P&O Azura: Visiting the Ports Solo in the Canary Islands

Continuing from where we left off, my initial experiences aboard the P&O Azura set the stage for the adventures that awaited in the ports of Tenerife, Madeira, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote in the Canary Isalnds. If you're new here, you might want to start with how my solo journey began in Fuerteventura.

In today's post, I'll share the unique character of each port, from unexpected local festivals to tranquil beaches and intriguing shopping locales. Whether you're an experienced cruiser or considering your first solo trip, these accounts aim to provide a genuine sense of what you might encounter. Here is the Canary Islands Fly-Cruise Holidays with P&O.

1. Tenerife

The ship stayed overnight in Tenerife as more people were due to arrive.  It gave me an opportunity to wander off the ship and look around the port and town of Santa Cruz.

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What a wonderful day! There was a carnival on, and I was told later it was only second, as far as style and panache go, to the carnival in Rio. Fantastic costumes. A stage with live bands. Food stalls. I happily wandered around and felt completely safe. 

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It was an event for adults and families. Many of the children were dressed as their favourite action characters. There was a fantastic vibe. All in all, everyone was very friendly, it was an unforgettable day. People asked me if I would like to sample their food from the stalls, it was such a happy atmosphere. 

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Tenerife’s unexpected carnival had turned a simple port visit into a magical experience. The vibrant costumes, the infectious music, the delectable food, and the joyous laughter of children. A great couple of hours. I walked further on away from the port, passing classy shops and bars. 

Vibrant costumes at the Santa Cruz port area. 

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Tours in Tenerife

There are many tours to do in Tenerife. It is the largest of the Canary Islands. There are lush gardens or a trip to Mount Teide National Park.  You can reach the top by cable car. There are plenty of beaches to visit, such as Las Teresita, which is popular and has a beach club.

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A tour of a vineyard is very popular. Island sightseeing tours. Tapas tours. What’s wonderful about a cruise is you can dip into a new place every day. Tours can be arranged prior to your cruise or on board ship. They can be booked through the P&O app or through the Shore excursion desk. Some sell out quickly. Other ways are to use a local tour company, or there are plentiful taxis. 

2. Madeira

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Tours in Madeira 

Though I didn't do a tour as I’d visited the island before, I checked out the possibilities. There are many water tours, including dolphin and whale watching. 

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My personal favourite would be the Madeira Botanical Gardens, a paradise for plant lovers. You can couple that with a ride on the cable car, visiting the village of Monte. You can also get a Tuk Tuk and be driven up the hills to the gardens. 

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One of our group did the Skywalk, Porto Moniz Volcanic Pools and Fanal Tour. She said it was fantastic. For those who want a more relaxed day there are many walking tours, some with food and wine tasting. Many of the tours can be combined with the toboggan ride. There are endless opportunities, and many tour companies offer a full day or just a couple of hours. 

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Tip: Always be aware of your ship's departure time, so you can make sure you give yourself plenty of time back to the port.

3. Gran Canaria

I wandered off the ship mid-morning, again I hadn't booked a trip like some of my cruise buddies had. Most popular was a Segway tour and a group tour of twizy cars. If you haven’t experienced twizy it's great fun. It’s a little electric car, a cross between a mobility scooter and a smart car. You go along in a row, there were about eight vehicles.

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I decided to wander around the port of Las Palmas as it's a great shopping area. Centro Comercial el Muelle has many shops offering bargains to the many cruise passengers that arrive on a daily basis. 

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It has boutique shops, fast food outlets, grocery stores and a cinema. You can't miss it when you get off the ship. It's about a five-minute walk. Shoes and handbags are a great buy, there are many leather bargains. I've included this photo taken as I exit the shopping centre. You can see the Azura docked, that's how close the ship was.

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So even if you are not one for doing the tours, there’s usually plenty to do around the port, or a short taxi drive away. 

Tours in Gran Canaria

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There are many opportunities here for dolphin and whale watching. Snorkel tours in Puerto.  De Morgan, also known as Little Venice. Mas Palomas for beach lovers.  Visit the banana farms and wine tasting. Island sightseeing. Explore Las Palmas, an old town, for magnificent sights and historic landmarks. 

4. Lanzarote

Oh, it was such a lovely day!  Playa Blanca was a beautiful destination, and I'm glad I took the coach provided by P&O to get there. It was convenient, although I noticed there was public transport available as well.

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On the coach, I bumped into a friend from the cruise, and we decided to do our own thing for a while but meet up for lunch later. It's always nice to have some time to yourself and explore at your own pace. So, I ventured along the seafront, where I came across one of my favourite shops, Desigual. And guess what? They were having a sale! How could I resist? I ended up buying a few gifts for loved ones back home.

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After my shopping spree, I found a comfortable beach lounger, laid out my towel from the ship, and read my book. It was pure bliss. The peacefulness of the beach, the sound of the waves, and the captivating story in my hands created the perfect day. I couldn't have asked for a more relaxing moment.

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Eventually, it was time to meet up with my new friend for lunch. We hadn't made any specific plans. We just stumbled upon a charming restaurant by the beach and had a great meal. 

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Afterwards, we headed back to the coach and was back on the ship within half an hour.

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Tours in Lanzarote

The day couldn't have been better, with ideal weather conditions hovering around 25 degrees Celsius and a gentle breeze in the air. While I had a fantastic time, there's still a wealth of activities I'm eager to try on my next visit.

For those interested in local culture and nature, options abound. You can explore the cactus garden or delve into the artistic world of Cesar Manrique. For wine enthusiasts, a tour of the local bodegas is a must. Other highlights include Mirador del Rio, a scenic viewpoint, and the James del Agua cave with its unique saltwater lagoon. Adventure seekers might opt for a camel ride or a volcano tour at Timanfaya.

It's worth noting that many of the tours at these ports fill up quickly. To secure your spot, consider booking early. Alternatively, you can use platforms like Get Your Guide or opt for one of the many local tour operators often found near the port gates. For a more laid-back exploration, the Hop-On Hop-Off buses (HOHO) are a convenient option. For more information on local attractions, you can visit Guide to Canary Islands. To keep an eye on the weather, check out Holiday Weather.

Tenerife Airport

I have travelled a lot through the years but have never encountered such a busy airport. There was nowhere to sit. The queues at the coffee shops were really long. People were sitting and lying on the floor. If you find yourself in this situation, do as I did. I walked straight to the business lounge and bought myself a pass for 35 euros. It was worth every penny/euro. 

Home again

Home again and reflecting on my time away. I had a brilliant time, which helped with my grief, and I’m certain I’ll be booking another holiday very soon. Sadly, solo. It has its challenges, but it has an awful lot of rewards.

My Next Trip was a UK trip, in St Ives in Cornwall. You can read about it here.