Tenerife is much more than just the seaside. You can find volcanic landscapes, beautiful parks, and a couple of historic towns. This small Spanish island is the ‘Land of Eternal Spring’, as locals call it. Tenerife, a beautiful Canary Island will make you feel enthusiastic.
The Canaries have seven main islands. Most popular are Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura. La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro have significantly fewer tourists but I heard that they also offer a beautiful exotic experience.
We went to this island only for one week and we enjoyed it very much. My advice, as usual, is to rent a car directly from the airport so you can travel the whole island on your own. It’s better, faster, and in the end – cheaper.
Our accommodation was in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, we found a nice apartment on Airbnb at a very reasonable price. The area has fewer tourists so it’s not that crowded. You can go to a small local beach and take beautiful pictures of banana plantations.
Below I will try to tell you the main attraction points from Tenerife.
La Tejita Beach and the Playa de las Americas
It’s the most touristic place in Tenerife but that’s why you will find the best nightlife with amazing bars and restaurants. Here is the place where I had the best sunset of my life. 🙂 I was in Tenerife in 2013 and I didn’t have any performant camera, so the resolution of these pictures will not be exactly at the professional level but I will still share the best pictures.
My advice is to go scuba diving, windsurfing, or jet-skiing in this area. Whale and dolphin cruises are also on offer. I also tried the submarine cruise. You will find a lot of locals that sell this kind of service on the beach. Check the offer first and then pick the one that suits you the best.
Puerto de la Cruz
It’s a very beautiful historical center with a nice balance between local culture and tourist attractions. The city is pretty small but there you can find restaurants that are preparing fresh fish or seafood. The beach has black sand so be careful with your swimming suit as I ruined mine.
Mount Teide Volcano
Mount Teide is the highest peak in Spain and the third-highest volcano in the world. You can take guided tours to the peak (around 6 hours) or take a cable car (the fare is: €27 for adults, €13.50 children). If the weather is windy, the cable car will be closed (as it was in our case). Tip: try to get up in the morning for sunrise, the colors are magic.
Los Gigantes Cliffs
The moment we parked our car, I knew the cliffs will be amazing. And they were. These magnificent cliffs are between 500-800 meters above sea level. You can go snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and dolphin and whale-watching trips around the cliffs. You can also rent a boat and enjoy the view of the sea. Or, you can have a simple walk, you will find beautiful homes with small pools, local restaurants, and shops with souvenirs.
Drago Milenario Tree
The Dragon Tree is the symbol of the island. The tree is in the middle of a garden and should not be missed. The locals believe that the tree has numerous medicinal benefits.
The Dragon Tree is more than 1000 years old, is the oldest on this island, and it’s declared a national monument in 1917.
Loro Parque Zoo
Loro Parque is a zoo park with an orchid garden. Every hour it’s a live show (usually with dolphins or sea lions). The zoo area is big so prepare to spend a few hours here.
Pass: tickets €34 for adults and €23 for children and it’s open every day. The place is loved by children but also by adults. They have a full agenda with activities that you can attend.
Siam Park
It’s definitely the best park on this island. The park is the winner of the ‘2015 Tripadvisor Traveller’s Choice Award for Best Water Park’ and is Europe’s biggest water park. I felt like a small kid enjoying several times all the rides.
Tickets are €34 for adults and €23 for children and open daily from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
Tenerife was an amazing experience and whether if you are a family or a solo traveler, you will find your special place here. Every night you can enjoy the perfect sunset with a glass of good sangria.
1 Comment
Great article, keep up the good work !