Travelling to Tenerife have been a popular choice for us Brits for a long time, however, not everyone who comes to Tenerife is able to get off its usual route and experience things that aren’t just resorts. I was there during a press tour with Jet2 and visit Tenerife to explore all the exciting, original activities to enjoy in Tenerife.
During our trip of three days in Tenerife I was able to learn lots about the vacation destination. I also visited some of the less well-known regions in the entire island. Did you know that there over 300 volcanoes in Tenerife? Yes, I didn’t!
Tenerife’s scenery is what surprised me. With the black sand beaches, which slope into lava-carved forests and peaceful towns up towards the island’s central peaks which is sometimes a snow-capped Mount Teide.
1 MOUNT TEIDE VOLCANO, THE BEST THING TO DO IN TENERIFE
Teide National Park has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007 and is also a part of Natura 2000.
At a height of 3,718 meters, the Teide mountain is considered to be the tallest point in Spain It’s therefore not surprise that it’s the most popular tourist destination in Tenerife. There are many special species like the wildpretii Echium (Tajinaste) which blooms in the spring as well as the Teide violet which is only admired at 2500 meters in altitude.
The most efficient method of getting to the top of Mount Teide is by cable vehicle, which leaves you just 200 meters from the summit. If you’d like to reach the top it is necessary to walk from the top. It’s worthwhile, as getting high up and having the remainder of the Canary Islands at your feet is without doubt, the most beautiful option to visit Tenerife. To climb to the top you need to get the permit, but it is possible to get it right at the time of making reservations for the cable car on this page. It is also possible to look up other trips that take you to Mount Teide that include the permit.
We travelled down by cable car, but then decided to climb up by foot using Montana Blanca (Trail 7). It’s an eight-kilometer hike that has hikers climbing 1200m. The hike took us approximately four hours. We stayed our night at Altavista refuge. Altavista refuge, which means we did not have to get a permission to hike up the mountain. If you want to hike this route on foot , but prefer to use an expert, I would recommend this private hike with a guide.
2 . SPEND A DAY IN PUERTO DE LA CRUZ
Puerto de la Cruz in the north of Tenerife has seen a huge investments in recent years and this once flourishing tourist destination is now returning the way it was. it was once one of the top places to go to on Tenerife as well as the population is eager to claim the title back!
Are you wondering what can be to see and do within Puerto de la Cruz, the answer issimple: lots. Plan a round-trip transportation for a full day in Puerto de la Cruz from your hotel. Take your stroll at sunset along the palm-fringed promenade. take a dive off the rocks into the raucous waves of the natural pools of San Telmo and look out for the Mujer Pescadora, aka the Ganochera statue that is located situated in Puerto de la Cruz’ fishing harbor.
There are many stores that are located in Puerto de la Cruz and modern art lovers can visit the Eduardo Westerdahl Museum of Contemporary Art (MACEW) situated on the oceanfront.
Fun fact: The Beatles have visited Puerto de la Cruz in the 1960s, but they were not permitted to perform! I’m sure the bar’s proprietor is eating a lot today…
3 TAKE A HIKE IN ANAGA RURAL PARK
The island we know today as Tenerife was created by volcanic eruptions that lasted for thousands of years. Its Anaga Mountains on the north-east edge, home to Tertiary Age forests, is one of the most ancient parts of Tenerife. Here , trade winds join mountains and drop like fairytale mists that creep into the forests.
It’s typically cooler and damper than other areas of the island. And If hiking isn’t your thing to you, then it’s a stunning drive that winds through the mountains between one end of the island and the opposite. Follow the road that runs over that famous beach with white sand in Las Teresitas, just ten minutes away from the Santa Cruz, the capital city. Santa Cruz, and lunch with fresh seafood and fish in Benijo in the opposite coast.
4 SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, THE BEST PLACE TO VISIT IN TENERIFE
Santa Cruz de Tenerife has been the capital for the entire island from 1833. It is the biggest city in Tenerife. A stroll through the narrow streets of its historical center will let you experience the unique characteristics that the town has.
I would suggest taking to the stalls at the Market of Our Lady of Africa as well as the Adan Martin auditorium and visit one of the biggest collections of palm trees found in Europe. If you are traveling during Carnival (usually around the end of February) Don’t miss this celebration; it was designated to be a Festival of International Tourist Interest. If you’re lucky enough to have time I would suggest taking the time to go on this tour which allows you to explore the lesser-known corners in the town.
It is also possible to see towers and castles constructed to defend cities from pirates along with the Neoclassical architecture, which gives the city an intriguing style. A visit to this stunning city is, without certainty, one of the most enjoyable activities to take part during your stay in Tenerife North.
Make the most of your time within Santa Cruz de Tenerife to shop and sample the best food in Tenerife. Santa Cruz de Tenerife is among the top cities to reside in Tenerife.
5 LOOK OUT FOR WHALES
There are many dolphin and whale watching excursions departing from the south west of Tenerife in the vicinity of Playa de los Americas and Los Christianos, and Costa Adeje.
Tenerife is among only four locations in the world which is home to an entire whale population which don’t migrate, meaning tourists can observe whales at any time of the their visit.
There are about 27 species of fish to be found in the waters of Tenerife.
6 EXPLORE LA LAGUNA IN TENERIFE – UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE CITY
The first capital of Tenerife was not Santa Cruz, but San Cristobal de la Laguna, established in 1497, and made to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. The center of this tiny city is located surrounding The Church of the Conception (with its towering bell tower, which visitors can climb) as well as the Cathedral. The city is easy to explore the city on the foot. Actually it was utilized as a model by Conquistadors of South America. People who travel often comment that they feel like they’re in South America rather than Europe.
La Laguna is also a city that is a university, and has an artistic vibe, fashionable bars and cafes (with many vegetarian and vegan options) and a certain vigor. The campus of the university is located in the outskirts of the city, the more modern part of the city. It is where you can also find an important museum. Museum of Science and the Cosmos.
It is a good time to visit during Easter time for the traditional procession and the city’s celebration every second Saturday of July, when groups of folk visit from all over the island to participate.
7 LOS GIGANTES CLIFFS, ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO GO IN TENERIFE
Los Gigantes Cliffs are breathtaking. The Guanches sacred cliffs rise at least 600 meters and were created from volcanic rock. There are a variety of choices to explore these cliffs: walking tracks, tours on boats and kayak excursions. We went on a boat tour after we had completed the Masca trail, which I’ll write about in the future.
Los Gigantes belong to the Teno Rural Park and complement the breathtaking landscapes of the region. The cliffs are broken into smaller trails that lead to beaches with sand and through them you can gain access to Los Gigantes.
The underwater portion that is Los Gigantes measures barely 30 meters, which makes it highly sought-after by fisherman and divers. It’s also a great spot for whale and dolphin watching, which is one option to enjoy on Tenerife.
8 GOLDEN SAND BEACH
For those looking for a change from the black sand beaches of Tenerife, Playa de Las Teresitas is among the top golden beaches in Tenerife.
I’ve visited places in the Caribbean such as Saint Lucia and Jamaica, where both are famous for their stunning beaches. However, I believe Playa de Las Teresitas is very amazing!
It is located to the to the north of the village of San Andres municipality of Santa Cruz de Tenerife located north of the village of San Andres municipality in Santa Cruz de Tenerife beach is calm and suitable to swim all year long. The beach’s bright yellow sand was brought in from the former Spanish colonial colonies located in the Sahara.
It is an excellent beach to enjoy a day in Tenerife because there’s numerous amenities like cafes, showers and accessible for disabled people.
9 WINE TASTING IN TENERIFE
Awash with sunshine and fertile volcanic soil, Tenerife’s hillsides are ideal for wineries, and it is no wonder that wine is produced in this area for centuries. “A cup of Canary” is mentioned in numerous Shakespeare plays and George Washington kept a supply in his cellar. To experience a wine tasting in Tenerife you should visit the Museum of Wine in El Sauzal located on the north coast of Tenerife and learn more about the wine’s history in Tenerife and to enjoy an experience at a reasonable cost. The museum also has a highly-rated restaurant.
Many vineyards have also started to offer private tours of their vineyards, with the most well-known is the Bodega Monje located situated in El Sauzal. I am fortunate to be just 15 minutes away from my personal most loved, Cumbres de Abona in Arico in the east coast. It recently received many awards. The tour is available by appointment, just like Brumas of Ayosa in Arafo which also include an excellent wine tasting as part of their cost!
If wineries aren’t an option, consider local wines while dining out. After a downturn during the 20th century The industry is making a massive revival in the last 20 years or more. The island was once famous for its sweet white, and sweet wines, it today has a wide selection of top-quality wines.
10 MASCA RAVINE, THE BEST HIKE IN TENERIFE
It is said that the Masca ravine is one the most well-known hikes in Tenerife. The trail starts from the Masca hamlet Masca and, following a descent through massive wall of rock, it reaches an unnamed beach. identical name. The ravine is part of the Teno Rural Park, an incredible location for anyone seeking the most memorable Tenerife excursion.
If you’re planning to hike this trail, park your vehicle at Los Gigantes and take a taxi to Masca. When you have ascended and reach the beaches, you can board the boat to get to Los Gigantes and, on your way, you can enjoy the magnificent cliffs seen from the water. The descent into the Masca ravine is between 3 and 4 hours and the trip by boat up to Los Gigantes takes about 10 minutes.
If you’re not accustomed to going hiking and are looking for a different experience, this Masca excursion which includes the dolphin-watching tour following the hike is certainly the most suitable option.
