Tenerife: 9 reasons to love the island
Book Top Experiences and Tours in Tenerife:
If youʻre booking your trip to Tenerife last minute, we have you covered. Below are some of the top tours and experiences!- Los Cristianos: Viking Cruise Whales & Dolphins Watching
- From Playa San Juan: Whale Watching, Gigantes, and Masca Bay
- From South Tenerife: La Gomera Island Day Trip with Lunch
- Southern Tenerife: 50-Minute Submarine Dive
- Tenerife: 4-Hour Gauchinche Food Tour

The island of Tenerife got its name from the dormant volcano Teide, which the Guanche aborigines called “snow mountain.” Surrounded by extraordinary volcanic landscapes, Tenerife is full of contrasts: prehistoric forests, coves with black sand beaches, picturesque Spanish villages, fertile valleys with tropical crops growing in them, steep mountain ranges, the richly varied local Canarian cuisine, and attractions included in the Cultural Heritage List.
To fully enjoy the island without worrying about transportation, booking a taxi from Tenerife South Airport is the most convenient option. A private transfer ensures a smooth, hassle-free journey to your destination, whether you're heading to a luxury resort, a secluded beach, or a historical site. Unlike public transport, a taxi provides door-to-door service, saving you time and offering the comfort of a well-maintained vehicle with professional drivers. Plus, pre-booking guarantees a fixed price with no hidden fees, allowing you to start your Tenerife adventure stress-free and in total relaxation.
Tropical climate in Tenerife allows you to come here all year round, and our list will help you get the most out of your vacation.
1. Gorgeous beaches

The island is replete with all kinds of beaches: here you will be captivated by both wild beaches with amazing landscapes and pristine nature, as well as comfortable and equipped ones, both sandy and pebble beaches.
One of the most famous wild beaches in Tenerife is Benijo beach with black volcanic sand and pebbles. Due to the strong surf, it is more suitable for enjoying the views than for swimming. The beach is located in the environmental protection zone of the Anaga mountain range, which surrounds the beach with relief outlines.
Almáciga Beach is another popular black sand beach in Tenerife among lovers of secluded relaxation. It is located in the northeast of the island, and the road to it winds like a serpentine among the picturesque mountain landscape.
For a family holiday with children, it is better to choose the white sand beach of El Camison, the territory of which is separated by stone paths, and the coast is protected from strong waves and currents by special breakwaters. El Camison beach has the necessary amenities for a comfortable stay - umbrellas and sun loungers.
Las Teresitas is a magnificent artificial beach in Tenerife with white sand brought from the Sahara Desert. The beach area is lined with palm trees, sun loungers, showers and everything you need for a comfortable stay. A dam was built on the ocean side, which protects the beach from waves and currents. Thanks to the dam, the water near the beach is always warmer than on the nearby coast.
2. Incredible views in national parks

One of Tenerife's popular attractions is the Teno National Natural Park. Teno Park covers an area of more than 8 thousand hectares, is difficult to access due to its landscape, but thanks to this, unique laurel forests have been preserved here, which have become home to many birds and animals.
The Monti del Agua area is home to endemic species of trees and shrubs. The volcanic relief of the Teno massif is cut by deep gorges and cliffs and opens to the ocean. The park contains the famous Barranco de Carrizale gorge, as well as the Punta de Teno lighthouse, popular among tourists.
In the oldest part of the island is the picturesque Anaga Park, where many archaeological finds have been discovered. The age of the natural park is about 7-9 million years. The park is notable for its steep mountain cliffs, deep gorges and tropical forests with an abundance of rare plants.
3. Hiking through a mountain gorge

For lovers of hiking, we recommend visiting the trail to the Maska Gorge. The gorge is about 1300 meters deep and is one of the deepest in Tenerife. The walking trail starts from the village of the same name and descends through a mountain gorge to a small pier on the ocean shore.
About 100 residents live in the village of Maska itself, and before the appearance of the mountain road, they had to get out of it on foot through ravines. The village lost in the mountains has even given rise to many legends about pirates hiding there and hidden treasures, which you will hear about from local guides.
4. “Martian” landscapes of the Teide volcano
Volcano Teide on the island of Tenerife is the highest point in Spain. Those who have visited the crater of the Teide volcano at an altitude of almost 4000 meters say that visiting there is like touching heaven. And at the top the view is so breathtaking that you forget about everything in the world.
On the slopes of the mountain lies the Teide National Park, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Spain. And to the crater of the volcano, where, according to the beliefs of the Guanche aborigines, an evil demon lived, there is a cable car.
5. Excursions to the rocks with whale watching

On the west coast of Tenerife you can admire the majestic view of the Los Gigantes cliffs. To the inhabitants of the island, the steep basalt cliffs resembled the backs of the giants supporting the Teide volcano, which gave the name to the mountain formation. The rocks are separated by gorges that descend directly to the ocean. In some of these gorges you can find completely wild beaches and harbors.
The best way to admire the landmark of Tenerife - the Los Gigantes cliffs - is from the water. Therefore, ocean excursions on yachts and catamarans are organized for tourists, which combine a walk to the rocks with watching the whales and dolphins that live in this part of the Tenerife coast.
6. Family holidays at the zoo and dolphinarium
Loro Parque is one of the most frequently visited attractions in Tenerife and will be of interest to both adults and children. The park is located in Puerto de la Cruz. At the moment, Loro Parque is at the same time a botanical garden, a zoo, a dolphinarium, and a large aquarium. The unspoken name of the park is a paradise for parrots; there are about 500 species of birds in the park. In addition to birds, Loro Parque is home to gorillas and chimpanzees, tigers and jaguars, crocodiles, dolphins, killer whales, and even penguins.
Getting to this incredible destination is easy with Kiwitaxi. This reliable transfer service offers comfortable, door-to-door rides, allowing you to skip the hassle of public transport and enjoy a smooth journey to the park. With professional drivers, fixed prices, and a variety of vehicle options to suit any group size, Kiwitaxi ensures a stress-free experience from the moment you arrive. Whether you're traveling solo, with family, or in a large group, booking a transfer in advance guarantees a seamless trip to one of Tenerife’s most exciting attractions.
Among the entertainment in the park, you can admire the parrot show, where the birds perform various tricks; in the “Baby station” pavilion you can watch how chicks are fed nectar from a spoon. For lovers of marine fauna - a show at the dolphinarium and a performance by sea lions. There is also an Aquarium in the park, which recreates the ecosystems of different parts of the planet.
The cost of an adult ticket is 34 Euros, a child ticket is 23 Euros.
7. Rich opportunities for active recreation
Fans of active recreation will find a lot of offers in Tenerife, one of the most attractive is paragliding over gorges and beaches. Paragliding is very popular among tourists. The best areas for paragliding in Tenerife are Izana Puerto de la Cruz, Izana Puerto de Guimar, Tacoronte El Sauzal, La Corona Los Realejos, Taucho Adeje and Valle de San Lorenzo.
The island will also appeal to lovers of surfing, since Tenerife has many beaches with good waves. The most popular surfing spots are the beaches of Los dos Hermanos and El Charco on the north coast, Fuera de la Bajeta, Punta Blanca beach on the west coast, La Fitenia and many others.
Tenerife is a true paradise for diving enthusiasts, thanks to its rich ocean life and favorable climate. The air temperature is 19–25 degrees all year round, and the ocean is almost always very calm.
Golf is also popular in Tenerife among tourists and locals. The golf courses are as beautiful as the wild landscapes of the island. One of the most popular golf courses is Golf del Sur, where various international tournaments are often held.
8. The largest carnival in Europe

Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife known throughout the world for its colorful performances. The largest in Europe and the second in the world after the Brazilian carnival in Rio de Janeiro. Many tourists specially come to Tenerife in February to enjoy this unforgettable spectacle.
The carnival usually lasts for two weeks, and the main events are:
- Election of the carnival queen - beauties dressed in bright costumes with an abundance of feathers try to surprise and amaze the strict jury, which will choose only one worthy of the title of queen.
- The main procession - a dressed-up cheerful crowd to the sounds of music - passes through the main streets of the city. The procession ends with fireworks.
- Funeral of the sardine - a symbolic farewell to the carnival. A funeral procession moves through the city, mourning a giant cardboard sardine made by the hands of prisoners of the local prison. Then the fish are ceremonially burned in the central square.
9. Gastronomy Tenerife

The traditional cuisine of Tenerife is based on Mediterranean traditions: it abounds in fish and meat dishes (pork and rabbit), popular side dishes are rice, potatoes, vegetables and tropical fruits.
A popular meat dish is rabbit meat with salmorejo sauce and papas potato side dish. Papas are small potatoes with skins, boiled in water with a lot of sea salt. It is served with fish and meat.
The most popular sauce in Tenerife is mojo, served in two types: green and red. Green sauce is made from parsley and cilantro and goes well with fish and vegetables; red sauce is more versatile. Its main ingredient is pepper and goes great with meat, fish or cheese.
In local restaurants and bars you can try traditional Spanish dishes: paella (a dish of rice, meat and seafood), tortilla de patatas (omelet with potatoes), as well as jamon and various cheeses.