Overview of Tenerife attractions: what to see on your own? We also tell you how to get to them and how much it costs to visit interesting places on the island.
Tenerife is an island of the Canary archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, one of the most famous corners of the planet. The flora and fauna of amazing beauty, volcanic landscapes and beaches with black sand, mild climate - no wonder this place is called the Island of Eternal Spring. The question of what to see in Tenerife should be approached with exceptional seriousness - first, we recommend visiting iconic natural and historical sights, and only then, if there is time left, start exploring the rest, because there are so many interesting places on the island that you can cover them all it just won't work in a short time.
Attractions Tenerife
The island is able to please and surprise any tourist - this is facilitated by numerous architectural monuments and unique natural resources. Tenerife has a lot to see for both adults and children. In addition to a beach holiday, there is a rich excursion program, as well as great opportunities for independent exploration of the island. We advise you to explore the local beauty in a rented car, since buses do not go everywhere - in this case, you will be able to explore much more of the island's attractions. The average rental price is 45-50 euros per day. Nevertheless, the island has a well-developed bus network, you can find out bus numbers and timetables here.
Teide National Park
Perhaps there are no tourists who have not visited this truly amazing place. Here is the most famous volcano of the island - Teide, attraction number 1 that you need to see in Tenerife. Its height is 3.7 thousand meters, while climbing the volcano you can see breathtaking landscapes. Around - a landscape of solidified lava and rock formations of bizarre shapes, including the famous Roques de Garcia rock.
It is best to visit the park in the morning by bus (# 342) or a rented car. There is a good asphalt road up to the level of 2356 m, then you can go up by funicular or on foot. The cable car runs almost always from 9 am to 4 pm, sometimes it closes in winter. The cost of tickets for the funicular is 27 euros (round trip), it is convenient to order them on the telefericoteide.com website, so as not to stand in queues - rides on the funicular are very popular among tourists. When booking online from 2 pm to 4 pm, you can get a 10% discount.
It is advisable to take a jacket or windbreaker, it is cool at a height. To continue climbing to the crater of the volcano (the last 163 m), you must book a pass in advance on the website reservasparquesnacionales.es (on this site you can get permission to visit other parks). The permit is free, it must be printed and presented, otherwise they will not be allowed to pass (you also need to have your passport or its photocopy with you). Climbing the volcano is quite difficult and requires good physical fitness.
Natural parks
What to see in Tenerife with children? Tourists love to visit the numerous parks. Each park is magnificent in its own way; animal shows work especially for visitors.
The most famous: Loro parque, Jungle park, Monkey park, Siam park. There are many gorillas and lemurs in Monkey park; Siam park arranges incredible attractions for visitors. Parrots of all colors and types can be seen at the Loro parque.
The most popular Loro parque (park of parrots) is located in the city of Puerto de la Cruz, you can get there by bus or car. Entrance fees: 34 euros for adults, 23 euros for children, for 58 euros you can buy a twin-ticket with the right to visit the two parks Loro and Siam.
Lunar landscape
The real Lunar Landscape (Paisaje Lunar) can be seen from the outside of the ridge that bends around the Las Cañadas caldera from the south. The bizarre landscape is formed from volcanic tuff rocks that wind and water grind and grind to create unique patterns and outlines. The place is small, but invariably attracts fans of the original photo shoot.
You can get there by car to the town of Vilaflor, drive through it, after 2 km there will be an exit onto a dirt road, indicated by an information board. Turning off, drive another 7 km, then park the car and, following the signs, walk another 3 km.
Black beaches
Tenerife's amazing black sand beaches owe their origin to local volcanoes. The color of the sand ranges from gray to deep black. The sand gets very hot - it is believed to have healing properties. It is better not to wear light-colored swimwear. The best black beaches on the island are Playa de la Arena in Puerto Santiago and Playa Benijo in Anaga. The most convenient way to get to these places is by car.
Mask gorge
The list of unusual places to see in Tenerife includes the Masca Gorge. The distinctive village of Masca is located near Santiago del Teide. The road to the village is very dangerous - a narrow mountain serpentine. A few decades ago, there was not even such a road; the villagers traveled to civilization on foot. The main attraction of the place is a deep gorge that leads directly to the ocean.
To go down to the rocky beach, you need comfortable shoes, a supply of water and patience - the descent takes several hours. There is a pier on the beach, where a boat from Las Gigantes periodically comes, so the best way to get to Maska is by taxi, having parked your car in Las Gigantes. There are also regular buses: first you need to get to Santiago del Teide, and then take a bus to the village of Masca (# 355). A boat ticket costs about 10 euros per person, it runs until 4 pm, a taxi from Las Gigantes to Masca will cost 25 euros.
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Dragon tree
In the town of Icod de Los Vinos, in the small park Parque del Drago, a relict tree grows, which, according to various estimates, is from 800 to several thousand years old. Dracaena or dragon tree amazes with its size: 25 m crown height and 10 m in girth. Thousands of tourists visit the place every year to take pictures under the giant "umbrella". You can stand at the roots of the relic for 5 euros.
Hellish gorge
We recommend that you definitely look at Tenerife's Barranco del Infierno reserve with the only waterfall on the island - it is located near the famous Las Americas resort outside the village of Adeje, at the end of Calle los Molinos street. The height of the waterfall is 560 m. Around is very picturesque nature: ridges covered with tropical plants, interesting rock formations.
Entrance to the territory costs 3 - 4 euros, they are allowed only in the first half of the day (from 8 to 14:30) no more than 300 people per day, closing at 18:00. A three-hour walking route has been developed for visitors, which starts in Adeje. To visit the reserve, you need to register in advance. The trail is quite easy, but in some places it is dangerous (there were even accidents due to which it was closed twice), so it is recommended to wear comfortable non-slip shoes, have hats and a supply of water. You can get to the gorge by bus # 110 from Santa Cruz or by taxi.
Pueblo chico
The Pueblo Chico Miniature Park is perfect for those who do not know what to see in Tenerife with children. It is also usually visited by tourists vacationing in this part of the island. Here you are invited to see the models of local attractions. The park is located between Puerto de la Cruz and La Orotava. From Puerto de la Cruz you can get there by bus, sometimes there is free transport. The cost of admission is 12.5 euros for adults and 6.5 euros for children, the park is open until 18:00.
Castle of San Miguel
History buffs should love the guided tour of San Miguel Castle. This is a modern replica of a medieval castle built for tourists.Knights' tournaments are held here, and guests are served medieval treats with wine.
You can get there by taxi from Las Americas - the cost of the trip is 25 euros. The performances are not every day - in the summer on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the show starts at 19. The cost of tickets is 48 euros for adults, 24 euros for children. In the shops of the town you can buy souvenirs of the corresponding theme.
Architectural monuments of Tenerife
What else to see in Tenerife? Of course, the architectural monuments of the island should not be deprived of attention. The main attractions of the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife are concentrated in the old quarter near the port. Here is the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the Black Fort, the Church of Francis of Assisi and the Paso Alto Fort, all buildings date back to the 16-17 centuries.
On the east coast of the island lies the small seaside town of Candelaria. Periodically thousands of pilgrims flock here to worship the Blessed Virgin of Candelaria in the Basilica de Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria.
In the 14th century, a statue of the Mother of God was washed here by waves, and the locals installed it in a coastal cave as a shrine. At the beginning of the 19th century, it was washed into the ocean again. Now the Basilica has a statue of the Madonna by Fernando Estevez, and the church portal is decorated with the image of the Black Madonna.
