Travel in the Island of Tenerife
More articles about the Canary Islands:
♦ Vacation and Travel in the Canary Islands - General information about flights, weather, and more
♦ Lanzarote - An Island in Black and White
♦ Vacation and Travel on Gran Canaria Island
♦ Travel on La Palma Island La Palma
General
The island of Tenerife, part of the Canary Islands chain belonging to Spain, can be a perfect solution for families looking for a not-too-distant destination for a vacation during Hanukkah or even during Passover / spring break in late March, who want to avoid the cool and gray mainland Europe.
Tenerife is an island better suited for those looking for an active holiday, nature trips, and family amusement parks rather than just lounging on beaches. Not that the island lacks beaches, but most are less appealing than those on Gran Canaria, featuring gray or black (volcanic) sand rather than golden sand (except for a few beaches where lighter sand was specially imported from neighboring islands). Here too, of course, you will find hotels and resorts of all types and levels.
Tenerife Island Model:
Like Gran Canaria, southern Tenerife is sunnier and warmer, hosting the highest concentration of hotels, including the newest and most attractive ones. Accommodation in the north of the island is generally cheaper and the hotels tend to be older, although most are certainly high quality and enjoyable. Tenerife has two airports: one in the north and one in the south. Both handle flights from various destinations across Europe as well as from neighboring islands.
Recommended Hotels in Tenerife:
Two 4-star hotels located along the promenade in Playa de Las Americas:
Or:
H10 Costa Adeje Palace - A 4-star hotel located in Costa Adeje
♦ Tours and Attractions on Tenerife Island
Tenerife offers a wide variety of tours and action-packed activities including boat trips, biking, jeep excursions, ATVs, and Segway tours.
Booking Tours in Tenerife on Viator:
♦ Guided Tour in Teide National Park and Masca Valley - Mt. Teide and Masca Valley Tour in Tenerife
Pickup and drop-off from select hotels, duration: 9.5 hours.
♦ Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise
- Whale and Dolphin Watching Catamaran with Transfer and Buffet
♦ Day Trip to Neighboring Island La Gomera - La Gomera Day Trip from Tenerife
Includes hotel pickup and drop-off from select hotels, ferry ticket to the island, lunch, and half a bottle of wine. Duration: approx. 10.5 hours.
♦ Small-Group Guided Tour in Teide National Park - Small-Group Half-Day Tour of Teide National Park with Pickup
Duration: 4-5 hours.
Tours for Cruise Passengers in Tenerife with Port Pickup:
"Loro Parque"
One of the top family attractions in Tenerife is "Loro Parque" - a delightful, well-maintained, and expansive animal park that combines a sea life center, zoo, and botanical gardens. The park features marine life shows including dolphins, sea lions, and the highlight: shows with black-and-white Orca whales, as well as bird shows, a modern IMAX theater, an aquarium with a shark tunnel and numerous fish and marine animals, a wonderful penguin exhibit, crocodiles, and many other animals including tigers, gorillas, and an array of birds. The park offers a selection of restaurants and shops. Guided tours are available for an additional fee.
The park is located in the town of Puerto de La Cruz in the north of the island, known for its fishing harbor, pleasant seaside promenade, black sand beaches, and the excellent swimming pool complex situated among the beaches. The town has a wide range of restaurants and shops. It is recommended to dedicate a full day to both the park and the town.
"Siam Park"
In the south of the island, right near the popular and bustling resort and entertainment area of Playa de Las Americas - where you will find pedestrian streets, shopping malls, restaurants, beaches, and hotels (including great apartment-hotels) - sits "Siam Park", the largest and newest water park in the Canaries. Beautifully designed as a Thai village, it is considered one of Europe's premier water parks. It features modern waterslides, a giant wave pool, a lazy river, and a sprawling play area for young children, catering to all ages and thrill levels. You will also find various dining options, including authentic Thai food. It is recommended to dedicate a full day to the park and Playa de Las Americas.
Teide National Park
For nature lovers, the highlight of a trip to Tenerife is without a doubt a visit to Teide National Park, located in the center of the island and named after Mount Teide, Spain's highest peak. The drive up is scenic and pleasant, passing mountain villages and towns. The park has hiking trails for all levels, dramatic viewpoints, and a visitor center with a small museum featuring an informative film about the park. Entry to the park (like all national parks on the island) is free. It is worthwhile to return to the south via the northwest, stopping to admire the view of the Los Gigantes cliffs.
Monte de las Mercedes Nature Reserve
Another wonderful nature park is Monte de las Mercedes, located in the northeast of the island, boasting charming trails and several scenic viewpoints. It is ideal to combine this excursion with a visit to the ancient capital city, La Laguna.
Excursion to the Neighboring Island of La Gomera
A great day excursion from Tenerife is to the small island of La Gomera, reached by a 40–50 minute ferry ride from the port of Los Cristianos in southern Tenerife. The island features Garajonay National Park (Parque Nacional de Garajonay), an enchanting laurel rainforest offering a network of hiking trails. One half of the island, including its small capital San Sebastian, is arid with dramatic cliffs and cacti, while the other half is lush and subtropical. The island is filled with impressive viewpoints, notably La Degollada de Peraza. La Gomera is also famous for its ancient whistling language (Silbo Gomero), which served as long-distance communication across ravines for generations and is preserved to this day. A visit to the villages of Agulo and Las Rosas allows you to dine in local restaurants where they demonstrate the whistling language. The most convenient way to explore the island is on an organized guided tour departing from Tenerife, which includes ferry crossings and stops at all major landmarks.
Booking a Tour to La Gomera Island via Viator:
♦ Day Trip to Neighboring Island La Gomera - La Gomera Day Trip from Tenerife
Includes hotel pickup and drop-off from select hotels, ferry ticket to the island, lunch, and half a bottle of wine. Duration: approx. 10.5 hours.
Canary Islands Map:
