Ten best things to do in the Canary Islands - Cunard cruises (2024)

Fire Mountain Camel Ride

Acuras’ Secrets and Canary Rum

Trekking in The Valley of 1000 Palms

Mount Teide Cable Car

A Day of Two Beaches

Las Palmas Walk of Discovery

Fuerteventura by Buggy

Tenerife Wine and Tapas

Teguise Sunday Market

Aloe Vera Workshop

Ten best things to do in the Canary Islands - Cunard cruises (1)

Best For Adventurers…

Fire Mountain Camel Ride – Lanzarote

A camel ride across volcanic dunes is just one highlight of this Shore Experience to Lanzarote’s famous Timanfaya National Park. Immerse yourself in centuries-old lava formations and volcanic craters as you venture across the otherworldly scenery of this lunar-like landscape. In the heart of the park, you’ll witness the fiery subterranean heat that bubbles just below Timanfaya’s surface in a series of geothermal demonstrations conducted by your park guide. You’ll also pay a visit to a bodega in the startling black landscape of the La Geria wine region, where you’ll taste some of the locally produced wines that are cultivated on the island.

Ten best things to do in the Canary Islands - Cunard cruises (2)

Best For Culture Seekers…

Acuras’ Secrets and Canary Rum – Gran Canaria

Discover the scenic charms of Acuras on this Shore Experience on the island of Gran Canaria. Tucked away in the mountains, Acuras is one of Gran Canaria’s most enchanting villages. Its cobblestone streets, lined with elaborate wooden balconies, are like something from a fairy tale. It also boasts one of the island’s most magnificent neo-Gothic cathedrals and sweeping views out to the sparkling blue seas that shimmer off Gran Canaria’s shores. Once you’ve soaked up all of Acuras’ charms, you’ll visit the largest and oldest rum distillery in Europe. Here you’ll learn the secrets behind Canary Island rum making, as well as sampling a selection of rums and liquors distilled on site.

Ten best things to do in the Canary Islands - Cunard cruises (3)

Best For Nature Lovers…

Trekking in The Valley of 1000 Palms – Lanzarote

Stretch your legs under the warm Canarian sun on this scenic hike through Lanzarote’s Valley of 1000 Palms. You’ll start your adventure at the island’s highest peak, Peñas del Cache, trekking through Lanzarote’s only forest. Continuing on, you’ll reach the Valley’s viewpoint, where you’ll have a chance to gaze out over this beautiful green oasis in all its glory. Some free time to explore the charming village of Haria then follows before a short coach ride to the Cuevas Verdes, one of the longest volcanic tunnels in the world. Once a refuge from marauding pirates, today these extraordinary green caves are home to a 500-seat natural concert hall.

Ten best things to do in the Canary Islands - Cunard cruises (4)

Best For Families…

Mount Teide Cable Car – Tenerife

Drink in the sweeping views from the top of Tenerife’s famous Mount Teide on this scenic cable car ride. You’ll be whisked from ground level to 11,600 feet above sea level, where you’ll alight your cable car onto the crater of the world’s third highest volcano. The thrilling ascent takes just eight minutes and rewards you with awe-inspiring panoramas stretching out across Tenerife in every direction. The trip also includes a scenic drive through Tenerife’s mist-filled Esperanza Forest, with its radiant emerald-coloured canopies and atmospheric low cloud. You’ll stop at several points along the journey, offering an opportunity to immerse yourself in this wonder of the natural world.

Ten best things to do in the Canary Islands - Cunard cruises (5)

Best For Sun Worshippers…

A day of two beaches – Fuerteventura

Sun lovers can get their fix with this Shore Experience to two of Fuerteventura’s beaches. Your first stop will be to the Corralejo Dunes National Park, home to the largest sand dunes in the Canaries. You’ll be free to spend your time here however you wish. You could scale the dunes while watching for native birds or soak up the sun on the white sand beach between inviting dips in the sapphire sea. Next, you’ll head to Caleta de Fuste, where a palm lined promenade offers plenty of places to grab a drink or a light bite overlooking the shore. The expansive sandy bay by the marina is a perfect sunbathing spot – sheltered from the swells, it’s an excellent beach for families.

Ten best things to do in the Canary Islands - Cunard cruises (6)

Best For Traditional Charm…

Las Palmas Walk of Discovery – Gran Canaria

Discover the colourful history of Las Palmas’ charming old town, Vagueta, on this guided walk. This centuries old district is peppered with Spanish architecture, decorative balconies, and picturesque squares. Marvel at the twin towered Cathedral of Santa Ana, with its sympathetic blend of gothic, renaissance, and neoclassical styles. You’ll also come face-to-face with Episcopal Palace, and La Casa de Colon (Columbus’ House), where the intrepid explorer famously stayed on the island on the way to discovering the new world while awaiting the repair of his ship. Today, it is a museum, housing artefacts of traditional Canarian historical significance.

Ten best things to do in the Canary Islands - Cunard cruises (7)

Best For Thrill Seekers…

Fuerteventura by buggy – Fuerteventura

Explore Fuerteventura from a unique point of view, zipping around the island on your own self-driven all-terrain vehicle. After a quick test drive to get comfortable with the controls, you’ll set off from Corralejo, cruising along behind your guide with the cool sea breeze on your skin. Your tour will take you through beautiful national parks and coastal roads, past views of sand dunes, lava fields, and sparkling seas. After a quick pit stop to stretch your legs in Parque Holandés, you’ll continue along dirt tracks, driving the ridge of volcanic craters. Stop to admire the sweeping panoramas across Fuerteventura one last time, before returning to base and back to your ship.

Ten best things to do in the Canary Islands - Cunard cruises (8)

Best For Wine and Foodies…

Tenerife Wine and Tapas – Tenerife

Savour a taste of Tenerife on this exclusive visit to the island’s best El Sauzal and Tacoronte wine regions. You’ll start your tour at La Baranda House of Wine, a Canarian mansion and wine museum located on a 17th Century Estate. Here, you’ll discover the heritage of Tenerife’s wine industry, and sample a selection of red, white, and Rosé wines. Afterwards, you’ll visit Bodegas Alvaro, an 80-year-old artisan winery and home to one of the largest collections of wines in the Canary Islands. After tasting even more wines, including a sparkling cava and a sweet Moscatel, you’ll enjoy a selection of traditional Tenerife tapas, including the island’s famous salt potatoes and mojo sauce.

Ten best things to do in the Canary Islands - Cunard cruises (9)

Best For Retail Therapy…

Teguise Sunday Market – Lanzarote

If your ship calls into Lanzarote on a Sunday, be sure to visit the island’s famous Teguise Sunday Market. A shopper’s paradise, the atmosphere of this local’s favourite shopping spot is always abuzz with excitement. Lining the narrow streets that run through Lanzarote’s former capital, a visit to Teguise on market day always feels like an event. As you browse the labyrinth of stalls, rubbing shoulders with tourists and locals alike, you’ll encounter a huge variety of wares. Handmade leather goods. Silver and gold Jewellery. Local artworks and glassware. There’s so much to tempt to. Once you’ve completed your purchases, perhaps make your way to one of the surrounding bars or cafés to indulge in a strong coffee or a cool drink as you admire your keepsakes.

Ten best things to do in the Canary Islands - Cunard cruises (10)

Best For Relaxation…

Aloe Vera Workshop – Fuerteventura

Natural beauty enthusiasts will love this opportunity to craft your own organic Aloe Vera face mask at this relaxing workshop. Offering antiseptic, anaesthetic, and anti-inflammatory properties, aloe vera is a super plant grown by many Canary Island residents in their gardens. You’ll start your visit with a walk through the aloe fields in the village of Tiscamanita, getting a feel for how this wonder of nature is fertilised and harvested. Then it’s mask-making time. With help from your host, you’ll blend fresh aloe vera with other natural ingredients like citrus to create your own bespoke face mask to take away with you. Perhaps, give your digestive system a boost with an aloe-infused cocktail as you work, before heading back to your ship to enjoy the fruits of your labour.

Find your Canary Islands cruise

Like the sound of some of the experiences on this list? Take a look our cruises to the Canary Islands for details of all our upcoming itineraries. Once booked, you’ll be able to browse the full list of Shore Experiences available in each port of call, simply by logging in to My Cunard from your smartphone or other internet-enabled device.

All of our Cunard Shore Experiences include travel to and from your ship and are offered in conjunction with vetted local guides. Some of our best things to do in the Canary Islands sell out quickly, so we highly recommend taking advantage of being able to book in advance to secure your space!

Ten best things to do in the Canary Islands - Cunard cruises (2024)

FAQs

What to do on a Canary Island cruise? ›

12 Things to Do On a Canary Islands Cruise
  • Playa de las Canteras. This lively beach, featuring stores and charming cafes, is a short walk from the port. ...
  • Roque Nublo. ...
  • Plaza del Teror. ...
  • Timanfaya National Park. ...
  • La Geria. ...
  • Cueva de Los Verdes. ...
  • Teide National Park. ...
  • Loro Parque.
Jun 14, 2024

What do you wear on a cruise to the Canary Islands? ›

Being comfortable is a top priority during your cruise vacation -- casual wear is the standard daytime attire for most cruises. It's best to bring a variety of footwear choices including low-heeled shoes for walking on deck, sandals for beach excursions and a pair of dress shoes as well.

What is the most visited island in the Canary Islands? ›

The island of Tenerife receives about 5 million tourists each year, making it the most popular island for tourists. Tourist attractions here include nightlife, walking, and whale-and bird-watching. Loro Parque (meaning "Parrot Park") on Tenerife has a collection of 3,000 parrots.

What is the best time to visit the Canary Islands? ›

The Best Time to Visit Canary Islands. The best times to visit the Canary Islands are spring (March-May) and Fall (September-November). Spring offers warm weather, fewer tourists, and lower rates. Fall also enjoys mild weather with sunny skies and less rain than other times of the year.

What is the best month to cruise the Canary Islands? ›

The best time to cruise to the captivating Canary Islands is during the transitional months of spring and autumn. From April to June and September to November, the islands bask in splendid weather that strikes a harmonious balance between the gentle warmth of summer and the comfortable coolness of winter.

What is the prettiest place in the Canary Islands? ›

La Palma. La Palma is an un-commercialised paradise. Its jaw dropping scenery, lush green forest and dreamy night sky make it a unique experience indeed. With a plethora of beautiful walks and breathtaking scenery, La Palma is certainly the prettiest Canary Island.

Is the sea rough around the Canary Islands? ›

No doubt someone will report that they had it rough. The Bay & the Atlantic can vary so much - flat one day and rough the next. October can also vary enormously. If you are good sailors then you should be fine.

Can you wear jeans to dinner on a cruise? ›

A good rule of thumb for cruisers is to always pack at least one pair of long pants that are not jeans, for dinners onboard. As far as dress prohibitions, cruise lines tend to follow policies similar to airlines, disallowing guests from wearing clothing bearing messages that are distasteful or patently offensive.

What should I bring to the Canary Islands? ›

Supplies to prevent illness or injury
  • Hand sanitizer or wipes.
  • See CDC recommendations: Water Disinfection.
  • Permethrin is insect repellent for clothing. It may be needed if you spend a lot of time outdoors. ...
  • (SPF 15 or greater) with UVA and UVB protection. See Sun Exposure.
  • Wear for additional sun protection.

What is special about the Canary Islands? ›

These islands are known for being the sunshine centre of Europe, and offer mild temperatures and a range of outstanding natural attractions. In fact, five of its seven islands have been declared a Biosphere Reserve, and the archipelago has four national parks.

What is the least popular Canary Island? ›

The smallest of the main Canary Islands, El Hierro is also the least touristy.

What currency is used in the Canary Islands? ›

What is the official Canary Islands currency? As part of an agreement with the EU, the Euro is the only form of Canaries currency that's accepted as legal tender. You'll see it represented as either 'EUR' or €. Before the Euro, the Canary Islands currency was the Spanish Peseta.

Which Canary Island is best for the elderly? ›

Lanzarote is a beautiful Spanish island in the Canary archipelago and offers a variety of things to see and do for Senior Citizens who might want to spend their time on holiday at a slightly slower place than families and younger couples.

What is the best way to get around the Canary Islands? ›

On the islands, hiring a automobile is usually the best way to get around and for a good balance between budget and convenience. You'll be able to discover the remote regions of each island freely. You can also continue driving to closer islands such as Fuerteventura and Lanzarote with a ferry crossing.

Are the Canary Islands walkable? ›

Walking along the paths of the Canary Islands is one of the best ways to enjoy the landscape, which is full of contrasts: luxuriant forests, volcanic plains, steep cliffs or crags, sand dunes and areas like rain forests.

Are the Canary Islands worth seeing? ›

You can visit unique landscapes

The natural diversity of the Canary Islands includes surprising spaces shaped by their volcanic origins, like Timanfaya National Park, on Lanzarote; Spain's tallest mountain (Mt Teide, Tenerife, in Teide National Park), and spectacular viewing points - for example, on El Hierro.

Are there hop on hop off buses in the Canary Islands? ›

City Sightseeing Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour. Discover the scenic city of Las Palmas on an unlimited hop-on hop-off bus tour.

What's so special about the Canary Islands? ›

These islands are known for being the sunshine centre of Europe, and offer mild temperatures and a range of outstanding natural attractions. In fact, five of its seven islands have been declared a Biosphere Reserve, and the archipelago has four national parks.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Chrissy Homenick

Last Updated:

Views: 6250

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Chrissy Homenick

Birthday: 2001-10-22

Address: 611 Kuhn Oval, Feltonbury, NY 02783-3818

Phone: +96619177651654

Job: Mining Representative

Hobby: amateur radio, Sculling, Knife making, Gardening, Watching movies, Gunsmithing, Video gaming

Introduction: My name is Chrissy Homenick, I am a tender, funny, determined, tender, glorious, fancy, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.