What most surprises those who visit Tenerife for the first time, in the Canary Islands archipelago, is that we are talking about a destination with a vast heritage combined with wild nature, something that is very different from the typical sun and beach destination.

Indeed, the island of Tenerife is one of the most important tourist places on the entire planet. An island of volcanic origin that has a privileged climate 365 days a year, nature, idyllic beaches, first-class gastronomy and a tourist offer for all tastes. So, after learning a little more about everything Tenerife can offer visitors, it’s time to book plane tickets, accommodation, a transfer service and get ready to enjoy the best experiences on the Canary Island.

Orotava Valley and Cañadas del Teide

From the leafy Orotava Valley, where the traditional tourist destination of Puerto de la Cruz is located, a winding road leads to the volcanic landscapes of the Cañadas del Teide. During the journey, you will find landscapes of Canarian pine forests and laurel forest areas, more similar to a jungle than to the typical landscapes of these latitudes. This is due to the trade winds, loaded with moisture, which cause the vegetation to develop on the northern slopes of the island.

Take the Teide cable car

In Tenerife, the volcanic landscapes are at the level of other places on the planet, such as Hawaii or Iceland. The greatest exponent of a volcano is Mount Teide, which is not only the highest mountain in Spain, but also the third highest volcano in the world. In fact, astronaut Neil Armstrong pointed out when he visited the island that the surroundings of Teide are where he has seen the most similar landscapes on Earth to those of the Moon, and we believe that he is an authorized voice for such a statement, since he was a direct witness of the lunar satellite. To enjoy Mount Teide from above, the best thing to do is take the cable car that takes you up to an altitude of 3,550 metres. about 300 below the top. It is advisable to book in advance.

The lagoon

San Cristóbal de La Laguna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, let’s find out why. The location of the Canary Islands, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, made it an obligatory passage area for expeditions from the Spanish Empire to America. This motivated that when configuring the new colonies in the American continent, they looked for inspiration in their experiences and the city of La Laguna is the maximum exponent of the colonial cities that developed on the other side of the pond.

The configuration of La Laguna, with grid streets and its characteristic multi-colored houses, is an urban spectacle. The city is perfect for walking around and is connected by a modern tram to the island’s capital, Santa Cruz.

The Teide Astronomical Observatory

The Teide or Izaña Astronomical Observatory is the place from which some of the best high-resolution photos of space that can be seen today are obtained. The privileged location of Tenerife, in the middle of the ocean, at a high altitude and with hardly any light pollution, made it the place chosen for this installation.

Without a doubt, it is one of the great natural spectacles of Tenerife. We recommend a visit to the observatory and for the most intrepid, you can book to sleep in the Teide hostel and go on a night excursion to see the stars.

Cliffs of Tenerife

The island of Tenerife has large and steep slopes, the result of the high altitude that is reached from sea level. This complex orography has generated geological caprices, such as the Acantilados de los Gigantes, and enormous ravines, such as the Masca ravine, located in the Teno park, in the west of the island.

It is recommended to get to the town of Masca to do the route on foot that crosses the ravine to the cliffs. There take a boat from which you can see the amazing landscapes of the cliffs from the sea and end up on the town beach taking a dip while we contemplate the cliffs of Los Gigantes. The bravest can ascend the great slope of this ravine again, returning to the town of Masca, but it is a hard and steep path.