It is the largest and perhaps the most visited of the Canary Islands. Famous for its black beaches, the beautiful Teide volcano and Russian-speaking community. The island has as many as 12 climatic zones - tropical forests and volcanic semi-deserts, mountain gorges and dunes, beaches with black and white sand. You won't be bored!
We will find out when it is better to fly, which beach to choose, where the beach is with white sand and where with black sand, how to get there from the airport, and compare the main car rental offices. We live in Tenerife, so all the information is first-hand.
What to do in Tenerife?
- Climb on the cable car
- Visit in
- Sunbathe on the black volcanic sand on or in
- See killer whales in
- See whales and
- Go on a hike
- Swim at Terrisitas Beach
- Take a photo with a rock cake
- Try stewed rabbit, Canarian potatoes and Canarian sauces
- Swim in a natural volcanic pool
How to get to Tenerife
You can get to the island by ferry (several days) or by plane. The cheapest way to fly to Tenerife is from Madrid, Valencia, Belfast or Porto. I recommend taking a direct flight from Moscow. S7, Aeroflot and Iberia airlines fly. The flight is about 8 hours. Look for cheap dates in the low price calendar (check the box for direct flights).
If you are traveling with a family with children, then it is optimal to settle in, it has excellent infrastructure and the best beaches with breakwaters. For romantics, La Arena or the botanical garden city in the north of the island are suitable with a gorgeous view of the rocks and the black sand beach. The best spots for surfers in and. For trips around the north of the island and to Anaga Park, stay for a few days in the modern rock town of Radazul.
My reports on Tenerife
How much do hotels and apartments cost in Tenerife?
The average price of apartments for 2-4 people is €60-80. I usually rent through AirBnB (remember for your first booking). Good apartments are booked 2-6 months in advance. I highly recommend booking well in advance.
Good hotels cost closer to €100, and options with breakfast and dinner are around €120 per night. The most expensive hotels in Costa Adeje 
, there are also cheap options there.
I'm using an Orange SIM card. For €10 per month they give 7Gb. Calls within Spain are also inexpensive. You can buy a SIM card on the island or.
If your apartment has poor internet or no internet at all, then rent with unlimited internet. Enough for the whole family. The price is about €5 per day.
What does Tenerife have that other places don’t?
Of course, extraordinary volcanoes. The island has as many as 12 climatic zones - tropical forests and volcanic semi-deserts, mountain gorges and dunes, beaches with black and white sand. You won't be bored! This is the only place in the European Union where you can swim in winter. A good replacement for Thailand.
Sights of Tenerife
House of Balconies
Botanical Garden of Puerto de la Cruz
Hardin Beach
La Laja Natural Pool
Natural pools of Charco del Viento
Natural pools of El Caleton de Garachico
Town of Garachico
Cherfe observation deck
Maska Gorge
Resorts Cayão Salvaje and Playa Paraiso
Fanabe Beach
Aqualand Costa Adeje
Siam Park Waterpark
Las Vistas Beach
Ortuño viewpoint
Do I need a visa and insurance?
The Canary Islands are Spanish territory, which means Russians will need a Schengen visa. How to get a visa to Spain on your own, I.
What currency should I bring and how should I pay on the island?
On the islands they only accept euros; even in banks it is not so easy to exchange dollars for euros. Bring euros with you.
I use the Tinkoff Black euro card. I pay for purchases and withdraw cash without commission. Order a card and get 6 months of free service.
How to get there from Tenerife airport?
How to get around the island
The island has a well-developed Titsa bus network. It is more convenient to build routes and schedules in Google maps. You can pay for the trip in cash to the driver, or it’s cheaper to buy a Ten+ card at Titsa kiosks or automatic machines. The card needs to be topped up, the card itself costs €2. One card can be used to pay for tickets for several people at once. Download.
See bus schedules and prices at titisa.com
In order not to depend on the bus schedule, it is more convenient to rent a car.
Where can I rent a car?
On the island it is customary to rent a car with full insurance, as it is inexpensive here. For example, renting a car with basic insurance will cost from €8-15 per day, and with full insurance €15-30. To get such tasty prices, order a car at least 1-2 months before your trip via the Internet.
Look for cars with full insurance, without a deposit. If you want to travel with your car on a ferry between the islands, go to Cicar, also with full insurance.
If there are no free cars, and this happens often, then select options through search engines and. Budget for full insurance at around €18 per day. Buy when receiving the car on the spot.
Driving routes around Tenerife
The roads in Tenerife are of excellent quality. There are almost no primers. There are almost no paid street parking, I only saw it in Los Gigantes.
I recommend 3 main routes.
- View through the center of the island
- Around the island on the highway and stop at Candelaria, La Laguna, .
- Head north to , drive along the lookouts.
Walking routes in Tenerife
Tenerife is simply a paradise for hiking lovers. I counted at least 80 official routes alone. They are all perfectly labeled. Along the way you will come across information stands with maps, posts with signs and just marks on the stones.
Start with these 3 routes:
- Route around
- In Anaga Park, go down from Chamorga village to Bermejo beach
- Climb the Roque del Conde mountain
What excursions should you go on in Tenerife?
If you don’t have a car, then book a bus tour in Russian to the Teide volcano.
Book a day boat trip and...
For one day, go to the neighboring island of La Gomera; the excursion already includes a ferry ticket, a bus, lunch and a guide in Russian. How to order, I...
Go on water slides at the world's best water park at Siam Park, tickets.
You can relax in Tenerife all year round. The water temperature stays around 20° – 23°C. Air temperature in winter ranges from 20°C to 26°C, in summer - from 23°C to 29°C - these are average values. Due to its geographical location and relief features, weather conditions vary significantly depending on where you are on the island. For example, in the north of the island in the La Esperanza forest it is usually 10 degrees colder - about 12 degrees during the day.
In the south it is always several degrees warmer and there is almost no rain, so for a beach holiday choose, or my favorite, where the water is even warmer. September or October is the best time for swimming. In winter you can also swim, but the water is a crisp 20°C, but sunbathing is no problem.
The best months are September and October, and the coldest months are February and March.
28 climate zones - find a place to your liking!
Teide volcano in snow in March
The mountains divide the island into two main climatic zones: the wet north and the dry south. The north is distinguished by its rich vegetation and fairly cool winter nights. The south has a sunnier and drier climate with slight differences in daily and seasonal temperatures.
Traveling around the island, in the north you can get caught in pouring rain, in the south you can swim in the warm sea under the bright rays of the sun, and going to the center of the island you can see the snow-capped top of the Teide volcano.
In addition to the main climatic differences between north and south, there are more than two dozen microclimatic zones on the island. Therefore, Tenerife has many landscapes that are different from each other: tropical forests and volcanic semi-deserts, mountain gorges and dunes, beaches with black and white sand.
How to go to neighboring islands?
Terisitas Beach
It is important to note that all the beaches of the resort island are completely free. It is considered the most snow-white and most visited beach. It is located near the capital. The presented beach is very unusual: its snow-white sand brought from the Sahara Desert, but the water there is colder and there are no hotels nearby.
Sometimes strangers (but often very pleasant) people write to me who are planning to go to Tenerife , and want to find out some details from the “native”. After reading my LJ and facebook, people consider me an expert on the island. Of course, I don’t consider myself that way, especially since I don’t live there now. But I spent six months there, saw a lot, and due to filming, I traveled to many places where tourists are not taken.
Therefore, I decided that it makes sense to collect all this in one post (in fact, two or... maybe even three), so that I don’t have to tell everyone everything from the beginning, but just give a link here, and the details that are of particular interest - in personal correspondence. Yes, I’m not an expert, not a guide and not a Spaniard)) I’ll tell you with pleasure what I saw and know, but Tenerife is such an interesting place, everyone discovers it in their own way.
I’ll say right away that not all the photos in the post are mine, I just found some on Google, so I apologize and thank their respected authors.
So, basic data can be found in the wiki. In short, Tenerife is an island of the Canary archipelago, located in the Atlantic near Morocco, quite far from mainland Spain to the south (almost 3 hours of flight!). The island is elongated in the form of a triangle, the bottom of the triangle and to the right is South (conditionally), the acute angle and to the left of it is North. In the middle of the island there is a mountain range called cañadas del Teide, and inside this range rises the huge Teide volcano itself, almost 4 kilometers high. Mountains divide the island into two climatic zones. In the south it is always warm and sunny. You can count the number of cloudy days a year on one hand; the rest of the time the weather is good. North - it is usually cloudy, humid, but also warm. The south is a rather bald volcanic steppe, covered with cacti and all sorts of desert plants, but where people live there is lush vegetation that blooms beautifully all year round. North - there is lush vegetation everywhere. There is also a northern tip, this is the “spout” to the northeast. It has its own mountain range called Anaga National Park. People hardly live there; for the most part, these are wild relict forests, which from 1000 meters usually disappear into the clouds. Well, inside the mountain range there is usually a clear sky, sun, hot and very dry. And on Teide it’s the same, but it’s cold)) even in summer. (thanks to the site aronatour.ru for the picture, larger and more detailed 3D diagram:)
About the size of the island: if you just drive along the perimeter without stopping anywhere, it will take about 3 hours. Basically, due to the fact that a good highway covers only about 60% of the perimeter, the rest (the left corner of the island) has to be driven along a mountain road. But, naturally, it is almost impossible to drive anywhere without stopping, because you want to stop every kilometer - the views! Especially the first time. On the only highway on the island, TF-1, you can drive 120 km/h, on the rest, respectively. 90 outside populated areas and 50 in them, but in the mountains sometimes the average speed is no more than 20-30 km/h due to the complexity of the terrain.
There are practically no direct roads, no detours. If you look at the map (click on it - a large one, or here's a Google one), you can see that there is a road going through the center. BUT, to climb from Las Americas to Teide will take at least two hours, and only if you have a good vestibular system. Climbing a mountain road with a height difference of 2000 meters and a change in temperature and humidity from the ocean shore to the highland plain is a test for the body. Therefore, it turns out that the easiest way to cross the island is to take a detour on the right.
There are three main, relatively speaking, cities on the island. 1) The capital is Santa Cruz. There is no point in settling there, since there is a commercial port and an oil refinery there. But the capital has several shopping centers and streets, so it’s still worth a visit. 2) Puerto de la Cruz is an ancient resort town, this is exactly the resort from which tourism began in Tenerife in the 19th century. It still has colonial luxury and charm, but there is not enough sun and beaches. Plus - if you love unusual sea views and storms, but are not interested in tanning from 9 to 16, then there is a chance to stay in a really luxurious hotel inexpensively. 3) Las Americas. In reality, this is, of course, not a city. This is a conglomeration stretching for tens of kilometers along the coast, starting from Los Cristianos, continuing through Playa de Las Americas, and then Adeje, San Eugenio, Fañabe. This is where 80% of visiting tourists live.
The only way to see the island in all its diversity and splendor is to rent a car, get behind the wheel and drive. Don't take excursions - it's a waste of money. Public transport works great, and there are no problems getting from city to city, but if you want to not depend on its schedules, and look at places not visited by tourists
- then you have to go by car. Good local rental - http://www.goldcar.es, there are points at both airports, the cars are fresh - up to a year old, the service is adequate. Or you can simply look at the offers at http://www.autoeurope.eu. Do not take the youngest category - in the mountains you will need a more powerful motor. Prices in the Canary Islands are very attractive since there is no VAT, and fuel is also relatively inexpensive. There are no special problems with parking anywhere. If you get motion sickness in transport, you can buy biodramin at any pharmacy, this is a medicine for motion sickness. It makes the process very easy)) And you also definitely need to buy a good detailed map, preferably not at a gas station, but in bookstores - so that there are all sorts of walking trails, etc., there are plenty of such maps, they cost about 5 euros.
Still important- In Tenerife - forget about uncomfortable sandals)) sandals and flip-flops are fine to walk from the hotel to the beach, but for walking you need strong walking shoes, everywhere is very hilly and rocky. Sunscreen and a hat are also a must (buying locally is no problem). And it’s better not to walk in the open sun from 12 to 14 o’clock - you can get sunburnt in one day.
Now let's try to drive around the perimeter. You can start anywhere, but I really love Puerto, so let's start there, for example.
Puerto de la Cruz- the resort is old, mostly sedate and wealthy Europeans relax there, for whom the ocean is more a thing for contemplation than swimming. Puerto has better (and cheaper!) cuisine than the south. More local flavor, whereas in Las Americas there is none at all. And a stunning botanical garden. The BotGard was created to acclimatize plants from South America, which were brought by colonists, so that they could then be grown in the colder climate of mainland Spain. The garden is very very beautiful. And very old - Pushkin was not yet born, but this garden was already there. The downside is that it is often cloudy in Puerto, as is the north of the island in general. There are rains. There are almost no beaches - the island is generally volcanic, the shores are rocky, there are very few beaches, and most of the beaches are man-made.
Yes, a small note. There are no hotels with their own beach (like in Turkey). All beaches are public and belong to the state. There are paid beaches, but nevertheless, not a single hotel can fence off its own territory. And where you don’t settle, you’ll most likely have to go to the beach or even drive. So, in Las Americas it’s a five-minute walk, in Puerto it can be half an hour)) But in Puerto there is a paid man-made beach complex Lago Martianez is a system of artificially created lakes with sea water right on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. It consists of many pools of different sizes filled with real sea water, as well as beautiful beaches, gardens, cozy cafes and restaurants. There are fountains, lighting, slides, etc., etc.
Adjacent to Puerto de la Cruz at the top Orotava- a medieval colonial town, and it’s also very beautiful there. You should definitely go to La Orotava, as it deserves at least a half-day walk.
Further, if you look along the perimeter of the island to the left - Icod de los Vinos. This city has a beautiful dragon tree garden and a butterfly garden. The dragon tree is a local legend because it is several thousand years old. The garden itself around this tree is also very interesting and worth a visit. There are also walking trees in this city. Both are worth the trip, and the town itself is very, very good. The butterfly garden is so-so unless you are a butterfly fan. In general, it’s all within a 5-minute walk from each other, and the town itself, like Orotava, are old Canary towns frozen in the past, which is what’s good about it.
Further to the left along the coast - Garachico - is interesting for passing through, but nothing more. But then there is a place called Buenavista del Norte, this is incredible beauty. Especially if you drive to the very end of the road, to Cape Teno. There is a lighthouse, lagoons and in general it is a national park with stunning views. The road itself is worth driving along. Tunnels cut into the rocks, narrow cornices high above the ocean... True, it is always windy there, and the breeze is cool. But below, by the water, it’s very good.
Further from Buenavista you need to take the TF436 road down, this is a difficult mountainous road that passes through the village of Masca (two hours away). This is one of the main attractions of the island; tourists are taken there. There is a beautiful gorge and the village itself is very picturesque. But it’s worth stopping by in the second half so as not to jostle with elderly Germans)). In general, it’s better to go to Maska not by road, but on purpose - it’s worth it! In addition, it will not be easy for a less experienced driver to drive on this road.
Further section to the city Santiago del Teide. It is already much lower, and it’s easier to breathe there)) There is a beautiful square with a church, if you can, go inside)) this is something. There are also inexpensive but very good restaurants in this town, right along the road to the south. You can go to any one.
Then, if you really want to, you can go to Los Gigantes, there is a beautiful view of the rocks from the port, but if you don’t go there, you are unlikely to reproach yourself for the rest of your life))) Although there is a good beach there with real black, black Tenerife sand. There are hotels in Los Gigantes, but Russian agencies do not accommodate people there. The city is good for a quiet family holiday, or for those who like short sailing trips. Fishing there is also good.
Los Gigantes is a very good place to have dinner after trips to Masca etc., just halfway to Las Americas.
Well, then the endless conglomerate of the south begins, Fanabe - San Eugenio - Adeje - Las Americas - Los Cristianos. Once upon a time these were all separate villages and towns, but since the Southern Airport was built, the south began to develop powerfully in terms of tourism, and now it is one huge resort that operates 24 hours a day all year round. And even if you live in another place, it’s certainly worth going there just to have a look.
A huge number of shops, restaurants, etc., all kinds of entertainment. Clubs, shows, promenades, embankments. Well, great beaches. True, food prices are the highest on the island, and the quality and portions are so-so, to put it bluntly. The beaches are all good, but I would recommend Las Vistas in Los Cristianos, a well-groomed and calm beach + you can leave your car in the port parking lot without any problems.
In Los Cristianos and Las Americas (and in Santa Cruz, of course) there are big bus stations, from where you can go to any corner of the island. At bus stations you can pick up a route map with timetables for free. If you plan to travel by bus, buy a Bono Bus card at the station; this is a subscription, with which trips are 40 percent cheaper than if you pay for one trip each time. Upon entering, the driver withdraws the required amount from Bono, depending on where you are going. Or he tells you how much to pay in cash. Keep in mind that drivers don’t take bills larger than 20 euros (and credit cards too), they even have a sign posted like that.
The buses run smoothly, with comfortable seats and air conditioning, but on weekends the schedule is very sparse and some routes do not operate at all.
Further along the coast - Costa del Silencio and Las Galetas. These are the places where I lived, and where I would like to live))) Las Galletas is an old fishing town, and Costa del Silencio is the new territories added to it already in the 70s, where Belgian, French and German Tenerifeans live . Quiet, calm, a lot of excellent inexpensive restaurants, a beach, a portico, in short, everything is cozy, although in some places it seems at first neglected and dirty. But in reality these are very cool places. If you have the opportunity to go to the island for a month or two, these are the places I would recommend to rent an apartment and live.
Next, I advise you to go to Los Abrigos- this town can be reached on foot in 5 minutes, but there are the best fish restaurants on the island. Bonus - if you sit down at the restaurant at the far end of the promenade, you spend the entire dinner watching planes landing 200 meters above the harbor, where the southern airport is very close. There is minimal noise - they do not make any noise during landing.
When ordering fish, keep in mind that the price is per kilogram of raw fish, unpeeled. That is, if they tell you, for example, that this fish costs 22 euros, then this is not the price of the dish, but a kilo of this same fish that lies in the refrigerator and is waiting to be fried. As a dish with a side dish, it can cost 7-15 euros, depending on.
Yes, normal dinner at a restaurant per person in Tenerife ranges from 5 euros in the countryside to ~30 in a cool restaurant in Las Americas. On average, you can have dinner for two in a decent place for about 30-40 euros easily. But a tourist who has not been deceived is not a tourist, so be on your guard and choose restaurants with your heart)) Tipping is accepted and very welcome. But large tips are puzzling. Even if the bill is very large, 1-2 euros for tip is quite enough. On the other hand, if you drank 3 euros worth of beer and tapas at a bar, it would be quite polite and appropriate to give the bartender another euro on top.
A little further from Abrigos, on the TF643 highway (not on the TF-1 highway), there is a beach called Tejita. It's my favorite. There is always almost calm, warm water, and a good view of the red mountain. But you shouldn’t just go to the mountain itself - there’s a nudist beach there, people right among the stones can do whatever they want in front of everyone interested, or just lie around naked)) well, or it’s worth it - whoever likes it)) no one will pester you in any case - this is guaranteed. But if you are further away from the mountain, then there are people with children, and in general everything is cultural. There are windy days, then of course it’s not so great, but in general the weather on the island is very, very changeable.
Speaking of wind. Further northeast on the coast is El Medano - a paradise for wind and kite surfers, there is ALWAYS a strong wind from the ocean. There is always a party there, a lot of clubs and schools. Not the best place for swimming and sunbathing - it's windy.
Then the main highway TF-1 goes more or less along the coast, but past industrial zones. But driving along the highway is pleasant - on one side there is a mountain range, on the other there is an ocean, there are wind turbines, and in some places there is surf - right next to the highway. There is nothing interesting for the next ~50 km, until we reach Candelaria. This is also a very beautiful town, where you can walk for half a day or even more. Restaurants, cafes, and the most important church on the island is located there. A must see. There are no problems with parking. You can go to this town any evening; a two-hour walk + dinner is just what you need. In August, a grandiose religious event takes place in Candelaria; tens of thousands of pilgrims go there on foot from all over the island.
Well, then there’s the capital, Santa Cruz. Everything is written about him in guidebooks. Of course it’s worth a trip, all the shopping and everything is there. There are several huge shopping centers right next to the bus station, the main one being El Corte Ingles. The main thing is not to forget that the place where the port, the opera building and where the highway comes is the outskirts and there is nothing to do there. And the center and the most walking places are much higher, already on the slopes. There are beautiful parks and public gardens there, and the food is also very nice in some places. In terms of shopping, it’s certainly not Milan, but the prices without VAT are pleasing, especially during sales periods. Not far from the capital there is San Andres beach, quite good.
Well, so as not to return to this and close the loop)) A little higher than Santa Cruz is La Laguna - a university city, but there is nothing special to see there. And even further - Tacaronte - there is the best wine on the island, it is really very, very good. If you buy a bottle for 9 euros, it will put any Rioja to shame. In Russia, wines of this class are kept in glass cabinets with a lock. But I don’t recommend restaurants in this region - they are expensive, for some reason this place is considered wildly prestigious among the locals, there are all sorts of golf clubs, etc. But in all these towns they grow grapes and make wine.
Well, here we go again - Puerto de la Cruz))
This is a saying, and the fairy tale is ahead, that is in the second part!
On this page we have compiled a guide to Tenerife that will help you plan your independent trip quickly and without unnecessary fuss.
Travel Guide:
General information about Tenerife. Visa
Tenerife- one of the seven islands of the Canary archipelago. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwestern coast of Africa. It is part of Spain as an autonomous community. Population is about 1 million people. Area 2034 square kilometers.
Bay in Los Gigantes
ツ10. The Canaries are a tax-free economic zone. Such low prices for clothing, perfumes, cosmetics, food, and domestic flights cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Climate and weather in Tenerife
Island of Eternal Spring. A banal phrase that fully reflects reality. Tenerife never experiences harsh winters, extreme humidity or sweltering heat. It's comfortable here all year round.
Yeah. The sun is shining straight into our eyes, and we are wearing scarves. Viewpoint of the Garcia Rocks, where the wind is terrible. November the slopes of Teide. The climate is tropical, moderately hot, dry. Seasons have been moved forward by one month. The coldest of them is March (like our February). The water temperature in the ocean cools gradually, but never drops below +20 degrees or above +25. Atlantic :) This is in general.
Tenerife is located on the equator and is a huge mountain. It has about 28 climate zones. In summer the temperature difference is not felt. It's summer in Africa too.
In winter in La Laguna it rains and +15, and in Adeje the sun shines and +28. Monitoring the weather via Yandex or Google is useless, because such resources give the average value for the island. In the North it is +18, and in the South it is +25. You will see +21.
Weather in the South online . Attention, the air temperature is shown in the shade.
Climatic zones of Tenerife. What is the difference between South and North
Center of the island – Teide and surrounding areas
Not a resort. The higher you go, the colder it gets. Drier than in the North. In winter, the top of the Teide volcano is often covered with snow. Temperature is +15 on the slopes, and about 0 at the peak. Clothing – hat, down jacket, warm scarf.
In summer, a jute or windbreaker would be a good idea in this area. Air temperature +20 on the slopes, +10 at the peak. The sun is active at any time of the year.
Teide National Park. Not far from the funicular station South Tenerife – El Medano, Los Cristianos, Adeje, Los Gigantes
A place for year-round beach holidays. It doesn't matter what's happening on the volcano or in the Northern part, it's always warm and the sun is shining here. You will find the most severe downpour only in winter and remember the July rains with a rainbow in your homeland.
They sunbathe all year round. They do not swim only in March and April.
+34 Celsius in Las Americas. September. It's evening. The heat is not felt at all, easily and well North – Puerto de La Cruz, La Orotava, La Laguna, Anaga
The humidity is much higher than in other areas. Winter is cool, windy and rainy. It's chilly in summer. But, if the sun does come out, it doesn’t soar like a child. Not suitable for a beach holiday at all. Perhaps Puerto, for those who like to tickle their nerves. Big waves. Very large, almost three-story. He'll cover it and won't ask.
The sky is cloudy, high humidity and chilly - this is what the North of the island is like. Puerto. August. How to get to Tenerife?
There are two ways to get to Tenerife: by air and by sea.
Flights to Tenerife from Warsaw
We have described all possible options in a separate article, click on the link.
Prices for holidays in Tenerife
The budget for a trip to Tenerife depends only on your wishes and capabilities. That's a plus. You can move your wishes :)
Seasonality does not have any impact on the cost of this event. The mild, even climate and stable thermometer readings do their job. Apartment owners do not feel the need to ensure a comfortable existence for the year ahead in three summer months.
Housing - for every taste and budget, from luxury villas (from 300 euros per day) to modest studios (from 20 euros per day). High quality food products. Many categories are cheaper than in Belarus and a million times tastier. This is especially true for seafood.
Approximate budget per day
- 20 euros for one excluding flights– accommodation in a studio, meals at home, the beach, trips to cities by public transport, relaxation without any special frills;
- 30 euros per person excluding flights– studio or two-room apartments, car rental for the entire period, a couple of entertainments (water park, zoo), beaches, half/half meals (home/cafe), trips to forests, mountains, national parks, wineries;
- from 50 euros per person for a family with children including flights– two-or three-room apartment near the ocean. No savings on food (cafes, restaurants, cooking at home), all kinds of entertainment for children and adults, car rental for the entire period, unlimited Internet.
Which resort to choose
Where and when is the best time to take children?
With the Children here:
Inexpensive locations with local flavor:
In the areas below, you can rent inexpensive housing from the local population and experience life the Canarian way.
A small selection of apart-hotels (pictures are clickable)
Tamaimo Tropical complex. Studios and apartments in the West of the island in Puerto Santiago from 40 euros per night 
The Albatross complex in San Miguel de Abona offers studios and apartments (one bedroom) from 50 euros per night 
Aparthotel Los Dragos in Puerto Santiago. Here, one-bedroom apartments cost 55 euros per night. But it’s in great demand, so you need to book almost six months in advance Interesting rural hotel in the village of Vilaflor
And also, Adeje Miraverde (Mareverde). The apartments in the complex belong to different owners. And it depends only on them in what conditions you will live.
Transport, roads and car rental in Tenerife
Rent a Car
There are no problems with moving around the island, except in remote areas.
It is optimal to rent a car. Firstly, it is cheap (from 80 € per week). If you plan to actively see the sights, have fun and sunbathe on different beaches, you will save a lot on buses 🙂 and excursions. Secondly, it's convenient. Wherever I want, I fly there.
Roads and traffic rules
- Autobahns and roads are of excellent quality. On mountain serpentines, beware not only of the sharp turns themselves, but also of stones that can fall, lie, or even run :). Since the tires and bottom most likely will not be insured.
- All passengers must wear seat belts. The child travels in a car seat or booster (according to age). Violation 200€.
- Large fines await you if you do not let a pedestrian pass, if you talk while driving, or if you throw garbage out the window. Well, standard violations of speed limits and markings.
- We park only in the designated places, otherwise we will then look for our iron horse all over the island, and we will be able to pick it up only after paying a fine.
- 6000 euro fine for radar detector.
With fines everything is complicated. This is a fine for the “tricks” of a dog or anyone else you can walk, 1500 euros!! No one has the desire to shit on the street
Public transport is mainly represented by buses. In the North, you can also take a tram ride from Santa Cruz to La Laguna.
Tram to Santa Cruz Tenerife - must see
I'll start with a minimal list mast si.
10 places on the island that you need to see no matter what
You know, it was very difficult to choose the best of the best. So I went a different route. I have compiled a top list of those attractions and entertainment in Tenerife that will help put the puzzle together and show the island from its beautiful side in the shortest possible time.
The logo of the capital, installed in 2016 and we All details are in separate articles, click on the links.
Business card of Tenerife
A trip that we made by car with children (it is also possible by public transport) for the whole day. Key points:
- The Cave of San Pedro is a place of pilgrimage and worship of St. Peter.
- Surfer town of El Medano and La Tejita beach.
- Local fish restaurant in the village of La Tajao.
- Candelaria: Mensean statues and Basilica of the Black Madonna.
- The towns of Tabaiba and Radasul. Beaching on Radasul.
- La Laguna: Old Town, Museum of Science and Space, Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
North along the South West Coast
The route includes:
- The town of Tamaimo and Santiago del Teide.
- Non-touristy Los Realejos.
- La Orotava: walks around the city, Church of the Immaculate Conception, Victoria Gardens. Botanical garden, dragon tree and more.
Battle for feeding lemurs in Monkey Park Tenerife for children
FAQ. Answers to frequently asked questions
1. Is it cold to swim in the Atlantic Ocean? How do children cope with the climate?
There are sometimes cold currents in the Atlantic. In general, the water is warm. A little invigorating. The climate is wonderful: neither cold nor hot. You can freeze only in winter in the north of the island (from +15 degrees). It's always summer in the South.
2. Are there any dangerous creatures in the ocean?
Of course there is. And sharks and predatory whales. But they love the depths and do not swim to the shore. In the entire history of tourism on the island, not a single attack of predatory fish on humans has been recorded. The coastlines of the South and North can cause some discomfort only during the migration period of Portuguese man-of-war and poisonous jellyfish. Lifeguards on beaches always display warning flags.
3. What is Kalima? Is she dangerous?
Kalima - a natural, fleeting phenomenon that cannot be predicted. The wind brings heat and sand from the Sahara. Visibility deteriorates. The horizon disappears. Absolutely not dangerous. For many, Kalima is a haze that makes it difficult to take high-quality views, nothing more.
4. Is it better to book accommodation on the spot or in advance?
In advance if your vacation lasts a couple of weeks. There are no problems with demand in Tenerife. There is a very large flow of tourists from different countries and continents. The best ones are sold out within six months.
On site if you are planning a long stay (1.5 months or more). It’s easier to negotiate discounts for a long period of time in person and look through several options that interest you.
5. Will I be able to exchange dollars upon arrival for euros or is it better to do this at home?
You need to come here with euros. An exchange of $5 will just make you smile. But if you try to change from 100 or more, you will be disappointed. The American currency is not held in high esteem here.
6. Which area of Tenerife should I choose for a holiday without renting a car?
If you want to go around the island, but for any reason you cannot rent a car, then it is better to be based in Adeje or Los Cristianos. The public transport system is very well developed here. All attractions, both to the West and to the East, are the same distance.
The best regions, in my opinion, are Adeje, Arona, Guia de Isora and Los Gigantes. There is always something to do during the day, and at night no one will scream under the windows.
8. Question: We are not confident in our abilities. How to go on a trip on our own if we don’t speak any foreign language?
We book everything, buy it, pack our bags. We calmly drive, fly or sail. We speak English, for example, but not all Canarians know it, although most of our communication on the island occurs with the local population. If it’s really difficult, download a translator application or, like us, use Google online.
Unforgettable impressions and a pleasant holiday on the paradise island of Tenerife!!
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Why go and what to see in Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest island of the Canary archipelago and the most “touristy” of all seven islands. Tenerife is famous for its developed infrastructure, long beach line and climate, which is nicknamed “eternal spring”. You can come to Tenerife to relax even when winter is raging throughout the rest of Europe.
Another advantage of Tenerife in the eyes of Russian tourists is the possibility of a direct flight from Moscow, and only Tenerife of all seven Canary Islands can boast of this. The most popular resorts on the island are the southern triangle of Costa Adeje - Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americas. Some tourists also choose the quieter Los Gigantes and Puerto de la Cruz.
The nature on the island is very picturesque and varies in different parts of the island, while the entertainment industry is no less developed: Tenerife boasts the presence of children's amusement parks, zoos, botanical gardens, colonial towns for excursions, and the presence of discos, bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Thus, a holiday in Tenerife is suitable for a wide range of tourists and travelers.
TimOve/Resort Costa Adeje
Visa and entry rules for Tenerife, Spain
The Canary Archipelago, which includes Tenerife, is part of Spain and therefore has the same entry rules as mainland Spain. For a short-term trip for tourism purposes, it will be enough to open a type C visa. You can open a Spanish visa at the Spanish embassy or consulate (Moscow, St. Petersburg) or at numerous Spanish visa centers, which are located in almost every major city. To obtain a visa, a standard set of documents for the Schengen zone is submitted, which includes a valid passport, a certificate from the place of work, a completed application form, hotel/apartment reservations, return air tickets, travel insurance (insurance amount of at least 30 thousand euros) and some other certificates in individually (for example, documents for children).
Tony Hisgett/Los Cristianos Beaches Climate and weather in Tenerife
The climate of Tenerife is such that it is comfortable to relax here all year round. In this regard, there is no “low tourist season” on the island. When choosing a holiday resort, you should keep in mind that in different parts of Tenerife the climatic conditions and natural topography are somewhat different. Thus, in the south and east of the island, the area is more semi-desert, with picturesque “Martian” landscapes and sparse vegetation, while in the north of the island, on the contrary, lush greenery and tropical plants grow, and in the center of the island there are mountain ranges.
In the resorts of Costa Adeje, Playa de las Americas, and Los Cristianos, the weather is almost always dry and windless, and precipitation is extremely rare. In Puerto de la Cruz and Los Gigantes, on the contrary, the weather is often rainy and gloomy, but not cold, which explains the lush growth of greenery and tropical vegetation.
Jose Miguel/Los Cristianos How to get to Tenerife
There are several ways to get to Tenerife from Russia. The easiest one is a direct flight from Moscow. Direct flights are operated by the Russian air carrier Aeroflot, the flight time is approximately 6.5-7 hours. The advantage of this option is obvious - it does not require transfers, but it is worth considering that a direct flight is also the most expensive compared to connecting flights.
As for connecting flights, they are operated by various European airlines and are often cheaper than direct flights. In particular, such flights are operated with transfers in Zurich, Brussels, Madrid and other European cities. You can check flight schedules and seat availability for specific dates, as well as buy tickets online on various search engines:
Cristian Bortes/Island Roads Cities and resorts of Tenerife
Tenerife is mainly dominated by resort towns scattered along the coast. There are no large metropolitan areas on the island, but the administrative center, the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is often visited by tourists for excursion purposes. The same applies to several other ancient towns on the island, far from the coastline.
When choosing a resort for your vacation, you should focus on the set of options that the resort can offer. For example, some resorts in Tenerife specialize in bustling nightlife, others in family entertainment, and others in privacy and natural beauty. The beach line of Tenerife is also uneven, and there are places that are suitable only for extreme water sports (surfing, for example), while the other part of the Tenerife beaches is intended for family holidays, has a gentle entrance to the water and a relatively calm sea.
TimOve/Night Costa Adeje La Laguna- This is the former capital of the island; people also come here mainly for excursion purposes. The town is extremely picturesque and pleases the eye with its old colorful buildings in the colonial style. By the way, the city center is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Read more about .
Garachico– quite an interesting and unusual town in Tenerife. There are no usual beaches here, but there are natural lava pools, there are no discos and nightclubs, but there is an amazingly beautiful observation deck and a panoramic restaurant, there are no hotel high-rises, but there are ancient fortresses and towers. Garachico, despite its miniature size, is one of the most interesting cities in terms of sightseeing. Read more about .
Carsten Frenzl/Los Gigantes Beaches of Tenerife
In Tenerife you can find a huge number of beaches, and they will all have different properties. A common feature that is characteristic of almost all the beaches of the island is their coverage. Most Tenerife beaches consist of fine gray sand. This shade of sand is achieved due to the admixture of volcanic ash. There are exceptions, for example, the beach Teresitas has an artificial golden sand coating (sand imported from Africa) or resort beaches El Medano, which have an amazing orange hue.
All Tenerife beaches are public and free; fees may only apply for additional services. For a family holiday with small children, it is better to choose the beaches on the leeward southwestern side of the island, where there are almost no waves and the entrance to the water is gentle (resorts Costa Adeje, Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos). For surfing and other extreme sports, the beaches of the northern tip of Tenerife, as well as the windward parts of the island near the resort, are suitable El Medano. Swimming in the natural pools of the resort will also be interesting. Garachico, which were formed due to a lava eruption.
The beaches of Tenerife consistently receive the Blue Flag, which indicates their exceptional quality and cleanliness. Often, within the boundaries of large resorts, beaches are equipped with all kinds of water attractions and entertainment, so if desired, a vacation by the sea can be quite active.
jonathanfh/Las Teresitas Tenerife attractions and parks
Tenerife is extremely rich in both natural attractions and all kinds of entertainment. Here you can find water parks, amusement parks, zoos, show programs, amazing natural landscapes, gorges, extinct volcanoes, natural pools and much more. The ancient towns of the island are also beautiful in their own way - Santa Cruz de Tenerife and La Laguna, which will charm you with their colonial atmosphere.
Aqualand water park- one of the largest in Tenerife. There are extreme slides, an area for children, a family fan zone, as well as a recreation and relaxation area. On the territory of the water park you can find pools of varying depths and attractions of varying degrees of extremeness, as well as an artificial river, a jacuzzi, a dolphin show and much more. The water park is located in the resort of Costa Adeje;
Entertainment Park "Siam" is a water amusement park. Guests can enjoy a tropical river, a wave pool, an aquarium with sea lions, extreme slides, artificial white beaches and much more. The park is also located in the resort area of Costa Adeje and Playa de las Americas;
Las Aguilas Park is a kind of open-air zoo where residents of the jungle and Amazon regions live. Here you can meet completely exotic animals and birds; in addition, various show programs are regularly held in the park. Las Aguilas is located near the resort of Playa de las Americas;
Loro Parque is another popular open-air zoo in Tenerife. Exotic and rare species of animals and birds also live here in their natural conditions. Loro Parque also houses a jellyfish aquarium and hosts various entertainment programs. The closest resort to Loro Park is Puerto de la Cruz in the north of the island;
Botanical Garden of La Orotava is a unique place on the island where exotic plants from all over the world are collected. The garden is located on the northern tip of the island, where the weather is quite warm and humid, which is ideal conditions for the growth of exotic trees, flowers, plants, shrubs, fruits, etc. The botanical garden is located in the vicinity of the resort of Puerto de la Cruz;
Of the natural attractions, it is definitely worth highlighting rocky cliffs of Los Gigantes resort, which go straight into the ocean; Teide Volcano National Park, located in the heart of the island; "Hell's Gorge"- another extreme place located in the mountainous part of Tenerife; extinct Red head volcanoes And bald head near the resort of El Medano; orange beaches the same El Medano; picturesque de Garcia rocks in the center of the island; Observation deck And natural pools resort of Garachico.
Christopher Czermak/Tenerife Tenerife Hotels
Tenerife has a developed hotel infrastructure, which means that you can find a hotel to stay here in almost any category. These can be standard hotels of all star categories, apartment rentals, resort hotels, bed and breakfasts, guest houses, vacation homes, hostels, villas and much more.
The greatest variety of hotels can be found in the resort triangle of Costa Adeje - Playa de las Americas - Los Cristianos. These resorts are dominated by chain hotels with their own entertainment area. Despite their proximity to the coast and beaches, such hotels often have swimming pools and their own recreation areas. In 4* and 5* hotels you can find animation and evening programs. As for food, there is a huge selection of options - from breakfast to full board and all-inclusive options.
For example, the following hotels are consistently popular on the southwest coast:
- H10 Las Palmeras 4* (resort Playa de las Americas)
A trip to the Canary Islands, namely Tenerife, is an encounter with the sun, unsurpassed and dazzling nature, well-groomed sandy beaches, marked with the Blue Flag for environmental cleanliness, picturesque landscapes and a favorable climate.
They are becoming increasingly popular among Russian tourists. seaside resorts in Spain: youthful Ibiza, the democratic Costa Brava and the elite Canary Islands, where the island of Tenerife has become the most favorite tourist destination.
Located in the Atlantic Ocean, it is the largest island in terms of area and number of inhabitants. The Guanches were the first inhabitants of the island, in whose language the name Tenerife meant “snowy mountain”.
This was due to the location on the island Mount Teide, which is the highest point in Spain and is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After the island was conquered by the Spaniards in the 15th century under the leadership of the conquistador Alonso de Lugo, it is still a Spanish possession.
Nowadays, the island is called the “Island of Eternal Spring”, since, being located at the latitude of the Sahara Desert, Tenerife has a year-round warm climate. Temperatures in summer range from +28°C to +33°C, while in winter the thermometer does not drop below + 20°C.
The water temperature in the Atlantic Ocean even in the coldest months is +20°C. All these unique features cause an annual influx of over 3 million. tourists.
When flying over the island by plane, many travelers compare it to a stretched isosceles triangle or a piece of unevenly cut pizza.
Tenerife is divided into two climatic zones by a mountain range: the northern part has a humid climate, which encourages the growth of lush vegetation, while the southern part is characterized by an arid climate with an ever-shining sun. That is why Tenerife is also called “the island with two faces”.
About 1 million people take part in the large-scale procession. For a whole week, the sounding rhythms of different nationalities that inhabit the countries of the Caribbean and the dancing of half-naked young girls with beautiful slender and flexible bodies do not subside on the streets, day or night.
The culminating event of the entire carnival is the selection of the Queen., which leads costumed processions crossing the main streets of the city.
Sights, entertainment and shopping in Tenerife
During other months of the year, Santa Cruz is popular with tourists looking to do some shopping, as the city is... a real shopping paradise for lovers of varied shopping. The central part of the capital has the largest number of shops with affordable prices and elite boutiques representing global brands. Shopping lovers should immediately go to Plaza Candelaria, then move towards Calle del Castillo.
Located on San Sebastian street market "Mercado Nuestra Senora de Africa" offers a wide selection of fruits, vegetables, flowers and aromatic spices. The covered market, decorated with arches, is a spacious courtyard reminiscent of an exotic oriental bazaar with a special flavor.
Excursions in Tenerife
Those wishing to explore the city should start excursion program to the sights of Tenerife from the Plaza de Espana, which was built in 1929 and where the largest palace building (Cabildo Insular) is located, in which the island's government operates today.
The center of the square is decorated with a large fountain with sea water. In the evening the square presents a beautiful light show. It is illuminated by numerous garlands, which were made by wizard designers according to an individual project in the form of water drops of three sizes.
It's also worth taking a look at Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, made in the Baroque architectural style interspersed with Tuscan elements of colonial architecture. Valuable relics of the temple include statue of James the Elder- the patron saint of the city, the Crucifixion, which was installed by the conquistador Alonso de Lugo after landing on the east coast of the island.
In addition to the church, it deserves attention Auditorio de Tenerife - opera house, which has become the hallmark of the city and the most recognizable place of all the Canary Islands. Built in 2003 according to the design of Santiago Calatrava in the architectural style of postmodernism, the building won the love of both the Spaniards themselves and the world community with its successful play of curved proportions, volumes and textures. 
Tourists also visit Masonic Temple of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the Museum of Nature and Man and explore the Torres de Santa Cruz residential twin towers located near the Auditorio de Tenerife, the height of which is 120 m.
Among all residential buildings in Spain, they rank third in height. After a tiring but exciting excursion, you should definitely soak up the rays of the island’s friendly sun at Teresitas Beach. This the island's only beach with yellow sand, which was specially brought in 1973 from the African Sahara Desert.
In the evening, you should definitely stop by one of the restaurants where you can taste authentic Canarian cuisine
