Tenerife, your next holiday destination?

To the Romans, the Canary Islands were the “Islands of the Blessed”; to the great traveller Alexander von Humboldt, they were the “Happy Islands”. Politically Spanish, geographically African, and culturally influenced by South America, Tenerife is today often described as the “Island of Eternal Spring”.

Swimming is possible all year round (with some seasonal limitations), and the climate is exceptionally pleasant — mild and warm, rarely hot, sometimes cool, and only occasionally rainy. As the DuMont Landscape Guide puts it:

“There is no grey autumn with gloomy November days, no damp cold, and no icy winter. Even summer, in contrast to the dry and scorching Mediterranean regions, remains very tolerable and relaxing.”

And, as far as we know, there are no dangerous animals.

The term “Eternal Spring” is especially fitting for the green north-west coast, including the Orotava Valley and Puerto de la Cruz. The climate of the Orotava Valley is also said to have particularly beneficial, even healing, qualities.

Tenerife is the largest, most scenic, and culturally diverse of the Canary Islands. It offers an exceptionally rich and varied range of opportunities for excursions, walking, sightseeing, and outdoor activities.

The island’s landscapes range from dramatic rocky coastlines and light and dark sandy beaches to small fishing villages and mountain hamlets; from cultivated fields and traditional courtyards to pine forests, mixed woodland, hillsides, mountains, ravines, craters, plateaus, and striking rock formations. There are lunar-like volcanic landscapes and, towering above all, Mount Teide, Spain’s highest mountain.

Tenerife is also rich in history and culture, with charming historic towns featuring idyllic squares, elegant mansions, traditional balconies, churches, and a lively calendar of folkloric festivals and processions — including the world-famous carnival, the Burial of the Sardine, and many local celebrations.

For families and leisure, the island is home to outstanding attractions such as Loro Parque, renowned for having the world’s largest collection of parrots, and Siam Park, frequently ranked among the best water parks in the world. Whale watching, underwater viewing experiences, and a remarkable natural environment further enrich the island’s appeal.

Tenerife also boasts the greatest biodiversity of the Canary Islands and is home to more than 140 endemic plant species.

Tenerife for Connoisseurs

Tenerife is not only famous for its bananas, but also for its long tradition of wine-making. Of the island’s five main wine-growing areas, Tacoronte, located close to the finca, is the most renowned. With 24 predominantly autochthonous grape varieties, Tenerife possesses a truly unique viticultural heritage. A visit to the wine museum in nearby El Sauzal offers an excellent overview of this tradition.

The island is also known for its outstanding fresh fish, prepared in a wide variety of local restaurants and offered at very reasonable prices.

The Canary Islands’ typical mojo sauces — red or green — are traditionally served with many dishes, most famously with papas arrugadas, small Canarian potatoes cooked unpeeled and marinated in salt. Another local speciality is Canarian rabbit, a classic dish of the archipelago. The hearty stew puchero canario is regarded as one of the most nutritious and wholesome dishes in Spanish cuisine.

Another traditional Canarian staple is gofio, a flour made from roasted cereals, which was the basic food of the island’s indigenous inhabitants.

Possible destinations for excursions beyond the surroundings, include among others:

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE TENERIFFA TOURISM ASSOCIATION