Discovering islands in Spain (Islas Canarias, Islas Baleares)
✨The Canary Islands: Nature’s Playground✨
Located off the northwest coast of Africa, the Canary Islands are a Spanish archipelago of seven main islands, each with its own personality. I was lucky enough to visit Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote Fuerteventura, and they left me speechless.
Tenerife: More Than Just Beaches 🌞
First, Tenerife is the largest of the Canaries and famous for its beaches, and most impressively, Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak and you can go up with a cable car up the volcano. In one minute you are in a subtropical paradise, and the next you are walking in a place that looks like Mars. Moreover, there is a restaurant which provides meat cooked with the heat of the volcano. There is a contrast between the rugged, red rock of the Teide National Park and the lush green north of the island that marks how diverse Tenerife is.
Beyond nature, I was surprised by how much canarian culture differs from mainland Spain. Indeed, the music, local dialect, and meals are all unique and awesome.
Lanzarote: A Volcanic Wonderland 🌄
Secondly, we have Lanzarote, an island feeling like another place. There is the Timanfaya National Park’s lava fields to the black-sand beaches and bizarre rock formations. I took a tour that included a geothermal demonstration and visited the artistic spaces created by César Manrique who is a famous native painter and architect from this place (you can buy statue’s souvenirs). César Manrique has integrated art and nature beautifully. You can go to the Lanzarote’s cavern called Les Jameos del Agua, or visit the Cactus garden. Despite its arid terrain, Lanzarote also has vineyards, actual wine-growing fields in volcanic ash! Sampling a local Malvasía wine while overlooking the island’s lunar landscape was unforgettable.
🌟The Balearic Islands🌟
Moving from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, the Balearic Islands offer an entirely different vibe. However they are often known for luxury and party scenes, there is so much more under the surface. The islands Mallorca, Menorca, and Ibiza, have a charm that goes far beyond Instagram-worthy beaches and stories.
Majorque : montagnes 🏝, marchés et criques cachées
As the largest of the Balearics, Mallorca provides something for every kind of traveler. You can visit Serra de Tramuntana mountains, which offers some of the most dramatic landscapes. In contrast, the old town of Palma with its gothic cathedral and lively tapas bars felt cosmopolitan yet relaxed.
One of my favorite discoveries was the village of Valldemossa, set in the hills and brimming with history. It is where composer Chopin once stayed, and you can actually visit the former monastery he lived in. Cala Deià is reputed for its crystal-clear beaches, and you have got the most beautiful Mediterranean escape.
Menorca: Peace and Pristine Beauty 🌤
If you rather want some tranquillity, Menorca is the place. It is greener and quieter than the previous island, with a slower pace of life. You can rent a scooter and explore hidden beaches like Cala Macarella and Cala Mitjana, the kind of secluded paradises you dream of when planning a beach vacation. Menorca also has a unique history linked to French, Spanish and British rule over the centuries. This combination reflects the architecture and even food and drinks (gin)y, which is a popular drink on the island.
Ibiza 🥳
Ibiza is surprising and known worldwide for its clubs and DJs, it also has a spiritual, peaceful side. You can relax on Ibiza beach doing yoga. The town of Dalt Vila (Ibiza’s UNESCO listed old town) is a labyrinth of whitewashed buildings, cobbled streets, and panoramic views of the sea. Exploring its ramparts at sunset was one of the most peaceful moments of the journey.
If you wonder, you can take a dip into the party scene one night. Let’s just say dancing on the beach under the stars with people from all over the world will be a memory you will never forget.
🔔 Conclusion 🔔
Being in Spain gives the perfect base to explore those island gems, and comes away with more than just pretty pictures. You will leave with a deeper understanding of Spain’s diversity, both in culture and landscape. The Canary Islands offered otherworldly natural beauty and volcanic adventure, while the Balearic Islands brought Mediterranean charm, rich legacy, and moments of total serenity.
If you are spending time in Spain (to study, to work, to do an internship or just travel) don’t miss the islands. Each one tells a different story, and together, they show a side of Spain that many travellers overlook.
The habits you build and the people you meet during your internship can have a lasting impact. So jump in with an open mind, a positive attitude, and a real eagerness to learn. If you ever get a chance to intern or work in Spain, especially for Animafest Experience, do not think twice. You might be amazed not only by what you realize professionally but by what you discover about yourself.
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