TENERIFE - WHAT YOU CAN SEE OR DO WHEN YOU GET HERE

TEIDE NATIONAL PARK

Declared a national park in 1954, the Parque Nacional de las Cañadas del Teide includes an enormous volcanic crater 48 km in circumference, out of which rises Mount Teide (pronounced the same as Lady) at a staggering 3.718 metres, making it the highest mountain in the whole of Spain.

The park itself lies at around 2000 metres above sea level and in winter snow falls, gale winds blow and the roads are sometimes closed off. During the summer months this arid landscape which gives the impression of having walked into a cowboy movie, can reach temperatures above 40C.

Access to the now extinct volcano is either by foot or by cable car that will carry you almost to the very summit. From the peak, on a clear day, you are in heaven and have breathtaking views of Gran canaria, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro. This is the Canary Islands most visited tourist attraction and must not be missed.

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LORO PARQUE

Regardless of your age you will be fascinated by Loro Parque. Originally a Parrot Park, it has now grown into Tenerife's second biggest attraction after mount Teide.

The Loro parque is home to the worlds most important Parrot collection with over 300 species, an amazing Sea-Lion show, Dolphin Show, Parrot Show, Aquarium with Shark tunnel, Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Tigers, Jaguars, Flamingos, Alligators, Tortoises, Orchid House, Gambian Market, a 'NaturaVision' Cinema and the worlds largest Penguinarium with a reproduction Antarctic climate within which 12 tons of snow falls a day.

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BARANCO DEL INFIERNO

In spite of its fearsome name 'Hells Gorge', this lush green ravine is an oasis in the harsh and arid south Tenerife landscape. It is the only location you will find natural running water.

It has become a walker's paradise and is popular as a morning track as the entire stretch (there and back) takes only two and a half hours and can be enjoyed before the midday sun reaches its peak. Also many parts of the walk are within the deep ravine that sometimes grows quite dark and cool.

The walks end at a waterfall that is not particularly exciting in it but it's quite unexpected in such a dry landscape.

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THE BEACHES

What else can you find in an island that has almost 365 days of sunshine and mild temperatures, besides the museums and the "normal" places of interest? The beaches of course!

Tenerife has created some high quality, man made beaches, most of a fine black shingle or sand. These are mainly around the major tourist resorts. Most have good access, meet stringent European standards of cleanliness and most offer shower facilities, sun beds, shades and water-sports.

Here are some of the beaches you will find on your way around the island:

Playa de Las Teresitas

This is a very nice man made beach. It was enlarged in 1973 with the addition of golden yellow sand that was imported from the antique Spanish province of Sahara. Some 4 million sacks of sand were brought in.

There are always some activities like beach volley, aerobics, etc. Facilities are quite good and there are some bars and simple restaurants. There are plenty of palm trees providing shade for the most sensitive on this wide beach, 1.5 km long.

This is the most popular beach on the island and we understand why. It offers the best!

Playa de Las Americas

Playa de Las Americas is the most famous tourist area, and so this is where you will find plenty of small beaches, protected by long breakwaters to stop the made up sand banks being washed away.Being an area with a large number of tourists, always count on meeting a considerable crowd on the beaches. The great thing about this area is that all beaches are just a footstep away from each other.This is the place to practise all kinds of water sports and enjoy lovely scenery, much more attractive than any description

Los Cristianos

What used to be a fishing village has today become one of the biggest holiday areas, with some large beaches including a new man made beach.One of its beaches is 400 m long and 100m wide, which makes it one of the safest for bathers and especially for children

El Médano

If windsurfing runs on your blood, then this is the place for you. Usually a windy beach, this place near the airport, can sometimes be uncomfortable for bathers, but is the perfect place for international windsurfing competitions.Part of this beach is used by naturists

Playa San Marcos

Another fishing village, 20 km west of Puerto de la Cruz, with a nice black sand beach fringed by rocks. Except for weekends, this one is usually calm and not overcrowded, plus you have small restaurants along the beach.

Playa Jardin

And the dish of the day on Tenerife seems to be the man made beaches. So, here is another one!

Divided in three parts by the rocks, we suggest that you walk to the last beach, best for swimming and walking. This is where you can also find a cascade, a sure winner among children.

This beach has been awarded the European Blue Flag.

Lago Martianez

The public complex of Costa Martiánez, pride of Puerto de la Cruz, is one of the most admired examples of man-made coastal transformation.

The creation of this exceptional masterpiece was adapted to the traditional Canary architecture and complemented with original sculptures and some horticultural elements.

Its artificial lake which contains some 27.000 m3 of sea water, highlights the rest of the pools, four for adults and three for children's use, all of them showing original layout and beauty.

El Bullullo

To get to El Bullullo (La Orotava) from Puerto de la Cruz you can walk through the banana plantations and up and down the cliffs for about 45 minutes, or you can just drive, or take a taxi for about 800 pesetas. No matter how you get there you will certainly remember your journey for years to come. A bar is located by the beach and there are some basic facilities. Nice clean beach with great waves.

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LUNAR LANDSCAPE

Tenerife is indeed a continent in miniature... and more. Bizarre natural rock formations have created a lunar landscape that will really make you feel as though you are walking on the moon.

Not a trip for the easily winded, but certainly worthwhile for any walking enthusiast. To get there, head towards mount Teide from Los Cristianos. Halfway to Teide you will encounter Spain's highest town 'Vilaflor'. At over 1400 metres above sea level, is a quiet town surrounded by pine trees and almond trees, with an outstanding typical architecture: the parish church and the old Palace of the Lords of this area of Tenerife.

About two kilometres beyond the town you turn right at an easily missed sign 'Lomo Blanco'. After a steady half hour drive along this dirt track you will encounter a sign 'Paisaje Lunar' (Lunar Landscape). Park your car and walk the rest of the way (40 minutes).

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THE CLIFFS OF LOS GIGANTES

The Cliffs of the Giants (Acantilados de los Gigantes) are remarkably sheer rock walls that plunge into the ocean a quarter of the way down the west coast of Tenerife. Massive cliffs drop almost sheer into the sea from a height of 500m and 800m in some places.Across the small bay lies the little port and resort town of Los Gigantes and, virtually linked to it, Puerto de Santiago.The only way for you to get closer to these amazing cliffs is by boat. Once there, you will get the real notion of the greatness within those walls and maybe understand why ancestors considered them sacred. See, they thought the world ended here and who can blame them?

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PYRAMIDS AT GUMAR

Archaeologists and authorities scoffed when a local newspaper published an article claiming to have discovered mysterious step-pyramids on the island of Tenerife. Just more agricultural stone terraces they said, such as are common throughout the Canaries.

But Thor Heyerdahl thought differently. Dr. Heyerdahl, who has done extensive research on the pyramids of Tucume in Peru, was intrigued by photos of the site, and on visiting the valley of Güímar to see for himself, he was no longer in any doubt.

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ANAGA MOUNTAINS

The Anaga Mountains constitute an extensive protected area of high ecological value. These beautiful mountains boast a wide botanical wealth, with one of the most representative samples within the entire archipelago.

Along the mountains you will find places of natural and scenic interest, such as Roques de Anaga, reshaped by erosion and where you can see lots of archaeological remains.

A spectacular trip leads up the 'Barranco de Las Huertas' to cross the Anaga range, where you will have the chance to enjoy breathtaking views over the craggy north coast.

Despite its great beauty, the panoramic Anaga Mountains region is still relatively unexplored and small villages, cut off from the main roads provide for a genuinely "Hidden Tenerife". In these villages it’s still possible for you to find people living in adapted caves.

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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 XVII and XVIII centuries.

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

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LA OROTAVIA

The Villa de la Orotava lies on the banana plantations of the Valley which bears its same name. This old town distinguishes itself by its magnificent and monumental architectonic structures, by its characteristic well-shaded Canarian patios, squares and ancestral mellow houses.

The old historic centre - declared monument of artistic national interest - should certainly be visited. The Concepción Parish Church is also a national monument. The Casa de los Balcones ('balconies' house) is a jewel of the Island's traditional architecture. In La Orotava one can also find the Documentation Research Centre of Spanish and American crafts.

In the Orotava mountains there are many tourist paths where one can enjoy tracking excursions - some of which reach the great Cañadas del Teide, a protected National Park area.

The town also has a botanical garden - "La Hijuela del Botánico" - with more than 3,000 different tropical and subtropical plant species mainly of South and Central American, African and Australian origin. In the city centre one can also find the Jardín Victoria (Victorian Garden) - a recreational green area with many walking paths amid trees and flowers with its famous Carrara Marble Mausoleum designed by the French architect Adolph Coquet in 1882.La Orotava offers three beautiful dark-sand beaches - El Bullulllo, Martín Alonso and El Rincón - all of which are rarely crowded.

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PUERTO DE LA CRUZ

Puerto de la Cruz is one of the top resorts in the Canary Islands. It is also the longest established most complete of all resorts on Tenerife. The Old Town is very pretty in parts and it is one of the few resorts where the locals still work, eat and drink. Much of the area around the old fishing port is full of narrow cobbled streets packed with colonial architecture.

Tourism was born here over a century ago by the British and today 'Puerto' has a wide span of magnificent hotels to suit all tastes and budgets. In addition to its old world charms it offers some of the best visitor attractions in the islands.

Here are just a few:
Lago Martianez (Lido/Pool Martianez)
Loro Parque (Parrot Park)
Playa Jardín (Sand Beach)
Bananera El Guanche (Banana Plantation and Gardens)
Parque Taoro (Park & Gardens)
Jardin Botánico (Botanical gardens)

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SANTA CRUZ

Santa Cruz is both the administrative centre of the western Canary Islands and the capital of Tenerife. Located on the northeast cost it is a bustling city and shipping port (one of the busiest in Spain and deepest in the world). The enormous harbour holds many container ships, cruise liners and inter island jet foils and ferries.

Situated in a large natural bay, it has a stunning backdrop of mountains (Anaga mountains) that are over 1000 metres high. The city does not offer very much for the sightseeing tourist but is an excellent base for exploring the northeast of the island.

Shopping is excellent and most visitors begin at the Plaza de España on the seafront and work their way up Plaza de Candelaria, which offers excellent international brands at 'tax free' prices.

The Island Tourist Board is located in the city and here you can collect maps, street plans and other information.

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NORTHWEST TENERIFE

The Northwestern area of Tenerife is fascinating to explore. The Teno Hills are stunningly beautiful and there exist charming towns such as Garachico and Icod de los Vinos.

Garachico is a small fishing port that was almost totally destroyed by lava flowing down to the sea in 1706. The lava solidified and formed a small peninsula upon which parts of Garachico were rebuilt. The most well known survivor of this volcanic outburst is the beautifully preserved Castle of St. Michael (Castillo de San Miguel).

Among the many wonderful places to explore along Tenerife's north coast is the quaint town of Icod de Los Viños. This is one of the Tenerife's oldest towns, with a famous dragon tree (Drago Milenario) as the main attraction. This tree is known to be over 1000 years old, although its real age remains a mystery. No matter what, the important thing about this tree is really its beauty.

Besides several attractions such as the convent of San Augustin, the church of San Marcos and the Mariposario del Drago (tropical garden with butterflies), as you would expect, just a few kilometres outside the town you will find a wonderful little beach - San Marcos.

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LOS CRISTIANOS

Los Cristianos is situated 15 km's west of the southern airport (Reina Sofía).This is without a doubt one of the most popular resorts on the Canary Islands. The artificial beaches are very nice and it has a wonderful harbour that offers fishing trips, pleasure cruises, glass bottom boats, diving excursions and ferries to La Gomera.

Los Cristianos tends to attract a slightly older holidaymaker in comparison to Playa de las Américas and has managed to keep a little of its original architecture and atmosphere as a quaint fishing village. But you will need to look hard!

What you will easily find is year round sunshine and a vast array of Pubs, clubs, shops, restaurants (English and German too) and boisterous nightlife.

The nearby AquaPark Octopus is a must for any family. Believe us, your kids could spend their whole holiday there.

Tenerife Zoo and the Eagles Park are also within easy reach of Los Cristianos.

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PLAYA DE LAS AMERICAS

Playa de las Américas is a tourist mecca built in the late 1960's and neighbours Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje. Virtually free from anything Canarian, this is the place for North Europeans to come and party.

With row upon row of British Pubs, Fish and Chip parlours, Pizza parlours and other fast food outlets - this is a real home from home for those that don't like Spanish Food and want to spend their nights in the coolest hot spots and their days on the beach sleeping off the nights.

For Sun & Fun this is paradise for the young, but the nice artificial beaches are full and the nights are never ending bright lights and noise.

If you feel you may not be spirited enough to enjoy Playa de las Américas - go somewhere else on the island.

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AQUA PARK

This aquatic park situated not far from Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americas (5 minutes) is the focal point for sun seekers and water babes.

The park boasts a Dolphin show, Dolphin lake, children's area and the most amazing assortment of water rides and slides, pools, sun bed areas and restaurants, shops and snack bars.

A free shuttle bus service leaves both Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americas every day. Ask at reception for departure times.

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MASCA

Masca is one of the most picturesque parts of the island and is the tip of the northwest that is covered by the Teno Mountains.

Deep ravines interlaced with lush green flora accompany the winding roads. The road leading from Buenavista del Norte passes along narrow hairpin bends towards the village of Masca.

It was until recently virtually unknown, but has now become a centre of attraction for those touring the island. The setting of the village is magical and its houses perch precariously on the narrow ridges of dramatic rock formations.

Reputed to have been a Pirate hideaway, the small Bay of Masca on the coast is a three-hour walk from the village through stunning scenery.

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PLACES OF INTEREST TO SEE