The Canary Islands has always been one of the UK and Ireland’s top family holiday destinations, and it’s easy to see why.
The Archipelago has everything that little ones (and parents!) need to have a great time: water parks, theme parks, outdoor activities, comfortable beaches and year-round great weather.
Need more convincing? Read on to find out why the Canary Islands should be your next family holiday destination…
Water Parks
Make memories to last a lifetime with a visit to Siam Park, the largest water park in Europe. Voted the Best Water Park in the World by TripAdvisor, a trip to Siam Park is the perfect day out for families visiting Tenerife. Float through the Lazy River, explore the Lost City or Sawasdee – a real water jungle with four different attractions, have a family competition on the Naga Racer or relax and enjoy some down-time on Coco Beach.
Located in Costa Adeje to the south of Tenerife, Aqualand is another family-friendly water park, boasting incredible pools and slides, suitable for kids both big and small. Visitors can also experience the park’s dolphin show, voted the best in the world by the International Marine Animal Trainers Association (IMATA).
Travelling to Lanzarote? Aquapark Costa Teguise, the largest water park on the island, is the perfect family fun day out. With water slides, paintball for children and adults, kids’ go-karts, different camps, playgrounds and more, Aquapark Costa Teguise has plenty to offer kids of all ages.
Zoos and Aquariums
The Canary Islands have a number of zoos and aquariums, the perfect place for children to discover all kinds of exotic wildlife up close and personal.
Loro Parque, Tenerife, is one of the most popular zoos in the Canary Islands. This park hosts a unique orca show, attracting tourists from all over the world. It is also home to the largest collection of parrots in the world and a penguinarium, which recreates the natural habitat of these fascinating seabirds.
The Poema del Mar Aquarium, Gran Canaria, hosts a Deep Sea Exhibit, which features the world’s largest glass window, giving visitors of all ages a first-hand look deep into the ocean. Pay a visit to Palmitos Park, Gran Canaria, where the little ones will be fascinated by the botanical garden.
Oasis Wildlife is the perfect choice for families travelling to Fuerteventura. Here, experience adventure among elephants, crocodiles, beautiful giraffes and sea lions.
Beautiful Beaches
Spending a day near the sea makes any child happy. With calm waters, shallow rock pools, lifeguards and a family-friendly atmosphere, there are a number of beaches in the Canary Islands that are perfect for your family holiday.
Visiting Tenerife? There’s no shortage of family-friendly beaches to choose from. The beach at Las Teresitas is one of the best-loved family beaches on the island. Located in the north-east of Tenerife, close to the centre of Santa Cruz, this 1.5km long beach benefits from a breakwater that protects against currents and creates water so calm that it resembles a pool. Little ones can play on the shore safely and learn to swim next to their parents as they enjoy the large shallow areas where they can stand up safely.
Las Canteras in Gran Canaria is a popular choice for families in Las Palmas looking to spend time by the sea. This 3km long beach is protected by a natural reef called La Barra, allowing visitors to swim and splash in calm waters. Las Canteras is known for providing a safe sandy environment for families and is simply a great place to relax in the sunshine.
Caletón Blanco in Lanzarote is a great beach for adults and children alike. Some areas of this beach are ideal for children as they are sheltered by the rocks, while others are deeper, and more suited to swimming in the cool open seas. This beaches turquoise waters, tranquility, the quality of the natural sand and the almost guaranteed sunshine are guaranteed to please every member of the family.
If you want your kids to never forget the sea, take them to La Graciosa. Caleta de Sebo, the capital of La Graciosa, is one of the most peaceful places in the Canary Islands. Near Caleta de Sebo is a beach called La Francesa and a little further on is La Cocina beach. With its calm crystal-clear waters and fine white sand, this is the perfect place to relax with the family.
The dunes of Corralejo, in the Natural Park of Corralejo, Fuerteventura, are a must for families visiting Fuerteventura. Enjoy walks through the soft, rolling dunes, and spend time at some of the best beaches in the island located in this area.
In La Plama, the natural pools of La Fajana are one of the safest places to take a dip with the family. The beach of La Restinga in El Hierro is known a diving lovers paradise. This beach boasts calm glistening waters, with hardly any waves, ideal for children. In La Gomera, Vueltas, La Caleta or La Calera, all offer calm waters and all the services to enjoy a wonderful day of fun and relaxation.
Nature Trails
Children love to be in contact with nature, explore the landscape and discover new trees, plants and wildlife, and there’s no better place to do this than Garajonay National Park, La Gomera. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most important natural treasures in the world and makes for a fun-filled day of exploration for all the family.
If your little ones like adventure, the island of La Palma is the ideal place to go. The island has been declared a Starlight Reserve, with unique constellations and fascinating stars making it the perfect place for stargazing
Make memories to last a lifetime and get on one of the many boats departing the south coast of Tenerife, for a whale watching experience to see whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. The perfect choice for adventurers and an exciting activity for any animal lover.
Take a trip to Timanfaya National Park, Lanzarote, not only to experience its spectacular volcanic landscape, but to also attend the famous demonstrations showing the high volcanic temperatures that reach a few meters above the surface – a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for all the family.
Visiting Gran Canaria? A walk to the base of Roque Nublo is an experience no one should miss. This child-friendly trail climbs through the pines to reveal an incredible view of Roque Nublo, Gran Canaria’s most famous landscape feature.
For more information on visiting the Canary Islands with kids please visit www.hellocanaryislands.com
IMAGES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7cpkhsupt402gbo/AADdSgTQKbb2H5-XcfYyZNxna?dl=0
ENDS
For more information on the Canary Islands please contact Niamh Waters niamh@travelmedia.ie