For cruise vacationers, the Canary Islands are most sometimes skilled as stopovers on a transatlantic crusing between Europe and North America. And but, the seven islands that make up the Canaries, an autonomous (self-governing) group of Spain, benefit a extra immersive journey of their very own, says Chris Prelog, Windstar’s president, who, whereas rising up in Austria, spent winters vacationing on the islands.
“There’s a cause they name these islands Europe’s Hawaii,” Windstar President Chris Prelog. “From black-sand seashores to cities with Spanish and Portuguese influences, it all the time felt to me prefer it was every thing you would need in a trip vacation spot.”
Notably when you make island-hopping simple.
The archipelago consists of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, its capital, and Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, La Gomera and Ferro. Paradoxically, the islands are literally nearer to the west coast of Africa than to Spain; Fuerteventura is slightly below 70 miles from Morocco’s Cape Juby.
Every one is distinctively totally different. Tenerife is lush with rainforests whereas elements of Lanzarote, with its dune fields and black sand seashores, really feel such as you’ve landed on the moon. La Gomera has a rugged mountain panorama. Santa Cruz de la Palma has a vigorous and colourful Caribbean vibe together with mountainous volcanoes and, like Lanzarote, thriving vineyards. Madeira, although not technically a part of the Canary Islands, is usually visited on itineraries within the area.
And right here’s a enjoyable reality: the Canary Islands are residence to seven UNESCO Biosphere Reserve websites, so chosen for the aim of conservation, analysis, training, and growth of cultural and biodiversity in environmentally distinctive places.
Methods to island-hop within the Canaries
The new ticket proper now’s the 10-night Canary Island Idyll in autumn 2025/winter 2026 onboard Wind Star, the corporate’s 148-passenger crusing ship. The selection of Wind Star for this route was no accident, Prelog says. “Prevailing winds within the Canaries make a voyage onboard a crusing yacht a unprecedented expertise.”
Primarily based from Tenerife, Wind Star calls at islands similar to La Palma (Santa Cruz), Las Palmas (Grand Canary Island), La Gomera (San Sebastian) and Lanzarote, together with Madeira (Funchal), which belongs to Portugal.
Attending to (and from) the homeport of Tenerife is less complicated than anticipated
The Canary Island Idyll itinerary residence ports in Tenerife. I found the simplest flights from North America are on United Airways, which now gives nonstop flights in each instructions on choose days between Newark (EWR) and Tenerife (TFS). If the nonstop schedule doesn’t give you the results you want, there are every day one-stop flights from most main North American airports on American, Lufthansa, Swiss, and British Airways. There’s even an choice to fly Icelandair with a Reykjavik stopover earlier than ending in Tenerife.
Take a look at our tips about what to do and see within the Canary Islands.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Tenerife is the most important, most populous and best-known of the Canary Islands, well-known for its seashores, nightlife and the very best peak in Spain, Mount Tiede. Santa Cruz (that means holy cross in Spanish) serves because the capital of the island and co-capital of the Canary Island archipelago. With a inhabitants of over 200,000, it’s a bustling metropolis, with an outdated city space that options colonial Spanish structure, retailers and eateries.
Greatest-known sights:
Whale and dolphin watching are standard shore excursions in Santa Cruz, however scenic drives rank highest for land-based exploration. Mount Teide dominates the skyline from nearly wherever on the island, and a go to to the Teide Nationwide Park will get you even nearer to the volcano’s summit and its large lava fields. There’s a cable automobile within the park to get a fair higher view.
For individuals who love markets, Our Woman of Africa Market, generally known as La Recova, options three multistory courtyards overflowing with meals, wine, flowers and native items.
Fantastic surprises:
Prelog admits that Tenerife was his second-favorite island within the Canaries (learn on for his absolute fave), primarily due to the mountain surroundings and climbing. Whereas most of the 67 trails discovered within the Teide Nationwide Park are listed as tough, one of the crucial scenic is Roques de Garcia. It’s a couple of 90-minute circuit path, listed on most maps as simple to average, that allows you to stretch your legs and really feel such as you’ve really explored a little bit of the island.
Backside line:
As a result of Tenerife is usually the place you say hola or adios to the Canary Islands, spare time in port could also be restricted. It’s simple, although, to plan a pre- or post-cruise keep right here. Windstar’s bundle incorporates a keep on the Iberostar Heritage Grand Mencey Resort.
Extra information:
The Canary Islands Tourism web site has a big part devoted to all issues Tenerife. Particulars in regards to the Mount Teide cable automobile are at Volcano Teide.
Lanzarote
Mendacity simply 78 miles from the coast of the African continent, Lanzarote is the third-most populous island and the fourth-largest of the Canaries. Its immense crimson and black volcanic landscapes give it an other-worldly really feel. The capital metropolis of Arrecife is residence to solely 64,000 residents.
Lanzarote is Prelog’s favourite island within the Canaries. After I requested him why, he was uncharacteristically confused. “It has a desert aptitude,” he lastly stated. “With the white buildings and the dunes, it’s very totally different. Selection is what makes the Canary Islands an ideal trip, and with this itinerary, we are able to take you round to pattern all of the variations.”
Lanzarote is the primary vacation spot on the planet to obtain a Biosphere Accountable Tourism Certificates. Meaning it’s not solely good at defending its uniqueness, it’s additionally developed a plan for sharing it responsibly.
Greatest-known sights:
You received’t discover the plush inexperienced mountains and banana groves you’ll expertise on Tenerife and Madeira. Lanzarote is stark. The panorama is what brings folks right here, mouths gaping as if they simply landed on Mars. You possibly can nonetheless get pleasure from seashores right here, they arrive in each black and gold. Journey a camel within the dunes when you select or just take within the harsh great thing about all of it.
Fantastic surprises:
As inconceivable because it appears, there are vineyards. Grape cultivars distinctive to the island are grown on the rocky lava fields near the bottom, a lot the identical as you’ll discover on Santorini. In actual fact, the visible similarities between Lanzarote and Santorini actually suprised me (although the 2 islands actually do really feel fairly distinct from each other).
And Lanzarote is just not an enormous cruise port. On a few of Wind Star’s port days in Arrecife, it’s the solely cruise ship in port. On others, just one different ship can be docked.
Backside line:
Lanzarote has a memorable desert magnificence you received’t discover on the opposite Canary Islands. Plus, there are issues you’ll be able to see and do right here you received’t discover elsewhere on cruises to many different areas on the planet. Whether or not you intention to trip a camel, go four-wheel adventuring, or sit and sip volcanic wine, this isn’t a port of name you need to miss.
Extra information:
Search for particulars about Lanzarote on the Good day Canary Islands web site.
San Sebastian de La Gomera
The island of La Gomera is the second-smallest, and one of many least-visited, of the Canary Islands. Its 142 sq. miles function hovering volcanic mountains that present the island with black sand seashores. The higher altitudes of the central island are dominated by the misty Garonjay Nationwide Park. The ship ports within the capital metropolis of San Sebastion de la Gomera, with a inhabitants of slightly below 10,000. The town’s historical past is interwoven with the expeditions of Christopher Columbus.
Greatest-known sights:
Hanging volcanic basalt formations, climbing and waterfall recognizing within the nationwide park (a UNESCO World Heritage Web site), and the black sand seashores are the first issues to expertise on La Gomera. San Sebastian Seaside is the preferred close to the port, with eating places close by. Most excursions deliberate via the ship are of the sightseeing selection, a number of with brief walks within the nationwide park. Selecting a brief sightseeing tour leaves you free to discover a little bit of the island by yourself or enterprise to the seaside for the remainder of the day.
“There’s a cause they name these islands Europe’s Hawaii,” says Windstar President Chris Prelog. “From black-sand seashores to cities with Spanish and Portuguese influences, it all the time felt to me prefer it was every thing you would need in a trip vacation spot.”
Fantastic surprises:
In case you are searching for the right memento from La Gomera, store for palm honey or guarapo. One other risk is wine produced from the Forastera Gomera grape. Historical past lovers can discover the Columbus Home Museum, the place Columbus stayed earlier than setting out throughout the Atlantic, and the Torre del Conde and Church of Asuncion, each from the fifteenth century.
Backside line:
San Sebastian appeals to nature lovers and people who get pleasure from dramatic surroundings. It’s a extremely walkable island, with greater than 370 miles of trails and paths.
Extra information:
The La Gomera Canary Islands Vacationer Data web site has a wealth of data, together with strolling excursions created particularly for cruise ship passengers.
Santa Cruz de La Palma
Santa Cruz serves because the capital and first port metropolis of the island of La Palma. It’s a comparatively small metropolis wealthy with Spanish historical past (we love the Plaza de Espana, anchored by the Iglesia Matriz de El Salvador). The Naval Museum (Museo Naval) has a reproduction of Columbus’ Santa Maria, and the cobblestone streets of town’s historic heart (walkable from the cruise port) are lined with examples of colonial Spanish structure.
Greatest-known sights:
Are you able to ever tire of the black sand seashores? Throughout winter, you’ll be able to benefit from the heat of the sand even when air temperatures are average. Water temperatures common within the low 70s, making it snug for a fast dip. The closest seaside to the cruise port is Bajamar. Additionally, La Palma is well-known for its volcanic vineyards.
As with different islands, viewpoints or roadside lookouts are the easiest way to soak up the island’s spectacular surroundings, any driving tour ought to embrace a number of of the extra outstanding viewpoints. The island additionally has a wine-producing area close to the caldera.
Fantastic surprises:
Tranquility is a phrase not usually utilized to vacationer areas, but it surely certain does apply to La Palma and its multisensory experiences. The most effective locations to seek out such tranquility is to enterprise north from Santa Cruz to Charco Azul, or Blue Pool. It’s considered one of many swimming pools within the Canaries that mix nature’s shoreline with a little bit of human ingenuity to create an area the place swimming within the sea is each secure and tranquil. It’s a couple of 40-minute taxi trip from the cruise terminal. The power has altering rooms, showers and even a solarium.
Backside line:
La Palma is an island with a slower tempo, the sort of vacation spot the place you’ll be able to wander a bit, possibly sip some native wine, and easily soak up the great thing about the place. There are additionally loads of excursions for many who need to see the inside of the island and study in regards to the tradition and historical past.
Extra information:
The Go to La Palma web page on the Turismo de Islas Canarias web site is stuffed with details about actions, trails, viewpoints for taking in surroundings, and locations of historic significance. The official tourism web site of Spain additionally has an inspiring web page on Santa Cruz.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Las Palmas is the provincial capital, and the co-capital of the Canary Islands together with Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Inhabitants of town is close to 400,000 — nearly half of the island’s inhabitants of over 800,000. The island known as the “little nice continent” for the variety of its landscapes, from seashores to pine forests.
Greatest-known sights:
Gran Canaria is thought for its seashores and golf programs. One of the best seashores are within the touristy southern a part of the island and are accessible by way of taxi. Las Canteras, nonetheless, is an city seaside not removed from the cruise port in Las Palmas. Excursions to the caldera and to considered one of a number of botanical gardens are additionally standard. Museum buffs have a handful to select from, proper in Las Palmas. El Museo Canaria supplies a historic have a look at the island and its settlers.
Fantastic surprises:
The beautiful Plaza Mayor de Santa Ana, dominated by the Cathedral of Las Palmas, is price the price of a hop-on, hop-off bus ticket. There are cathedrals in different cities within the Canaries, however this was the primary church constructed within the islands after the Spanish invasion. Its structure is a mix of Gothic, Neoclassical and Canarian — together with pillars that mimic palm timber. The sand dunes on the island’s southern coast are a pleasant shock.
Backside line:
Las Palmas is a big, busy metropolis, with all of the aptitude of any Spanish port. Along with scenic landscapes, this populous island is thought for archeological and historic treasures.
Extra information:
The Gran Canaria Tourism web site and the Gran Canaria web page on the Canary Island Tourism web site each provide detailed data for guests.
Madeira’s Funchal
Located roughly 250 miles north of Spain’s Canary Islands, Madeira is an autonomous area of Portugal, comprised of 4 islands. The capital of Madeira is Funchal (on the island of Madeira). This energetic metropolis hugs the coast and mountainside of Madeira’s highest peaks (Pico Ruivo reaches 6,106 ft above sea degree).
Greatest-known sights:
One of the uncommon actions here’s a toboggan trip. Image sitting in a basket on picket skids whereas two carreiros push and steer the wicker sled down a steep winding highway between the villages of Monte and Livramento. The ten-minute pace trip is just not for the faint of coronary heart, however undoubtedly enjoyable to observe. There’s a cable automobile to Monte with a surprising view of town and shoreline a brief stroll from the port.
The cable automobile can be an possibility for visiting the Monte Palace Madeira Tropical Backyard, a botanical backyard positioned in Funchal, Madeira, however as a result of the backyard meanders down a really lengthy slope, a greater possibility is a taxi that drops you on the entrance then picks you up on the backside exit two hours later. Don’t miss its oriental gardens, the Monte Museum for modern artwork, and the wildlife, similar to flamingoes, that wanders all through the property.
Fantastic surprises:
For a break from town crowds, contemplate a go to to the charming fishing village of Camara de Lobos. The colourful village has small markets for buying and charming cafes for a sip of Madeiran wine or a Portuguese beer. For a market nearer to the port, the Mercado dos Lavradores is strolling distance, and it’s every thing you’d look forward to finding in a European market — meals, souvenirs, spices and native wine. The mercado is conveniently positioned subsequent to the buying space of Funchal’s outdated city, the place you too can store for footwear or pattern some scrumptious gelato.
Backside line:
Madeira is fast-paced and loaded with issues to see and do. It has one thing for nearly everybody who visits, and Prelog says that even every week in Madeira won’t be sufficient to see all of it. One of the best recommendation right here is probably to squeeze in as a lot as you’ll be able to, then be ready to get pleasure from the great thing about the island from the deck throughout sailaway.
Extra information:
The Go to Madeira web site has an unbelievable quantity of data, together with competition schedules and folklore in addition to lists of monuments, church buildings and wineries.
