Tenerife

The largest of the Canary Islands, with Mount Teide — Spain's highest peak — whale watching beneath the Los Gigantes cliffs and spring-like beaches year-round; a top winter-sun escape for Europeans.

Tenerife is the largest and most populous of Spain's Canary Islands, lying in the Atlantic about 300 km off the west coast of Africa. The island is about 80 km long and entirely volcanic; at its centre, Mount Teide rises to 3,715 m, the highest point in Spain. Thanks to the trade winds and ocean currents, temperatures hover around 18–26°C all year, earning it the nickname “Island of Eternal Spring”, and winter is peak season for Europeans escaping the cold. The north is humid, often cloudy and lushly green, while the south is dry and sunny, with most of the beaches. Main areas: Teide National Park in the centre (cable car, Roques de García, the Paisaje Lunar); Puerto de la Cruz, La Orotava and Loro Parque in the north; Garachico, the Drago Milenario of Icod de los Vinos, Masca and the Teno mountains in the northwest; whale watching off the Los Gigantes cliffs on the west coast; Playa de las Américas, Costa Adeje and Siam Park in the south; and in the northeast, the capital Santa Cruz, the World Heritage old town of San Cristóbal de La Laguna and the Anaga mountains. Getting there: the island has two airports, North (TFN) and South (TFS), with most international flights using the South; TITSA buses cover the whole island, but a car is best for the national park, Masca and other mountain areas. Allow 5–7 days, splitting your stay between the north and south. Tips: climbing to Teide's summit requires a permit applied for in advance, and the Masca and Barranco del Infierno trails require booking; temperatures differ greatly between the mountains and the coast, so bring a jacket; some coasts have big waves and strong currents, so swim only at lifeguarded beaches.

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Itineraries