Tenerife: travel guide
Off the coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean we find an island of unique beauty, where the sun shines all year round and nature offers different and contrasting scenarios just a few hours’ flight from Europe. We are in Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands. The Spanish island attracts millions of tourists every year, attracted by the mild climate (temperatures remain mild throughout the year), by the wide tourist offer in terms of fun, relaxation and luxury as well as the unrivaled savoir faire of the Spaniards when it’s about holidays. Here’s a little guide if you’re planning a trip to Tenerife!
Pratical informations
The first question that many travelers ask themselves before organizing a trip to the Canary Islands is when to go? Tenerife offers a mild climate with temperatures around 20-25 degrees all year round. The coldest months are obviously the winter ones but the temperature never drops much below 20 degrees and the island enjoys many hours of sunshine all year round. Precipitation is also scarce, with the necessary differences between the various areas of the island. In fact, the northern area of Tenerife is characterized by more abundant rainfall and cooler temperatures than the south of the island. Near Mount Teide, the third highest volcano in the world, temperatures drop significantly due to the altitude. Tenerife is suitable for all seasons of the year, especially for those wishing to escape the cold and harsh winter of continental Europe.
The second question is: how to get there? Tenerife has 2 airports, Tenerife North and Tenerife South. Both airports are connected by numerous flights to most of the large European cities as well as to the nearby islands of the archipelago. It takes approximately 4 hours of flight to reach Italy. For those wishing to discover the other nearby islands there are also numerous sea connections.
How to visit it? The ideal way to discover the whole island is to rent a car. The roads of Tenerife are in excellent condition and the main roads of the island will allow you to easily discover the most beautiful corners of this land.
Villages and Cities not to be missed
We start from the capital of the island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This modern and dynamic port city is located on the north of the island, a hive of nightlife and culture. You cannot miss a visit to the iconic Calatrava Auditorium, the remains of the Castillo de San Cristobal, the central Plaza de España, the Garcia Sanabria park or the Palmetum. For shopping lovers, the address not to be missed is the Rambla de Santa Cruz or Calle de Castillo. About 15 minutes away you will also find one of the most famous beaches, Playa de Teresitas.
Another unmissable city, a few km from Santa Cruz, is the city of San Cristobal de La Laguna, listed among the UNESCO world heritage sites for its historic center. Colorful historic colonial-style buildings, churches and picturesque streets make La Laguna one of the most Instagrammable sites on the island.
A trip to La Orotava is unmissable. Its historic center is full of historic houses, such as the Casa de Los Balcones house museum. The Victoria Gardens are another gem not to be missed. Here from above the view of the northern coast of the island is unique and you can admire the city of Puerto de la Cruz on the clearest days.
Another village that I recommend is Icod De Los Vinos. Here you will find one of the longest living beings on the planet, the Thousand Year Dragon. It is a tree over 16 meters tall and approximately 800 years old. The best place to admire it is Plaza de Andrés in Lorenzo-Cáceres.
Other towns not to be missed are Masca, Garachico and Candelaria but the list gets longer for those who want to discover the island in its deepest roots!
The most beautiful beaches
Tenerife is a volcanic island and most of its beaches are characterized by dark or black sand. However, some beaches have lighter sand because it has been artificially laid, as in the famous Playa de Las Teresitas whose sand comes from nothing less than the Sahara Desert!
The beaches of Tenerife are suitable for all types of holidaymakers! There are beaches equipped for families, more isolated and less frequented beaches as well as beaches for surfing lovers. Here are some names of the most famous beaches: Playa de Las Teresitas, one of the most beautiful a few km from Santa Cruz, Playa del Duque, in a renowned luxurious resort on the south-western coast of the island, the frenetic Playa de Las Americas, with the its seafront full of restaurants, night clubs and shops, the delightful Playa de la Tejita, a few km from Tenerife Sur airport, Playa Las Vistas, Playa El Camisòn, Los Guyos beach, at the foot of Los Gigantes and the Los Cristiano.
Other things to do...,
There are many things to do in Tenerife. Trekking and hiking lovers will be spoiled for choice. The Teide National Park is one of the most popular destinations on the island as is the fairytale Parc Rural de Anaga.
For lovers of water parks, Tenerife has numerous theme parks. One of the largest is Siam Park, a Thai themed water park among the largest in the world!
The things to do and discover on the island are truly endless! Food and wine lovers will be able to enjoy one of the best cuisines in the world and taste the excellent wines produced in the Canary Islands!
What are you waiting for to book your trip to Tenerife?
Beautiful info travel guide.
Thank you ☺️