Things to do in Canary Islands
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Katrin
The waters between western Tenerife and La Gomera are among the world's best for spotting whales and dolphins. One reputable outfit is Katrin, which conducts marine biology research and also takes groups out with special needs.
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Restaurante El Baifo
For something different come to this Malaysian-French restaurant, where woks and curries are served in a dining room with touches of Asian décor. Vegetarians will find lots of options, which is something rare around here.
reviewed
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Kiosco Playa Morena
Paragliding is quickly gaining momentum here; aficionados come from throughout Europe to take advantage of the island's ideal conditions and easy take-off and landing sites. Arrange for a tandem glide with Kiosco Playa Morena.
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El Almacen de la Sal
An excellent waterfront restaurant, with fish dishes being the pick of the bunch (although a good vegetarian selection is also tempting). It's about halfway between the port and the main beach and has a cheaper lunchtime menu.
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Mirador de la Hila
To get a good overview of San Sebastián, head up the road to the Parador Nacional Conde de la Gomera hotel, where the Mirador de la Hila showcases the coast, the square houses of town and the rough, dry mountains beyond.
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Salta Si Puedes
Choose between an old-fashioned formal dining room or a rustic, summer-camp-like room with long communal tables to savour the grilled meats and fish that are the staple of this homy eatery, a 15-minute walk beyond the centre.
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Sáffron & Porron
The colourful single-storey houses on this pedestrian street have been restored. Stop by this tiny café-bar, its walls papered with faded Andalusian feria (fair) and bullfighting posters. It has outside tables.
reviewed
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Iglesia de la Encarnación
North of the town, across the ravine, is the Castillo de la Virgen, and tucked away on the same hill is the 16th-century Iglesia de la Encarnación, the first church to be built in Santa Cruz after the Spanish conquest.
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Acatife
A memorable traditional restaurant; look for the ancient wooden door. The interior continues the rustic theme, with beams and chunky wooden furniture, while the food is down-to-earth and hearty, as befits the surroundings.
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Molino de Gofio
A reconstructed windmill where gofio was once ground. The quick tour leads you around the museum and mill. Afterwards, you can taste gofio accompanied by sweet wine. There's also a good restaurant here.
reviewed
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Museo de Bellas Artes
Museo de Bellas Artes is home to an eclectic mix of paintings by mainly Spanish, Canarian and Flemish artists, including Ribera, Sorolla and Brueghel. There's also sculpture, including a Rodin, and temporary exhibitions.
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El Refugio
Serving fresh fish and seafood (the restaurant has its own fishing boat), El Refugio is one block up from the waterfront. To get here, follow the sounds of the singing bird, which lives in a cage outside the restaurant.
reviewed
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Covered Markets
For the freshest and cheapest produce check out the Covered Markets: the best are located between Calles Barcelona and Néstor de la Torre and on the corner of Calle Mendizabal and Calle Juan de Quesada in Vegueta.
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Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Peña de Francia
The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Peña de Francia, a 17th-century church with three naves, a wooden mudéjar ceiling and the image of Gran Poder de Dios, one of the town's most revered saints.
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Mesón La Tinaja
This restaurant specialises in traditional Basque dishes like black pudding from Burgos, red peppers stuffed with codfish and red sausage from Bera. More international fare includes tasty curried rice with vegetables.
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Calle Mayor de Triana
This street, now pedestrianised, has long been the main shopping street in Las Palmas. In between window shopping, look skyward to enjoy some real architectural gems, including several striking examples of modernism.
reviewed
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Los Gigantes Diving Centre
This is the best place on the island for diving with abundant marine life. Los Gigantes Diving Centre, an English-owned outfit, has been diving here for more than a decade. Dive excursions are run at 10:00 and 14:00.
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Volcanic Beach
The sandy Volcanic Beach is a nice place to relax and have a swim. It's also the site of some of the town's liveliest festivals, such as El Día de San Juan (St John's Day), when the beach is lined with bonfires.
reviewed
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Restaurant La Puntilla
The breezy blue-and-white colour scheme adds to the charm of this lake-side restaurant with its view of the bobbing boats. The menu includes seafood dishes like octopus with potatoes in mojo and fried squid.
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Matador Surf School
Corralejo is a justifiably popular base for surfers, with phrases like 'the Hawaii of Spain' commonly bandied about. Matador Surf School offers courses, including equipment and insurance plus transport to the waves.
reviewed
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Calle Dr Quintero
The lure of El Hierro lies in its natural spaces, not here in town. Still, a short stroll (at most, allot a morning here) can be rewarding. Calle Dr Quintero is a pedestrian-friendly street, home to shops and bars.
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Brisas de Asabanos
Set above a pharmacy, with picture windows looking down onto the main street, this is Valverde's finest dining experience. Specialities include steak with local cheese, and the fresh catch served in burgundy sauce.
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Restaurante Casa Montesdeoca
A romantic restaurant set in an exquisite 16th-century house. Dine in the gorgeous, leafy patio with its traditional wooden balconies and sunny, yellow walls. Any of the meat or seafood dishes can be recommended.
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Meson Los Gemelos
Round the corner from the bus station, this is a friendly, welcoming restaurant with a great atmosphere; the house speciality is grilled meats. There's a covered interior patio, lots of locals and a noisy parrot.
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Happy Biking
Happy Biking ; now there's a nice name! Happy Biking rents out a range of cycles and also organises cycle tours, mostly quite gentle, which start at around €30, including bike hire, transport and a picnic.
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