If you are looking for a sunny place with good food, entertainment, beaches to chill, mountains to walk, villages to explore plus an affordable destination, I think Tenerife is the best of destinations for your holidays.
For a long time, the Canary Islands had a kind of unflattering image of a concrete jungle. Many saw, and still see, in the Atlantic archipelago a perfect example of a natural paradise spoiled by mass tourism. Tenerife is particularly transitioning from mass tourism to a respectful and more moderate form of tourism.
The beach and sun have always been the main reason why tourists went to Tenerife. But the little island amidst the Atlantic ocean has much more to offer than warm temperatures throughout the year and high-quality beaches.
Indeed its rural side makes it an outdoor paradise for adventure lovers. The tourism entity of Tenerife has invested a lot in repairing its extensive hiking trail network, protecting natural parks and securing untouristy beaches.
After living for 5 months in Tenerife, I want you to discover the best places to visit when traveling to Tenerife including the most popular attractions and less known hidden gems.
Romantic things to do in Tenerife with your loved one
Boasting warm weather all year round, Tenerife is the perfect place to spend a romantic holiday with your loved one, as it’s bursting with natural beauty, culture and great food.
Teide National Park
Home to Spain’s highest peak, this protected natural area has some incredible features that are out of this world. A scenic walk through the national park is a great way to see Tenerife’s stunning wildlife, and there’s even a cable car that you can take up to La Rambleta, just beneath Mount Teide’s summit. For an even more romantic trip, take one of the sunset and stars tours of the national park, and after sunset spends the evening stargazing and watching distant planets sparkle overhead.
The Parque García Sanabria
At the heart of Santa Cruz de Tenerife sits the Parque García Sanabria. This beautiful urban park is the perfect place to spend an afternoon strolling hand-in-hand, and you can spend as much time enjoying the beautiful flowers and fountains as you can, admiring the abstract sculptures and the ever-changing floral clock.
La Orotava
Sitting on Tenerife’s north-west coast is La Orotava, an old town that gives visitors an insight into Tenerife’s history. Explore buildings with elaborate inner balconies, such as Casa Méndez-Fonseca, and stroll around to see the many churches and monasteries that the town has to offer.
Natural Pools at Garachico
The town of Garachico is worth visiting in its own right, but especially when you see the rock pools that have been formed from the lava here. Ocean water has been trapped in these pools and is warmed by the sun, providing clear blue pools perfect for bathing. There are schools of tiny fish swimming beneath the surface, and you’re surrounded by great views of the ocean.
Where can you go shopping in Tenerife?
Safari Shopping Centre
This open-air shopping center is very pleasant to visit. You will find brands like Zara, Nike, Stradivarius but also luxury boutiques, perfumeries, solar optics stores and jewelry stores.
Where go out at night in Tenerife?
Let’s go to Papagayo Beach Club! Benches on the beach a few meters from the waves, an open-air dance floor, sofas overlooking the ocean. This outdoor nightclub is perfect if you want to go out to a beautiful and exotic place. The prices are very correct, with drinks much cheaper than in French nightclubs.
Which beaches in Tenerife?
Playa La Tejita
Playa Tejita is one of the longest beaches on the island of Tenerife. It is located about half an hour from the seaside resort of El Médano, in Granadilla de Abona, popular with kitesurfers. To find it, follow the direction of La Montaña Roja, you can’t miss it.
Playas de Las Teresitas
This beach is located in the North East of Santa Cruz Capital de Tenerife, by 10 minutes by car or by bus (BUS 910). It is a question of an artificial beach with sand imported from the Sahara, but it is really nice and ideal for children. The sea is so clear at this beach.
Playa de Los Gigantes
Situated along West Coast of the Island, Playa de Los Gigantes offers a breathtaking natural environment. It is surrounded by imposing cliffs 800 meters high and is characterized by his black volcanic sand. The beach is relatively quiet, even in high season. Perfect for nature lovers in its purest state.
Where could you eat?
You can eat at Piccolo, an excellent Italian restaurant. It’s so good, the setting is so pleasant, the service is so friendly and the prices are so ridiculous. Pasta, pizzas, salads, meat, fish… Everything is impeccably prepared, with fresh products.
And you can enjoy the terrace overlooking the sea.
You can go to the restaurant « El Cine ». The food is really delicious even the restaurant doesn’t look good. They serve fish, ultra-fresh, caught in the morning. Grilled octopus (a real delight that crunches under the tooth), fillets, cuttlefish, seafood… As in most restaurants in Tenerife, prices are really given.
What could you do in Tenerife?
Indeed Siam Park claims to be Europe’s most spectacular water attraction. Located in the tourist hotspot area of Costa Adeje, Siam Park has everything you need to spend an unforgettable day. For those who don’t fancy a dip, you can check out the shopping mall located right next to Siam Park.
The water park is far from being an ordinary place since it holds several world records :
The world’s largest dragon statue. The largest man-made wave in the world (about 3.3 meters).
