Visiting Tenerife - What to See and Do

(Tenerife North Airport TFN, Spain)

Tenerife is the largest and most visited island in the Canary Islands chain. With millions visiting the island each year, a healthy tourism atmosphere is found across its cities, towns and most popular destinations. The island's host of lush tropical forests, volcanic mountain peaks, rugged coastlines, soft-sand beaches and warm hospitable locals make for an appealing sightseeing destination.

For a small island, Tenerife truly packs a powerful punch when it comes to magnificent attractions. Hiking the highland interior, with its soul-searching peaks and unique landscape, is a popular pastime for tourists. Of course, mountain biking, scenic driving and touring are great ways to take in the sights of the island too.

An unrivaled beach culture is also prevalent on the island. Dozens of rowdy and more sedate beaches span the extensive coastline. For a more energetic and dynamic beach atmosphere, head to Santa Cruz's Playa de Las Teresitas. Tenerife is widely known as the 'Island of Eternal Spring'. Therefore, its sparkling beach culture is not surprising.

Ten things you must do in Tenerife

• The highest peak on Tenerife, throughout the Canary Islands and in the whole of Spain, is Mount Teide. Luckily, a cable car makes travel up the mountain very easy. Despite the occasional bout of altitude sickness and cold temperatures year round, getting to the top of Mount Teide is the premier activity for all tourists to Tenerife.
• The vast amount of landscapes makes the island an interesting hiking destination. One of the best places to hike on the island is the Rural Park of Anaga (Parque Rural de Anaga). The hike up to and subsequent panorama at Pico del Ingles is worth the climb. Visitors won't be able to find a more accessible view of the Canary Islands than from the top of this peak.
• Scenic drives are a unique way to see the stunning exterior and interior of Tenerife. The mountainous roads and forested hills make for breathtaking scenes, which can be experienced via car. The drive to Masca Village is a regular trail for touring motorists. If driving seems too much of a challenge, then many of the major hotels provide shuttle and coach services.
• The Loro Park Zoo is a fantastic family attraction just a short distance from city of Puerto de la Cruz, in Tenerife's northern districts. The site is an animal conservation park, as well as a zoo, so tourists will be helping the local wildlife by discovering this park for a day.
• Only a short bus ride from Los Cristianos, Jungle Park is an ideal venue for the entire family. Young kids and adults will have a whale of a time at this amusement park, which boasts an exciting array of creatures from around the Canary Islands and other parts of the world. The daily Birds of Prey show is the most recommended highlight of Jungle Park.
• Cool down during the hot summer months at the Siam Water Park. Established in 2008, this Costa Adeje theme park is home to many fabulous thrill rides and chill out zones. Cafés and restaurants dot the park, and the artificial wave pool is a safe way to enjoy some waves while on holiday in Tenerife.
• Tourists who enjoy scuba diving will be itching to visit Tenerife's most majestic diving sites. From the rock formations around Santa Cruz to the interesting schools of stingrays at Las Galletas, there are countless marvellous sites to explore under the surface of the island's coast. Tours can be efficiently arranged once visitors have arrived onto the island.
• Found in the heart of Santa Cruz, the famous Museum of Man and Nature is a triple-decker delight so to speak. There are three complexes located at the museum. One is the Museum of Natural Sciences, while the other attractions are focused upon bioanthropology and architecture around the Canary Islands. Nevertheless, the museum is renowned for its well-preserved collection of mummies.
• Tenerife is a beach destination, so beach swimming is the best way to cool down and enjoy the sub-tropical sunshine that drenches the island. Beaches come in an array of shapes and sizes, but several of the more famous strips to visit include both the Playa de Torvisca and the Playa de Las Teresitas.
• Each year in February, the busy tourist-island of Tenerife becomes even busier with the coming of Carnival. This large celebration of local culture is an island-wide event and is also held on other islands of the Canaries. Santa Cruz is the heart of the festival, which lasts for some ten days upon the chaotic streets of the city. Music, cuisine, dance and other cultural extravaganzas dominate the proceedings.