The last trip I took while abroad in Madrid was to the Canary Islands. It wasn’t for leisure, but rather a trip for my astronomy course. To pass, we spent four days in the Canary Islands and completed lab observations. To say this was my favorite school trip ever would be an understatement. Science was never my strongest subject in school, but I fell in love with astronomy during this trip. The Canary Islands have near-perfect weather conditions, making it great for star gazing.
Below, I’m sharing some of the things I did in La Palma and Tenerife:
Where to stay
H10 Taburiente Playa
I highly recommend this hotel because it’s close to Los Cancajos Beach and has lots to offer! From swimming pools to ocean views from your terrace, it’s truly a beautiful property.
Where to play
Playa De Los Cancajos
This beach provides beautiful black sand and crystal-clear water, I’ve never seen a beach so clean and untouched. South of the capital, Playa De Los Cancajos offers many bars and restaurants. At low tide, you can spot crabs hanging out on the rocks.
El Caletón de Garachico
Go for a swim in this natural pool, Garachico was once a thriving port but Mother Nature had other plans. Garachico has dealt with floods, fires, plagues and the Montaña Negra volcano erupting. The lava from the eruption formed many natural pools, like El Caletón – the most famous natural pool in Garachico. There are shallow and deep parts to the natural pool, so you can relax or plunge from a rock!
Teide Observatory
An astronomical observatory located on Mount Teide, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can visit the observatory and look at the clouds below you. I was fortunate enough to spend several nights in this observatory (yes, I slept here too). Watching the sunrise and sunset above the clouds is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Be aware that it’s very windy when you’re that high up and can be very cold during the evening, so pack appropriately.
Roque de los Muchachos Observatory
Located in La Palma, this observatory particularly is home to the largest optical telescopes and the second-best location for astronomers in the northern hemisphere. Similar to the Teide Observatory, Roque de los Muchachos offers stunning views above the clouds.
Where to eat
Sabor Isleño
While at Playa De Los Cancajos, head over to Sabor Isleño for some drinks! The staff was friendly when I went, even giving us free shots.
The Canary Islands provided a lot of firsts for me, including the first time:
- Experiencing a black sand beach
- Swimming in a natural pool
- Being above the clouds, and sleeping in an observatory
I’d HIGHLY recommend everyone experience the Canary Islands at some point in their life!
