Tenerife.

Where is Tenerife located?

Tenerife or the island of "eternal spring", as it is called for its comfortable warm climate, is not only the largest island in the Canary Islands archipelago, but also the most populous in Spain. The distance from Tenerife to the coast of West Africa is only 350 km and it is the only European resort where the beach season does not end when winter comes.

More than 5 million tourists from all over the world come to Tenerife every year. It has a perfectly balanced climate, well-developed infrastructure and lots of ways to have a great time.

Tenerife airports

Tenerife is served by two airports at once. Southern airport, having the second official name in honor of Queen Sofia of Spain, is focused on working with international flights. Northern airport is relatively small, its main task is serving domestic flights. Both airports are comfortable and have all the necessary infrastructure: a first-aid post, banks, cafes, a VIP room, a children's playground, a duty-free zone and much more.

Buses run from both airports both to the island's capital and to the beach resorts. You can also rent a car or take a taxi at the airport. Getting to your destination will not be difficult by taxi, or using rented or public transport.

Tenerife has a well-developed bus network with routes running throughout the island. This is an affordable and inexpensive way to travel. It is easy to find the bus you need. Buses are always green with the route indicated on the board. The fare around the city is less than 2 euros, and the ticket price between cities or resorts is from 2 to 14 euros.

Ways of payment:

Cash.

Upon entering the bus, you can pay the driver in cash. Do not forget to change large denomination bills, as you may not be accepted for more than 20 euros.

Bono cards.

These are special cards that will save you from 20 to 50% on travel. You can buy a card at bus stations or in tourist shops.

Several important rules:

If you are waiting for a bus at an uncrowded stop, raise your hand when the bus approaches, so the bus driver will definitely not pass by. To get off the bus, you need to give a signal to the driver in advance using the button on the handrail.

Tram service is available only in the capital of the island of Santa Cruz. The entire route is only 21 stops and ends in La Laguna, the old capital of Tenerife.

Car rental in Tenerife

If you plan to travel a lot around the island, we recommend renting a car. Tenerife has a wide range of rental companies and offers: an inexpensive VW Polo, a roomy minivan or a comfortable sedan, you choose. Renting a car is more expensive in summer than in winter.

Be careful on the roads and observe the speed limit - roads are equipped with surveillance cameras. Permitted speed: on highways - 120 km / h, on the streets of settlements - 50 km / h, outside the city - 90. Do not forget to fasten yourself and passengers with seat belts - the fine for this rule violation is 200 euros.

Tenerife cities

The capital of Tenerife, Santa Cruz de Tenerife is located in the north of the island. Despite being the largest city in Tenerife, it can be walked on. Colonial-style buildings are well preserved in the center of Santa Cruz, and the main pedestrian street of the capital, Calle Castillo, is full of tourist life. The city's central market is located nearby.

There are two completely different, but very beautiful beaches near the city: the black volcanic Taganana beach and the only yellow sand beach in Tenerife - Las Teresitas. This is an artificial beach - the sand to this beach was brought from the African Sahara. Every year the capital hosts a grandiose carnival.

The northern cities also include: La Laguna, Puerto Cruz, Orotava, Garachico. San Cristobal de la Laguna is the old capital of the island, the city was founded after the conquest of Tenerife in the 15th century. Now the city is included in the UNESCO lists and is the spiritual center of Tenerife due to its unique architecture.

There is no main city on the southern coast; the tourist center is represented by several resorts of Tenerife: Cristianos, Americas and the Costa Adeje coast.

Weather in Tenerife

Tenerife has gained particular popularity precisely because of its mild climate: summer here is without sultry heat, and winter is without cold weather. It is believed that the climate in Tenerife is the most favorable for people of all ages: it is always warm here and the average annual temperature range is minimum. This is a European resort where the beach season lasts a whole year, because even in winter the air here warms up to +22 ° С and higher.

For winter vacation in Tenerife, it is better to consider the south of the island, where it is much warmer and sunnier, and rains are unlikely. Mountain ridges prevent the cool winds from reaching the southern beaches. In general, winter is a great time to relax in Tenerife: prices are lower, there are fewer tourists, the weather is great. Even in January and February, the air temperature will be around 21-25 degrees. Yet, for an evening walk or excursion to the mountains, it is worth bringing a windbreaker or sweater.

Entertainment in Tenerife

Thanks to the developed tourist infrastructure in Tenerife, anyone can find activities on the island by interests: from active sports to relaxing on the beach.

Trekking

The recreation in Tenerife is inextricably linked with ecotourism. All conditions for walking routes of any complexity are created there. You can go to Teno National Park and walk among the unique forests, climb the top of Teide volcano or walk along the bottom of the Masca Gorge. Comfortable shoes will definitely not be superfluous.

Water sports

El Medano in Tenerife is the center of surfing and kiting. The constantly blowing wind creates favorable conditions for boarding. And in the vicinity of the capital, Santa Cruz, there are several diving centers.

Excursions

A large selection of group or individual excursions in Tenerife can be knocked down, so we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the best places to visit in advance.

Fishing

Connoisseurs of fishing will be delighted with a boat trip to special fishing places, where there are a lot of fish and fishing is allowed.

What is worth visiting in Tenerife?

• Teno National Natural Park

One of the main attractions of Tenerife is the beautiful Teno Park, which is located in the northwestern part of the island. Unique laurel forests have been preserved on the island, as well as many animals and birds of endangered species live there.

There are two tourist centers in the park: El Portillo and Cañadas Blanca, where it is possible to get information about hiking trails, flora and fauna of the island. Both centers are open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

• Mask Gorge

Next to Teno Park is the small village of Masca. The tourist trail begins exactly from there. It will lead you to the ocean shore along the bottom of the picturesque gorge. The round trip takes about 6 hours (7 km). Most tourists prefer to go only one way, and return back by boat or by car.

• Volcano Teide 

The huge volcano Teide, which is located in the eponymous Teide nature reserve, is a visiting card of the island of Tenerife. The height of the volcano reaches 3500m. We especially recommend climbing the volcano in spring - unique endemic plants bloom on the slopes in April.

The higher you climb to the volcano, the more the landscape looks like Martian or Lunar. This impression is enhanced by the bulk of the pumice fields. With its unearthly landscape, the Ucanca Valley is often used as the setting for Hollywood science fiction films. You can get to the volcano top by car, and further by cable car.

• Loro Park Zoo

It is rightfully considered the best zoo in Europe, its territory covers 13.5 hectares. Loro Parque is located in Puerto de la Cruz in the north of Tenerife. The park combines a botanical and a zoological garden, a zoo, an aquarium and a dolphinarium, an orchid garden, a porcelain parrot museum and even a cinema.

In different parts of the park, musical performances are held daily: seals, dolphins, killer whales and parrots. The show is included in the park ticket. Be sure to visit the aquarium located near the exit. Lots of marine life, including terrifying sharks, will swim right over your head through the glass tunnel.

Tigers and jaguars, chimpanzees and marmozets, a couple of sloths and red pandas, crocodiles and turtles, as well as many other adorable animals, live on the territory of Loro Parque in tropical vegetation.

• Siam Park Water Park

The largest water entertainment center Siam Park is located in the Costa Adeje resort. In an area of more than 185,000 sq. m. there are 15 water attractions: extreme water slides with sharp turns, a "lazy river" for those who love a quiet rest, and, of course, children's slides. Some rides are included in the record books.

The park itself is very green and is literally deep in tropical plants. It's easy to get there - a free bus runs there from the southern resorts and the journey takes about 10 minutes. You can buy a ticket on the official website or at the entrance to the park. Buying a TWIN TICKET for two parks (+ Loro Parque), you can save 10 euros for adults and 6.5 euros for children.

• Pyramids of Guimar

In the south-east of Tenerife, not far from Costa Adeje, there are 6 stepped pyramids. There is still controversy around these mysterious pyramids. Scientists are sure that the pyramids are the result of the work of farmers, others are sure that the pyramids were used for ritual ceremonies.

• Beaches of Tenerife

The highlight of the Canary Islands is the black volcanic beaches. Thanks to the minerals and the warmth, volcanic beaches are considered healthy and treat many joint diseases naturally. There are no private beaches on the island, so everyone can relax on the beach they like for free, including the beaches near hotels. On the official beaches there are equipped showers, it is possible to rent an umbrella or sunbed, lifeguards are on duty.

Las Teresitas Beach is the largest beach with golden sand located near the capital of the island. The sand for this beach was brought by barges from the African Sahara. And the most popular beach in the south of Tenerife is Playa Arena, a volcanic beach with black sand. For 20 years this beach has been awarded the Blue Ribbon for its cleanliness.

El Medano beach is a water sports center. Many people call this bay “surfer's paradise”: a long coastline, incessant trade winds. There are specialty shops, surf and kitesurf schools on the shore.

Tenerife has 70 km of beaches in total. The most popular wide beaches with warm sea and various services on the coast are located in the south of the island: the resorts of Las Americas, Costa Adeje and Los Crestianos.

Yacht renting in Tenerife

The Canary Islands archipelago disposes to rent a yacht and go on a journey from island to island. As part of a weekly trip, you can visit 2-3 islands, in two weeks you can see all 7 islands (check out our itineraries). The island has a well-developed yacht infrastructure: renting a yacht or catamaran in Tenerife is not difficult.

A day yacht charter in the Canary Islands is a great way to spend a day out in the ocean watching whales and dolphins. Yachting in Tenerife is possible, both as part of a combined crew (see our schedule), and entirely by your own company. You can rent a yacht in Tenerife with or without skipper. Email us to find out more.