Guide to Tenerife’s Best Attractions
There is much more to Tenerife than the popular resort towns of Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos. These tourist hubs do offer a great holiday, but visitors that don’t tread far beyond them are missing out on the wonders of this beguiling island.
Image by jaumescar, used under Creative Commons license (CC BY 2.0)
Tenerife boasts diverse landscapes, and a rich and vibrant island culture all of its own. Enjoy the comforts of your luxury self-catering villa – you’re on holiday after all! Yet if you venture a little further afield, you’ll be amazed at what you’ll find. To help you put together an itinerary for your Tenerife holiday, here are some of its best tourist attractions.
Teide National Park
Tenerife’s crown jewel is the huge Teide National Park. It’s home to Mount Teide, the highest mountain in Spain, alongside hiking trails allowing you to explore this otherworldly landscape. Complete with lava flows and massive craters, it’s the closest experience you’ll get to walking on another planet. If you fancy something a little different, you can even tour the park by camel! Once you’ve done that, take a cable car up to near the top and marvel at the island’s views.
Image by Juan Carlos!, used under Creative Commons license (CC BY 2.0)
Los Gigantes
Some of Tenerife’s most famous natural wonders are the Los Gigantes cliffs. These towering basalt rock faces stretch 500 metres above sea level, and offer a remarkable view. The popular town of Los Gigantes, and its many bars and cafes, provide the perfect focal point for the cliffs. Here you can enjoy a drink, a bite to eat, and unforgettable scenery.
Siam Park
For those travelling with families Siam Park is a must-see attraction. It’s the island’s largest waterpark, and has activities for children – and adults – of all ages. With its Thai theme and thrilling waterslides, there are few better ways to spend a day with the kids, no matter how old they are.
Adrenalin junkies can enjoy the twists and dips of the Tower of Power, whilst for the little ones there’s the Sawasdee Children’s Zone. The only problem you’ll have here is that they’ll want to come back tomorrow!
Submarine Safari
Like the rest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife’s surrounding waters are rich in biodiversity. Taking a dip with your snorkel is one way of experiencing it, but the best way is undoubtedly by submarine. Submarine Safari offers guided tours below the waves in a spacious and comfortable environment. You’ll experience Tenerife’s marine ecosystem up close – and get a chance to learn about it!
If this isn’t enough for you, why not take a whale watching trip? Pilot whales are common here, and to top it off you’ll often see dolphins skimming above the waves surrounding the boat.
There’s a whole world of things to do and see on Tenerife. Whether discovering the Atlantic depths, or braving waterslides, no holiday to the island would be complete without experiencing at least a little adventure. With that in mind, maybe it’s time to start looking for that perfect holiday rental on the island!
By Isabella Perkins, a freelance travel writer best known for writing about self-catering holidays. Her writing tends to have a family focus, and she is in the middle of writing a new travel guide due to be published next year.