Tenerife Travel Guide
Tenerife is the largest of the seven Canary Islands and a great place to travel, it is the most popular of the Canary Islands and most populated Island of Spain. Although a part of Spain, Tenerife’s proximity to Africa makes it more interesting and inviting to visitors, its volcanic origin and closeness to the Equator further add to the island’s uniqueness and beauty.
Two World Heritage Sites, one National Park, and 42 natural protected spaces are some of the treasures to be discovered in Tenerife. Tourists come in their tens of thousands every year to enjoy the islands picturesque villages, incredible landscapes, idyllic beaches and lively nightlife. Tenerife is probably one of the last European paradise isles, crowned by the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak, it offers lush forests, exotic fauna and flora, deserts, mountains, volcanos, incredibly beautiful coastlines and spectacular beaches in abundance.
The natural diversity on Tenerife is extraordinary, and today over half of its territory is protected and there are almost 50 sites of ecological interest listed. The most famous of all these sites is the Teide National Park, one of the four national parks in the Canaries, and the most visited in Spain, attracting over 2.8 million visitors every year. The exceptional ecological value of Tenerife includes over 600 species of flora and fauna that are unique in the world.
Mount Teide is one of Spain’s ‘Twelve Treasures’ and is Spain’s and the Atlantic Islands’ highest peak. As a volcano, it is third of the world’s largest coming after Hawaii’s Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. An active volcano, which last erupted in 1909, Mount Teide and its whole surrounding make up the UNESCO recognised Teide National Park.
The Canary Island of Tenerife is the perfect year round destination, being on a latitude of the Sahara Desert, Tenerife enjoys a warm climate year-round with an average of 20° - 22°C in the winter and 26° - 28°C in the summer and high sunshine totals.
Things to do
Shopping
Shopping in Tenerife is very popular as the goods are basically tax free, so items such as alcohol, cigarettes perfume and electric goods are significantly cheaper. The best place on the Island to go is the area known as Costa Adeje (Las Américas-Los Cristianos) as it has many world-class facilities and leisure opportunities besides sea and sand, such as quality shopping centres, golf courses, restaurants, water parks, animal parks, and a theatre suitable for musicals or a Congress Hall.
Food
Locally caught fish is usually served with a mojo and Papas arrugadas. Tapas is the best way to trial Spanish food which is various dishes in bite sized portions. Goats cheese is also very popular sometimes made from sheeps or cows milk.
The local cuisine is typical of the Canary Islands:
- Mojo means sauce. The most common varieties are:
- mojo picn (hot, spicy) made from red chillis,
- mojo verde (green) made either from green pepper or coriander (cilantro),
- mojo hervido (boiled) made from spices and lemon.
- Papas arrugadas ("wrinkly potatoes") are cooked unpeeled in salt water then baked dry. Customarily served with a mojo sauce
