Parks

Palmetum

Siam Park

Drago Milenario de Icod de los Vinos

Parque Marítimo

Monkey Park

Jungle Park

Loro Parque

Parque Nacional de Timanfaya

Living volcanic landscape with the bus Route of the Volcanoes.

Jardín de Cactus

César Manrique's cactus garden in Guatiza, Lanzarote.

Jardín de Orquídeas Sitio Litre

Historic garden in Puerto de la Cruz, set around an old estate in the Orotava Valley, home to the oldest orchid collection in the Canary Islands.

Parque Rural de Anaga

Protected area and Biosphere Reserve covering the mountain massif at the north-eastern tip of Tenerife, some 14,500 hectares of ridges, ravines and hamlets linked by footpaths.

Parque Nacional de la Caldera de Taburiente (Centro de Visitantes)

National park and visitor centre in the heart of La Palma.

Aqualand Costa Adeje

The largest water park in the Canary Islands, with slides for every age and one of Europe's few dolphinariums.

Salinas de Fuencaliente

Working sea salt flats and nature reserve in Fuencaliente.

Parque Nacional de Garajonay (Centro de Visitantes Juego de Bolas)

Laurel-forest national park (World Heritage) and its visitor centre.

Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo

Spain's largest botanical garden, in Tafira, Gran Canaria.

Área Recreativa El Lagar

A mountain recreation area on the north western slope of Tenerife, above a thousand metres, set in Canary pine forest mixed with faya, tree heath and Canary holly, the species of the island's laurel cloud forest. Access is along the TF-344 road, taking the turning at kilometre 8.8 at the spot known as Choza Casa de la Pradera and then following the El Lagar track. No public transport reaches the site, so you need your own vehicle.

Faro de Maspalomas

An 1890s lighthouse beside the Maspalomas dunes, open daily from 10:30 to 17:00 with free entry.

La Fortaleza de Ansite

Aboriginal site and natural fortress where the last Canarian resistance took place.

Palmitos Park

A subtropical ravine near Maspalomas with birds of prey in free flight, dolphins and thousands of palms.

Área Recreativa El Pilar

A recreation area in the municipality of El Paso, set roughly halfway along the mountain ridge that splits La Palma in two. It is one of the island's best-loved and busiest spots on fine days, and the celebrated Ruta de los Volcanes sets off from here. The Cumbre Vieja Natural Park visitor centre stands on the same site. Facilities include a camping zone, playground, drinking water, showers, toilets, cooking hearths, barbecue shelters and benches.

Parque Rural de Betancuria

Fuerteventura's mountainous heart is protected as a rural park covering 16,544 hectares of the island's oldest massif. The Basal Complex surfaces here, with fossil marine sediments and wide U shaped ravines beneath rounded summits such as Morro Jana at 764 metres and Gran Montaña at 708. The whole area is a Special Protection Area for Birds. Walking is allowed on the existing paths; camping and off road driving are not.

Reserva Natural Especial de las Dunas de Maspalomas

A special nature reserve protecting the dune field of Maspalomas, in the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, with some 400 hectares of moving sand. It also takes in the lagoon of La Charca at the edge of the system. This is a protected area in its own right and should not be mistaken for the bathing beach.

Cueva de Las Palomas

A volcanic site in the Aridane valley on La Palma, set among lava flows and a landscape shaped by eruptions.

Parque de La Granja

A large urban park in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, a green lung of leafy trees, ponds and paths beside Avenida de Madrid.

Parque Natural de Los Volcanes

Protected volcanic area of 10,158.4 hectares across Tinajo, Tías and Yaiza that completely surrounds Timanfaya National Park, with cones, lapilli fields and waymarked paths open to walkers.

Salinas Marinas de Fuencaliente

Working sea-salt pans on black lava at the southern tip of La Palma, beside the Fuencaliente lighthouse. A landscape of white, black and blue that is one of the island's most photographed spots.

Salinas de Janubio

The largest salt flats in the Canaries, a protected wetland in Lanzarote where seawater has been turned into salt for over a century and flamingos gather.

Parroquia de San Gines

17th-century church in the heart of Arrecife, with a wooden ceiling.

Cactualdea Park

A large cactus-focused botanical park in La Aldea de San Nicolás, on the west of Gran Canaria, home to one of the biggest succulent collections in the archipelago.

Parque de la Puerta de Tierra

A leafy park of exotic species on the Plaza de Juan González de la Torre in Garachico, laid out around the gateway known as the Puerta de Tierra. The municipal tourism site presents it as one of the most picturesque corners of the town: the gate is what remains of the major port that began in the sixteenth century, and everyone and everything entering or leaving Garachico once had to pass through it.

Hoya del Pino

Hoya del Pino is a forest recreation area in the north of La Frontera, on El Hierro, set in dense laurel forest at a little over a thousand metres. It is reached by the HI-1 summit road and has tables, benches, barbecue stands, a playground, toilets, drinking water, parking and footpaths leaving from the site itself. At this altitude the trade wind mist rolls in often and temperatures stay well below those on the coast.

Cascada de los Colores

A waterfall inside the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, in the municipality of El Paso on La Palma. The rust, ochre and green streaks on the wall come from iron carried by the water draining out of the Caldera, laid down over decades on a small dam built in the 1960s. Reaching it means walking up the bed of the Barranco de las Angustias and fording the stream several times along the way.

Parque San Telmo

The oldest public park in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, on the edge of Triana and steps from its main shopping street. Inside stand the Ermita de San Telmo, a tiled modernist kiosk and a bandstand where the municipal band performs. Tall Indian laurels shade most of the square, and the central walk with its benches makes it a place to sit down in the middle of the city. The San Telmo bus interchange is right next door, so public transport leaves you at the gate.

Parque Doramas

Urban park of some 50,000 square metres in the Ciudad Jardín district of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, laid out in terraces linked by steps and walkways. It sits between the Museo Néstor, the Pueblo Canario and the Hotel Santa Catalina, so it slots easily into a walk that takes in all three. Canary Island flora sets the tone: palms, dragon trees and large ficus that shade the paths. Inside there is a children's play area and a small open-air auditorium.

Parque Natural de Jandía

The largest protected area in Fuerteventura, on the Jandía peninsula in the municipality of Pájara. It takes in the summit of Pico de la Zarza, the open western coast of Cofete and a run of heavily eroded volcanic ridges known as cuchillos. It also protects endemic plants that grow in very few other places.

Plaza de La Glorieta

A garden square in Los Llanos de Aridane created by the La Palma artist Luis Morera between 1993 and 1996, with the involvement of César Manrique. Pergolas, benches and low walls clad in ceramic mosaic organise the space around a stage of volcanic stone. The planting is made up of Canarian endemic species, and guided visits can be arranged.

Parque de Santa Catalina

The best known urban park in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, laid out between the port and Las Canteras beach. Terraces, trees and flower beds fill an open space that a good part of the city crosses every day. It is the main stage of the carnival and the Museo Elder stands within its grounds.

Monumento Natural Volcanes de Teneguía

Natural monument at the southern tip of Fuencaliente de La Palma, formed by the cone and lava flows of the 1971 Teneguía eruption.

Faro de Morro Jable

A 59 metre lighthouse built in 1991 at Punta de Jandía, with a very long beach and flat seafront paths.

Barranco de Guayadeque

Green ravine with cave houses, cave restaurants and rich aboriginal heritage.

Mirador de Ermita de las Nieves

16th-century hermitage and clifftop viewpoint over Famara and northern Lanzarote.

Charco Azul (Agaete)

A waterfall-fed natural pool among cliffs at El Risco, western Gran Canaria, reached by a short scenic walk. A popular bathing spot on the island's west coast.

Roque Bentayga

A Natural Monument at 1404 m in the Tejeda caldera, a rock sacred to the ancient Canarians with rock-cut granaries and funerary caves on its slopes.

Laguna Grande (Zona Recreativa)

The largest recreation area in Garajonay National Park and the main trailhead for hikes to Alto de Garajonay, amid laurel forest and mist.

Parque Garcia Sanabria

The largest urban park in the Canary Islands, in the heart of Santa Cruz: botanical gardens, fountains, open-air sculptures and its famous flower clock.

Jardines del Marquesado de la Quinta Roja (Jardines Victoria)

Terraced romantic-Victorian gardens in the historic centre of La Orotava, with views over the valley and Teide, and free entry.

Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

Parish church holding Lanzarote's foremost ecclesiastical heritage, in the best-preserved old town of the Canaries.

Iglesia de la Asunción de San Sebastián de La Gomera

Church with 15th-century origins where, by tradition, Columbus prayed before setting sail for the Americas.

Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pino

18th-century neoclassical basilica dedicated to the patron saint of Gran Canaria, the island's spiritual and pilgrimage heart.

Parroquia de San Sebastián de Agüimes

18th-century neoclassical church regarded as one of Gran Canaria's architectural jewels, at the heart of the historic centre of Agüimes.

Iglesia de San Juan Bautista de Arucas

Imposing neo-Gothic church of volcanic stone in the old town of Arucas, popularly known as the Cathedral of Arucas.

Los Charcones de Banaderos

Blue Flag volcanic natural pools on the Arucas coast, with warm water and abundant marine life.

Piscinas Naturales del Agujero

Volcanic natural pools on the Galdar coast, made up of several pools of varying depth much loved by locals.

Charco de San Lorenzo

A set of conditioned saltwater natural pools on the Moya coast, with access stairs, showers and a broad sunbathing area.

Jardín Botánico de Puerto de la Cruz

Historic botanical garden in Puerto de la Cruz, founded in the 18th century, with tropical and subtropical species from around the world.

Cueva del Viento

Europe's largest lava tube, with a guided tour through lava galleries formed over 27,000 years ago.

Iglesia de la Concepcion

The oldest church in Santa Cruz, the only one in the Canaries with five naves.

Faro de Orchilla

Lighthouse at the westernmost point of El Hierro, in a rugged volcanic setting.

Catedral de Santa Ana

Cathedral in Vegueta, the main church of the Canaries and a Las Palmas symbol.