Introducing Tenerife
Mount Teide dominates the island of Tenerife and creates the very distinctive split in its climate and terrain. However, the divide impacts more than the climate as you will find that the south of the island is more known for its beaches and vibrant nightlife while the north is a little more scenic and relaxing. The capital of the island is Santa Cruz which you will find a pleasant day trip. Whether you base yourself in the north or south of the island you will be within easy reach of the Teide National park where you can see up close the volcanic scenery and the dense forests.
Tenerife weather / climate
| Tenerife is a popular destination all year round because of its warm climate. In the south the sunshine is nearly all year around but in the north of Tenerife there is more cloud between June and August and generally a little cooler all year than in the south. |
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Tenerife beaches
Beaches in Tenerife range from the traditional golden sand to the native volcanic black sand. While it may appear unusual, the black volcanic sand is fine and you will soon forget the colour. The golden sand you will find on the Tenerife beaches is normally imported from the Sahara.
What to do and see
If you are looking for the vibrant Tenerife then Playa de Las Americas and Los Cristianos are the island hotspots with plenty of bars and nightclubs to choose from. If you are looking for something a little more sedate, with great scenery then head towards Puerto de la Cruz in the north of Tenerife. You will also find villas and apartments near rural villages such as Arico, which are set in areas of quiet fishing villages.
Shopping and eating
Spanish supermarkets will normally stock everything you need. You will find that locally grown produce will be much cheaper but you can of course find most of the brands you would recognise from home. Food in Tenerife tends to be a mix of traditional Spanish recipes with an influence of Latin American and African cooking. As an island, the basis of much of their cooking is the home grown fruit and vegetables and locally caught fish. Of course for the less adventurous the island has a thriving restaurant trade catering for all tastes from every possible type of cuisine.
Golf and other sport activities
There is no shortage of golf courses on Tenerife, not surprisingly making the island a golfers paradise. Green fees are competitively priced and the courses are well prepared.
Sailing is very popular in Tenerife and you will find windsurfing facilities available at most of the major resorts. Other sports available in Tenerife include horseriding and walking.
Getting to and around Tenerife
You can get direct flights from across the UK to Tenerife’s 2 airports. Reina Sofia in the south, just 10km from the resorts, is a very easy destination to reach with it being a popular route for the low cost airlines as well as scheduled and charter flights. In the north, Los Rodeos airport is 20km from Puerto de la Cruz but mainly scheduled flights fly there.
Spanish regional guides
Spanish city and town guides
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