Recommended Sailing
View Details
Visiting from {destination_country}? {destination_flag}
Go to SiteCruises to Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, reveal one surprise after another. Snow-dusted Mount Teide has a way of stealing the scene. Aside from Spain’s highest peak, you can expect a landscape of banana plantations, laurel forests formed millions of years ago, deep ravines, and tiny villages that time seems to have forgotten.
Buzzing, culture-packed cities like Santa Cruz contrast with sleepy farming communities and impossibly photogenic towns like 15th-century La Laguna, where houses in brilliant colors line streets laid out in one of the first grid systems. There’s hearty island cuisine to try—as well as tapas and fresh seafood, of course—and fruity local wines to sample. Beaches sparkle with black, volcanic sand, while hiking trails wind across mountainous landscapes. And for the ultimate island bragging rights? Ride the cable car up Teide when the peak is dusted with snow, throw a snowball or two, then spend your afternoon topping up your tan on the sand.
Spain’s tallest mountain, at 12,198 feet, Teide dominates the landscape of Tenerife, its lower slopes a riot of wildflowers in spring, its bare peak often draped in snow. Ride the aerial tram to 11,660 feet and explore the volcano’s stark, lunar landscape; from here, you can see all the other islands scattered across the deep-blue ocean. Visit the world’s largest solar observatory to learn about the sun. Or, with a permit, join a guided hike to the summit and gaze down into the vast crater.
In Santa Cruz, check out the art exhibits at Tenerife Espacio de las Artes and the 16th-century Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepcion. Admire the curvy, shimmering Opera House by superstar architect Santiago Calatrava, and visit the lush Palmetum botanical garden with more than 600 species of palm. Nearby, the streets of historic La Laguna are lined with colorful mansions and cool boutiques. On the north coast, stately Puerto de la Cruz is all leafy plazas, seafront boardwalks, and historic churches.
For the unique experience of sunbathing on black sand, head to gorgeous Playa Jardin at Puerto de la Cruz. The colorful gardens, stone trails, and waterfalls frame the three sparkling coves designed by legendary Lanzarote architect Cesar Manrique. Las Teresitas, against a backdrop of mountains, features golden sand imported from the Sahara Desert—a novelty on this volcanic island and popular with locals.
Please, come back later to show you what we have available
In the remote Teno Rural Park in the northwest, you can combine hiking with local culture. This lush landscape of laurel forests, pasture, green mountains, and deep, cactus-filled ravines is where traditional farming methods are preserved. After your walk, visit a goat farmer to taste his award-winning cheeses and sample locally produced food and wine over lunch at the Mirador de Garachico restaurant, with jaw-dropping views across the island and ocean.
Feel the wind in your hair as you speed in a 4x4 across the dramatic moonscapes of Las Cañadas del Teide National Park, the towering, snow-capped Teide at its heart. As well as learning about the vegetation that thrives on Teide’s lower slopes, you’ll be in awe of the starkly beautiful lava fields dotted with bizarre rock formations in a landscape that appears frozen in time. Little wonder that multiple space-themed movies have been shot in this otherworldly landscape.
Immerse yourself in some of the island’s most beautiful scenery in the Anaga Mountains, north of Santa Cruz. Step back in time at adorable Taganana, a tiny village filled with traditional rural architecture and surrounded by steep, terraced fields. Continue to Pico del Inglés for jaw-dropping views across the serrated mountains and, on a clear day, to Gran Canaria. At Monte de Las Mercedes, you’ll see the astonishing, often cloud-swathed laurel forest, its origins dating back millions of years.
Food in Tenerife is influenced by the cuisines of Spain and North Africa and makes the most of the abundant fruits and vegetables that thrive in the subtropical climate. One of the most iconic dishes is papas arrugadas, or “wrinkled potatoes”, boiled potatoes with their skins on, served with salt and mojo rojo, a fiery, chili pepper and garlic sauce. Garbanzada is a flavor-packed stew of garbanzo beans, simmered with pork and pancetta, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and white wine. Conejo en salmorejo, meanwhile, is a hearty rabbit stew served with crusty bread and papas arrugadas.
You’ll see plenty of fish on the menu, too. Caldo de pescado is a hearty fish broth packed with spices, while churros de pescado are gourmet fish fingers of grouper that are marinated, coated in batter, and fried. Still hungry? Bienmesabe is a spongy honey, egg, and almond dish, flavored with lemon zest and cinnamon. Don’t forget the wine—Tenerife has more than 100 wineries and is especially known for its white from the Malvasia, Listán Blanco, and Moscatel.
The island of Tenerife was formed some 12 million years ago as part of a volcanic archipelago off the coast of northwest Africa. The first inhabitants were the Guanches, who arrived in the first millennium BC. The Spanish arrived around 1494, and the islands became an important trading hub between Europe and the Americas. The territory was coveted by the British, who attempted an invasion in 1797, which failed; Admiral Horatio Nelson lost an arm in the battle. The cannon said to be responsible for the disaster is housed in the Military Museum in Santa Cruz.
Many Canarians emigrated to the New World, especially to Cuba and Venezuela, under the harsh regime of Franco in Spain between 1939 and 1975. There was inward migration, too, which is why the islands still feel a connection to Latin America. Today, the Canary Islands are an autonomous community made up of two provinces, one of which is Santa Cruz de Tenerife, governed by its own council, or cabildo.
Ships dock at the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the island’s capital, located in the far northeast. The port is one of the biggest in Spain, so if your ship is on one of the outer berths, there will be free shuttle buses either to the port gates or to the downtown Plaza de España.
There’s little to do at the port itself as it’s a busy industrial facility, although you will find restrooms and a small duty-free shop. Most visitors pick up a taxi at the port gates, take the shuttle, walk the 20 minutes or so into the city, or join an excursion.
Tenerife has an impressive public transportation network, and you can reach quite a few places independently from the port in Santa Cruz.
The best beach in the area, the long, golden Playa de las Teresitas, is a short bus journey away, while Tram Line 1 takes you to enchanting La Laguna, the former capital of the island, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Car rental is available near the port gates, should you wish to explore independently.
There are plenty of authentic souvenirs to look for in Tenerife beyond the usual fridge magnets. Pick up a beautiful manta esperancera, a colorful woolen shawl, or a piece of delicate calado embroidery. You’ll find beauty and after-sun products made from locally grown aloe vera, as well as decorated pottery and ceramics.
Edible souvenirs include smoked or cured cheese, jars of spicy red or green mojo, ready-made bienmesabe paste, and delicious island honey, which has its own designation of origin. The best place to buy these is the city’s Nuestra Señora de Africa gourmet market, packed with mouthwatering displays of island produce.
The currency in Tenerife, which is part of Spain, is the euro. You will find ATMs in all the major towns, and most vendors will accept cards. Tenerife does not have a big tipping culture; in a restaurant, 5-10% of the bill is appreciated for good service, while you can round up the fare in a taxi. It’s not necessary to tip bartenders.
Previewing: Promo Dashboard Campaigns Loading date...