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The Nublo rural Park, the largest natural area in Gran Canaria, protects a range of natural treasures and the main symbol of the island; the monumental lava plug that is Roque Nublo rock. The 26,000 hectare park in west GRan Canaria, with 30 small settlements, is recognised b y Unesco as a Biosphere Reserve. It shelters natural areas of rich biodiversity full of unique plants, from cool Canary pine forests to arid plains at the mouths of its valleys.

The Roque de los Muchachos viewpoint is situated at the very top of La Palma, one of the best places in the world for astronomy. Laid out below is a breath-taking view of a giant volcanic crater 1,500 metres deep, covered in trees and with volcanic rocks in amazing formations. This area, declared a National Park, is an absolute must for anyone staying in La Palma. For those who suffer from vertigo it is best to prepare yourself beforehand for the magnitude of the visual spectacle.

The largest volcanic tube in the European Union can be found right here in Tenerife. It’s the ‘Cueva del Viento’ or Wind Cave, and you can visit it! Walking towards the centre of the earth as if you were reliving a Jules Verne novel is a completely unique experience. The cave is formed by a labyrinth of underground passages on three levels, where visitors can admire the geomorphic beauty. The 18 kilometre-long tunnel make this one of the longest tubes in the world according to speleologists.

What to buy and where to buy it in the Canary Islands

The House of Wine and Honey (Casa del Vino y la Miel) is located in a typical old Canarian farmhouse, over 300 years old, in El Sauzal, north Tenerife. It is an obligatory stop for any tourist interested in gastronomy, as not only can you discover the local wine and honey making processes in Tenerife, you also have the chance to sample different local dishes and typical products of the island all in one place. The smallest guests can enjoy themselves in a specially designed children’s area.

Sloping landscapes with easy inclines, among waterfalls, lakes and rocks, surrounded by viewpoints which look out on to the sea, populate an artificial mound with natural greenery. This is the Palmetum, an elegant jungle with exquisite areas, which is the biggest green area in Santa Cruz de Tenerife as well as being home to the best collection of palm trees in Europe. Situated in the extreme east of the island, and a 20 minute walk to the capital, a stroll though its 12 hectares is like immersing oneself in an enormous secret garden, completely oblivious to the hectic city.

Las Salinas de Agaete are like a medieval fortress, albeit full of lovely seawater. Located in north west Gran Canaria these three natural swimming pools sheltered from the open ocean resemble a castle thanks to their battlement-like protective columns. The pools are linked by volcanic tubes and with a stunning view of the island’s rugged northwest coast, are perfect for swimming.

Los Tilos Forest is an explosion of biodiversity and greenness that you will fall in love with on your first visit. A passive, peaceful jungle where mosses, silence and the smell of leaves abound. Los Tilos (or Los Tiles, its official name) is one of the few strongholds left in the world when it comes to laurisilva; a dense, verdant, primitive forest full of broad-leaved trees that dominated the planet millions of years ago. This is the reason why Los Tilos was declared a Biosphere Reserve by Unesco in 2002; a protection which nowadays encompasses the entire island of La Palma.

The Mancáfete Integral Nature Reserve is in the west of the island of El Hierro, inside Frontera Rural Park and close to Sabinosa. The secrets and treasures hidden here make it a special place for nature lovers: from species in danger of extinction such as the local 'cabezón herreño' (a striking purple plant) to the damp juniper and Monteverde forests. The caves hidden among the laurel trees are home to bats and wild cats.

Valle Gran Rey Rural Park, with its deep ravines dotted with palm trees, is located in the south-west of La Gomera, in the borough that shares its name. Its springs, steep cliffs and small hamlets are just some of the secrets hidden in this protected natural space. The hamlets are located on the ravine slopes of Valle Gran Rey and Argaga, where you’ll discover a curious man-made landscape, the stepped farming terraces which contrast quite dramatically with the natural wilderness that surrounds them.