Welcome to Tenerife
Famed for its southern resorts (and not always in a good way), the joy of Tenerife is that it offers so much more than just another sun-flop on the beach. For a true taste of Tenerife, consider dramatic volcanic scenery, colourful colonial towns, world-class museums, sophisticated dining and earthy local bars where you'll still need Spanish to order a beer.
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TenerifeTop Sights
The awesome Pico del Teide (3718m) is the highest mountain in the Canary Islands, the highest mountain in Spain and, along with its extraordinary surrounding national park, will undoubtedly be the highlight of your trip to Tenerife.
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Tenerife Top Sights
This Santa Cruz museum has superb exhibits about Tenerifes natural history, plus archaeology, anthropology and fascinating informative displays about the indigenous Guanche population.
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Tenerife Top Sights
The edgy-industrial architecture of Santa Cruz de Tenerifes largest contemporary art space reflects the exhibitions, including works by Canarian scar Domnguez and an emphasis on social documentary and audiovisual presentations.
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Tenerife Top Sights
La Lagunas historic centre is lined with 17th- and 18th-century ancestral mansions which, like the Museo de Historia, are distinctive for their colourful and decorative frontages.
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Tenerife Top Sights
This lush botanical garden is home to plant varieties from all over the world and has an illustrious history. It is one of several magnificent gardens in Puerto de la Cruz.
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Tenerife Top Sights
This splendid example of La Orotavas mansions dates back to the 17th century and is a fine taster of this towns sumptuous colonial-style architecture.
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Tenerife Top Sights
This wonderful Santa Cruz market has history and atmosphere, as well as a great range of stalls selling everything from local banana wine to fragrant bunches of herbs and freshly baked bread.
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Tenerife Top Sights
Forget the tidal wave of costly and contrived theme parks and head to the sea instead: the waters warm, the sun is (probably) shining and the watersports scene is awash with choice.
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TenerifeLocal Life
Insider tips to help you find the real Tenerife
To really get under the skin of this island, take to the streets to experience such evocative and typically Tenerife delights as early-morning markets, chic shopping streets, shady squares and seafood as fresh as the mornings catch.
Old-fashioned stores
Traditional dishes
Santa Cruz is a traditional working city. For travellers grown weary of souvenir tat and bland international fare, there are plenty of small family-owned shops to explore, and authentic spots to sample traditional Canarian cuisine.
Holy Candelaria
Religious Traditions
Tapas Trail
Visit this extraordinary coastal village overshadowed by a mighty basilica and home to an intriguing combination of small shops, seafood restaurants and a steady stream of pilgrims.
Baslica de Nuestra Seora de Candelaria Chris Hepburn/Getty Images
Gourmet Markets
Lively Bars
Markets are an important part of daily life in La Laguna, just as bars are an important part of post-dusk partying. Experience them both over a long day (and night) out.
Fresh-off-the-Boat Seafood
Seaview Terraces
A former fishing village, Puerto de la Cruz still retains a strong seafaring tradition with superb fresh seafood and an atmospheric harbour.
Traditional craftsmanship
Tascas (tapas bars)
Admire La Orotava's colonial-style buildings and traditional crafts (and tascas) untouched by time.
Local bars
Independent shops