Travel report Tenerife – tips & experiences for the most beautiful of the Canary Islands?

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Dense jungle, dizzying mountains, dry lava deserts, historic old towns, unique culture and wonderful beaches – the island of Tenerife is incredibly diverse and adventurous. Not only is it the largest of the Canary Islands, but it is also home to the highest mountain in Spain. What can you discover in the great, wild beauty of the Canary Islands? I looked around locally and will give you tips on sights and activities in my travel report from Tenerife.

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Sometimes magic develops spontaneously. It comes about when you are not prepared for it and actually expected something completely different. The magic takes your breath away and in the end leaves you speechless with beautiful memories. Does that sound too pathetic to you? Yes, me too actually. But it sums up my current Tenerife experience quite precisely. The largest island in the Canaries There is something magical, alive and attractive that I never thought possible to find there.

It appears huge and imposing, intimidating and at the same time open to strangers and curious visitors. It only slowly becomes apparent to the precise observer, instead of revealing itself immediately. On the contrary, it is selling itself completely short of value like a gray mouse, even though my gut feeling tells me that there is a volcano slumbering beneath it. That’s what makes them so exciting and adventurous. Because really into one Destination You can only fall in love if it has rough edges, right? Maybe I can help you in mine Travelogue about Tenerife to make it clear what exactly I mean by that.

This is what makes a Tenerife holiday special

A quick overview

  • Tenerife is a warm destination all year round with lots of sunny days and pleasant temperatures - ideal for a relaxing holiday Vacation.
  • The island has a beautiful landscape with mountains, lots of green vegetation, volcanic landscapes, picturesque bathing bays and many attractive places to discover.
  • The well-developed tourist infrastructure on Tenerife allows visitors to do a variety of exciting activities such as hiking, cycling, jogging, walking and many excursions.
  • There are many excellent restaurants on the island with a wide range of Spanish and Canarian dishes to try.
  • Numerous activities tempt you, such as visiting museums and historic cities, as well as a rich wildlife with dolphins, whales and sea turtles, which can be discovered on a boat trip.
  • The island has a unique atmosphere with a mix of Spanish, African and Latin American cultures.
  • The people of Tenerife are very hospitable and open to visitors, which makes your stay on the island even more pleasant.

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A Tenerife experience from trashy to touristy?

My relationship with this island got off to a rocky start

My Tenerife experience starts off pretty mediocre. The airport is getting old and the (well-known, international) rental car provider with whom I booked my car is trying, with the vehemence of a whole column of pushers, to sell me additional insurance that I don't need at all because I've already booked it in advance have.

Shortly before sunset on Tenerife: wonderful view of the Masca mountains in the evening. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
Shortly before sunset on Tenerife: wonderful view of the Masca mountains in the evening. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

And when I start the car, things don't get any better at first: around the airport in the south there is a lot of aging industry and rusting economic ruins. The south is generally rather barren and, at least at first glance, not exactly characterized by architectural beauty.

One of Tenerife's landmarks: the Auditorio de Tenerife, a large concert hall. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
One of Tenerife's landmarks: the Auditorio de Tenerife, a large concert hall. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

On the well-developed motorway I overtake one tourist airport transfer bus after the other. That's what happens when you book a package holiday to a well-known and popular tourist destination, I think. Because Tenerife, like the other islands of the Canary Islands, is a contact point for millions of holidaymakers who come to the islands off the African west coast every year to enjoy the mild climate like I do. What's going on, Tenerife? This can only get better, right? And it was. Promised.

Hello, I'm Sascha Tobias Tegtmeyer from Hamburg - and a real beach child with heart and soul! Sea fan, travel lover and always up for an adventure. On my travel blog Just-Wanderlust.com and the social media channels of Strandkind Travels, I combine my love of traveling and nature with a passion for water sports such as stand-up paddling, diving and surfing. I am a journalist, author and blogger - and I am naturally curious when I get to know new travel destinations and then write about them in detail. As a technology fan, when I'm traveling with my family or alone, I'm always happy to bring a few travel gadgets with me for testing purposes. My favorite travel countries, which I also prefer to write about in my travel blog: USA, Thailand and Maldives.
About the author

I'm just a curious beach kid in the world

Hello, I am Sascha Tobias Tegtmeyer from Hamburg – and a real beach child with heart and soul! Sea fan, travel lover and always up for an adventure. On my travel blog Just-Wanderlust.com and the social media channels of Strandkind Travels, I combine my love of traveling and nature with a passion for water sports such as stand-up paddling, diving and surfing. I am a journalist, author and blogger - and I am naturally curious when I get to know new travel destinations and then write about them in detail. As a technology fan, when I'm traveling with my family or alone, I'm always happy to bring a few travel gadgets with me for testing purposes. My favorite travel countries, which I also prefer to write about in my travel blog: USA, Thailand and Maldives.

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Tenerife vacation in the north

The chocolate side of the island?

The north of Tenerife shows a completely different face. You pass the plateau near the island's capital Santa Cruz and the former capital La Laguna at Tenerife North Airport and come out at the upper end of the plateau on the north side of the island. There seems to be something like an invisible border that strictly separates north and south from each other.

As soon as you have passed the high plateau in the north of Tenerife, spectacular views of the north side of the island await you. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
As soon as you have passed the high plateau in the north of Tenerife, spectacular views of the north side of the island await you. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

In the north of Tenerife the slopes are green, here and there there are palm trees, forests and banana plantations, the vegetation is blooming and the cities and architecture in the north of Tenerife also make an overall much more well-kept impression. The towns extend almost their entire length down the mountain slopes into the valley to the waterline.

The view over the slopes is simply breathtaking, especially during the golden hour - just before sunset - and is a feast for the eyes. So is the sweet side of the island in the north? Yes and no. But that should become clear in the course of our Tenerife travel report.

Route Active Hotel in Los Realejos

My hotel in Tenerife

If you really want to be active, have adventures, and really and truly want to explore with your full attention, you don't need a five-star hotel. Then one room is enough for you for the night. On my trip to Tenerife I visited the small town of Los Realejos and what is there Route Active Hotel select. I didn't have any great demands or expectations for this vacation and basically just wanted to soak up some sun and warmth. The location and hotel turned out to be a really good choice. Like all other places in the north of the island, Los Realejos is picturesquely located on a mountain slope and offers brilliant views in every direction.

The Active Route Hotel in Los Realejos: the perfect starting point for all activities in Tenerife. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
The Active Route Hotel in Los Realejos: the perfect starting point for all activities in Tenerife. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

The Route Active Hotel is a simple resort designed for active vacationers and adventurous travelers. I chose it based on the exceptionally good reviews online. Overall, the house turned out to be a very good decision. Rooms great, breakfast good, everything is modern and young. The town of Los Realejos and the Active Route Hotel were an ideal starting point for all my discovery tours with a rental car in Tenerife.

Explore the island by rental car

On the way for my Tenerife travel report

From my starting point in Los Realejos, I go on an intensive tour of discovery across the island. In total, I spend three full days from eight in the morning to eight in the evening exploring Tenerife with a rental car. I really saw a lot during this time and was able to get a good impression of this fascinating island through my rental car tours. Let me say this much in advance: When planning, you should definitely allow a little more time rather than too little time.

Sights are best reached by rental car

When you travel in Tenerife with a rental car, you will come across so many stations, sights, hotspots and view points that the hours will fly by and at the end of the day you won't have seen everything you would like to wanted to discover. So you can safely spread the program that I did in three days over five days.

Important information about driving in Tenerife

And another very important note about rental cars in Tenerife: The rental car driver should definitely be a good driver. The motorways on Tenerife are very well developed, still seem quite new and are easy to drive. Unfortunately, not every street looks like this. Especially in the mountains and in the small mountain villages, extreme gradients, uneven roads and dirt roads are really hell.

Parking and starting on steep mountain slopes should also be mastered. Driving a rental car in Tenerife is definitely not that easy. But of course taking the bus is not a solution either. Below I would like to give you a few suggestions on how you can plan your rental car tour on Tenerife.

Looks more harmless than it is: some roads in Tenerife have it really in itself - so be careful with the rental car. In the picture: the street of Teresitas on the pass of Anaga. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
Looks more harmless than it is: some roads in Tenerife have it really in itself - so be careful with the rental car. In the picture: the street of Teresitas on the pass of Anaga. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

Car Rental Tour 1 – Santa Cruz, Playa de las Teresitas, Anaga and La Laguna

My first rental car tour in Tenerife took me to the northeast. As a real beach holiday fan, I was of course immediately looking for the largest and most beautiful sandy beach on the island. And on the way there I stopped in the island's capital, Santa Cruz, and looked at the sights there. We then continued straight to Igueste de San Andrés, the northeastern end of the island (at least for drivers).

From there we went back to Playa de las Teresitas and then massively into the mountains into the Anaga Mountains. From there I drove on to the former island capital La Laguna. To complete and enjoy this entire Tenerife rental car tour, you should start early in the morning and probably won't be back until late in the evening.

Rental Car Tour 2 - Garachico, Buenavista del Norte, Masca Mountains, Santiago del Teide and Los Gigantes

There was a similarly full program on the second day of my discovery tour with a rental car in Tenerife. However, I set off in the opposite direction and explored the southwest of the Canary Islands. Starting in the small town of Garachico, continuing to Buenavista del Norte, the impressive Masca Mountains, the high-altitude Santiago del Teide to Los Gigantes, where I swapped the car for a boat and went whale watching.

Rental car tour 3 - Teide National Park, plateau, Tenerife South with Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos and El Medano as well as a detour to Candelaria

And of course my third rental car tour on Tenerife was also quite something. I didn't want to miss any important sights on the third day either. That's why I went over the slope of La Orotava into the Teide National Park, along the plateau, through the Corona Forestal Park down to Tenerife South and made short detours to Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos as well as El Medano. I then made a longer stop in Candelaria, a small, beautiful artist town southwest of Santa Cruz.

Tenerife tips on attractions

Explore historic old towns, primeval forests, the highest mountain in Spain and much more

Before the trip, I didn't know how many sights there were in Tenerife. And so the beach holiday with soaking up the sun quickly turned into a real active holiday with a visit to a number of sights. Many of my visits during my trip were very spontaneous and made my vacation on the Canary Island a little more intense and enjoyable. The Teide National Park, the Playa de las Teresitas beach, the Masca Mountains and the small town of Candelaria were my very personal sightseeing highlights in Tenerife.

The pedestrian area of ​​Candelaria: the city is festively decorated. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
The pedestrian area of ​​Candelaria: the city is festively decorated. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

It wasn't until I was on holiday that I realized through my visits that Tenerife is anything but boring. The island has so much to offer with its hotspots and sights that you are guaranteed not to get bored here. In my Tenerife sightseeing tips, I will introduce you to many places that you can visit during your stay.

1. El Teide National Park – explore the highest mountain in Spain

The flagship and probably the most important attraction in Tenerife is the El Teide National Park, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007 and is also the largest such protected area in the Canary Islands. The extinct volcano Teide towers over everything in Tenerife in its iconic cone shape and can be seen from almost every point on the island. The mountain peak is 3718 meters high. This makes it the highest mountain in Spain and at the same time the third highest island volcano in the world.

Lunar landscape: on the high plateau at the foot of the Teide you can see lava flows and strange rock formations. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
Lunar landscape: on the high plateau at the foot of the Teide you can see lava flows and strange rock formations. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

A cable car leads from the valley station up to the summit. But it's not just the Teide itself that is an exciting sight. The entire El Teide National Park is a lunar landscape with lava flows and strange rock formations that looks really impressive and where you can go for walks and hikes without much restriction. There are viewpoints and parking lots everywhere from which you can start your tours and climb around.

Southwest of the national park is also the Corona Forestal National Park, which has coniferous forest and looks a bit like Canada or Scandinavia. If possible, you should plan a whole day for El Teide National Park alone.

2. Santa Cruz de Tenerife with Auditorio de Tenerife and Parque Marítimo César Manrique

The capital of Tenerife, Santa Cruz, is of course also worth a trip. Overall, there is a relatively large amount of industry located around the port. Nevertheless, the city is definitely worth a visit because there are several sights to discover in Santa Cruz. These include, above all, the Auditorium of Tenerife, the Parque Marítimo César Manrique, the nearby botanical garden and the Plaza de Espana in the center.

Parque Marítimo César Manrique: the swimming pool at the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife was designed by the Canarian exceptional artist. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
Parque Marítimo César Manrique: the swimming pool at the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife was designed by the Canarian exceptional artist. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

The impressive architectural constructions at the harbor are one of the landmarks of Tenerife and the Auditorio de Tenerife in particular with its iconic look should definitely be on your list.

3. Playa de Las Teresitas – the most beautiful beach in Tenerife?

I could have easily spent the whole day in this place. Playa de Las Teresitas is probably the largest and most beautiful beach in Tenerife. In this bay, protected by a pier, there is a fine yellow sandy beach. On the rest of the island the beach is rather dark and rough - which certainly has its charm. In any case, this beach convinced me.

The beach Playa de las Teresitas is in our opinion the most beautiful in Tenerife - here you should plan a complete bathing day. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
The beach Playa de las Teresitas is in our opinion the most beautiful in Tenerife - here you should plan a complete bathing day. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

Playa de Las Teresitas has everything you need to spend a relaxing day on the beach. There's plenty of free parking and plenty of room to spread out. The water on the beach is turquoise and crystal clear. The bay is located near the island's capital Santa Cruz, somewhat remote in the northeast of the island.

4. Igueste de San Andrés – Gem in the far east

When I was on the way to Playa de las Teresitas beach, I took this opportunity to drive a little further along the coastal road and ended up in the small town of Igueste de San Andrés, quite by chance. This small town marks the northeastern tip of the island of Tenerife and is really a cute, tranquil place with lots of flowers and plants that you should just take a look at in peace and quiet.

The village of Igueste de San Andrés is located in the extreme northeast of the island - you can really say here: far away from the big tourist streams. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
The village of Igueste de San Andrés is located in the extreme northeast of the island - you can really say here: far away from the big tourist streams. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

You can walk through the whole place using stairs and small footpaths and eventually come out on the stony beach. Just breathe deeply and enjoy authentic Tenerife!

5. Puerto de la Cruz with its old town, Loro Parque, Playa Jardín, Jardín de aclimatación de La Orotava and Lago Martianez

Puerto de la Cruz is a large, quite touristy place in the north of Tenerife, where there are many hotels and, of course, many sights with which you can spend your free time. The streets of the town's old town with the Plaza del Charco as the centerpiece are quite beautiful to look at.

Center of Puerto de la Cruz in the north of Tenerife. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
Center of Puerto de la Cruz in the north of Tenerife. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

The place is also known for Lake Martiánez. This is an outdoor pool complex that was also designed by the Canarian artist César Manrique. The swimming pool and the associated amusement park have an area of ​​100.000 square meters. Lake Martiánez consists of a landscape of several islands, gardens, restaurants, bars and terraces.

Historic Fort: the Castillo de San Felipe in Puerto de la Cruz. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
Historic Fort: the Castillo de San Felipe in Puerto de la Cruz. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

The most famous beach of Puerto de la Cruz is Playa Jardín, a bay with dark sand and yet one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. Also worth seeing is the Jardín de aclimatación de La Orotava, a botanical garden from the 18th century that contains a 200-year-old fig tree. One of the main attractions of Puerto de la Cruz and Tenerife is Loro Parque, a zoo where there are many species of animals such as tigers. However, the park also has dolphins and orcas, so I decided not to visit.

6. Anaga mountains on Tenerife - dense laurel forest in the fog

After I was at Playa de las Teresitas in San Andrés, I drove from there to the Anaga Mountains via the associated mountain road TF-12. This road is definitely one of the steepest and highest roads I have been on. This street alone is a sight in Tenerife.

In the forest of the Anaga mountains you can go for a wonderful hike. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
In the forest of the Anaga mountains you can go for a wonderful hike. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

At the end you can breathe a sigh of relief when you reach the high plateau in the Anaga Mountains. Up there on the ridge everything is covered with a mystical and dense laurel forest, which is often full of clouds of fog. You can go hiking up there and simply enjoy the view of the valley.

7. Masca Mountains, Montanas Negras and Santiago del Teide

The Masca Mountains are located in the southwest of Tenerife. A mountain range with high valleys, lots of vegetation and spectacular views. Of course, there is also the wonderful opportunity to go hiking here.

Masca mountains: evening panorama on Tenerife. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
Masca mountains: evening panorama on Tenerife. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
Hiking and climbing in the Masca Mountains in Tenerife are worthwhile - the views are truly spectacular. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
Hiking and climbing in the Masca Mountains in Tenerife are worthwhile - the views are truly spectacular. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
View of the Montanas Negras near Santiago del Teide. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
View of the Montanas Negras near Santiago del Teide. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

The small and tranquil town of Santiago del Teide is located on the local high plateau. Here you can have a snack, eat something delicious and at least take a short tour of discovery through the town.

8. Los Gigantes - relaxed holiday resort on the rocks of the same name

Also in the southwest of Tenerife, the rocks of Los Gigantes rise out of the water. There is also the town of the same name, Los Gigantes, which is also a very touristy, but at the same time quite dignified and remote holiday resort. The town is famous for whale watching and dolphin watching tours that start from here. 

Church in Los Gigantes: the tourist resort makes a very solid impression. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
Church in Los Gigantes: the tourist resort makes a very solid impression. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
In Los Gigantes there is a free public swimming pool. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
In Los Gigantes there is a free public swimming pool. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

Not only do the whale watching boats leave from the port of Los Gigantes, there is also a large, public and free swimming pool here. Overall, a place where you can easily spend some time or which you could even choose as a vacation spot. 

9. Basilica of Candelaria - idyllic place for artists

Perhaps one of the most beautiful places in Tenerife (yes, Tenerife has many beautiful places) is the small town of Candelaria. The town is not only home to an incredibly beautiful church, the Basilica of Candelaria. The whole place is architecturally appealing and there are many small and fine restaurants in the center. Candelaria also commemorates in a truly impressive way the Guanche kings, the indigenous people of Tenerife, who ruled the island over 500 years ago before the Spanish came.

The Basilica of Candelaria: an idyllic artist village with artistic ambience. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
The Basilica of Candelaria: an idyllic artist village with artistic ambience. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
Statues of the Guanche kings: They are meant to remind of the indigenous people of Tenerife. They were defeated 1495 when the Spaniards occupied Tenerife. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
Statues of the Guanche kings: They are meant to remind of the indigenous people of Tenerife. They were defeated 1495 when the Spaniards occupied Tenerife. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

A special highlight in Candelaria are the statues of the Guanche kings. The Guanches were the indigenous people of Tenerife who were conquered by the Spanish over 500 years ago. The statues of the nine kings are really impressive and you can hardly get enough of them. There is also an interesting museum in the Guanche Kings Square where you can learn a lot about the history and culture of the Guanches.

10. Orotava Valley - beautiful forest landscape on the way to the high valley

The Orotava Valley is actually a slope into which the popular town of La Orotava with its historic old town is built. At the top of the city begins a beautiful natural landscape with coniferous forests and rock formations, which is wonderful to explore.

In Tenerife, there are extensive coniferous forests - reminiscent of Canada or Scandinavia. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
In Tenerife, there are extensive coniferous forests - reminiscent of Canada or Scandinavia. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

I recommend that you make a longer stop here and just enjoy the area before you continue from here to El Teide National Park. There are always parking spaces and viewpoints (miradores) along the route where you can stop, get out and go exploring.

11. Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas

The holiday resorts of Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas in the very south of Tenerife, with a real sandy beach and many hotels, are among the typical Canarian holiday strongholds. The places are well suited for a beach holiday.

In the south of Tenerife the average duration of sunshine is significantly longer than in the north. However, I only took a short detour to these overcrowded tourist places to see them.

12. Los Realejos with the Elevador de la Gordejuela "Casa Hamilton"

There is another eerily beautiful sight to discover at Los Realejos. The old industrial ruin Elevador de la Gordejuela “Casa Hamilton” was built in 1903 and served as a pumping station. The machinist lived on the upper floors. The Elevador de la Gordejuela “Casa Hamilton” is located very close to the Active Route Hotel where I stayed and is in Romantica I, a district of Los Realejos.

Elevador de la Gordejuela "Casa Hamilton": the old pumping station is today a ruin and a much visited attraction in Los Realejos. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
Elevador de la Gordejuela "Casa Hamilton": the old pumping station is today a ruin and a much visited attraction in Los Realejos. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

From there I took a short walk to the eerily beautiful ruins. Unfortunately, during my visit (January 2019), there was no way to get directly to the building. The path to the Elevador de la Gordejuela was currently under construction at that time and was being rebuilt. By the way, the name Casa Hamilton came about because the building was built by a company called Hamilton.

Impressions from Tenerife

My travel pictures

Below you will find my photographic impressions of Tenerife. During my stay on the island I took many photos that I would like to share with you.

Leisure activities on your Tenerife holiday

Hiking, Whale Watching, Stand Up Paddling, Scuba Diving and more

Why I booked a Tenerife holiday? Because I saw a video on Instagram in which relatively young people went hiking in the Canary Islands. I let myself be influenced and thought to myself: I'll try that too! If you want to experience something great on your holiday in Tenerife, the island offers you endless possibilities. 

You can actually just go hiking, ride a bike, do a lot of sports like jogging and of course you can venture into the water without any problems. Going swimming, trying stand-up paddling or snorkeling and diving are possible almost everywhere on Tenerife. And if you really want to take your breath away, you can experience whales and dolphins up close in their natural environment on a whale watching tour. The leisure activities on Tenerife are as varied as the island itself.

1. Hiking on Tenerife - spectacular not only in the national parks

And it's really worth coming to Tenerife to go hiking. You can park your rental car in the numerous national parks and go on a wonderful tour of discovery. For example, I was traveling at the upper end of the Orotava Valley. It looks a bit like Canada or Scandinavia there.

"Laurel Forest": The Mercedes Forest in the Anaga Mountains in the northeast of Tenerife. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
"Laurel Forest": The Mercedes Forest in the Anaga Mountains in the north-east of Tenerife. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

A really wonderful landscape with coniferous forest and also very untouched. Most people only make a very short stop here on the way to El Teide National Park. And in the Anaga Mountains you can also go hiking in the laurel forest and discover Tenerife's beauty on foot. 

2. Whale Watching and Dolphin Watching in Los Gigantes

If you want to look at dolphins and whales such as orcas, you should always do so in the wild and, if possible, never in an aquarium. In Tenerife you have many options. The town of Los Gigantes is particularly suitable here. Most dolphin watching tours and whale watching tours in Tenerife start from there.

Whale Watching on Tenerife often starts in Los Gigantes - and you often meet dolphins. Video: Sascha Tegtmeyer
Whale Watching on Tenerife often starts in Los Gigantes - and you often meet dolphins. Video: Sascha Tegtmeyer

If you want to watch whales, you are most likely to have luck in this region of the island. According to the providers there, marine mammals are spotted there every day. I also started a three-hour tour from there and at least saw bottlenose dolphins that day.

3. Stand Up Paddling (SUP) on Tenerife - many good destinations

Stand up paddling has also become a popular water sport in Tenerife. If you are an experienced stand-up paddler or just want to try out the sport, you will find many good opportunities for SUP in Tenerife. In general, the Canary Islands are an incredibly popular destination for surfers, kite surfers and stand-up paddlers who don't want to miss out on their hobby on vacation. You have very good options in Los Gigantes, at Playa de las Teresitas, in Radazul, Las Galletas, El Pal-Mar, Los Cristianos and Galeta de Adeje.

4. Snorkeling and diving in Tenerife - typical Canary diving

Just like the other Canary Islands, you can also go diving on Tenerife or simply grab a snorkel and discover the underwater world while snorkeling or freediving. Unfortunately, I didn't go diving on this trip in particular, but I have already been to the Canary Islands several times for diving - for example diving in Gran Canaria and diving in Lanzarote. There is a lot to discover underwater around the Canary Islands - there are particularly large schools of fish here.

On the other hand, there are some wrecks and exciting rock formations and caves to discover. Overall, the underwater world of the Canary Islands is very varied and always worth a visit. I would like to go diving with whales in the near future. The Canary Islands could also be a good destination for this.

5. Riding a bike

Cycling in Tenerife is a fantastic way to explore the island. Although the Canary Islands as a whole are better known as a surfer's paradise, Tenerife, with its challenging climbs and impressive landscapes, offers an excellent destination for cyclists.

One of the most famous and challenging routes on Tenerife is the climb up Mount Teide, Spain's highest mountain. This route is very popular with professional cyclists and is often used for training camps. The ascent starts at about sea level and extends over almost 50 kilometers to the valley station of the cable car at 2.400 meters, which leads to the approximately 3.700 meter high summit of Mount Teide. The road is well maintained and offers breathtaking views of the countryside. But be careful: the gradient is an average of eight percent and the last few kilometers can be expected to lack oxygen due to the altitude.

6. Visit an amusement park in Tenerife

There are several amusement parks in Tenerife that can be of interest to both families and tourists. One of the most famous is Siam Park, a huge water park in Costa Adeje. Siam Park is one of the largest water parks in Europe and offers a variety of attractions such as water slides, wave pools, beaches and special areas for children. The park is designed in Thai style and offers a unique atmosphere.

Another popular amusement park in Tenerife is Loro Parque in Puerto de la Cruz. Loro Parque is a huge animal park where you can see different species of animals from all over the world including gorillas, orangutans, penguins, flamingos and of course parrots. The park is also known for its daily animal shows, where dolphins, orcas and sea lions perform their tricks.

7. Yoga and wellness in Tenerife

Tenerife is not only known for nature and water sports, but also for wellness and yoga. The island offers a laid-back vibe and mild climate, making it an ideal spot for yoga and wellness enthusiasts. There are numerous yoga and wellness centers in Tenerife with a wide range of options for all levels, from beginners to experienced yogis.

8. Experience culinary delights on Tenerife - from Mojo to Papas Arrugadas

If you are active all day, you also need to eat well. We therefore chose a different local restaurant on the island every day when we returned from our tours. Tenerife also has a lot to offer in terms of cuisine. Overall, Canarian cuisine is very diverse, but is primarily known for two dishes: mojo and papas arrugadas.

Mojo is a delicious, spicy sauce made from garlic, oil, vinegar and various spices. This is usually served as a dip for potatoes or grilled meat. Papas Arrugadas are small, wrinkled potatoes that are traditionally cooked with salt and also served with mojo.

At the Playa de las Teresitas beach you can also get something to eat in a relaxed and relatively cheap way - we recommend the Ensaladilla. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
At the Playa de las Teresitas beach you can also get something to eat in a relaxed and relatively cheap way - we recommend the Ensaladilla. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
For me one of the most beautiful corners of Tenerife: view of the Montanas Negras near Santiago del Teide. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
For me one of the most beautiful corners of Tenerife: view of the Montanas Negras near Santiago del Teide. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
Don't forget your swimming gear. The water at Playa de las Teresitas beach is crystal clear and turquoise - and usually pleasantly warm. Of course we tested it and went swimming. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
Don't forget your swimming gear - the water at Playa de las Teresitas beach is crystal clear and turquoise - and usually pleasantly warm. Of course we tested it and went swimming. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

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The 10 best insider tips for Tenerife.

Travel Information Tenerife

Best travel time and weather, arrival, hotels, rental cars, restaurants and cost levels

If you are planning a holiday in Tenerife, it is important that you inform yourself in advance about the best travel times, how to get there, hotels, car rental, restaurants and costs. In our travel information about Tenerife we ​​have summarized the most important facts for you so that you can optimally plan your stay on the island. Here you will find everything you need to know to fully enjoy your holiday in Tenerife.

You can also pick up your Tenerife rental car at the airport at the appropriate station. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
You can also pick up your Tenerife rental car at the airport at the appropriate station. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

Best travel time on Tenerife

You do not have to say too many words about the best travel time for Tenerife. It is year-round. Winters are mild with temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius and summers are warm to hot. Most precipitation falls in the winter months from December to February. And there you have to distinguish between the dry and sunny south of Tenerife and the more often rainy and green north of the island when it comes to Tenerife weather. Overall, the island is typically Canarian a year-round destination.

Climate table Tenerife

Monthhigh
(in degrees Celsius)
RainydaysHours of sunshinewater temperature
January219719
February217618
March228818
April 237718
May 244719
June 262820
July291821
August291822
September284723
October268822
November2410621
December2212720
All statements are without guarantee.

Arrival to Tenerife

Traveling to the Canary Islands is possible with many airlines from all major airports in Europe. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
Traveling to the Canary Islands is possible with many airlines from all major airports in Europe. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

You can fly to Tenerife South Airport (TFS) almost every day from all large and well-known airports in Germany and Central Europe relatively cheaply and with various holiday airlines and low-cost airlines. Tenerife North Airport is more likely to be served by regional aircraft and jets from Spain from the mainland.

Hotels in Tenerife

In my opinion, many hotels in Tenerife still need improvement. Even four-star hotels and five-star hotels were rated poorly in some cases. When I chose my hotel, I primarily looked for hotel reviews that talked about cockroaches and bugs. Unfortunately, these animals are common in the Canary Islands, as I have experienced first hand.

The lobby of the Active Route Hotel: a really interesting hotel. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
The lobby of the Active Route Hotel: a really interesting hotel. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

I therefore specifically paid attention to this and chose my hotel based on whether many pests were spotted there by holidaymakers. My Tenerife hotel was one of the few that was cockroach-free. That's why I chose it and in fact (despite looking closely) I didn't spot a single cockroach.

Rental car

I really didn't think I would have such an explicitly bad rental car experience on a holiday island as experienced as Tenerife. The other vacationers at the counters next to me had a similar experience. Unfortunately that's what happened and can't be changed. To make sure something like this doesn't happen to you, you can do damage control:

You can also pick up your Tenerife rental car at the airport at the appropriate station. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
You can also pick up your Tenerife rental car at the airport at the appropriate station. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

Book a rental car in advance in Germany with the test winner, add fully comprehensive insurance without deductible and additional insurance such as tire and glass protection directly when booking in Germany and then hope that you don't end up with a provider that is as annoying and pressurizing insurance companies as I was. My provider was an internationally known and reputable company with black writing on a yellow background.

Restaurants

A real Canarian restaurant in Los Realejos on Tenerife: we were every evening original Canary food. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
A real Canarian restaurant in Los Realejos on Tenerife: we were every evening original Canary food. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

You have the choice: either you go to the typical, mostly expensive tourist shops in the best locations directly on the promenades or in the town centers. Or you can look for real and authentic restaurants, which are usually a little more hidden in the towns and are often called “Tasca”. There you will often find real and authentic Canarian cuisine with lots of meat, fish and the typical Canarian boiled potatoes with red and green mojo (sauce).

I zeroed in on real Canarian cuisine throughout the entire trip and it was truly a delight. And by the way, you'll be amazed at how cheap you can eat in the Canary Islands.

Price level on Tenerife - cheap to mid-range

The price level in Tenerife is very typical for Spain and is generally in the cheap to medium range. Overall, the supermarkets are slightly more expensive than in Germany. Eating out costs from 12 euros and up (depending on the dish and location, of course). Gasoline in Tenerife is very cheap. It cost less than one euro in January 2019. However, the price at gas stations varies much more than in Germany. Overall, the prices for a holiday in Tenerife are rather moderate and you can have a comparatively cheap holiday on the island. Something like this is always a very individual matter and has a lot to do with personal requirements.

Family vacations, adventure vacations and more - who is the island for?

This question is actually answered quite easily. Tenerife is so diverse that it is very attractive for many travel topics. You can come to Tenerife for a cheap vacation and family vacation. Because the island is quite large and has a fairly intensive tourism infrastructure, you can book hotels and flights cheaply. And the island also has a lot to offer for fans of adventure holidays, sports trips, hiking holidays and nature trips, as my Tenerife travel report probably made clear.

Even at the airport I saw a lot of people (including a lot of young people!) with large backpacks and hiking rucksacks. And the island is even suitable for a beach holiday with its light sandy beaches in Teresitas and Playa de las Américas. There are also numerous dark, rather stony beaches, which are definitely not to be despised.

The island is less suitable for real individual trips and luxury holidays. It's just too touristy for that. Luxury holidays are possible on a smaller scale in very good five-star hotels. However, the island would not be my first choice for these two types of travel.

Health care in Tenerife on holiday

Anyone who needs medical help on holiday in Tenerife can rely on good healthcare. Medical care on the island is comparable to that in Germany, although there may be differences in organization and processes. Just think about your international health insurance before you travel, which will protect you in the event of an emergency.

In an emergency, you can call the emergency number 112 for an ambulance or emergency doctor. You will be treated in hospital even if you do not have a European Health Insurance Card. However, you should take out travel medical insurance in advance to cover the cost of medical treatment and repatriation in the event of an emergency.

All statements are without guarantee.

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Travelogue Tenerife - my new favorite Canary Island?

My detailed conclusion

As mentioned at the beginning, my plan was to simply soak up some sun and warmth in Tenerife. As a real individual travel destination or for an adventure holiday, Tenerife seemed far too touristy to me. The island is known from various television documentaries and Tenerife is often at the forefront when it comes to travel bargains. At least that's my impression.

I was in Tenerife twelve years ago (2006) and had the same impression back then. But sometimes you're just wrong! My Tenerife experience was completely different. I really took a close look at the island on this trip and now have a completely different opinion.

I will definitely come back

Yes, Tenerife is very touristy - but so are many places in the world now. The Canary Islands really showed me a completely different side. There is a lot of nature to discover, the incredible diversity of the sea and water sports is omnipresent. And if you are traveling with a rental car and are not tied to a location, you really have the opportunity to explore this beautiful island in all its beauty, to stay where you like best and actually to personalize your Tenerife holiday to a certain extent experience.

In retrospect, I am so impressed by the largest island in the Canary Islands that I want to come back in the near future and explore the island even further. Because in one week it is difficult to see all the sights and leisure activities that you would like to pursue.

Our trip to Tenerife was our private vacation and completely self-paid. The travel reporting is therefore based on editorial and critical requirements - unfortunately that is what you have to say nowadays. We have not received any benefits in cash or in kind from any of the providers mentioned.

Have you already been to Tenerife or are you planning your first trip to the Canary Islands? What have you experienced so far in the Canary Islands? Share your experiences in the comments.

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