Santa Cruz
The largest of the islands, Tenerife is dominated by a central mountain range and several spectacular valleys. It has a national park, a gigantic natural crater some 19km (12 miles) in diameter and, to the north, the Pico del Teide, the highest mountain in Spain. The capital, Santa Cruz, is a cosmopolitan city, rich in architecture, notably the Church of San Francisco, and has good art and history museums. In the village of Gmar, 25km (16 miles) southeast of Santa Cruz, is Pyramid Park, where the archaeological digs are worth a visit. Puerto de la Cruz is the most important resort and has several buildings dating back to the 17th century. Other places to visit include the second city of La Laguna, La Orotava (centre of a lush valley), Garachico (the ‘Pearl by the Sea’) and Los Cristianos.
La Palma boasts one of the largest craters in the world, the Caldera de Taburiente, best viewed from the La Cumbrecita look-out point. The capital of Santa Cruz (not to be confused with Santa Cruz de Tenerife) is also worth exploring for its 16th-century architecture and the Natural History Museum. Also worth visiting are the woods of Tilos near Los Sauces (a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve), Cueva Bonita, a beautiful natural grotto, and the beaches of Los Llanos de Aridane, Los Cancajos and Nogales.
Gomera is rich in vegetation and is blessed with white sand beaches, particularly Vallehermoso. Though not as mountainous as other islands in the group, the terrain is rugged and the most practical method of getting around is often by sea. The capital, San Sebastin, is interesting for its connections with the explorer Christopher Columbus, who is commemorated by the Torre del Conde, an old fortress and now a national monument. Other noteworthy places on the island are the fishing ports of Playa de Santiago and La Rajita and the primeval laurel forest of the Garajonay National Park. Gomera is famous for its ‘whistling’ language, used by the islanders to call from mountain to mountain.
The smallest and least-visited island with hardly any beaches, Hierro’s coastline mostly comprises sheer cliffs. Valverde is the attractive capital. La Pea is a look-out point with commanding views and a restaurant. The tiny fishing village of La Restinga is the most southern point of the Canaries, and hence Spain, and hence – politically if not strictly geographically – of Europe as well. Surfers head for Timijiraque, one of the few sand beaches on the island.
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