12 THE CREAM OF THE CANARY ISLANDS


November/December 2020 Travel News Discover the Charm of the Canaries


From the mountains to the sea, the Canary Islands holds plenty of charm for holidaymakers O


VER the years, the Canary population has developed a unique personality which has given rise to its own special and cheerful way of doing


things. This is also reflected in the architecture - something


that can be seen in the myriad of traditional rural hamlets, the small villages of white houses and the historical quarters of the cities, all of which bring together an excellent example of the Canarian identity. Ideal to explore on foot are the landmark buildings of great cultural interest and the places full of charm that tell us of the past history of the islands and their people. When it comes to relaxing, what better than to stop somewhere en route and try the local wine or a traditional dish surrounded by the beauty of these places.


The charm of a rural town in El Hierro The pretty town of El Pinar is the gateway to


the south of the island. Taking the road from the capital, you will be enchanted by the countryside full of vegetable gardens and landscapes dotted with fig and almond trees. El Pinar is found on the border of large pine forests and on its lower slopes the landscape


the Spanish writer Unamuno as a “petrified storm” and the views out towards the iconic Roque Nublo and Roque Bentaiga, once sacred to the island’s pre- Hispanic people, are spectacular. Artenara is a calm mountain village and perfect for taking a breather from the island’s bustling resorts and coastal towns.


Rural idyll in the Gran Canaria mountains Tejeda, is the central highlands of Gran Canaria,


is an almond town; its famous, traditional desserts all contain this healthy nut. In the shade of Roque Nublo and surrounded by valleys, the town is tranquil and charming and the perfect place for a rural retreat far from bustle and stress. Let the beauty of the mountains and the natural beauty of the area soothe your troubles away.


A hamlet with volcanic walls in El Hierro Isora has that certain something that catches visitors’


eyes. Located in the east of El Hierro, this pretty hamlet developed around the Azofa spring. Maybe it’s the houses made of volcanic rock or the stone walls and beautiful well-tended vegetable gardens, or maybe it is


wines in the 16th Century it also housed an important sugar mill. Partially destroyed by fire in 1798 the town was rebuilt with special care taken to maximise its green spaces. The old town is centred around the main church of San Marcos, the plazas of Lorenzo Cáceres and la Pila and the San Francisco convent.


One of the prettiest towns in northeast Gran Canaria From highlands covered by the island’s best preserved


pine forest down to the clear Atlantic waters via a stunning, fertile valley and a pretty old town, the Agaete Valley in northwest Gran Canaria is one of the island’s prettiest spots. The town, with its whitewashed houses clinging the valley side, contains treasures such as 19th Century houses with interior patios, the Concepción church, and the wonderful walled Huerto de las Flores garden.


Walk through the historic capital of the Canary Islands


Located in the mid-west of the island of Fuerteventura, Betancuria is one of the most important colonial landmarks in the history of the Canary Islands. Founded in 1404 by the Norman Knight Jean de Bethencourt, the town’s location was chosen for its secluded inland position to offer a better defence against pirate attacks. The town reached its peak in the 18th Century due to its abundant dry crop harvests. Today the entire local economy depends on tourism.


Hamlet with traditional Gran Canaria handicrafts This hamlet in the central highlands of Gran Canaria


is named after the abundance of canes that grows in the area and was once famous for the cane roofs and


huts made by it’s weavers.Today they focus on baskets and brushes. A small hamlet but one full of charm and surrounded by impressive mountain landscapes: Its whitewashed and tiled houses seem to cling to the mountainside.


Dreamlike landscapes in Tejeda It’s worth driving to El Carrizal de Tejeda via


the carretera de las presas (the reservoir road) as the landscapes are breathtaking. The hamlet is on many of the hiking trails between Tejeda’s many geological features.Once you arrive visit the San José hermitage with its ancient images. In the bar, enjoy a cold drink and wait around for the famous sunsets with the light fading into the deep valleys while Tenerife sits in silhouette on the horizon.


A hamlet hidden in the valleys Hidden in the deep valleys of south Gran Canaria, Ayagaures hamlet with its discreet, traditional houses made from local stone, is surrounded by arid landscapes sheltering native plants. Life here still revolves around traditional activities such as goat herding and stone quarrying.


One of Gran Canaria’s most important reservoirs The name Ayagaures comes from the areas pre- Hispanic language and means “between two mountains”. The valley’s reservoir, surrounded by palm trees, pines and dragon trees, is one of the island’s most important and also its most picturesque. Look out for the low stone buildings made from stone quarried in the valley. While you can drive up the Ayagaures valley the walk here from San Bartolomé de Tirajana, route info in the town tourist office, is spectacular.


Explore the hidden villages in the valleys of the Canary Islands


is full of rugged volcanic ravines. It’s a town where El Hierro’s traditional rural way of life continues, focused around agriculture, farming and craft making.


The charm of a town with delightful views If there’s one thing that makes El Sauzal stand out


as special, more than its charming nooks and crannies, it’s the panoramas. Located in the north of Tenerife, perched on a cliff, the whole town is one enormous viewing point, from where visitors can admire a unique view of Teide, standing watch over the Orotava valley, or the shimmering blues of the Atlantic Ocean. Removed from the typical tourist trials, El Sauzal is perfect for those in search of peace and tranquillity.


A charming village in central Gran Canaria Artenara is Gran Canaria’s highest village and sits on a giant natural balcony surrounded by the rugged ridges and valleys of Gran Canaria’s Biosphere Reserve. The surrounding terrain was described by


the combination of everything together that fills this tiny village with the typical charm of El Hierro’s oldest towns. A place to relax and recharge the batteries.


A town which grew with sugar cane Located in the southeastern region of the island


of Gran Canaria, the town of Ingenio evidences the achievements of the economic boom that agriculture brought to it in the XVI century. The growing of sugar cane made this progress possible for what was at that time a place dependent on its neighbouring town, Agüimes. Today the municipality boasts two historic quarters: the old quarter of Candelaria Square and the Carrizal neighbourhood with the church of Our Lady of Good Success (Buen Suceso).


Rural prosperity Located in the north of the island of Tenerife, Icod de los Vinos is a town shaped by its relationship with the countryside and agriculture. Famous for its renowned


Spend a day by the shore, walking through streets of traditional white-painted houses


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