Seek and find
discover the real tenerife with surprising tips!
Tenerife has much more to offer than sun, sea, and sand. During a three-day tour of the island, I discovered a completely different side of Tenerife! The island is diverse, so diverse that you sometimes forget you're actually in Europe. Because of its mountains, the island boasts nine different climates and is one of the best places in the world for stargazing. Dolphins and whales swim here year-round, and while you're in the water looking up, you can see the snow on Mount Teide (which, by the way, is only two hours away). And don't forget, you can paraglide, dive, hike, cycle, and much more… Discover Tenerife off the beaten track >>
20 things not to miss: Tenerife travel guide
Food & Drinks >> Tenerife Travel Guide >>
>> House of Wine >>
Did you know that Tenerife's local wines are incredibly delicious? I had no idea... But during the local wine tasting at Casa del Vino, I discovered they are high-quality wines! The island's climate makes it possible to produce a wide variety of wines. Red wine is produced in the north, and white wine in the south. At Casa del Vino, a new tasting list of 12 wines is created every two weeks. Want to take a bottle home? The shop has a selection of 400 bottles of wine, all produced in Tenerife, of course!
C / San Simon 49 – El Sauzal – casadelvinotenerife.com
>> Tasca Restaurant >>
A good glass of wine naturally deserves a delicious meal! Fortunately, you don't have to travel far for that at Casa del Vino. Cross the courtyard from the tasting room and you'll find Tasca Restaurant. This restaurant specializes in traditional and creative Canarian dishes.
C / San Simon 49 – El Sauzal – casadelvinotenerife.com
>> Municipal Market >>
The Mercado Municipal is open daily from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This covered market primarily sells fresh fruit, meat, fish, spices, and sweets. For a truly local experience, try a barraquito at the (coffee) bar. A barraquito consists of Licor 43, cinnamon, milk, coffee, canned milk, and a slice of lemon. I can't promise it's healthy, but it is incredibly delicious :-)
Plaza del Cristo – San Cristóbal de La Laguna
>> The Tapas and Canas >>
De Tapas Y Canas is located on a narrow street in the old town of Puerto de la Cruz. This spot immediately caught my eye because of its lovely (small) outdoor terrace right on the corner. It's a great place to sit and people-watch! Incidentally, this is one of the best cocktail bars in town. So order a Mai Tai (they're supposedly very good) or a G&T and enjoy the view.
Calle Cruz Verde – Puerto de la Cruz – facebook/detapasycanas
>> Restaurant Ardeola >>
For a delicious dinner with a sea view, head to Ardeola. This restaurant is located on the promenade of the tiny volcanic town of Garachico. The interior is simple yet welcoming, and the food is excellent. The portions aren't overly large, so you can easily order multiple courses :-) The Cherne is highly recommended. This is a local white fish served with fresh vegetables, avocado, and lemon sauce—yum!
Av. Tomé Cano – Garachico – ardeola2.wordpress.com
>> Restaurante Meson del Norte >>
From Masca, it's about a 10-minute drive to Restaurant Meson del Norte. Try to get a table on the veranda for a fantastic view of the mountains. What's great about this restaurant is that it's packed with locals, which is always a good sign! It's especially packed on weekends with locals out for the day. Go for the set menu and be surprised by the Canarian specialties! You can choose your own dessert from the display case full of homemade desserts. I chose the mango and pumpkin pudding as recommended—it was incredibly delicious!
C/ de Masca – Las Portelas – restaurantemesondelnorte.es
>> La casa de oscar taberna >>
Tenerife is part of Spain, and that means... tapas! You simply can't leave the island without having tapas. It's just part of it! A great, authentic tapas place in San Cristóbal de La Laguna is La Casa de Oscar Taberna.
Calle Herradores 66 – San Cristóbal de La Laguna – facebook/La-Casa-de-Oskar-Taberna
>> Bar Parada >>
For a truly Spanish beer and tapas, head to Bar Parada. The plastic chairs and old-fashioned interior might not be very inviting, but it's truly authentically Spanish. Simple, but delicious :-)
Calle de San Augustin – facebook.com/BarParadalaOrotava
>> Relieve >>
One thing you can't miss in Tenerife is the pastelerias. These (often) small stalls are packed with the most delicious cakes, pastries, and especially a whole lot of sweet treats! Try the bienmesabes, a small cake made with honey and almonds—yummy!
C/Carrera Escultor Estevez Esquina con C/Tomás Pérez – La Orotava
>> Sleeping >> Tenerife Travel Guide >>
Laguna Nivaria Hotel & Spa: The Laguna Nivaria Hotel is housed in a 16th-century historic building in the heart of San Cristobal de La Laguna's historic center. From this hotel, you can easily explore the town. It's a sight to behold, as this area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a day of strolling through town, you can enjoy a massage at the Laguna Nivaria Hotel & Spa. Don't feel like dining out? The hotel's Plaza Restaurant also has a delicious menu!
Plaza del Adelantado – San Cristóbal de La Laguna
Quinta Roja: This hotel is located in a charming Spanish seaside village. Quinta Roja is housed in a 16th-century Spanish Baroque building, which gives it its charm. In the center of the hotel is a courtyard where you can relax on benches. Quinta Roja has a spa, and from the jacuzzi at the top of the hotel, you can look out over the church. There's not much to do in the village, but for a night or two, this place is definitely worth a visit!
Glorieta de San Francisco – Garachico
>> To do >> Tenerife Travel Guide >>
>> Cycling tour San Cristobal de la Laguna >>
Book an organized bike tour with a guide and learn all about this beautiful town, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. The historic center is packed with stunning historic buildings, so you'll be amazed! I loved that you only encounter locals here (except for day trippers). So, no menus with Dutch translations, but everything is simply in Spanish—muy bien :-)
>> Rural Park Anaga >>
On your way to Anaga Rural Park, be sure to stop at a viewing point. The view is breathtaking! The volcanic landscape with the green mountains and the sea in the background will instantly make your day. Anaga is a mountain range with valleys and ravines completely covered in green laurel forests. In the park, you can choose to hike, cycle, or ride horses. Whatever you decide, be sure to visit one of the many bays for a refreshing dip!
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>> Street art Puerto de la Cruz >>
Do you always look for street art wherever you go? Then you definitely need to visit the old town of Puerto de la Cruz! While strolling through this town, I came across so many cool graffiti pieces. Local artists decided to brighten up the dilapidated buildings in the old town with their artwork. Mission accomplished, as far as I'm concerned!
Stargazing
When you look at the stars, do you always wonder how the universe works? Then you've come to the right place, because Tenerife has been declared an international starlight destination. Along with La Palma, Chile, and Hawaii, Tenerife boasts the best skies for stargazing. On Mount Teide, you can take a stargazing tour where you can see approximately 6000 stars clearly!
>> Read the extensive blog about Stargazing here >>
>> TEIDE NATIONAL PARK >>
During my three-day tour of the island, this was my favorite spot! Mount Teide is the highest mountain in Spain (3718 meters high), and the park is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Teide is a volcanic mountain, and the landscape is breathtakingly beautiful. In the winter months, there's snow on the summit of Mount Teide!
>> Read the extensive blog about Mount Teide here >>
>> Garachico >>
Imagine yourself in a completely different world... This small seaside village exudes tranquility. It's wonderful to wander through the narrow streets. If you've ever been to South America, you'll certainly recognize the colonial influences here. Behind the town stands a high cliff, and the colorful buildings and palm trees make you feel like you're far beyond Europe. It's wonderful to spend two days here during your trip to Tenerife! Tip: take a dip in the Natural Pools on the Garachico boulevard.
Dolphin & Whale Watching Tour
Whale and dolphin watching tours depart from Los Acantilados de los Gigantes three times a day! Did you know that whales and dolphins can be spotted year-round in Tenerife? We were lucky enough to see the pilot whale and the bottlenose dolphin. The fantastic views of the towering cliffs of Los Gigantes make this a truly special tour :-)
>> Read the extensive blog about the dolphin & whale watching tour here >>
>> Masca >>
In Teno Rural Park, you'll find the island's deepest ravines... And hidden somewhere between those ravines lies the village of Masca. The people who lived here cultivated everything themselves and were essentially completely cut off from the rest of the island. A visit to this place is definitely worth it, if only for the magnificent view. Tip: take a seat on the terrace of Restaurante Chez Arlette, order a delicious wine, and enjoy the view!
>> Read the extensive blog about Masca here >>
>> Shopping >> Tenerife Travel Guide >>
>> El Ricon de Sasha Design >>
El Ricon de Sasha Design is tucked away in a small alley in La Laguna. Upon entering, I immediately noticed the jewelry… It's all handmade and one of a kind. A little further down the road is El Ricon de Sasha, where they also sell jewelry, but at a more affordable price.
Plaza de Concepcion 7 – San Cristobal de la Laguna – facebook.com/ElRincondeSasha
>> Want more information about Tenerife and what you can do there? Then go to the Turismo de Tenerife website and discover Tenerife off the beaten track >>
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