Tenerife: the highlights

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.