With a Big Helping of Natural Beauty, a Dash of History and a Sprinkle of Culture, Tenerife is Pure Temptation
Tenerife is the big, bold matriarch of Spain’s Canary Islands. A dormant volcano cloaked with tropical forests and old lava flows, Tenerife is home to sleepy colonial towns and lively Carnaval celebrations alike. Glorious beaches lined with all-inclusive resorts lure in millions of visitors a year, but there is much more to do here than simply sip cocktails by the pool.
When it comes to where to stay in Tenerife, there are great options all over that will suit your tastes. If you get away from the more popular tourist spots, you’ll discover an island drenched in both natural beauty and diverse culture. There’s a reason why cruises around Spain always make a stop in Tenerife.
Check out these top points of interest in Tenerife for a dazzling island vacation.
Parque Nacional de Teide
The eponymous Mount Teide towers over Tenerife — in fact, it’s the tallest peak in Spain. The dormant volcano rises more than 12,000 feet out of the sea and the crater at its heart stretches 10 miles across. The national park surrounding the mountain is undoubtedly a highlight of the Canary Islands and one of the best things to do in Tenerife.
It is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most popular national park in Spain. Hiking trails wind all around the mountain. Snaking your way up to the peak of El Teide might be the biggest draw for keen hikers, but tramping through the unique volcanic terrain in the surrounding park is equally as rewarding.
Not so keen on walking? A cable car can also take you up to the crater to enjoy outstanding views of the archipelago.
Risco Belle Aquatic Gardens
Step into this delightful tropical garden for a romantic and tranquil escape from everyday life. Picture a sweeping lawn unfolding elegantly in front of you, decorated with inviting tables and chairs, as well as exotic and colorful plants. There are plenty of birds flitting around and entertaining visitors with their song, and a cafe is tucked away in the historic main house.
Bring along a book — you could easily while away a quiet afternoon here.
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Whale Watching
Don’t forget to explore the watery side of Tenerife. Roughly 28 species of whales and dolphins periodically inhabit the warm waters surrounding the island. Minke, sperm whales and even orcas make regular appearances. Resident bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales also delight visitors year-round.
Daily trips depart from Los Cristianos and Los Gigantes and you are almost guaranteed sightings.
Masca
A small village perched in Tenerife’s mountains, Masca can be reached by a road with show-stopping views its entire length. It’s often considered the prettiest village on the island, but the main reason visitors make their way up here is to tackle the trek that starts here.
Running down through a gorge and finishing up on an idyllic beach, the hike is a great chance to see some unique rock formations and endemic vegetation. Don’t let the fact that you will be walking downhill fool you, though — the track is steep and covered in loose rocks in places. Go equipped with good hiking boots and your camera!
Garachico
Garachico is a picturesque destination on the north of the island. Once upon a time this was a wealthy, bustling commercial port town. The volcano put and end to that. Engulfed by an eruption in 1706, the town is much smaller than it once was and is now mostly popular for the rock pools hewn from lava. The pretty and unusual pools dotting the coast make for a great day-trip.
For visitors who want to stay a little longer, there are walking trails just outside of the town that follow the path of the destructive lava flow.
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Parque Rural de Anaga
A stone’s throw from the capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, lies the biosphere reserve and rural park Anaga. This is Tenerife’s natural beauty at its best — ravines slice through sharp mountains before eventually stopping at the glittering sea. This is a top point of interest in Tenerife as here you can find both sandy beaches and ancient forests alike.
Hiking trails through the park will let you get a closer look at some of the small villages, endangered native animals and dense jungle tucked away in the park.
Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre
One of the more important things to do in Tenerife — in between sunbathing and swimming, of course — is to stop in at the Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre. This is perhaps the best museum on the island and is packed full of artifacts significant to the Canary Islands. Collections include native carvings and tools that date back to before Spanish settlement.
There are also mummies and skulls from the Guanche people (the earliest settlers of Tenerife), whose twisted faces are sure to hold your fascination. You’ll also be able to learn about the geology, flora and fauna of the archipelago.
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Los Gigantes
Los Gigantes, or “the cliffs of giants,” are one of the most spectacular sights on Tenerife. Impressive cliffs tower more than 2,600 feet high and plunge almost vertically into the sea. The small seaside town nearest the cliffs, also named Los Gigantes, offers mesmerizing views across to the sheer rock faces.
You can find many charming hotels here, although it’s much quieter than some of the other resort towns on Tenerife. This spot also happens to enjoy the best weather conditions on the island, so you can look forward to plentiful sunshine hours!
From the town of Los Gigantes, you can arrange snorkeling, diving, paddle-boarding or kayaking trips to get a closer look at the cliffs.