What to do and see in Canary Islands, Canary Islands: The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas

April 1, 2022 Nobuko Falco

The sun-drenched Canary Islands lie close to North Africa and have an exotic flavor of their own. Hundreds of volcanoes, rolling sand dunes, rich forests and rugged cliffs dapple these seven Atlantic gems. Catch a ferry to Lanzarote. Ride a camel through volcanic Timanfaya National Park. Take on Tenerife, home of Mount Teide, Spain's tallest peak. Romp Grand Canary's beaches or hike La Gomera's Garajonay National Park. More adventures await on tiny El Hierro, verdant La Palma and peaceful Fuerteventura.
Restaurants in Canary Islands

1. Monumento Natural de Caldera de Gairia

Fuerteventura Spain
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4 reviews

Monumento Natural de Caldera de Gairia

2. Cross Island

La Cancela, 35650 Lajares, La Oliva, Fuerteventura Spain +34 661 96 37 15 [email protected] http://www.crossisland.es
Excellent
88%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 195 reviews

Cross Island

You´d like to truly discover your vacation spot? It's time to think outside the box, and explore with Cross Island! We have so many place to share with you : uncharted corners of Fuerteventura, hidden volcanoes, deserted coves, culinary tour, and many other delightful surprises... Board the Defender, let the adventure begins!...

3. Sentiero Punta del Hidalgo - Chinamada

Carr. Gral. Punta del Hidalgo, Punta del Hidalgo, Tenerife Spain
Excellent
82%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 22 reviews

Sentiero Punta del Hidalgo - Chinamada

4. Parque Rural de Anaga

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife Spain
Excellent
83%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 217 reviews

Parque Rural de Anaga

Reviewed By JenyL126

I took the bus from La Laguna to the visitor centre, they were very helpful there, suggesting a walk that fitted my requirements and providing a map. I walked the 5 km on my own and it was wonderful, so peaceful with just the bird song for company. Beautiful views near the visitor centre, not very obvious where to go to see but if you cross the road (from the centre) and walk to the left of the restaurant, behind it there are steps, or a ramp, which lead you up to an amazing view. Also there is a cafe near the centre which was very good.

5. Lanzarote Biosphere Reserve

35500, Arrecife, Lanzarote Spain +34 928 81 01 00 [email protected] http://www.lanzarotebiosfera.org
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2 reviews

Lanzarote Biosphere Reserve

6. Barranco de Guayadeque

Ingenio, 35250, Gran Canaria Spain +34 928 78 00 76 http://blog.princess-hotels.com/en/2016/09/things-to-do-gran-canaria-guayadeque-ravine
Excellent
54%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 626 reviews

Barranco de Guayadeque

Reviewed By 7edg - London, United Kingdom

This baranco is very long. To get the most out of it I'd recommend heading to Montana de las tierras and starting out from there. We drove but saw taxis which you could pick up from aguimes. There was also evidence of a bus service, although I'd want to check the timetable before relying on them, not sure how frequent the service is.  Once you've parked up you can follow the track up for as long as you like. It gives some great views of the area you've driven through. The trail also continues on through the baranco. We only had an hour of daylight so didn't go far. But looks like you could quite happily walk carry on for plenty a mile (although obviously check a map for trails). Also on the road from aguimes to the mountain you'll see the interpretation centre for the valley. Sadly it was closed for technical reasons when were there (mid December 2019).

7. Pinar de Tamadaba

Artenara, 35350, Gran Canaria Spain +34 928 66 61 45
Excellent
72%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 65 reviews

Pinar de Tamadaba

Reviewed By dalinda_sanchez - Gothenburg, Sweden

This place is magical! If you are a nature lover, you should definitely go to this place. How to get there I could not find the place to start the hike from Puerto de las Nieves to Tamadaban. There was not much information online and there were no signs on the road. So I opted to go by taxi to the Area recreativa at the top of the mountain and then go back to puerto de las nieves by foot. Then I checked the exact location at puerto de las nieves to start the hike for the next time. I also thought of renting a car and go to the area regreativa, but I was happy I didn't do it. First, there are no many signs along the road that can indicate whether you are on the right direction or not. Also, you will not see many people or cars along the way in case you get lost. At times you would not know which direction to take. The taxi ride cost 50 euro from Puerto de las nieves to the Area recreative (top of the mountain where you can start the hike down or take any other hike in the neighborhood). Just in front of the church of Puerto de las Nieves, by the harbour where the restaurant starts, you will find a Taxi sign with the phone number to order a taxi. It took 2 min to get a taxi very early in the morning (around 7am). The taxi ride takes about 1h but you can just relax and enjoy the view and listen to the stories that the taxi driver will share. The driver showed me the Roque Nublo, the symbol of Gran Canaria and told me what happened with the big fired that occurred in August 2019. The taxi ride was worth every penny for enjoying the beautiful scenery and all the information provided by the taxi driver. Where to hike! Once you are in Area recreativa, go to the camping area! The taxi driver recommended this area. Most hikers go directly to the hike and miss this breathtaking spot. The scenery at the camping area is jaw-dropping. You could take some food with you and sit on the rocks amazed by the beauty of the place while enjoying the food. It is about 800m-1km from the Parking Area at the area recreativa. Then, you can go back to the Area recreativa and start the hike down to Puerto de las Nieves. There are some other routes available. I followed the route to Puerto de las Nieves. Although people said that the hike was well-marked, there were some parts with fallen signs or no signs at all. I got a bit lost once. So these are the tips not to get lost. The hiking trial is a very good road, there are some small roads along the main hiking trial but not as good as the main one. So, if you end up hiking in a very narrow, not well defined path, go back to the main road, you might have taken the wrong direction. To go to Puerto de las Nieves, you need to follow the signs for Agaete. There is a shared road that also goes to San Pedro. San Pedro is closer than Puerto de las Nieves, so follow the signs that say San Pedro or Agaete if you do not see the one to Puerto de las Nieves (the first couple of km 1or 2 only mention San Pedro or Agaete), and you will have to turn left if you go further to Puerto de las Nieves later on. There was one pole on the way that has no sign but only written with pencil the distance and direction to go to Puerto de las Nieves and San Pedro (at that stage they where still on the same shared direction), so be vigilant for that sign. I hope the signs get better maintained in the future. Anyway, I also recommend you to ask any hiker you see whether you are on the right direction, just to confirm! But Puerto de las Nieves is to the left! The hike up seems very challenging but extremely worth it! The hike down is also challenging, be careful as the road is slippery at times. The hike down took me about 3 hours because I was going slow, enjoying the view and taking lots of pics. The best is to go to the Area recreativa early so that you can enjoy the hike down during the day, I would not recommend to go there around noon or later as you might get caught in the dark if getting a bit lost on the way down.

8. Reserva Ambiental

Avenida Grenamora 1 Hotel Sandos San Blas, 38639, San Miguel de Abona, Tenerife Spain +34 922 74 90 10 [email protected] http://es.sandos.com/sandos-san-blas/reserva-ambiental
Excellent
72%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 374 reviews

Reserva Ambiental

Through this unique and enriching experience you will discover and learn about the natural and cultural aspects of southern Tenerife. On the guided tour you will visit: -Multimedia Museum(20mn): thanks to technology you will learn about unique plant, animal species, natural sculptures, traditions and history of this territory. -Historical Experience Tunel(25mn): through which you will travel back through time and witness the most significant historical events in southern Tenerife . A whirlwind of emotions and feelings will sweep you away during this truly unforgettable experience. -Walk in San Blas Nature Reserve(1hour20mn):You will also discover the historic soul of San Blas over the centuries during the walk. Our tour is available in differents languages,please contact the hotel Sandos San Blas to have more informations about the guided tour and to know about the schedule of the week.

Reviewed By Byronix - London, United Kingdom

This is a restricted area that you can only gain entrance with an electronic key as used by those staying at the hotel just off the roundabout. If you are a guest then the place is open to you 24 hrs night and day. Animals! Only the wild natural ones are here. Many birds can be seen if you are patient enough! Rabbits and lizards are very evasive! There is still the interactive tour that starts off in the hotel. Check before arriving as can get busy, but now in January it's very quiet. Very informative. €15 or €7.50 each if you're a guest at the hotel. Beautiful landscape that can get the imagination running and takes you on a history of Tenerife from volcano to the early inhabitants and how they just about survived! Such baron land but in the 60's was the main supplier of tomatoes. An incredible feat considering the lunar landscape and very little rain! Bravo to those hard workers! We are so lucky to walk around this place knowing we have a plentiful supply of food and water just a stone's throw away.

9. The Ocean Dream's Factory

El Puertito, 38678, Adeje, Tenerife Spain +34 629 73 01 98 [email protected] http://www.oceandreamsfactory.com
Excellent
83%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 23 reviews

The Ocean Dream's Factory

FLYOVER, a way towards sustainable tourism. Getting to know the value of marine reserves, watching over the hard impact of diving activities and minimizing its negative effects are the main targets. This experience reaches over a wide variety of divers, from beginners with no experience, to experts. Supported by PADI ProjectAware, in the hands of long experience diving instructors, beginners will “fly” underwater, getting to meet the species that live there, and participating in conservation activities.

10. Parque Natural de Corralejo

Corralejo, La Oliva, Fuerteventura Spain https://visitcorralejo.com/en/
Excellent
77%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 10,598 reviews

Parque Natural de Corralejo

Reviewed By 335sherylf - Nottingham, United Kingdom

Amazing sand dunes... tranquil perfection... either choose sun beds or walk a little further to you own piece of heaven ... windbreaker / umbrella needed if sitting on towels and sand ... a cheeky little beach bar ...but better to take a picnic. Coast guards run the coast line ... if you are on a part with no station they still come over in beach buggies every so often. Blue flag amazing sands, sea and crashing waves good for dipping in a toe, wind surfing, kite surfing or surfing. It is a vast area so you can easily find a secluded spot. Get taxi/ bus to the two Rui hotels, turn right on beach and keep walking. Great day of sun and relaxation.

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