In Tenerife you can go to the beach, climb Teide or visit the capital. However, there are other interesting plans too and usually less requested, that will also be worth it. What can you do at the island? We are about to tell you!
Castillo San Miguel
Would you like to feel like you are in the medieval world, enjoy a banquet and witness the best knight tournaments? You’ll be able to do it at Castillo San Miguel, at the south of Tenerife. As soon as you enter, the Count Don Rodrigo and his daughter will welcome you and assign you the color of your knight. Afterwards, you’ll witness a spectacle of medieval fights and games on the sand.
You will eat like a real resident of the Middle Age: a soup eaten directly from the bowl and a whole chicken that you will taste on large benches and big tables. Don’t forget to cheer up your knight at all times since he will be the one who wins or dies in your honor!
Adrenaline karting
If you are a speed lover, you can’t miss out on go-kartings spreaded out in several spots of Tenerife. In the north of Tenerife, you’ll find Karting de La Esperanza where you can enjoy an open-air experience. While in the capital you’ll find Indoor Tenerife where you’ll be able to enjoy an indoor experience. The advantage of the last one though is that if it’s raining you’ll still be able to enjoy karting without a problem.
But if what you’re looking for is more potency and a powerful circuit, don’t miss out on Karting Tenerife at the south of the island. It is the biggest one but also the most expensive one. In all cases, any of the options is equally nice for children and adults. We’re not saying you should visit all of them, but it’s worth it that you go to at least one.
Fly in wing
If you like risky sports you can’t leave the island without falling in wing. Feel the wind hitting your face, watching the island in bird view, fly and feel free. You can do it from different parts of the island, specifically from Güímar, Adeje and Los Realejos.
But the most impressive one is the one starting from the National Park of Teide and reaching the coast, where you’ll arrive passing by Spain’s tallest point, overflying the pine forest down to the sea.
This is a sport done all year round, although it is recommended for October and May. But if you worry about not knowing how to do it, don’t stress out! Most people haven’t fallen in parapente. The usual is to fly in a two-seater, next to an instructor. Some companies specialized in this sport are Tenerfly from Adeje or Ifonche, or Enminube from Izaña, Los Realejos, Güímar or Taganana.
Getting deep into the wind cave
If you don’t have claustrofobia and you would like to know Tenerife from the inside, you cannot miss the opportunity of visiting Cueva del Viento (Wind Cave), in Icod de los Vinos. It is the largest volcanic tube of the European Union and the fifth biggest one in the world.
It got formed almost 30.000 years ago and it got discovered from the Guanches (original inhabitants of the Canary Islands). It has not been modified ever since, so you will have to enter with light helmets since there is no electricity inside the cave.
It is open practically every day of the year apart from designated days and you will have to buy your tickets online. Trainer shoes are obligatory, long pants and coat in addition to the raincoat if you go during winter. The visit lasts between two to three hours and the difficulty level is a medium.
Forestal Park
If you’re an adventure lover and also coming with children, don’t miss out on the biggest adventure theme park in the forest of Tenerife. Forestal Park is located in one of the prettiest natural landscapes of the canarian pine forest, Las Lagunetas Protected Landscape. Suspension bridges, zip-lines of over 200 metres of length or pine climbing are some of the activities you can realise.
As a recommendation, wear comfortable and warm sports clothes because at that altitude it’s really cold. Although it is always better to consult the weather before going. Wear fingerless gloves and a fanny pack or a small backpack to keep your belongings because there are no lockers.
Water sports
If you like the marine world, you can’t miss out on the numerous water sport activities carried out at the island. Enjoy the Tenerife sea and its nice weather, spotting cetaceans, diving or boat strolling. You can find many offers in pages like Bonosvip or Groupon, and also in the official pages of the companies of those activities.
Scuba diving
The canarian sea depths are one of the main attractions of the islands. Places like Teno, Paraíso beach or Tabaiba are the perfect places to exercise scuba diving. In fact, the last one is probably the most preferable spot for scuba diving lovers in Tenerife. What’s its charm? A shipwreck at the bottom of the sea! It has become a totally accessible part of the ocean. If you are a beginner you will be able only to get close to it, but professionals can also get inside.
There also are other points of the island where you’ll be able to live the experience of immersing in canarian waters such as Barranco Seco (Santiago del Teide), Cueva de las morenas (Arona), Los Chuchos (Arona) or La Catedral (Puerto de la Cruz). The last one stands out for its cavities and rocky labyrinthes that uphold a 20 metre cave. Only thinking about it causes both fear and curiosity!
Surf and bodyboard
If you’d like to know where to surf in Tenerife, you should keep reading. Igueste de San Andrés (Santa Cruz de Tenerife) is one of the best beaches in the north of Tenerife where you can practice bodyboard, with waves from one to three metres and a powerful northwest swell. It is quite similar to La Caleta (Garachico), which is perfect from autumn to spring with its two to five metres waves.
But at the north of the island you can also find El Socorro (Los Realejos), a gorgeous and wide beach of black sand, perfect for all year round. It has a Blue Flag for its good environmental conditions and installations, and there are competitions carried out throughout the year. Nonetheless, you will have to arrive early cause if not you’ll stay without a parking spot and by experience we inform you that you won’t like the idea of getting down the whole route walking!
At the south of Tenerife you will find Las Palmeras or El Conquistador (Playa de las Américas), two of the best beaches of the island to do surf or bodyboard. The first one is ideal all year round, but the second one only during winter, with a nice, surfer atmosphere. Both have a bodyguard, parking, showers and restaurants.
But you cannot leave the island without stopping by El Médano, a beach par excellence for practicing kitesurf and windsurf and it also has a Blue Flag. Practically during the whole year it’s windy, something that you won’t like at all if you’re only going there to enjoy the beach. You can rent the water sport equipment from any store close to the place. Every year in the middle of july one of the races of the Windsurf World Cup takes place here.
If you’re not convinced by any of the above, visit El Charco (Bajamar), Martiánez (Puerto de la Cruz), Punta Blanca (Guía de Isora) or Las Galletas (Las Galletas).
Cetacean sighting
The cetacean sighting of Tenerife is perhaps the most favourite activities for both visitors and residents of the island. Around 21 species of cetaceans can be found in the canarian waters, where the most prominent ones are the bottlenose dolphin and the short-finned pilot whale.
You’ll be able to see them in different spots like Los Gigantes or Puerto Colón. The first one is the most preferable one since from there you can get a boat, pass by the big cliffs, observe the dolphins and take a nice dip. And not only that, but to cap it all, the boat offers food!
There, as well as in Puerto Colón or Radazul, you’ll be able to do other sports such as parascending or jet ski riding. Fit only for the more adventurous ones.
Swimming with turtles
In Tenerife you can do something truly spectacular: swim close to sea turtles. At the moment there is only one safe place where you can find these animals. By accessing the beach La Arenita (Palm-Mar), with only a mask and a snorkel you’ll be able to see the green turtle, the most common one of the island, between many other marine mammals.
We suggest that you hire a scuba diving excursion in El Bufadero, with Buceo Tenerife for example, because the place is located in a cove close to the beach and if you don’t know the area well it could a little dangerous. You know already: prevention is better than cure!
Discover the museums of Tenerife
If you like history, science or archeology, don’t hesitate visiting the numerous museums found all around the island of Tenerife. Wine museum, art, military, Carnival, nature and archeology, are some of the many.
For those who love science, Museum of Science and the Cosmos is one of the museums which you’ll mostly enjoy because it’s similar to an amusement park. The visitor will have the possibility to learn while playing, interact, try out some invention and even have an astronomical camping. Highly recommended for visiting with children.
Nature lovers cannot miss the Museum of Nature and Archeology where you can learn about the past of the Guanches (original inhabitants of the Canary islands). It has the biggest existing collection of Guanche culture and a system of conservation and exhibition of mummified human remains. Guanche skulls, pots, stones with Punic Berber inscriptions and much more.
Pyramids of Güímar and Poison Garden
Tenerife isn’t Egypt, but we do have a big pyramid at the south of the island. The Ethnographic Park Pyramids of Güímar is a big open air museum that collects routes and gardens of canarian species. Each month of June the ‘double sunset’ can be observed. You will appreciate how the solar disk disappears completely, only to appear again, within minutes.
You might think it’s crazy asking but, how many poisonous plants have you seen in your life? You would surely not know what to say. By purchasing the tickets online, you’ll be able to see 70 species from all over the world, a unique exhibition in the islands. Myths and legends about the venum, medical uses for some of the species, toxic level. A perfect place to visit with the family.
But these are not the only things you’ll find there. There is also a botanical route with endemic canarian species, another one with exports of products such as sugar cane, cochineal, banana or tomato, and a cultural one that teaches things about agriculture, traditional costumes or indigenous sports.
Another big attraction is Tropicarium however, where you’ll learn about life strategies that orchids and carnivorous plants use to survive. You’ll discover why these two groups of plants caught Darwin’s attention. Or you’ll be left wondering?
For more information, click here.
Palmetum
With regards to botany, you can’t not visit Palmetum, a botanical garden specialized in palm trees. It is located in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the top of an artificial mountain that covers what formerly was a rubbish tip. It isn’t just any place since it is considered to be the biggest botanical collection of tropical island palm trees in the world.
Also, from there you’ll be able to gaze at the marvellous views of the city and sea. About 2000 different species changed the place from a landfill to one of the prettiest places of the capital of Tenerife.
Hiking
Hiking lovers can also enjoy their passion in Tenerife. There are many routes on the island that you can take: from the beach and the mountain, tough ones and easy ones, for families and athletes.
The Trail of the Senses in Anaga is a favourite one for many visitors. It can be found next to the visitors center in Cruz del Carmen and it has three different levels, able to adapt to everyone. You can also take the trail of the Enchanted Forest, asking for a permit beforehand, that runs over the Pijaral Nature Reserve that is prominent for its enormous ferns.
To learn more of these trails, click on the link.
The route of the bloomed almond trees is another very interesting reference located in El Tanque and more specifically in Santiago del Teide. The landscape is dyed in white and pink due to the blossoming of the almond trees that colour the lava shape of the eruption of the Chinyero volcano. An approximately 3 hour trail and of low difficulty.
You can also take some of the routes of Teide National Park, such as the one of Siete Cañadas, quite popular mostly for the island residents. This trail, with a 5 hour duration, formerly connected the regions of south with those of the north. The best period to take that route is during spring and at night time so that you observe the beauty of the stars.
As a recommendation, get loads of water, suitable clothes and sun protection. Also, get a torch, layers of coats, gloves, hat and a hot drink. There are different tours to enjoy the walk and not get lost.
Water parks
Siam Park
Although it’s something really typical you have to do it. If what you like is fun and water, Siam Park is the place to be. Since 2014 it has been chosen from TripAdvisor as the best water park in the world. Located at the south of Tenerife and themed in Thai architecture, it has the biggest artificial wave in the world. During summer, you can even go by night!
It has 15 different attractions for adults and kids, just as for adrenaline lovers or tranquility seekers. Adventurers have the Tower of Power, a sledge of pure adrenaline with 28 metres of an almost vertical free fall, that finishes its route under a big aquarium of sharks and manta rays. Perhaps, after climbing all those steps to reach to the top, the height will scare you so much that you’ll decide not to fall after all. Do you dare to visit the water kingdom?
Aqualand
This water park is prior to Siam Park and it has been the childhood memories for many local children. Aqualand is perfect for families with children since it has many attractions for both kids and adults. It has, in fact, a dolphinarium along with “Kamikaze”, the fastest attraction of the island. It is cheaper than the water kingdom, but it also has less impressive attractions.
Costa Martiánez Tourist Complex
The also known as Lago Martiánez, is an entertainment area formed by 7 artificial swimming pools of sea water and a big lake. Gardens, bars, sunbeds. A structure designed by César Manrique, that the whole world should know of. The perfect place to go with children, but if you go during summer, better to be there early because people come flooding in.
César Manrique Maritime Park
Nevertheless, César Manrique built a complex of 3 seawater swimming pools in Santa Cruz de Tenerife as well, next to a castle that served as a fortress of the capital. Cafés, stores, changing rooms, showers.. The Maritime Park is not as big as Lago Martiánez but it is quite similar and you need to be there in advance to be able to get a hammock. I don’t think you’re up for sunbathing on the ground, right?
Zoos
Loro Park
Despite the fact that every tourist does it, you have to visit the best zoo of the world, according to TripAdvisor, found in Puerto de la Cruz. Loro Park has been in charge of the reproduction of endangered animals while looking after and feeding them.
Hippopotamus, big tigers, performances with entertaining sea lions. Undoubtedly though their biggest attraction is their enormous orcas and their performance, since if you get distracted they can leave you soaking wet. If you park in the parking of the zoo though, don’t forget to get a sticker that certifies you have been to Loro Park.
Jungle Park
Although not as famous as Loro Park, Jungle Park has the most popular show of eagles in the Canaries. Located at the south of Tenerife, falcons fly over the event where the show takes place, almost to the point where the birds touch the audience’s heads! Also, children can feed and pet the animals. A real zoo and botanical park!
Camello Center
If you like camels on the other hand, don’t hesitate visiting Tanque or Camella. These two places offer walks on camels showing the canarian flora and fauna. Camel Park and Camello Center have also farms where you can see animals like goats or sheeps.
These are only some of the activities you can have in Tenerife. They fit all tastes, all ages and include a variety of different places of the island.