Beyond Spain & Portugal: Explore the Canary & Azores Islands - 14 Days

Highlights

• Enjoy the tropical beaches of Gran Canaria
• Ride an e-bike around the mountains and countryside
• Take a catamaran trip along the coast
• Go off-roading in Tenerife in a safari Jeep
• Hike to volcanoes and enjoy the beaches of the Azores

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Gran Canaria (Spain)

Welcome to Gran Canaria! The second-largest of Spain's eight Canary Islands exemplifies the wonder you'll find throughout the archipelago. It's a wonderland of verdant pine forests, endless beaches, hidden coves, Sahara-like dunes, and volcanic landscapes. Upon arrival in the capital of Las Palmas, a driver will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel. After checking in, you'll have the rest of the day to relax and unwind after the long flight. 

Day 2: E-Bike Mountain Tour, Tapas in a Cave

In the morning, meet your guide and experience Gran Canaria's outdoors on an e-bike adventure. During this half-day excursion, you'll tour the famous Dunes of Maspalomas, an expanse of sand dunes on the south coast that would be right at home in the Sahara Desert. After that, you'll cycle across green valleys dotted with palms, cacti, and wildflowers as you pass generations-old farms.

The route includes an ascent up Mount Ayagaures, at the top of which you'll enjoy a well-deserved break for snacks and refreshments. But this isn't any ordinary tapas bar—it's built inside a cavern once inhabited by Indigenous people during the pre-Hispanic era. After the stop, you'll continue riding to the Ayagaures Dam, a large reservoir where you'll begin the descent back toward Las Palmas.

Day 3: Beach Day in Gran Canaria

You'll have the entire day to enjoy the beaches around Gran Canaria. Highlight stretches of sand around the island include the dune-backed Maspalomas, the resort area at Playa Amadores, and the long crescent fronting the capital of Las Palmas. Or, if you like, you can spend the day by the pool at y our hotel, cocktail in hand and with the company of a good book.

Day 4: Free Day in Gran Canaria

Today is yours to get behind the wheel and explore the length and breadth of Gran Canaria. The highlights aren't limited to the stunning coastline, which you'll discover when you head inland to explore its mountainous interior. The itinerary is up to you, but you'll certainly want to visit the historic towns and villages around the island. One can't-miss destination is the seaside town of Agaete, known for its whitewashed buildings, gardens, and an ancient necropolis dating to around the eighth century CE.

There's also Puerto De Las Nieves, a colorful fishing village with fine pebble beaches fronting tranquil waters. While here, enjoy some fresh seafood at one of the waterfront restaurants. One highlight in town is the Ermita de las Nieves, a small, whitewashed chapel dating to the 16th century. While here, you can head out on foot to explore the nearby Cliffs of Tamadaba, which are coastal cliffs that tower over 3,280 feet (1,000 m). 

Day 5: Catamaran Tour of Gran Canaria

After breakfast, you'll head to the Pasito Blanco Port and boat a catamaran for an exciting cruise around the coast of Gran Canaria. During this half-day sailing adventure, you can relax on the deck and enjoy the sunshine and great coastal scenery passing by. During the trip, the captain will make two stops at secluded locals.

The first stop is at Playa del Cura, where you can take a swim and go snorkeling before enjoying lunch on the beach. Then continue sailing to the crystalline waters and white-sand beach of Anfi del Mar, where you'll stop for another swim. Finally, the boat will return to port, and you'll transfer back to your hotel.

Day 6: Ferry to Tenerife, Optional Activities

Wake up early and head back to the port, where you'll board a ferry for the 1.5-hour trip west to Tenerife, the largest island in the archipelago. You'll arrive in the capital of Santa Cruz, located on the northeast tip of the island. Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel and then head out on a self-guided walking tour to visit some of Santa Cruz's historic sites.

A good place to start is at Plaza de España, the main square. From here, you can walk to some of the major landmarks in the city. These include the 17th-century Castle of St John the Baptist, García Sanabria City Park, and the Santa Cruz Palmetum, a lovely botanical garden with over 2,000 species of plants. In the evening, enjoy dinner in the historic central district.

Day 7: Day Trip to Teide National Park, Visit Tenerife Pools

Enjoy a hearty breakfast because you have a big day ahead of you. After eating, you'll hop in a safari Jeep and embark on your first big adventure on the island: to Teide National Park. Within this protected area in the center is Mount Teide, a volcano whose 12,188-foot (3,715 m) summit is the highest point in Spain. Once you enter the park, you'll travel on dirt roads over volcanic landscapes amid unique rock formations.

During the three-hour trip, you'll pass small villages whose residents have grown accustomed to living on the slopes of a dormant volcano. Throughout the trip, your expert guide will reveal insight into the geology and history of the area. At the end of the tour, you'll return to Santa Cruz.

Day 8: Enjoy the Beaches of Tenerife

Today is yours, once again, to enjoy golden beaches, and in Tenerife, there are many to choose from. Los Gigantes is a secluded resort located in the western part of the island. It's famous for its giant cliff formations that reach over 2,624 feet (800 m). There's also Playa Jardin, a northside black-sand beach fringed with manicured gardens. Nearby is remote Playa El Bollullo, which is accessible via a footpath down coastal cliffs. Perhaps the most famous option is Playa de las Americas, a wide and inviting stretch of sand complete with sunbeds.

Day 9: Day Trip to La Gomera Island

In the morning, your driver will transfer you to the port at Los Cristianos. Here you'll board a ferry for the one-hour ride to La Gomera, an island off the west coast of Tenerife. You'll arrive in the island's capital of San Sebastián, and from there, you'll begin your full-day outing.

Enjoy a drive around the coast and interior amid stunning landscapes like palm-dotted valleys, gaping canyons, and ancient forests. You'll stop at some of the most charming villages on the island, plus venture into Garajonay National Park, a protected area filled with otherworldly virgin rainforest you can explore via walkways. You'll return to Tenerife by ferry at the end of the day.

Day 10: Fly to São Miguel Island (Portugal)

Wake up early and transfer to the airport in Tenerife, where you'll catch a connecting flight to the Azores via Lisbon. You'll arrive at the airport on São Miguel, the largest of the nine islands in this archipelago. Known as the "Hawaii of the Atlantic," São Miguel is famous for its breathtaking natural beauty, including coastal mountains, lush tropical forests, dormant volcanoes, and awe-inspiring crater lakes. Upon arrival at the airport in Ponta Delgada (São Miguel's capital and largest city), your driver will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel.

Day 11: Sete Ciudades Jeep Adventure

In the morning, you'll meet your guide and hop in a 4WD vehicle for a full-day, off-road excursion to Sete Cidades. Located on the west side of São Miguel, this unspoiled area of natural beauty is considered one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. It's defined by lush hillsides and volcano peaks that rise over tranquil crater lakes. 

During the drive, you'll stop at viewpoints such as Carvão and Vista da Princesa, where you can marvel at the breathtaking landscapes stretching out below. Weather permitting, you'll stop for a hike on the scenic Cumeeiras Trail, where you'll stroll around a volcano rim. Continue to a charming village and church inside the crater, where you'll enjoy a cup of tea or coffee before returning to Ponta Delgada.

Day 12: São Miguel Beach Day

Spend today exploring the plentiful praias (beaches) of São Miguel at your own pace. Head to Praia de Santa Bárbara for over half a mile (1 km) of soft sand and a great lunch spot at the nearby Tuka Tulá Bar. During the summer you can also attend nighttime concerts here. At Praia de Água D'Alto you'll find a vast stretch of volcanic sand, clear water, and dramatic background cliffs—a combination that makes it one of the most popular beaches on the island.

If you want to swim, the sheltered Vila Franca do Campo Islet is a bather's paradise and a good snorkeling spot. At the same time, the oceans around Praia do Fogo remain naturally warmer due to nearby hot springs. For peace and quiet, Praia dos Moinhos can't be beaten, while Praia dos Mosteiros, with its dark volcanic sand and towering rocks emerging from the sea, remains one of the best photo-ops on the island.

Day 13: Day Trip to the Furnas Valley

Hop in a vehicle this morning and head out on another day tour, this time to the Furnas Valley. The region's star is a volcanic caldera that has lain dormant since 1630. However, amid the verdant landscapes of this valley, there's much geological activity in the form of bubbling mud pots and steaming fumaroles (volcanic steam vents). When you arrive, you'll leave the car behind and embark on a 1.5-hour nature hike on the Pico do Ferro trail, which will take you along a peaceful lakeshore.

The next stop will be at the Terra Nostra Botanical Garden. Dating to the 18th century, this is the oldest and most impressive botanical garden in the Azores. It's filled with lakes and dense woodlands featuring a variety of trees, including cycas palms, oaks, cottonwoods, poplars, Japanese red cedars, and many more. After a lunch of traditional cozido das Furnas (a meat stew buried underground and cooked using thermal heat), you'll return to Ponta Delgada, stopping to enjoy a cup of tea at the only tea plantation in Europe.

Day 14: Depart São Miguel

Unfortunately, you've hopped to your last island. Wake up early and enjoy one last Azores sunrise and a leisurely breakfast. At the appropriate time, your driver will pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to the airport, where you'll catch your flight home. See you next time!

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