Tenerife attractions? Masca is a picturesque village, settled inland in a location where residents of Tenerife used to hide when they were being attacked by pirates. If you have a hire car you can get there on your own, but you should try to get there as early in the morning as possible, otherwise it gets really crowded. The views are spectacular and there is a restaurant overlooking the valley, where you have to go even if only for a cup of coffee (the view in included in price, but it’s worth it). No trip to Tenerife would be complete without a boat trip where you can see dolphins and whales in their natural habitat. The waters between Tenerife and La Gomera are ideal for spotting these majestic mammals and this 3 hours cruise also includes unlimited drinks, champagne, snacks and hotel pick-up. Discover additional details on https://www.facebook.com/groups/1TenerifeForumCommunity.
Garachico is a good option for a day trip in Tenerife. Once the island’s most important port, the town was marked by the eruption of Montaña Negra in 1706 and lost a lot of its status. The volcano did leave Garachico with one gift though: the lava that ravaged the place also carved unique rock pools into its harbour, which now attract swimmers. The peaceful Plaza de la Libertad is also worth a visit while you’re in Garachico. You can’t go to Tenerife on holiday without ordering this sweet hot drink! A Barraquito is a typical Canary Islands liqueur coffee made with condensed milk, espresso, frothed milk, lemon, cinnamon and a good splash of Licor 43 or Tia Maria. I had one after a meal in Puerto de la Cruz and it had quite a kick!
Tenerife has over 400km of coastline which lends to a great variety of beaches, 17 of which have been awarded the Blue Flag status. Playa de las Teresitas in Santa Cruz is a sheltered manmade beach made with sand imported from the Sahara Desert, popular with both the locals and holidaymakers. If you’re looking for something off the beaten path there are a number of secluded beaches away from the main tourist resorts – these include Playa Bollullo, Playa del Pozo, Playa El Puertito. Those with a keen interest in water sports will be aware of the windy El Medano beach on the south coast of Tenerife. It is considered to be one of the world’s best beaches for windsurfing and kitesurfing having hosted regular windsurfing competitions.
Many of Santa Cruz’ top attractions sit within its historical triangle, which takes up the area between Calle la Noria, Plaza de Espana and Plaza de Candelaria and Plaza de Weyler. Visit the state-of-the-art Auditorio de Tenerife Adán Martín, which may remind you of Sydney’s iconic Opera House. Another thing you shouldn’t miss is Tenerife Espacio de las Artes. This building’s architecture is truly something! The window designs are based on blown-up pixelated images of the sun reflecting off the Tenerife sea, and the lights inside the 24/7 library, ‘Biblioteca Municipal Central de Santa Cruz de Tenerife‘, are made to resemble droplets of water. Much more elegant than my old uni library! British tourists in particular might be interested in paying a visit to the Military Museum to see ‘El Tigre’, the cannon that claimed Admiral Horatio Nelson’s arm while he was trying to take the Canaries from Spain in the name of the British Empire. Nelson’s statue sits in London’s Trafalgar Square today, minus an arm.
The warm waters surrounding Tenerife are home to more than 28 species of whale and dolphin, making it a popular attraction for visitors of all ages. There are daily trips on the boats departing either from Los Cristianos or Los Gigantes. The prices of the boat trips differ according to the service and availability of the drinking buffet and food. Some boats are even decorated like pirate ships. The trip is around three hours in duration, during which you will be able to observe several dolphins and whales in their natural habitat, swimming around.