About Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest island of the Canary Islands belonging to Spain, located in the Atlantic Ocean near the coast of Africa. The area of the island is 2,034 km², the highest point is Pico de Teide (3,718 m), which is also the highest peak in Spain.
The island is of volcanic origin, and its shape and surface are also closely related to volcanic eruptions. The last significant eruption was recorded in 1909, when the Chineyro cinder cone was created in the municipality of Santiago del Teide. The highest point on the island is the extinct volcano Mount Teide, with a height of 3,718 meters above sea level, and thanks to its base from the bottom of the sea, it is the third highest volcano in the world.
The island of Tenerife is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world. It combines great beaches, excellent climate, beautiful nature and many natural attractions. It is often referred to as one of the last European paradise islands, or a small micro continent. In Tenerife we can find lush green forests, mountains, deserts, volcanoes and a beautiful coast. Tourists will also find excellent conditions for many water sports, hiking and a lively nightlife here.
The south of Tenerife is slightly warmer and attracts more tourists. Fine light sand is typical for beaches. The main holiday center is the area known as Costa Adeje (includes Las Americas and Los Cristianos), which offers tourists many quality shopping centers, golf courses, amusement parks, theater or quality restaurants. You will find numerous sandy beaches such as La Troya, Pinta, Torviscas, Fanabe or del Duque. Popular areas are also Costa del Silencio, Las Galletas, Alcalá, Puerto de Santiago and others.
For hiking, it's worth going to the Parque Rural de Anaga park with the starting point in Cruz del Carmen. Beautiful views of the island are offered by Pico del Inglés or La Laguna.
The capital of the island is Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where the most popular beach of the island can be found. Las Teresitas beach is famous for its golden sand, which was imported directly from the Sahara.
The Teide volcano is a very popular tourist destination in Tenerife. You can take the cable car up to a height of 3,550 meters. The ride takes about ten minutes and a return ticket costs around €27 per person. If you want to go all the way to the top, you need a special permit from the Santa Cruz National Park office for the hiking route.
Loro Parque Zoo is a huge animal park and serves as a base for their conservation. It is located near the city of Puerto de la Cruz in the north of the island. Siam Park is a fun water park with several cafes and bars. Among the main attractions is the two-meter artificial wave or the Tower of Power toboggan with a height of 28 meters. It is located in Costa Adeje and ranks among the largest and most modern amusement parks in Europe. We can also find the Aqualand water park in Costa Adeje. In addition to the entertainment attractions, there is also a dolphinarium with a quality show and a successful breeding program for bottlenose dolphins in a closed environment.
The botanical garden just above Puerto de la Cruz is also worth a visit. It was originally used to preserve and reproduce plant samples from the New World from voyages to mainland Spain. Today it presents an interesting collection of trees and shrubs, and the area provides a beautiful maze and opportunities for relaxation.
Los Gigantes is a popular resort. The local coastline offers impressive cliffs and plenty of opportunities for whale and dolphin watching cruises. La Orotava is a beautiful and impressive city. Here you can admire many Renaissance villas and historical buildings, the special feature of which are beautifully carved wooden balconies or inner courtyards. The city is also home to a tropical botanical garden and the formal Victoria gardens with a mausoleum.
Tenerife lies at the same latitude as the Sahara. It has a year-round warm climate with average temperatures of 18-24 °C in winter and 24-28 °C in summer. Summer temperatures are highest in August, when the average temperature reaches 29 °C.