Places Of Interest In Tenerife

It's no surprise that Tenerife, the largest and most popular of the volcanic Canary Islands, has been attracting visitors for more than 50 years. Tenerife offers a fabulous year-round sub-tropical climate, meaning there are lots of sunny days to enjoy the island. From the warm south coast with its beaches and banana plantations, through to the world heritage site of the Teide National Park. Picturesque villages and hamlets, historical centres, breathtaking natural spaces, and beautiful gardens and parks, there is plenty to explore. The only difficulty you might find is fitting it all in, which is why many people return, at any time of the year.

Candelaria Candelaria's significance stems from its religious connections, most importantly it's the home of the Basilica and the Black Madonna. The shady streets and squares exude a quiet dignity and are brimming with historical artefacts and architecture. In particular, the renowned Italian sculptor Antonio Canova's ‘El Triunfo de la Candelaria"’(Triumph of the Virgin of Candelaria) creates much interest in its central location overseeing the town's main plaza.

Chirche The historical village of Chirche preserves the typical traditional architecture of the south and nearby are the old ovens where they made roof tiles. These ovens burned wood collected from the pine forests of Mount Tagara, some of the oldest forests on the island. From the high point of the village you can often see the islands of La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro. Don’t miss the annual festival based on the daily customs from the first half of the 20th century, where the locals carry out jobs, household chores and play children's games typical of that period.

Historic Centre of Garachico In the fertile lowlands of Tenerife's North West tip stands the historic village of Garachico. The village square is surrounded by gardens and historic buildings, and is host to many events and craft fairs. In its short history Garachico has endured floods, storms, fires and volcanic eruptions, the worst of which in 1706 destroyed a large part of the town and the harbour. What remains is one of Tenerife's prettiest destinations with cobbled streets, coastal sea water swimming pools hewn from volcanic rock and a steadfastly traditional Canarian character.

Las Americas Playa de las Americas is a lively, cosmopolitan resort with fantastic facilities, making it a great destination for the whole family. Known for its vibrant nightlife, there is a wide choice of restaurants, bars and clubs. By day, there is a huge array of water sports to try as well as wonderful waterparks such as Aqualand, with its many pools, slides and even dolphin shows. You’ll also find zoos, mini golf, nature reserves and all the excitement of the beach, plus a great selection of shopping centres.

La Caleta The charming fishing village of La Caleta is well-known for its cuisine, with a number of exceptionally good fish tavernas. offers you the best of several worlds. Offering a quieter refuge to the neighbouring resort of Costa Adeje, La Caleta is at the far end of the promenade known as the Geranium Walk. Spanning over 6 miles of Tenerife's southern resorts, it is an excellent walk with beautiful sea views.

La Gomera La Gomera is one of the smaller Canary Islands, based just off the south coast of Tenerife. The main attraction is the spectacular nature and wild landscapes of the Garajonay National Park. Reaching 1487m at its highest peak, gorges run through the whole island from here, reaching down to the sea. Laurel forests offer a unique vegetation, which remains almost permanently shrouded in clouds and mist. There are a number of organised that run from Tenerife, or you can hire a car and catch the ferry from Los Cristianos port.

La Laguna La Laguna, the old capital until 1723, is Tenerife's second most important city and home to many of the island’s religious buildings, including the Bishop's Palace. The city is full of architectural monuments, palaces, and traditional houses of the 17th and 18th centuries. Be sure to visit the Cathedral, the Santo Domingo Church and the Church of Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion, as well as the Church of the Holy Christ and the San Miguel Chapel.

La Orotava The town of La Orotava was home to many of the island's wealthiest and noblest families who settled here after the Spanish conquest. The valley's fertile slopes were perfect for growing crops, yielding fortunes for the wealthy landowners of the town. Today the crop of the valley is bananas, and the town is still Tenerife's most aristocratic. The streets are lined with Renaissance mansions and awash with architectural treasures. There are beautiful churches and convents, independent and exclusive shops, elegant restaurants and beautiful gardens. Leave yourself plenty of time to explore.

Los Cristianos Los Cristianos, formerly a quiet fishing village, is centred around the original harbour area. The harbour is still home to a number of small fishing boats, which sell their daily catch amongst a few small stalls. A wealth of Spanish and international bars, restaurants and cafes line the streets, and you can head to the main square for the local fiestas and traditional entertainment. Don’t miss the Sunday market held here, or browse the shops lining the cobbled back streets selling everything from handmade jewellery, local crafts, clothes and perfumeries.

Masca The rural park of Teno is where one can find the deepest ravines of the island. Here, surrounded by amazing escarpments, lies the hamlet of Masca - the forgotten village. This picturesque hamlet is one of the examples of the Canary Island's natural architecture and has been preserved due to the sheer difficulty in gaining access to the hamlet until recent years. The Masca ravine is one of the most spectacular in the island, with a stunning descent down to the sea. Many of the organised excursions end at the beach at the bottom of the ravine, where a boat collects trekkers to take them back to one of the coastal towns.

Puerto De La Cruz Year after year, this small city is a favourite amongst Tenerife's visitors. Its heritage is still easily seen in the little blue and white fishing boats bobbing in the sea as well as in the traditional Canarian houses with vibrant potted flowers lining the picturesque streets. Situated along the northern coastline, rolling hills, natural parks and banana plantations provide a stunning backdrop. Puerto de la Cruz was declared a city of Tourist Interest back in 1955, and with one visit to this traditional yet modern town you'll see why.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife The capital city of Santa Cruz is a bustling, vibrant port city, set at the foot of the stunning Anaga Mountains. With its roots steeped in history and its outlook resolutely on the 21st century, this is a city that has everything for the discerning traveller. Santa Cruz offers beach, plazas, parks, museums, shopping, theatre, art, fine dining and a lively nightlife. It's large enough to provide an endless variety of things to do and see, yet compact enough to explore on foot and by tram.

Taganana Taganana is a picturesque village located in the Anaga Rural Park. Hidden away in a small steep valley, the village preserves the traditions and architecture from the island's past. Among its few buildings, Taganana has a small church in honours of "Nuestra Senora de las Nieves". It is one of the oldest churches on the island and inside there is an authentic artistic treasure, a valuable triptych by the 16th century Flemish School. Surrounding the village, there is the natural beauty of the Anaga Massif with its leafy laurisilva forests, deserted beaches and spectacular rocks.

Teide National Park Teide National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the highest peak in Spain standing at 3718 metres. Located in the centre of the island, Mount Teide is said to be one of the most spectacular examples of volcanism in the world. A cable car service reaches the area known as the Rambleta, or the more adventurous can walk. Here you’ll find paths leading to spectacular viewpoints. The Telesfero Bravo path is restricted, and you need to apply for a permit to reach the summit.

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