Tenerife Holidays

Siam Park – This huge, Thai-themed waterpark is the biggest in Europe, and it’s got something for all ages – you can relax on the lazy river, brave the nearly vertical Tower of Power, or check out the Wave Palace, home to the largest artificial waves in the world. There’s also a manmade beach, with real white sand, plus plenty more slides, flumes and splash parks just for little ones.

Katandra Treetops at Loro Parque – Climb up through the treetops in this walk-through aviary and see which birds you can spot – it’s just like being in a rainforest.

Teide National Park – A UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to Mount Teide, Spain's highest peak. Get the best views of the volcano on a cable car ride and take in the volcanic landscapes, including lava fields and craters, or set off on a hike to see it all up close.

Los Gigantes Cliffs – Known as ‘The Giants’, these towering cliffs jut out of the ocean along Tenerife’s west coast. Hire a kayak and make your way along the base of the cliffs or take a boat tour to combine them with wild dolphin and whale-watching.

Tenerife Strip, Las Veronicas – Playa de las Americas is the place to go if you fancy a proper night out. Head to the Strip, where you’ll find everything from Irish pubs and karaoke bars to all-nighter clubs.

Piramide de Arona, Las Americas – For a more low-key evening, head to Piramide de Arona in Playa de las Americas. This huge pyramid, with a temple-style entrance, looks like something from Las Vegas and has regular events like the famous Carmen Mota Flamenco Show.

Beach bars, Costa Adeje – The beachfront along Playa del Duque is lined with stylish bars and clubs. Places like Kaluna Beach Club and Monkey Beach Club are great options for drinks, music and catching the sunset.

Salsa bars, Santa Cruz – Visit one of the capital’s salsa clubs and show the locals your moves – Casablanca Disco Bar is a Canarian institution.

Siam Mall – This mall in Adeje is where you’ll find popular brands from back home, with over 70 shops like Zara, Mango and Guess, as well as fast food chains and other restaurants. It’s all open-air and set in tropical gardens.

Los Cristianos Market – Held on Tuesdays and Sundays, this large, open-air market is one of the biggest in Tenerife. You can find everything from clothes and jewellery to souvenirs and food products.

The Golden Mile, Avenida de Las Americas – This shopping avenue is one of the liveliest spots in Tenerife. The marble-style complex is lined with modern shops, designer boutiques and high-end restaurants.

La Laguna Old Town – This historic city is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander through the pretty streets and check out the local boutiques and artisanal shops selling traditional crafts and local produce.

Play golf – Tenerife’s known for its golf trips, thanks to its year-round sunshine and scenic courses. There’s an entire resort – Golf del Sur – dedicated to it. Golf Costa Adeje is a favourite for its Atlantic Ocean views, and

Amarilla Golf & Country Club has a challenging layout backed by Mount Teide.

Hiking – With its volcanic landscape, the terrain in Tenerife is ideal for hiking. In Costa Adeje, Barranco del Infierno is a popular trail through a canyon to a waterfall. The Anaga Rural Park hike takes you through forests in the lush northern part of the island, and the Mount Teide Summit is best suited to more experienced hikers.

Wildlife watching – Tenerife is one of the best places in Europe for wild whale and dolphin watching, with over 20 species in its waters – including pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins and even orcas. Book a boat tour from Los Cristianos, or combine it with a catamaran cruise with stops for snorkelling.

Sightseeing – Step back in time to see what island life was like in the past. Visit La Orotava and Garachico, two historic towns on the quieter north coast. They’ve still got the classic white-washed buildings, cobbled streets and Baroque architecture, plus some charming family-run restaurants where you can try authentic Canarian cuisine.

Playa de las Teresitas – Sitting just north of the capital, this sandy stretch is one of Tenerife’s longest beaches. It’s not black like most of the island’s beaches, as the golden sand was imported from the Sahara. It’s popular with both locals and tourists because of how close it is to Santa Cruz. Plus, it’s got lots of handy facilities, like restaurants, beach bars and showers.

Playa del Duque – This beach is home to plenty of luxury hotels lining the sand. It’s known for having pristine sand, crystal-clear water and high-end facilities, like cabanas and beach clubs.

Playa de las Vistas – This Blue Flag beach is one of the most popular ones in the south. It runs between Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americas and has calmer waters than other parts of the coastline. It’s great for families as it’s close to big hotels and has a lifeguard.

Playa Jardin, Puerto de la Cruz – Designed by the renowned Canarian artist César Manrique, it’s surrounded by landscaped gardens, volcanic rocks and palm trees. With views of Mount Teide, it’s one of the prettiest spots on the island.

Playa de la Arena, Puerto Santiago – Famous for its fine volcanic sand and clear water, this beach has Blue Flag status. It’s less crowded than some of the bigger tourist beaches, so it’s ideal if you’re after something more peaceful.

Playa del Duque Norte, Costa Adeje – While the main Playa del Duque is known for its golden sand, Playa del Duque Norte is a hidden gem further north. It’s more secluded than the other one, so if you don’t mind going a bit further, you’ll have plenty of space to relax.

Papas arrugadas – Referred to as ‘wrinkled potatoes’, they’re boiled in salted water, which gives them their wrinkly texture and are served with mojo sauce. This dish is often eaten with other tapas or as a starter.

Mojo sauce – A traditional Canarian sauce made from olive oil, garlic, vinegar, and spices. It comes in two types – mojo rojo, made with red peppers or chili, and mojo verde, made with coriander or parsley.

Ropa vieja – A hearty stew made from shredded beef or chicken, chickpeas, potatoes and vegetables, all cooked in a flavourful broth. It’s a dish that’s been passed down through generations.

Barraquito – A layered coffee that’s popular in Tenerife. It’s made with espresso, condensed milk, Licor 43 – a Spanish vanilla liqueur – steamed milk, and a sprinkle of cinnamon, topped with lemon peel.

Ron miel – Also known as honey rum – this sweet spirit is a Canarian speciality. Drink it as a shot or sip it slowly over ice.

Canarian wine – Volcanic soil is great for winemaking, and Tenerife’s got plenty of it. There are five different domains on the island, with Listán Blanco and Listán Negro being the most common grape varieties. You can taste them at a wine tasting at one of the vineyards.

Cerveza Dorada – This is the local beer, it’s a light, crisp lager that’s brewed right on the island.