Well, friends, be honest: who among us hasn’t dreamed of escaping this gray, bleak reality, with rain outside the window, snow mixed with slush, and a thermometer reading something utterly depressing? Well, to be honest, I realized at some point that I couldn’t go on living like that. My nervous system was already starting to crackle, and my soul demanded something… well, sunny, maybe.
And then, as if by the wave of a magic wand (or, rather, as suggested by a friend who had already been there and raved about it), the word “Tenerife” appeared in my life. And, damn, it was love at first sight, from the first breath of that very special air.
To hell with winter! How I fell in love with the island of eternal spring
You know, I’m not one of those people who likes to choose for a long time, read kilometers of reviews, and compare every little detail. Usually, I’m like: “Oh! I liked it! Let’s go!” And that’s exactly what happened with Tenerife. I just stumbled upon a couple of photos, read that there’s “eternal spring” and “you can swim all year round,” and that’s it – the puzzle came together. My soul, longing for warmth and bright colors, squealed with delight.
I remember when we were flying, and some gray clouds were flickering in the porthole, and I thought: “Well, we’ll arrive, and it will be just as cold as it is with us.” But the closer we got to the island, the more the sun broke through, and when we got off the plane, I was hit by such warm, gentle air that I even squinted. It was like a teleport from dreary winter straight to paradise.
No “climate adaptation” needed, no “wait a couple of days.” Immediately – warmth, sunshine, and smiles. Now that’s what I call service!
Tenerife: An island where eternal summer is not a myth, but a fact
The first thing that strikes you in Tenerife is, of course, the weather. It’s not called the island of eternal spring for nothing. The average temperature there seems to be stuck at +22-25°C all year round. Seriously, this is not a joke! You can come in December, and it will feel like the middle of June at home. At the same time, there is no suffocating heat, like somewhere in Egypt, and there is no nasty humidity that makes your hair live its own life. Just a perfect, comfortable climate.
But the coolest thing is how the island is divided in half by climate. The south is a “summer” region: dry, sunny, with yellow beaches and typical tourist towns like Las Americas or Costa Adeje. And the north is just another planet! It’s green, humid, often cloudy, which provides pleasant shade, and the temperature is slightly lower. It’s like two different islands connected in the middle by one big mountain (more on that later).
So if you’re tired of baking, you can jump in the car and in an hour you’ll find yourself in some Puerto de la Cruz, where everything is blooming and fragrant, and the air is so fresh that you want to drink it.
Landscapes: From Mars to the jungle (and a little bit of a domestic kitty)
This is where the real magic begins. Tenerife is not just a resort with beaches. It’s, like, a whole set of decorations for some Hollywood movie. I’ll start with what immediately catches the eye: the island is volcanic. And this is not just a line from a guidebook, it is visible at every step! Especially when you drive to the very heart of the island – the Teide volcano.
There it really feels like you’re on Mars. Red, black, reddish stones, frozen lava fields, strange plants that cling to life among this rocky chaos. It looks like a lunar landscape, but with its own unearthly flavor. It seems that a Martian will appear any moment, or, at worst, Yoda.
And then you drive north, and your eyes are simply amazed by the greenery! Lush laurel forests, banana plantations, flowering bushes that I have only seen in pictures before. Everything is so juicy, fresh, like a jungle. We even saw peacocks that were walking importantly along the side of the road, as if they were local cats.
It’s so unexpected, so contrasting, that you just can’t stop being surprised. And this mix – harsh volcanic expanses, lush greenery and, of course, the ocean – is just something. Every day you can choose in which “decoration” you want to spend your time today.
Beaches: Not just golden sands, but also cosmic black velvet
Okay, enough about the landscapes, let’s talk about the most important thing – the beaches! Of course, Tenerife has classic, “postcard” beaches with golden sand that was brought straight from the Sahara. They are mainly in the south: Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos, Faniabe. They are clean, there is plenty of space, there are all amenities, and the ocean is so gentle that you can stay there for hours. Ideal for those who like to bask in the sun, occasionally dipping into the waves.
But the feature of Tenerife is, of course, the black volcanic beaches. This is really cool! At first it’s a bit unusual when the sand under your feet is not yellow, but like… black-black, like pitch. But then you realize how cool it is. It is very fine and soft, like silk, and does not heat up as much from the sun as ordinary light sand. And the contrast of black sand with turquoise water and white foam of the waves is just something unreal.
I probably took a thousand photos there. Playa Jardin beach in Puerto de la Cruz or the beaches in the vicinity of Los Gigantes are simply a must-have. You feel like you are at some Martian resort. Imagine, you are lying on the black sand, and in front of you is the boundless Atlantic Ocean! Isn’t it beautiful?
Diving into adventures: What to do so you have stories to tell your grandchildren
Now about what to do when you have already swam and seen enough. And there are, believe me, a lot of things to do!
El Teide: How to look into space without leaving the atmosphere
This is perhaps the main attraction of the island, and it is absolutely impossible to miss it. Teide is the highest point in Spain and the third largest volcano in the world, counting from its foot on the ocean floor. A trip to Teide is already an adventure. We drove by car, and the road wound in a serpentine through the clouds. Seriously, you drive, and around you are cotton blankets of clouds, and then you emerge above them, and the sun shines so brightly that you want to close your eyes.
Up there, at an altitude of 2000 meters, the climate is completely different – it’s cool, sometimes even the wind is strong, so a jacket is a must! There you can take a funicular almost to the very top (about 3550 meters) and enjoy just stunning views. From there you can see the entire island, the neighboring Canary Islands, and if you are lucky with the weather, also the coast of Africa.
And also, if you stay there overnight (but this is only for extreme people, you need to get permission), you can watch the stars. They say that there is no sky like on Teide anywhere else. It is simply studded with billions of diamonds. In short, space is near!
Loro Parque and Siam Park: Animals, water and childish delight (not just for children)
Even if you have long outgrown childhood, these two parks will make you squeal with delight. Loro Parque is not just a zoo, it’s a whole world. It has animals from all over the world: tigers, gorillas, penguins (!!!), turtles. But the park’s hallmark is, of course, the shows. Especially the killer whale and dolphin shows. It’s so cool that it’s just breathtaking! You sit in the stands, and these huge, intelligent animals do such things that you just open your mouth. And the penguins in their Arctic pavilion are a separate song, they live there like kings, in real snow.
Siam Park is simply the best water park in the world, period. No joke. It is stylized as Thailand, and there are just crazy slides! There are also quite adrenaline-pumping ones, like the “Tower of Power” (a vertical fall from a height of 28 meters, then through an aquarium with sharks – it’s just mind-blowing!), and calmer ones, and a river with waves, and a huge pool with artificial waves where you can surf.
The whole day flies by unnoticed, and you come out of there wet, tired, but absolutely happy and full of impressions. A must-visit if you like thrills!
Masca: Pirate Bay, where the road is already an adventure
This place is for those who love scenic serpentines and want to see something unique. Masca is a tiny but incredibly photogenic village, lost in the mountains, in the northwest of the island. It is said that this used to be a haven for pirates. The road there is a separate quest: narrow, winding, with incredible cliffs and such turns that an inexperienced driver can sweat everything that is possible.
The views that open up from this road are simply impossible to describe in words. Deep gorges, steep slopes dotted with greenery, and the blue-blue ocean below. The village itself is very cute, with stone houses, a tiny church and a couple of cafes. From there you can go down the gorge to the sea (this is a many-hour hike, for trained people) or just enjoy the views, drink coffee and feel like a real explorer.
Taste buds: Gastronomic discoveries (and where to find the true paella)
Well, what kind of vacation is complete without delicious food, right? Everything is fine with this in Tenerife. Firstly, of course, seafood. The island is surrounded by the ocean, so everything is fresh. Fish, octopuses, shrimps, mussels – everything your heart desires, cooked simply, but very tasty.
Be sure to try “papas arrugadas” – this is such a feature of the Canary Islands. Potatoes, boiled in very salty water right with the peel, then they are slightly dried, and they are covered with such a white crust. It is served with two sauces: red “mojo rojo” (spicy, with pepper) and green “mojo verde” (with cilantro). It’s just a bomb! I probably ate a ton of these potatoes.
And they also love goat (cabrito) here, and they cook it so that the meat simply melts in your mouth. And if you like wine, then the local Canarian wine is a separate discovery. It is so light, fragrant, with a slight acidity. And, of course, Spanish tapas! These small snacks that you can order a little at a time and try everything in a row. Hamon, cheeses, olives, meatballs, calamari.
And here’s a life hack: if you want to try real, homemade paella, look for small, inconspicuous cafes where locals sit, not tourist restaurants on the embankments. That’s where the truth lies! And, of course, don’t forget about sangria – this refreshing fruit brew is just perfect for a hot evening.
Atmosphere: Calmness, only calmness!
And finally, the most important thing is the atmosphere. There is such a relaxed, calm atmosphere in Tenerife that you literally forget about all your problems from the first day. People are in no hurry, smile, are always ready to help. No fuss, no nerves. Everything is safe, calm.
You can walk at night without fear, drive a car anywhere. There is no feeling that you constantly have to be on your guard. This is a place where you can truly exhale and just enjoy life. It seems that even the air here is special – it smells of the ocean, flowers and happiness.
Well, are we packing our bags?
In general, what can I say? Tenerife is not just an island. It’s a whole universe that has everything you need for a perfect vacation: sun, ocean, mountains, volcanoes, amazing nature, delicious food and an incredibly friendly atmosphere. This is a place where you want to return again and again, where every day brings new discoveries and where you truly relax both your soul and body.
If you are still hesitating where to go next time, just take my word for it. Forget about deadlines, traffic jams, the fact that it’s winter outside. Tenerife is waiting for you. And I’m almost sure that you, like me, will fall in love with this island of eternal spring at first sight. Well, are we packing our bags? I’m already ready!
