Spain is a country which is full of outstanding views and places, mainly beaches. Although the south is very well-known for its beaches, Spain has got famous islands.
You might be wondering which island cluster of Spain is better to visit, is it the Balearic or Canary islands, where to go? Well, that all depends on what you, the traveler, are looking for! Both of these destinations offer up relaxing yet fun and entertaining pastimes that cater to the beach bum.
In this article, we are going to take a look at these two locations, and we are going to compare both islands, so that you can decide which choice suits you the best.+
How many islands are there in Balearics and Canary?
Whereas Balearics is located in the Mediterranean and it is made up for four islands (Formentera, Ibiza, Menorca and Majorca), Canary Islands have seven islands, all of them in the Atlantic. Their names are Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, La Palma and La Gomera.
What is the weather like in both islands?
Canary Islands are famous for their good weather conditions along the year. In winter, you can be at 20ªC. Definitely, it is one of the best destinations in Winter in Spain.
What’s more is that the Canary Islands are located just off of the coast of Africa, meaning that they receive amazing, tropical temperatures year round.
On the contrary, Balearic Islands are different, since you can find low temperatures in Winter, as low as 0º.
The beaches in Balearic and Canary Islands
Have you ever wondered how different are Canary beaches from Balearic ones?
Choose travel destination Balearic Islands if you are looking for some of the best beaches that Spain has to offer! The Balearic Islands beaches are white and kilometrical sandy beaches, whereas beaches in Canary Islands have black and volcanic sand.
Beaches in Balearic Islands
It might go without saying that the famous island of Ibiza is part of the Balearic Islands. Ibiza is famous for its pristine white beaches and relaxing atmosphere, the perfect ambiance to “chill out” in!
Take caution though, and be prepared, as many Ibiza hotels fill up quickly. As such, it is recommended that visitors book their rooms well in advance if they are planning to visit Ibiza during the summer months. Balearic Islands have many other exciting and also relaxing places to check out as well!
Upon arrival to the Balearic Islands, travelers tend to arrive at the busy port city of Palma, located on the largest of the Balearic Islands, Mallorca. Sometimes, tourists spend the entire time on Mallorca, and that’s perfectly fine. Because there is a big city on the island, it makes for an ideal get away location as visitors can explore the beaches and then head back to the city as they see fit. There’s also the less populated, chilled out island of Menorca, perfect for couples and lovers!
Beaches in Canary Islands
Perhaps one of the most fascinating things about the Canary Islands is that they have black sand beaches whose sand is derived of volcanic ash! Cool, right?! This is one interesting feature that many tourists are drawn to.
By the way, both Spanish islands have incredible beaches and some of them are man-made since the islands receive lots of tourists throughout the year.
Going to parties
If you are interested in visiting Balearic Islands, you will probably know that these islands are well-known for their parties, discos and also DJs. Maybe, Balearics is the ideal place to party all night.
In the case of Canaries, you also have party options, not as famous as the ones in Balearic Islands, but you can go to Playa de las Américas in Tenerife and Playa del Inglés in Gran Canaria.
Are Canary Islands and Balearic Islands suitable for families?
When it comes to having a nice time with your loved ones, Canary Islands can be a more relaxed option. On these Islands you will find plenty of parks and leisure activities that children can enjoy.
Tenerife does have one of the largest waterparks in the world, so if you’re travelling with kids, Canary Islands may be more suitable for you.
For those looking for a little adventure, Teide National Park is an exceptional place to start! Teide is also the name of a mountain/volcano which is the highest in Spain. Due to the volcanic make up of the island, there are lots of other great rock formations on Tenerife. A trip to the Canary Islands would be lacking if visitors did not also try out the local bananas, they’re sweet and creamy!
If you’re in the mood to check out some historical architecture, then check out Castell de Bellver, Royal Palace of La Almudaina, and or the Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca on the Balearic Islands!
On the other hand, Balearics is not a bad option to visit with children, but maybe the massive tourism and foreigners looking for parties can be a little chaotic for families.
Travel to the Canary Islands
So, have you made up your mind yet? Is it going to be the Canary or Balearic Islands? Perhaps one of the most fascinating things about the Canary Islands is that they have black sand beaches whose sand is derived of volcanic ash! Cool, right?! This is one interesting feature that many tourists are drawn to.
Due to the fact that the Canary Islands are situated in the Atlantic Ocean, they are victim to some of the best surf! The waves at Tenerife attract many surfers looking to catch a great swell. Because the Balearic Islands are in the Mediterranean, the seas aren’t as vicious.
Check out some of the Tenerife hotels and see if any are right for you, of course, try to plan ahead, as summer months are busy for Spanish travellers and international travellers alike!
Where to stay in Canary Islands
After reading the article, if you have decided to go to the Canary Islands, a good option is to land in Tenerife, one of the most impressive islands in the world.
Fort that reason, we would like to recommend a suitable hotel in Tenerife for your holidays: Catalonia Oro Negro.
This hotel is located just 800 metres from the Playa de las Américas. If you get accommodation in this hotel, you will have views to the sea and, even, you will be able to see Gomera island. Yes, from the hotel itself.
Apart from the stunning views and its unbeatable location, the hotel is close to other beaches such as Playa de Troya and Playa de las Vistas.
Where to stay in Balearic Islands
Then, you prefer Balearics rather than Canary Islands, don’t you? In that case, we have a selected a hotel in Ibiza for those who feel attracted by the white beaches of this place: Catalonia Royal Ses Estaques – Adults Only.
This hotel is situated in Santa Eulària des Riu and it is a resort hotel for people over 16. Apart from the views from the sea, the hotel is next to the marina and Las Dalias, a hippie market, is nearby.
Being accommodated in this hotel will let you explores with facility paradisiacal coves like Cala Bassa, Cala Boix and Cala Nova.
Canary Islands or Balearics? It will always depend on you personal situation, your preferences and the leisure activities you want to do. Definitely, both places are emblematic and have really beautiful beaches. We hope our article comparing both islands have been food for your thought.
