MSC Cruceros and Los Pueblos Más Bonitos de España join forces to bring "the most beautiful villages" of the Canary Islands to cruise passengers

An initiative supported by the Canary Islands Government

• During the 2025/26 winter season aboard MSC Musica, MSC Cruises will offer, for the first time, a collection of excursions connecting ports of call with the most beautiful Canarian villages: Garachico (Tenerife), Betancuria (Fuerteventura), Teguise (Lanzarote), and Tejeda (Gran Canaria).

• - This initiative reflects MSC Cruises' commitment to the Canary Islands as a strategic destination, while also contributing to the development of a more responsible model of tourism that is respectful of the environment and connected to local communities.

• - The excursions will be carried out under responsible tourism criteria, prioritizing collaboration with local suppliers, reducing environmental impact, and generating economic and social value in the participating communities.

• - Passengers will be able to enjoy authentic experiences that include local cuisine, craft workshops, and cultural demonstrations, promoting direct contact with communities and the preservation of Canarian identity.

MSC Cruises and the association "Los Pueblos más Bonitos de España" (The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain), with the support of the Canary Islands Government, today presented an initiative that combines tourism, culture, and sustainability. This is a collection of exclusive excursions that will take passengers on the MSC Musica, the ship positioned in the archipelago by the shipping company, from their ports of call to "4 most beautiful Canarian villages," recognized by the Association for their beauty, authenticity, and heritage value: Garachico (Tenerife), Betancuria (Fuerteventura), Teguise (Lanzarote), and Tejeda (Gran Canaria).

This initiative will begin in the 2025/2026 winter season in the Canary Islands with MSC Musica and aims to promote a model of responsible tourism that highlights the cultural, scenic, gastronomic, and social wealth of the archipelago, boosting the economic development of its rural communities and encouraging the preservation of their identity.

The agreement was officially signed at an institutional ceremony held this morning at the headquarters of the Canary Islands Government in Madrid, attended by Francisco Mestre, president of the association "Los Pueblos más Bonitos de España" (The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain); Héctor Mateo Castañeyra, Director General of Infrastructure, Sustainability, and Tourism Quality for the Canary Islands Government; Fernando Pacheco, Director General of MSC Cruises in Spain; and Juan Francisco Perera, Regional President of the southern zone and Mayor of Tejeda (Gran Canaria).

"With this initiative, we are bringing the soul of the Canary Islands closer to our travelers and reinforcing our commitment to a more balanced, sustainable, and environmentally connected model of tourism. The Canary Islands are undoubtedly a strategic destination for MSC Cruises, both for their tourist value and for their role in deseasonalizing the sector," said Fernando Pacheco, general manager of MSC Cruises in Spain.

A joint commitment to the Canary Islands

For years, the association "Los Pueblos más Bonitos de España" (The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain) has been working closely with local councils to conserve, promote, and revitalize unique enclaves, bringing travelers to places of incalculable cultural, heritage, and tourist value, beyond the more touristy sun and beach areas. "For our association, this agreement represents a very important step: it is the first time that an international shipping company has included 'The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain' in its excursions. This brings travelers closer to the most traditional and authentic Canary Islands and opens the door for other towns in our network, spread throughout Spain, to join similar initiatives in the near future, allowing MSC to bring its rich heritage, culture, and landscapes closer to cruise passengers," said Francisco Mestre, President of the Association "The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain."

For his part, Héctor Mateo Castañeyra, Director General of Infrastructure, Sustainability, and Tourism Quality for the Government of the Canary Islands, expressed his satisfaction and emphasized that "this agreement is not the result of mere chance; it is the result of the efforts that these towns, along with many others in the Canary Islands, are making to beautify their surroundings, care for their heritage, and pay attention to small details, which is ultimately what has made them part of the Association of Towns, and is what this cruise company has understood and valued." He concluded by announcing that "the Regional Ministry of Tourism and Employment is going to give a new boost in this regard with the signing of a collaboration agreement between this department and the Association of the Most Beautiful Towns in Spain, with which we intend to define the beautification actions to be promoted to make their heritage a benchmark for the local population and visitors to the islands."

Francisco Juan Perera, regional president of the southern area and mayor of Tejeda (Gran Canaria), said that "it is an honor for Tejeda to welcome MSC cruise passengers, as our location in the geographical center of Gran Canaria means that it is unusual for them to be able to reach our municipality. For us, this is excellent news and a boost for our business community. This is the first time that a company of this level has brought its passengers to our town, and we will welcome them with open arms and treat them as they deserve."

A unique experience: MSC Cruises reinforces its commitment to the Canary Islands as a strategic destination

This project reinforces MSC Cruises' presence in the archipelago, consolidating the Canary Islands as one of the key destinations in the company's national and international program. During its 2025/2026 winter season, MSC Musica will tour the Canary Islands with a unique approach, connecting the archipelago's main ports with towns recognized within the "Most Beautiful Towns in Spain" network through specially designed excursions. Passengers will be able to experience the essence of the archipelago in a more authentic and intimate way: tasting local cuisine, participating in craft workshops, attending cultural demonstrations, and enjoying direct contact with local communities. In addition, it has already been confirmed that MSC Cruises will continue its commitment to the Canary Islands in the upcoming 2026/2027 season, repeating its itinerary through the archipelago for the third consecutive year.

The "Most Beautiful Villages of the Canary Islands" proposal has been developed under responsible tourism criteria, prioritizing collaboration with local suppliers, reducing environmental impact, and generating economic and social value in the participating communities.

The excursions will be guided by local experts, ensuring a more personalized experience that is respectful of the environment and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals promoted by the company.

This project not only promotes a new model of conscious tourism, but also reinforces the vision shared by the three participating entities: to highlight the value of heritage, protect natural environments, and promote the cultural identity of the Canary Islands as a source of pride and international recognition.

In addition, MSC Cruises offers cruises with flights included for all those on the mainland who wish to have a more comfortable journey. Madrid, Barcelona, Alicante, Bilbao, Malaga, and Seville are the cities from which passengers can begin their journey to embark in the Canary Islands.

About MSC Cruises

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the privately owned MSC Cruises is the third largest cruise company in the world and the market leader in Europe, with a strong and growing presence in North America. A global cruise company with a fleet of 23 modern ships sailing across five continents. Its passengers can discover more than 300 destinations in over 100 countries, creating unforgettable memories while enjoying exceptional hospitality.

For more information, visit the official website here.

About the Association "The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain"

The Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain, which already has 122 unique locations, was born out of the conviction and need to make the wonderful villages that dot the Spanish geography known to the whole world. The aim is to promote small, preferably rural, municipalities, grouped under the same quality brand, through promotional activities and cultural events both inside and outside Spain. This network encompasses places of great beauty and character that exude history and culture in equal measure, villages marked by tradition that travelers can enjoy as they wander the streets and mingle with the locals. The Los Pueblos más Bonitos de España brand is a benchmark of prestige and quality at a national and international level. The initiative is based on the French model Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, and the Spanish network is part of the Federation of the Most Beautiful Villages in the World.