Discover Tenerife
The Canary Islands are situated in the subtropical region of the Atlantic ocean. A total of seven large islands and six uninhabited smaller ones make up the archipelago.
Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands with 2,000 cubic kilometres of emerged superficial area with rock formations that date back seven million years. The Island was originally populated by the Guanches, fair skinned people who were thought to be descendants from the lost kingdom of Atlantis.

Tenerife being both the largest and highest of the islands benefits from significant weather changes, and along with its micro-climate is ideally suited to the cultivation of various types of agriculture which create a rich and varied countryside. Pine forests, volcanic desert, woods with the exuberance of the Amazon and areas resembling the Saharan Desert confuse even the most conditioned senses. Furthermore, this island is home to one of Spain’s most spectacular national parks, Las Cañadas del Teide, and its highest peak, Mount Teide. The village of Vilafor, situated at 1,500 metres, is the highest in Spain. Places to Visit Santa Cruz Santa Cruz is the capital of Tenerife and of the province. With approximately 200,000 residents it is a busy commercial and administrative city. One of the major sites is the main square Plaza de España. In 1987 the square entered the Guinness Book of Records for staging the world’s biggest dance. During the Carnival fiesta 240,000 people danced until dawn. The city’s main shopping street is Calle Castillo, a pedestrian walkway leading directly off the Plaza de España, where you can find almost everything usually at cheaper prices than in the tourist areas. The port of Santa Cruz, one of Spain’s most busiest, is also well worth a visit. The public is allowed full access to the quays. Admiral Lord Nelson lost his arm in an unsuccessful attempt to seize the city and its treasure in 1797.  A few kilometres away you will find a beautiful man-made, golden sand beach Las Teresitas. Puerto de La Cruz. Puerto de la Cruz is one of Tenerife’s oldest resorts. Being in a mountainous area, the weather can be a bit changeable, but it offers you plenty to do when not lying by the pool. There is an endless variety of excursions, shops and restaurants to chose from. In 1993 this town received the distinguished silver medal from the European Tourist Commission. The main social square is Plaza del Charco and at short distance you will find the fishing port. Visit the Loro Parque, parrot park. There are some 1,500 colourful birds on display as well as a large dolphinarium. Puerto de la Cruz would not be complete without the famous Lago Martianez, a beautiful lido with sea-water pools, fountains, cafés and sun terraces. Other sites are the Botanical Gardens, Taoro Park (Parque Taoro), the Casino Taoro, and, of course, the new beach, Punta Brava. The Monasterio restaurant is an excellent choice if eating out – see advert on back page. Santiago del Teide With approximately 6,500 residents, this township’s main tourist attractions are on the south west coast. Puerto de Santiago, originally a small fishing village, has a stunning black sand beach and one of the best sunshine records in Tenerife. Next door lies the Alcantilado de Los Gigantes, the Giants’ Cliffs. This exclusive holiday resort boasts a village-like atmosphere and a picturesque marina. The dramatic setting of giant cliffs will take your breath away while enjoying the sun on its clean black sand beach. Mount Teide In the centre of the Island, Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak, rises to 3,718 metres. The summit can be reached by cable car, from which on a clear day the entire Canarian Archipelago can be viewed floating in the clouds like an apparition. The volcano is the centre piece of Tenerife’s national park, Las Cañadas del Teide. This spectacular park offers breathtaking views of solid lava, green, yellow and blue mineral marks on the landscape and a large and spectacular crater. At sunrise and sunset, the biggest sea shadow in the world is thrown by Mount Teide across the waters surrounding Tenerife. Keen visitors should get up early to get the best of Teide. Los Cristianos Just a few minutes by car from Playa de Las Americas, Los Cristianos, originally a small fishing village, is a slightly quieter and more up market holiday resort. You will find  restaurants offering you worldwide dishes and many shops. The old fishing harbour, a wide sandy bay and a new beach, Las Vistas, are its main attractions. From Los Cristianos port the ferries and hydrofoils sail towards  neighbouring isles La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro. There are also many fishing and sailing trips available.   Playa de Las Americas This is the premier beach resort on the island. Offering a great range of bars and restaurants, and hotels, this resort specializes in fun and night life. All sorts of watersports and day trips are available. The clubs strip Las Veronicas pulses and throbs until dawn. Playa de las Americas really is the traditional sun, sea and sand package.   Costa Adeje A more up market resort stretching from Torviscas to Fañabé featuring the five star Bahía del Duque Hotel and a series of man-made beaches. Hotels and apartments are low rise and there are plenty of residential housing developments springing up complete with gardens and walkways. Development continues here. There are of course other beautiful and interesting places to see such as the northern town of Tacoronte, ideal for wine lovers, or La Laguna, the island’s university city with its church squares and narrow streets. It‘s not all Sun, Sea, Sand and Sangria Whilst the twin towns of Los Cristianos and Playas de las Americas normally swelter under the year round sun and the landscape in the south look barren and infertile, there is a whole new world to be discovered in the north. The village of Masca – tucked away high in the hills above Los Gigantes – and approached by a road that will have some drivers showing a touch of white knuckle – is a Tenerife gem and a sight that all visitors will treasure for the rest of their lives. A visit to the National Park of Las Cañadas and Mount Teide is an essential element of any visit to Tenerife. Whilst many will wonder at the lava fields and outstanding rock formations that have just a touch of the Grand Canyon about them, for others it is the drive up through the pine forests that may give the most pleasure. Leaving the northern airport of Los Rodeos behind, you head for La Esperanza. This long, winding and quiet road meanders through the pine forests -  the largest is known as the La Esperanza forest – and as the altitude changes so too does the flora and fauna. The pines absorb moisture from the clouds – a cloudy but mild day makes a pleasant change from the southern heat south – and return it to the earth so providing that deliciously clean smell of pine tinted, fresh mountain air. It was in this forest that General Franco met with other army colleagues to plan a new political movement that led to the onset of the Spanish civil War in 1936.  There is a monument in the forest that commemorates the meeting. Teide is of course Spain‘s highest peak at just over 12,000 feet and is snow capped in winter. The melting snows provide much of Tenerife‘s water. The mountain dominates the whole island but particularly the national Park which lies within one of the world‘s largest volcanic craters. So whilst you may be tempted to believe – as you touch down at Reina del Sofía international airport that it is only another beachside summer holiday, remember these words and explore the best of Tenerife, the hills, the valleys and the pines.

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