Canary Islands Spain – The Best Place In Europe To Live

Canary Islands Spain

Best Place in Europe to Live

Today I would like to invite you to the best place to live in Europe. The Canary Islands Spain, to be more precisely Tenerife south, a ‘vida loca’ in sun ‘n sand surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean.

Canary Islands Spain
The best place in Europe to live: The Canary Islands Spain – klaudiascorner.net©

The Canary Islands (Islas Canarias) are a geographically Africa and biogeographic Macaronesia – owned archipelago in the Eastern Central Atlantic, about 100- 500 km west of the west coast of Africa. The archipelago belongs geologically to Africa but is part of Europe and a member of the EU as the Canary Islands are Spanish territory.

Canary Islands Spain
The archipelago of 7 Islands near the African Coast – image GoogleMaps

Population

The number of residents on the Canary Islands has risen steadily over the past century. Today’s estimated population on the  Islands =  2.100.306 (2015) inhabitants. Tenerife’s population = 888.184 (2015) inhabitants. I, as a settled Tinerfeña for 16 years now (tinerfeño), have got some doubts about the reliability of these numbers. Look at the crazy amount of people arriving on a daily base! 

Canary Islands Spain
Canary Islands Spain ~ Tenerife South Airport Reina Sofia

In July 2007  the Spanish Ministry promised 1 billion euros for the expansion of the south airport to be able to handle the planned 11 million passengers annually. Currently, about 8.5 million passengers per year are going through Reina Sofia’s security checkpoints. And this is only the international south airport, if we would consider Los Rodeos arrivals as well, we’d have to add around 4 million (3,717,944 in 2014 ) passengers. How many of these passengers really make use of their return flight, who knows? And the ones who stay, will they register at all? Who lives on the island, who’s on vacays, who is on the run, escaping from law & order back home … who knows. Thus, all these numbers are rather vague.

Canary Islands Spain
Canary Islands Spain – klaudiascorner.net ©

 Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Santa Cruz de Tenerife with almost 50 % of the island’s population living in or around it, is the capital of Tenerife and the seat of the cabildo insular (island council) 

Canary Islands Spain
Canary Islands Spain ~ La Laguna University City St.Cruz

When visiting St Cruz de Tenerife and passing by the harbour you might get the pleasure to see the new cruise ships lie off. New cruise ships on ‘maiden voyage’  or ostentatious luxury yachts, excursion boats, let’s not forget our Canarian fishermen going out at night, there’s a lot going on in Canarian waters.

Canary Islands Spain
Canary Islands Spain – klaudiascorner.net ©

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Canary Islands Spain
Santa Cruz De Tenerife

Coasts & Beaches on Tenerife 

Canary Islands Spain

If you’re looking for white dream beaches or beautiful golden sand beaches in Tenerife, you are looking at the wrong place. Tenerife’s natural beaches are black, rugged coasts of volcanic basalt eroded by the sea.

Canary Islands Spain
Natural beaches in Tenerife are black 
Canary Islands Spain
Tenerife’s rugged coasts eroded by the sea

I am not saying that Tenerife doesn’t have nice beaches, Tenerife has some amazing beaches! But we must know that most of the golden beaches of Tenerife are man-made artificial beaches. Even the popular Las Teresitas beach outside of St Cruz de Tenerife is made of imported Saharan sand.

canary islands spain
Canary Islands Spain – klaudiascorner.net ©

 

The Flora of the Canary Islands

Canary Islands Spain
Platanos de Tenerife

A natural miracle is the  ‘Millennial Dragon Tree’ of Icod de Los Viños on the north coast of Tenerife. El Drago is about 17 m high and with a circumference of about 6 m. They say it is the oldest dragon tree on earth, despite the ‘millennial’ in its name the tree is estimated to be 500-600 years old.

canary islands spain
Drago Milenario de Icod de los Vinos
Canary Islands Spain
 Higo Pico ~ Prickly Pears
Canary Islands Spain
Strelitzia Reginae –  Crane Flower or Bird of Paradise

All year through you will be able to find cheap flights to the canary islands, provided you can plan your vacations ‘off season’,  avoiding peak season during school holidays will get you brilliant deals and discounts. Christmas time is the most expensive time to come over, from the end of January the prices start to fall. 

Some More Impressions 

canary islands spain
Playa de las Americas
Canary Islands Spain
Palacio de Congresos ~Tenerife South

Canary Islands Spain

Canary Islands Spain
Basilica de La Nuestra Señora de Candelaria
canary islands spain
La Orotava Sand Carpetscanary islands spain

 

 Green Tenerife – North & Mountains 

canary islands spain

canary islands spain
Canary Islands Spain – klaudiascorner.net ©

Mount Teide (Pico del Teide) is a volcano in Tenerife in the Canary Islands Spain. With 3,718-metre (12,198 ft) its summit is the highest point in Spain. Measured from its base on the ocean floor, it is at 7,500 m (24,600 ft) the third highest volcano on a volcanic ocean island in the world. Wikipedia

canary islands spain

canary islands spain

canary islands spain

canary islands spain

My top secret tip on ‘must dos’ in Tenerife is visiting Masca! I am sure, this is one of the most beautiful places on earth. You can reach Masca via land and via sea, you can drive up and climb down the ravine to catch a shuttle boat in the stunning Masca Bay.

canary islands spain

Tenerife’s southwest coast is a spectacular spot for watching whales and dolphins swimming free in the ocean. 26 species of whales are found off the coast, such as killer whales, baleen whales, pilot whales, or even blue whales.

canary islands spain
Tenerife’s coast is a spectacular spot for watching whales and dolphins …
canary isalnds spain
… or turtles

Muchas gracias and thanks a lot for reading! Did you enjoy this little trip around ‘my island of eternal spring’? Have you been to Tenerife or are you planning to come over soon? You will fall in love with the island, I am sure. Learn more about the archipelago on tenerifeforum.site

Hasta la vista, nos vemos en Tenerife!

Klaudia xx
canary islands spain
Canary Islands Spain – The cliffs of Los Gigantes ~ 415 meters high 

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Corrina Wassenaar
Corrina Wassenaar
3 years ago

Ik hou van de canarische eilanden en vooral tenerife al heel vaak geweest

Alexandra
Alexandra
3 years ago

Been There, done that. Love Tenerife, but there are so many more beautifull places to explore. Can’t settle down right now.

Henk
3 years ago

Tenerife staat nog steeds hoog op mijn lijst, bergvakantie en zonvakantie in een

Anke Morreel
3 years ago

Ik woon nu toevallig ook in een prachtig gebied in Zuid Spanje.. AXARQUÍA. In de heuvels, toch dicht bij de zee. .

Sanford Feldt
Sanford Feldt
5 years ago

This 2018, I plan to visit Europe and Spain. For my summer holiday, I’m looking at Tenerife or Lanzarote.I came across this one article about the place here in https://www.canaryislandsinfo.co.uk/tenerife/places/los-cristianos/ I’ve never been to either and apparently, the beaches are fantastic as well as being suitably ‘different’ to make it interesting. How about you guys? Any plans?

Indrani
Indrani
6 years ago

Whoa… I so want to visit NOW!
I had been to mainland of Spain and toured several cities but not these islands. Impressive the extent they have gone to create a beach by importing sand. Looks like anything can be created these days, it is a matter of decision.

Jennifer
6 years ago

Your pictures were so beautiful. I didn’t realize that sand was imported from the Sahara to make a beach “look” like what tourists expect.

jodie filogomo
jodie filogomo
6 years ago

Incredible!! I love finding new places to visit, so this was fabulous!!

Jennifer
6 years ago

Thanks for sharing. I love the pictures and am really fascinated by the trees and flowers!

stacey
6 years ago

These pictures are BEAUTIFUL! I have never been to Spain and would love to go one day. I should have honeymooned here!!! WOW!!

Silly Mummy
Silly Mummy
6 years ago

Beautiful! I’ve actually never been to the Canary Islands. My sister went to Fuerteventura many years ago.

Lee Gaitan
6 years ago

Paradise! You are definitely living right, just gorgeous photos.

jodie filogomo
jodie filogomo
6 years ago

This looks amazing!! We’ve always wanted to visit Spain, so maybe we go here instead!
Jodie

Luisa
Luisa
6 years ago

Het is gewoon zaaaaalig om hier nu te kunnen wonen alles kan en niks moet (y) 🙂 🙂

Eugenia
7 years ago

Love your post full of interesting information and stunning photos!This place is my dream destination for sure! I’d love to see whales and dolphins swimming free in the ocean!!!

Martin @ArtbyMLO
7 years ago

It’s been really fun to browse through your photos. I brought me back when I visited the island about 6 or 7 years ago. It is definitely a beautiful spot to live.

Erin
Erin
7 years ago

I’ve been looking for a place I could take my son to go whale watching, and this could be perfect, maybe during the February holidays. Will have to check out prices!

Hang Around The World
7 years ago

We haven’t been to Canary Islands yet but they are on our travel lists. We have to book 2 tickets for next summer.
You have inspired us more thanks to your beautiful photos. What type of camera did you use?

Jerwel De Perio
Jerwel De Perio
7 years ago

Aw, this place reminds me of home, but much cleaner. I love the tropical feel. I also live by the mountain so I can see the beach and the forest and the nearby mountains too. This place deserves a chance to visit or even make yourself a home.

Jerwel De Perio
Jerwel De Perio
7 years ago

Aw, this place reminds me of home, but much cleaner. I love the tropical feel. I also live by the mountain so I can see the beach and the forest and the nearby mountains too. This place deserves a chance to visit or even make yourself a home.

Bernadette Angelie Pangilinan
Bernadette Angelie Pangilinan
7 years ago

I have never heard of Canary Islands before but I am so thankful I saw your post. There’s really a lot to be discovered around the world. Those beaches are pure perfection! <3

jean
jean
7 years ago

I’ve never to Spain but looking at the photos you got. The Canary Islands are one of the most popular sun, sand and sea holiday destinations going. Each island is quite different, with its own sparkling personality.

Joy
Joy
7 years ago

Beautiful!!!

Anna Nuttall
7 years ago

I want to travel to the Canary islands, i was in fact talking about with my husband this morning. it look so beautiful and friends told me how wonderful it is. Next summer I will go…

Charm Gamboa
Charm Gamboa
7 years ago

There are whales and turtles? Love iiiiit!!!! The harbor is such a breathtaking view. I really dream of seeing a harbor with ships and sails. It’s very relaxing. I hope I could visit this too!

Mardene Carr
7 years ago

Thanks for allowing me to see this beautiful place. You have done on awesome job of reporting with fantastic pics

Ma.Me.Mi.Mommy
7 years ago

Wow! What a beautiful place indeed, based on your photos! I haven’t set foot on Europe yet though. I wonder when that will be.

Marsha
Marsha
7 years ago

OMG great photos! That dragon tree is beautiful! I’d love to visit the Canary Islands!

Dominic Barrios
7 years ago

Looks like there’s so much to see in the Canary Islands in Spain. The beaches look great especially the rugged coasts. I’m curious also about the Drago Milenario de Icod de los Vinos. It looks like something lives there (or it probably just look like Groot). I’d like to hear about the story of that tree. After that, I could probably just appreciate a walk down their street because of the architectures while eating something on hand.

ROBERT LEE
ROBERT LEE
7 years ago

Absolutely beautiful. Tourists pay loads of money to visit the Canary Islands, and you, my friend, live there. How wonderful life is. I know, tourists and residents do not see a place the same way, but that must be the magic of Canary Islands. You appreciate it and that is because you are living your life.

Louisa
Louisa
7 years ago

I haven’t heard of this place before. Looking at your pictures thought this place is amazing. Beautiful to look at and a dream to live there.

Liv
Liv
7 years ago

Beautiful!

Jessica
7 years ago

Never been in Spain but canary islands is just a collection fo paradise. The beach, unique plants amd amazing structures are all worth to visit. I have to make a plan now how to explore canary islands. Your photos are convincing enough to make a visit here 🙂

Judith
7 years ago

Nice article! And so true. Shared it on the The R Guide Gran Canaria FB.

heidi williams
7 years ago

So beautiful Claudia! You are so lucky..Of course, you know I cried when I saw the beach of my dreams. I can’t pick a favorite part but it all looks so serene. As soon as my inheritance comes in I am so there (delusional)

Roy Miller
7 years ago

This place looks fantastic. It is very lush and the water is amazing. I like the architecture too. Thank you for posting the pictures.

Me-An Clemente
7 years ago

I still haven’t been to Europe yet so I’m not entirely sure if the Canary Islands is the best place in Europe yet. The photos you’ve shown are amazing. Are you the one who took all the photos? If yes, that is great!