Tenerife has nine different microclimates, giving it the most diverse landscape you can envisage. The largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, it’s also one of the most picturesque, with multitudes of sandy beaches, thrilling nightlife and idyllic villages lost in time. It is, therefore, common to stick to the usual things to do in Tenerife, but why not explore the side of Tenerife that is rarely glimpsed.
The towns in Tenerife
Starting with the capital city, there are some amazing towns on the island, with plenty of things to do and see. A recommended way to get around the island is to hire a car. This gives you the flexibility to go where you want and do what you want without constraints.
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is Tenerife’s capital city and one of the most interesting to visit. Head to the historical triangle that sits between Calle la Noria, Plaza de Espana/Plaza de Candelaria and Plaza de Weyler, which is where the top attractions can be found. Amongst these is the Military Museum, which houses the ‘El Tigre’, the cannon responsible for the loss of Admiral Horatio Nelson’s arm.
Puerto de la Cruz
For a relaxing day, Puerto de la Cruz is the place to be. There is a manmade seawater lagoon with six pools at Lago Martianez, where you can spend the whole day should your hotel not have a pool. Otherwise, the streets are like an open-air art museum, a result of the Puerto Street Art Project. Stroll the promenade at sunset for some incredible views as the sun goes down. It’s rumoured that The Beatles visited the town in the 1960s but weren’t allowed to play. Talk about an error of judgement.
Find stays in Puerto de la Cruz
La Laguna
There really are so many places to visit and things to do in Tenerife, but La Laguna is a must-visit. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is the cultural capital of Tenerife. Visit Casa Salazar for its baroque architecture or Palacio de Nava. Plaza del Adelantado (a former convent) has a wooden balcony with ill repute; it’s where a nun watched the execution of her forbidden lover.
Hiking – Best thing to do in Tenerife
The island’s volcanic landscape makes hiking one of the things to do in Tenerife if you are an avid rambler. There are two main treks to pick from, both with a ton of other activities close by, for those less eager for a walk.
Teide National Park
Surrounded by craters, volcanoes and the highest peak in Spain, fondly referred to as ‘Papa Tiede’ by locals, Teide National Park is the largest and oldest park on the Canary Islands. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007. Traversed by a network of roads and trails with panoramic views, it offers something for everyone.
The cable car
One of the easiest ways to surmount this glorious park is by cable car, offering incredible views all the way to the peak. Get your camera ready, as there are lots of photo-worthy moments on this ride. Please book your ticket in advance; a return ticket is quite reasonably priced.
Stargazing
Don’t rush back down; nighttime up here is pretty spectacular. As the sun makes its way home, it leaves a trail of pink, red and purple hues, transforming the skyline into a magical canvas. Only a glass of champagne in hand completes this perfect picture, and it doesn’t end there. Once the sun has vanished, the sky is carpeted by millions of stars, not leaving a single space empty.
This is one of the best places to stargaze in the world because of the lack of light pollution. It is illegal to fly over Tenerife’s airspace between sunset and sunrise. You can organise a dinner with that special someone, for a fee, under this beautiful sky or just lie back and take it all in. The stargazing is free, but if you are a keen stargazer and would like to learn more, you can hire an astronomer.
Anaga Rural Park
Straddled between La Laguna and the Santa Cruz mountains, Anaga Rural Park has some of the best hiking trails in Tenerife, offering panoramic views over the island. It can easily be reached by car. Start from the visitors’ centre at Cruz del Carmen and pick from a choice of long or short trails. Path of the Senses is a particularly good short one, depending on what else you want to do here, as there’s quite a lot.
Taganana Hamlet
Head to the Taganana Hamlet, ‘surrounded by mountains’ as it’s known in the local dialect. It’s a village that was completely cut off from the island until the 1950s and still retains its sleepy feel. Whilst there, visit Nuestra Senora de las Nieves, the fourth-oldest church in Tenerife, and take in the view from the viewpoint. It makes the twisting and winding roads to get there worth it.
What are some other things to do in Tenerife?
We are not done with our exploration of things to do in Tenerife. Beyond the beaches, there are some surprising ones in the mix; how about we start with the Pyramids?
Pyramids of Guimar
Talking of villages and places to visit, Guimar should be included on your list. It can be easily reached from Santa Cruz. Why, you ask? The Pyramids, of course. Guimar is located away from the touristy part of the island. It has impressive architecture and churches, some of which date back to the 15th century, but the biggest attraction of all must be the Pyramids.
There are different theories as to who built them, but their resemblance to the Aztec pyramids in Mexico is unmistakable. Located in a beautiful ethnographic park, the six rectangular-shaped structures stand over 12 metres high and are definitely worth an exploration. The park also contains a museum, Museo Casa Chacona, which houses impressive collections of sculptures and photographs from all over the world.
Whale and dolphin watching
Of course, a visit to Tenerife would not be complete without whale or dolphin watching; after all, it’s one of four places in the world that’s home to a colony of whales that don’t migrate. This means that you are likely to spot them any time of the year.
There are plenty of whale and dolphin tours, so choose carefully. Most last up to 3 hours and come with cava and snacks, whilst some also offer a hotel pickup. Otherwise, head to the southwest of the island and pick a tour from Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos or Costa Adeje.
Things to do in Tenerife: Festivals
Tenerife is not short of something to celebrate, and if you time your visit well, you will get to experience some epic events. Get your glad rags on, there’s a party in town and everyone is invited: Carnival de Santa Cruz. I suppose it would be remiss not to join a party on an island famed for its parties. And, if you’re going to join in, then why not experience the second-largest carnival in the world? Usually celebrated in February/March and lasting a few weeks, it comprises several events. You’ll want to be here in the last week, which is when the parades and big parties on the streets happen.
Up in the North, they celebrate the arrival of the new harvest in spectacular fashion, with a collection of festivals known as San Andres, around the evening of November 29. Why not time a wine-tasting tour to coincide with this amazing festival? In Icod de los Vinos, the villagers, young and some not so young, cause a ruckus, riding wooden boards helter-skelter down the streets. This is known as Arrastre de Las Tablas, which literally translates to ‘dragging the boards’.
Whilst down in Puerto de la Cruz, in a celebration known as Arrastre los Cachorros, roughly meaning ‘dragging the pots’, cans and tins are tied to a piece of metal wire, which is then dragged through the streets. You can join in the festivities with the villagers in the town square, Plaza del Charco, to throw clutter and old objects into a pile.
