Tenerife Island: My must-see and must-do things

Need to soak up some good sunshine in breathtaking surroundings just a few hours from France? Head to an island like no other, the island of Tenerife in the archipelago of the Canary Islands, in Spain!

A land of contrasts that offers incredible decorations and is able to offer an ideal setting for relaxation for anyone who sets foot on its volcanic soil. In Tenerife, there is something for everyone (good) taste!

Tenerife in brief!

The Canary Islands are an archipelago located off the north-west coast of Africa and are part of Spain. It consists of seven main islands of volcanic origin, which gives the different islands of the archipelago magnificent, sometimes lunar, landscapes.

Tenerife is the largest island of the Canary Islands, both in terms of its area and its altitude, as it reaches a height of 3,718 meters with the summit of the Teide volcano. The climate there is sunny and warm, with an Atlantic current that helps to moderate temperatures, which partly explains the island’s success throughout the year.

A great success in the image sometimes tarnished. In the collective imagination, Tenerife is a destination where airplanes and tourist buses are multiplying, coming to sun themselves in clubs, hotels, and huge resort chains. I must admit that this is also the image I had of the destination before setting foot there and exploring it to form my own idea. And the expression “only the imbeciles don’t change their minds” has never been truer than after my departure from this surprisingly beautiful island.

I’m taking you on a scenic journey through the roads of Tenerife, from the south to the north, for a trip that will shake up my ideas and reveal a new treasure, just four hours by plane from our home.

At the meeting of whales and dolphins

Let’s begin this journey at the extreme south of Tenerife, in Puerto Colon in Los Cristianos. It is here that you can embark on a magnificent sailboat to sail the currents of the Atlantic and set out to encounter the incredible marine wildlife of the south of the island. Because, just a few miles from the coast, you can encounter no fewer than 26 species of cetaceans.

For my part, it was quite quickly after leaving the boat that I was able to observe magnificent pilot whales, belugas, and even very playful dolphins. It was a real dream to see such majestic creatures only a few centimeters away, in total freedom, approaching us and enjoying our presence.

An activity that is unique and completely respectful of the marine species present underwater, made possible by Big Smile Luxury Charters, which also offers excellent service on the boat, but also a deep knowledge and love for the species that are observed. A truly beautiful company that lives up to its name, as the crew is very friendly.

Where to eat and where to sleep in the south of Tenerife?

During my visit to this part of the island, I was able to try out a few places and, to put it simply, the selection is so vast that it’s hard to know where to start. Because yes, the south of Tenerife is indeed an ultra-touristy area.

For lunch, I found an exceptional restaurant both for its location and its menu. Come and visit the restaurant Las Rocas, At Costa Adeje, for a lunch on the terrace with nothing but the ocean in front of you. They serve superb fine cuisine made with fish from the day’s catch and with many local products, such as the famous banana that grows in abundance on the island.

While hotels are springing up on every street corner, it’s at the Iberostar Selection Sabila 5* From Costa Adeje, I recommend you pack your bags: a superb five-star hotel that has been awarded for its ultra-bright and minimalist decor. Everything is of very high quality, from the decor to the spa, through to the magnificent rooftop pool and the kitchens. A very good deal just a few meters from the beach, if I had to try to convince you again!

The head in the stars on Teide

Although the south has the few advantages mentioned in this article, I won’t lie to you: it remains a very touristy area of the island, made up of seaside resorts. So let’s head towards the center and the Teide National Park, a volcano that seems to watch over the island from its height of over 3,700 meters.

Although the temperature on the beaches usually ranges between 20 and 30 degrees, you will need to consider wearing a sweater to climb Teide because the temperature drop is impressive between the few minutes by car that separate the coast from the national park. I recommend visiting the site during the day, preferably at the end of the day when the sun is shining (truly magnificent), but also at night!

Here, through the paths of the volcano’s caldera, the change of scenery is as brutal as it is sumptuous, and it feels as if you’re evolving in a science fiction film. Lunar, rocky, desolate, it’s a veritable sea of dried lava that floods everything in its path and offers a breathtaking landscape.

I recommend two incredible activities to get your head even higher towards the sky, from Teide National Park. For the first one, you’ll have to wait until nightfall and contact Discover Experience, Members of this organization will be delighted to show you the spectacular starry sky of Tenerife. Indeed, it is simply one of the most beautiful places in the world for observing stars and the Milky Way!

The day after, I propose that you descend from the other side of the Teide mountain range, towards the north, in a somewhat unusual way: by paragliding!

I was lucky enough to be able to jump from the top of the volcano to land on a beach! A totally unusual activity made possible by Enminube Parapente. This will remain one of the most beautiful experiences of my life: taking off from the summit of Teide to fly over volcanoes and land a few kilometers away, directly on a beach of fine sand. The absolute dream!

The Treasures of the North

Again, the change of scenery is complete and from the moment we reach the northern side of Tenerife, a completely different world opens up to us. Here, where the site and the center are more arid, the north offers abundant flora and greenery, including the indispensable banana trees that literally cover entire hectares.

To admire this lush nature, I recommend you take a short hike in the biosphere reserve of Anaga Rural Park. Located about thirty minutes by car (a beautiful mountain road) from the island’s capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, this park offers more than 14,000 hectares of rich and preserved nature through valleys, mountains, and ravines.

To admire an unbeatable view of the north coast of Tenerife and its black sand beaches, I have found a little hidden gem with the mirador overlooking El Bollullo beach, near Puerto de la Cruz. You will be able to admire this wild beach, a true gem surrounded by steep cliffs.

But the north of the island is also home to beautiful, timeless towns and villages where you can enjoy strolling through the cobbled streets. This is the case in La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its pedestrian-friendly streets that allow us to admire its impressive colonial architectural heritage. To stay there, I recommend the sublime La Laguna Gran Hotel, Located in a magnificent 18th-century building in the heart of the city's historic center.

This is also the case in my favorite village, Garachico, founded in the 15th century, more intimate and located on the northwest coast of Tenerife. Don’t miss getting lost in the alleys of this old authentic town; you feel like you’re out of time.

If you are a wine lover, I recommend you go to El Sauzal to discover Bodega Monje. They offer beautiful cellars in a magnificent setting. You can also have lunch there facing the vineyards and with the Teide in the background. I recommend you try the black pork meat cooked in the oven, then the potatoes accompanied by red or green Mojo.

As you might have guessed, I prefer the center and the north of the island to the south, although the latter also has plenty to offer. In any case, this island of many wonders has not left me indifferent and has managed to shake up my preconceived ideas to give me my own opinion: it is a magical island capable of offering a multitude of landscapes within a few kilometers. One thing is certain, I will return there!

For more information, visit the website of the Tenerife tourism office, You will find many practical tips to prepare your trip well.