The top sights in Tenerife
This page is (as of May 2023) under continuous construction and is far from complete. This page serves as a quick overview for guests of the vacation apartments as well as vacationers who want to discover the north of the island. Well, with the points of the compass it is such a thing. This page is a subdomain of my travel blog www.kanarenvogel.de to which I link from here and where you can find more detailed articles in German.
On my travel blog, you can find articles and travel information, as well as services for vacationers and residents. On the YouTube Kanal of the same name @kanarenvogel video contributions are available, which inform about activities on Tenerife. I also create reports about people, art and culture on Tenerife, as well as posts about outdoor activities. And on Instagram you can follow the Kanarenvogel as well. There under the name kanarenvogel1.
Teide National Park
Teide National Park, with Pico del Teide, is the number one place to visit in Tenerife. You can experience the park and volcano in different ways: The easiest is to go up by car and do small or big hikes. If you want to go up, you have to book online in advance both the ride with the Teleferico and the ascent to the crater of Pico del Teide. The latter can only be done with a permit, which is limited to 200 people per day, so you have to book weeks to months in advance.
All bookings are made through the Canary Islands company Volcano Teide Experience.
My contributions about hiking to the Teide: March to the sky - this is the way to the Pico del Teide My video contribution Mirador de la Fortaleza shows the ascent from the Mirador de la Fortaleza at 3,560 m altitude to the parking lot at Montaña Blanca at about 2,400 m. The route follows the hiking trail PF 7.
If you want to do an ascent to the crater at sunrise or sunset, please contact me directly.
Masca Canyon
The Masca Gorge is another top sight on Tenerife. Access to Masca Gorge is also limited to 250 people per day.
I made an informative video about the beauty of the gorge and the special features of the access to Masca Gorge. It was made shortly after the reopening of the gorge in March 2021 during the pandemic: The Masca Gorge - el Barranco de Masca.
These are sent into the gorge in groups of 30 people each, staggered at 30 minute intervals. The path is about 5 km long. For the descent plan with 3 hours, for the ascent 4 hours. If you want to do descent and ascent, you must start in the time window of 08:30 - 10:30, because the access closes at 18:00. Since the trail was renovated and reopened to the public in 2021, ferry service should resume from the new dock at the exit of the gorge. The boats then take the weary hiker to Los Gigantes for €10 a boat. From there, either by bus or cab back to Santiago del Teide or Masca.
Note on boat transfer: on my last dolphin watching trip at the end of April 2023, there was no ferry service yet. I am told that this will be operational from May 2023. So mañana...
Important note on getting to Masca:
Due to lack of sufficient parking, parking by car in Masca is pretty much impossible and expensive if you park in a no-parking zone or for too long. Alternatively, you can take bus 355 from Santiago del Teide to Masca. Duration 23 minutes, leaves every 2 hours. However, the departure times in the morning do not always seem to be given. Be sure to check on Google Maps. Since these are small buses, they are quickly occupied on the return trip - at the bus stop in Masca they are queuing. In the worst case, you do not come with and may then wait another 2 hours. Alternatively take a cab.
Opening hours Masca Canyon:
There are always irregularities in the official opening hours. Therefore, check the current status of the opening time for the Masca Canyon.
Tickets for Masca Gorge also often have to be booked weeks in advance. The (only) official provider of tickets for Masca Gorge is:
May 2023 it should go again by boat from the exit of the Masca Gorge to Los Gigantes. The date has already been postponed several times, should be checked beforehand.
Cueva del Viento
The Cueva del Viento is a huge volcanic tube. It is located above Icod de los Vinos. It is the fifth largest volcanic tube in the world, which extends about 18 km over a widely branched labyrinth under the Pico viejo. It is accessible only a part of it and this only with guidance by the official operator of the visits:
Museos de Tenerife Cueva del Viento.
All information and online booking of the entrance there.
Opening hours Cueva del Viento: Open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Admission adults: 20 €
Coming soon: A video about the volcanic cave. The video is already shot and still needs to be edited.
Anaga Mountains
The Anaga Mountain range is the attraction for all hikers. It offers spectacular views over the northwest of the island, deeply cut barrancos and unique flora. I have done many hikes and have recorded some on Wikiloc under the name Kanarenvogel. Other hikes can be found in posts on my travel blog under the Hikes section.
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is the island's capital and offers a wide range of sights and cultural life. Cruise ships dock in the harbor, allowing up to 5,000 people to disembark on a landing day. From here you can take a ferry to Gran Canaria in 1:45 hours.
Santa Cruz is only 20 kilometers and about 20 minutes drive from Tacoronte and the vacation apartments Cliffhanger and Jacaranda. A special phenomenon is the temperature difference between "North" and "South" (the cardinal points are somewhat unique on Tenerife). This can be between 5-10 degrees! Always amazing how the thermometer after La Laguna rises steadily on the descent to Santa Cruz. So on a winter evening you can dine outside in the center of Santa Cruz at a pleasant 19 C, while buttoning up your jacket on the other side of the island.
Overview of selected sights in Santa Cruz:
Auditorio
Santa Cruz Landmark. An impressive iconic architecture by architect Santiago Calatrava. Opened in 2003, the concert hall offers 6,300 square meters (share of foyer 1,200 square meters) of many, mostly classical concerts. Located in the coastal district of Cabo llanos, next to the Parque Maritimo, it is definitely worth a visit. The auditorium provides a stage for one of the best Spanish symphony orchestras for numerous performances. Program and booking of the event on the website Auditorio de Tenerife
Museum of Modern Art TEA
The Museum of Modern Art (TEA) is another impressive architectural masterpiece by Herzog & Meuren and is well worth a visit. Free entrance.
Palmetum
The Palmetum is located on 12 hectares of land right next to the Parque Maritimo. The park is home to over 600 different species of palm trees. Built in 1995 on a former landfill, it offers beautiful views of the ocean, the auditorium and Parque Maritimo. Bring headwear - it's mostly sunny and hot here.
Mercado de Nuestra Senora de Africa
The market for all the goodies from bananas to fish, you'll find everything here in a Pitoresque setting.
Parque Garcia Santabria
A beautiful city park in the heart of Santa Cruz. Guided tour by Kanarenvogel possible. Contact me personally.
Las Teresitas
The postcard beach about 10 km outside of Santa Cruz. Must go there for a swim. Lively Chringuitos, no beach cafes offer food and drinks. There is a South American influenced Latino culture with appropriate musical entertainment.
The old town of Santa Cruz
Stroll through the alleys of the old town. Starting point can be the TEA or the Plaza de España. More to follow.
Museo de Naturaleza y Arqueología
The Museum of the natural history of the islands with mummies and artifacts from the culture of the native Guanches. Worthwhile also because of the medially very well prepared representation and explanation to the origin of the Canary volcanic islands. I recommend to start with this exhibition. The museum is very large and one is quickly overloaded with the multitude of objects and topics.
Puerto de la Cruz
Jardin Botanico
The popular botanical garden in the La Paz district. Wonderful plants from all tropical and subtropical countries.
Loro Park
Advertising superfluous, you can not escape the marketing of the park. Worth seeing.
Old town with harbor
Stroll through the city. There is much to discover. Let yourself drift. More to follow.
Museum of Contemporary Art Eduardo Westerdahl
If you like museums, visit the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Eduardo Westerdahl (MACEW). It is located in the port of Puerto de la Cruz.
Taoro Park
Beautiful city park with good views above the center. Lots of stair climbing. Musical events in the park above in summer.
La Laguna
Former capital of the island. Blueprint for colonial architecture in South America. University town with slightly alternative flair. Many restaurants and some clubs with live music. The city suffers and frequent bad weather, i.e. it is cloudy, it rains and it is cold. Dress warmly! More info to follow.
Los Gigantes
Spectacular cliffs in the far north. The best view from sea level is from Faro de Teno, which you can reach by shuttle bus from Buenavista del Norte. Access by own car is no longer allowed. At the lighthouse you can take boats along the cliffs or rent kayaks.
Boats for dolphin whale watching leave from Los Gigantes. Lohnens Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Garachico
"Perhaps the most beautiful village in Tenerife" according to the village's self-advertisement at the entrance to the village. Garachico was once the largest and most important port on the island until May 5, 1706, when the Garachico volcano erupted and poured its lava into the harbor basin. After that the merchants moved to Puerto de la Cruz. Also interesting is the story about the uprising of the winegrowers against the English, who wanted to establish a trade monopoly for the popular Malvasia wine - and failed because of the resistance. There is a monument to this at the entrance to the village. The details of the story will follow in another post soon.
The village inspires with its architecture in the old, Canarian style. In the center is the beautiful Plaza de la Libertad, where you can linger over a coffee under giant Ficus India. In the village good restaurants as well as the one of the best ice cream parlors, of course Italian, on the island: La Fragola. In the alleys you will find many boutiques with handicrafts, as well as the unique cigar factory Tabacos Arturo, which produces very good cigars by hand. My YouTube Video.
Bajamar
Piscinas Natural Bajamar
The pools are large and offer safe swimming right next to the moving Atlantic Ocean. It is especially spectacular during storms when the waves crash over the wall.
El Sauzal
The "nicer" neighboring community of Tacoronte with high priced, classy residential neighborhood. Many restaurants are located in Tacoronte, see also the Restaurants page. In El Sauzal, behind the Ayuntamiento, there is a well-equipped, modern theater where various events (not only theater) take place. Information and program of the Teatro El Sauzal can be found here.
In the Parque de los Lavadores you can linger, enjoy the views and stop at a small café. You should visit the Casa del Vino with very informative content about wine growing on Tenerife (Tacoronte - Acentejo is the center of wine growing). The Old Canarian House (Finca) also offers wine tastings with a wine store. In the same building is the gourmet restaurant Xarko. Good food and the regional wines with great views over the Atlantic Ocean and Puerto de la Cruz. Outdoor terrace in good weather, bring a jacket.
Tacoronte - Mesa del Mar
Tacoronte, the ugly duckling in the north of Tenerife. This is the impression you get during your first visit, if you only drive through the town on the main street. One bank next to the other, various stores and a wild architecture of the 60s and 70s. Already forgotten is the fact that Mesa del Mar was once the nucleus for a Canary Islands vacation. Unfortunately, it must be said openly, the center is not beautiful. However, there is a lot to see in the municipality and its towns. Especially Mesa del Mar, where the vacation apartments are located. This part of the village is located between sea level to about 350 m and offers great views,especially from Cliffhanger but also from Jacaranda. And in Mesa del Mar you can find the beautiful beach Playa de Arena and the natural pool. Next door, the fishing village of El Pris invites you to enjoy fresh fish on the boardwalk and talk to the local people. Parque Hamilton is also very nice and leads to the main square where the local government is located. A nice walk. A detailed description of each of the attractions follows.
Places to Visit:
