What can you see in Tenerife and Spain? Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, is a year-round favorite holiday spot for tourists from across the globe. It is not only a place to enjoy beautiful scenery, extreme sun rays and ocean waves, great bars and restaurants; but Tenerife is attractive for its natural resources and secluded getaways. Below is an extensive guide to top ten activities in Tenerife, including both unique and more touristy things to see and do on the island.
Alternative things to do in Tenerife: wine museum. Delight each of the senses with a wine tasting at Casa del Vino in El Sauzal in the north of Tenerife. It’s a great place to learn all about the island’s thriving wine industry (and have a few pre-lunch tipples, if you’re so inclined. I definitely was). You’ll also get to marvel at the intricate detail of the traditional Canarian ceiling in one of the rooms. Around 8,000 hectares of Tenerife is dedicated to wine production and the destination has five wine trademarks – a lot, considering its size! I loved learning all about the traditional cultivation methods and the state of Tenerife’s wine scene today at the wine museum. Oh, and look out for the museum’s two friendly cats!
Mount Teide National Park is a World Heritage Site and home to Mount Teide, a volcano and the highest mountain peak in Spain at 3718m above sea level. You can hike or take a cable car to the base of the final cone summit, where you will enjoy the breathtaking views of Tenerife, Gran Canaria and La Palma. If you want to head to the top of the summit you will need to get a permit in advance. The Teide Observatory is on Mount Teide at an altitude of 2400m above sea level. It is the world’s largest solar observatory and has an ideal location to observe the sun or night sky. Guided tours of the observatory are available. Read more info at Ultimate Tenerife.
A visit to Garachico is like going back in time: this small town has a rather dark history, being destroyed 2 times by volcanic eruptions. Walk on its narrow streets, eat a great ice cream on the sea shore and swim in the rocky pools during those hot summer days. El Drago or the Dragon Tree is the island’s most popular tree. The best view is the one from the town square, so there’s no need to pay to see it up close. If you want more ideas for a holiday that doesn’t break the budget, read our article about free things to do in Tenerife. The town of San Cristobal de la Laguna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it deserves at least a few hours to walk around and see the beautiful buildings. If you’re with the kids you may want to visit the Museum of Science and the Cosmos and why not also the Museum of History and Anthropology.
Some of the top sights in La Laguna are The Cathedral of La Laguna, Plaza del Adelantado (the wooden balcony you’ll see protruding from the convent’s roof has a sad story attached to it about a nun who was forced to watch her illicit lover’s execution), Palacio de Nava and the market in Plaza del Cristo. Book a walking tour to learn about the main sights. One of the best things to do for families in Tenerife is undoubtedly a day at Siam Park, which is located in the popular tourist resort of Costa Adeje. The park has a Thai theme and a truly terrifying ride called ‘Tower of Power’ that jettisons riders through shark-infested waters in a protective plastic bubble. I braved it when I was 19 but I wouldn’t dare do it today! Discover more details on https://tenerifeforum.site/.