Canary Islands: The number one European travel destination in 2023!

Canary Islands: The number one European travel destination in 2023!

The Canary Islands enjoy continued popularity and became the most sought-after travel destination in the EU in 2023. Loud sn.at A total of around 96 million overnight stays were counted on the islands, which corresponds to around 262,000 guests per day. Particularly outstanding is Tenerife, the most popular island in the Canary Islands, which attracts visitors with its beautiful beaches and diverse leisure activities.

The Croatian Adriatic coast and Catalonia follow in second and third place. The Croatian coast recorded 87 million overnight stays, while Catalonia had a total of 86 million. In Barcelona, ​​the capital of Catalonia, there are 20 million hotel overnight stays. However, this has also led to protests against mass tourism, which prompted the government to increase the tourist tax to 15 euros per night in March.

UNESCO World Heritage and cultural treasures

It's not just the number of overnight stays that make the Canary Islands special, but also their rich cultural heritage. So reported welterbetour.de from the historical sites such as Risco Caído and the Sacred Mountains, which are located in the northwestern quarter of Gran Canaria. This region offers a unique insight into the history of the Berbers, who have settled in the Canary Islands since the 4th century.

The landscape of this region is also breathtaking, characterized by steep cliffs, valleys and striking individual rocks. Roque Faneque is considered the highest cliff in Europe at 1,027 m, while Roque Nublo at 1,813 m enchants every nature lover. On the high plateau of Tamadaba there are preserved pine forests, which represent an impressive nature reserve.

Historical kingdoms and way of life

The Canary Islands were once home to two kingdoms, with Telde and Gáldar as capitals. These sites were conquered by Castilian troops between 1478 and 1483. Located in the former western kingdom of Gáldar, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Risco Caído highlights the former way of life of the local population. The residents created living caves, granaries and cisterns in the rock walls, which still represent evidence of ancient life today.

In the Artenara region, visitors can discover an information center and even stay in inhabited caves, which are available for rent as accommodation. This unique experience provides direct contact with the fascinating history and culture of the Canary Islands and allows visitors to experience first-hand the beauty and diversity of this remarkable region.