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Jan
11
Tenerife Travel & Sightseeing Guide
Filed Under Spain
A trip to Tenerife
The largest among the seven Canary Islands, Tenerife is a favourite vacation spot for northern Europeans. The island boasts beautiful beaches as well as landscapes that include volcanic rock and dunes. Although it is possible to arrive on Tenerife by boat, most visitors come via Los Rodeos Airport in the north or Renia Sofia Airport in the south.
Flights to Tenerife
Tenerife has two airports: Tenerife North Airport (Los Rodeos) and Tenerife South Airport (Renia Sofia). The North Airport is the smaller of the two, as most visitors head to the southern part of the island. The North Airport is located near Santa Cruz-La Laguna and primarily services European flights, including domestic flights to other Spanish destinations. The South Airport is the seventh busiest airport in Spain and services many charter flights from European cities. Transportation from the airport is via bus or taxi, but many hotels also provide transfers. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Tenerife try lastminute.com.
Tenerife
For travel around the island, many people hire cars or motorcycles. Within the major cities, such as Santa Cruz, Puerto de la Cruz and Los Cristianos, there are public buses, but many visitors end up using taxis, which are abundant and inexpensive.
Sightseeing in Tenerife
Tenerife is mostly about sun and surf, but the island also offers plenty of natural beauty. Loro Park, a wildlife park, is a local favourite located near Puerto de la Cruz. The park boasts a large collection of animals, including over 20,000 marine animals. Parrots and dolphins are the main attractions here. The Cliff of Giants is a natural wonder where sheer cliffs dramatically plunge into the ocean. About 800 metres in height, these cliffs are best viewed from the sea by boat.
Spain’s highest peak is located on Tenerife. Mount Teide is almost 3,200 metres high and is in fact a volcano. There is a cable car that goes to the peak, which is a great way to get away from the hot weather below. The mountain is surrounded by a national park, which is also well worth exploring.
Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
Tenerife is a party island and most of the big cities have a wide range of night-time offerings. Partying doesn’t start until late and doesn’t really get going until around midnight. The most popular nightlife area is Playa de las Americas. Here, visitors will find a huge range of restaurants, bars, clubs, cabarets and more.
For those wanting to get away from the crowds and noise, head to quieter resort towns such as Puerto de la Cruz. Here, you can enjoy some quiet tapas and visit the casino for some late night action. The Casino Taoro is a must-visit for many; remember to dress appropriately if you want to enjoy gambling, dining and drinking in this one vast area.
Fun by day - shopping and activities
There is plenty of shopping to be had on the island. The bigger cities, such as Playa de las Americas, Santa Cruz and Los Cristianos, offer a range of boutiques and designer shops. In Santa Cruz, shoppers should head to Villaba Hervas, El Castillo and San Jose streets. In fact, many locals from the mainland come to shop on Tenerife because of the lower taxes, making shopping here cheaper.
Daytrips
The Ecological Park can be easily reached from Playa de las Américas, and is home to a vast range of species including crocodiles, elephants, birds of prey and even penguins. The beautiful Risco Bello Aquatic Gardens are full of lakes and exotic plants and flowers. Visitors can stroll over Japanese bridges and admire the waterfall and the pottery garden.
Vilaflor is Spain’s highest village and a lovely place to admire beautiful scenery, although on cool days it can get rather chilly here. Another great village to visit is Taganana, one of Tenerife’s most remote villages which is famed for its magnificent rosé wine and excellent seafood. Visitors can explore some of the many walking trails and admire the incredible variety of plants and flowers.
Must-see attractions
The fabulous camel park is a must-see attraction, especially if you are travelling with children. Free bus shuttles run from Playa de las Américas and Los Christianos, and visitors can take an hour-long camel ride.
Also of interest to the children is the Octopus Aquapark near Playa de las Américas. Featuring dolphin shows, a lazy river and swimming areas as well as some thrilling slides and tubes, the park is the perfect place to spend a day.
The cactus and animal park houses a collection of plant life and cacti from arid regions. The fantastic animal park is home to a huge variety of species while in Amazonia, a tropical rainforest area, live exotic birds including parrots and hummingbirds reside.
Hikers will love Masca, which boasts incredible views and a hiking trail along the base of the Los Gigantes cliffs. The Barranco del Infierno is also attractive to walkers, boasting one of the island’s only permanent streams.
Best time to go
Experiencing very little difference between summer and winter, Tenerife is a place that can be enjoyed at any time of year. Rain falls sometimes, but there is no specific rainy period. Temperatures range from around 15°C to 24°C. Each February or March, the colourful Tenerife Carnival is held and this is a great time to visit and soak up the atmosphere.
Rainy day suggestions
As you’ll never know when it may rain in Tenerife, it’s a good idea to have a couple of indoor attractions planned. The fascinating Museo Casa del Vino is an estate house from the 17th century that is now used to promote the region’s wine while the Museo de la Natruraleza y el Hombre exhibits some of the conservation work that has been done locally in recent years. Other museums of interest include the Museo de Historia de Tenerife and the Museo de la Ciencia y el Cosmos, which boasts interactive experiments.
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