Tenerife

Tenerife is so much more than pretty beaches. Visit the capital, Santa Cruz, or head to the city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna to see the Casa de los Capitanes Generales. Explore the town of La Orotava and the Casa de los Balcones, or head to Icod de Los Vinos to see the ancient Dragon Tree. It’s also worth visiting some of the churches and castles in Garachico, Masca and Candelaria.

There’s lots to discover in Santa Cruz, which is famous for its carnival and auditorium. In the city centre, you’ll see the Plaza de España and Plaza de la Candeleria squares. And there are incredible buildings all over the city: The City Hall, Carta Palace, Guimerá Theatre and even the casino. Finish off a great day sightseeing by walking along the seafront and visiting the botanic gardens.

Tenerife is a volcanic island and therefore boasts a rare diversity of landscapes, some arid, some lush and green. To really appreciate the scenery, you need to go on an excursion to Teno on the north-west tip of the island and visit Tenerife’s natural parks. Explore two more natural phenomena: the Cueva del Viento lava caves and the cliffs at Los Gigantes.

There’s nothing like wandering around the island’s markets! The different towns and cities on the island all have colourful, fragrant markets. But there’s one you just can’t miss: the Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África in Santa Cruz. Every morning, the atmosphere of the market is buzzing. 

If you want to go stargazing, then visit one of Tenerife’s parks at nightfall. These vast natural spaces are far enough away from urban areas that the sky is really clear. Take advantage of these natural observatories and gaze out at the universe, stars, planets and galaxies. Truly magical!

Papas arrugadas, or “wrinkled potatoes” are a traditional Canarian side dish which can be served with most meals on Tenerife. The potatoes are soft inside with salty skin and were traditionally cooked in seawater.  Papas arrugadas are a real treat and usually served with red or green mojo sauce.

Chickpeas aren’t just popular in the Mediterranean. In Tenerife, chickpeas are used to make garbanzas compuestas, a type of stew. The dish is made from meat, chickpeas chorizo, pork and potatoes. It’s all cooked in a tomato sauce with peppers and seasoning to make the dish really tasty.