Solo travellers, couples and families in search of fantastic weather, a relaxed atmosphere and a huge selection of attractions come to Tenerife, the largest Canary Islands in Spain. Residents have gone out of their way to great a wide variety of activities and attractions to encourage visitors to the island. So whether your idea of the perfect holiday is lounging by the pool, playing a round of golf, exploring the island or flying down water slides, you'll find just what you're looking for in Tenerife.
Theme Parks
Siam Park in Costa Adeje is one of Tenerife's biggest and best attractions. Open every day of the year from 10am to 5pm in winter and 10am until 6pm in summer, this water park provides courtesy buses which pass through Costa Adeje, Playa de Las Americas and Los Cristianos to take you to and from the park. Inside you'll find a great mixture of adrenaline pumping slides like Kinnaree and relaxing rides such as the Mai Thai River, as well as several sections for children to enjoy, including the Lost City and Naga Racer. In addition to the water attractions, there is also a number of cafes, kiosks and restaurants where you can take it easy and enjoy a bite to eat.
Also in Costa Adeje, Aqualand is another popular water park, although this one is more suitable for families with young children. There are a fair few exciting rides here, such as the Tornado and the Kamikaze, but most of the park is dedicated to the little ones, where they can enjoy four separate kids' zones, including Water Castle, Crazy Race Junior, Forest Land and Dragon Land. The highlight of the water park is the dolphiunarium, where guests can watch daily dolphin shows. There are several cafes in the park, but guests are also invited to bring their own picnics with them if they wish.
In the north of the island, Loro Parque in Puerto de la Cruz comes highly recommended. This zoo is home to the largest and most important collection of parrots in the world, as well as the biggest dolphinarium in Europe. In addition to almost every animal you can think of, Loro Parque also boasts a number of shows, starring many of the park's residents, including parrots, orcas, sea lions, dolphins and penguins. Here you'll also find Kinderlandia a children's outdoor play area as well as the Katandra Treetops an open section of the park full of exotic birds which fly freely.
Just a short taxi ride away from Los Cristianos and Playa de Las Americas, the Monkey Park is known as the biggest little zoo in the world. This park is an international breeding centre for endangered species of monkeys and is open every day from 9.30am until 5pm. The best part of this zoo is the walk-in enclosures which allow visitors to interact with and feed some of the tamest and well-natured residents of the park. As well as monkeys, the Monkey Park is also home to crocodiles, big cats, exotic birds and lemurs.
Sightseeing
Teide National Park sits in the centre of Tenerife and can be seen from almost any point on the island. The national park features Teide the third largest volcano in the world and the highest peak in Spain. Viajes Teide offers an excursion which will take you from your hotel through local villages and pine forests to the Teide National Park. Once there, you can soak up the scenery and you'll also have the chance to ride the cable car to the top of the volcano. Be aware that the cable car is closed most of the time, due to high winds.
The Masca Valley in Buenavista del Norte is another sight you won't want to miss out on. There are several companies which pick you up from your hotel and whisk you away to Masca on an air-conditioned coach. When you arrive, you can enjoy a drink at the cafe or take a look around the small museum which is full of ancient artefacts from the area. The tour includes a long walk through the valley before stopping for a refreshing swim in the sea to cool down. When everyone is ready, your group will board a water taxi to take you back to your resort. You need to have a lot of stamina to do this walk, so it isn't suitable for children or older visitors.
Golf
Thanks to Tenerife's year-round great weather golf is a sport that can be enjoyed at any time. Buenavista Golf is one of the highest rated courses in Tenerife, with an unbeatable layout and breathtaking views which see people returning time and time again. The 18-hole, 72-par course covers more than 6,000m and is ideal for all golfers from novices to experts. Much more than just a place to play golf, Buenavista Golf features a club house, restaurant, spa and even a children's club. There is also a golf school provided for juniors and novices to improve their skills or learn the sport from scratch.
Another place for golf is Golf del Sur. Located in the south of the island in Golf del Sur, this course is made up of 27 holes divided into three courses. The South Course covers 2,957m, followed by the North Course at 2,949m and the Links Course over 2,853m. Facilities include a large club house which hosts various events, restaurant and catering service, pro shop, academy and driving range. There is also plenty of accommodation in the area, for golfers who never want to be far from the course.
Situated in the heart of Playa de Las Americas, Golf Las Americas is one of the most popular courses on the island. This championship 18-hole 72-par course covers 6,051m and features lakes and rivers which meander through the greens. There is a selection of facilities available onsite, including golf shop, TV lounge, changing room, driving range, chipping green, putting green, buggy bar, and club rental and storage. Here you'll also find an affordable golf academy where first timers can pick up all the skills they'll need to play the game.
Excursions
Tenerife offers a large range of excursions suitable for the whole family. One of the most popular is the Freebird One Whale and Dolphin Excursion. This boat trip leaves from the Puerto Colon harbour and the ticket price includes a three hour cruise, drinks and either a sandwich or a buffet lunch, according to which ticket you buy. Because the waters surrounding Tenerife form one of the best places in the world to spot whales and dolphins, you'll have the chance to see many species, including bottlenose dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales and risso dolphins.
One of the newest excursions to come to Tenerife, a helicopter ride with Helidream Canarias in Adeje is a great way to get a unique view of the island. There are various trips on offer, which take in different parts of the island, ensuring there is something to suit everyone. There are short flights which cover the coasts and valleys, medium-length journeys which cover the western resorts and even a full island excursion. If you want something really special, you can also privately rent the helicopter for the day or even train to become a pilot.
If you want to explore the seabed surrounding Tenerife but scuba diving and snorkelling don't appeal, consider a Submarine Safari trip. This excursion leaves from the San Miguel Marina in Amarilla Golf four times a day, seven days a week. There is a free bus services which takes travellers from various resorts throughout the north and south of the island to the marina. On board this excursion, you'll have the chance to see loads of stingrays, as well as a number of various fish species and other marine creatures.
Just a short drive away from Los Cristianos and Playa de Las Americas, the Camel Park is ideal for the whole family to enjoy. There are various excursions available to will take you from your hotel to the park, which is open every day from 9.30am until 6pm. Here you will have the opportunity to climb onto a camel and enjoy a 20 minute safari in the local area. If you've never been on a camel, they can be quite rough, making the camel ride unsuitable for very small children and older visitors. As well as the safari, the Camel Park is also home to a number of other animals, including goats, donkeys, ducks, chickens, dogs and even talking parrots all of which have a good nature and are well behaved around children. There is also an onsite restaurant, closed on Wednesdays, where you can enjoy a selection of Canarian and Mediterranean dishes.
Action-Packed
Karting Tenerife, situated on the motorway just up from Parque de la Reina, is a fantastic place for the whole family to spend a morning or an afternoon. There are adult and child go-karts available, as well as safety equipment in both sizes, so everyone can have a go at racing to cross the finish line first. As well as offering an action-packed day out, Karting Tenerife also features a cafe, large terrace and souvenir shop. There is also plenty of parking onsite, or if you haven't got a rent-a-car, you can hop onto the courtesy bus which will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel.
One of the best ways to explore the island is on a Jeep Safari. These 4x4 vehicles come complete with their own drivers, so you can sit back and enjoy the scenery without the worry of knowing where you're going. There are various itineraries on offer, including a trip to the Masca Valley, El Teide, around the whole of Tenerife and even to the neighbouring island of La Gomera. There are two types of vehicles on offer comfortable 4x4s and adventure Jeeps, to ensure there is something to suit everyone. Whichever itinerary you opt for, be sure to take your camera because you'll see some incredible sights along the way.
Another popular way to discover Tenerife is on a Quad Safari, run by a company which offers free pick-up from your hotel or they'll give you 5 in cash if you present your taxi receipt. There is a number of different trips offered, with something to suit people of all abilities. The Rocky Tail lasts for 90 minutes and is suitable for those who don't feel confident on a quad bike, whereas the three hour forest explorer and four hour Teide Tour are perfect for confident drivers. A VIP tour is also available for those who want to tailor the itinerary to their tastes. All drivers must be over 18 and present a valid driving license before they'll be allowed to drive a quad bike.
The Forestal Park situated in La Esperanza on the road up to El Teide is a great day out for anyone in search of adventure. Here you'll find ten obstacle courses divided into two sections one group suitable for children and another suitable for strong adults only. You don't have to do every activity you can pick and choose which parts you want to do. A qualified and experienced multilingual guide will give you a safety briefing and show you how to use the equipment before letting you wander off and enjoy the course at your own pace. Don't worry though, the staff are never far behind, always keeping a watchful eye on the people in the treetops. Even those who aren't too keen on climbing and balancing will enjoy the ziplines at this park, of which there are many.