Tenerife travel guide

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Tenerife, a Spanish island, is the largest of the seven Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa. Tenerife has an area of 2034.38 square kilometers, and a population 886,033, which make it the most populated island of the Canary Islands and Spain. Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the capital of the island and the head of the island council (cabildo insular). The Island is steeped in history and characterized by its varied landscapes of lush green forests, spectacular beaches, volcanoes, mountains and deserts. There are so many different places to visit and things to experience in Tenerife that a trip to this Island will be one to remember.

Fast Facts

There are innumerable fascinating places in Tenerife, but to sum up, below are some of the topmost attractions of this Island:

• Los Cristianos
This is one of the most popular resorts on the Canary Island as it boasts a wonderful harbour that offers fishing trips, boat trips in glass bottom boats, pleasure cruises and diving excursions. It is situated just 15kms west of Reina Sofia, the southern airport. Los Cristianos offers sunshine all year round and there are a number of beautiful artificial beaches to relax on. Los Cristianos is a great place to go if you have small children as The Aqua Park Octopus is nearby as well as the Tenerife Zoo and Eagles Park.


• Loro Parque
The implausible Loro Parque was originally a parrot park but it is now home to the world's most important parrot collection (with over 300 species), the world's largest penguinarium (where the penguins and other Antarctic birds are given an authentic Antarctic environment), amazing dolphin and sea lion shows and a whole host of other animals.


• Playa de Las Americas
Playa de Las Americas is closely situated to Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje and is perfect for the young as there are a number of shops and cafes as well as plenty of beaches to laze on. If you want to party all night long then a night out in Playa de Las Americas has to be on your itinerary. It's brash, it's bold and it's definitely noisy, there are hundreds of pubs and clubs that line the streets of Playa that you can visit a different one every night!


• Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is the capital of Tenerife and is situated on the north east coast, making it the perfect base to explore the other parts of the beautiful north east coast of Tenerife. Santa Cruz is a vibrant city with an outstandingly beautiful backdrop. The city is surrounded by the Anaga Mountains where you can explore places of interest, such as Roques de Anaga where you can see ancient archaeological remains.


• Teide National Park
Parque Nacional del las Canadas del Teide was declared a national park in 1954 and it includes a massive volcanic crater, out of which rises Mount Teide, the highest mountain in Spain. The park is 2000 metres above sea level and during the winter months, it receives a substantial amount of snow but in summer temperatures reach over 40 degrees. On a sunny, clear day you can see both La Palma and La Gomera and the views are stunning.



Shopping

Welcome to the spenders paradise! Shopping in Tenerife is positively sparkling! If you like spoiling yourself to treats when going on a shopping spree then Tenerife is the place. There are many locations that make shopping in Tenerife varied, interesting and great place for finding those bargains. There is also a wide variety of food shops in Tenerife.



Activities

√ Hiking : - In Tenerife, Spain, you can find unbeatable hiking routes winding up and down hills, through unspoiled wilderness and along the shoreline. Take a hike and check out the jaw-dropping Los Gigantes cliffs, explore the spectacular pine forests of La Orotava, or venture through the northeastern Anaga Mountains. However, the real gem of the island - and possibly of Spain - comes in the form of Mount Teide. The colossal mountain - it's the biggest in Spain - is the centerpiece of the incredible Mount Teide National Park.

√ Rock Climbing : - With the rugged rock formations typical of its volcanic nature, it won't take you long to realize that Tenerife is a rock climbing paradise.

√ Volcano Potholing : - Both on land and below water, over 750 caves have been documented in Tenerife, which add up to a cumulative length of over 30 kilometers! You'll find the bulk of these volcanic pipes and caves in the environs of Mount Teide.

√ Canyoning : - Tenerife has canyons and gullies ideal for every level, so whether you're an interested beginner or a seasoned expert, get in contact with one of Tenerife's many clubs.

Not just these, Tenerife is full of thrilling activities which are a must try in a trip to Tenerife.



Local Transport

√ Bus
The public bus service on Tenerife is very good. Buses are called guagua in the local language. The public bus service, called TITSA, operates several routes throughout the island, with fares being very reasonable. You can get a bus schedule from any bus station or from your hotel

√ Taxis
Taxis can be privately hired for sightseeing and many also offer planned itineraries covering the more popular attractions on the island.



Getting Around

Air : - The island of Tenerife is served by Tenerife North - Los Rodeos Airport (GCXO) and Reina Sofía Airport (GCTS).

Sea : - As it is an island, the only other way to arrive on Tenerife is by ferry, either to Santa Cruz de Tenerife or Los Cristianos, near Playa de Las Américas.



Things to do

♦ Enjoy the great outdoors
With a nickname like "the island of eternal spring", Tenerife is a place where you can and should be outside as much as possible! The island's beaches, ranging from the volcanic black-sand coves of the north to the golden stretches of the south, are spectacular for sunbathing and watersports, and inland you'll find innumerable natural wonders. El Teide, a dormant volano and Spain's highest peak, is one such wonder. El Teide National Park encompasses enormous volcanic craters, fantastically abundant wildflowers, free guided hikes and more.

♦ Get a bird's eye view
Speaking of El Teide, just hop on the teleférico - or cablecar - right up to the peak, almost the peak. One can even hike instead of taking a cable car according to one’s wish. Make your way to the La Rambleta viewpoint, where you can climb aboard and be atop Spain's highest peak.

♦ Go whale watching
Believe it or not, Tenerife is actually the second most popular spot in the entire world for whale watching, so don't let go this fantastic opportunity to see earth's gentle giants at play! 25 of the world's 78 species of sea mammals - including blue whales and dolphins - make their home off Tenerife's shores, but the real highlight is the colony of over 550 pilot whales!

♦ Island hop
Tenerife is only one of several islands that make up the Canary Islands. Constant ferries and inter-island flights link together the archipelago’s seven islands, meaning that you can easily see and experience all that La Gomera, Gran Canaria, La Palma, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and El Hierro have to offer!



Entertainment

→ Nightlife
At the rowdy end of the spectrum, Playa de las Americas is the nightlife capital of Tenerife. The entertainment in this town can be divided into three distinct areas: the Patch, Veronicas and Starco. The Patch is a small commercial district that caters to family entertainment. It is packed with continental restaurants, bars and shops, and has a distinctly touristy feel to it. Most of the bars here are children-friendly and many serve food during the afternoon. Veronicas and Starco serve up more adult-orientated entertainment. Both areas are packed with bars and nightclubs, and are located within easy walking distance of each other.

If you’re in the mood for a quieter night out, you should head to one of the other resort towns such as Puerto de la Cruz, where you can enjoy tapas and a glass of local wine. There are numerous English pubs on the island which offer a relaxing place to have a pint and meet some other tourists. For something a little more sophisticated, check out the Casino Taoro in Puerto de la Cruz.

→ Theatre and Music
Like most tourist islands, Tenerife has its fair share of live musical performances, scattered around the various hotels, bars and nightclubs. There are also several unusual performances here, like the medieval dinner show at Castillo San Miguel in the southern part of the island. For a dose of Spanish flamenco dancing, check out the show at the Pyramid de Arona Auditorium in Playa de las Americas. Opera lovers don’t have to miss out either. Tenerife’s opera season runs from October through December.

→ Festivals
There are a handful of festivals throughout the year in Tenerife as well as traditional Spanish religious celebrations.



• Carnival in Tenerife - Tied to Easter celebrations, this month-long party features stunning costumes, marching bands, music and mayhem. The Grand Parade is the highlight, but many more events follow. Festivities begin in Santa Cruz then spread out to the other towns and villages (February).
• The Music Festival of the Canary Islands in June is one of the most prestigious classical music festivals in Europe. Many of the continent’s best performers and orchestras take part.
• The Sabandeno Festival in September is a folklore music festival in La Laguna featuring Canarian and foreign groups.
• San Andres is a relatively new wine tasting festival in the towns of Icod, La Orotava and Puerto de la Cruz and features local wines (November).
• Corpus Christi is a local celebration featuring carpets of flowers and volcanic earth in the towns of La Orotava and La Laguna (June).



Food

An important cultural facet that any visitor who visits Tenerife should experience is the island's delicious cuisine. To get a different experience all one needs to do is just a little exploration away from the touristy resorts and fast food restaurants of the south to discover Tenerife's gastronomical treasure chest of food, wine and desserts. Below are some of the typical Tenerife dishes which one must try:

◊ Cazuela de Pescado : - Fresh fish casserole with potatoes, onions, tomatoes and peppers.

◊ Puchero Canario : - Popular stew with fresh local vegetables and meats.

◊ Potaje de Berros : - Watercress stew and a popular vegetarian pick.

◊ Ropa Vieja : - Different meats along with potatoes and garbanzo beans.

◊ Sancocho canario : - A popular fish dish with potatoes and yams, accompanied by mojo picón and gofio canario.

◊ Papas arrugadas : - Unpeeled potatoes cooked in salted water and served with mojo.