The paradise island of the Canary archipelago is a real continent in miniature, where all climatic zones are represented: from snow-capped mountains to the hot coast. We tell you about its most interesting places. In a short vacation in Tenerife, you can discover completely different landscapes, enjoy eternal spring and year-round swimming in the ocean, exotic fruits and walks under the moonlight. To make the most of your trip from the very beginning, it’s a great idea to book a taxi from Gran Canaria Airport by Kiwitaxi. This type of transfer offers fixed pricing, no waiting in lines, and a personal driver who will meet you at the airport and take you directly to your hotel or any destination on the island. It’s especially convenient for travelers with luggage or those arriving late, providing a smooth, comfortable, and stress-free start to your island getaway.
Black Beaches
A third of the coastline, which is more than 200 km long, is made up of beaches. Among them, there are a huge number of secluded places. Beautiful locations are located in the north, they are covered exclusively with black sand. These grains of solidified lava, crushed over millions of years, are a real storehouse of energy. One of the most famous places, Playa Jardin Beach, is located in the tourist Mecca – the city of Puerto de la Cruz. The beach is surrounded by greenery and consists of several parts, and from the water, there is an amazing view of the Teide volcano, covered with a snow cap in particularly good winters.
But for privacy, it is better to rent a car and drive to the northeast, to the town of Punta del Hidalgo, located 20 km from the former capital of the island – the town of La Laguna. Behind the lighthouse on the outskirts of the city, there are long natural pools. Fabulously beautiful places are at the end of the road, these beaches end with rocky cliffs of the picturesque mountains of the Anaga Natural Park.
You can look for secluded places even further, inside the Anaga mountain range, reaching the very last settlement in the northeast – the village of Chamorga. From there, a picturesque road begins along the gorge to the beach of Roque Bermejo (Playa Roque Bermejo). Faro de Anaga lighthouse can be seen in the distance. There are almost no people on this beach, and the incredibly beautiful stone blocks, cut by the waves, seem to be guarding it, growing right out of the water. You can also get to the beach by water taxi, but it is much more pleasant to walk, immersed in the contemplation of the unique landscapes.
Virgin Forests
The Anaga Nature Reserve, which occupies the oldest area in the northeast of the island, is the most interesting natural site. Its unique forests, which grew throughout Europe more than 20 million years ago, are today preserved only in places with a permanent humid climate, in the region of the so-called Macaronesia. This includes, in addition to the Canary Islands, the Azores and Madeira. Over millions of years of island isolation, plants have undergone almost no evolution; they are rightly called living relics of the Tertiary period – the ancestors of these giants also found dinosaurs!
Dress warmly, as the constant temperature inside the massif is about +16 °C, don’t forget comfortable shoes and feel free to explore the magical forest on foot from any starting point where there is a path and yellow markings.
You can go horseback riding and come face to face with representatives of prehistoric flora. Sometimes clouds will fly along the way, leaving droplets of water on the plants (these are so-called horizontal rains).
Stop for a picnic in a clearing surrounded by oddly shaped trunks entwined with lichens and mosses or in caves where local Guanche tribes once sheltered from bad weather.
Try to find the old road Camino Viejo al Pico del Inglés, cut right into the mountain range, whose damp walls more than 2 m high are covered with moss, and the trees growing above with their crooked crowns cover the rare rays of the sun. In some places, with their powerful roots, they crushed the stones and squeezed into the gap of the road, creating an even more fabulous picture.
Observation Platforms
The nature of the northern part of the island is incredibly generous, which is probably why the gaze of the volcano named Teide is directed here, which is greedily caught by all observation platforms.
The small but surprisingly romantic observation deck Mirador Pico del Inglés is located in Anaga Park, where there are many viewing points, but this one is the least visited, as it is located at the end of the road. It is strewn with stones steeped in history, and it seems as if it is a ruined dolmen. You definitely want to make a wish! It offers stunning views of the southern coast from the capital Santa Cruz to the religious heart of the island – the town of Candelaria, and in good weather you can see the volcano in all its glory.
The La Orotava valley is incredibly beautiful, formed millions of years ago due to the collapse of the wall of a huge volcano, exposing the mineral-rich depths of the earth. In this valley at the foot of the Teide volcano, the soil is incredibly fertile.
Stunning views of the valley open from the Mirador de La Corona site, near the town of Icod el Alto, 15 km west of Puerto de la Cruz. This place with a gazebo-chapel and a jumping platform is loved by paragliders for its low altitude, about 700 m, and stunning scenery. The sea here seems to merge with the sky, and the winding coastline leading to the Anaga massif, often hidden behind the clouds, goes off into infinity. Well-groomed vegetable gardens and rows of houses descend from the mountains to the sea, and multi-colored parachute domes soar in the sky.
It is believed that a full view of the entire valley, rugged coastline, and volcano opens from the town of El Sauzal, which is 19 km east of Puerto de la Cruz. Escape the heat in Los Lavaderos Park, located directly opposite the city center. On its small territory there is a small gingerbread house, arched bridges, a water gallery and a variety of vegetation. Well, paved paths will lead to a cafe and an observation deck, where it’s better to go up in the evening.
You can stay in Puerto de la Cruz in a five-star Hotel Botanico & The Oriental Spa Garden. It is located in a prestigious area, opposite the botanical gardens, with wonderful views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Orotava Valley, and the Teide volcano.
Perfect Sunsets
Adventure seekers are advised to go to the westernmost point of the island, the town of Punta de Tena. You can get here from the last settlement in the northwest, Buenavista del Norte, by bus or rented electric bike. The road is narrow throughout, but ideal for cycling. It comes right up to the cliff, winds a little, but around every turn there is a magical view of cliffs and broken rocks, and the ocean raging below. The path ends at the lighthouse, from where the neighboring islands can be seen in clear weather. Nearby there is a wild beach consisting of lagoons and caves, and opposite a steep and rugged rocky coast called Acantilados de Los Gigantes. On weekdays, there are almost no people here, and those who decide to come will forever remember the bright colors of the sunset. For a schedule of when you can visit the park and what is worth seeing in it.
But if you want an unforgettable performance, you need to climb to the heights of the Teide National Park, where you will see the unique nature and volcanic landscapes that are so beloved by world cinema. Here, the sunset rays, reflected from multi-colored rocks, shimmer with all sorts of colors, and shadows of bizarre shapes appear from the stones. And if you climb to one of the observation platforms in advance, then in the bright light of the setting sun both the neighboring islands and the foaming sea of clouds will appear.
Don’t rush to leave after sunset. In a couple of hours, the park changes beyond recognition. In the lunar flicker, colors dissolve, only light and shadows are visible, and the feeling that you are on Earth disappears. And with the appearance of the stars, it seems that if you reach out your hand and grab one. Far from the city lights, they burn so brightly, and the Milky Way seems to be flowing directly overhead.
Wrap yourself in a blanket (even in the hot summer months, the night temperature in the park drops to around +10 °C), uncork the wine and make a wish on a shooting star. The most beautiful star showers are observed in August, and the best place for viewing is at the exit from the highway on the road from Teide to La Laguna near the Observatory de Izaña.
And if you contact the company Volcano Teide, then you will not only have a stunning sunset, but also stargazing through a telescope, as well as dinner. The program is called “Sunset and Stars”.
But if you’re planning to visit all the key attractions across the island in a short time, then it’s best to use Kiwitaxi.com. This service allows you to book comfortable private transfers in advance, ensuring fixed prices, punctual, professional drivers, and the ability to choose your own route and pace. Kiwitaxi.com is perfect for travelers who value time, comfort, and flexibility—especially in a place as diverse and full of wonders as Tenerife.
Thrill
Paragliders jump from a height of 2390 m near Teide National Park. You’ll need to get a bit of a running start and enjoy the 45-minute descent to the south or north coast with experienced pilots at the controls. This jump is best done early in the morning or evening when the colors are most natural. The entire flight is filmed, what an experience for a lifetime!
In the town of Los Gigantes, located on the west of the island at the foot of 600-meter cliffs stretching for several kilometers, it is recommended to rent a small motor boat for lovers of water activities. This is the best way to travel to coves, caves, and many wild tiny beaches. The West Coast is famous for the fact that during the times of piracy, loot was hidden in these secluded canyons and gorges that go straight down to the ocean. Here, time seems to have stood still, and as you sail past the rugged giant walls, you’re just waiting for a pirate ship to appear.
However, no matter what type of vacation you choose, remember that there are few such unique places left on the planet. It’s real happiness that you can retire in harmony with yourself and nature and, perhaps, discover new facets of relationships. Come to Tenerife!
