Heading to the Canary Islands for vacation? Check out this article: interesting facts about the Canary Islands that will help you get to know the region you’re heading to better. Some facts might surprise you, some might amuse you. But knowing these facts will explain many unfamiliar aspects when you’re already on vacation on the islands.

TOP 15 Interesting Facts about the Canary Islands

  • The Canaries are a volcanic archipelago formed above the ocean due to volcanic eruptions. Today, the islands are a seismically active region. Everyone knows about Mount Teide, but it’s just the largest, yet dormant volcano, awakening once every 10,000 years. However, few know that beneath the surface of La Palma Island, a supervolcano is forming. The last major eruption was in 2021. Scientists anticipate the eruption of this supervolcano in this century.
  • Mount Teide isn’t just the highest mountain on Tenerife Island. It’s the third-highest active volcano globally, and it’s also the tallest peak in all of Spain, standing 3,718 meters above sea level. Anyone can reach the summit via a cable car. Information about Teide National Park, routes, prices, and booking can be found here.
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This isn’t photoshopped; it’s the volcanic eruption in 2021 on La Palma. The lower photo depicts its aftermath
  • Despite being geographically distant, the Canary Islands are considered part of Europe. The nearest European country is over 1000 kilometers away, while Africa is just 98 kilometers away
  • Each type of wind here has a name. The most famous wind in the Canaries is “calima,” hot and dry air masses from Africa that carry sand from the Sahara across the ocean. Over millions of years, calima has brought enormous sand dunes to some islands. One example is the Maspalomas dunes in the south of Gran Canaria.
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Satellite images show how calima looks. Tons of sand from Africa cross the ocean to the Canary Islands.
  • The Canary Island of El Hierro is practically entirely powered by solar and wind energy, providing 97% of its energy needs. Interestingly, it’s also one of the smallest inhabited islands in the archipelago
  • On La Gomera Island, a unique whistling language called Silbo Gomero has been preserved. Not only has it been preserved, but it’s actively promoted among the population today. Silbo Gomero is listed as UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. More about this and the indigenous population of the Canaries can be found in the linked article.
  • The main agricultural crops on the islands are bananas and potatoes. About 70% of all arable land here is planted with bananas. As a result, bananas are used to make various products, including alcoholic beverages like liqueurs, wines, frizzantes, infusions, and so on. If interested, there’s a detailed article about alcohol in the Canaries.
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All drinks in the photo are made in the Canary Islands from Canarian bananas: from strong 40-degree liqueurs to sparkling wines. All of them can be purchased in stores on the islands
  • Continuing with the topic of alcohol: almost all islands in the archipelago are wine regions with DOP (Protected Designation of Origin) status, producing a vast amount of excellent Malvasia wines. A unique feature of local wine is that grapevines grow in “hollows” in black volcanic soil on the slopes of volcanoes.
interesting about canaries
Here’s how traditional vineyards look on Lanzarote. You can see all this live and visit a dozen local wineries with tastings.
top facts canary islands
Papas arrugadas – a pride of Canarian culinary
  • The Canary Carnival, held annually in February, is the second-largest and most extravagant carnival in the world. The Brazilian carnival takes the first place, of course. During the two weeks of carnival in the Canaries, one million tourists visit. Details about this, how it has transformed today, and what it used to be like can be found in the article: Carnival in the Canary Islands.
what is interesting in canaries
These are the costumes of the carnival winners in 2020 and 2022
  • The Canary Islands served as a stopover point in all of Columbus’s voyages, starting from the very first one when he discovered America. It was here that he made his last stop before crossing the ocean, replenishing supplies of water and food before sailing to America. Many streets here are named after him, and there are house-museums where he lived.
  • The largest aviation disaster in human history occurred in Tenerife in 1977. Two planes collided on the runway, resulting in the deaths of 583 people.
  • There are many endemic species on the Canary Islands, plants and animals. For millions of years, the islands developed in isolation from the mainland. One of the most famous endemics is the Canary Islands Dragon Tree – Dracaena draco, which grows only on these islands. Learn more about the flora and fauna of the Canaries, giant three-meter dandelions, dangerous insects, and animals in the article linked.
best facts for tourists canary
The Canary Island Dragon Tree, an endemic of the Canaries. If you cut the bark, red resin will ooze out, which was compared to dragon blood, hence the name. In the photo, the largest dragon tree in the Canaries and the world, it is 1000 years old
  • Finally, an interesting fact for your leisure time. There is an aqua park on Tenerife called Siam Park. I highly recommend everyone to visit here. Plan your entire day for this place. In short, Siam Park has been recognized as the best water park in the world 9 times in a row! No other water park in the world has received as many awards. For more details, read the article: lava pools and water parks in the Canaries

In conclusion, I hope these interesting facts about the Canary Islands have helped you learn a lot of new things. And you are seriously considering the Canaries as the destination for your next vacation. One piece of advice: the Canary Islands are very diverse; each island is different from the others and is suitable for different categories of travelers. Choose the right island for yourself, and the Canaries will still surprise you.

Useful links to help you plan your dream trip to Canary Islands:

  • Car Rental: LocalRent or DiscoverCars – the most popular car rental platforms.

  • Accommodation:
    • Trip.com – the largest accommodation booking platform.

    • or TripAdvisor – to compare prices among other platforms and choose the best one.

  • Budget-friendly vacation packages to Spain and Canary Islands: CheapOair.

  • Tours and activities: GetYourGuide or Viator – hundreds of offers, whales and dolphins, entrance tickets with discounts.

  • eSIM and internet: Airalo.

  • Flights: WayAway compares prices among dozens of companies.

  • Travel Insurance: EKTA.