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Top 5: reasons to visit Tenerife

Yulia
Sep 5, 2018
3 min read

Teide National Park

A visit to Tenerife is not complete without taking the cable car to the summit of Mount Teide, Spain’s highest mountain, for panoramic views of the island. This Unesco World Heritage site comprises a 10-mile-wide volcanic crater which dominates the centre of the island. At its heart, the Mount Teide volcano rises to 12,198ft (3,718m) above sea level, making it Spain’s highest peak. The cable car takes visitors 3,937ft (1,200m) above the crater floor to mesmerising views over much of the Canarian archipelago.

Teide National Park (0034 922 010 440; telefericoteide.com); opening times: daily, 9am-4pm; admission: adults, €25 (£21); children under 14, €12.50 (£10)

Siam Park

A Thai-themed aquatic playground of water slides and adrenalin-pumping rides, Siam Park is Tenerife’s biggest and best theme park. From a lazy ride down the Mai Thai river in a rubber dinghy to the white-knuckle Tower of Power slide, which plummets you down a near-vertical 90ft drop, Siam Park delivers thrills and spills for the whole family.

Address: Siam Park, 38670 Costa Adeje (behind the bus station). Free buses from Playa de Las Américas, Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje Contact: 00 34 902 060 000; siampark.net Opening times: daily, 10am-5pm Admission: adults, €34 (£29); children aged 3-11, €23 (£19.60)

Loro Parque

The sister resort to Siam Park, this is Tenerife’s longest-established theme park and features the world’s largest collection of parrots. Set within a Jurassic Park environment of dense tropical palm groves, shows featuring parrots, dolphins, orcas and sea lions ensure the park’s enduring popularity.

Address: Avenida Loro Parque, Puerto de la Cruz. A free train leaves Plaza Reyes Católica (outside Hotel Las Vegas) in Puerto every 20mins and a Loro Parque bus runs from resorts in the south and west from €13.50 (£11) return, children €8 (£6.80 ). See the Loro Parque website for details. Contact: 00 34 922 373 841; loroparque.com Opening times: daily, 8.30am-6.45pm Admission: adults, €34 (£29); children under 6, free; aged 6-11, €23 (£19.60)

Whale- and dolphin-watching

Around 28 species of resident and migratory whales and dolphins feed in the warm waters between Tenerife and neighbouring La Gomera, making it a superb place for watching cetaceans in their natural environment. Daily trips from Los Cristianos and Los Gigantes guarantee sightings.

Address: Los Cristianos harbour and Los Gigantes marina. Opening times: boats sail two or three times a day, 9am-4pm Admission: adults €35-€55 (£28-£46); €20-€28 (£17-£23) children aged 4-12;

Whale- and dolphin-watching

Around 28 species of resident and migratory whales and dolphins feed in the warm waters between Tenerife and neighbouring La Gomera, making it a superb place for watching cetaceans in their natural environment. Daily trips from Los Cristianos and Los Gigantes guarantee sightings.

Address: Los Cristianos harbour and Los Gigantes marina. Opening times: boats sail two or three times a day, 9am-4pm Admission: adults €35-€55 (£28-£46); €20-€28 (£17-£23)

Whale- and dolphin-watching

Around 28 species of resident and migratory whales and dolphins feed in the warm waters between Tenerife and neighbouring La Gomera, making it a superb place for watching cetaceans in their natural environment. Daily trips from Los Cristianos and Los Gigantes guarantee sightings.

Address: Los Cristianos harbour and Los Gigantes marina. Opening times: boats sail two or three times a day, 9am-4pm Admission: adults €35-€55 (£28-£46); €20-€28 (£17-£23) children aged 4-12;

Masca

Balancing on a rocky plateau in the Teno Mountains, the village of Masca was cut off from the rest of the island until the 1970s. Accessed via a road which affords breathtaking views for everyone but the driver, its highlight is a stamina-testing hike down the gorge to the beach from where a boat takes you to Los Gigantes.