Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands and a true paradise for tourists from around the world. Thanks to its unique climate, breathtaking landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, every visitor to the island will find something to their liking. In this general overview, we will tell you which attractions in Tenerife should be included in your itinerary, what to see on this picturesque island, and what to do to make your vacation memorable for a lifetime.
Island of a Thousand Opportunities
Tenerife attracts tourists with its variety of landscapes — from lush green forests and mountain ranges to golden beaches and bright blue oceans. Explore historical places, such as ancient towns and colonial buildings, and add to your list the best attractions of the island, including Mount Teide, one of the highest volcanoes in the world. This place not only impresses with its height but also offers incredible views, accessible thanks to well-equipped tourist trails and a cable car.
Besides natural beauty, Tenerife is abundant in cultural treasures. Embark on an exploration of the city of San Cristóbal de la Laguna, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, where you will see unique examples of colonial architecture. Visit local markets where you can buy traditional Spanish goods and try local cuisine, and plan to attend traditional festivals to feel the unique flair of the island.
Active Recreation and Entertainment
What to do in Tenerife? The island offers a wide range of activities for every taste. Embark on a journey through numerous trails and national parks, where everyone will find a route to their liking — from easy walks to serious climbs. Masca, for example, offers exciting trekking routes with views of rocky cliffs and the sea.
The best entertainment in Tenerife is not only about beach relaxation. Visit local water parks, such as Siam Park, which is considered one of the best in Europe. Here you will find various water slides, wave pools, and exotic pools with artificial beaches. Equally interesting are the attractions in amusement parks, such as Loro Parque, where you can meet exotic animals and see shows featuring dolphins and orcas.
Cultural Immersion
Tenerife is not just a resort but also a place with a rich history and culture. The island offers a unique opportunity to delve into the history and culture of the Canary Islands through museums, historical tours, and cultural events. Where to go for cultural enrichment? Be sure to visit ancient towns such as La Orotava and Garachico, where cobblestone streets lead to ancient churches, monasteries, and mansions.
Participate in tours and events that will tell you about the influence of the Guanches — the indigenous people of the island, explore local traditions through folk performances and gastronomic tours. Visiting wineries and tasting local varieties of wine will allow you to appreciate the local wine-making traditions, and getting acquainted with traditional Canarian wrestling or attending the carnival in Santa Cruz will give you a complete understanding of the local culture.
Natural Beauty and the Best Places to Visit
Tenerife is famous for its natural beauty, and the best places to study them are, undoubtedly, national parks and reserves. Teide National Park is not only a place to worship the majestic volcano but also home to many rare species of plants and animals, as well as owner of incredibly beautiful Martian landscapes.
The coastal areas of Tenerife also deserve attention. Los Gigantes offers magnificent views of the huge cliffs rising above the ocean. Beaches such as Playa de las Americas and Playa de la Teresitas are perfect for sunbathing and water sports. For more secluded relaxation, head to coves and bays with black volcanic sand, where you can enjoy the tranquility and beauty of nature.
Events and Activities
Tenerife is teeming with life all year round, offering a multitude of festivals, concerts, and cultural events. The popular Carnival in Santa Cruz, one of the largest and most colorful in the world, attracts thousands of visitors with its fantastic costumes and music. This festival is a great opportunity to see local traditions in action and participate in an unforgettable celebration.
Explore music festivals, such as the Canary Islands Music Festival, where both traditional and contemporary performers are featured. Participation in local gastronomic festivals will give you the opportunity to try the full variety of local dishes, from fresh seafood to sweet desserts like bienmesabe. In addition, art exhibitions, theatrical performances, and historical reenactments will add cultural diversity to your visit to the island.
Exploring Tenerife is a journey full of discoveries and impressions. Every corner of the island holds its secrets and offers unique opportunities for travelers. Whether you prefer active recreation in nature, exploring cultural attractions, or simply relaxing on the beach, Tenerife will offer you exactly what you need for an unforgettable holiday.
Teide National Park
Teide National Park is one of the most impressive natural sites in Europe. Centered around Mount Teide, the highest peak in Spain, the park offers a unique combination of volcanic landscapes and diverse flora and fauna. Visitors can enjoy stunning views, hiking trails, and exploring geological phenomena unique to this area.
One of the main attractions of the park is Mount Teide, which draws tourists from all over the world. Its majestic peak, rising to 3,718 meters, offers breathtaking panoramic views and exciting climbing routes. Additionally, visitors can see the famous Roques de GarcÃa rock formations and unusual lava fields, creating an atmosphere of an otherworldly landscape.
Teide National Park is rich in interesting sites to see. Among them are the Teide Observatory, one of the leading astronomical research facilities in the world, and ancient lava caves accessible for tours. The park’s nature trails pass through pine forests and high-altitude deserts, allowing travelers to fully immerse themselves in the remarkable world of this unique natural haven.
Teide
Mount Teide, rising to a height of 3,718 meters, is one of the most remarkable attractions of Tenerife and the largest volcano on the island. A visit to Teide leaves indelible impressions thanks to its monumental lava flows and majestic landscapes. Tourists can ascend via a cable car that takes them to the lower station of the gondola, located at an altitude of about 3,555 meters. From there, stunning views of the surrounding area open up, and in good weather conditions, one can even see the neighboring Canary Islands.
Climbing to the summit of the volcano requires special permission, but it is worth the effort. The summit of Teide offers a unique opportunity to experience the power of nature and enjoy panoramic views of the island. Tourists opting for trekking must be prepared for temperature changes and be in good physical shape to climb to such a height.
Observing the starry sky from the summit of Teide offers unparalleled conditions due to the high altitude and absence of light pollution. This makes the volcano an ideal place for astronomers and star enthusiasts, who can participate in night tours and enjoy the clear and bright sky. Such a combination of natural beauty and scientific interest makes Teide an integral part of any trip to Tenerife.
Masca
The village of Masca and the Masca Gorge represent a unique natural and cultural phenomenon. The village is situated in a picturesque mountainous area, surrounded by majestic cliffs and vast gorges. Due to its inaccessible location, Masca remained isolated for a long time, which helped preserve its traditional appearance and architecture. Narrow streets, ancient stone and wood houses, and stunning panoramic views create an atmosphere of coziness and tranquility.
The Masca Gorge is a deep and narrow canyon that attracts hiking and climbing enthusiasts. The trail leading through the gorge offers travelers a unique opportunity to see diverse landscapes, including steep slopes covered with vegetation and winding riverbeds. The route through the gorge is considered quite challenging and requires good physical fitness, but the magnificent views and the sense of communion with nature are worth the effort.
Legends and stories associated with the village and the Masca Gorge also add to the special appeal of this place. It is said that the gorge once served as a refuge for pirates who hid their treasures here. These tales add romance and mystery, attracting travelers eager to touch history.
Today, the village of Masca and its gorge are popular tourist attractions that offer not only natural beauty but also an opportunity to immerse oneself in the traditional lifestyle and culture of the region. Visitors can enjoy picturesque views and active recreation, as well as meet the hospitable locals and learn about their customs and traditions.
Beaches
Playa de Las Teresitas (beach)
Playa de Las Teresitas is a famous beach with unique golden sand imported from the Sahara in the 1970s. The beach stretches for 1.3 kilometres and, thanks to a protective breakwater, offers calm waters ideal for swimming and relaxing in the sun. The wide coastline and soft sand make it popular with holidaymakers who appreciate the comfort and beauty of natural landscapes.
The beach is surrounded by a picturesque palm grove, creating a tropical atmosphere and providing shady corners for relaxing on hot days. There are cafes, restaurants and facilities such as showers, changing rooms and beach equipment hire available nearby, making it a great choice for a day at the beach.
Playa de Las Teresitas is also famous for its proximity to a nature reserve, attracting those interested in ecotourism and hiking along protected trails. This beach serves not only as a place to relax, but also as an ideal point to explore the rich flora and fauna of the region, adding to the cultural and natural diversity of its visitors.
Playa de Benijo
Playa de Benijo, located in the north of Tenerife, is not only a secluded beach but also a magnificent natural attraction, drawing travelers with its unique beauty and atmosphere. This beach is known for its black volcanic sands and picturesque views of the ocean and rocky islands, which are particularly stunning during low tide. The sunsets here are especially picturesque, with the sky painted in warm shades of orange and pink, creating an unforgettable spectacle for all visitors. If you are looking for what to see in Tenerife, Playa de Benijo should definitely be on your list.
Access to Playa de Benijo requires navigating steep, winding trails through the Anaga National Park, adding an adventurous spirit to the trip. The tides significantly affect the beach’s accessibility, so planning your visit according to tidal tables will allow you to enjoy all the advantages of this location. The lack of infrastructure emphasizes its pristine and wild nature, so it is recommended to bring everything necessary for a comfortable stay.
Breathtaking views of the sunset, the fresh ocean breeze, and the unique black sands make Playa de Benijo the perfect place for those seeking solitude with nature and wanting to enjoy a unique combination of sea and mountain scenery. Visiting this natural landmark during low tide not only ensures safety and convenience but also opens up a magnificent scene for photography and unforgettable experiences, making it a must-see on the list of what to see in the area.
Playa de la Tejita
Playa de La Tejita, located in the municipality of Granadilla de Abona, is famed for its incredible natural beauty and stands as one of the most attractive beaches for those seeking solitude and a natural setting. This expansive beach, with its soft golden sands, stretches for kilometers along the coastline, offering magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Montaña Roja nature reserve. Playa de La Tejita is perfect for those looking for peace and privacy, and its open spaces provide ideal conditions for kite surfing and windsurfing thanks to the consistent winds.
The beach is equipped with necessary amenities for a comfortable stay, including sun loungers, umbrellas, and access to several bars and restaurants nearby. Despite its popularity among tourists and locals, Playa de La Tejita maintains its natural appearance and cleanliness, making it an ideal spot for a day at the beach. Additionally, there is a nudist area adjacent to the beach, attracting a diverse crowd and highlighting the liberal spirit of the area.
A significant feature of Playa de La Tejita is its ecological importance. The beach borders a nature reserve, enriching it with a diverse range of flora and fauna, including rare bird species that can be observed during walks in the area. This makes Playa de La Tejita not just a place for relaxation and sports but also a prime location for ecotourism and nature studies.
For tourists planning a trip to Tenerife, it’s important to know not only what to see, but also how to organise your itinerary to cover as many interesting places as possible. Planning a trip can be a fascinating process, especially when considering where to go for both families with children and independent travellers.
If you’re thinking about where to go in Tenerife, it’s worth considering not only the well-known attractions, but also less popular locations that can offer unique experiences. Planning your itinerary accordingly will allow you to truly immerse yourself in the culture and nature of the island, opening up new horizons and providing educational and recreational opportunities.
What to visit on your own in Tenerife? The answer to this question depends on your interests, whether it’s a beach holiday, exploring historical sites or active tourism. Also, when choosing what to visit for families with children, pay attention to the accessibility and safety of locations, as well as the availability of entertainment and educational programmes.
Visiting Tenerife is an opportunity not only to relax by the sea, but also to actively explore the island, discovering something new every day. When wondering what to visit and what to see, remember that every corner of Tenerife has its own unique history and culture that awaits its explorers.