Canaries or the Med: which is better for an autumn cruise?

Ross Clarke

Ross Clarke

Autumn can be one of the best times of the year to cruise in Europe. With the peak summer months gone, ports tend to be quieter, sights less crowded and temperatures milder. But the question remains: where to set sail?

One of the most common conundrums is whether to choose the Canary Islands or the Mediterranean, given their accessibility and climates.

Whatever you're looking for, be it sunbathing and sand dunes, hiking in prehistoric forests, strolling centuries-old monuments or feasting on fresh fish, our Spain* and islands specialist Ross Clarke is on hand to help you decide which autumn cruise is best for you.

Getting there: find great value deals on sailings with Marella Cruises* to the Canary and Atlantic Islands*, and across both the Western Mediterranean* and Eastern Mediterranean*.

Sun & sea

Autumn in the Mediterranean is generally mild, particularly in September and early October when the region enjoys the waning summer sunshine. Temperatures make exploring much more pleasant, and you'll find strolling around cities such as Palma or Rome less exhausting.

That said, later in the season and in the evening, there will be a more noticeable chill in the air. The Mediterranean Sea is generally calm, although autumn is known for infrequent Mistral storms that can create sea swells.

The Canary Islands are renowned for their year-round warmth, and autumn is no different. You'll likely find temperatures hot enough to sunbathe and waters warmish, although the Atlantic is always a bit cooler than the Med.

If you're looking for guaranteed sun and heat, but also mild enough to hike in the mountains, then the Canary Islands* are your best bet. The Atlantic can be a little unpredictable, and the ocean can be choppy between islands and on sail days.

Ross recommends: for near-guaranteed sunshine, stunning sunsets and time to top up your tan, head to the Canary Islands. For warm but cooler days without the summer crowds, and for those prone to severe seasickness, try the Mediterranean.

Culture & scenery

The Canary Islands are known for their dramatic landscapes. You'll find soaring volcanoes, including Spain's highest peak, Mount Teide, in Tenerife, as well as a wide spectrum of scenery, from lush tropical forests in La Gomera and La Palma to stark desert-like sand dunes in Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria.

The islands also have an intriguing history thanks to their position between three continents, and you'll find remains and sights dating back millennia, including those of the original pre-Hispanic population.

A lot of Canary cruises also include Madeira*, and while all the islands have similarities, you'll be able to enjoy both Spanish and Portuguese culture.

Regardless of which Mediterranean cruise itinerary you choose, you'll likely dock at ports in several different countries, which opens up a wide range of cultural experiences. If you've always wanted to tick off those big-hit attractions, then you'll be able to do so easily with, quite often, whole days in port.

Organised tours can ensure you make the most of your time ashore but don't feel like you can't explore by yourself. Over a week, you could witness the Vatican, Pisa's leaning tower, Gaudí's Sagrada Familia, Casino de Monte Carlo, and the yacht-filled harbours of St Tropez.

Ross recommends: choose the Canary Islands and Madeira for imposing volcanic landscapes, whale watching and active adventures; opt for the Mediterranean if you have a head for history, love city sights and classical architecture.

Food & drink

Cypriot mezze? Spanish tapas? French haute cuisine? Depending on which part of the Mediterranean your ship stops, you'll be spoilt for gastronomic choice.

The variety of food and drink you can consume gives med cruises a slight advantage. If you're around the Balearic Islands, seek out local specialities such as sobrasada (spreadable chorizo-like pate) and ensaimadas (cloud-like sweet dough swirls) as well as the ubiquitous Xoriguer Gin.

Try it as a Pomada (mixed with ice and lemonade) for a refreshing cooler. All around the Med, from Tuscany to Provence, Crete to Valencia, you'll find yourself in peak grape harvest time, and it's worth seeking out a vineyard or two. You'll see them abuzz with picking and pressing, and try some of their previous vintages.

There's been a clash of culinary cultures in the Canary Islands for centuries, in part due to its strategic location as a fuelling port. It means you're as likely to see Venezuelan arepas as traditional Spanish tapas, as well as local specialities from the land and sea.

Look out for fish such as cherne (wreckfish that's a bit like cod) that's prevalent in the surrounding waters, along with shellfish. Cheese is also a big part of the islands' diet, with many varieties made from goat's milk.

Queso Flor de Gía from Gran Canaria is a gooey, creamy cheese made using thistle flower. It would be remiss not to try some volcanic wine while visiting, as the Canaries have ancient vines that were never blighted by the phylloxera bug that once wiped out all of Europe's vines.

If stopping in Madeira, take a tot of the famous Madeira wine; you might need it to calm the nerves after a nail-biting ride on Fuchal's famous Monte Toboggan.

Ross recommends: for sheer diversity on the plate and palate, and classic southern European dishes, the Mediterranean is the obvious answer; meanwhile, the Canaries and Madeira reign supreme for food fusion, intriguing culinary traditions and volcanic wines.

Availability & crowds

While both destinations will not have the holiday hordes of the summer, you'll likely find the Med busier in early autumn and prices higher. As the season progresses, rates tend to drop, but so do temperatures.

Be mindful that the Med is more seasonal, and as such some resorts and attractions may be winding down or even closed towards the end of November.

Autumn is the Canaries' lower season between its summer and winter peaks, and you'll often find good value deals come slightly earlier in September and October, as people tend to seek out the promise of warm weather later in the autumn.

As the Canaries are open year-round these days, crowds can be a little more consistent, but autumn is rarely busy, and you'll find sights delightfully calm.

Ross recommends: the best deals for Canary Islands cruises often come in early autumn, but be mindful that temperatures can still be hot; prices for Mediterranean cruises dip closer to the end of the season, but you may have cooler weather.

Compare weather

WHERE?

Use the above graphs to compare conditions in xx and xx. Find out more about the weather across both regions in our guides to the climate in the Canary Islands and the climate in the Mediterranean.

Ready to set sail this autumn? Check out the latest deals from Marella Cruises on itineraries to both the Atlantic islands and the Mediterranean's finest destinations.

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Ross Clarke

Ross Clarke

Ross Clarke is a Welsh travel, food and wine writer, specialising in his homeland, the Canary Islands and mainland Spain. As well as writing regularly for The Times, BBC Travel and National Geographic Traveller, Ross is a lecturer in journalism at Cardiff University and publishes a regular newsletter, 'The Welsh Kitchen'.

Posted in: Cruises Europe & the Mediterranean Marella Cruises

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