Tenerife: the highlights

Why visit Tenerife for your weekend away

Tenerife is one of Europe’s most popular beach breaks and is the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands. It is known for its fresh seafood, breathtaking views and epic nightlife. The city is an exciting combination of Arabic and Moorish influences mixed with Spanish traditions, making it the destination to get cultured and have a good time all at the same.

Summers in Tenerife are warm and rain is practically unheard of. This makes it ideal for rooftop bars and partying in the sun. Temperatures hit the high 20s and is sunny all year round. Even in the winter, temperatures average around the low 20s, so you’ll still get that summer warmth even if you visit off season.

So whether you’ve got a laid back crew looking for some culture or just want to party hard until the early hours of the morning, this is the European destination to visit. Plus, it’s only a 4 hour flight from London, making travel from the UK super easy.

Explore the city

Head to the beaches.

With over 400 kilometres of sandy beaches in Tenerife, your options are plenty. If you are looking for something away from the main tourist resorts, Playa Bollullo, Playa del Pozo or Playa El Puertito are some great options. Those feeling sporty should head to El Medano beach best known for its windsurfing and kitesurfing activities.

Visit a Thai theme park

Considered one the best theme parks in Europe, Siam Park is the best when it comes to putting on a show. Built to replicate Thai architecture, what better way to explore Thailand from afar. There are a great selection of rides and water slides here, as well as a variety of restaurants, a Thai floating market, Siam Beach and a wave pool which offers surfing lessons.

Explore Santa Cruz

The port city of Santa Cruz is home to island's harbours, seafront shopping, beautiful beaches and excellent restaurants. The arrival of the annual Carnaval de Santa Cruz in February turns the city into a party and is a great time to visit the island with parades, music, dancing and colourful costumes.

Hike Mount Teide

Catch a hike up to the peak of the tallest peak in all of Tenerife and Spain if you up for a challenge. Otherwise, the cable cars up to the summit of this Unesco World Heritage site are a great way to catch panoramic views of Tenerife, the Gran Canaria and La Palma islands.

Charter a Yacht

Perhaps you’re looking for a new way to see Tenerife. Located just 15 minutes’ away from the nearest beach, this 3 hour private cruise will give you a coast to coast tour of the Canary islands. With an unlimited buffet with choice of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks, you won’t even notice the day go by.

Cool Off in the Natural Pools

Maybe you think beaches are overrated, in which case a visit to these natural salt water pools are a must. It's fun way to cool off especially on a hot summer's day and potentially an option to consider after a long hike up the mountains or day full of booze.

Whale watching

A common habitat for whales and dolphins, this could be a great activity to watch these sea animals in the wild. Daily trips from the Los Cristianos, Los Gigantes or Las Americas guarantee sightings and last for approximately 3 hours. In addition to the usual sperm whales, dolphins and turtles, you may even spot a killer whale or two if you're lucky.

Nightlife

Sip a cocktail at Kaluna Beach Club

Overlooking the ocean, Kaluna beach club features an open air terrace which opens into the Puerto Colon and Torviscas beaches. With all-day access to the club, relax in style in the VIP cabins or kick back on a sunbed, soaking up the sun, sipping on a cocktail and enjoying the chilled-out summer soundtrack and panoramic views.

Dance at Tramps

If you’re in the mood to dance until the early hours, Tramps is a great place to go. It features a huge dance floor which can cater for hundreds. Recognised as one of the best house music and R&B night clubs in the Canary Isles, you won’t be missing out on the beat here.

Party in the hottest spot in Tenerife.

Playa de Las Americas is dubbed the number 1 neighbourhood for nightlife in Tenerife - the bars and clubs here will spoil you for choice. Popular spots include Sound of Cream, Yordy’s and Linekers. Most don't get going till midnight or later, so if you're looking to put your party shoes on for a night of fun and more fun, this strip is the place to be.

Party the Canarian way.

Puerto de la Cruz is a popular spot for revellers looking for something more local. Here you’ll find a fantastic choice of salsa and Latino bars, many of which offer live bands and dancers. Like the nightclubs in the south of the island, these bars don’t liven up until around midnight, but they stay open well into the early hours.

Spectate in Santa Cruz

Next door in Santa Cruz, you’ll find Tenerife’s largest auditorium and if you’re the spectating rather than participating type, you’ll find loads of regular shows including ballet, opera, ice skating and many other theatrical performances.

Eat like a local

Tapas it all the way.

Tapas may not be a Canarian style of dining but in recent years it has picked up popularity as its a great way to socialise. Most traditional bars have a row of steel trays under a glass cabinet featuring more or less the same type of tapas dishes. Typicals tapas dishes include Croquetas caseras and Chopitos.

Sangria and Paella

You can never go wrong with this pairing. Often enjoyed together, this Spanish delicacy is nothing short of brilliant. Paella is a rice dish with beans and vegetables cooked with meat or seafood while Sangria is an alcoholic beverage which traditionally consists of red wine and chopped fruit, often with other ingredients such as orange juice or brandy.

Get cultured with the food

Try two of Tenerife’s most culturally common dishes, the Gofio and Papas Arrugadas dishes. Papas Arrugadas are potatoes with skin on, cooked with salt and served with mojo (a hot and spicy sauce or a green olive oil based one). Gofio are toasted cereals grinded and rolled into balls. This takes the place of bread and is often eaten with soup.

Eat all the seafood

Seafood lovers will be in paradise in Tenerife and you will be spoilt for choice with the abundance of great seafood and fresh fish. On the menus are lobsters, crab, mussels, oysters and all manner of succulent morsels imaginable. Costa Adeja and the Golf del Sur resorts are some great spots to find good seafood restaurants.

Accomodation

There are plenty of accommodation options in Tenerife. If you are travelling on a tight budget or just looking to save up on accommodation, there are many options you can consider ranging from dorms to budget hotels in the city. Alternatively, if you are splurging on that cash, there are equally as many stylish hotels, apartments and airbnb’s within the city that you could book.

Always sunny in Tenerife

Soak up the sun in Tenerife. With sun nearly all year long this destination is perfect for those looking to go away out of season.

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2023-05-31T19:06:29.392Z

2023-05-31T19:06:29.392Z