DIY in La Palma and Gran Canaria

[bassman67]

Can anyone advise us on what to see and do on both of these islands? We've booked a trip to the volcano on Lanzarote

[Manoverboard]

Downtown La Palma is pleasant enough and only a very short walk away from the docking area but your visit will be complete in an hour or so ... this is however a dramatic and beautiful Island so a full Island P&O tour would be a good choice.

Another P&O tour, I'm afraid, is required in Gran Canaria if you wish to see anything remotely interesting ... their ' The Villages ' tour is an aok choice imo.

You could if you so wished do a bit of research and do both of these tours via a local taxi.

[barney]

As long as you are both mobile, there is a very nice beach within walking distance in Gran Canaria

You just come out of the port and more or less walk straight ahead till you see the sea

We spent the morning there on our trip. Even had a dip in the sea.

In La Palma, we just walked into town. It was pleasant but not brilliant.
We got caught up in a student protest (about cuts) so joined in walking with them. Viva La Revolution

After it all calmed down, we headed to a local Tapas bar for a spot of lunch
It was absolutely excellent but quite expensive
I think the bill was something like 45 Euros

We did a fantastic tour in Lanzarote
A tour of the house of Cesar Manrique
One of the best we've done

[Emrobo]

One of our favourite places was La Palma, it is so unspoilt!!

We took a walk to the beach you can see from the ship when it docks, it was lovely and peaceful there. We never got time to go in the town

Gran Canaria we had a mooch around, lovely port area - and then head for the beach - as above walk straight up and you will find it, then we had tapas lunch in the square area - really enjoyed it here too

[qbman1]

I agree with Barney. The beach at Gran Canaria is a very pleasant place to spend a day. Easy to walk to from the port area and it arcs around a huge bay with loads of shops, cafes and restaurants. If shopping is your bag, there is a large, modern shopping precinct right where the ship parks (altough once inside you could be in any European city!)

[Holiday Planner]

We are currently tracking prices of the Canaries cruise on Ventura, 1st September. It's interesting to read suggestions for Gran Canaria. Can anyone offer DIY suggestions for Lanzarote, Tenerife & Madeira too?

[Manoverboard]

Madeira is a dead easy walk-a-bout / cable car type DIY location but I would suggest Mt Teide for Tenerife and the moonscape else the caves for Landsagrotty.

[Holiday Planner]

Madeira is a dead easy walk-a-bout / cable car type DIY location but I would suggest Mt Teide for Tenerife and the moonscape else the caves for Landsagrotty.

Are Mt Teide and moonscape/caves best done as excursions MOB?

[Manoverboard]

Are Mt Teide and moonscape/caves best done as excursions MOB?

In my opinion ... yes

[Peter D]

A long one but worth the read.


Things to do in the Canaries

We have visited three of the islands in the Canaries, Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Lanzarote. However, we have only spent a day in Gran Canaria, this was on a visit with Arcadia in 2008.

As well as a visit on Arcadia 2008 we have spent four glorious holidays on both Tenerife and Lanzarote. But, the holidays were all for 2 weeks duration and we hired a car for one week on each, so we had time to explore the island.

Although both Tenerife and Lanzarote get a bad press, I think this is mainly because some tourist do not go beyond the beach/bar areas and do not see the real country-side.

Your cruise operator will have trips going to some of the places I have mentioned, and if you decided to DIY it may assist in deciding where to go in the time you have there. There are plenty of experts who are more able to guide you with DIY tours, ie car hire, tour operators etc and which ones are better with your cruise operator.

Tenerife
With Tenerife being the largest of the Canaries you will not get around everything in one visit, so when it comes to attractions it all depends on what you want from the visit.

What you need to understand is that where you berth in the north of the island the weather can be very different to that of the south. Although compared to the UK, Tenerife is warm all year round, you can expect cloud and sometimes rain in the north, even in summer, when it is normally bright sunshine all year round in the south.

So, here is a breakdown of what is on offer.

Shopping
Santa Cruz De Tenerife (Capital) The ship will berth within walking distance of the town, however, a shuttle bus is normally put on. The main shopping area is around the Plaza de la Candelaria. This area is pedestrianised and situated just north of main port area. On leaving the port area, when you get to the main road you need to cross over the dual carriageway and you will find the main area just to the left of the main square. The main square also houses the tourist information centre in a domed building.

If you are looking for a bargain then visit Mercado Nuestra Senora de Africa this is Santa Cruz main market, open Monday to Saturday. Sells everything from meat, fish, flowers as well has cheap CD’s and DVD’s and is located on Calle de San Sebastian. It is closed on Sunday but there is a flea market outside the main building.

There is another small shopping area for those of you that like Corte de Ingles, it involves a small walk, so, on leaving the port area, when you get to the main road, turn left and follow the Promenade, keeping the road to your right, after about 20 mins, just before the Monument look to the right and you should see a grassy area with tram lines going through, cross over to the far side, over the grass and go slightly to the left and then to the right and you will find Corte de Inglas up to the left. When you leave CDI do so by the bottom corner entrance and cross directly over the road and follow the road going directly away you, this leads back to the main shopping area and also goes past the market, see above, it looks a little down and out but is quite safe.


Playa de Las Americas/Los Cristianos
About 25 miles from Santa Cruz De Tenerife. This area mainly gets bad press because of the nightlife etc. However, the area around the Parque Santiago III hotel is excellent for shopping and dining. There are three areas worth looking at, firstly in the corridors under the hotel, then there is the area opposite the hotel and finally if you stand with the hotel behind you turn right and walk for about 300 mts there is another small shopping precinct on the right. Opposite the hotel there was a musical fountain the last time we visited, do not know if it is still running and also a crazy golf course.

Beaches
Try Playa de las Teresitas, just North East of Santa Cruz. This is the main local beach. White sand.

Playa de Las Americas/Los Cristianos. I would recommend the beach at Playa de las Vista. Excellent shallow beach with plenty of sun beds. There are many others.

Places to see
Puerto de la Cruz; Do not get this mixed up with Santa Cruz, It is about 46 miles away, but well worth the visit. Puerto Cruz is most famous for hosting Laro Parc. This is a tropical wildlife park that has an abundance of animals including killer whales and a penguin centre that has real snow and of course a Parrot park.

The town of Puerto de la Cruz is very pretty in parts, much of the area around the old fishing port is full of narrow cobbled streets packed with colonial architecture. Close to the town is Jardin Botánico (Botanical gardens) with over 5,000 exotic tree and plant specimens from all over the world. Playa Jardín (Sand Beach) Puerto de la Cruz’ main beach was also designed by César Manrique and is backed by extensive gardens, including a large cactus garden.

Mount Teide; is a must. If you come up from La Laguna side (north) you will pass a visitors centre, this is worth a visit to learn the history of the Volcano. On reaching the main area of the volcano there is small café with a cable car. If you want to get to the very top you will need to take the cable car, extra cost. However, this gets full when the main coaches arrive any time from 11am.

Playa de las America; just to see what the hype is about. Just outside, more to North of Los Cristianos is the Eagles Park. Much smaller than Laro Parc, but still plenty to do. This has eagle shows, tropical birds, boat rides and many more other shows and walks.

Guimar; South West of Santa Cruz. A collection of pyramids and visitors centre. Founded and studied by Thor Heyerdahl, Norwegian Explorer.

Dolphins and Whales; both Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos have harbours that offer trips to see whales and dolphins. Be warned however, nothing is guaranteed. If I remember right from our last visit the trips normal take about 2 hours and are at regular intervals.

Food; in both Playa del las Americas and Los Cristianos the restaurants are mainly British type. However, in Los Cristianos you are still able to find some local restaurants by looking down the side streets.


Lanzarote
The ship will berth outside the capital. There is normally a shuttle to take you in.

Although a lot smaller than Tenerife I think it has much more to offer the tourist in places to see. The majority all of these are within an hour - hour and half from the main port of Arricife.

Shopping
We found that the shopping areas in Lanzarote a poor second to Tenerife. Although the capital Arrecife has a shopping area it is not up to the standards of Santa Cruz De Tenerife or Playa de Las Americas.

There is a little more on offer on Peurto del Carmen especially in the Biosfera Shopping Centre near the old town. Taxi from Arricife to Peurto del Carmen, ask for McDonalds for the beach.

Places to Visit
Cesar Manrique House; Fantastic house built around a lava flow. Has wide bright rooms full of art work and a beautiful garden. Well worth seeing.

Jameos del Agua; (Caves) - well worth the visit. Created by Cesar Manrique and so easy to explore using the subterranean walkways. Once you have paid the entrance fee you are then left to spend as long or short a time as you require and browse the cave in your leisure.

The pathway down leads you to a nightclub area that is open three nights a week, and then onto a large underground lake that holds albino crabs, after this you go through a narrow walkway along the right hand side of the lake that leads you to another small bar area and then up into the open air section. Here is the swimming pool that only the King of Spain is allowed to swim in. Steps then lead up to a terraced area with a small cafe and a Volcanic Museum.

There are plenty of opportunities for photographs and areas to sit and just take in the surroundings.

Las Cuevas de los Verdes; (Caves) - they are part of the same system as Jameos del Agua and again a must see. These are natural lava caves that you go through with a guide and this takes about 45 - 60 mins, depending on the group size. Our group was about 20 strong and this was a good size because all the explanations are done in Spanish and English if there was any more it would be more difficult to see and hear.

Because these are volcanic caves you can see how the lava flowed on the side walls and they have also used lighting to emphasis the main areas. The main feature of these caves is a secret area that will be shown to you by the guide so I will not enlighten you any more on that.

Again, plenty of opportunities for photos and just a small warning in places you will need to mind your head and duck to go through some of the areas. No Health and Safety here.

With both of the above they are busy and because the Las Cuervas caves have a guided tour I suggest that if you are pushed for time you do these first.

The caves are about a mile apart.

Timanfaya; (Volcano) - If you decided to include this can I suggest you try and sit on the right hand side (starboard for all you cruisers) of the coach, better views. At the end of the coach tour you can then visit the displays of heat. After which a visit to the restaurant for a drink or some food, hot food after 12 noon (cooked by the Volcano’s own heat) and then a visitors shop.

Guinate Tropical Park; – a little further afield and there is lots to see here, especially for the children. Parrots, Toucan, Ostriches, Tortoise, Monkeys to name but a few. There is a Parrots show also, three times a day. Worth a visit About 1 hour from Arrecife.

Mirador Del Rio; (viewing point) – a little further along from Guinate Tropical Park with spectacular views over La Graciosa island and the entrance fee also allows you a free drink. About 1 hour from Arrecife.

Los Hervideros; The rugged coast line just along the coast from Playa Blanca. Large caves formed by the crashing of the sea. Walkways along the top and partly inside with viewing platforms.

El Golfo; (green lake) – Large lake cut off from the sea many years ago. Now turned a bright green. If you do visit and want lunch can I suggest the La Lopa restaurant, first restaurant on the right as you approach the main village. Excellent service and very reasonably priced. Can I recommend the Canerian stew and filleted catch of the day, served with Canerian Potatoes and Mojo sauce.

Yellow Submarine; This goes from a small marina just outside Peurto del Carmen. It was a little expensive, but well worth the trip. Lots to see, your own porthole, not cramped, diver outside to attract the fish.

Madeira
Depending on what you want to see this is an easy DIY destination. The town is very pretty with lots of small shops. The Marina has lovely restaurants and bars.

There is an open top bus takes you quiet a way around the island at a cost of 12 euro pp. The trip takes about 1 1/2 hours. It is a hop on or off bus so you can get off any time to explore by yourself. Bus stop just along the prom that does a circular tour either blue or yellow routes. Good value and you see most of Funchal and its neighbourhoods.


Things to do here:
For a local tour operator: Strawberry World Tours & Happy World Tours

If you have never been before then the Gardens at Monte is well worth the visit. Free shuttle bus to prom, walk east to the Cable Car station. Get a ticket to the top (beautiful gardens of Monte). If you sit facing backwards and enjoy the splendour revealed of elevated views of Funchal and your ship in harbour. Decide before you take the cable car on how you want to get back down, walk, toboggan or cable car. If you decide on the cable car then purchase a return and gardens combined ticket. There is a nice cafe at the bottom of the gardens that offer a tasting of Madeira wine.

Brody's wine distillery is worth a visit if you have the time. There are three tours to choose from;30 min, 45 min and an hour, at the end of the tour they give you a glass of the wine that they produce. There is a shop that you can by the wine from and the bathroom facilities were very clean.

A visit to Reids Hotel in Funchal for afternoon tea, it's a short taxi ride away from where the ship docks and taxis will be there all day! Be sure to ask for a table on the Terrace. If you go to Reids independently you can book on the Internet but ask for a table on the tea terrace - the P&O tour will sit in an inside room.

There is also a pretty good dolphin watching operator there which leaves from the port on a catamaran for a couple of hours for as little as 30 Euros per person.

Get the shuttle bus into town and then do the hoho bus. It is an excellent trip which takes one and a half hours. You go up to a super view point overlooking the town and round to Camara de Lobos which is a pretty fishing village.

Gran Canaries
As mentioned we have only visited here with Arcadia and opted to stay in port. So, we only visited Las Palmas. The main town is a short walk from the port area. On the way out of the port on the right is a brand new shopping precinct, El Muelle, big statue of a Whales Tail outside. A short walk to the left of the port area is a small park, Parque Sta Catalina, just nice for a relax.

If you cut through the back streets you can make your way to Playa Las Canteras, the local beach, you can take your towel and enjoy a laze on the sandy beach, there are plenty of places for a small lunch and beer at the beach and then you can take a short walk back to your ship and spend the afternoon sunbathing by the pool.

If you want a tour then there is a Red bus tour stop situated just outside the port.

Above all enjoy your cruise and just relax.

[Holiday Planner]

Wow, Peter ... thank you.
That was really detailed and helpful. If we get the right getaway price for this cruise I'll copy and paste your info and take it with me.

[stocktonmackem]

Thanks for the info Peter. We are doing this cruise on 1st Sept. My husband is a wheelchair user and it sounds like we should be able to get around in the ports. Even more excited now I have read you comments

[barney]

Wow, Peter ... thank you.
That was really detailed and helpful. If we get the right getaway price for this cruise I'll copy and paste your info and take it with me.

I did actually print this off and used it on our last Canary cruise

That is how we came to do the trip to Manrique's house in Lanzarote
We really enjoyed this. It was so different to any other trip.

Plus it gave us the confidence to do the Cable/Toboggan indepentantly as saved us about half the P&O price.

That's the beauty of sites like this, an absolute mine of information

[Islander]

Thanks Peter for all that info. Been to Canaries a few times but didn't realise how much more there was available to us as go it a loners. We do now, Ta!

[Holiday Planner]

Wow, Peter ... thank you.
That was really detailed and helpful. If we get the right getaway price for this cruise I'll copy and paste your info and take it with me.

Well we HAVE got the right getaway price for 1st September, so I have just copied all of this advice into a word docuument, and will read it carefully before deciding what excursions or DIY we do. Thank you all