Tenerife Travel Guide
If there's any spot on the globe that enjoys a perfect climate, Tenerife in the Canary Islands might just be it. The destination experiences markedly little variation in the average temperatures between summer and winter, and there's only very occasional rain. Add to this landscapes of verdant forests, mountains, deserts, volcanoes, exotic plant and animal life and spectacular beaches (with black volcanic sand), and travellers have a true holiday paradise.
Tenerife offers the unique experience of swimming and sunbathing on a beautiful beach while snow sparkles on the crest of Mount Teide just a few miles away. The island's central mountain stands at 12,200 feet (3,719m) and is the highest in Spain. A cable-car ride to the summit offers unrivalled views of the lunar-like landscape of the volcanic slopes in the UNESCO-listed Teide National Park.
The island's capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is an upbeat town geared towards tourism. Its port, where once the first shots of the Spanish Civil War were fired, is today a morass of ferries, jetfoils and freighters ready to take visitors on various cruises and ocean adventures. Other picturesque towns worth visiting on this gorgeous island include Garachico, La Orotava and Masca, all of which have much to offer travellers.
Things to do in Tenerife
Tenerife's main attraction is its ideal weather, which offers warm sunny days all year round and allows visitors to enjoy the beautiful beaches in all seasons. There are plenty of great beaches, lively resorts, charming ports and villages, and even a volcano to explore in the centre of the island.
Water sports are another popular attraction, and windsurfers and kite surfers will enjoy the strong winds of the east coast, while surfers have perfect conditions in the south of the island. For the kids, there are many theme parks and water parks that guarantee a cooling day out for the whole family.
Getting around Tenerife for sightseeing excursions or days of beach hopping is easy; almost every attraction on the island can be reached in under an hour by bus. Plenty of metered taxis are available in the resorts and a good, cheap bus service operates around the resorts and between all the main towns on the island. Local car rental companies have offices in all the main resorts and are good value and popular with those who want to explore the north of the island.
Teide National Park
The spectacular Parque Nacional de las Canadas del Teide was declared a protected area in 1954 and includes an enormous volcanic crater with a circumference of 30 miles (48km), out of which rises the highest peak in Spain, Mount Teide. It's the largest, one of the oldest, and the most visited national park in Spain and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since 2007, it's also been one of the 12 Treasures of Spain. In contrast to the coastal regions of Tenerife, the temperatures in the reserve can be extreme. Winter in the park, which lies at about 6,562ft (2,000m) above sea level, brings snowfall and gale force winds, while in summer temperatures can soar to above 104F (40C).
Piramides de Guimar
On the east coast of Tenerife, south of Santa Cruz, stand six mysterious step pyramids of which archaeologists have yet to discern the origin. The pyramids were initially thought to be the remains of agricultural stone terraces, or random piles of stone cleared from fields by early Spanish settlers. However, Thor Heyerdahl, the Norwegian anthropologist, who lived in Guimar on Tenerife until his death in 2002, thought differently. His research indicated that the pyramids were constructed on similar principles to those in Mexico, Peru and ancient Mesopotamia. The pyramids are now enclosed in an Ethnographic Park; the site includes a museum, life-size replica of Heyerdahl's reed ship Kontiki, a cafeteria and souvenir shop.
La Orotava
The beautiful town of La Orotava is firm proof that there's much more to Tenerife than lovely beaches and a fun nightlife. Known for its aristocratic heritage and exceptional architecture, La Orotava is famous for its ornate balconies, many of which are concentrated on Casa de los Balcones. The town was settled by noble families in the aftermath of the Spanish conquest and they set about a flourish of competitive building, a legacy that modern-day visitors can enjoy at their leisure. The west of the island was home to Tenerife's nobility who built many fine houses. There are many churches and monasteries here too. Visitors will find volcanic black beaches and mountains that encourage hiking and other outdoor activities in this beautiful destination.
Shopping
Tenerife has many supermarkets in the larger towns that provide all basics and foodstuffs for self-catering tourists, and plenty of markets and smaller shops all around the island for gifts and bargains. The best shopping is in Santa Cruz, particularly on Calle Castillo, where all the fashion stores are. There's also a mega-mall, Meridiano on Avenida La Salle, and the enormous department store of El Corte Ingles. Just outside of town is the enormous Carrefour hypermarket.
Most of the resorts and small towns have weekly markets. The huge Sunday market in Los Cristianos is a fleamarket extravaganza selling everything under the sun. In Santa Cruz, the African market is well worth exploring as it has 300 stores that sell fresh produce and interesting curios. On Sundays the area around the market becomes the El Rastro Flea Market, which is a good place to pick up quality handicrafts and bargain souvenirs. Golf del Sur has a good market near the marina on Friday mornings; Los Abrigos puts on a decent night market every Tuesday evening; while Guaza hosts a Sunday fleamarket.
Best buys in Tenerife include the award-winning local cheeses and honey, leather goods such as shoes and belts, and turrón: the almonds and honey confection available around the festive season. Travellers should avoid shopping at the airport where prices tend to be significantly inflated, and note that if they pay via debit or credit card, they will need to show their passport. Many shops still close over siesta (1.30 to 4.30pm) and will close all day Sunday.
Nightlife
Tenerife is famous for its raucous and varied nightlife, which ranges from Ibiza-style nightclubs and boozy karaoke establishments to authentic Spanish tapas venues and bars playing great live music or hosting traditional dance performances. Venues tend to stay open as late the clientele wish, and the prices of drinks and dinner compare extremely well against mainland Europe.
The best nightlife on Tenerife is concentrated in the south of the island around Playa de las Americas. The three main areas to explore in this resort are Veronicas, the Patch, and Starco Commercial Centre, each of which is densely packed with clubs (many of which are open 24 hours), bars and English-style pubs. Most bars are child friendly and serve decent food.
The most famous club in Playa de las Americas is Tramps in the Starco complex, which regularly attracts top DJs for epic parties. Nearby Los Cristianos is a better bet for quieter bars and restaurants, and is consequently more popular with families. In the north of the island Santa Cruz and Puerto de la Cruz have a good variety of nightlife venues but lack the south's concentration of clubs.
Casinos are another popular way to enjoy a night out in Tenerife. There are three to choose from: Casino de Taoro in Puerto de la Cruz, Casino Santa Cruz in Hotel Mencey in Santa Cruz, and the Playa de las Americas Casino in the Gran Tenerife Hotel.
The Medieval dinner show at Castillo San Miguel is a popular family night out. It has jousting, horse and sword feats and bawdy serving wenches. For more traditional Spanish entertainment, travellers shouldn't miss the Flamenco performances at the Pyramid de Arona Auditorium at Playa de las Americas, and the cabaret and dancing on display at the Palace Show in Playa de las Americas.
Getting Around
The bus service is run by Titsa and is operational all over the island, as well as within Santa Cruz and other towns. Travellers can take a taxi anywhere on the island, but it's an expensive way to get around; hiring a car is a convenient and more cost-effective transport solution. Car rental outlets are available at the airport and major resorts in Tenerife, and same-day rentals shouldn't be a problem.
Tenerife Climate and Weather
Tenerife has a wonderful climate with an average temperature that's comfortable all year round. The cooling sea breeze ensures that there's little humidity and that the summer heat is bearable. During winter, between December and February, the evenings get cooler and the water temperatures drop, but it's never cold by European standards.
The coldest month, January, experiences average temperatures between 59°F (15°C ) and 68°F (20°C) and August, the hottest month, experiences average temperatures between 70°F (21°C) and 84°F (29°C). Rainfall in the summer months is almost non-existent, but showers are possible between October and April. The rain showers are usually short-lived and quickly replaced by sunshine.
There are, however, distinct climate variations according to region on Tenerife. Inland, particularly around Teide National Park, temperatures can drop far lower, so travellers should dress for cool evenings and rainfall, or perhaps even snow if they're exploring the high altitudes around the interior of the island.
The most popular time to visit Tenerife is in the summer months between May and September, but beaches can be enjoyed year round.
Spain travel info
Electricity
The electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are standard.
Language
Spanish is the official language, but English is widely understood in areas frequented by tourists. Catalan, Galician and Basque are spoken in the relevant areas.
Money
Spain's official currency is the euro (EUR), which is divided into 100 cents. Money can be exchanged at bureaux de change and major hotels, but banks give the best rates. All major credit cards are widely accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and shops. ATMs are widespread and are generally the cheapest and most convenient method of obtaining money.
Tipping
Hotel and restaurant bills usually include service charges, but additional tips are welcomed for services rendered. In established restaurants, tips of about 10 percent are expected. Drivers of metered taxis expect small tips and it's customary to tip about 5 to 10 percent for most services, including guides.
Health
There are no health risks associated with travel to Spain, and no vaccination certificates are required for entry. Medical facilities are good but comprehensive travel insurance is always advised. Spain has a reciprocal health agreement with most EU countries that provides emergency health care for EU travellers on the same terms as Spanish nationals. After Brexit, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) replaced the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for UK citizens. The GHIC allows UK citizens access to state healthcare during visits to the EU. The GHIC is not valid in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, nor is it an alternative to travel insurance. EU travellers should take a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Travellers should take any medication they require along with them, in its original packaging and accompanied by a signed and dated letter from a doctor detailing what it is and why it is needed.
Safety
Most visits to Spain are trouble-free except for occasional street crime. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, is most common in larger cities, particularly during holidays, festivals and weekends, and especially on public transport and in tourist areas. Thieves may work alone or in groups; visitors should be wary of strangers who offer or ask for help of any kind, or inform them of a stain on their clothes, as these are often ways of providing a distraction for accomplices. There are also scams involving letters for outstanding traffic fines or Spanish lottery winnings. Travellers can avoid incidents if they exercise all the normal precautions.
Local customs
Smoking in public places is banned and stiff fines will be imposed for smoking in areas such as enclosed public spaces, areas where food is prepared and sold, public transport, non-smoking areas of bars and restaurants, and any places that cater for children. Drinking alcohol in the streets of Madrid and the streets of the Canary and Balearic Islands is illegal.
Doing business
The business culture in Spain is slowly shifting but, for now, it's entrenched in tradition and it can take some time for foreigners to gain a foothold in the Spanish working world. It's important never to undermine authority as hierarchy is central to Spain's business world. Managers tend to make decisions without considering input from their colleagues.
A strong emphasis is placed on social status, character attributes, and personal pride. Success is often hinged upon being well-dressed, honourable, and dignified, while also exhibiting great social skills. Business meetings are generally conducted face-to-face and can go on for long periods, as Spaniards prefer long deliberations in order to avoid uncertainty in corporate dealings. Business meetings in Spain tend to tread a fine line between personal and formal.
Conducting business in Spain can entail navigation through a lot of red tape and bureaucracy. Spanish is the language of business, but some of the larger multinationals conduct meetings in both English and Spanish. Business hours are often quite varied, but generally open by 9am and close in the mid-evening with a two-hour lunch break during the early afternoon.
Business attire is quite conservative with men wearing dark or linen suits, shirts and silk ties. Women should wear modest dresses or tailored suits. Brand names or labels attract affirmation from colleagues and associates.
After the conclusion of successful negotiations, gifts are appropriate. Gifts should be of high quality and, when receiving a gift, it should be opened in front of the giver. Business cards are important and should be bilingual. Meetings are best scheduled for mid-morning, and establishing a formal yet personable environment is important before beginning. Meetings often occur over lunches and dinners.
Duty free
Travellers from EU countries are allowed the following items duty free: 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1kg tobacco; 110 litres beer; 90 litres wine; and 10 litres spirit. Travellers from non-EU countries may have 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco; 1 litre spirits, 4 litres wine, and 16 litres beer.
Communications
The international access code for Spain is +34. WiFi is widely available; travellers can purchase local SIM cards for unlocked phones or use eSIMs if their cellular providers support it on their networks.
Passport & Visa
The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option, allowing the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. Non-EU nationals must hold a return or onward ticket, all necessary documents for onward travel and sufficient funds. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months' validity remaining after the intended date of departure from Spain. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
Entry requirements
United States citizens require a passport valid for three months beyond the period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days within a 180 day period.
British citizens require a passport valid for three months beyond the period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days within a 180 day period.
Canadian citizens require a passport valid for at least three months beyond period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days within a 180 day period.
Australian citizens require a passport valid for at least three months beyond period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days within a 180 day period.
South African citizens require a passport valid for at least three months beyond period of intended stay. A visa is required.
Irish nationals require a valid passport, but a visa is not necessary.
New Zealand citizens require a passport valid for at least three months beyond period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days within a 180 day period.
Useful contacts
Spanish Tourist Office, Madrid: www.spain.info.
112 (General).Embassies / consulates in other countries
Spanish Embassy, Washington, United States: +1 202 452 0100.
Spanish Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 0207 235 5555.
Spanish Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 747 2252.
Spanish Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 02 6273 3555.
Spanish Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 012 460 0123 (ext. 116/117).
Spanish Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 01 283 9900.
Spanish Consulate, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 04 802 5665.
Embassies / consulates in Spain
United States Embassy, Madrid: +34 91 587 2200.
British Embassy, Madrid: +34 91 714 6300.
Canadian Embassy, Madrid: +34 91 382 8400.
Australian Embassy, Madrid: +34 91 353 6600.
South African Embassy, Madrid: +34 91 436 3780.
Irish Embassy, Madrid: +34 91 436 4093.
New Zealand Embassy, Madrid: +34 915 230 226.