How to connect with Tenerife's culture
As you stroll up to the mighty Basilica de Candelaria on Tenerife's north-west coast, you'll be under the watchful eye of nine large bronze statues, created in 1993 by the renowned Tenerife sculptor José Abad. These are the menceyes, the aboriginal 'kings' of Tenerife before the Spanish came.
Before the conquest, the island was split into nine kingdoms, the names of which are still present today in places such as Adeje, Anaga and Güímar. The city of Candelaria is famous for the Cueva de Achbinico, a cave believed to have been a place of worship for more than 3,000 years. To learn more about the Guanches, head to the Museum of Nature and Archaeology (MUNA) in Santa Cruz where you'll discover more about these cave-dwelling people, their ways of life and their beliefs – such as in the figure of Guayota, the devil-like spirit believed to reside in El Teide volcano, unleashing flames and devastation when angered.
El Teide – Spain's highest mountain – has huge historical significance for the people who have called the island home. Nowhere more so than in the pretty, quiet town of Garachico. It was once the busiest place on the island and the most important port, where produce – particularly wine – was exported all over the world. That all came to an abrupt and devastating stop in 1706 when a volcanic eruption demolished the port and part of the town. In La Orotava, a handsome town with impressive mansion houses that were once the homes of the island's wealthy nobility, you'll find the Casa de Los Balcones, an extraordinary house with many intricately carved Canarian pinewood balconies, a traditional architectural flourish that can be seen around the island. It's a similar tale in San Cristóbal de La Laguna (La Laguna for short), which was the island's capital before Santa Cruz, and is one of Tenerife's two Unesco World Heritage Sites. Its cobblestone streets are lined with grand mansions and radiant, brightly coloured houses, and its grid format was used as the blueprint for towns and cities across Latin America, including Havana in Cuba. There are many guided walks around the historic centre, and you can also find many traditional restaurants.
In the (new) capital of Santa Cruz, the area of La Noria is also both historic and gastronomic. It's where the city was founded back in 1494 by Alonso Fernández de Lugo. The streets leading out from Iglesia Matriz de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción have an Old-World-meets-New-World vibe and come alive when the sun goes down. Nearby, you'll find a host of cultural hotspots that make up part of Tenerife's exciting arts scene, encompassing music, painting, sculpture and architecture. Tenerife Espacio de las Artes (TEA) is a sleek and modern gallery and library with contemporary art exhibitions, in stark contrast to the classic MUNA museum next door. Down along the seafront the shimmering, gravity-defying white arc of Santiago Calatrava's Auditorio de Tenerife is hard to miss. This opera house and music venue has a popular programme of events year-round. In the city centre, the Museo de Bellas Artes offers a cooling respite from the sun and a fascinating collection of art and artifacts dating from between the 16th and 19th centuries. Don't miss the intricate façade of the Círculo de Amistad XII de Enero at the end of the street.
Visiting the island in February? You'll be forgiven for thinking that bright costumes, music and dancing are everyday life in Tenerife – and to some extent, you'd be right. But when carnaval comes to town, everyone takes part. From street parades and parties to fancy dress competitions and comparsas (groups of traditional singers, musicians and dancers), Santa Cruz de Tenerife carnival is the largest outside of Rio de Janeiro. Be sure to book accommodation early, because it's hugely popular. If you're not lucky enough to join the party in February, a trip to La Casa del Carnaval, will give you the chance to get a flavour of the spectacle by seeing the many carnaval extravagant costumes on display.
For something a little less raucous, make a beeline for the Baile de Magos in May. This is a traditional Canarian affair with typical food, music and dancing and revellers in classic Canarian dress – you can attend for free if you dress like the locals. Alternatively, head to La Orotava for Corpus Cristi in May and June to witness the incredible flower carpets that cover the town hall square in spectacular detail.
Tenerife beyond the beach
With multiple airlines flying direct to Tenerife from the UK every day, it's time to find out more, plan your travel and book your trip with the Tenerife Tourism Corporation
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Metro
5 hours ago
- Metro
The tiny but beautiful country named Europe's fastest-growing destination
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Time Out
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Ranked: the countries with the most (and least) paid time off
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Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
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New posh bus service launching across Europe with seats that turn into full-on beds
Plus, the world's longest bus ride lasts a staggering two months and travels to 22 destinations SLEEP EASY New posh bus service launching across Europe with seats that turn into full-on beds Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HOLIDAYMAKERS can experience Europe in a new way from November, by travelling on Europe's first night bus with lie-flat seats. Launching two routes to start with, the new Twiliner night bus will travel to eight European cities in total, offering "a premium travel experience at economy prices", according to the operator. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Europe's first night bus will travel to eight cities across the continent Credit: Remo Vettori 5 And inside, the seats lie fully flat allowing passengers to sleep Credit: Remo Vettori 5 The bus has 21 seats in total, with 18 upstairs and three on the lower deck Credit: Twiliner Win one of 8 incredible holidays to the Caribbean, Mexico and Greece by voting in The Sun's Travel Awards - enter to win here One route will run from Zurich to Amsterdam, via Basel, Luxembourg, Brussels and Rotterdam. The second route will travel between Zurich and Barcelona, via Girona. The bus will operate several times a week for the first few months, according to Time Out, but by next year the CEO, Luca Bortolani, hopes to be running the services daily. Inside the bus, passengers will find 21 seats in total - with three on the lower deck and 18 on the upper deck. The seats on board lie fully flat allowing passengers to sleep whilst travelling. And they are even patent-pending, as they ensure safe and secure travel in every position. Every seat then also has Wi-Fi, power outlets, storage, a table for working and eating, USB chargers and a reading light, as well as a pillow and a blanket. Also on the lower deck is a changing room, toilet and snack bar. The whole experience claims it is a new "planet-friendly" way to travel. European sleeper train with private cabins And the ultimate goal for the operator is to expand to 30 destinations across Europe within the next three years. For the time being, the bus is designed for adult passengers, - though children over the age of five can travel too, as long as they are quiet. Ticket prices vary depending on starting location and destination. However, return tickets can be found as low as CHF 150 (£137.18). Admittedly the price is higher than your average bus journey, but this is because Twiliner offers a more luxury and sustainable form of travel. Luggage is included in the price as well, with each passenger entitled to one large suitcase measuring a maximum of 80cm X 50cm X 35cm and one carry-on bag measuring a maximum of 50cm X 30cm X 20cm. 5 Initially, two routes will launch including one between Zurich and Barcelona Credit: Remo Vettori Night buses or 'sleeper buses' are common across Asia, usually as a budget-friendly way to travel. Passengers can usually recline their seats to lie-flat, similar to the Twiliner and in some, passengers can opt for 'VIP cabins' that have a curtain for some privacy. For example, backpackers will often use the buses and prices can be found as low as £15 for travel in Thailand. One common route is between Chiang Mai - the biggest city in Northern Thailand - and Bangkok, around 700km away. And whilst the quickest way to travel between the two destinations is by hopping on a flight, bus journeys are much cheaper. Travelling in 'Supreme Class' on a Sombat Tour Bus, for example, costs around 823 Baht (£18.72) and even though the seats don't fully lie flat, they recline 135 degrees. If you aren't too bothered about sleeping sitting up, then you can grab an even cheaper ticket for around £12.60. World's longest bus ride lasts nearly two months THE world's longest bus journey takes passengers on a European road trip of a lifetime that lasts nearly two months and travels through 22 countries. The amazing trip starts in the heart of Turkey in Istanbul and drives passengers through a thrilling European tour finishing in London. The bus is kitted out with comfortable, reclining seats that can be adjusted to the person's preferences. On average around 440km will be covered each day with the final total being a massive 12,265km. Indian expedition company Adventures Overland designed the record-shattering route and absolutely eclipsed the previous longest bus ride. The first trip happened back in August 2023 and Adventures Overland are now looking at making the route even longer if possible. The route is inspired by the famous European Hippie Trail from the 1950s to the 1970s and offers an entire tour of the best bits of the continent. The rest of Scandinavia can then be seen with Copenhagen and Stockholm in Sweden coming up fast. A new sleeper train is also launching this summer, with stops in six European countries. Plus, another new overnight sleeper train will connect 100 European cities with private cabins and panoramic views.
