Yes, Tenerife has dozens of beaches on which to stretch out, switch off and toast into a nice shade of bronze. But to do just that is nothing short of a crime on such a multi-faceted island.
Up, down, inside, outside: everywhere you look there are man-made and natural attractions to be enjoyed, from stargazing under some of Europe’s clearest skies and conquering the planet’s third-largest volcano, to splashing around in the world’s most popular water park and getting within touching distance of dolphins in the wild. Here are 11 of my favourite things to do.
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Best for families
Mount Teide Cable Car
£ | volcanoteide.com
You can’t get to the very top of Tenerife’s omnipresent volcano, Teide, without a prearranged pass, but you can get to within 600ft by cable car. It goes without saying that the views are spectacular, but it’s the sheer sense of scale that will really take your breath away. What you see above ground is only the tip of what is one of the three largest volcanoes on the planet. Note that it doesn’t take much by way of adverse weather for the cable car to stop running, so always check in advance before you set off.
Beaches
It’s free to enjoy Tenerife’s wealth of beaches, whether you’re seeking natural, black volcanic sand or the more familiar golden version. For the latter, Blue Flag Playa del Duque in Costa Adeje, and the palm-dotted Las Teresitas just north of Santa Cruz, are the island’s most iconic. If you prefer lounging with the locals, however, try low-key La Jaquita in Alcalá, or the sheltered cove of Playa San Marcos in Icod de los Vinos.
Siam Park
££ | siampark.net
Siam Park isn’t just for children. Yes, there are 12 creative and cleverly designed scream-inducers in this Thai-themed playground, but there’s also a long, lazy river, two white-sand beaches, a spectacular wave pool and kids’ splash areas, plus VIP cabanas to retreat to for moments of calm sanctuary away from the aquatic melee. The theme park and similarly popular Loro Parque are part of the same group. If you want to visit both, “Twin Tickets” offer €10 savings, but do be aware that Loro Parque features orca and dolphin shows.
Submarine Safaris
££ | submarinesafaris.com
Batten down the hatches of the bright yellow sub in Las Galletas harbour for a one-hour trip to a depth of 30 metres with Submarine Safaris. Within this specially designed submarine, there are 22 large viewing portholes through which you’ll see huge stingrays and a whole circus of colourful marine life feeding around a sunken fishing boat and the harbour wall. Try and sit near the front of the submarine and you’ll get an extra view over the pilot’s shoulder through the front cockpit window. The company offers free bus transfers from the resort areas and online bookers receive a 10 per cent discount.
Best for nature
Teide National Park
£ | tenerifeon.es
Those who only know Tenerife as a beach destination are missing out on the glorious greenery just a short drive away. The mountain pine forests in Teide National Park are dotted with recreational areas, like Chio and Las Lajas, where stone barbecues and timber picnic tables have been built for day-trippers to just turn up and use. Buy a bag of charcoal or two to take up, as there’s never much in the way of fallen deadwood near these popular spots.
Boat trips
££ | webtenerife.co.uk
There are plenty of excursions that depart from the harbours of Los Cristianos, Puerto Colon and Las Galletas. All will take you out to see the island’s resident pods of pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins, but make sure you book an excursion on a boat that displays the “Barco Azul” Blue Boat flag. These are only awarded to boats that adhere to strict whale and dolphin protection rules. Also keep your eye out for other breeds that have been seen passing through these waters, such as minke, sperm and killer whales.
Cueva del Viento
Join a guided tour of Europe’s largest network of lava tubes snaking 17km under the greenery of the north near Icod de los Vinos. The two-and-a-half-hour walk doesn’t cover the complete system, but it gives you an insight into how this labyrinth of underground tunnels were formed tens of thousands of years ago during one of the biggest eruptions in Tenerife. Helmets and head torches are included in the €20 entry fee. Only 15 people at a time are allowed on each tour so book well in advance to secure a place.
Best for history and culture
Auditorio de Tenerife
This cultural icon with extraordinary, gravity-defying architecture hosts a plethora of spectacles inside its gleaming white shell. It’s home to the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra, but rock, opera and folk also regularly resonate inside its acoustically perfect confines. Even if you can’t make a show, the guided tours are well worth your time to discover the unique design that has created one of the best acoustic environments in the world. Daily tours take place between 10am and 4pm.
Bodegas Monjes
££ | bodegasmonje.com
Viticulture on Tenerife dates back to the 15th- and 16th-century and is referred to in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night when Sir Toby Belch mentions “a cup of canary”. Today, many of the island’s 100 or so wineries are open to the public, offering wine tasting, vineyard tours and other grape-related activities. Bodegas Monjes offers one of the most varied range of experiences, including tastings, tours, erotic wine-focused performances, and “dyeing with wine” workshops. They even do an underwater tasting that involves a sub-aqua visit to their underwater vineyards.
Tenerife Espacio de las Artes
£ | teatenerife.es
Like London’s South Bank Centre, the Tenerife Espacio de las Artes (TEA) has become a one-stop-shop for art and culture lovers. This uber-modern venue exhibits a broad stroke of genres from abstract to ancient, but with a leaning towards the contemporary. It also has a small cinema that screens original language films, along with an airy café where you can stop for a cup of its namesake. And if you’re looking for something beyond lace tablecloths, Mount Teide fridge magnets and other typical tourist souvenirs, the museum shop offers interesting, locally designed products from the island’s artists.
La Orotava
The historical quarter in La Orotava shows Tenerife’s noble past where well-heeled Europeans showed off their wealth with fancy carved balconies bolted onto their grand mansions. A prime example is the aptly named Casa de los Balcones (House of the Balconies). Dating from the 17th century, it’s part heritage site, part living museum and part souvenir shop across three separate buildings (so don’t forget to visit them all). Also remember to pick up your audio-guide headset, try a local glass of wine and sample the various mojo sauces – they’re all included in the ticket price.
How we choose
Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles – from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up-to-date recommendations.