Places Of Interest In Tenerife

Playa Fanabe Fanabe, the stretch of coast between Playa del Duque and Puerto Colon, is pretty much what you would expect of any sunny beach resort, with lots of hotels and restaurants lining a long beach that is a bit two-tone thanks to a mix of natural black and imported golden sand. Puerto Colon itself has multiple personalities. It's a marina with sleek, expensive yachts and is the best place in the area to arrange whale and dolphin watching trips or diving with a difference using a BOB (breathing observation bubble). The bars at the back of the marina generally cater for holidaymakers looking for British breakfasts and cheap drinks whilst a delightfully kitsch lighthouse on one headland lights up Faro Chill Art. It's one of the coolest bars on Tenerife that, ironically given its holiday resort location, is more popular with Canarians than it is with holidaymakers.

Introduction 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. Lying only 160 miles from the coast of Africa, yet part of Spain, the island offers a fabulous year round sub tropical climate. Tenerife is one of the most complete destinations anywhere in the world, with 3,000 hours of light to enjoy its sun soaked beaches, pine forests, lava covered luna landscapes and unspoiled villages.

Nearly half of the islands natural spaces are protected, and Tenerife truly has something for everyone, both on land and sea. From the warm south coast with its beaches and banana plantations, through 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.

Enjoying seaside life is very easy in Tenerife, with whale and dolphin watching an absolute must, there are many diving centres, marinas and long promenades to take a stroll or enjoy a drink, and most of the seafront areas offer an array of water sports on the south coast.

Tenerife also has a playful side, with plenty of leisure parks, golf courses, and a number of busy resorts offering lively nightlife, from live music bars, to chic nightclubs, cafes and casinos. Restaurants are plentiful, whether you prefer to experience the local cuisine or take a cosmopolitan approach you can find a restaurant from almost any continent.

Whether you are looking to relax, explore, or enjoy activities, the only difficulty you might find is fitting it all in, which is why many people return, at any time of the year.

Resort Introduction Tenerife is the perfect year round destination. From sunbathing to surfing, fine dining to shopping, and whale watching to general sightseeing, tourist attractions are plentiful around Tenerife.

The main resorts on the island are Playa de Arena, Playas de Las Americas and Calleo Salvaje, all located along the west coast of the island, all offering a variety or shops, restaurants, bars and villas, as well as some of the most impressive beaches on the Island.

Las Americas There are many distinct areas to Playa de las Americas making it a great family choice, with everything you need for an enjoyable beach holiday. For teenagers, Playa de las Americas is a lively, cosmopolitan resort with fantastic facilities and vibrant nightlife, with a lot of the action concentrated in a very small area known as Veronicas Strip. By day, there is a huge array of water sports to try. If you want a bit of sophistication, the Mare Nostrum complex is filled with international restaurants and stylish cocktail bars. Or there's the Magma Centre if you fancy a touch of Las Vegas, with top international entertainers and casinos. If retail therapy is your thing, you can go from top notch shopping complexes selling designer clothes, perfume and jewellery to the big sprawling weekly market in nearby Los Cristianos. For small children there are wonderful waterparks such as Aqualand is well worth a visit, with its many pools, slides and even dolphin shows. Then there are zoos, mini golf, nature reserves and all the excitement of the beach.~ Your Villa Plus villa would be slightly out of town, so that you could enjoy the best of all worlds on offer, with something for every generation to write home about.

Candelaria Candelaria's significance stems from its religious connections.

Most importantly - especially for the tourists who flock here by the coach load - 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.

Caserio de Masca The forgotten village. The rural Park of Teno, in the municipality of Buenavista del Norte (the Isla Baja region), is where one can find the deepest ravines of the island. Here, surrounded by amazing escarpments, lies the hamlet of Masca.

This picturesque hamlet is one of the examples of the Canary Island's natural architecture and in principle has been preserved due to the sheer difficulty in gaining access to the hamlet until recent years. The oldest building in the Masca valley is the Casa de los Avinculados, in Caserio de la Piedra. Masca's small 18th century church is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. The Masca ravine is one of the most spectacular in the island. Its descent, down to the sea, is stunning. 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.

Chirche Chirche is a historical village in Tenerife.

The village of Chirche is three kilometres from the town of Guia de Isora, in the district of Guia de Isora. 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.

Every year the small village of Chirche, in the southern district of Guia de Isora, celebrates a peculiar festival base on the daily customs of the village from the first half of the twentieth century. The locals carry out jobs, do household chores and play children's games typical of that period. Craft workshops, exhibitions, Canarian wrestling and a street market selling local products complete this living museum.

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: the town hall, the Church of Our Lady of the Angels, The Museum of History and Natural Sciences, the House of the Marquis of the Fifth Red, the Former Convent of San Fransisco, The Palace of the Counts of La Gomera and the Church of Santa Ana.

The main square is host to many events and craft fares, well worth a visit.

In its short history Garachico has endured Bubonic plague, floods, storms, fires, plagues of locusts and volcanic eruptions, the worst of which in 1706 destroyed a large part of the town and the source of its wealth, the harbour.

What remains is one of Tenerife's prettiest destinations with cobbled streets, two fabulous hotels, coastal sea water swimming pools hewn from volcanic rock and a steadfastly traditional Canarian character.

The sea water rock pools are an absolute must for visitors to Garachico, and at their best when the sun is shining. Wander their paths spotting all sorts of tropical fish under rocks and darting under the surface. In autumn and spring, avoid the high tides as the pools are cordoned off for safety.

La Gomera La Gomera is one of the smaller Canary Islands, based just off the south coast of Tenerife, the main attraction is the breathtaking nature. Wild and fractured landscapes have imprinted the island's picture. The central mountain massif of the Garajonay measures 1487m at its highest peak. Magnificent gorges (barrancos) run through the whole island from here, reaching down to the sea. Moist and evergreen laurel forests, tropic valleys with plantations of bananas and citrus fruits, dry landscapes of rocks with thousands of cacti add up to form a unique vegetation. There are a number of organised coach and jeep excursions that run from Tenerife, alternatively you can hire a car and catch the ferry from Los Cristianos port.

La Hoya La Hoya, in the district of San Miguel de Abona in the South of Tenerife, is a small village that is almost deserted these days. It was one of the first settlements in this area following the conquest and was originally a village inhabited by the Guanches, the aboriginal inhabitants of the island. In La Hoya, the traditional cottages are next to covered plots of land used to produce "tosca" (a type of clay).

La Laguna La Laguna is Tenerife's second most important city. It is the old Capital of the Island (until 1723) and situated just inland from Santa Cruz in the Aguere Valley amid a beautiful countryside. It is also the cultural and religious Capital, due to the fact that it lodges the San Fernando University and the Bishop's Palace. The whole city is full of outstanding architectural monuments, palaces and traditional houses of the 17th and 18th centuries.

Among its religious buildings the most outstanding are the Cathedral, the Santo Domingo Church and the Church of Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion - this latter one has a fine Mudejar carved wooden ceiling and an exceptional Baroque wooden pulpit from the 18 century. One can also find the Church of the Holy Christ and the San Miguel Chapel.

History and art in La Laguna are to be found in the Casa Ossuna Museum, the Friends of the Country Economic Society Museum, the Concepcion Church's Museum and the Cathedral's Museum.

La Orotava On the North West coast of Tenerife, in the valley of the same name, 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 the perfect growing medium for firstly sugar, then vines, both crops yielding fortunes for the wealthy landowners of the town.

Today the slopes of the valley are carpeted with Tenerife's current cash crop - bananas, and the town of La Orotava is still Tenerife's most aristocratic. The streets of the old town 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.

Teide National Park The highest peak in Spain standing at 3718 metres, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, is an absolute must. Beautiful and grandiose, it will make you feel very small.

The Teide National Park in the centre of the island of Tenerife, shelters the best example of the supra-Mediterranean vegetation level. The Mount Teide National Park offers one of the most spectacular examples of volcanism in the world. This National Park, is the largest and the oldest of the National Parks of the Canary Islands. This natural area is surrounded by the Corona Forestal Nature Park, the largest protected natural area of the Canary Islands.

Part of the route can be done by cable car allows anyone, no matter what their physical condition is, to make the scent. The more adventurous can ascend on foot by the path that leaves from the area on Montana Blanca, next to the road. The cable car service, which runs every day if the weather conditions allow, reaches the area known as the Rambleta. The rest of the ascent, must be made on foot. Access to the peak (along the Telesfero Bravo path) is restricted and you need to apply for a permit to reach the summit whether you are on foot or going by cable car.

Permits can be applied for in person, by post, fax or email to the Administrative Office of the Teide National Park, located in the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (permits cannot be granted in the park itself).

If you do not have a permit, you are allowed to go in the direction of the viewpoints for the Fortaleza and the Pico Viejo using other paths that leave from the Rambleta. These offer excellent views.

Puerto De La Cruz Year after year, this small city of roughly 30,000 habitants is a favourite amongst Tenerife's visitors, yet the influx of tourism has not chipped away at Puerto de la Cruz's easy-going, small town personality. Its port village heritage is still easily seen in the little blue and white fishing boats bobbing in the sea as well as in the traditional Canarian aesthetic - colourful stucco homes, vibrant potted flowers, airy balconies - gracing its picturesque streets.

Situated along Tenerife's fascinating northern coastline and at the foot of Mount Teide, Puerto de la Cruz's natural environs - rolling hills, natural parks and banana plantations - provide the stunning backdrop to this unique urban gem. 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 one of Tenerife's best kept secrets, 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 and with all year sunshine and a balmy average annual temperature of 22° Celsius in the shade, Santa Cruz offers the perfect combination of city and sub-tropical island.

Taganana Taganana is a picturesque village located in the Anaga Rural Park, in the district of Santa Cruz e Tenerife. To get to Taganana take the road to El Bailadero from San Andres (a small fishing town seven kilometres from the capital). Taganana is hidden away in a small steep valley and like the rest of the villages in Anaga, preserves the traditions and architecture from the island's past. Another way to get there is via the Las Mercedes Mountains in La Laguna. 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.

Los Cristianos One of the main resorts in the south of Tenerife, and one of the most popular, only 15 minutes drive from the South Airport.

Los Cristianos, originally 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. Popular daily excursions to go Whale &, Dolphin watching also leave from here, and it is the main port for the ferry to the neighbouring island of La Gomera.

Los Cristianos boasts 2 of the best long golden sandy beaches in the south, with a pretty coastal promenade that stretches around to Playa de las Americas, with a view to La Gomera. Los Cristianos has always been well known to families, with children welcome everywhere. 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. Los Cristianos is also a popular place on a Sunday due to the very large market held here, or you can head into the cobbled back streets where you can find many small shops selling everything from handmade jewellery, local crafts, clothes, household items and perfumeries as well as liquor stores to make the most of the duty free shopping.

Chayofa Many consider Chayofa ideally located, being relaxed but with excellent access to the motorway and literally on the doorstep of the main holiday areas and all amenities adding to this decent public transport links making it the perfect all year-round resort.

Costa Adeje There is so much to do here in Costa Adeje, you might just have to stay an extra week - or come back later! From the marina you can go on whale and dolphin catamaran cruises to see which of these amazing creatures you can spot, or discover an underwater world in a glass bottom boat trip. Also on top of the water there are so many new water sports for you to try at Torviscas Beach, and under the water you will love exploring the coastline snorkelling or diving. The marina itself is a great place to sip an espresso while people-watching, and seeing how the other half live on their big shiny yachts. Then there are so many restaurants to try – you will not be doing much cooking! So many beaches, so little time – will you go to the dark volcanic strip at Playa Fanabe or the golden, imported sands Playa del Duque?

La Caleta La Caleta offers you the best of several worlds. From here you can enjoy the best that this hectic coast has to offer, but withdraw to your quiet, tranquil air-conditioned villa, in a place where you stand a chance of seeing the stars at night. The village provides a useful reality check after a day - or night – enjoying the non-stop action of Las Americas. It’s a good place to chill, and if you can tear yourselves away from your private pool, you can enjoy a long leisurely lunch at one of the exceptionally good fish tavernas in the village. ~ La Caleta is at the far end of the promenade that spans almost ten kilometres of Tenerife's southern resorts, right to the foot of Mount Guaza, a blockade of cliffs at the southernmost point of Tenerife. If you have the energy it is an excellent walk. This promenade, known to the local Brits as the Geranium Walk gives you easy access to some of Tenerife's most popular places. There is plenty to keep you busy in this part of the island, with the weekly market at Fanabe, all the mayhem of Las Americas and all the sports you could wish for including water sports galore and the all-important golf courses.

Callao Salvaje Its early days for the resort of Callao Salvaje, which was once a small fishing village less than 20 years ago. Now, a temporary home for tourists and a permanent home for ex-pat Brits, you can still catch fleeting glimpses of the place it used to be, lurking behind the glossy apartments and souvenir shops. The post dinner entertainment caters for youngsters, couples and families alike. Head to the nearby resort of Costa Adeje for live shows, or if you’re looking to sample Tenerife’s vivacious nightlife, grab a cab to Playa de las Americas and enjoy the numerous bars and clubs on the Veronicas strip.

Golf Del Sur Located just 10 minutes drive from the south airport are 2 resorts offering fabulous golf courses.

The main resort of Golf Del Sur is the larger of the 2, Amarilla Golf being the other, smaller resort, with a new marina situated between them. There are plenty of amenities in the resorts, and a natural coastal walkway provides a perfect area to stroll from Amarilla Golf to the Golf del Sur. The area doesn’t have any sandy beaches, however the large natural beaches of El Medano can be found a short drive away.

The area is a perfect base in which to explore the many traditional and small villages that dot this part of the island and the local market can also be found on a Friday in between the 2 resorts.

Playa La Arena Playa de la Arena is characterised by its rugged coastline and black volcanic beach which has held the Blue Flag award for over 25 years! The beach offers sunbed and parasol hire, together with showers and disabled facilities.~ Reina Sofia, Tenerife’s southern airport, is less than 19 miles from Playa de la Arena. The resort is a growing tourist centre but is quieter than some of Tenerife’s more lively resorts, so would suit those in need of a relaxing holiday. From Playa de la Arena you can enjoy the stunning black cliffs, black sandy beaches and little coves that characterise this region of Tenerife. Clear weather permitting, you can see across the water to La Gomera. For watersports, wind surfing and diving lessons, equipments are available, while there are plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants nearby to amuse the family between beach sessions.