On Tenerife, time seems to pass more slowly. The locals are a very laid-back bunch. Consequently, life is leisurely everywhere you go. You’ll need to get used to this ’slower pace‘ at first. We recommend taking your time to settle in. Once you’ve acclimatised, the following tips – and much more besides – await you:
Amusement and theme parks in Tenerife
A German family has made history in Tenerife with the Loro Parque. More than 40 years ago, the Kießlings built the wildlife park in Puerto de la Cruz. Loro Parque has since become one of the most beautiful wildlife parks in the world. It is home to the world’s largest collection of parrots, as well as seals and even orcas, right here in Tenerife.
A visit isn’t cheap, but it’s definitely worth the price. Set aside a whole day for Loro Parque. Coach tours are available from all over the island. Tip: It’s very easy to get to Puerto de la Cruz by public transport. By car, you can reach the well-signposted park via the northern motorway. You can find all the information you need about tickets here.
>>> Click here for detailed information about Loro Parque. <<<
Following the huge success of the wildlife park, the operators of Loro Parque decided to expand into the south as well. Siam Park has since developed into a remarkable aquatic world featuring 28 attractions. High-speed slides for adults, water play areas for children and a wave pool for the whole family are just a few examples of the remarkable range on offer. Click here for our comprehensive Siam Park review.
Tip: If you decide to visit both attractions, we recommend buying a combined ticket. Find out more here.
>>> You can find detailed information about Siam Park here. <<<
Tenerife’s most beautiful beaches
Once you’ve worn yourself out at the theme parks, a visit to one of Tenerife’s many beaches is just what you need. If you’re looking for a change from the hotel beach, you’ll find plenty of stunning beaches all around the island.
The north, for instance, boasts one of the island’s most extraordinary beaches: the garden-style Playa Jardin in Puerto de la Cruz. Just a few kilometres further on, in Los Realejos, the Playa el Socorro attracts two very different types of surfers: on the one hand, surfers love this beach for its excellent gusts and waves; on the other, Socorro Beach offers free Wi-Fi, making it the perfect spot for surfing the internet too.
Even more popular with surfers is the Medano Beach. Playa del Medano is situated in the south and offers a steady flow of gusts of wind. Numerous surf shops and schools line the shore. But families also appreciate the beach for its natural sand. Stretching for three kilometres, the crescent-shaped beach by the ocean offers plenty of space and fun in the water for everyone.
The locals usually know where the best spots are. Holidaymakers in Tenerife will find hundreds of Canarians at Teresitas Beach (photo above), particularly at the weekends. Playa las Teresitas is still part of the capital, Santa Cruz. The man-made beach, made up of sand from the Sahara, and kilometres of open space attract not only families to the Atlantic coast.
Another real hidden gem is the very peaceful Playa El Bollullo. The beach is within walking distance and a small kiosk is the only place to get something to eat or drink. Locals love this beach; tourists hardly know it. You can find more information about Playa El Bollullo here.
>>> More detailed information about the beaches on Tenerife can be found here. <<<
Canary Islands cuisine
All-inclusive or not: all those excursions are sure to work up an appetite. And alongside the hotel cuisine, which is usually quite down-to-earth, you really should make a point of popping into the local bars and restaurants. Even in small bars, you can enjoy excellent food. They usually serve very good tapas. In the Canary Islands, these popular little dishes consist of meat, fish and vegetables in dozens of different combinations.
Incidentally, Papas arrugadas are particularly popular on Tenerife. These ‚wrinkled potatoes‘ are boiled in a strong brine until the skin is shrivelled and a thick crust of salt has formed on them. The potatoes are served with red sauce, known as mojo rojo, and green sauce, known as mojo verde. These sauces are typical of the Canary Islands and taste delicious. A portion of potatoes with sauce costs between 2.50 and 6 euros, depending on the restaurant. You really must give them a try!
Fish lovers in particular should look out for a small restaurant that attracts locals too. The fish is usually caught fresh that day and a real treat for the palate. More often than not, the unusual sauces from the Canary Islands elevate the already excellent fish to a truly memorable experience. Meat lovers should at least try the typical air-dried ham. Rabbit, goat and poultry are also widely eaten in Tenerife.
A particularly typical dish in Tenerife is puchero. This vegetable stew, which is popular throughout the Canary Islands, is made with all sorts of seasonal vegetables and meat. Along with Canarian fish soup, puchero is one of the locals‘ favourite dishes.
>>> You can find detailed information on Canary Islands cuisine here. <<<
A trip to Mount Teide, Tenerife’s highest mountain
The Mount Teide is not only the highest mountain in the Canary Islands, it is also the highest mountain in Spain. A visit to Mount Teide and the surrounding Cañadas is well worth it. Whether you choose to cover the final few metres of ascent by the (unfortunately rather expensive) cable car or simply hike through Teide National Park below the mighty summit is ultimately a question of fitness and time.
However, every visitor to Tenerife is recommended to visit the surrounding national park at least once. The landscape is breathtaking, the silence almost eerie. On the way up, you’ll pass through a wide variety of forests and rock formations. And once you’ve reached the park, you’ll immediately understand why even NASA tests its Mars robots on Tenerife.
>>> For detailed information on Mount Teide and Teide National Park. <<<
Tenerife’s most beautiful towns
The towns on Tenerife are as diverse and multifaceted as the landscape itself. Whilst the capital, Santa Cruz has the feel of a typical European metropolis and is primarily a great place for shopping, in nearby La Laguna, you can admire a beautiful old town that has even been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In contrast, Masca, for example, is a small mountain village full of contrasts. The journey there alone is quite an experience.
Costa Adeje is regarded as the upmarket neighbourhood where sunshine is guaranteed. The town is situated in the south and is surrounded by numerous holiday resorts, most of which feature high-quality luxury hotels. The history of the south is relatively recent, which is why the beautiful town centres are generally found in the older towns situated above the coast. A drive up the slopes usually rewards visitors with admirable Canary Islands architecture and culture.
In the north, however, the history stretches back even further. On the one hand, this has given rise to a wide variety of cultural influences, as well as truly beautiful buildings and parks. On the other hand, however, the north also harbours the odd architectural eyesore from the 1970s and 1980s. Nevertheless, it’s well worth visiting the northern cities such as Puerto de la Cruz and the surrounding Orotava Valley.
Icod de los Vinos is not only known for its wines. Above all, the oldest dragon tree in the Canary Islands has brought this northern town great renown. A visit to the park surrounding the ‚Drago Millenario‘ is only of limited interest. The tree can also be seen perfectly well from the church square – and, best of all, it’s free.
Buenavista del Norte certainly lives up to its name. Just outside the town stands a secluded lighthouse; from its platform, in good weather, the view stretches as far as the neighbouring islands of El Hierro and La Gomera. Tip: Don’t forget your camera!
>>> You can find detailed information about the towns on Tenerife here. <<<
Public holidays and Carnival on Tenerife
People in Tenerife certainly know how to celebrate. Whether it’s Christmas, Easter or Corpus Christi: these days are regarded as major festivals in Tenerife, with correspondingly well-attended fiestas:
1 January: New Year’s Day
6 January: Epiphany
February/March: Carnival
March/April: Good Friday, Easter Monday
1 May: Labour Day
30 May: Canary Islands Day
15 August: Assumption of Mary
12 October: Spanish National Day
1 November: All Saints‘ Day
6 December: Constitution Day
8 December: The Immaculate Conception
25 December: Christmas
If you happen to be in Tenerife in the spring, you might just find yourself in the thick of the carnival. The Tenerife Carnival is considered the second-largest in the world. Almost every town now has its own parade. The celebrations go on day and night. People wear colourful costumes just like back home, but above all, there are samba rhythms and plenty of fun!
If you happen to stumble upon one of the festivals, just go with the flow. We hope you have a great time!
>>> You can find all the information about the carnival on Tenerife here! <<<
Heading into the mountains by car
If you have a hire car and feel confident enough to tackle mountain passes, a trip into the mountains is highly recommended. Whether it’s the mountain pass from Icod de los Vinos via Erjos and Mount Teide to Guia de Isora, or a route through Las Canadas to Vilaflor: whilst the route demands a fair bit from both driver and car, it more than makes up for it with stunning scenery and varied views!
But be careful: Some of the routes are really tricky. Inexperienced riders should think carefully beforehand about which routes they really feel confident tackling!
>>> We’ve put together a selection of different tours of Tenerife for you here! <<<
Active holidays for climbing enthusiasts, cavers and divers
With numerous climbing forests and slopes right through to Europe’s longest lava cave , Tenerife also offers active holidaymakers hundreds of opportunities. Also very popular are snorkelling and diving off the island’s coast, as well as whale watching. Here you’ll find photos of one such whale-watching expedition.
The latter has become increasingly popular in recent years. However, it is strongly recommended that you look out for awards given to providers, as not all of them have the animals‘ welfare at heart.
By the way: Hiking is also very popular on Tenerife.
>>> Here you’ll find detailed information on active holidays on Tenerife. <<<
The Botanical Gardens in Tenerife
If, for the reasons mentioned earlier, you find yourself in Puerto de la Cruz or the surrounding area, you should pay a visit to the botanical garden. Right on the main road of the neighbourhood named after the „Jardin Botanico“ lies a small oasis of international flora. From the strelitzia, which is ubiquitous on Tenerife, to the „liver sausage tree“, visitors can expect all manner of plants, ranging from the interesting to the bizarre. The admission fee is reasonable, and the experience is worth every penny.
>>> Find all the details and a 360-degree photo of the botanical garden here! <<<
Relax and enjoy your holiday on Tenerife
As well as all these activities, Tenerife is also a brilliant place to relax. Enjoy a day or two on the beach and just take it easy! We hope you have a wonderful time and a proper rest!
Important: Please never forget that Tenerife is at the same latitude as the Sahara. So, a good sun cream will make all the difference to your holiday!
>>> You can now find more detailed information about the island of Tenerife here! <<<
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