Share this...

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Linkedin

The Canary Islands explained; Are the Canary Islands A Country?

Time for another geography lesson folks! As someone obsessed with countries since spending 10 years visiting all 197 of them, places like the Canary Islands are confusing, are the Canary Islands a country, is Tenerife a country?! I was getting frustrated at someone from an unnamed country (I’m sure you can guess) and their sheer lack of understanding about the geography of Europe, then I took a step back and realised it can get pretty confusing! Rarely more so than the Canary Islands, so here’s a quick rundown at how they work:

For me personally, this holds a special place in my heart too. It’s where I rowed across the Atlantic ocean from, from the Canary Islands to Antigua.

Where are the Canary Islands?

The Canary Islands are just off the coast of northwest Africa, about 100km west of Morocco. So they look like they’re more likely to belong to an African country, but you’d be wrong! Here’s where they are on a Google Map:

Canary islands on map:

A google map screenshot for the old school readers:

Are the Canary Islands A Country? & are the Canary Islands in Europe?

No. The Canary Islands are not a country.

Is Lanzarote a country? No.

Is Tenerife a country? No.

Despite the fact that they’re geographically part of the African continent. But they ‘belong’ to Europe. As mentioned above, they’re actually recognized under the protectorate of Spain and are therefore European. So people from the Canary Islands carry a Spanish Passport, and there is no such thing as a Canary Islands passport.

Are the Canary Islands part of Spain?

Yes. The Canary Islands are part of Spain and are still controlled by the Spanish central government but with their own political management. Which is why even spa holidays in Spain, for example, could be taken in the Canary islands, and it would still count as Spain.

Are the Canary Islands part of the EU (European Union)? Is Tenerife in the EU?!

Yes, they are, as they are Spanish, they are very much part of the European Union.

How many islands are in the Canary Islands?

There are 13 officially recognized islands, the most famous of which are Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote. These are all common tourist hotspots.

How do I get to the Canary Islands?

With 4 or 5 of the islands being such great destinations for European tourists, there are countless flights to Tenerife South and Gran Canaria, the 2 major airports. Other islands have airports but can prove quite pricey.

You can also take a ferry to the Canary Islands from Portimao in Portugal, it takes around 2 days and costs about $60 USD.

At the moment there are no ferries from Africa to the Canary Islands.

What can I do on the Canary Islands?

Too much to list! Fuerteventura is a windsurfer’s paradise. La Gomera is home for trekkers. Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote have everything you’d expect from holidaymaker’s islands, there’s lots of stuff to do there or climb Spain’s highest mountain in Tenerife.

When is best to visit the Canary Islands?

Ok, listen up. During school holidays and Easter holidays, this places fills up with British and German tourists so if possible avoid these times, although the nightlife will be pretty busy then if that’s what you’re after. If you go in low season, you’ll catch yourself some serious bargains too.

Hope you guys now understand where the Canary Islands are, are the Canary Islands a country or not, are they part of the EU, and how to get to them.

This is why Spain is one of the most visited countries in the world!