pgriffin

Hi all

We (me, wife and young son) are contemplating a one week break in January so I'm getting in early with this question.

We are looking for a child-friendly place, which I guess means beaches, water parks, streets that are not too crowded or cobbled etc.

My wife and I also like non-touristy places, good, local restaurants, beaches, scenery and the ability to do some nice drives (car rental is a possibility).

I know sometimes non-touristy can mean non-child friendly but if there was somewhere nice, picturesque and quiet that also had enough amenities to keep our son (and us) happy then that would be great.

From my own research I think Fuerteventura or Lanzarote may fit the bill but I'm not sure and I also can't tell which parts of those islands would be best.

Thanks in advance.
PG

traveller1959

The islands are different. Each of them has its specific charm and its pros and cons. Just a few considerations:

- Tenerife is a fascinating island but has few beaches. Most of them are overrun and the few non-touristy spots are certainly noc kid-friendly. So, I would sort this island out.

- Gran Canaria has the best infrastructure of the Canary Islands. There are many kid-friendly places and great beaches, especially around the dunes of Maspalomas. In the mountains you find many places which are still romantic. Seriously consider Gran Canaria.

- Fuerteventura has fantastic beaches. Corralejo is spectacular and kid-friendly. The rest of the island is volcanoes and desert.

- My personal favourite is Lanzarote. The volcano park is outstanding and also Manriques surrealist home. However few beaches and I have my doubts about kid-friendliness.

After all, considering your preferences (beaches, water parks, streets that are not too crowded or cobbled, non-touristy places, good, local restaurants, beaches, scenery and the ability to do some nice drives), I would say, Gran Canaria would probably fit your needs best.

pgriffin

Thanks very much for the reply, traveller1959.

I must say I hadn't considered Gran Canaria as I associate it with lager louts and package holidays, but I guess every island has their own hidden charms and you can avoid certain areas if you so wish.

I must do some research on this now.

Thanks again.

Rubicund

None of the islands are very busy in January and although the weather will certainly be warmer than Northern Europe, they do get rain and I doubt if a beach type holiday will be the norm at that time. Most of the water parks do close in the winter.

My choice would be Corralejo on Fuerteventura. There will be enough open to give you lots to do during the day and for dining choices.

bilboburgler

Fuerteventura is the quietest of the main islands, there are a few large hotels which will have the joined up facilities but often only one is a village (outside the tourist villages) I'd stay either in the far south or the far north away from the main places. Apart from visiting windmills and beaches nothing much to do.

pgriffin

I have just come across this place in Morro Jable (Fuerteventura). Looks amazing.

http://www.xqelpalacete.com/en/inicio

Anyone have any experience with the hotel or general area?

traveller1959

The hotel is within a densely built-up tourist development. From the aerial view, it seems to be located where the sandy beach ends. From the photos, I see some large rocks under the water surface, although the beach itsself is sandy. And you have to cross a road to reach the beach.

I would say, Corralejo on the north end of the island is more scenic and has better beaches. When I remember when our twins were in that age with schlepping all the necessary stuff, we would have preferred a hotel with direct access to a sandy beach.

As Bilbo said, Fuerteventura has not too much offer - it is mostly volcanoes and desert. I would say it is perfect for water-related activities like snorkeling and windsurfing. Also for hiking in the desert (but probably not with a toddler on one's back - forget strollers in the sand).

Again, check out Gran Canaria. The landscape is not as barren as Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, it looks more mediterranean with flowers everywhere which will be blooming in January. There are volcanoes in the island (good for a daytrip with a rental car), but also forests and agriculture.

I know the image of Gran Canaria as a mass-tourism destination, but when I was there, I was pleasantly surprised. Mass tourism is concentrated on a few spots along the beaches, and with a toddler you might enjoy some aspects of the tourism infrastructure. Again, there will be no crowds in January.

I have been an all Canary Islands in December, in January and February, and each time and everywhere seawater was pleasantly warm and beautiful for swimming. During daytime, we mostly enjoyed warm sunshine, although the mornings and the evenings were chilly. Also, on top of the mountains, sometimes we had fog, so take a jacket with you.

You might encounter a rainy day oder two, but generally you can expect fine weather.

bilboburgler

Some of the beaches are rocky, some idiot let chipmunks loose on the island and despite attempts to control them they and some natural lizards take up the position that rabbits do on most lands (ie get everywhere and eat everything).

I've done Teneriffe in the north (a bit wetter and colder than the south) in Jan the yobs will be back at work and it will be gran and any toddlers hanging out. Again not much to do, after you've watched basket ball playing parakeets, seen the local wrestling match and climbed Mount Teide I'm amazed I didn't tear my own head off.