Puerto de la Cruz Holidays

The old harbour town lies on the island's rocky north coast, where you'll see historic buildings alongside modern resort facilities. There's a 17th-century customs house and church, plus a tumbledown 18th-century fort you can investigate. The original town has evolved into a small city with contemporary bars and traditional restaurants, plus three small beaches. You can spend a day at the saltwater pool complex at Lago Martianez on the seafront.

The Canary Island architect Cesar Manrique designed the Lago Martianez, with its seven pools, fountains and restaurant facilities. He also added landscaped tropical gardens behind the beaches, with little bridges, waterfalls and sun terraces. There are two principal beaches with Tenerife's signature black sand, and choppy waves that are an attraction for windsurfers.

The large Loro Parque zoo is less than 10 minutes' drive to the west, where you'll find tigers, parrots and marine life. Approximately five minutes in the opposite direction are the botanical gardens. These were first established in the 18th century, and are full of interesting plants. You can find more than 5,000 exotic trees, and both tropical and subtropical plants. There's even a 200-year-old fig tree. Alternatively, you can ride the cable car up to Spain's tallest mountain, Mount Teide, or go shopping in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.