Discovering The Natural Splendor Of Tenerife, Spain's Misunderstood Tourist Destination

Forbes

5 days ago

Located just west of Morocco, the Canary Islands offer a spectacular array of historic settlements and natural features to explore, providing visitors with a glimpse into one of Spain's most unique territories—and for those searching for the perfect blend of luxury and outdoor adventure, Tenerife is the perfect destination. In spite of the raucous tourists that have wreaked havoc across the island for years, it remains a top-tier vacation destination, with the bulk of the late-night debauchery confined to a small portion of the western coast. Whether you're hoping to discover lush natural landscapes, centuries-old cities or incredible gastronomy, Tenerife has the perfect destination for every type of tourist imaginable.
When it comes to discovering the rich history and culture of Tenerife, there's no better destination than Santa Cruz. The largest settlement on the island, this storied city dates back to the late 1400s, and in the modern era, there's no shortage of fascinating attractions to explore across its streets. In the heart of the downtown district, the Museum of Nature and Archaeology offers ample insight into the flora and fauna that call the Canary Islands home, while the Casa del Carnaval showcases dazzling outfits from one of Tenerife's most vibrant annual festivals—but for a truly idyllic experience, there's no beating the Palmetum. Established on a former garbage dump, this idyllic attraction now serves as one of the most gorgeous flora-filled features in all of the Canary Islands, with 29 acres of manicured botanical gardens packed with palms, flowers and other ultra-rare plants from all across the globe.
As an added bonus, Santa Cruz is home to a wealth of high-end hotels and dazzling dining destinations for visitors to explore. When it comes to accommodations, the Hotel Taburiente offers lavish rooms and suites just a few steps away from Tenerife's Parque García Sanabria. During a stay, guests are welcome to take a dip in the rooftop pool or get a workout in at the on-property gym, but no visit is complete without stepping outside to explore the city's incredible dining scene. For those in need of a quick bite, Refugio de las Ánimas offers a wide array of local tapas to sample, but for a hearty meal in the center of the city, Jaxana is a can't miss spot, with flavorful Asian-fusion dishes like gyozas, green curry and nasi goreng all up for grabs.
After exploring the splendor of Tenerife's capital, there's a wealth of stunning destinations found just outside city limits. Just north of Santa Cruz, the sprawling Parque Rural de Anaga is renowned for its lush landscapes, with more than 34,000 acres of tangled forest and verdant valleys to explore. During a visit, guests can bask in the beauty of Tenerife's native laurel forests during a stroll through the Sendero de los Sentidos—and as an added bonus, the surrounding area is home to its fair share of picturesque villages as well. Adorned with towering dragon trees, the town of La Orotava offers a glimpse into some of Tenerife's most stunning architectural wonders, with the carefully-manicured Hijuela del Botánico and Baroque-style Iglesia de La Concepción on display.
Meanwhile, those who don't want to stray too far from Santa Cruz can find another fascinating community in the form of San Cristóbal de La Laguna. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, the city has earned abundant acclaim for its rich history and gorgeous architecture, even serving as the capital of Tenerife from the late 1400s to the early 1700s. After admiring the ornate Canarian-style balconies of Casa Salazar, guests can explore the rich flavors of the island during a visit to nearby El Lomo Winery. Founded in 1989, this opulent operation has mastered the art of Tenerife wine, providing visitors with an array of incredible whites, reds and vermouths to sample.
Traveling further inland, visitors can discover the crown jewel of Canarian natural beauty in the form of El Teide. Standing at an awe-inspiring 12,188 feet, this towering volcano holds the prestigious honor of being the highest point in not just the Canary Islands, but all of Spain. While its craggy slopes may seem barren at first glance, the mountain is actually a bastion of Canarian biodiversity, with Teide violets, red bugloss and Tenerife lizards all calling the region home. Upon arrival, guests are welcome to hop onto the mountain's cable car for marvelous views of the Mars-like landscapes, while Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide is the perfect stop after a few minutes in the visitor's center, providing guests with classic Canarian dishes like wrinkled potatoes, seared cherne fish and salmorejo-infused rabbit at the on-property restaurant.
While Tenerife's western coast has earned quite the reputation for its debaucherous party scene, there's a lot more to experience across the region than just English 20-somethings on holiday. Just half an hour north of Playa de las Américas, the aptly-named Los Gigantes provides visitors with particularly splendid views of the Tenerife coastline, with volcanic cliffs towering high above the town. During a visit, guests can get an up-close look at these natural features during a kayaking tour with Teno Activo, while Ocean Blue Tenerife is perfect for a follow-up excursion. Jetting off from the Costa Adeje marina, this outdoor adventure company is particularly well-suited for visiting wildlife lovers, offering an opportunity to spot common dolphins, short-finned pilot whales and a wealth of other marine creatures in their natural habitat.
For those who prefer to spend their vacation relaxing along the island's rocky shores, there's no shortage of picturesque resorts found across western Tenerife. For a particularly lavish experience, the Hotel Gran Tacande offers lavish suites and a king-sized spa, while the Hard Rock Hotel is packed with a massive roster of amenities, with music history displays, a sprawling outdoor pool complex and more than ten drinking and dining venues all available for guests to enjoy—and the west coast is no slouch when it comes to fine dining either. On a sunny day, guests can head to Muelle Viejo to dine on stellar seafood dishes served in the ultra-idyllic town of Alcalá, while Starfish Atlantic Grill is a top spot for a lavish dinner, serving up smoked swordfish carpaccio, Spanish anchovies and all sorts of local cheeses in the Royal Hideaway Corales Suites.
Though Tenerife's rowdy tourists have mustered up some bad press for the island over the years, the rich history, dazzling architecture and spectacular natural beauty of the island make it a top-tier tourist destination that's well worth visiting. As you plan your next voyage within the European Union, don't miss out on this largely-misunderstood gem of the Atlantic.