Discover the Top 12 Amazing Fun Facts About the Canary Islands You Never Knew!

1. Bond's Botanical Beach

If James Bond had a green thumb and wanted to vacation in style, we know exactly where he'd be lounging: Introducing the unique beach paradise that marries botanical bliss with volcanic fashion sense - Tenerife's Playa Jardin: A striking black sand beach on the Canary Islands, known not only for its rare noir appearance but also boasting a stunningly impressive botanical garden that sprawls alongside it, giving visitors the ultimate walk through exotic flora, all while enjoying the sun-kissed beach vibes.
Source => gviusa.com

2. Volcanic Mountain Getaway

What do you get if you cross a mountain climber's heaven with a dormant volcanic monster? A fiery Spanish vacation destination, of course! Teide National Park on Tenerife island is home to Teide-Pico Viejo stratovolcano, boasting the highest peak in Spain at 3,718 meters, providing jaw-dropping vistas and a sneaky eruption-free history since 1909.
Source => whc.unesco.org

Did you know a third of Cape Verde's population lives abroad, creating a unique fusion of African and Latin American influences in their vibrant music? Discover the foot-tapping tradition-meets-innovation blend!

=> Fun Facts about Cape-Verde

3. The Mysterious Dragon Trees

In a canary-eat-canary world, where trees masquerade as dragons and sap moonlights as magical elixirs: the Canary Islands are ruled by mystical Dragon Trees, which not only possess a tantalizing umbrella-shaped crown, but also boast medicinal sap called "dragon's blood" that was believed to cure everything from dysentery to loose teeth. Found mainly in the Dracaena draco and Dracaena cinnabari species, these trees have been thriving for thousands of years, but now face the sobering reality of extinction.
Source => daily.jstor.org

4. Birdie's VIP Airport Lounge

Who knew that the Canary Islands had its very own avian airport lounge, complete with swanky palm tree shade and crystal-clear lagoon? Turns out, it's true: La Charca in the Maspalomas Dunes is a bustling hotspot for dozens of migratory bird species like sanderlings and hoopoes, who stop by to catch their breath and enjoy the amenities before continuing their journey from Europe to Africa. Just don't forget to tip the resident fish valets swimming in the nearby waters!
Source => expedia.com

5. Guanches - Alien Mummy Enthusiasts

What do you get when ancient island dwellers moonlight as alien enthusiasts? Mummy-fied Guanches: The original inhabitants of the Canary Islands, the Guanches, were renowned for their unique language and culture, and excavations have unearthed a treasure trove of their expertly preserved mummified remains.
Source => worldatlas.com

6. Astronaut-Approved Lanzarote

Houston, we have a vacation destination: Lanzarote, the Canary Island with an out-of-this-world terrain, has become a prime training ground for astronauts prepping for interplanetary missions. Due to its eerily similar geological features to the Moon and Mars, the likes of NASA and the European Space Agency use the volcanic island for extraterrestrial training and rover testing, bridging the gap between Earth and other celestial bodies.
Source => bbc.com

7. Canary Islands' Potato Spa

If a potato had a spa day, it would ask for the Canary Islands special treatment: The region boasts a unique dish called papas arrugadas, where small new potatoes are boiled in salt water, endowing them with a charming wrinkled appearance and typically served with a zesty pepper sauce called mojo in various flavors like mojo verde, mojo rojo, and even the fiery mojo picon.
Source => chilipeppermadness.com

8. The Parrot Protectors

Who needs Pirates of the Caribbean when you have Parrots of the Canaries: The Loro Parque Foundation on Tenerife Island not only champions endangered parrot species and their habitats but has also successfully bred and reintroduced critically endangered Spix's Macaws and Yellow-eared Conures back into the wild since 1994.
Source => oiseaux-birds.com

9. Telescope Enthusiasts' Paradise

If stargazing makes you say "Telescope me more," then the Canary Islands have the perfect spot for you: The Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, home to the world's largest optical-infrared telescope, sits pretty at 2396 meters above sea level, offering exceptional conditions for astronomical research and making groundbreaking discoveries, like detecting the most distant galaxy and confirming the existence of black holes. No wonder they call it the star attraction!
Source => iac.es

10. Plant Species Galore

You can truly leaf it up to the Canary Islands to show off its 'floral' prowess: home to more than 5000 plant species, around 1400 of these leafy wonders exist exclusively on this archipelago, found nowhere else on Earth.
Source => accedacris.ulpgc.es

11. Cesar Manrique's Subterranean Masterpiece

Move over, King Triton: Lanzarote's got its own underwater kingdom masterminded by none other than the architect extraordinaire, Cesar Manrique. This hometown hero transformed a volcanic tunnel into Jameos Del Agua, a cultural oasis featuring blind albino crabs chilling in an underground lake, a swimming pool so exclusive only the King of Spain can make a splash, and a volcano museum so otherworldly it'd make Kubrick gasp. Thanks to Manrique's ingenious creations, Lanzarote now stands as a model of intelligent tourism with nary a high-rise nor billboard in sight.
Source => alastairphilipwiper.com

12. A Martian Expedition on Earth

Looking for a taste of Mars without leaving Earth? Thank your lucky stars (or rather, volcanic eruptions) for the Canary Islands: The Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote boasts otherworldly landscapes with peculiar rock formations and craters, birthed from a series of fiery volcanic events between 1720 and 1824, ready to be explored through trekking routes or a journey to the Montañas del Fuego.
Source => blog.musement.com