The star attractions of Tenerife shine bright. Mount Teide, which claims the title of Spain’s highest volcanic peak and graces a thousand daily photographs, quite literally stands out among the throng of tourist treasures. Ringing the island, Tenerife’s colorful sands welcome bare feet and towels throughout the year. Welcome to the Canary Islands!
If you hop aboard a boat, the waters that surround Tenerife’s shores provide both a home and a migratory stopover for whales and dolphins. If you don’t have sea legs, don’t worry, you can visit Loro Parque, near Puerto de la Cruz, where dolphins frolic, penguins waddle and the attraction’s original star — the parrots — continue to chatter and charm. This Canary Island has more feathers in its cap than you might realize.
The south of the island is the most developed part of Tenerife, where hotels, shopping malls, bars, and restaurants huddle along the coast in resorts such as Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, and Playa de las Américas. This is definitely the party side of the island.
Tell anyone you're looking for things to do in Tenerife away from the beaches and bars — an idyll of atmospheric village squares, family-run restaurants, and authentic Spanish experiences — and they will probably direct you northward, which is more faithful to the island of old and teeming with traditional architecture, food, and culture. It is also a lot greener than the south, so the landscape on your way up Mount Teide from the north is very different from the sun-baked approach from the south.
Renting a car during your time in Tenerife puts everything on this miniature continent within easy reach. Two main highways link the island’s top destinations, with just 45 minutes behind the wheel dividing north and south.
On The South Side
The south of the island is rich in mountain-top villages set among ancient forests and waterfalls, so exclusive that visitor numbers are kept to a minimum, and fresh-from-the-sea fish dishes in the shadow of traditional Canarian architecture. All of this and more is within minutes of modern-resort facilities.
The area of Adeje is home to coastal holiday favorites such as Costa Adeje, Fañabé, La Caleta, and Playa del Duque, and is the perfect place in which to experience both lively tourist attractions and the more traditional way of life.
Its credentials as an all-around top vacation destination are irrefutable, with a collection of attractive seafront promenades, lined with welcoming places in which to eat and drink, plus family attractions and mile upon mile of sun-soaked sands. Playa del Duque, Playa Fañabé and Playa del Bobo are among the finest beaches on which to enjoy Tenerife's gloriously warm year-round temperatures and plentiful sunshine, while Siam Park is ranked as one of the best water parks on the planet.
That slate-gray, peak-filled backdrop to Adeje’s holiday resorts provides an experience beyond the ordinary. Hiring a car and driving up Mount Teide into Teide National Park is the best way to reach your wild destination of Barranco del Infierno – a pine-scented ravine walk of moderate ease. You could also take a taxi, as it takes 15 minutes to reach the entrance from Costa Adeje. Only 300 visitors per day are permitted to tackle the four-mile trail, so it’s essential to book a place in advance.
Treats In The East
Put fellow tourists in the rear-view mirror and take a scenic, half-hour drive to the east, past the wind-whipped shores of El Médano and the volcanic cone of Montana Pelada, and onto fishing villages that have changed little over the years. Take a seat in a café somewhere like San Miguel de Tajao. Don’t bother looking for a menu, just let the waiters serve up a platter of the freshest fish and the saltiest, wrinkliest Canarian potatoes.
Just 15 minutes from the sandal-stomped promenades of the main resorts is the quiet seaside town of Las Galletas. Here, the catch of the day is hauled ashore in view of the pebbly beach. The pretty marina and the local feel to Las Galletas illustrate the flipside of life by the sea in urban Tenerife.
While the municipality of Arona is renowned for the cocktail bars and thronged nightclubs of Playa de las Américas, the village of Arona is quite a revelation. A steady hill climb above the coast leads into valleys where bananas and potatoes outnumber people. Modest indulgences, such as sipping a cool drink in the shade of a palm tree and relishing the near silence, are part of Arona's charm.
The Wilder West
Head to the west coast and the ocean-side scenery suddenly takes on colossal proportions. The resort of Los Gigantes (Spanish for “the giants”) – is dwarfed by the ashen cliffs that rise from the sea to a height of up to more than 2,500 feet. For the best view, head up to El Mirador Archipenque (Carretera General Puerto de Santiago) for an affordable menu and a priceless vantage point.
Hairpin bends and stomach-churning heights must be navigated to reach the mountain village of Masca, north of Los Gigantes but, if you are a confident driver, it's a breeze. If not, book a tour or a taxi - this ridge-straddling village is one of the most scenic spots on the island. While you're at it, don't miss the coastal town of Garachico, which exudes Canarian charm.
Northern Sophistication
Tourist throngs thicken as you skirt along the north coast towards the popular resort of Puerto de la Cruz, which started life as a port for the nearby town of La Orotava. Flower-strewn gardens and laidback cafés provide ample resting opportunities between visits to ancient churches and absorbing museums in upmarket La Orotava.
In Puerto de la Cruz, highlights include Lago Martiánez, where, for just a few euros, visitors can relax in man-made pools alongside striking works of art. It’s like swimming in a living art gallery — and it’s one of the coolest things to do in the Canary Islands. It pays to work up an appetite, as dining in Puerto de la Cruz is some of the best on the island, with plenty of Canarian cuisine on the menu. The district of La Ranilla is a safe bet for authentic island bites, while the restaurants of Mesón el Monasterio in Los Realejos are worth the 10-minute drive – as are the valley views.
Where To Stay With RCI In Tenerife
Hollywood Mirage Club - 2429
Callao Garden - 2232
Club Casablanca - 1668
Club Marina - 2378
Pearly Grey Ocean Club - 1786
The Regency Club Tenerife - 1658
Check out this informative article for more ideas for fun things to do in the Canary Islands.