Tenerife is a travel temptation in any month of the year, but it's especially alluring in the cold of winter, since it's milder climate seems downright luxurious. Temperatures are typically above 20 degrees, and the variety of tropical landscapes offers up enriching treasures underneath the infinite sunlight.
Get relaxation in one of the chic beach resorts, go exploring across diverse terrain, descend into gorges that induce vertigo, eat some fresh fish, or go surfing just off of black-sanded beaches. Tenerife has 785 square miles of adventure to enjoy. First, make sure you visit Tenerife Forum to get your feet wet after reading the article below.
The South And North Are Entirely Different Worlds
Tenerife has two main cities. The first is the former capital, La Laguna, and the second is the modern capital of Santa Cruz. The drive between them is not even a full hour, but their respective landscapes are quite different. The northside of the island is very green and tropical, while the south is more like a dry desert. Four out of five visitors head south for limitless beaches of golden sand and guaranteed sun, although there is wild to explore in the north. Beaches of black volcanic sand are sometimes only accessible to those on foot.
Bring Hiking Boots
Mount Teide is a volcano that hasn't erupted since 1909. It's Spain's tallest peak, and the planet's third-largest volcanic structure. There is a free permit you must apply for ahead of time to hike the 3178-meter summit. However, the lower side is already accessible. Alternatively, you can take a cable car up to Rambleta station, which is within 700 feet of the summit.
Clear days yield views of four other islands: La Gomera, El Hierro, La Palma, and Gran Canaria. The volcano and its surrounding areas were declared a National Park back in 1954, and they joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites later in 2007. Specific sites worth packing hiking boots for include the Anaga Mountains fairy forests, the Los Gigantes cliffs, the Masca gorge, and a dozen endemic species, including alheli flowers, found along many trails through the arid landscapes of harsh environments.
Get Cheap Eats At The Guachinches
Wine producers often needed places to sell their own produce, and makeshift restaurants called guachinches wound up being the answer. Traditionally, these are found on the northside of the island. Always try the house wine and homemade food, which is usually offered in smaller portions like tapas so it can complement the wine.
Plates might include things like carne de fiesta (spiced pork), carne cabra (goat's meat), conejo en salmorejo (rabbit), or garbanzos (chickpeas), although there are many others. Guachinces often come simple and small, sometimes even in a converted garage, which means they're a good option to explore Tenerife's local soul. Guachapp is an app you can download to find the best options.
If you'd rather just wing it or go with your gut, keep your eyes open for signs that say 'guachinche' or even 'se vende vino' (wine sold here).
Absorb Local Culture In Colonial La Laguna
One of Tenerife's main hubs of culture is the colonial town of La Laguna, which was founded in the latter half of the 15th century. With 1999 inclusion to the UNESCO World Heritage site list, La Laguna proves to be a primarily low-rise town home to the university among much colour and elegance.
It's easy to explore the Nava Place, the Santa Catalina de la Siena convent, the cathedral, and the San Miguel chapel given the pedestrianised main streets welcome to those on foot. If you've visited any colonial cities of Latin America, you might recognise their foundations, considering how many were modelled on La Laguna's city planning.
Enjoy Local Wine
Tenerife is quickly becoming an actual wine destination, and it's not a fluke. The island takes pride not so much in having fertile volcanic soil that makes for PDO-recognised wine production area, but the fact that there are five of them! Tacoronte Acentejo was the first such area to achieve this protected status, and it currently features the highest number of all vineyards across the entire archipelago.
If you want to get great views of Mount Teide while learning about Tenerife's winemaking traditions, then the scenic village of El Sauzal is where to go to visit the La Casa Del Vino. Bodega Monje is a family-operated winery that's been in business all the way back since 1750, and its guided tours are well worth it.
Enjoy One Of The Planet's Best Climates
The Canary Islands are sometimes called the 'Fortunate Islands." It might have something to do with the 3,500 annual years of sunshine, but the average 23-degree temperatures don't hurt. Add in unique diversity, and all things are possible. You don't have to consult forecasts to make plans, and plenty of activities are waiting for you here.
You can spend your morning hiking Spain's tallest peak, followed by a swim to cool off. Take a mid-day break by lunching in a seaside restaurant and then work it all off with the incomparable adrenaline of kitesurfing.
Take a look at the ultimate Tenerife weather guide for more information about the island weather.
Get Hooked On Regional Cuisine
The last few years have witnessed a resurgence of Tenerife cuisine. A growing number of restaurants are turning away from food offerings normally catered to tourists so they can instead put an emphasis on the traditions of local cuisine.
If you look over menus here, check out things like the local cherne or vieja fish, 'mojo verde' sauce or spicy 'mojo picon' and 'papas negras arrugadas' (which are wrinkled black potatoes). Desserts should be sweetly spiced rice pudding, such as gofio mousse or frangollo that's made using local flour.
Bananas are the definitive fruit of this island in terms of the local produce. You might never find a better banana, and fresh papaya and avocados are just as pretty. Tequeste has a great farmer's market if you want to grab some things for a beach picnic.
Hire Yourself A Car
When you have your own car, you can see and do anything and everything you want on your own schedule. It's an affordable way of exploring a lot of this island.
We recommend AutoReisen for the best car rental service.
Enjoy Postcard Perfection Sunset Events
Imagine the view of a burning sky with an endless Atlantic Ocean around the sight of the ever-defiant Mount Teide sitting in the middle of it all. If you want great spots for chasing a sunset, look around the volcano, but also check out various beaches; the Anaga-area Benijo is a good spot.
If you want some ideal scenery for sundowner cocktails, then Las Terrazas del Saual is a good a place as any.
Difference Between Leche Y Leche And Barraquito
You'll find brews unknown or new to you when you order coffee in Tenerife. You should certainly sample two of the local specialties: leche y leche and barraquito. Leche y leche is a coffee that has both regular milk and condensed milk.
Alternatively, barraquito is a layered concoction with either Tia Maria or Licor 43, along with lemon peel, coffee, milk, ground cinnamon, and condensed milk. It should come as no surprise that both land heavily on the sweet side, so taste them before you add any sugar.
Put Your Gaze Towards The Sky
The Canarian Institute of Astrophysics has called Tenerife home for more than four decades. Alongside places such as Hawaii, Tenerife is among the planet's best places for doing things like Stargazing. Laws have protected the pitch-black Canarian skies going back to 1992, and astral aficionados can find guided tours available at the Teide Observatory.
Explore An Amazing Underworld
The largest lava cave of Europe is found in the Icod de los Vinos district. This town is famous for an ancient dragon tree named 'Drago Milenario,' which legend has it is anywhere from one to three millennia of age.
La Cueva del Viento means 'cave of the wind,' and it's a subterranean labyrinth of at least 10 miles of known passages, with much more yet to be explored or found.
There are many reasons why Tenerife is so popular. Many people move to Tenerife every year and appreciate the better lifestyle they now have.
Will you be one of them?
For the latest news, check Tenerife Weekly.
