Tenerife holidays

A range of watersports like jet-skiing and boating are available at beaches all around the Tenerife coast. However, there is one beach in particular that’s known for being a surfer’s paradise. Playa Honda, near the Playa de Las Americas resort, is famous for its big waves which are created by the nearby reef. There’s a breezy promenade located right behind the beach, so you can walk to neighbouring stretches of sand.

As a volcanic island, many of Tenerife’s beaches feature natural black sands, very different from the classic golden sands found in mainland Spain. Great places to check out the dark sands are the beaches at Playa de la Arena, and Playa de los Guios in Los Gigantes. Despite the appearance, the sands are actually very fine and soft, and comfortable to lie on. Be sure to visit at sunset, when the orange and red skies against the black sands create a dramatic setting that’s well worth getting the camera out for.

Up on the north coast in Puerto de la Cruz, many visitors stick to the two main beaches in the town, Playa Jardin and Playa Martianez. But either side of the resort are some hidden gems that you might want to check out. Playa de los Roques and Playa Bollullo are natural, rugged beaches which remain largely untouched. You'll see big, crashing waves due to the large rocks located off the coast.

Weekly markets are held in many towns in Tenerife, and they’re great places to pick up some local handicrafts, small trinkets, and mementoes from your holiday. The market at Los Cristianos, which is just a 10-minute drive from Playa de las Americas, is the biggest market in southern Tenerife. Held on Tuesdays and Sundays, the market offers many budget-friendly clothes and accessories.

There are a number of shopping centres in Tenerife, such as Siam Mall which has two locations on the island. You’ll find shops like Mango, H&M, Guess, Pandora, and Swarovski. There are also some gift shops here which sell traditional Tenerife souvenirs. Local pearls are popular, along with peridot, a green-coloured gemstone made from Canarian lava. It’s often called olivine on the island of Tenerife.

For designer buys, head to one of the chicest, most swanky avenues in all of Tenerife. Avenida de las Americas, in Playa de las Americas, is known locally as the ‘Golden Mile’. It’s lined with some of the world’s hottest designer stores, with everything from high-end jewellers and watch shops to clothing, electronics, and cosmetics. In total, there’s almost an entire kilometre of top international brands.

The purpose-built resorts of the south tend to be louder and more energetic, with Tenerife’s north coast offering more laidback evenings. Puerto de la Cruz falls somewhere in the middle, offering a lively yet sophisticated scene. You’ll find chic wine bars and traditional tapas bars here, and plaza cafés with outdoor seating where you can watch the world go by in an open, airy environment. If you prefer to relax in cosier spaces, the narrow streets around Calle Agustin de Bethencourt, by the harbour, are a maze of tiny bars. These little spots can be very romantic, making them the ideal night time venues for couples.

Veronicas Strip is an icon of Tenerife. Actually called Avenida Rafael Puig, the strip is named after the Centro Comercial Veronicas shopping mall here. This is the party hub of Playa de las Americas, attracting young travellers from across Ireland and the UK who enjoy the ‘home from home’ pubs. You’ll find everything from live music bars to massive nightclubs here, and the party atmosphere lasts all through the night. Even if you’re not a big partier, it’s still worth taking a stroll down Veronicas Strip after sunset. This is when the neon lights begin to turn on, giving off a bit of an old Las Vegas feeling.

The cuisine of Tenerife is heavily based on what’s available locally across the Canary Islands, so expect lots of seafood and meats such as pork, goat, and rabbit. No matter what dish you order at a traditional Tenerife restaurant, it'll probably be served with a side of mojo sauce, which is the Canary’s unofficial condiment. Coming in red and green varieties, the sauce goes particularly well with fish and potatoes.

The Spanish love of small plates extends to the Canary Islands, and you’ll find lots of classic tapas places all around Tenerife. Often featuring breads, grilled cheeses, potatoes, meats, and croquettes, these light bites are perfect for the hot summer evenings that you’ll experience here. At cooler times of the year, hearty stews such as ropa vieja made with meat, potatoes, and beans, are common offerings.

If you’re worried about eating healthily while you’re on holiday, don’t be. Thanks to the hot climate in Tenerife, many exotic fruits grow here. Mangoes, papaya, and Canarian bananas are some of the most popular freshly-grown fruits in Tenerife. You’ll find these available to eat as snacks, added to desserts, and chopped up and used to decorate colourful cocktails at the local beach bars and restaurants.

Tenerife is the largest wine producer in the Canary Islands, and boasts the highest vineyards in Europe. This gives the local wines a unique flavour. There are no less than five designated wine-growing regions on the island. Look for Listan wines on the wine list if you want to sample some of the best-regarded Canarian products. If wine isn’t your thing, you may like the sweet honey rums that are made here.