Santa Cruz de Tenerife [Image by hjrivas from Pixabay]Tenerife is the ideal destination for travelers looking to go off the beaten path on an island adventure. Located in Spain’s Canary Islands off the coast of Africa, the island features varied landscapes, including volcanoes, beaches, forests, deserts and cities. Meanwhile, all of these are within a short driving distance of each other, for the perfect vacation in Tenerife.
About Tenerife in the Canary Islands of Spain
The island of Tenerife has been dubbed the “Island of Spring” due to its marvelously mild temperatures all year round. In fact, the temperatures range from a comfortable 16 to 32 degrees Celsius (61 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit). This makes the island a perfect year-round destination.
Mt. Teidi [Image by M W from Pixabay]Spain’s highest peak Mt. Teide stands tall on Tenerife at 3,718 m (12,200 ft) and is visible from most angles while exploring the landscape. Moreover, the dormant volcano forms part of the oldest mountain range on the island, which is set to have arisen in the Atlantic Ocean during a volcanic eruption around 12 million years ago.
Hiking and staying in nature
Mt. Teide National Park [Image by Manfred Zajac from Pixabay]Meanwhile, the volcano forms part of the Teide National Park, which was declared in January 1954, which makes it one of the oldest national parks in Spain. Moreover, a second volcano in the park is Pico Viejo, which is the second largest volcano in the Canary Islands.
For adventurous folk, there is a very basic “refugio” or refuge, close to El Teide’s summit where visitors can relax and look at the stars. The next morning, they awaken to a gorgeous sunrise over the other Canary Islands on the horizon.
Taganana Beach in Tenerife
Tanagana beach [Image by jairo_83_0 from Pixabay]When it comes to beaches, the island has plenty, ranging from golden to black sand. If looking for a quieter spot, head to Tanagana, one of the oldest colonial settlements on the island, dating back to the 15th century.
Taganana offers beautiful views, and within an easy hike, visitors can find rugged beaches, including Almáciga, which is great for surfing. Alternatively, Benijo is a black sand beach that is mostly deserted on weekdays.
Dolphin spotting and whale watching
Los Gigantes [Image by Jan Jakubowski from Pixabay]Tenerife offers the chance to spot dolphins and whales in their natural environment. One of the best places to do so is on the steep cliffs of Los Gigantes. The town is located in the northwest of the island and besides being renowned for dolphin and whale spotting, is also a friendly place to visit. The town is set in incredible volcanic scenery and offers bars and cafés and a black sand beach.
Nature on Tenerife
Nature on Tenerife [Image by Erdmann-Crew from Pixabay]While the island is relatively small, Tenerife offers a remarkable ecological diversity. In fact, it boasts a rich and diverse flora of around 1,400 species. Meanwhile, the island’s fauna includes some 56 bird species, as well as several species of dolphins, whales and sea turtles.
City life in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Santa Cruz de Tenerife [Image by Mariya from Pixabay]After spending time in nature, visitors can experience city life in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The port city has excellent shopping and restaurants, as well as pretty squares and parks in which to relax with a coffee.
Whether preferring the city, beaches or desert, experience adventure in Tenerife in the Canary Islands of Spain this year. Find out more on the island’s official tourism website.
[…] beach is backed with cliffs and offers beautiful views of the Pyrénées mountains and the coast of Spain. While this can get crowded in the summer months, the Port Vieux beach is smaller and feels more […]
[…] beach is backed with cliffs and offers beautiful views of the Pyrénées mountains and the coast of Spain. While this can get crowded in the summer months, the Port Vieux beach is smaller and feels more […]