Every place, every corner, every point on a map, however small, has something that makes it unique, its essence. And the most beautiful of traveling is to collect the particularities of each place we visited, like photos or postcards, and this make the experience authentic. So if you come to Tenerife, there are five essential activities you must place as high as possible on your list of things to do.
What this island and the Canary Islands have in general, is that it has much to offer that you could visit again and again and keep discovering a new hiding place, a new viewpoint from which to watch the sea, a new trail to walk … Every stone on the way, every tree, every scent has a story to tell.
But if you have only a few days and want to know how to get the most out of them, be careful: you know you can enjoy beautiful beaches, breathtaking scenery, natural parks, charming villages and good food, but besides all that, you should know there are experiences you cannot miss if you want to be a true connoisseur of the wonders of the island of Tenerife.
See the carpets of sand and flowers in La Orotava
The festival that takes place in the octave of Corpus Christi in the municipality of the town of La Orotava. It is a unique event in the world: the local people go on the streets and elaborate carpets of flowers and volcanic all morning so that at sunset they are walked on in a religious ceremony.
Since the early twentieth century is also manufactured a large carpet of sand on the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, a work of fleeting art, which remains intact only a few days, ever since the celebration concludes.
The explosion of colors, the smell of heather, and the cheerful and festive atmosphere every Thursday of the festivals make it an occasion that visitors and orotavenses expect and look forward to year after year.
It may happen that you cannot match your trip with this celebration, which almost always falls in June, then you still got the option of visiting the Museum of Carpets. It is located in an old, typical house in the area, between the famous Casa de los Balcones and the Casa del Turista, and jealously guards inside the history of the festivity of the carpets in La Orotava.
Step on the highest point of Spain
Only on Tenerife you can step on the highest point in Spain, El Teide, a volcano 3718 meters high. It is asleep, but still active.
You can access the top by foot or by cable car, and the views from the top form an impressive panorama of the entire archipelago. Also, if you stay overnight in Altavista Refuge, near the peak, you can enjoy the sunrise from the heights.
And if it’s already incredible to stand at the highest point of the country, the more it is to know that there is still volcanic activity beneath your feet. No need to imagine, you can smell the sulfur and see with your own eyes the fumaroles in the crater.
It is the third highest volcanic structure of the Earth, and you can step on and walk on it!
It is, without doubt, an unmissable experience if you visit the island of Tenerife.
Paragliding from the mountain to the beach
It is rare to be in a matter of hours, or even less, both in the mountains and on the beach. On Tenerife this is not only possible but you can do it by signing up for an adventure that you will remember a lifetime: a paragliding trip.
The northern part of the island, in the Orotava Valley, is ideal for a ride height where you can enjoy beautiful views of green trees, mountains and sea.
The route, with takeoff at Izaña in Teide National Park and landing in the coastal town of Puerto de la Cruz, is one of the most beautiful and considered one of the best flights in the country.
Watch the night sky
The sky of is the canarian islands is considered one of the best skies in the world for stargazing, and Tenerife offers places more than optimal for the development of this activity.
If you feel admiration for astronomy you cannot miss the opportunity of your trip to Tenerife to admire the beauty of this little corner of the planet.
The climate and geographical features of the area allow a clear and transparent sky, and the Canaries is a pioneer in research in this regard thanks to the Canary Islands Astrophysics Institute (IAC), which has large telescopes at observatories of Mount Teide and the Roque de los Muchachos, the latter on the island of La Palma.
So, on your own or with a guide, climb to the Teide National Park at sunset and let the stars conquer you.
Eating at a guachinche
You may have not heard this word ever before, but you learn it well if you visit Tenerife. The north of the island is full of small bars of rustic nature, run by locals and very good traditional food and fine wines, so called, guachinches.
They do not have very extensive menus, only a few dishes, but everything is delicious; protagonists are usually meat, gofio and homegrown wine.
Wherever you look in the northern towns, you’ll find some, and you will notice that are filled with people of Tenerife who enjoy every weekend the typical cuisine of the island and good company.
Do not underestimate this plan because, really, a more authentic experience will be difficult to find.
These are the five experiences that you can not miss in Tenerife during your visit to the island. Enjoy them during your stay here and live them all because they will radically change your trip.
