Tenerife is probably the most well-rounded Canary Island of them all. It seemingly has everything you could wish for in a holiday destination. Beautiful beaches, fantastic national parks, volcanic peaks, historic towns, top-quality theme parks, plenty of hiking routes, and resorts offering every kind of entertainment you can think of.
There is so much to do on the island that people keep returning – and tend to find something new each time they visit, too. We’ve compiled this list based on multiple visits to Tenerife, and have included hidden gems that other articles don’t mention. As well as the usual hotspots, of course. We hope you find this guide useful.
Keep in mind that there’s far more than 27 things to do on the island. But, so that the list isn’t overwhelmingly long, we’ve only covered the best of the best here. For further inspiration regarding what to see in Tenerife, why not browse our website to find out more?
Seasonal Activities
Sample Some New Exotic Fruits
While in Tenerife, don’t miss out on the chance to try a wide variety of exotic fruits. A broader selection than you’ll find anywhere else in Europe is available on the island. Snacking on fresh, ripe, and juicy fruits is one of our favourite things to do in Tenerife. Especially when we are travelling with our children.
Banana-growing is a major industry in Tenerife. Other tropical fruits are also grown across the island, including avocado, dragon fruit, mango, papaya, passion fruit, pineapple, guava, starfruit, prickly pear and more. Lesser-known varieties such as cherimoya and nisperos are also grown, as well as other fruits that aren’t usually found on the continent.
The selection of fresh fruit is available according to season. In summer and autumn you’ll have more choice, while in winter and spring less fruit is produced.
You can buy fruit in supermarkets such as Mercadona or Hiperdino, or visit local markets to pick up fresh produce.
Join the Party People at a Carnival
If you visit at the beginning of the year, then you cannot miss Tenerife’s Santa Cruz carnival. It typically takes place between mid-January and mid-February, and has a Brazilian-like atmosphere to rival its famous Rio de Janeiro counterpart.
This is one of Europe’s biggest carnivals, featuring Latin music, spectacular shows, partying in the streets, colourful parades, and elaborate costumes. A Carnival Queen is also elected each year. Attending the Santa Cruz carnival is a bucket list kind of experience, where you can really let loose and shake your thang.
The carnival culminates with the Burial of the Sardine, and for many this is the highlight. This involves a funeral-style procession through the streets, plus the burning of some sort of effigy to represent the sardine.
For Nature Lovers
Spend Time at Tenerife’s Breathtaking Beaches
Tenerife is one of the most popular places on the planet when it comes to beaches. There are beautiful beaches all over the island, where you can swim, surf, party, sunbathe or snorkel to your heart’s content. As well as enjoying the spectacular coastal scenery.
The resort beaches are among the best places to visit in Tenerife South, but the north also has its fair share of lovely seaside spots. Black volcanic sand is more likely to be a feature of the northern beaches, while those in the south often feature imported Saharan sand.
To discover the cream of the crop, check out our detailed guides to the best beaches in Tenerife and the best black sand beaches in Tenerife.
Take a Dolphin or Whale-Watching Trip
Around 20 species of dolphins and whales frequent the warm, clear waters around the Canary Islands. Between the islands of Tenerife and La Gomera, for example, you can spot bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales at any time of year.
Other species to see in winter include fin and humpback whales, while in spring you might spy orcas or sperm whales. Seasonal boat trips to see these are available from all the big resorts. Here are our favorite ones:
Dolphin & Whale Eco-Cruise with Snacks & Drinks – The affordable cruise including food and drinks onboard. 3 and 5-hour options are available. The trip takes off from a Puerto Colón marina in Costa Adeje. Easily reachable from Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos or other resorts of Southern and Western Tenerife by taxi.
Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour by Yacht – If you prefer more privacy, this tour takes only up to 12 people on a small boat. The meeting point is once again in Puerto Colón.
If you are coming with children, we strongly recommend either this Viking Cruise with Live Show and Drinks or this Submarine Vision Mini Cruise in a boat with underwater windows. Super fun!
Finally, if you are staying in the Los Gigantes area, check out our guide for recommended dolphin watching trips from there.
Explore the Longest Volcanic Tube in Europe
Cueva del Viento is the world’s fifth-longest volcanic tube, and can be found in the Icod de los Vinos area. It’s around 27,000 years old, and is also known as the Cave of the Wind. For safety reasons, you’ll need to wear a helmet, and will also need a torch. Bear in mind that it can be very windy inside, too.
Europe’s longest volcanic tube came to be following an early eruption of the island’s Pico Viejo volcano, which lies close to mighty Mount Teide. It’s around 11 miles (or 18 kilometres) long.
To visit this long volcanic tube, you’ll have to plan ahead by booking a guided tour. These fill up very fast as it’s so popular, and you’ll need about two-and-a-half hours for your visit. Secure your slot via the official website, at least a week in advance. When you do, take care to choose the correct language option: tours are available in German, Spanish or English.
You can find out more about Cueva del Viento in our Icod de Los Vinos guide.
Price: 20€ for adults and 8.5€ for children aged between 5 and 12. Children under 5 and those with reduced mobility cannot enter for safety reasons.
Location: Google Maps
Hike the Trails at Teide National Park
With a 3,718 metre peak, magnificent Mount Teide dominates the island’s landscape. Teide National Park is Spain’s most popular, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Around four million people pay the park a visit each year.
The volcanic, lunar landscape has an otherworldly air, and the park is packed with rugged peaks, dark caves and unusual rock formations. You can also find about 14 species of flora here that are completely unique to this location.
This is the best place to go in Tenerife if you enjoy outdoor life. You can take a hike or cable car ride to the summit of Mount Teide, before savouring unparalleled views over the island.
If you don’t have a hire car, opt for a hassle-free tour with cable car ticket & transfer included. Or, if you want to reach the peak of Teide, we recommend this brilliant guided summit hiking tour, in which you will be taken to the upper station by cable car and then embark on a guided hike to the summit.
There are lots of other hikes to take within the park, too, including treks through lava fields. Or if you’re feeling lazy, simply visit the viewpoints so you can effortlessly enjoy the sweeping panoramas.
Teide National Park is also very popular among star-gazers. The night skies here are incredible, due to a combination of the altitude, proximity to the equator, climate, and lack of light pollution. More than 80 constellations are clearly visible when viewing the twinkling night skies from Teide.
If you are interested, we highly recommend opting for this stargazing tour. It includes a pickup from multiple locations in southern Tenerife, a dinner, and exploring the night sky with powerful telescopes. An unforgettable experience!
If you can, we also recommend staying at least one night at Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide, the park’s only hotel. We did that on one of our boy’s birthday and it was a magical experience we will never forget.
For more information, check out our comprehensive guide to Teide National Park.
Location: Google Maps
Visit Masca Among the Mountains
Set among the Macizo de Teno mountains, Masca is one of the most beautiful Canarian villages. The rugged, elevated setting close to Tenerife’s northwestern tip ensures long-ranging views over the coastline, and it feels a little like Machu Picchu in Peru.
This charming, traditional settlement comprises a clutch of stone buildings, which cling tightly to the ridge. There are palm trees dotted between these, giving Masca an exotic ambience.
Masca isn’t the easiest destination to get to, yet is perennially popular despite this. The village is accessed via a steep, twisting road with tight bends. It offers spectacular views over the rolling hills, mountain peaks and deep gorges, but the road is only suitable for drivers who are both confident and experienced.
To avoid the stressful driving part, we recommend booking this full-day tour, which will not only get you to Masca but also other beautiful places such as Garachico, Icod de Los Vinos, and Teide national park.
Tourists flock to Masca to wander through the village, take in the impressive panoramas, dine at one of the restaurants with a mind-blowing outlook, or head out on one of the island’s most impressive hikes. A trail to Masca beach can lead you on a very steep descent, via almost-vertical rocky slopes, to reach the sand. As you’ll also need to hike back up, this trek is only suited to hikers with a good level of fitness.
To go on this trek, you will need to prebook a spot here. You can also check out our Masca guide for more information.
Location: Google Maps
Discover Unspoiled Anaga Rural Park
The cooler, wetter climate of northeastern Tenerife means that Anaga Rural Park has a lush, fertile landscape. Awash with green, the area offers untouched beaches, authentic local villages, wonderful hiking trails and lots of native wildlife and plants. In short, it’s not to be missed when you’re in Tenerife.
Anaga Rural Park can be enjoyed in a number of ways. You can hike the trails or take a scenic drive to the viewpoints, or unwind at one of the unbeatable beaches.
If you don’t have a hire car or want to avoid driving on mountain roads, there are plenty of guided tours to choose from. We highly recommend this San Cristóbal de La Laguna and Anaga tour with a pickup from Playa de las Americas. Food is included. It’s quite private with 8 persons in the car the most.
Another option is to drive to the park and meet with a guide there. This hiking tour takes your on a 3.5-hour walk with a very knowledgable guide.
Anaga is undoubtedly among our favourite places in Tenerife: in fact, it might even be our number one. Not only is it breathtakingly beautiful, but also remains relatively undiscovered. You can truly immerse yourself in nature here. For the full experience, we recommend staying overnight in one of the area’s little local villages. Taganana is a great choice, for example.
Be sure to check out our detailed Anaga Rural Park guide, too. This has all the information you will need to visit this magical place.
Location: Google Maps
Dive into the Natural Saltwater Pools
Another of Tenerife’s treasures is rarely found in guidebooks, yet could well be one of the highlights of your visit. The island offers an abundance of natural saltwater pools, and visiting these is one of our favourite activities to do in Tenerife. Formed by nature, these beautiful pools have a wild, untamed feel that’s far removed from the busy tourist resorts.
Past lava flow has in many cases been responsible for the formation of the pools. In some cases, though, they have been created due to the force of the ocean and unique rock formations. Some of these saltwater pools remain entirely unspoiled.
We’ve listed 15 of the best natural pools in Tenerife in a comprehensive guide, so check that out if you do want to see some.
Savour Sweeping Views from Punta de Teno
On Tenerife’s northwestern tip you’ll find Punta de Teno, a compact, rugged headland. At around 10 million years of age, it’s one of the oldest sites on the island. It was created by flowing streams of lava, which eventually transformed into solid rock.
We recommend visiting this part of the island for incredible views of the ocean and the nearby cliffs. You can also find perfect peace, a small but picturesque black sand beach, and the lighthouse. The latter creates a picture postcard image, with the Atlantic Ocean as the dramatic backdrop, though you cannot venture inside.
Keep in mind that the road to the lighthouse is closed to private cars between 9 am and 8 pm between Monday and Thursday, and from 9 am on Friday throughout the weekend. However, you can take bus number 369 from Buenavista del Norte, which runs once per hour on a daily basis.
Location: Google Maps
See the Sunset at Los Gigantes Cliffs
The forbidding, rugged cliffs at Los Gigantes in Tenerife are known as the Cliffs of the Giants, or Acantilados de los Gigantes. At around 600 metres high, they’re a jaw-dropping natural phenomenon on the edge of the resort.
Visiting at sunset only adds to the appeal of these towering cliffs. A boat cruise will give you incomparable views from the ocean (this one is our favorite), or you can see them from the local beach. Alternatively, rent a kayak, so you can see the Cliffs of the Giants while skimming over the surface of the water.
Los Gigantes is a compact Tenerife resort, and the largest on the island’s northwest coast. It has a marina offering fishing trips and dive clubs, plus a wide range of accommodation and other resort facilities.
Find out more in our ultimate Los Gigantes guide.
Location: Google Maps
Follow the Rambla de Castro Coastal Trail
The Rambla de Castro coastal trail can be found in the Los Realejos area, on Tenerife’s north coast. It’s a popular walk for those who want to see lovely beaches, rugged cliffs and exotic trees. Some of the island’s prettiest palms can be found here, as well as several dragon trees.
You can approach Rambla de Castro in two ways. The first option is to drive to the small Rambla de Castro car park (which is often packed) and use this trail to reach the picturesque beach and small, tumbling waterfall.
The second option is to hike from Puerto de la Cruz. See the trail map here. You can also find more detailed information in our complete Puerto de la Cruz guide.
Location: Google Maps
Encounter the Oldest Dragon Tree in Icod de Los Vinos
El Drago Milenario is one of the stars of the island, and often regarded as a symbol of Tenerife. It’s both the oldest and largest Dragon Tree here, and thought to be more than 1,000 years old. It has a circumference measuring six metres (or 20 feet).
Precious few dragon trees now remain in Tenerife, which is a real shame. Many were lost after being drained of their red sap, or “dragon’s blood”. This was once used as a dye, or for medicinal purposes. Dragon trees also feature fat branches ending in spiky bunches of leaves.
There’s much more to the lovely town of Icod de Los Vinos than the dragon tree, though. Located close to it you can also find the Church of San Marcos, the Malvasia wine museum, a banana museum, and the butterfly garden.
The town is included in various full day island tours. We recommend this one, which not only includes Icod de los Vinos but also the village of Masca, Teide national park, and the historic town of Garachico.
Check out our Icod de Los Vinos guide for more information on what to see and do there.
Pay a Visit to Las Margaritas Banana Plantation
As mentioned above, bananas are a very important crop on this Canary Island. You can see banana plantations all over Tenerife.
The Finca Las Margaritas banana plantation near Las Galletas and Costa del Silencio in southern Tenerife is essential for those interested in commercial fruit production. Here you can find out all about the history of banana-growing on the Canary Islands. In addition to banana plants, you can see avocado, mango and papaya trees here.
Opt for a self-guided tour to progress at your own pace, or book a guided tour led by a Spanish, French or English speaking guide. Check out the latest prices here.
Location: Google Maps
Go on a Day Trip to La Gomera Island
Close to the resort of Los Cristianos, the neighbouring island of La Gomera is less than 20 miles away. As the trip from the resort takes only 50 minutes, it makes a very popular day trip destination.
La Gomera offers a fertile green landscape, the Parque Nacional de Garajonay laurel forest, and a series of deep, dramatic gorges. After arriving, many visitors embark on a hike through the woodland.
The simplest way to discover La Gomera is to take an organised tour, as transport around the island is included. For more adventurous exploration, choose this full-day 4×4 Jeep tour.
Family Attractions
Make a Splash at Siam Park
Tenerife’s biggest and most impressive theme park, Siam Park is often cited as being one of the world’s best water parks. With a Thai theme, there are attractions here for kids of all ages, as well as adults.
Expect to find exhilarating, adrenaline-fuelled rides that will give you a real thrill. There’s also a range of relaxing or action-packed family experiences, plus a gift shop, several eateries and even a floating market.
The best thing about Siam Park is that you can visit all year round. During summer and winter alike, the water temperature is kept at a balmy 24°C.
As a family, we never tire of Siam Park. Every single time we go to Tenerife, a visit is a must. So far, we have never found a more diverting or beautiful water park anywhere.
You can either purchase general Siam Park tickets (with lunch voucher or without) or combined Siam Park and Loro Parque tickets (Loro Parque is a must-visit). There is also an option of a combined ticket which includes a transfer to Loro Parque (it’s located in the North of the island).
For more information, check out our in-depth Siam Park guide. It is – in our humble opinion – the best one on the internet 😉
Location: Google Maps
Meet the Animals at Loro Parque
Loro Parque is a long-established Tenerife attraction. This zoological park is also home to many tropical plants, and dates back to 1972.
All the family can encounter species of mammals, birds and fish from all over the planet at Loro Parque. Key attractions include the free-flight aviary, an aquarium with over 100 types of aquatic creatures, the Kinderlandia kids’ playground, and glorious gardens filled with flowering orchids and dotted with dragon trees.
In all, you can see more than 400 species of fauna at Loro Parque. Staff are also heavily involved in rescuing and rehabilitating injured, orphaned, lost and abandoned animals.
Species to see include colourful parrots, flamingos, western lowland gorillas, seal lions, red pandas, lemurs, sloths and turtles.
We love Loro Parque because it’s very beautiful, and also as the animals live in spacious, modern enclosures.
You can either opt for a general Loro Parque ticket or the one with included transfer. There is also an option to get a combined Loro Parque and Siam Park ticket or the same with transfer.
Location: Google Maps
Hang Out at Monkey Park
You’re less likely to have heard of Monkey Park than Loro Parque. The former is seldom found in guidebooks, or offered as a tour destination. However, Monkey Park offers far more contact with the mammals, and is ideal for family days out in Tenerife.
Monkey Park is home to a wide range of monkeys, plus other primates such as chimps and lemurs. You can also see a selection of exotic birds and reptiles, including toucans, parrots, tortoises, iguanas, turtles, crocodiles and monitor lizards.
At feeding time, you can buy bags of food, and can even enter the animal cages in some cases where it’s safe to do so. Children enjoy feeding the many resident guinea pigs, and you might also get to feed lemurs and monkeys.
More information about this animal attraction can be found in our Monkey Park guide.
Location: Google Maps
See Colourful Creatures at the Butterfly Garden
The butterfly garden – or Mariposario del Drago in Spanish – is a great “hidden” gem of a family attraction in Tenerife. It’s not often mentioned in guides, though we really do think that it should be.
Located in Icod de Los Vinos, near the dragon tree, the butterfly garden houses over 800 species of the colourful winged insects. The fact that different species feed on different plants also means that the park is packed with exotic flora. In addition, you can view moths, turtles, fish and works of art.
Our kids loved walking among so many pretty butterflies. We all enjoyed spotting various species and taking pictures, too. There’s also an absorbing display about the butterfly life cycle, featuring caterpillars, cocoons and eggs.
Hours: Open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM
Price: 8.5€ for adults, 5€ for children from 2 to 12 years old
Location: Google Maps
For History Buffs
Delve into Local History in Garachico
Whether you’re seeking things to do in Tenerife North or don’t mind travelling from the south, this historic village makes a very worthwhile destination. As one of the Canaries’ oldest villages, it was a major commercial port once upon a time. However, one natural disaster after another meant that local residents suffered greatly in the past.
These included flooding, freak storms, fires, diseases and a huge volcanic eruption in 1706. This covered much of the place in lava, while destroying the port that stood in its path. Garachico was subsequently rebuilt, and is presently among the best-preserved historic places in the Canary Islands.
You can also find paths just outside the village that follow the lava’s trail of destruction.
Another star of Garachico is El Caleton natural pools. You can marvel at these all year round, but if you do plan to swim, come in summer or early autumn. Later in the year, the pools often are closed due to stormy seas.
While staying or spending time in Garachico you can soak up the local history, admire the architecture, sample authentic local food, hike in the hills, and swim in the natural pools. You can also take in the stunning views, while enjoying the sunny weather.
If you don’t have a hire car or don’t want to embark on a long bus journey from southern Tenerife, we recommend choosing this tour, which includes not only Garachico but also the village of Masca, Teide national park, and Icod de los Vinos.
Read more about this charming village in our Garachico guide.
Admire Attractive San Cristóbal de la Laguna
Historic San Cristobal de la Laguna makes a relaxed day trip from Puerto de la Cruz or Santa Cruz. The lovely town centre is lined with one-off shops, appealing bars and cafes, and attractive homes painted in pretty pastel shades.
The layout of La Laguna later inspired a number of colonial towns in the Americas. As a result, it’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite the history, La Laguna has a youthful vibrance, with lively nightlife to match.
La Laguna was Tenerife’ capital until 1723, when the honour was bestowed upon Santa Cruz instead. However this has not diminished La Laguna’s significance, nor its sheer beauty.
If you’re travelling with kids, you might also like to visit the Museum of Science and the Cosmos (location). The museum is interactive, offering a very hands-on experience. We thoroughly enjoyed spending time at the museum with our children. Though all descriptions are in Spanish, you’re given a QR code to scan so you can access them in English.
You can also visit the town on a guided tour. We can recommend two options: the joint tour of La Laguna and Anaga rural park or this gastronomy and wine tour, which explores the culinary scene of La Laguna plus ventures outside of it for a wine degustation.
Location: Google Maps
Experience Authentic La Orotava
Another star of northern Tenerife is the authentic town of La Orotava. This is a traditional hilltop town overlooking Puerto de la Cruz. La Laguna and La Orotava are two of the island’s most appealing towns, and the attraction lies in the fact that they have a genuinely Canarian feel. Expect central squares awash with flowers, surrounded by charming cobbled streets lined with elegant mansions and old churches.
One of La Orotava’s main places of interest is the House of Balconies, or Casa de Los Balcones. The mansion dates from the 17th century, and offers a little museum showcasing Canarian art and crafts, including local lacework. Not surprisingly, Casa de Los Balcones is named for its balconies. Some of these adorn the frontage, while others overlook a pretty courtyard.
While visiting the town, don’t miss a chance to go on a guided tour to the ecological banana plantation just outside La Orotava. A highly recommended experience.
If you have a limited time on the island, we recommend this tour which takes you to the most beautiful towns in Tenerife, including La Orotava, in one day.
Read more about this historic town in our La Orotava guide.
For Sports Enthusiasts
Go on a Hike
Experience the island beyond the tourist trail by going on a hike. Tenerife is one of the best hiking destinations in the whole of Europe!
The best places for walks are the Orotava Valley, Anaga Mountains, Teno Rural Park, and Teide National Park. You can hike on old lava flows, climb volcanoes, trek lush mountains, discover secluded beaches that can only be reached by foot, walk through old villages, and much more!
We always search for trails on the AllTrails website. With our children in tow, we did Roques de Garcia, Callejón de Teno, Las Carboneras to Mirador Aguaide, Sendero de Los Sentidos, Rambla de Castro, Chinyero loop and there are many more left. We can’t wait to get back to the island to explore more!
If you don’t feel confident to embark on a hike on your own, explore these options with professional guides: Masca hiking experience, Teide summit adventure, or this hiking tour in Anaga mountains.
Sample Surfing, Kitesurfing or Windsurfing
Tenerife is blessed with strong and consistent wave action, and this applies all around the island. As a result, there are some awesome surf spots. Anyone into kitesurfing or surfing will love the fact that there are favourable conditions here all year round.
The popular resort of Playa de Las Americas is ideal for those who haven’t tried surfing before. It’s one of the most popular surf spots in Tenerife, plus there are many surf schools offering equipment hire and instruction. Rather than just one surfing spot, Playa de las Americas offers a number of these dotted along the coastline. These are suitable for surfers of various levels, from beginner to intermediate.
You can book a surfing lesson with a professional instructor with all the necessary equipment included.
Another popular place for windsurfing and kitesurfing is El Medano, which is located on the island’s southeast coast.
If you’re a pro-level surfer seeking strong waves, it’s best to head to the north of the island. For experienced board riders, Playa del Socorro, El Arenal, Almáciga, El Charco, and La Caleta are all ideal.
Dive or Snorkel Among the Underwater World
Explore the underwater world while visiting Tenerife, and you can discover a side to the island that many tourists don’t see. Both snorkelling and scuba diving are deservedly popular, and it’s simple to rent or buy equipment, and book tuition or trips.
Venture underwater while visiting Tenerife and you might spot species such as rays, barracuda, tuna, turtles and a whole host of colourful, tropical fish like rainbow wrasse or triggerfish. Small marine life such as sea anemones, sponges or red and yellow gorgonias can also be seen. Or if you get really lucky, you might even encounter a shark.
Tenerife offers numerous dive centres and shops where you can hire and buy equipment, take courses, or try out an instructor-led test. Options exist at every level, even if you’ve never scuba dived or donned a snorkel mask before.
The majority of Tenerife’s dive centres are concentrated around the western and southern coastal resorts. Towns including Playa de Las Americas, Costa Adeje, Los Gigantes, Los Cristianos, Las Galletas, and Los Abrigos all offer equipment sales and rental, plus tuition and diving or snorkelling trips.
For a beginner’s diving experience in southern Tenerife, we recommend this lesson. In the north, nearby Santa Cruz, this introductory diving course is great.
For A Taste of City Life
Visit the Capital of Tenerife
Most tourists visit Santa Cruz de Tenerife only during the annual carnival but we think that this vibrant city has so much to offer besides that.
Come here for the plentiful shopping opportunities, the museums and art galleries, beautiful botanic gardens and parks, modern restaurants, cafes, bars, and so much more.
Walk through the small streets of its historic centre to discover the special character of the city. Explore the stalls of the legendary Market of Our Lady of Africa.
Check out the widest range of palm trees in the whole of Europe in the Palmetum botanical garden (tickets here). We were fascinated by the variety of gorgeous tropical plants from all around the world.
Have fun at César Manrique Maritime Park, which is a complex of three saltwater swimming pools, various sporting facilities, kids’ play areas, a jacuzzi, a gym, and a range of restaurants.
Oh, and don’t forget to visit the divine Playa de las Teresitas beach, which is just outside the town.
For more things to do, check out our Santa Cruz de Tenerife guide.
Explore Puerto de la Cruz
The only resort located on the Northern side of the island, Puerto de la Cruz is a former fishing village with black sand beaches, a historic old town and modern tourist attractions.
If you plan to go to Loro Park, we recommend that you also pay a visit to this lovely town, which is right nearby. Popular attractions include Lago Martiánez Complex, local black sand beaches, botanical gardens, orchid gardens, natural rock pools, and much more.
Even though it’s a resort, it looks nothing like tourist spots in the Southern part of the island. It’s more cosmopolitan, modern, and has a local feel to it. There are no British bars and it’s not crowded.
If you will be staying in this northern resort, we can’t recommend enough the authentic flamenco show, which takes place every Thursday. Get the tickets here.
For more things to do, check out our detailed guide to Puerto de la Cruz.
