The largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife, is one of those tourist destinations that offers stunning beaches with golden, white, and black sand. The beaches, with their mix of colourful sands, are great for all kinds of water activities. With 342 kilometres of coastline, there's a spot for everyone—whether it's a natural volcanic beach with black sand or the man-made, one-kilometre-long white sand beach of Las Teresitas in the village of San Andrés. Special attention is given to beaches with the Blue Flag, which signifies a sustainable approach to the environment, meeting high environmental and quality standards. Beaches and tourist resorts are typical of the southern part of the island, where temperatures are higher, while the northern part, with slightly cooler temperatures, is known for its more mountainous terrain, perfect for hiking. So, with all the practical tips in hand, join us on a journey to Tenerife and explore the island in your own way.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the capital of Tenerife and also one of the capitals of the Canary Islands. The island's second-largest city was founded in 1494 by Alonso Fernández de Lugo, a Spanish administrator and conqueror of foreign territories, who also established two other cities on the island: San Cristóbal de La Laguna and Santa Cruz de La Palma, alongside Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
The capital of Tenerife, with its many tourist attractions, draws travellers in with the Adán Martín Auditorium, the largest town square Plaza España, and the 1.5-kilometre-lon Las Teresitas beach. What's especially interesting is the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival, held every year in February and March. Since the beginning of 1944, the Nuestra Señora de África market has been open in the city centre, offering fresh products on around 140 stalls across two floors, including local produce. You can also visit the MUNA archaeological museum collection, as well as the city's botanical garden, Palmetum, which opened in 1995.
Las Palmas, along with Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is the capital of the Canary Islands and also the largest and most populated city in the Spanish archipelago. The city, officially named Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, was founded in 1478 by Captain Juan Rejón of the Castilian navy. It's famous for its unique culture, the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Film Festival, and stunning beaches like Las Canteras, a 3.1-kilometre stretch of golden sand.
You can pick up fresh produce at the city's first market, which opened in the second half of the 18th century, known as Vegueta, where you can enjoy fruit, vegetables, cheese, and seafood. You should definitely visit El Museo Canario, where you can explore permanent collections about the native people of the Canary Islands, as well as the Gothic Santa Ana Cathedral, the Viera y Clavijo botanical garden, and the Doramas park with native plants.
The volcanic island of Tenerife is one of the best destinations for a surfing challenge in the Canary Islands, also known as the "Hawaii of Europe", with surfable conditions available year-round at locations across both the northern and southern parts of the island. The strongest waves, generated in the North Atlantic, make the island's coastline perfect for surfers, whether you're a beginner or a pro. During the winter months, the biggest waves can be expected, giving surfers the chance to enjoy themselves at over 100 different surf spots, where everyone can find their perfect wave. The average annual temperature ranges from 17 degrees in winter to 24 degrees in summer. For surfing enthusiasts and professional athletes, the European Surfing Federation and the Federación Canaria de Surf organise surfing festivals, where competitors can battle it out in various categories. Whether you're preparing for a competition or just looking for a day of recreation, you can plan your visit to these top surf spots for a perfect getaway:
The Canary Islands, with Tenerife at their heart, are one of the best surfing destinations in the world. This is certainly complemented by the stunning volcanic landscape, with dramatic cliffs and wild or man-made beaches, where you can expect waves as high as three metres, alongside the diverse waves available for surfing. What makes Tenerife even more attractive to surfers and active travellers are its crystal-clear waters, teeming with diverse marine life, which are internationally recognised for their quality. You can reach the surf spots around the island by car, bus, or tram.
Sustainability is our top priority when it comes to travel, which is why we're here to help and advise you on how to make the most of your Tenerife experience. Together with HI, you can stay at the Aguere Nest hostel in the heart of La Laguna, which contributes to a quality trip with its sustainability-focused approach, helping bring green values to life for a better world. This way, your carbon footprint will be smaller with the help of Hostelling International, contributing to the mission of a sustainably inclusive future. You can get plenty of tips for exploring the Canary Islands and Tenerife in the article Travel to the Canary Islands, where our journalist Alenka will show you how to truly experience Tenerife. Alongside our free online magazine Globetrotter, you'll also have access to a travel guide for global destinations, where you can discover where, what, and how to make the most of your trip. This time, take Pocket Tenerife with you and explore the island with the book in hand.
Our journey begins with a day trip to Castillo de la Luz in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where you can see the work of Spanish sculptor Martín Chirino. With your ticket to enter the oldest defensive fortress, built in 1478, you'll get information about the artist and the history of the castle. From Las Palmas, we continue to the protected area of Coste Adeje - Ifonche, where we'll descend from 1,100 metres above sea level by parachute, landing on the coast at La Caleta. The paragliding flight is led by trained instructors.
You can also go on a private tour of Teide National Park and take in the views of the volcanic landscape and Spain's highest mountain, which stands at 3,718 metres. You'll stop at natural landmarks like the Roques de Garcia, Mirador de Tarta, and Zapato de la Reina. Continue your island exploration in the European whale reserve, where you can listen to the whales with a hydrophone. A team of two crew members will provide you with personalised service.
Explore the hidden gems of the mountain village of Masca on a VIP bus, which will take you to Teide National Park and the village of Vilaflor, 1,400 metres above sea level. You'll be able to admire the stunning nature, with the unique island flora of Teide National Park's one-of-a-kind landscape. Explore Tenerife at your own pace by renting a speedboat, and get to know the island's coastal bays better. You don't need a licence to operate the speedboat, and it's perfect for up to six people. You can make exploring the crystal-clear sea even more enjoyable with music, soft drinks, and snorkelling. If snorkelling from the speedboat isn't enough, opt for a diving course, where you'll learn the theory of diving and head into open waters with instructors to explore exotic fish and underwater rock formations. The 45-minute dive includes all the necessary equipment and insurance.
Learn to glide over the water with an eFoil electric board, reaching speeds of up to 50 kilometres per hour. A qualified instructor will guide you on how to master the waves in a fun and innovative way at Puerto Colon marina in southern Tenerife. The offer is designed for a small group of up to four people. Roca Mar offers an unforgettable experience, starting your sea adventure with a chilled glass of champagne. Leaving Puerto Colon, you'll head into the open Atlantic to see marine life like dolphins and turtles. You can also use the time to swim or go snorkelling. Finally, treat yourself to private surfing lessons with video analysis, where you'll get tips to improve your technique. Tilegit Surf School at Las Américas Beach offers two-hour lessons, including the use of the surfboard and wetsuit.
When we think of Tenerife, we can't help but remember all the amazing activities you can experience on the island. They're divided into three areas: the north, the south, and the metropolitan area, which includes 31 municipalities. The island offers plenty of activities on land, at sea, and in the air, where the views of the landscape are simply breathtaking. You can enjoy an active holiday on one of the island's beaches or by hiking up one of its peaks. Your holiday plans can include plenty of options, such as hiking, cycling, swimming, or visiting museums, galleries, botanical gardens, and theme parks. And of course, there's the food – a wonderful mix of traditional and local dishes made with authentic recipes. Naturally, with everything the island has to offer, your travel plans should be all about fun and personal style, which you can express on each of your adventures.
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