Tenerife • Canary Islands
Spain

Tenerife Holidays
The island of Tenerife has been beautifully sculpted by its volcanic history with the impressive snow tipped Teide Volcano dominating the island with its magnificence.

Tenerife is also blessed with stunning golden and black beaches, unique rock formations and a dramatic coastline surrounded by waters perfect for water sports such as swimming, diving and surfing. The landscape is also superb with the Anaga massif to the northeast of the island providing an varied and rugged green valley along with vineyards interspersed with quaint white cottages.

Climate
Wonderful spring like temperature occur throughout the year with temperatures averaging around the 65 to 75 degree Fahrenheit mark which during the summer months can increase into the mid 80's. During the winter temperatures can cool down especially at night and at higher altitudes such as those found to the north which also feature the Passat winds which can make conditions to the north and northeast of the island significantly more windy than to the south of the island which is largely unaffected.

Travel Guide
The island of Tenerife has two airports Tenerife South Airport and Tenerife North Airport with both having regular flights from mainland Spain and from many European countries as well. Travel by ferry is another popular choice with the islands large Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife accommodating visitors from other islands within the archipelago as well as from mainland Spain and is a regular stop for cruise liners. Once on the island there are plenty of taxis and bus services as well as car, bike and scooter hire companies which is a great option if you wish to explore the island at your leisure.

Cuisine
There is plenty to whet the appetite on Tenerife and with its perfect location within the Atlantic its no surprise that fresh fish and sea food dishes are widely found around the island with the likes of sea bream, mackerel, grouper, and moray eels amongst some of the many dishes found. Another Tenerife tradition and favourite is the production of cheese with a variety being produced on the island such as goats cheese which is incredibly popular.

Meat dishes often include the likes of beef, poultry and pork, many of which are served with a colourful mojos sauce which can in some cases be quite hot and spicy. Tenerife also has several well established wine growing areas such as at Abona, Valle de la Orotava and Valle de Guimar which are located on several of the rich fertile slopes of the Teide. There are also plenty of opportunities to sample Spanish favourites paella and tapas as well as papas arrugadas or wrinkly potatoes which are more often than not served with a mojos accompaniment.

Shopping
Tenerife has plenty of opportunities for some retail therapy with many boutiques and large shopping centres available especially in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and around the main resorts on the island that offer a wide range of clothing from Spanish as well as international designers.

Traditionally crafted items such as ceramics, textiles and jewellery can also be found within many of the regular markets as well as a colourful selection of fresh fruit, bread and vegetables and this is a good chance to pick up some of Tenerife's famous goats cheese.

Tenerife Beaches
The island has miles of stunning beaches and coastline that includes both golden and black stretches of sand. Some of the beaches have had golden sand imported to improve them and there are several popular beaches close to the main resorts as well as some that are tucked away for a quieter more remote beach experience, with some of the main beaches are located on the south and west of the island:

Playa de Las Terasitas
The palm tree lined golden beach of Playa de las Terasitas is protected by a man made reef and is beautifully located within Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the beach front offers plenty of facilities.
Playa de los Gigantes
On the west coast is the small black sandy beach of Playa de las Gigantes that is located at the base of the magnificent cliffs and near to the marina.
Playa Jardin
The black sands of this urban beach are located on the edge of the city of Puerto de la Cruz. The area is a good spot for surfing and the beach's promenade, shops and cafes will help keep you otherwise entertained.
Playa del Duque
The family friendly Playa del Duque at Costa Adeje in the south contains plenty of golden sand and is protected by a breakwater and has plenty of palm trees, parasols and chairs as well as beautiful scenery.
El Bollullo
The beach at El Bollullo to the north of the island offers a more remote and quieter experience away from the busy resorts, the walk along the rugged coastline through banana plantations to the black sand beach is very scenic and well worth the effort to reach this secluded beach.
Playa de El Medano
Tenerifes longest golden stretch of beach offers one of the best locations for wind surfing, kite surfing and surfing and is located close to El Medano on the islands south east coast.
Playa de las Americas
The golden sands of the man made Playa de las Americas are always bursting with visitors and the beach's location close to the resorts, hotels, shops, cafes and restaurants makes it a popular choice. The beach front is lined with palm trees and there are ample beach chairs and parasols available.
Los Cristanos
The beautiful beach of Los Cristanos is a popular choice for watersports such as surfing and jet skiing as is the scenic La Vista beach which offers a great stretch of sand and a lovely palm tree lined promenade.

Tenerife Holiday Attractions
Volcanic works of art, historic buildings, magnificent cliffs and an outstanding national park are amongst the islands many treasures.

Cathedral Of San Cristobal de La Laguna
The Catholic Cathedral of Laguna is located in the city of La Laguna's historic centre and features neo-gothic and renaissance architecture which was built between 1904 and 1913 on the site of an existing chapel. The cathedral has a beautiful marble pulpit as well as artwork throughout and is where the city of La Laguna's founder and islands conqueror Alonso Fernandez de Lugo is buried.
Pyramids of Guimar
Within the town of guimar there are located six unique structures that are pyramid in shape that have been painstakingly laid without the use of mortar to create these striking step pyramids. The exact purpose of the pyramids as yet remains a slight mystery although there are plenty of theories. At the sight there is also the Casa Chacona Museum which contains several artefacts from the islands rich and fascinating history as well as a shop and cafeteria.
Teide Volcano and National Park
Visiting Tenerife's iconic volcano and stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site National park is one of Tenerife's most scenic adventures. The volcano reaches an impressive 3,718 meters in height making it the highest peak in Spain and also has a crater circumference of some 30 miles.
There are several walks throughout the park as well as at the summit of the volcano and a visit to the top of the volcano is a must for those wishing to take in the magnificent views of both Tenerife and from the highest peak on a clear day views of Gran Canaria, La Palma, El Hierro and La Gomera as well.
There is a cable car available to reach the highest point of the Teide volcano with plenty of parking available at the Lower Station Cable Car Station as well as a shop and restaurant. The cable car ride itself is superb with a great chance to view the volcano's many craters, rocks and lava flows.
Cueva del Viento
The Cueva del Viento is one of the longest lava tunnels in the world and is also known as the Cave Of The Wind due to the travel of air that passes through the tunnels several different entrances. The lava tunnel entrance is located in the north eastern town of Icod de los Vinos and there are guided tours of the tunnels available and a small visitor centre and interesting museum.
Acantilados de Los Gigantes
The coastline along Tenerifes west coast is truly monumental due to the vertical cliffs known as The Cliffs Of Giants which dominate coastline reaching up over 500 meters in height in many areas.
Museum of Nature and Man
This vast museum features several fascinating collections and archaeological finds proving a wealth of information about the island and its history especially the early Guanche inhabitants where there is a collection of Guanche mummies as well as items of pottery and tools.
Auditorio de Tenerife
The unique modern auditorium sits proudly at the waters edge within the port of Santa Cruz and has become one of the most popular symbols of the city. The building was designed by architect Santiago Calatrava Valls and completed in 2003. The auditorium is used for conferences, festivals and cultural events and there are regular performances by the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra as well as from other solo artists, bands and groups covering a wide range of music genres.
Vineyards
Tenerife has a long history of wine producing with five main wine producing areas on the island located at Abona, Valle de Guimar, Tacoronte-Acentejo, Valle de la Orotava and Ycoden. Visiting the vineyards offers a great opportunity have a tour and to see how the wines are produced as well as the possibility of a tasting session and the opportunity to purchase as well.

Carnival of Santa Cruz
The three week carnival of Santa Cruz is one of the most anticipated events of the year and attracts thousands of visitors to the island every February who come to enjoy the incredibly elaborate costumes, dance troupes, entertainers and elaborate floats that parade through the streets. The carnival features energetic dances and live music and the all important crowning of the Carnival Queen along with plenty of other competitions and events as well, the carnival is enjoyed throughout the island but for the most extravagant head for the capital.

Tenerife • Canary Islands Spain

Tenerife • Canary Islands
Spain