Top destinations in Tenerife? Ever wondered how many beaches there are in Tenerife? We have prepared a list of 101 beaches in Tenerife for you to discover and enjoy, but we’re certain that you can still find some that are not on our list. So please don’t go to the same beach every day and go out to explore more of Tenerife. Also, here’s a shorter list with the best beaches in Tenerife (in our opinion). Tenerife is an amazing destination for hiking and the best time for this activity is between October and May, when the temperatures during the day are ideal for walking (during the summer it can be too hot). We have an entire article about the best hiking trails in Tenerife (in our opinion, based on the hikes we did) but even out of those we definitely recommend you do the Chinyero Loop and the hike through the Enchanted Forest El Pijaral (Bosque Encantado), in order to see up close the beauty of the Anaga forest. Find more details on Tenerife Forum.
Garachico is a good option for a day trip in Tenerife. Once the island’s most important port, the town was marked by the eruption of Montaña Negra in 1706 and lost a lot of its status. The volcano did leave Garachico with one gift though: the lava that ravaged the place also carved unique rock pools into its harbour, which now attract swimmers. The peaceful Plaza de la Libertad is also worth a visit while you’re in Garachico. You can’t go to Tenerife on holiday without ordering this sweet hot drink! A Barraquito is a typical Canary Islands liqueur coffee made with condensed milk, espresso, frothed milk, lemon, cinnamon and a good splash of Licor 43 or Tia Maria. I had one after a meal in Puerto de la Cruz and it had quite a kick!
Masca is one of the highest villages on Tenerife, and the rock behind it almost lends a ‘mini Macchu Picchu’ look to the village. The hike from the village to the bay will take between 3 and 5 hours, depending on how many photo breaks you work into the walk. This is a ravine hike, full of view points, flora and fauna and epic photo opportunities. This is a steady hike – bring walking shoes and plenty of water. You’ll need to catch a water taxi back to Los Gigantes, which adds to the experience. In the central north of Tenerife, you’ll find Tabaiba. This is an amazing place for scuba diving. The wreck was sunk deliberately in 2006 to build the marine life here, and attract more divers to the area. On a dive here you’ll find octopus, large schools of mackerel and barracudas.
La Laguna is one of the best places to go in the north of Tenerife, particularly if you’re interested in learning more about the island’s history. This UNESCO World Heritage Site’s 15th century layout was used as a template for many colonial cities established by the Spanish in the USA and Latin America, so you may well feel like you’ve been here before if you’ve travelled in those areas. You’ll find a lot of Tenerife’s cultural attractions here and you only have to walk 100 metres to take in buildings that reflect over 300 years of history. Is it any wonder La Laguna is known as the cultural capital of Tenerife?
Located on a vast area of central Tenerife, Teide National Park is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site centered on the 3,718 meter Mount Teide, the highest mountain in Spain. Teide National Park is one of the oldest national parks in the country, and is an important cultural and historical part of the Canary Islands, offering unbeaten views and hiking routes. Its diverse volcanic landscape, pine forests and green valleys are breathtaking. At the very least a quick drive through the Teide National Park is required to admire the beauty of this part of the island. Also, take the cable car to the top and you will be rewarded with a heaven-like view of the Tenerife and the surrounding islands.