Discover the wild beauty of Tenerife with its lunar landscapes, prehistoric laurel forests, and volcanic valleys. An idyll for adventurers, beach enthusiasts, and culture vultures alike, the island invites travellers to dive into boundless delights, from mountain trekking and coastal swims to state-of-the-art galleries and historic cities.
Located in the Atlantic Ocean, the Canary Islands is a Spanish archipelago comprising eight islands of volcanic origin in Macaronesia off the African coast.
In ancient times, it was known as the Fortunate Isles, and it’s easy to see why.
The islands benefit from trade winds and a subtropical climate, which keep temperatures between a stable 18 and 24 degrees Celsius throughout the year. This makes it an attractive destination for perennial travellers, with Tenerife the largest and most populous outpost in the chain.
Tenerife’s topography is paralleled by its other-worldly desert terrains, soaring mountains, and stunning seascapes. Natural wonders are abundant, including pools created by volcanic eruptions and fed by seawater, which offer a safer and more tranquil swimming environment than the ocean.
As the most verdant of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is the perfect blend of forests, beaches, volcanic mystery, and picturesque local towns. On the north side of the island, colonial Spanish cities such as La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, await.
Look beyond the tourist spots of the famous southern beaches with their all-inclusive resorts and nightclubs and discover the island’s extraordinary beauty and diversity, with remote mountain-ridge villages, cultured port settlements, and charming ancient towns creating an authentic Tenerife experience.
From striking ravines and dramatic cliffs to disconnecting and unwinding on one of the beaches, most of which have been awarded Blue Flag certification, Tenerife is truly captivating.
Many of the beaches are manufactured due to the island’s volcanic nature, and those that are naturally formed have the characteristic black sand. Whilst there, lucky visitors might see green sea turtles, angel sharks, or even dolphin pods.
Known as a hiker’s paradise, the mountainous terrain offers breathtaking vistas where adventurers can meet the iconic Tenerife lizard, an endemic species. Indeed, the island’s biological diversity is impressive, with over 800 native species of flora and fauna. Vast expanses of thermophilic forests give way to olive bushes, palm trees, and the odd dragon tree, symbolising the Canary Islands.
Furthermore, thanks to its mild year-round climate, there are always activities and experiences on offer. However, not everything is about the great outdoors, as there are plenty of indoor cultural places of interest to visit. The Museum of Nature and Archaeology (MUNA) in the port city of Santa Cruz has an abundance of exhibitions and collections, offering the chance to learn more about the natural riches of the islands.
Most importantly, visitors have the opportunity to discover the culture of the Guanches, the original inhabitants of Tenerife prior to the arrival of European settlers. For art enthusiasts, there are myriad galleries dotted around the island, and for the discerning ear, there is the Auditorio de Tenerife for performing arts, including festivals and operas.
Regarding sustenance, Tenerife is teeming with tapas and beach bars; the island even boasts seven Michelin-starred restaurants. Although the local fare is Canarian, there are a plethora of options for other cuisines. To accompany the food, one of the most popular refreshments is the barraquito – a must-try mixture of condensed milk, Licor 43, coffee, and cinnamon, garnished with a lemon twist and served layered in a tall glass.
The lush green island panorama and year-round sunshine make it the perfect wintertime escape – especially during carnival season when the palm-tree-lined streets are awash with colourful floats and masked revellers.
From El Teide National Park to the enchanting walls of Anaga, the Pyramids of Güimar, and the Los Gigantes cliffs, Tenerife is brimming with endless surprises waiting to be explored .
DID YOU KNOW?
With its subtropical climate and rich soil, Tenerife is an ideal place to grow bananas. Therefore, it makes sense that the island is home to the northernmost banana grove in the world.
The island also houses the world’s largest solar observatory – the Observatorio del Teide. Located at an altitude of 2,390 metres (m) above sea level, scientists from all over the globe visit to study the sun and other astronomical phenomena.
Tenerife boasts the highest peak in Spain – Mount Teide – which dominates the landscape and is situated in El Teide National Park. It is a stratovolcano, which means its violent eruptions often result in dramatic morphological changes. Although it is officially an active volcano, experts confirm it is safe to hike up.
Tenerife’s flag is the same design as Scotland’s because both share St. Andrew as their patron saint.
43 percent of the Canary Islands’ population live in Tenerife.
The canary bird was named after the island, not vice versa.
ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES
Travelling to Tenerife doesn’t have to be expensive. easyjet offers direct low-cost flights from many UK airports, including Bristol, London Gatwick, London Luton, Edinburgh, Liverpool, and Manchester.
easyJet operates direct flights from other European cities, including Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, to Tenerife South (TFS), the largest of the two airports on the island.
With Suntransfers, getting from the airport to the accommodation is hassle-free. Shuttle buses are available; alternatively, private taxis, minivans, mini-coaches, and minibuses ensure guests have a relaxing journey to their destination.
Whilst there, GetYourGuide, an online marketplace for travel activities, is recommended for booking tours and excursions.
OUTLOOK RECOMMENDS
Sleep:
FOR A BESPOKE STAY…
Villa Rosaluz transports guests away from generic hotel resorts and into a dreamy paradise in an Instagrammable setting. With four bedrooms all with ensuite bathrooms, a private heated pool, jacuzzi, cinema room, and private gym, it is tempting to never leave this blissful bubble; however, the beach and local village are just a short walk away.
FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE…
Oliver’s Travels’ poolside villas are the epitome of luxury, with stunning decor and aesthetically pleasing scenery when dining al fresco. These sumptous retreats are ideal for families, friends, celebrations, or relaxation, and there are 39 options to accommodate between two and 10 people.
Do:
FOR AN OCEAN ADVENTURE…
Explore the south coast of Tenerife with Las Galletas’ private luxury motor yacht. Cruise the waves while watching for whales and dolphins gliding through the brilliant blue of the Atlantic Ocean, stop for a buffet lunch and a spot of snorkelling, or just sit back, relax, and enjoy the shoreline vistas. The yacht is accompanied by a crew of two, food and drink, and snorkelling and fishing equipment.
Rachel Carr is an in-house travel writer for Outlook Travel Magazine, where she is responsible for crafting original travel features for the magazine, travel guides, and the digital platform.
