12 places to take someone who has never been to Tenerife

The Canary Islands they hide authentic jewels of nature and spaces with a great cultural heritage.

The Archipelago is home to 4 of the 16 National Parks of Spain, one of the 15 Spanish cities World Heritage declared by Unesco, the highest peak in Spain and seven Biosphere reservesamong other considerations that different spaces receive from the Islands.

Visiting the Archipelago is synonymous with enjoying a wide variety of landscapes and activities. Only in Tenerife It is already difficult to select some places to take someone visiting the Island for the first time, but we have chosen those that we are clear that they can not miss.

Anaga Rural Park

He Anaga Rural Park is located in Tenerife and was declared Biosphere Reserve in 2015.

The park is located in the Anaga massifa mountainous formation located in the extreme northeast of the Island. This space, of great landscape, natural and cultural richness and which extends through the municipalities of La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Tegueste, is home to fauna and flora rich in endemic species.

The area extends from the sea to the peaks, which gives it a great biodiversity. Its deep valleys and ravines stand out and, its special climate, allows the existence of one of the samples of laurisilva most important in the world, as well as a wonderful picture of the sea of ​​clouds.

To enjoy this magical corner, it is recommended to visit one of its many walking trails and reach their black sand beachessuch as Benijo or Almáciga.

Teide National Park

The Canary Islands They are home to 4 of the 16 national parks in Spain. In Tenerife, Teide National Parkdeclared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, is the largest and oldest in the Canary Islands, where the majestic Teidehe highest peak in Spain with 3,715 meters high from sea level.

Teide National Park hides species of endemic flora and fauna such as the Teide violet, the red tajinaste, the perenquén or the blue chaffinch. In addition, the volcanic cones and lava flows create a unique landscape.

Within the visit we can incorporate any of the walking trails indicated, get on the Cableway to the peak of Teide or book a night at the Las Cañadas del Teide Parador.

Important: do not take elements of the space such as stones or vegetation to protect the environment and preserve its natural wealth.

Santa Cruz, the capital of Tenerife

We cannot miss visiting Santa Cruz, the capital of Tenerife. Here is celebrated the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerifethe great chicharrera festival, declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest, full of acts such as the spectacular Gala for the Election of the Queen, street musicians, parades and concerts, among other events and activities.

Among the main attractions of the capital we find the Auditorium of Tenerife Adán Martín, work of the architect Santiago Calatrava; he César Manrique Maritime Park, built by the architect from whom it receives its name; the Fairground; the Guimerá Theater and the Heliodoro Rodríguez López football stadium.

In the center of the city is the castle streeta pedestrian shopping street that begins at the Weyler Square and flows into the Spain Square.

The best known and most touristic beach in Santa Cruz is that of Theresitasof which spectacular images can be obtained from its viewpoint.

San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a World Heritage Site

San Cristóbal de La Laguna was declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 1999.

The city was founded in 1497 and its name is due to the fact that it is located on the edge of a shallow lake or swampy area (La Laguna) drained in 1837.

Its cobbled streets mark the way between the churches, convents and historic buildings that characterize this city, such as the Santa Iglesia Catedral de La Laguna, the Iglesia de la Concepción or the old Convent of San Agustín.

Also, their pedestrian streetssuch as Calle Herradores, are perfect for strolling, shopping and having a drink on the terraces of the various restaurants.

Benijo Beach

Benijo Beach, in taganana, is a wild beach of black sand enhanced by Roque Benijo.

This northern Tenerife beach It may look familiar to you, since it is one of the most photographed enclaves by canaries and tourists.

If you want to enjoy the canary essence One hundred percent you cannot miss visiting this beach, as it is one of the best examples of the volcanic origin of the Archipelago coast. It is advisable to go at low tide, when the stretch of sand to walk on becomes greater.

It is necessary to have caution with respect to the bathroom and not go too far, since, when the sea is in poor condition, the currents can be dangerous.

El Medano Beach

Between the beaches in the south of Tenerife we highlight that of El Médano, one of the best known in Tenerife and most chosen for To practice water sports such as surfing, windsurfing or kitesurfing, thanks to the weather conditions in the area.

If you want to learn kitesurfing or windsurfing, some of the best courses are given here and you would be training on one of the beaches chosen for the celebration of World Championships such as the windsurfing of the Professional Windsurfers Association (PWA).

Furthermore, throughout his walk you can enjoy the coast and a great gastronomic offer.

Cross port

Puerto de la Cruz is considered Place of National Tourist Interest since 1955. This coastal municipality is located in the north of Tenerife and stands out as one of the main tourist attractions on the island.

Among its charms we find the black sand beaches of volcanic origin such as the beach gardenhe parrot park zoo or the lake martianeza saltwater pool complex designed by the architect César Manrique.

the walk of San Telmo It is a beautiful pedestrian and commercial promenade next to the waterfront of the city that connects with the martianez beach and to which you can arrive after having enjoyed the atmosphere of the puddle squaremain center of Puerto de la Cruz.

the orotava

The municipality of La Orotava, neighboring Puerto de la Cruz, is one of the most picturesque in Tenerife. Its historic center was declared National Historic Artistic Site and a considerable part of the Teide National Park is within its municipal area.

Here you can visit the House of the Balconiescharacterized by its interior patio and its carved wooden balconies, which dates back to the 17th century, or the Victoria Gardensbuilt in the 19th century and in which its staggered structure stands out with abundant vegetation and fountains that create a beautiful image.

The La Orotava flower carpets They are the most important sign of artistic identity that this Tenerife town has. Likewise, the Pilgrimage of La Orotava It is one of the most famous on the Island, where there is no shortage of dancing, typical costumes, music, Canarian food and fun.

On your walk through the north of the island, we also recommend a stop at one of the guachinches of Tenerife, highlighting Santa Úrsula and La Orotava as two of the municipalities with the most establishments typical canarian food.

Punta de Teno Lighthouse

Teno Point It is one of the most idyllic spaces in Tenerife. It is located in the westernmost part of the Island and houses a lighthouse protagonist of all Photographs From this place.

The lighthouse was built in 1897 with stone from La Gomera and is the most famous among the chicharreros.

From Punta de Teno you can see the impressive Los Gigantes Cliffs and the island of La Gomera, so it is a picture that we will hardly be able to forget.

It should be noted that for some years Punta de Teno is a protected spaceTherefore, traffic is regulated to avoid crowds, and there are times when access by road is prohibited.

chew

He farmhouse of Masca It is located about 700 meters above sea level, within the Rural Park of Teno.

The road is narrow and with many curves, but the views that are enjoyed upon arrival are worth it.

This space has few buildings, so it maintains the essence of Canarian nature, next to the deep ravines of the valley and the island of La Palma in the background. Without a doubt, it is one of the greatest charms of the Rural Park of Teno by containing the elements that make the traditional architecture of the Canary Islands unmistakable, which is wrapped in the great vegetation of the area.

Icod of the Wines

This northern municipality hides some of the greatest treasures of Tenerife.

On the one hand, we find the Millenary Dragon Tree of Icod de los Vinos, a huge specimen of dragon tree that stands out for being the oldest of its kind in the world, since it is estimated that its age ranges between 800 and 1,000 years. It was declared National Monument in 1917.

On the other hand, the Wind Cave, a volcanic tube that receives this name due to the air currents that are generated inside. Its origin is dates back about 27,000 years, after the first eruptive phase of the Pico Viejo volcano. Likewise, this volcanic tube is the fifth longest in the world, with some 18 kilometers surveyed, not counting those that remain to be explored.

Cliffs of the Giants

Los Gigantes Cliffs are one of the most spectacular landscapes in Tenerife.

you are majestic walls of volcanic rock They are located in the western part of the island, between Buenavista del Norte and Santiago del Teide, in the Teno Rural Park.

You can enjoy the cliffs from the coast or on a wonderful boat ride. Activities in this area stand out such as the whale watching, paddle surfing, snorkeling or scuba diving. For all this, it is an essential stop what to do in tenerife.