Explore the Canary Islands with Cunard
Cruise Circle
Explore the Canary Islands with Cunard
Cruising is one of the most convenient ways to explore the Canary Islands, offering a premium and comfortable take on the ‘island hopping’ experience. Cunard offers a huge range of no-fly itineraries and sailing durations, with routes encompassing parts of Mainland Spain and the remote Atlantic archipelago of the Azores.
The Canary Islands - What to Expect
These sun-drenched Spanish islands sit just off the coast of Africa, benefiting from sweeping easterly winds and year-round warmth courtesy of the Sahara. Formed of 7 main destinations, Cunard’s itineraries make port in 5: Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and La Palma, usually calling at 3 or 4 of the volcanic islands depending on the sailing duration.
Outdoor Oasis
There’s no denying that the incredible variety of scenery is what sets these islands apart. Tenerife is dominated by Mt Teide (Spain’s highest summit) and the UNESCO-listed National Park of the same name. Not to be outdone, Gran Canaria is home to the protected dunes of Maspalomas, while Lanzarote’s lava fields and Timanfaya National Park will have you erupting with excitement. And let’s not forget Fuerteventura's 90 miles of beaches, which have won it its designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status.
Traditional Charm
A staple when it comes to many European destinations, travellers can’t seem to resist the pull of a traditional old town. One of the islands’ most impressive, Las Palmas’ Vageuta, is a centuries-old district with Spanish architecture, decorative balconies, and picturesque squares. Marvel at the twin-towered Cathedral of Santa Ana, with its striking blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and neoclassical styles. You’ll also come face-to-face with La Casa de Colon (Columbus’ House), where the intrepid explorer famously stayed in Gran Canaria on his way to discovering the New World.
Mother Nature isn't the Only Artist in Town
Tenerife’s Santa Cruz hosts the archipelago’s liveliest street-art scene and a contemporary art gallery (Tenerife Espacio de las Artes) famed for its bold fusion of angular architecture and cutting-edge exhibitions. Lanzarote is scattered with unique artist ‘interventions’ from César Manrique, where epic natural spaces are reimagined into works of art. Jameos del Agua is one of the most popular, made from a series of natural lava caves and grottoes, with a crystal-clear lake at the heart of it all. Cunard’s shore experiences offer a chance to visit both Los Jameos del Agua and the artist’s former home.
There is Plenty More Where That Came From...
The Canaries’ list of attractions doesn’t end there though. More comprehensive than a 6-page tapas menu, you’ll find beaches in abundance (both black and golden sands), whale-watching boat tours, volcanic vineyard and wine-tasting trips, iconic waterparks and first-rate retail experiences, to name a few.
Other Ports you can visit on your Canary Island voyage
La Coruña, Spain
Known as the ‘City of Glass,’ La Coruña is a charming hub of traditional Spanish culture, brimming with historical art, fascinating architecture, and dramatic coastal views. One of the most iconic sights, The Tower of Hercules, is perched atop the wave-beaten cliffs at the edge of La Coruña City. A UNESCO World Heritage-listed building, it’s the oldest operating lighthouse in the world.
Funchal, Madeira
Madeira’s colourful capital, Funchal, mixes tradition and modernism perfectly. The Old Town’s colonial architecture keeps company with artisan coffee shops and contemporary creations from the newer parts of the city. A montage of small and cosy cobblestone alleyways maze through peaceful streets, past facades of old houses and alongside 15th century chapels and churches. Sprawling down to the sea and edged with majestic mountains, the city maintains Madeira’s reputation for emerald green spaces and exotic scenery.
Praia de Vitoria, The Azores
Nicknamed the Hawaii of the mid-Atlantic, this statement might seem like high praise, but the remote archipelago is more than deserving. Sitting pretty some 850 miles west of Portugal, the Azores are scattered across the Atlantic waters, best known for their dramatic and verdant landscapes. Cunard’s itinerary makes port in Praia de Vitoria on Terceira, where much of the focus falls on the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Angra do Heroismo, the islands’ oldest city. Like their Canary counterparts, The Azores were born through ancient volcanic eruptions and have plenty of their own natural wonders to prove it. Including the huge Caldeira de Guilherme Moniz crater stretches almost two miles across.
