An island of two halves
South Tenerife is all soft sand, warm turquoise waters and lively resorts like Playa de las Americas, Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos. Things are much greener in the north, where you’ll find lush plants, forests and the pretty resort of Puerto de la Cruz, as well as the capital Santa Cruz. Not to mention the island’s home to Mount Teide – Spain’s highest peak.
By day and by night
Tenerife’s year-round tropical climate means days here are spent outside. The beaches are geared up for lounging, water sports and midday beers, but there are lots of golf courses and theme parks if you’d prefer. When the sun goes down, live shows, al fresco bars and budget-friendly restaurants are what you can expect. The neon-lit strip on Playa de Las Americas is as buzzy as they come or try Costa Adeje if chic cocktail bars are up your street.
Local goodies
Not only is Tenerife a tangle of boutiques and retailers to make any savvy shopper swoon, it’s also a pantry of local specialities waiting to be tried and purchased. Cheese, honey, mojo sauce – you name it, this island’s got flavours to pack a punch in every dish. Don’t miss papas arrugadas, wrinkly potatoes that are found on most menus!