What can you see in Tenerife? Don’t miss the chance to see the cliffs in Los Gigantes or Acantilados de Los Gigantes as they are named in Spanish. You can spend some time on the beach of Los Guios, but if you want to enjoy one of the best views of the cliffs you should head over to Mirador de Archipenque (this is the perfect spot to watch the sunset, as it offers a lovely view of La Gomera, the neighboring island). The famous Siam Park was named as the best water park in the world for the second year in a row. You can visit the park at any time of the year, as the pools are heated to a comfortable 24 Celsius. We usually go to Tenerife in winter, so we visited the park in January and February and we had a great time, as it’s far less crowded than in summer (just be sure to choose a sunny day for your visit if you are heading over in winter). Discover more information at Tenerife forum.
Mojo sauce is typically served on Canarian potatoes (papas arrugadas) and you’ll likely find it on the table at every meal you eat in Tenerife. I went to a cooking class at Bodgeas Monje, a traditional winery in El Suazal. You can take a tour of the surprisingly huge winery and chat with the owner, who is the fifth generation of his family to be involved with winemaking – they started in the 1700s! We had a demonstration from one of the chefs and then got to attempt our own red and green mojo sauces, fuelled by plenty of the winery’s vino. Once our sauces were ready, we were put to the test by the chef, who has a trophy for being a champion mojo sauce maker. He said mine was good, it just needed more time in the pestle and mortar…
These natural salt water pools are plenty of fun to cool off in – particularly if you’re coming down from one of the mountain hikes or golf courses nearby. There are also showers and bathrooms to get changed in too. Whilst the golden sands of Médano are ideal for posing and sunbathing with the best of them, you should really try your hand at kitesurfing here. This is a great, safe spot to surf for experienced riders, with Médano and Tejita offering two different spots to ride the waves. Whilst Rio may have the biggest carnevale in South America, the Canary Islands are the place to be for it in Europe. Over the course of a week, festivals, processions and parties flood the streets of Santa Cruz with colour, feathers and glitter. The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival is a fun event to attend with a group, or with the family – you’ll never see anything quite like it.
Some of the top sights in La Laguna are The Cathedral of La Laguna, Plaza del Adelantado (the wooden balcony you’ll see protruding from the convent’s roof has a sad story attached to it about a nun who was forced to watch her illicit lover’s execution), Palacio de Nava and the market in Plaza del Cristo. Book a walking tour to learn about the main sights. One of the best things to do for families in Tenerife is undoubtedly a day at Siam Park, which is located in the popular tourist resort of Costa Adeje. The park has a Thai theme and a truly terrifying ride called ‘Tower of Power’ that jettisons riders through shark-infested waters in a protective plastic bubble. I braved it when I was 19 but I wouldn’t dare do it today!
Located on a vast area of central Tenerife, Teide National Park is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site centered on the 3,718 meter Mount Teide, the highest mountain in Spain. Teide National Park is one of the oldest national parks in the country, and is an important cultural and historical part of the Canary Islands, offering unbeaten views and hiking routes. Its diverse volcanic landscape, pine forests and green valleys are breathtaking. At the very least a quick drive through the Teide National Park is required to admire the beauty of this part of the island. Also, take the cable car to the top and you will be rewarded with a heaven-like view of the Tenerife and the surrounding islands.