fuerteventura is known for strong winds that blow almost constantly throughout the year, making it a mecca for all kinds of surf sport enthusiasts. It’s the secondlargest of the Canary Islands, with more than 145km of white-sand beaches. There are also some fantastic dunes you can visit and, just off its north coast, Isla de Lobos is home to crystal-clear waters.
Fuerteventura hotel pick: Avanti Hotel Boutique Fuerteventura. Unlike most of the Spanish islands, this unusually shaped isle is actually connected to the mainland via a carriageway. Located in Galicia, it is in the northwest region of the peninsular and less of a summer destination for foreign tourists. August, however, still sees holiday-makers pouring in to enjoy the beaches and buzzy promenade lined with bars and restaurants. A section of the island is also now a nature sanctuary for birds, with designated hiking paths and wonderful views of the rugged coast. – Oyster.com