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Tenerife is one of the seven of Spain’s Canary Islands. Located off the west African coast, Tenerife is the largest and most populous of Canary Island. It is also home to some of the world’s largest volcanoes. Tenerife is known for its gorgeous beaches, pre-lent Carnival, and its vibrant nightlife. If you are visiting Tenerife and you are wondering what attractions await in the island, here are our top recommendations:
1. Teide National Park
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
The Teide National Park is a sprawling 18,990 hectares park and animal sanctuary. It is the third oldest national park in Spain. The park sits in the middle of Mt. Teide. Mt. Teide is the highest mountain in Spain at 3,718 meters!
Perfect for nature lovers and trekkers, the park boasts of several trails and a unique landscape that sometimes appears barren. But the landscape is far from barren. In fact, the park and its surrounding areas boast of biodiverse landscapes. The park is also declared as a UNESCO heritage site! You can ride a cable car to reach the summit of Mt. Teide, take a nature tour, or take pictures of the gorgeous views.
2. Loro Parque
Av. Loro Parque, s/n, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
Loro Parque is a 13.5 hectares zoo and wildfire sanctuary located in Puerto de la Cruz on Tenerife. The park is home to a diverse species of animals and plants. Of course, the main attractions in Loro Parque are the colorful parrots or loros! Apart from parrots, the park’s other inhabitants include gorillas, sea lions, otters, tigers, giant tortoises, and exotic fish and sharks.
The park features a huge museum that outlines the different species of parrots on the island. Loro Parque has a marine life display that features a large artificial glacier. This is a great place for kids! The park comes with a playground, a local market and awesome entertainment featuring live animal shows.
3. Los Gigantes Cliffs
As the name implies, Los Gigantes Cliffs feature gargantuan rock formations that rise about 500 to 800 meters from the Atlantic Ocean. The cliffs are aptly named “Cliffs of the Giants.” The vertical cliffs have a basaltic geological feature. Near the cliffs are resorts, bars, and restaurants that provide a perfect view of the amazing landscape beyond. You can also take a boat ride to get a better view of the giant cliffs.
4. Guimar Pyramids
The Pyramids of Güíma is comprised of 6 pyramid-shaped structures. Each structure has a terraced facade made from lava stone. Thanks to their remarkable craftsmanship and design, the Pyramids of Güíma outlasted the rest of structures build together with the pyramids. Carbon testing shows that the pyramids were made in the 19th century. Historians believe that the Pyramids of Güíma were somehow used in agricultural processes. The pyramids sit in the middle of a large archeological site, which includes a small museum.
5. Puerto de la Cruz Botanical Gardens
Puerto de la Cruz Botanical Garden is comprised of several 18th-century botanical gardens. The gardens feature a variety of tropical and sub-tropical plants from the islands and the mainland. Boasting of thousands of plant species, the Puerto de la Cruz botanical gardens were meant to nurture plant specimens from the New World. Eventually, the land was turned into a park where spectacular trees and exotic plants flourish.
