Covering more than 2,000 square-kilometres, including 350 kilometres of glorious Atlantic coastline, Tenerife (the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands) is the ideal motoring holiday destination at any time of the year.
Few places in Europe offer as much diversity, from swathes of dense forest and vast moon-like plains to some of the most idyllic beaches and visually stunning seascapes in the whole of Spain.
With a car hire in Tenerife you can see and do everything in total comfort and at your own pace. Founded in 1954, international rental company Auto Europe has the widest choice of vehicles available for your motoring tour of the island, ranging from small, economical cars ideal for city sightseeing to classy convertibles and sumptuous SUVs perfect for longer distances, and always at the cheapest rates.
A drive around Tenerife is in some respects a trip down memory lane, passing through old colonial towns and villages where visitors can sit and mix with the locals over a plate or two of the island’s traditional fare, which includes some of the freshest fish and seafood in the Canaries.
The island is also famous for its beaches, many of them quite remote and best reached by car. A popular choice for families (as well as couples) is Playa de las Teresitas on the north-eastern tip of the island where road access is good, the bathing conditions excellent and a wide choice of restaurants can be found close by.
Tenerife is also a place of year-round sunshine, so a road-trip from one end of the island to the other (and back) doesn’t need to be restricted to the peak months of July and August, because there’s very little variation in the average annual temperature of around 22C.
The Island’s Highlights
The driving routes on Tenerife are spectacular and many of them offer the chance to stop for a delicious al fresco lunch in some of the prettiest little villages in the Canaries, such as Adeje, former seat of the Guanche tribe before later becoming a stronghold of the Counts of Gomera.
Santa Cruz is the largest (and many people say the most beautiful) city on the island, so you’ll want to spend a day or two there to soak up the rich Canarian culture offered by its many museums and attractions. Don’t miss the excellent Museo de la Naturaleza y El Hombre, Tenerife’s top museum and a must for lovers of natural history and archaeology.
With its lovely old buildings, the island’s former capital, San Cristóbal de la Laguna, is equally unmissable and its historic centre is now classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There’s much to see in the city centre, including the Church of the Immaculate Conception (founded in 1511) and Casa Salazar, one of the most outstanding examples of local architecture.
When travelling around Tenerife by car, the main natural feature for many visitors is without doubt Mount Teide, the highest mountain in Spain with an altitude of 3,715 metres. Dominating the landscape from many parts of the island, it’s possible to drive about two-thirds of the way up the mountain, after which you can either hike or take the cable-car to a point near the top.
For The Kids
If the weather’s hot and you have restless kids sitting in the back of the car, why not treat them to a day out at Siam Park, a Thai-themed water park with dozens of slides and rides set in a prime location on the island’s picturesque south-west coast.
Located at an altitude of 1,400 metres above sea level, Forestal Park Tenerife is another major attraction for younger visitors looking to burn off some energy during their time on the island. This excellent adventure park offers suspension bridges, zip wires, a challenging climbing wall and all sorts of tree-top activities right in the heart of a vast pine forest.
The delightful coastal village of Garachico on the island’s idyllic north coast is a good choice for youngsters who’d prefer to spend the day swimming to their heart’s content in the local lava rock pools before enjoying the panoramic views from the walls of the nearby Castle of San Miguel.
And the ultimate children’s party can also be enjoyed on the island of Tenerife during the lively Santa Cruz Carnival (held every year in late winter/early spring), a very festive occasion comprising gala performances, fancy dress competitions, colourful parades and one of the best firework displays in the Canary Islands.
