Tenerife Holiday Resort Information

Tenerife is the largest (2034sq km) and highest (3718m) of the Canary Islands,  the island has an estimated population of 655,656.  Tenerife is often called a paradise island and for good reason! The island experiences sunshine around the year, has an abundance of world class hotels and offers an exceptional choice of cuisine set against the stunning background of Mount Teide.  Make a visit to the famous and popular Teide National Park. Most people going on holidays to Tenerife stay in the main tourist resorts of Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americas, located side-by-side in the south west of the island. The resorts of Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos have all but merged to form one big buzzing playground for the younger tourists, bulging with bright lights and bars. Puerto de la Cruz is, quieter and cooler being more popular with the relaxing crowd.  The weather in Tenerife is usually hot and sunny, ideal for those lazy days on the beach relaxing and taking occasional cooling dips in the sea. For the more energetic there are ball games, wind surfing, kite surfing, sailing, beach volleyball and many other games.  Walking along the lesser populated stretches you will see more of Tenerife's  beautiful coastline. The waters of the Atlantic are slightly cooler in the Canary Islands due to the fact that the Gulf Current moves in a north to south direction  Tenerife has a great variety of micro-climates in a very small geographic area and provides interest for many different types of tourist, not just those looking for beaches but also others that enjoy hiking, climbing, paragliding, cycling, photography or any other outdoor pursuit that benefits from the wonderful climate and diversity of topography and landscape available to visitors. The famous Loro Parque (parrot park) is an amazing attraction to visit.  Santa Cruz is the capital, it has everything, avenues of shops, parks and squares, beach and history and culture.  Due to the location of the islands, the Tenerife people have developed a personality combining many different cultures. Many of the old traditions have been preserved and folk music and folk lore are part of daily life. Canarian handicrafts are in abundance.  The islanders offer unique linen and lace as well as pottery. The most important festival is without doubt the February Carnival, although every month there is some kind of fiesta. The Tenerife cuisine is a huge attraction of the islands.   Its simplicity emphasises the quality of the vegetables, fresh fish and excellent meats. Thick soups are popular along with marinated meats.

Places of interest in Tenerife

Playas de Las Americas

Playa de Las Americas is as a modern playground with an international atmosphere. A buzzing  night life with numerous clubs and discos. The most popular place to be at night is Veronica's Strip where there are a variety of clubs to chose.. About 1 hour 30 minutes from Tenerife's southern airport. The white sand on the man made Playa de las Americas is the first clue of what awaits a visitor to Tenerife’s main southern attractions. Whatever you want Las Americas offers it all to you with a sunny smile and a glass of your favourite tipple.

Los Cristianos

Los Cristianos is the second largest holiday resort in the south of Tenerife, offering beaches almost along its entire seafront expanse, mainly Playa del Las Vistas and Playa de Los Cristianos. Despite the close proximity to Playa de las Americas, the largest holiday resort in Tenerife, there is a distinct difference in the atmosphere of the two, especially at night.  Los Cristianos the ideal location for family holidays in Tenerife. Ferries run from Los Cristianos harbour to the island of La Gomera 25km away, a great day trip.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The capital of Tenerife is the second most populated city of the Canary Islands with more than 200,000 inhabitants.  Today, Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a city with large landscaped areas set amongst the modernist architecture. Its tree lined avenues, parks and squares are ideal for strolling because the green of Santa Cruz complements its peacefulness.  The very popular area in Santa Cruz is "La Plaza de España" by the sea. The city has also a maritime park where the old trade docks are used for recreation. 

Puerto de la Cruz

Puerto de la Cruz is located on the north-western coast of Tenerife and is one of the largest resorts on this side of the island. The resort is well established and offers excellent family holidays. The main beach at Puerto de la Cruz is of black sand. There are toilet facilities, a couple of small bars/restaurants and easy access from the main road. The beach gardens are a lovely walk with tropical plants and stoned walls. Around the beach one can take shade under the rocky outcrops. It is the major tourist resort in the north of the island.

La Laguna

San Cristobal de La Laguna,  (La Laguna for short),  means 'The Lagoon'  - is the historical town, par excellence, of the Canary Islands.  Located on the northern part of Tenerife in the Santa Cruz province.  It is the original Capital of the Island.  This resort is a favourite with couples and families wishing to holiday in a resort with an authentic Spanish atmosphere.  It is a well-established resort close to all the Santa Cruz de Tenerife  attractions.  It is also the cultural and religious Capital.

Costa Adege

The resort destination of Costa Adeje,  is for all intents and purposes, the area of Playa de las Americas running west from the Veronicas, through Puerto Colon, Torviscas, Fanabe, Playa del Duque, and then finally on towards La Caleta.  Being the newer development, Costa Adeje  is probably more popular with couples and families that do not want to party the whole of their holiday time. The coastal resorts of Costa Adege are La Caleta, Pueto Colon, Playa del Duque, Playa Fanabe and Playa Torviscas.

Los Gigantes

Los Gigantes (The Giants), named after its large cliffs, is known as one of the most stunning locations of natural beauty in the Canary Islands.  It is a very pretty resort.  It luxuriates in a year round sub tropical climate . The Marina, which is the focal point of the town has an embracing warmth and charm while the huge cliffs that dominate the Los Gigantes horizon are inspiring.  The huge cliffs provide some breathtaking views around this small fishing village on the south western coast of Tenerife.     

Playa Paraiso

Playa Paraiso is an up and coming secluded and relaxed resort where there are less villas and apartments -  most holidays are hotel based and they offer built-in entertainment. Food and drink is mainly hotel based in Playa Paraiso. The typical menu consists of both traditional Spanish fare and international cuisine.  A small, shingle beach with a few bars and restaurants but only a taxi ride away from the nightlife in Las Americas if you want it. This resort is ideal for those who just want to relax and switch off from everything. 

Mount Teide

El Teide - Mount Teide  (pronounced 'Tay-Day') is Spain’s highest mountain,  The view from Mount Teide's peak on one of the frequent crystal clear days is amazing; the varied colours of the many different types of volcanic rock are seen so clearly from here: ochre and rust, black and beige in fact almost any colour you can think of.  After the cable car ride there is a steep walk from the cable car to the summit 160m (525ft) above.  Choose a clear day for the best views, and if you wish to go to the top, windy weather stops the cable car running.

Great beaches in Tenerife

Tenerife has many superb beaches.  Some of white sand, some of volcanic sand, with natural swimming areas and immersed creeks, next to the sea.  Some of the best beaches include Playa de Las Americas,  Playa de las Terasitas,  Playa de Los Cristianos,  Playa de las Vistas,  Playa de las Galletas , Playa de El Puertito,  Playa del Roque,  Lago de Martianez,  Playa de San Juan,  Los gigantes, Torviscas, Fanabe, Fatenia and El Medano, Puerto de Santiago, La Caletta, K16, Puerto de la Cruz, Jardin, Martianez. 

Mount Teide National Park

Mount Teide Park is situated in the centre of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain and is on the top list of Tenerife tourist attractions. 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.  This is the Canary Islands most visited tourist attraction and must not be missed. 

Tenerife Golf

Tenerife Golf facilities are superb. There is a selection of first class gold courses spread over the island, some have been built around complete golf resorts.  Some of the best include Amarilla Golf and Country Club (18 holes) - San Miguel de Abona,  Golf Costa (18 holes) - Adeje Campo del Golf, Golf del Sur (27 holes) - San Miguel de Abona, Golf Las Americas (18 holes) - Playa de Las Americas, Los Palos Centro del Golf (9 holes) - Las Galletas, Real Club de Golf Tenerife (18 holes) - Tacaronte. 

Puerto de Santiago

Puerto Santiago lies between Playa de la Arena and Los Gigantes   Puerto Santiago you'll is find a small fishing port, on the west side of Tenerife,  but you're limited in terms of beaches. It used to be a quieter resort with a village atmosphere and lots of charm,  but there is still lots to do. The resort has now been developed and is much larger with a mixture of homes, hotels and apartments. As you would expect from a tourist resort, there is an assortment or bars, shops, restaurants, but little in the way of nightlife. 

Pyramids of Tenerife

The Pirámides de Güímar Ethnographic Park is located in the town of Güímar at a distance of some 26 kilometres from Santa Cruz de Tenerife.  The site, which measures 60.000 square metres, received an investment of more than six million Euros, and has become a “must” among the places of interest for both tourists and residents of the islands.  For a long time, some believed that the pyramids were simply heaps made by native farmers who found the stones while ploughing and stacked them as a pyramid.

Loro Parque

Loro Park is a man-made paradise featuring parrots, killer whales, sea lions, dolphins, penguins, gorillas, chimpanzees, jaguars, tigers, alligators, sharks and many other animals: You will need a full day to enjoy the entire park The permanent mild climate in Tenerife allows to easily host these tropical animals.  Located in Puerto de La Cruz, Loro Park is home to the world’s largest collection of parrots, an aquarium with a shark tunnel, a planet of penguins, and shows of dolphins, sea lions and over 3000 parrots.

Festivals in Tenerife

The carnivals are one of the most well-known features of Tenerife and well-known as the best after those of Rio de Janeiro. All the islanders gather together at these annual festivities in a mass outburst of collective gaiety. The main celebrations take place in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the areas near the port where people dance to the sound of the best Salsa groups. One of the first and most publicized events of the Carnival of Tenerife is the crowing of the Queen of Carnival. 

Golf del Sur

Golf del Sur resort is ideal for holiday makers looking for a relaxing break away from all the bustling main resort centres, and for those looking for a golfing holiday.  There is a small rocky bathing inlet reached by a series of steps. The beach is one of fine golden sand. There are a few shops, cafes and bars and a Tuesday market that is well worth a visit. It has a quiet and peaceful atmosphere around the golf courses, but the busier resorts of Los Cristianos and Las Americas are just 15 minutes away.

Nightlife in Tenerife

Tenerife is renowned for its buzzing club scene. They say Tenerife comes alive by night. The tourists and locals alike put their best outfits on and go dancing until the early hours in the nightclubs of Tenerife. Discos in Tenerife are situated mainly in the south of the island. The most famous are in Playa De Las Americas & Los Cristianos. The most famous nightclubs in Tenerife are situated at Veronicas, Playa De Las Americas. This is where the famous DJ’s from around the world come and play.

Amazonia

A tropical rain forest of 7000 square metres. Exotic birds fly freely and there is s a beautiful collection of hummingbirds, a host of  parrots and reptiles and game birds.  Amazonia possibly has the largest collection of its kind in the world and also houses a spectacular dome containing a luxuriant mini-jungle full of rainforest flora and fauna. Next door to the Cactus and Animal Park. Amazonia is a magnificent experience has become a major attraction on the island for both young and old.

Las Aguilas del Teide (Eagle Park)

Set high in the hills above the resort of Los Cristianos. Free buses operate from Los Cristianos and Las Americas.  Las Aguilas del Teide has 75,000 sq. metres of beautifully landscaped tropical gardens you will need a full day to see all the attractions.  The park has various shows and demonstrations throughout the day - parrot shows, penguin feeding, flying eagles and bird of prey demonstrations, exotic wildlife elephants and crocodiles. The Eagle park is a fantastic attraction well worth a visit during your stay.

Cactus and Animal Park

Located next door to Amazonia in the resort of Los Cristianos.  Free buses operate from Los Cristianos and Las Americas.  Autopista del Sur Salida 26.  The Cactus and Animal Park is a botanical garden specialising in arid region cacti and plant life.  The animal park, houses a variety of species from marmosets to terrapins in a more natural habitat.  
Next door is Amazonia, a 7000 sq m of tropical rain forest. Exotic birds fly freely and there is s a beautiful collection of hummingbirds, a host of other game birds, parrots and reptiles.

Bananera - Jardines del Atlantico

Bananera Jardínes del Atlantico is an interesting working banana plantation and farm.  It has an abundance of tropical plants and trees and an exhibition and model on traditional agriculture and the water system used on Tenerife. You can take a guided tour which lasts about an hour. It is located in the village of Buzanada in the resort of Los Cristianos.  Free buses run from Los Cristianos and Las Americas.  There is a cafe and small shop on site. This is an excellent attraction with a learning aspect for children.

Camel Park

At Camel Park you can enjoy something completely different.  You can enjoy a ride on camel safari for about 1 hour around the fields that surround the farm. Afterwards enjoy an Arab tea or meal. Also see the breeding and handicraft centre at this Canarian Farm.  To find Camel Park  - it is 3.5 km from exit 27 on the TF1 Motorway. In the opposite direction from Los Cristianos. Camel Park is situated between the villages of Chayofa and La Camella in the resort of Los Cristianos.

Airports

There are 2 airports on Tenerife.  The main one Reina Sofia Airport (TFS) in the South (Aeropueto Transoceanico del  Sur de Tenerife). Los Rodeos Airport (TFN) in the North, near to La Laguna and is suitable for resorts such as Puerto de la Cruz and the island capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife.  Reina Sofia Airport in the South (Sur) of Tenerife is the main tourist airport, and suitable for resorts such as Los Cristianos, Playa de las Americas, Los Gigantes and Las Galletas and the other southern resorts.

Tenerife Cuisine

Many of the traditional dishes are made up of the local produce - cheese  (mostly goats and smoked or curd - eaten with fruit, or fried or grilled and fish dishes, chestnuts used to accompany many traditional dishes and served with wine in the Autumn - the chestnuts are boiled in water, salt and green anise and served with a good sauce, salted fish and local sweet potato, also gofia, ( toasted maize) & bananas. One of the favourite dishes is a fish stew, especially in the north of the island.