Every year millions of people choose Tenerife for a well-deserved holiday. And they can’t be wrong. Those who choose this Canary Island as a destination do so attracted by its ideal climate 365 days a year, unparalleled natural beauty and a high level of artistic and gastronomic heritage. Today we propose five plans to discover some of the most magical places in Tenerife. Remember you can organize your Tenerife Car Rental here.
Ascent of Mount Teide by cable car
Tenerife boasts some of the most impressive volcanic landscapes on the planet. And Mount Teide takes the top spot. However, the American astronaut Neil Armstrong said when he visited the island of Tenerife that the area around the Teide volcano, at 3,718 metres high, is where he saw the most similar landscapes to those he encountered on his trip to the moon. The best way to get to the top of Teide is to take the cable car which takes you up to an altitude of 3,550 metres. We recommend booking in advance as this is a very popular activity.
The Orotava Valley and Cañadas del Teide
The Orotava Valley is perhaps the lushest and most spectacular on the island. It is home to tourist towns such as El Puerto de la Cruz, Los Realejos and La Orotava itself. A winding road crosses the valley to the volcanic surroundings of the Cañadas del Teide. Along the way, you will find green landscapes full of Canary Island pines and other areas of laurel forest, a kind of jungle characteristic of the Canary Islands. And in the coastal area we can enjoy some of the most impressive wild beaches of the whole island and numerous guachinches, typical food and wine houses where you can taste the delicious gastronomy of Tenerife.
San Cristóbal de la Laguna
The town of San Cristóbal de La Laguna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and this is a well-deserved recognition. The Canary Islands were a staging post for Spanish expeditions on their routes to the American continent. As a result of this movement of people and goods from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, towns inspired by the Canary Islands arose on the new continent, and the municipalities of the archipelago adopted the products, plants and the way of building of the colonists who arrived in America. The best example of this is La Laguna, with its rectangular streets and typical coloured houses. The city is also connected to the capital of Tenerife, Santa Cruz, by a modern tram.
The best place to see the stars
The Teide or Izaña Astronomical Observatory is one of the best in the world. The privileged location of the island, in the middle of the Atlantic and halfway between Africa, Europe and America, makes Tenerife an ideal spot for astronomical observation, thanks to its location, the absence of light pollution and the height of Mount Teide. It is, without a doubt, another of the great natural spectacles to be found on this fortunate island. We recommend a guided visit to the observatory, and the more adventurous can choose to book a night at the Teide hostel, stay overnight and go on a night-time excursion to see the stars. Although it must be said that any spot on this Canary Island is very good for stargazing at nightfall.
Europe’s biggest cliffs
Some people think that the biggest cliffs in Europe are to be found in the west of the island of Ireland. The truth is that the island of Tenerife has the privilege of having the largest. Tenerife is full of high and steep slopes, due to the great height reached from sea level. This complex orography has given rise to numerous geological whims, such as the Cliffs of Los Gigantes, which hold the title of the highest cliffs in Europe. Another reason to visit the island and stand on the beach gazing at these rock giants.
As a result of the island’s configuration, created as a result of successive volcanic explosions and eruptions, Tenerife also has numerous ravines. We would like to highlight Masca, one of the most impressive not only on the island, but in the whole world. It is located in the western area, in the Teno Park. It is highly recommended to go to the village of Masca to take the walking route that crosses the ravine to the sea. There you can either undo the path, bearing in mind that it is now uphill and can be very hard, or get on a boat that connects the beach with the port located next to the Giants and thus have a breathtaking view from the sea of the most impressive cliffs in the whole of the European continent.