Luxury Tenerife Holidays

The largest of the Spanish Canary Islands, located off the west coast of Africa, Tenerife is a vibrant and popular year-round holiday destination, in part thanks to the island’s stunning, temperate climate, rarely dipping below 17°C in winter, and regularly hitting 29°C in summer. Being located in the path of the trade winds also prevents the heat from becoming too oppressive.

While the weather may be predictable, Tenerife is a place of contrasts – both in its natural landscapes and in the kind of holiday you’ll find here. While there’s the juxtaposition of sandy beaches and rugged, volcanic mountains, there’s also the contrasting combination of traditional quiet villages contrasting with the new bustling resorts. The variety available means Tenerife offers fantastic holidays for families, groups looking for buzzing nightlife, as well as those after a quieter, more relaxing getaway. Foodies won’t be disappointed in this destination either, as Canarian cuisine is a spicy blend of Spanish and North African influence – and, of course, there’s plenty of fresh seafood on offer.

Head to south of the island, where the landscape can be quite sparse and barren, and you’ll find the opportunity for some stunning road trips around the winding cliff-top roads. If you venture into the towns and cities, you might be lucky enough to visit during one of the many parties and carnivals celebrated in Tenerife throughout the year – from fiestas to religious festivals, the locals always put on a great show.

Top Tenerife beaches

Tenerife is revered for its scenic sandy beaches – with colours ranging from yellow to black, thanks to the breakdown of the island’s volcanic rock. Playa Jardin, located near Puerto de la Cruz, is a sandy bay surrounded by a beautiful garden of blooming flowers and palm trees. The beach-come-garden was devised and designed by Spanish artist and architect, César Manrique, to contrast with the beach’s volcanic sand.

If you prefer a beach with a little more going on than simply relaxing with the sand between your toes, Fañabé beach delivers on scenic beauty as well as watersports. Banana boats, jet skis and paragliding all take place here, as well as being a charming spot for snorkelling. Alternatively, there’s Playa de Los Gigantes, where a sunbathing session is likely to be accompanied with thoughts about the enormity of nature, as you’ll be flanked by 800m-high cliffs that surround the beach. Geology fans will also be able to marvel at the exposed layers of rock that have been formed over millions of years. Visit our blog for more information on the best beaches in Tenerife

Hiking around the island

The north of the island is resplendent with crops, banana plantations and lush greenery. One of the best ways to see the landscape is by exploring on foot – one such scenic journey will have you taking a trek from Puerto de la Cruz, through the plantations, and down to El Bollullo beach. With its mix of black sand, dramatic rock formations jutting out of the sand and clear, blue water, it’s well worth the walk. For something more challenging, you can do the Masca hike – Masca is a well-preserved mountain village on the west of the island, at the foot of the Teno mountains, which shares its name with a lesser-known but stunning bay. It’s a three-hour hike along a dramatic gorge to get from one to the other, complete with picture-perfect houses perching on the cliff side.

Exploring Mount Teide

Then there’s Mount Teide National Park – Spain’s tallest peak, which lies at 2,000m above sea level and is often covered in snow during winter (vastly different to the mild temperatures around the rest of the island). To explore, there are several walks and hiking routes, but it also makes for a stunning drive – particularly if you come up through the alpine-like village of Vilaflor. To get to the highest point, though, the only way is by cable car, where you’ll see views stretching across Tenerife and beyond.

Golf courses in Tenerife

While there is plenty of rugged natural beauty, there’s also plenty of luxury to be found in Tenerife. You’ll find several highly-acclaimed golf courses on the island. One such is the Amarilla Golf & Country Club, which is the result of a challenge to British architect Donald Steel; tasked to design the world’s best golf course. The result is breath-taking: tee off on one hole from the edge of a cliff, and the sea becomes your fairway as you aim for an outcrop of land across the water. Elsewhere, rivers, ravines and lakes become the obstacles at Golf Las Americas, a championship 18-hole course.

Adventure parks and zoos

If you’re on holiday with the family, or perhaps looking for a light-hearted afternoon’s fun, Tenerife won’t disappoint. Jungle Park in Los Cristianos homes all manner of animals, from tropical birds to hippos, along with three acres of lagoons and adventurous rope bridges. There’s also a number of water parks to visit, including the hugely famous Siam Park in Costa Adeje.

Tenerife Cuisine

While the majority of restaurants cater to the tourists’ tastes of popular world food, Canarian cuisine can be found – usually distinguished by a short menu of soups, stews and grilled fish dishes. Fresh fruit, vegetables and fish are likely to have been caught only a short distance from where you’re eating, and give a few local wines a try for a pleasant surprise.

With influences from Spanish and north African cuisine, dishes in Tenerife tend to feature tapas with a twist. Some Tenerife specialities include Papas Arrugadas, which are simple yet delicious wrinkled potatoes served with two ‘mojo’ sauces; salted fish Sancocho Canario; and popular vegetarian dish Potaje de Berros – a hotpot of chickpeas.

Top Tenerife Resorts

Playa de las Américas

One of Tenerife’s most popular destinations, the area’s biggest attractions are its beaches. Dotted along the south coast, Playa los Cristianos and Playa de las Vistas both have clear, shallow waters, making them ideal for families to splash about in. While this south coast area was once a quiet fishing site, tourism has encouraged a number of restaurants, bars, watersports centres and shops, so there’s now plenty of options for entertainment, and quite a buzz about the place. If you’re looking for somewhere to dance the night away, Playa de las Americas is the place to be – the Veronicas Strip is a 200m stretch of bars and clubs, which remain open until the early hours.

Puerto de la Cruz

This city is located on the north coast of Tenerife in the beautiful Orotava Valley, teeming with tropical fruit plantations and lush, green plant life. The Old Town is well-worth a visit, with cobbled streets dating back to when the settlement was once a fishing village. There’s also a pretty harbour, high-end boutique shops and plazas lined with colonial-style cafés and bars, as well as several well-maintained parks and gardens where you can leisurely while away an afternoon. If you can, catch a concert in Abaco – a huge historical mansion that hosts classical music and Canarian folklore performances among the building’s period furniture and original artwork.

Guia de Isora

To the west of the island, the area of Guia de Isora is the place to sample a little luxury, as there are several five-star hotels, spas and golf courses here. The town of Guia de Isora itself is famed for its selection of designer boutiques – wander along Calle de Campo for designer handbags and swimwear. On Saturdays, a farmers’ market pitches up here, too – just the place to pick up some traditional manchego cheese, artisanal honey and other tasty wares. A little outside the town, take a 20-minute drive to Los Gigantes, and you’ll be able to hop on board a boat trip to hopefully spot dolphins and pilot whales that frequent this part of the sea. This westerly point also boasts the best sunsets in the whole of Tenerife.

Los Cristianos

Another bustling hub along the south coast, like Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos is also known for its nightlife, beaches and other tourist-pleasing facilities. Whether you want to stay in the centre of the action, or just visit for a day or two, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. The harbour has many options for fishing trips, glass bottom boats, pleasure cruises and diving excursions where you’ll be taken to the nearby island of La Gomera. The promenade behind the beach is lined with restaurants and bars, and if you venture further you’ll find a maze of shops and boutiques. The beach itself has picturesque yellow sand, plenty of sunbeds and showers, and lots to do – it’s a great place to take out a pedalo, try out surfing, or hire a jet ski.

Buenavista Del Norte

A much quieter spot in the north-west of the island, there is a slower, more relaxed vibe here. Dotted with quaint villages, 18th century architecture and traditional craft shops, it's almost like travelling back in time. A great opportunity to try some Canarian cuisine, Buenavista’s main square is lined with alfresco cafés, where you’ll likely be outnumbered by locals – a sign of great authenticity! Take a trip to explore the craggy, rocky area, and you’ll stumble across villages, natural swimming pools made by the unusual volcanic formations, and secluded beaches covered dramatic in black sand.

Santa Cruz

Tenerife's capital, Santa Cruz, boasts many beautiful historic buildings with its hub around the Plaza de Espana, close to the busy harbour. This fantastic city is the perfect location for things to do in Tenerife. There are two noteworthy churches, a lively bazaar and food market, Auditario the state of the art Opera House, and a couple of interesting museums: one housing the cannon which allegedly removed Admiral Nelson’s arm!