It’s a trend: spending winter on the Canary Islands

Spending winter on the archipelago of the Canary Islands is an unbeatable option for people seeking a hiatus in their life while enjoying pleasant temperatures and legendary scenery

Because of their geographical location and subtropical climate, the Canary Islands offer people seeking a hiatus in their life the perfect destination in which to spend the winter. In fact, many people from several European countries choose the archipelago as their preferred option for escaping from the low temperatures typical of the European winter, and enjoying a lifestyle that is more relaxed, and full of possibilities.

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The Canary Islands have the best weather in the world, with a year-round average temperature of twenty-three degrees which only drops slightly in winter, and very little rainfall. This allows visitors to rediscover winter and turn it into a permanent spring, freeing themselves of cumbersome coats and scarves, and bringing lighter bags and cases with them.

In addition, the Canarian archipelago boasts nearly 5000 hours of sunshine a year, making it possible to stretch out the day, and your vitality, more than in other regions.

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Winter is one of the best times of year for admiring the natural wealth of the islands. The humidity that concentrates in the higher areas intensifies the different tones of green that characterise many of the archipelago’s natural spaces. An exceptional way of turning this season on its head is by enjoying the scenery of the Canary Islands. The archipelago has four national parks (El Teide, Timanfaya, Garajonay and Caldera de Taburiente) where one can admire anything from whimsical volcanic formations to one of Europe’s best-preserved Laurissilva forests, with convenient, winding trails, transporting visitors to the landscapes of 20 million years ago.

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We should also remember that all of the Canary Islands have been declared Biosphere Reserves, some of them in their entirety, like La Palma, Lanzarote, La Gomera, El Hierro and Fuerteventura, and others in part (Gran Canaria and Tenerife). This designation identifies territories of scientific interest, with the aim of harmonising the conservation of their biological and cultural diversity, and economic and social development, through the relationship of people with nature.

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For lovers of the sea, the more than 1500 kilometres of coastline allows us to admire vertiginous cliffs, heavenly natural swimming pools and some of the best beaches in all of Spain. The mild temperatures are also a lure for anyone who wants to enjoy bathing in the Atlantic Ocean at any time of year.

Even so, for people who miss a more wintry landscape, nearly every year the microclimates and geography of the Canary Islands offer up scenes like El Teide or El Roque de los Muchachos completely covered in snow, ready and waiting for the more nostalgic among us.

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Planning a change of scenery does not have to mean a temporary change in our place of residence alone. The pace of life on the Canary Islands is relaxed, peaceful and calm, and tends to rub off quickly on those who visit them, either for short periods or to spend longer holidays, like the whole winter. People eschew stress on the archipelago, avoiding the hustle and bustle of big cities, and this can help us a great deal with recharging our batteries and thinking about changing to a healthier pace of life.

In addition, the cost of living of the Canary Islands is lower than the European average, making it easier for visitors to organise their budget with more leeway, and fully enjoy everything they like doing when they travel: accommodation, restaurants, leisure and culture.

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Although many visitors who do not have time to soak up the destination in full may not realise this beforehand, the Canary Islands have an extensive historical and cultural legacy, as a result of the influences of the different civilisations that settled on the archipelago over past centuries.

Whichever island visitors decide to establish as their residence over the winter, on all of them they will encounter veritable jewels of architecture and sculpture, museums or cultural and interpretation centres.

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The gastronomy available on the Canary Islands has gained a great deal of prestige over recent years, becoming a national leader and winning several of the most sought-after awards in the sector, such as Michelín stars or Repsol suns.

Spending the winter in the Canarian archipelago presents visitors with a splendid opportunity to discover new flavours through local products, or come across a reinterpretation of the cuisine of their home country, as there is also a wide range of international cuisine.

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A special mention should go to the wines of the Canarian archipelago, where there are ten designations of origin, five of them in Tenerife (Abona, La Orotava, Tacoronte-Acentejo, Valle de Güímar and Ycoden-Daute-Isora) and, under the name of each island, one each in Gran Canaria, La Gomera, El Hierro, La Palma and Lanzarote.

The volcanic nature of the soil and the perfect adaptation of the vines to the numerous microclimates on the islands has made the Canary Islands an exceptional wine-growing reserve. One visit no visitor should miss is a trip to any of the wineries on the islands, which offer guided tours of their installations and wine tastings.

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And to accompany a wine tasting, what could be better than trying some of the cheeses produced in the Canary Islands, with characteristics that make them unique and three Protected Designations of Origin with specific particularities in terms of excellence? Canarian cheeses shine forth in the most important national and international competitions, and have won numerous awards over recent years.

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An exceptional climate, varied, surprising gastronomy, a wide range of culture and leisure options and the friendly local people, in surroundings with astonishing scenery, are just some of the reasons why the Canary Islands are the perfect destination in which to spend the winter. In addition, the network of direct flights to everywhere in Europe makes it easier to land here, and the communities of foreign residents in the archipelago simplify the adaptation process for visitors.