The 12 most beautiful towns in the Canary Islands (to visit)

The Canary Islands is an archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean that forms a Spanish autonomous community in northeast Africa, with historical nationality status. This means, broadly speaking, that Canaries make up a cultural and linguistic identity separate from the rest of Spain, due to their different historical baggage, customs and traditions.

This archipelago, made up of a total of 8 islands (since La Graciosa was approved as such in the Senate in the year 2018), offers a completely different vision of culture than the one that the inhabitants of the peninsula are used to. Iberian. From the weather and relief to the way of understanding routine and existence itself, it is clear that the Canary Islands are a relict of authenticity, diversity and a breath of fresh air for anyone not endemic to the territory.

For all these reasons and many more, Today we want to show you the 12 most beautiful towns and places of reference in the Canary Islands. Either by boat or by plane, you can access each and every one of them for a small price, especially if you are a resident of the peninsula. Do not miss them, because paradise is much closer to you than you think.

• We recommend you read: "The 10 most beautiful towns in Spain to disconnect from the routine"

What are the most beautiful towns in the Canary Islands?

The Canary Islands differs from the rest of the autonomous communities due to its diversity. They have nothing to do with landscape, fauna and relief, Lanzarote and Tenerife, for example. Insularity generates physical isolation and, therefore, each island is completely different from the previous one, at least from an ecosystem point of view.

So, we are going to show you some of the most beautiful towns to visit in the Canary Islands, but they have nothing to do with each other. In the following list, we show a little for everyone. Do not miss it.

1. Garachico (Tenerife)

Garachico is a municipality belonging to the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with almost 5,000 inhabitants. More than half of its landscape is made up of the Canary Island pine (a conifer endemic to the islands), a clearly volcanic environment and an old cliff that separates the old town from the midlands. Beyond its characteristic relief, also presents a rich architectural heritage of the 16th and 17th centuries, in addition to being considered at present as a Villa and a Port.

Some of the places of interest are the Casa de los Molinos (the only flour mill in the municipality), the Casa de los Pontes, the Castillo Fortaleza San Miguel and the Dominican Convent.

2. Teguise (Lanzarote)

Teguise is a municipality located in the center of the island of Lanzarote and represented its capital until 1847, when this title was transferred to the town of Arrecife. Today, it is one of the most striking towns on the island, especially for its white buildings and its tourist attraction: here markets are held every day of the week, ranging from crafts to agriculture.

3. Betancuria (Fuerteventura)

Betancuria is a municipality located on the west coast of the island of Fuerteventura. This is the oldest known town in all the Canary Islands, with more than 600 years old. With 805 inhabitants, it is the least populated municipality in the entire Canary Islands.

Due to the history that this population center contains, there are many things to see: the Church of Santa María, the Museum Archaeological and Ethnographic, the Hermitage of Nuestra Señora de la Peña, the Betancuria Rural Park and many other places. Undoubtedly, this place exudes history and conservation through each alley.

4. La Orotava (Tenerife)

La Orotava is a municipality belonging to the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, on the island of Tenerife. It is the largest municipality on the entire island and, in addition, the one with the largest forest area: approximately 78% of the Teide National Park is part of the municipality of La Orotava. Only with this data you can imagine the tremendous ecosystem importance that this small town has, right?

Some of the places of interest in this town, beyond nature, are the Casa de los Balcones, the Casa Mesa and the Hijuela del Botánico. This last place is especially remarkable, since it is a botanical garden with more than 4,000 square meters of extension of unparalleled beauty.

5. Teror (Gran Canaria)

We change the island, because Teror is one of the municipalities belonging to the island of Gran Canaria. This place is especially known for its religious connotations, since here the image of the Virgen del Pino, patron saint of the Diocese of the Canary Islands, is venerated.

It is a religious pilgrimage center and, furthermore, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful towns on the entire island. Whether for its landscape or for its spirituality, this place falls in love with the most demanding.

6. Yaiza (Lanzarote)

Located on the island of Lanzarote, Yaiza is another of the towns that has historically been considered one of the most beautiful in all of Spain. It is one of the best-preserved settlements in the Canary archipelago and has received various beautification awards.

What's more, here is the Timanfaya National Park: from the mountains of fire to the camel stalls (where you can hire a pleasant walk with these mammals), Yaiza stands out for its purely Canarian experience.

7. Santa Cruz de la Palma (La Palma)

We are facing the capital of La Palma, with more than 15,000 inhabitants, founded in 1493. Santa Cruz de la Palma is a small but charming city that It has been declared in its entirety as an Asset of Cultural Interest with the category of Historic-Artistic Complex, mainly for its beautiful buildings on Avenida Marítima, Calle Virgen de la Luz and Calle San Sebastián.

8. Mogán (Gran Canaria)

Located on the island of Gran Canaria, the municipality of Mogán is considered an eminently touristy one. What most attracts tourists from all regions of the world are its impressive beaches, currently configured as 6 urbanizations: Arguineguín-Patalavaca, Anfi del Mar, Puerto Rico-Amadores, Tauro-Playa del Cura, Taurito and Puerto de Mogán. Hotels, restaurants and walks will delight the most beachgoers in this town.

9. Firgas (Gran Canaria)

We do not change areas, but we move to the smallest municipality on the entire island. Despite its small size, the Canary Islands tourism website itself warns adventurers: the historic center of Firgas is worth a walk.

The building of the House of Culture is the one that attracts the most attention in the region. In it, the Municipal Library, an Exhibition Hall and a Municipal Assembly Hall are located. Nor can you leave Firgas without visiting the beach and Church of San Roque, striking for their beauty from an architectural and artistic point of view.

10. Arucas (Las Palmas)

The city of Arucas is a region with great architectural and urban values. Its urban area is of unbeatable value, and is represented by one of the most impressive buildings on the entire list: the Parish Church of San Juan Bautista.

This incredible architectural work was sculpted entirely in Arucas stone by the masters of the area, in 1909. This church is also known as "the church that wanted to be a cathedral" or "the frustrated cathedral", due to its imposing size.

11. Caleta del Sebo (La Graciosa)

Caleta de Sebo is the main town of La Graciosa, and the one where you disembark when you come by boat from Órzola. This small population nucleus (of about 730 inhabitants) shows an architectural homogeneity astonishing, as it is made up exclusively of one-story white houses, with doors and windows bluish.

There are no cars or engine noise in this town, because its simplicity and humility do not even understand paved roads. The pure Canarian experience, based on stillness and lack of worries, is located in Caleta del Sebo.

12. Agaete (Greater Canary Islands)

Agaete is a Spanish municipality belonging to the province of Las Palmas, on the island of Gran Canaria. Beyond its architecture, this place will delight nature lovers. Here is the Huerto de las Flores and the Tamadaba Natural Park, the latter being a protected area that includes the largest pine forest on the island.

Resume

If you have ever had the opportunity to travel to any of the islands that comprise the Canary Islands, do not there will be doubt that the conception of life is very different from that of any purely population nucleus urban. Its landscape, its people and its philosophy of life are a breath of fresh air for anyone who has tired of the routine. or that, simply, seeks to discover new essences and experiences.

The Canary Islands are heritage, nature and customs. For a small price, you can experience all the cultural diversity and tranquility that this region offers you: What are you waiting for?