Autumn in the Canary Islands
With 10 hours of sunlight a day and an average temperature of 26°C, the gentle climate of the Canary Islands offers total freedom in how to spend your time: strolling by the sea, sunbathing on the beach, hiking or visiting endless scenic spots. There’s more than enough light for walking around vineyards, taking a dip in the sea or making the most of grape-picking time.
Strolls along the beach
The consistent climate of the Canary Islands means you can easily walk by the seashore and take a dip, even in autumn. The warm temperatures beckon you to discover beaches of white, golden or black sand. So when you pack, don’t forget your swimsuit and sunscreen.
Grape-picking season
The origin of vineyards in the Canary Islands dates all the way back to the arrival of the Spanish conquerors between the 14th and 15th centuries. It was the colonists who brought a wide variety of grapes that, with time, evolved and adapted to the climate of the islands. The volcanic Malvasia and the Listán Negro being the varieties most closely associated with the Canary Islands.
The route of Columbus
It was October 1492 when Christopher Columbus reached America. However, on his voyage of discovery, he stopped in at the Canary Islands to gather strength, resupply and finish preparing his ships. All of the details of his stay here, and the connection of the American continent with the Canary Islands, are displayed at the Casa de Colón. Located in the capital of La Gomera, San Sebastián, it was once a palace that was used to house the admiral himself. In Gran Canaria, traces left by Columbus are housed in a museum of the same name, an attraction of great historical value to the local community.
Summer activities
Although it is officially autumn, the warm temperatures in the Canary Islands make it possible to keep enjoying summer activities in September, such as swimming, water-sports, or having dinner outside in the open air. The fantastic Canary Islands climate allows you to wander around coastal areas, discover some of the Canary Islands’ virgin beaches or take a boat out to watch the whales and dolphins. A permanent population of short-finned pilot whales and common bottlenose dolphins live next to the south-west coast of Tenerife.
The “Halloween” of the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands has its own traditional celebration of the ‘Day of the Dead’. It is called ‘Noche de Los Finaos’, an ancient custom that has gradually been recovered in many districts of the islands in recent times. Children would go from house to house asking if there were ‘santos’, or saints, and in return they would receive almonds, walnuts, dried figs or chestnuts. Afterwards they would return to their homes to remember their deceased relatives through the voice of the oldest woman in the family, who told stories and anecdotes as the sweet treats were shared. The fiesta ended with dancing in the street and a meal of roasted chestnuts.
Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Daily Telegraph.
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It’s a well-known secret that the Canaries are great for an Autumn break. We’ve been doing the Canaries every year when we can, COVID permitting.
La Gomera has always had far more attractions for me than any of the other islands.
I’m more of a hike in the countryside than clubbing type of person. The fact that La Gomera houses the exhibition on Christopher Columbus’ visit to the Canary Islands is another good reason to drop by.
The temperature’s dropping below 30. Looks as if the UK’s Indian summer didn’t last long. Yeah could b time to head for the sun.
Too early to be thinking about Halloween yet. Let’s enjoy Autumn first!
And don’t forget that any time of the year’s a great season for heading up Mount Teide. You can get from sunbathing on the beach to walking through snow in a couple of hours.
What’s more, the route to the mountain is like a lunar landscape, the sort of place where you feel that you’re walking through a Star Wars set.
Most visitors to the Canary Islands get back on their plane without having seen the true islands.
It really is very sad that so many visitors don’t leave their resorts. There really is so much more to the Canaries than your average tourist sees.
I’m a big fan of Gran Canaria. I read a really good travel article once with a headline like “The little island that wants to be a continent”.
There’s a lot of truth in that it’s got patches of desert, mountains, forests and an amazing diversity of wildlife.