Tenerife after all boasts the highest mountain in Spain, Unesco World Heritage sites and the world’s largest carnival after Rio. Tenerife Walking Festival also celebrates the island’s world class walking. So get off the beach and discover the best of this seriously misunderstood island.
The 9 best things to do on your holidays to Tenerife in 2019
1. Tackle the big one
Mount Teide soars to 3,718m, easily the highest mountain in Spain. Most visitors troop up and down the volcano’s steep, blackened slopes in the cable car only to be surprised they’re not allowed to reach the actual summit.
To make it atop Teide the best plan is to spend a night on the mountain. Booking ahead at the cosy Altavista Refuge is essential. If you are not staying at the refuge you’ll need a permit to be allowed up to the summit. The best time to hit the top is at sunrise to witness the large shadow of Teide unfurling across the Atlantic.
2. Party like it’s Rio!
The annual Carnival in the capital of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is in the city’s blood and is back to its best after being banned during the Franco years. The Carnival societies operate all year round, but the best time to be here is February, when three weeks of bedlam kick off. Check out the gala performances and the seriously fancy dress competitions, or just head for Plaza Espana where the free nefarious street party fun is at its wildest.
3. Walk this way
March 2015 saw the inaugural Tenerife Walking Festival. Event highlights in 2019 include the scramble from mountain to ocean through Masca Gorge and any of the routes that take in the lunar otherworld of the Unesco World Heritage Teide National Park.
Holiday like a local – leave the crowded beaches behind and see another side to Tenerife.
4. Savour the seafood
Forget the ubiquitous photo menus of the southern resorts and head out in search of boat-fresh seafood. The sleepy village of Los Abrigos is the place to go, as it has its own fishing fleet. They dish up the freshest catch of the day here with cerne (a white fish), a Tenerife specialty. At Restaurante Los Abrigos don’t order off the menu. Instead go with the waiter to choose your own fish and shellfish, then tell them how you’d like it cooked and enjoy with an ocean view.
5. Enjoy a Canario sundowner
Ditch the international brands, Tenerife brews its own excellent beer, Dorada. Tenerife is also home to five wine regions, with Abona boasting the highest vineyards in Europe. Tacaronte Acentejo were the first Canarian wines to gain a Denominación de Origen (Apellation of Origin). As a digestif, try ron miel, a delicious honey rum that’s just the right side of too sweet.
6. Visit the theme parks
Tenerife is home to not one but two of Europe’s top theme parks. Siam Park is a water park with rides that range from kid-friendly to the frankly terrifying Kinnaree slide. It also has one of the islands few white sand beaches. It comes with proper waves, said to be the highest artificial waves in the world. So decent are the 3m high breaks that they have even held surf competitions here! Loro Parque, meanwhile, is a cross between a theme park and a zoo, with everything from exotic birds and white tigers, through to penguins and killer whales. To save cash buy a joint ticket for both and use the free buses to travel between them.
7. Discover Jurassic Park
Theme parks not your thing? Then venture to the virginal Anaga in the north, which is more Jurassic Park than theme park. This verdant subtropical escape is a world away from the parched southern resorts. Walking is the best way to explore Anaga, but use the local buses to avoid doubling back on yourself. The 15km hike between Cruz del Carmen and Chinamada opens up the best of the Anaga as you snake along narrow trails that cling to the steep, emerald hillsides.
8. Try Freediving
A top tip from Skyscanner’s UK PR guru, Hayley Smith, Tenerife is one of the world’s best destinations for freediving. Freedivers explore the ocean using only their breath, no snorkels or oxygen tanks here thanks! The best freedivers can reach depths of over 150 metres. With Tenerife boasting year round warm temperatures, low currents and crystal clear waters, it makes for a great location to get your fins on and give freediving a go.
9. Chill on the beach
Ok, we’re showing you ways to get beyond Tenerife’s best beaches. But even when it comes to the sand, there are a few surprises. The southern strip boasts plenty of beaches, but you can head away from the crowds on the windy stretch around the low key resort of El Medano, while Playa de las Teresitas in the north is a local favourite. If you don’t fancy sand in your toes head for Cesar Manrique’s brilliantly designed Lago Martianez lido complex in Puerto de la Cruz.
Try the top 8 things to do in Lanzarote next – from visiting the bodegas in La Geria to taking a surf lesson in Playa de Famara.
*Updated December 2018. Information correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change and/or availability.
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