Instead of mulled wine and candy, beaches and marzipan - Christmas in the Canaries combines the exotic with tradition
The Christmas season is approaching faster than you think. In a few days, the pre-Christmas rush, the frenetic shopping for the festive dinner and the search for the perfect gifts for loved ones will be upon us. You might think to yourself that you'd like to spend Christmas a little differently this year - in peace and quiet and maybe somewhere warm. And that's why we're bringing you a tip on the perfect place to spend the holidays just the way you want. But you won't miss the Christmas atmosphere! After all, the Spanish are a nation that takes its traditions seriously and responsibly. The Canary Islands offer a little bit of everything at Christmas.
To begin with, while in our country the average temperature ranges from -2 to 2 degrees, in the Canary Islands, thanks to the local climate, it's between 18 and 24 degrees, which is ideal for the more winter-hardy. At the same time, you don't have to worry about temperatures rising to uncomfortably hot temperatures. This is why the islands are a very popular winter destination for Europeans. But what about Christmas on the islands?
Liquid amber and the smell of chestnuts
Since, like mainland Spain, the Canary Islands are predominantly Catholic, the local Christmas celebrations are in some ways the same as our traditions. Celebrations here begin, as they do here, on the evening of 24 December, when families and friends gather for a festive dinner - forget carp and potato salad. Freshly caught sea fish, seafood and fresh vegetable salads are served. The popular Truchas de batata dessert should not be missed. These are sweet potato and almond filled bags spiced with rum, aniseed liqueur cinnamon and lemon zest.
Another favourite Christmas activity we share with the locals is visiting the markets. These are usually permeated with the aroma of the popular roasted chestnuts and various spices. On Gran Canaria, you will find the most beautiful markets in the capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which is usually festively lit up in December. This makes the markets particularly magical in the evening. Imagine the setting sun, the air scented with sea salt and chestnuts, palm trees adorned with chains of lights and stalls selling delicate local marzipan and nougat. Similarly beautiful markets can be found in the inland towns of Gáldar, Arucas and Telde.
At Christmas, locals also enjoy a glass of liquid amber, which they toast with both at dinner on 24 December and when celebrating the arrival of the New Year. The sweet wine, made from the Malvasia grape grown on Monte Lentiscal, the oldest vineyard on Gran Canaria, is a must for the Christmas table. Its captivating aroma and taste perfectly accompany the delicacies on festive tables. The local pubs and restaurants know this well, where traditional dishes and amber-coloured wine are easy to find.
A slightly different crib
Christmas trees may be seen on the islands, but they are not traditional Christmas decorations and have only grown in popularity in recent years. Nativity scenes are much more traditional here and can be found in churches, town squares and in homes. But you have to look for the most interesting ones on Las Canteras beach. Here, artists from all over the world create unique sculptures inspired by the story of the birth of Jesus Christ from up to 2,000 tonnes of sand. They can be seen this year from 29 November until 7 January.
The several-metre-long sand sculptures not only tell the Christmas story, but also convey a message of light and hope. While these works may seem relatively ephemeral, the opposite is true. First of all, visitors to the sand nativity scene will never forget the experience, and secondly, some of the most successful works occasionally make it onto postage stamps.
Close to the beach, you'll also find the unique Auditorio Alfredo Kraus concert hall, named after a local native and one of Europe's finest tenors. Not only the architecture of the building itself is interesting, but also the programme, which is dedicated to classical music during the Christmas period. After hours of wandering among the sand sculptures, you can relieve your feet by listening to beautiful music that will caress your soul.
Unusual Christmas activities
So far, we've been bringing you traditions and activities that will keep you in the Christmas spirit as you know it from home. But one of the reasons to go to the Canary Islands for Christmas is to try a slightly different way of spending the holidays. You won't be able to avoid the Christmas atmosphere, but swimming in the sea and lounging on the sand dunes will surely evoke a different feeling to snow drifts and lighting candles on an Advent wreath. But swimming isn't the only activity you can indulge in on the islands in December.
The local temperatures are favourable for long hiking and cycling trips, which you can combine with a visit to the local wineries. December also provides perfect conditions for stargazing, which is particularly magical over the islands. Who knows...maybe if you're lucky you'll even see the mystical Christmas star announcing miracles.
Another great advantage of the Canary Islands is their accessibility. Due to the popularity of this destination in winter, you can reach Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria from Prague several times a week with direct flights and daily connections. So if you want to spend this year's holidays differently, it's time to start planning.
Photo: Oficina Española de Turismo ve Vídni
