Canary Islands Spain
Best Place in Europe to Live
Today I would like to invite you to the best place to live in Europe. The Canary Islands Spain, to be more precisely Tenerife south, a ‘vida loca’ in sun ‘n sand surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean.
The Canary Islands (Islas Canarias) are a geographically Africa and biogeographic Macaronesia – owned archipelago in the Eastern Central Atlantic, about 100- 500 km west of the west coast of Africa. The archipelago belongs geologically to Africa but is part of Europe and a member of the EU as the Canary Islands are Spanish territory.
Population
The number of residents on the Canary Islands has risen steadily over the past century. Today’s estimated population on the Islands = 2.100.306 (2015) inhabitants. Tenerife’s population = 888.184 (2015) inhabitants. I, as a settled Tinerfeña for 16 years now (tinerfeño), have got some doubts about the reliability of these numbers. Look at the crazy amount of people arriving on a daily base!
In July 2007 the Spanish Ministry promised 1 billion euros for the expansion of the south airport to be able to handle the planned 11 million passengers annually. Currently, about 8.5 million passengers per year are going through Reina Sofia’s security checkpoints. And this is only the international south airport, if we would consider Los Rodeos arrivals as well, we’d have to add around 4 million (3,717,944 in 2014 ) passengers. How many of these passengers really make use of their return flight, who knows? And the ones who stay, will they register at all? Who lives on the island, who’s on vacays, who is on the run, escaping from law & order back home … who knows. Thus, all these numbers are rather vague.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Santa Cruz de Tenerife with almost 50 % of the island’s population living in or around it, is the capital of Tenerife and the seat of the cabildo insular (island council)
When visiting St Cruz de Tenerife and passing by the harbour you might get the pleasure to see the new cruise ships lie off. New cruise ships on ‘maiden voyage’ or ostentatious luxury yachts, excursion boats, let’s not forget our Canarian fishermen going out at night, there’s a lot going on in Canarian waters.
Coasts & Beaches on Tenerife
If you’re looking for white dream beaches or beautiful golden sand beaches in Tenerife, you are looking at the wrong place. Tenerife’s natural beaches are black, rugged coasts of volcanic basalt eroded by the sea.
I am not saying that Tenerife doesn’t have nice beaches, Tenerife has some amazing beaches! But we must know that most of the golden beaches of Tenerife are man-made artificial beaches. Even the popular Las Teresitas beach outside of St Cruz de Tenerife is made of imported Saharan sand.
The Flora of the Canary Islands
A natural miracle is the ‘Millennial Dragon Tree’ of Icod de Los Viños on the north coast of Tenerife. El Drago is about 17 m high and with a circumference of about 6 m. They say it is the oldest dragon tree on earth, despite the ‘millennial’ in its name the tree is estimated to be 500-600 years old.
All year through you will be able to find cheap flights to the canary islands, provided you can plan your vacations ‘off season’, avoiding peak season during school holidays will get you brilliant deals and discounts. Christmas time is the most expensive time to come over, from the end of January the prices start to fall.
Some More Impressions
Green Tenerife – North & Mountains
Mount Teide (Pico del Teide) is a volcano in Tenerife in the Canary Islands Spain. With 3,718-metre (12,198 ft) its summit is the highest point in Spain. Measured from its base on the ocean floor, it is at 7,500 m (24,600 ft) the third highest volcano on a volcanic ocean island in the world. Wikipedia
My top secret tip on ‘must dos’ in Tenerife is visiting Masca! I am sure, this is one of the most beautiful places on earth. You can reach Masca via land and via sea, you can drive up and climb down the ravine to catch a shuttle boat in the stunning Masca Bay.
Tenerife’s southwest coast is a spectacular spot for watching whales and dolphins swimming free in the ocean. 26 species of whales are found off the coast, such as killer whales, baleen whales, pilot whales, or even blue whales.
Muchas gracias and thanks a lot for reading! Did you enjoy this little trip around ‘my island of eternal spring’? Have you been to Tenerife or are you planning to come over soon? You will fall in love with the island, I am sure. Learn more about the archipelago on tenerifeforum.site
Hasta la vista, nos vemos en Tenerife!
Klaudia xx
Ik hou van de canarische eilanden en vooral tenerife al heel vaak geweest
Been There, done that. Love Tenerife, but there are so many more beautifull places to explore. Can’t settle down right now.
Tenerife staat nog steeds hoog op mijn lijst, bergvakantie en zonvakantie in een
Ik woon nu toevallig ook in een prachtig gebied in Zuid Spanje.. AXARQUÍA. In de heuvels, toch dicht bij de zee. .
Oh, wat leuk. Ik heb familie in Andalucia, vind het zalig om daar op vakantie te gaan!
This 2018, I plan to visit Europe and Spain. For my summer holiday, I’m looking at Tenerife or Lanzarote.I came across this one article about the place here in https://www.canaryislandsinfo.co.uk/tenerife/places/los-cristianos/ I’ve never been to either and apparently, the beaches are fantastic as well as being suitably ‘different’ to make it interesting. How about you guys? Any plans?
Hi Sanford, thanks for sharing the link with us. I love the website, it’s very informative. You will love the Canary Islands, I am sure. Let us know about your first visit, I am looking forward to reading if reality met your expectations 😉
Whoa… I so want to visit NOW!
I had been to mainland of Spain and toured several cities but not these islands. Impressive the extent they have gone to create a beach by importing sand. Looks like anything can be created these days, it is a matter of decision.
This is very true, Indrani. Anything can be made artificially nowadays, look at the artificial palm-tree-shaped island in Dubai! Thank you for coming over !!
Your pictures were so beautiful. I didn’t realize that sand was imported from the Sahara to make a beach “look” like what tourists expect.
Yeah, Jennifer, that is actually a sad joke. Just because tourists would like white sand better than our original black volcanic sand, the government spens millions on bringing sand over form the Sahara. These artificial beaches with “pretty sand” keep washing off and require a lot of ‘maintainance’, too. The same with the huge fish farms along our coasts. Yes, they are really breeding! fish in the ocean, there is something going madly wrong in this world, don’t you think? Thanks a lot for coming over!
Incredible!! I love finding new places to visit, so this was fabulous!!
Hi Jodie, thanks a bunch for coming over! Should you ever come to Tenerife, give me a shout! We need to meet for a nice cocktail …sex on the beach?
Thanks a lot for your reply, Suz. Housesitting is such a wonderful affordable idea to explore places, enjoy your trip!!
Thanks for sharing. I love the pictures and am really fascinated by the trees and flowers!
These pictures are BEAUTIFUL! I have never been to Spain and would love to go one day. I should have honeymooned here!!! WOW!!
Beautiful! I’ve actually never been to the Canary Islands. My sister went to Fuerteventura many years ago.
Paradise! You are definitely living right, just gorgeous photos.
This looks amazing!! We’ve always wanted to visit Spain, so maybe we go here instead!
Jodie
Spain is a beautiful country, but the islands are something else. Everybody who has come once, fell in love and has come back. I still have to meet the first person saying ‘I didn’t like Tenerife’ , but holiday is everywhere great. Living and working in a holiday place is a completely different story.But, yes it’s definitely worth a visit! If you ever visit Tenerife, please let me know. We MUST meet up if so 🙂
Het is gewoon zaaaaalig om hier nu te kunnen wonen alles kan en niks moet (y) 🙂 🙂
Hi Luisa, juist !! Ik ben nu al 16 jaren hier en zie me echt nog lang hier niet weg gaan , if ever ooit!! Het is gewoon een andere (betere)leven in flip flops 😉 Dank je wel voor je lieve commentaar 🙂
Love your post full of interesting information and stunning photos!This place is my dream destination for sure! I’d love to see whales and dolphins swimming free in the ocean!!!
It’s been really fun to browse through your photos. I brought me back when I visited the island about 6 or 7 years ago. It is definitely a beautiful spot to live.
I’ve been looking for a place I could take my son to go whale watching, and this could be perfect, maybe during the February holidays. Will have to check out prices!
We haven’t been to Canary Islands yet but they are on our travel lists. We have to book 2 tickets for next summer.
You have inspired us more thanks to your beautiful photos. What type of camera did you use?
Yeah, come to the Canary Islands , I am sure you will have a fantastic time ! About the images, some are just from pixabay , my own photos were either taken with my smartphone 🙂 or (the few times I didn’t forget my proper camera at home) with my old Canon EOS. Thanks a lot for stopping by and who knows, we’ll might meet on the island some day 🙂
Aw, this place reminds me of home, but much cleaner. I love the tropical feel. I also live by the mountain so I can see the beach and the forest and the nearby mountains too. This place deserves a chance to visit or even make yourself a home.
Aw, this place reminds me of home, but much cleaner. I love the tropical feel. I also live by the mountain so I can see the beach and the forest and the nearby mountains too. This place deserves a chance to visit or even make yourself a home.
I have never heard of Canary Islands before but I am so thankful I saw your post. There’s really a lot to be discovered around the world. Those beaches are pure perfection! <3
I’ve never to Spain but looking at the photos you got. The Canary Islands are one of the most popular sun, sand and sea holiday destinations going. Each island is quite different, with its own sparkling personality.
🙂 Agree Debbie , but I wanted to keep the option to write in my next posts more about our island 😉 Like a little series , there is so much more to tell about la isla bonita 🙂 Mucha gracias guapa 🙂
Thank you very much , Cai . I do love “my little island” , I think it’s notable 🙂 Thanks a lot for your kind comment !
Beautiful!!!
I want to travel to the Canary islands, i was in fact talking about with my husband this morning. it look so beautiful and friends told me how wonderful it is. Next summer I will go…
There are whales and turtles? Love iiiiit!!!! The harbor is such a breathtaking view. I really dream of seeing a harbor with ships and sails. It’s very relaxing. I hope I could visit this too!
Thanks for allowing me to see this beautiful place. You have done on awesome job of reporting with fantastic pics
Aw , thank you Mardene , that is so kind ! I truly appreciate that.
Wow! What a beautiful place indeed, based on your photos! I haven’t set foot on Europe yet though. I wonder when that will be.
OMG great photos! That dragon tree is beautiful! I’d love to visit the Canary Islands!
Looks like there’s so much to see in the Canary Islands in Spain. The beaches look great especially the rugged coasts. I’m curious also about the Drago Milenario de Icod de los Vinos. It looks like something lives there (or it probably just look like Groot). I’d like to hear about the story of that tree. After that, I could probably just appreciate a walk down their street because of the architectures while eating something on hand.
Absolutely beautiful. Tourists pay loads of money to visit the Canary Islands, and you, my friend, live there. How wonderful life is. I know, tourists and residents do not see a place the same way, but that must be the magic of Canary Islands. You appreciate it and that is because you are living your life.
I haven’t heard of this place before. Looking at your pictures thought this place is amazing. Beautiful to look at and a dream to live there.
Beautiful!
Never been in Spain but canary islands is just a collection fo paradise. The beach, unique plants amd amazing structures are all worth to visit. I have to make a plan now how to explore canary islands. Your photos are convincing enough to make a visit here 🙂
Nice article! And so true. Shared it on the The R Guide Gran Canaria FB.
Thanks a lot Judith , I have been looking for your FB page , can’t find it 🙁
So beautiful Claudia! You are so lucky..Of course, you know I cried when I saw the beach of my dreams. I can’t pick a favorite part but it all looks so serene. As soon as my inheritance comes in I am so there (delusional)
LOL , you never know in life . Yes , the island is absolutely stunning ! Not the crowded parts , where everything is very much commercial orientated, but the “hidden” places are breathtaking . Thanks a lot for being such a true soul 🙂 Hermana de America!
This place looks fantastic. It is very lush and the water is amazing. I like the architecture too. Thank you for posting the pictures.
I still haven’t been to Europe yet so I’m not entirely sure if the Canary Islands is the best place in Europe yet. The photos you’ve shown are amazing. Are you the one who took all the photos? If yes, that is great!