If you are planning your holidays to Tenerife the following information may help by giving you an overview on the island.
Tenerife is not only the largest of the Canary Islands, it also offers the tourist more sights, more attractions, more towns and cities to explore, and more contrasts than any of the other islands. Where else in the Atlantic can you look around a banana plantation then take a short drive half way up a mountain for a snowball fight?
The mountain in question is Teide and at 3,718m it is the tallest in all Spain. The symbol of the island, it can be seen from vantage points all over Tenerife, but for the very best views you need to be high over its ring of clouds. A drive up Teide is a must on your Tenerife holidays.
In the language of its aboriginal Guanche inhabitants, Tenerife means “Snowy Mountain”. Mount Teide divides the island of Tenerife into two distinct climatic zones – damp and lushly vegetated in the north, sunny and arid in the south.
Beaches in Tenerife
Here is a guide to the best beaches to enjoy on your Tenerife holiday. Tenerife has few natural beaches along its rocky coastline, but to satisfy the tourist appetite, a few have been made on Tenerife using imported sand from the Sahara. The beach of the popular southern resorts, Playa de Las Americas and Los Cristianos, tend to be crowded affairs offering various watersports, though quieter, more secluded beach options for your Tenerife holidays are easy to find across the isla
Playa de las Vistas : This huge sweep of sand between Los Cristianos and Playa de Las Americas is the best in the area and rarely overcrowded.
Playa de las Teresitas : Northeast of Santa Cruz, this is the best sand beach on the island – and surprisingly quiet outside summer weekends.
Playa Fanabe : Touristy but decent beach, with plenty of bars and restaurants nearby.
El Medano : El Medano is easily the best natural beach on Tenerife, though strong winds sometimes make a windbreak a necessity.
Playa Bollullo : Idyllic beach at the base of some cliffs, an enjoyable half-day hike from Puerto de la Cruz.
Playa Jardin : Puerto de la Cruz’ main beach is rarely crowded and the promenade running alongside is lined with cafes and bars.
Eating Out on your Tenerife holiday
Fresh fish and seafood provide one of the culinary highlights of a holiday to Tenerife. Paellas using the local catch are common on the island, as is the traditional Canarian fish stew, zarzuela. Specialities of the inland include the rich conejo en salmorejo [marinated rabbit in a garlicky sauce].
Both fish and meat are generally grilled and served with papas arrugadas, a typical Canarian potato dish, and the presence of mojo can be virtually guaranteed. To wash it all down, there’s a good range of Canarian wines and beers.
Shopping in Tenerife
Low sales tax makes Tenerife holidays something of a shopper’s paradise with hundreds of small outlets in the resorts selling everything from jewellery and perfume to electrical goods, not to mention the huge malls stationed at the edge of the main towns. These malls attract Canarian shopaholics in their droves, so are often where the largest and best value selections of designer clothing are found.
Los Cristianos : The pedestrian core of Los Cristianos has an array of outlets selling the kind of luxury goods that airport shops usually specialise in.
Calle del Castillo : Located in Santa Cruz, this is Tenerife’s Oxford Street and is pedestrianised and packed with clothing boutiques and electrical shops.
El Corte Ingles : Located in Santa Cruz, this is Tenerife’s biggest department store and has more than enough to give shopaholics their fix.
Flea Market – Santa Cruz. For unusual souvenirs of your holidays to Tenerife, head for the flea market held outside Santa Cruz’ Mercardo de Nuestra Senora de Africa on Sunday mornings.
Mercado de Nuestra Senora de Africa : Santa Cruz’ bustling, Moorish-style covered market sells mostly groceries and is a great place to pick up inexpensive local produce – particularly cheeses.
Read more about the resorts in Tenerife
Bajamar – read more >>
Buenavista del Norte – read more >>
Callao Salvaje – read more >>
Costa Adeje – read more >>
Costa del Silencio – read more >>
El Medano – read more >>
Garachico – read more >>
Golf del Sur – read more >>
Granadilla – read more >>
Guia de Isora – read more >>
Guimar – read more >>
Icod de los Vinos – read more >>
La Caleta – read more >>
La Laguna – read more >>
La Orotava – read more >>
Las Caletillas – read more >>
Los Abrigos – read more >>
Los Cristianos – read more >>
Los Gigantes – read more >>
Los Realejos – read more >>
Los Silos – read more >>
Playa de la Arena – read more >>
Playa de las Americas – read more >>
Playa Paraiso – read more >>
Puerto de la Cruz – read more >>
Puerto de Santiago – read more >>
San Isidro – read more >>
Santa Cruz de Tenerife – read more >>
Santa Ursula – read more >>
Vilaflor – read more >>
Disclaimer
By its very nature much of the information in our travel guides is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they are relying with the relevant authorities. Corona Holidays [UK] Limited cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above.
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