Made of a number of small islands off the northwest coast of the mainland of Africa but belonging to Spain, the Canary Islands are a top holiday destination for many tourists seeking the typical trio of sun, sea and sand. They offer very hot, dry summers as well as mild winters with temperatures very rarely dropping below 16C, even in winter. This means that they are the perfect holiday destination for holidaymakers seeking sun at short notice, and many people throughout the year book last minute cheap holidays to one of the beautiful islands.
Oasis Park, Fuerteventura
This really is the perfect place to take the family if you’re staying on the island of Fuerteventura. The Oasis Park is filled to the brim with animals such as chameleons, kangaroos and birds. It also offers a huge botanical garden with over seven thousand different species of plants. You can take it all in at your own speed, but be sure not to miss the spectacular sea lion show.
Cueva de los Verdes, Lanzarote
The island of Lanzarote is riddled with caves as a result of a huge amount of ancient volcanic activity. The Cueva de los Verdes is one of the most interesting and spectacular among these and is home to one of the largest underground volcanic galleries in the world, which is over 6km long. An exciting story to tell the kids is about how the cave was once occupied by locals fleeing pirates.
Siam Park, Tenerife
Siam Park is one of many water and theme parks on the island of Tenerife, but is heralded as being not just any old water park. The park is a fantastic place to take kids of any age, with slides for the thrill seekers such as the Tower of Power and Mekong Rapids, as well as the Lost City which is perfect for the little ones. There’s also the Lazy River and a traditional looking Thai floating market for the rest of the family to enjoy.
Dunes of Maspalomas, Gran Canaria
The Dunes of Maspalomas are one of the most attractive tourist destinations on the island of Gran Canaria. They are a must see of sandy peaks stretching along 4.5 square kilometres of nature reserve on the coast line. The dunes are constantly changing from day to day as the sand that forms that blows in from the Sahara Desert over 250 kilometres away.
Mount Teide, Tenerife
Mount Teide, situated in the centre of the island of Tenerife is the highest of the Spanish mountains at 3718m tall, and is an active volcano. The volcano and its surrounding areas are protected in the Teide National Park and are a glorious sight to see. For the best and easiest view, take the cable car to the upper station at 3555m. While you’re there, make sure to wander around a little to take a look at the fantastic volcanic flora and fauna. There are plenty of trails and viewpoints to explore too.
