Tenerife is an island of volcanic origin in the Atlantic Ocean which belongs to the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands, and is the largest and most populated of the archipelago.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the capital of the island.
The historic centre of San Cristóbal de la Laguna and the Teide National Park form part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Teide volcano is the third largest volcano in the world.
The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a celebration of International Tourist Interest.
On the island you encounter different types of landscapes: volcanoes, beaches, tropical plants, laurisilva forests, pine forests and mountains; and also microclimates that allow the growth of a great variety of vegetation. Furthermore, the fauna is a characteristic of the place due to the colonies of whales and dolphins that are often seen in the south of the island and the different species of birds and other animals that can be observed in Loro Parque.
In Tenerife there are protected lands such as the Anaga Massif (macizo de Anaga), declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO.
Natural reserves:
- Reserva natural del Pijaral
- Reserva natural de Ijuana
- Reserva natural de Pinoleris
- Reserva natural de los Roques de Anaga
- Reserva natural del Barranco del Infierno
- Reserva natural del Chinyero
- Reserva natural del Malpaís de Guímar
Reserva natural del Malpaís de la Rasca
Reserva natural de Montaña Roja
Parks:
- Natural Park (Parque natural de la Corona Forestal)
- Rural Park (Parque rural de Anaga)
- Rural Park (Parque rural de Teno)
Protected areas:
- Paisaje protegido de los Acantilados de la Culata
- Paisaje protegido del Barranco de Erques
- Paisaje protegido de Costa de Acentejo
- Paisaje protegido de Ifonche
- Paisaje protegido de la Resbala
- Paisaje protegido de las Lagunetas
The island’s climate is moderate throughout the year, with spring and summer temperatures ranging between 17°C and 27°C. However, the summit of Teide is usually covered in snow.
Other climatic differences can be seen between the north and south of the island and in the two large cities: Santa Cruz, with higher temperatures, and La Laguna, where it often rains.
It is known about the history of the island that since the first centuries BC. it was inhabited by the “Guanche” people until the arrival of the Spanish in the 15th century. In the north of the island, in the municipality of Icod de los Vinos, there is an archaeological site where you can learn more about some aspects of the Guanche culture.
Other important archaeological sites are:
- Zona arqueológica Los Cambados
- Zona arqueológica El Barranco del Rey
- Pirámides de Güímar (Pyramids of Güímar)
Throughout its history, the island of Tenerife has had volcanic eruptions which have on some occasions caused extensive damage to cities and ports.
The inhabitants of the island are called “tinerfeño/a” or more colloquially “chicharrero/a”.
Thanks to the climate of the island, tourism is the main activity that takes place throughout the year. The main tourist places are: Los Cristianos, Playa de Las Américas and Costa Adeje.
What to see in Tenerife:
Theme parks:
- Loro Parque: zoo with tropical plants and hundreds of parrots
- Aqualand Costa Adeje
- Siam Park: water park
- Jungle Park: zoological and botanical park
Architecture:
The architecture of the stately homes, with wooden balconies and internal courtyards; military architecture such as the castle of San Cristóbal, the castle of San Andrés or the castle of San Juan.
Museums:
- Nature and Archaeology Museum (Museo de la Naturaleza y la Arqueología MUNA)
- Tenerife History Museum (Museo de Historia de Tenerife)
- Museum of Science and the Cosmos (Museo de la Ciencia y el Cosmos)
- Tenerife Anthropology Museum (Museo de Antropología de Tenerife)
- Canarian-American Documentation Centre (Centro de Documentación Canario-Americano)
- Photography Centre (Centro di Fotografía Isla de Tenerife)
- TEA Tenerife space of the Arts (Tenerife Espacio de las Artes)
- House of Carnival (Casa del Carnaval)
- Municipal Museum of Fine Arts (Museo Municipal de Bellas Artes)
- House of Honey (Casa de la Miel)
- Archaeological Museum of Puerto de la Cruz (Museo Arqueológico del Puerto de la Cruz)
- Museum of the Ethnographic Park Pyramids of Güímar (Museo del Parque Etnográfico Pirámides de Güímar)
Traditional celebrations:
- The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival begins on February 2nd in honour of the Virgin of Candelaria (Virgen de Candelaria)
- The feast of the Christ of La Laguna (Fiesta del Santísimo Cristo de La Laguna) on September 14th
- The feast of the patron saint Virgen de Candelaria on August 15th
- Holy Week (Semana Santa)
How to reach the island:
- Southern Airport
- Northern Airport
- Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- Port of Los Cristianos
Typical sports of the Canary Islands:
- Canarian Wrestling (Lucha canaria)
- The game of the stick (juego del Palo canario): a type of martial art in which you fight with sticks
- Canarian Pétanque (Bola canaria): similar to the game of boules
Sports that can be practiced in Tenerife:
surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, scuba diving, swimming, parachuting, motocross, hiking (mountain hiking), golf, cycling, padel, tennis, horse riding
OTHER CANARY ISLANDS TO VISIT:
Churches:
- Basílica de Candelaria
- Cathedral of La Laguna (Catedral de La Laguna)
- Real Santuario del Cristo de La Laguna
- Parroquia Matriz del Apóstol Santiago
- Iglesia de la Concepción de La Laguna
Typical dishes:
- Fish dishes with small potatoes in their skins (papas arrugadas) and mojo sauce made with garlic and other ingredients
- Meat-based dishes
- Goat, sheep and cow cheeses
- Gofio (corn or wheat flour) which is used as a single dish (gofio escaldado) or together with meat, fish, soup and as a dessert.
- Among the typical Canarian desserts: bienmesabe made with almonds; frangollo, corn flour with raisins, almonds and other ingredients; and truchas, small dough filled with sweet potatoes.
