Tenerife: from surfing a wave to the top of the Teide volcano, from diving with turtles to the Anaga mountains

WHERE?

Tenerife, Canary Islands.

 

WHEN:

Feb-March-April 2021

TIPS:

On the plane: From “Europe” (France etc) to Tenerife On the Plane: seat on the right side to see Tenerife, on the left to see La Gomera

How to go from the airport north to the south of the island?

  • Rent a car at the airport, it’s like 30-40 euros

  • A taxi: 80 euros

  • Bus: to Santa Cruz and then to the south (there is a direct bus but it was closed during covid), 10euros. Follow the indications to the bus stop and there is a map and a machine explaining everything.


Where to stay?

If you want a big blue sky, palm trees, and surf, go to the south, near Las Americas and Los Cristianos. BUT it is also the most tourist place, with a lot of “all-inclusive hotels” and “1euros pint” bars. It can be very very noisy at night so choose wisely your location.

If you want a more “local” feeling, go to the west coast, between Adeje and Punta del Hidalgo. BUT know that the more north you go, the more cloudy and the cold it will get. Seriously the temperature can drop.

The northwest is gorgeous too, way less touristic, and was more practical to go hiking in the Anaga park. I recommend Bajara or Punta del Hidalgo because you can also surf there!

Don’t go to the east coast, from Playa Teresitas to Los Cristianos, the landscape is not the best and no local feeling.

What to eat?

Local AND veggie?

  • Barriquito cafe 

  • Gofio

  • Papas arrugadas

  • Pimientos del padron

  • Queso a la plancha 

  • Honey Rhum

  • Local Mango, banana and avocado if it’s the season


RESTAURANTS

Restaurants - Las Americas / Los Cristianos

  • Tierra restaurant et BOUTIQUE - veggie and healthy food

My favorite place here maybe. So many healthy and veggie options. Perfect for brunch. Everything good. There is also a boutique next to it with only vegan, bio, sustainable products. They have burgers, buddha bowls, salads, coconut milk cappuccino.

Just delicious… vegan and veggie options. The burger is delicious. Book in advance.

This is THE trendy spot to be in Las Americas. It is the restaurant of the famous Monkey Beach Club. The decor is great, but yes it is “hype” and “chic” so more expensive. They have one “arroz de verduras”that is good. BUT the best ever is the cheesecake, one of the best in my life ;) Book in advance.

  • Monkey beach club - bar

THE trendy bar. Great view over the ocean, superb decor, but very posh. Up to you if you like this kind of place. I do from time to time ;)

Another trendy spot. Great, great spot to chill all day, with sun chairs and a “natural pool”. Perfect for sunset, with some DJ sets in the background. Good cocktails

A LOT of veggie and vegan options. Tacos, buddha bowls, burgers etc etc. They are super nice and no plastic!

Really nice set up facing one of the surf spots, close to the main parking, great decoration, nice staff, and veggie/vegan options”. The smoothie and açai bowls are huge!

Super chill spot. Yes, it’s the restaurant of a hotel but it’s isolated and simple. The staff is nice and they are ok to adjust the salad so they become veggie.

It is inside a small shopping center so definitely not the best decor but the owner is very nice and the food was very good and well presented. I recommend the masala curry.
Maybe a good take away option!

Good Lebanese food and the staff is super nice! I recommend the “vegetarian mix” (14,5euros) to test different things. They have a lot of veggie options!

  • Dedos - burgers

Personnel au top. Good vegan Burger and spiced fries, great brownie.

  • Restaurante Mayte - All kind of food

Typical tourist spot but great view and nice staff. We took a veggie pizza and the pasta with spinach and ricotta and it was ok! Go during the day or at sunset.

Do not trust the name, they do have veggie options! We took a mix of veggie tapas. I recommend the goat cheese one and the pimientos. The tortilla was not the best though so maybe don’t take it here. The bruschetta and the cheesecake were ok.

  • Deep blue - All food

The typical touristic restaurant BUT they do have a great view on the beach, the surfers and the sunset. Comfy seats, nice staff, and a large choice of food and drinks. Good Aperol spritz and the “paella de verduras” was actually ok! Go at day time for the view or at sunset

  • Vilaflor - all kind of food

Another super typical touristic spot BUT once again a great view, a nice staff, and comfy seats.
I only took a cappuccino but really enjoyed some chill time there. Go at day time for the view or at sunset

Chill spot by the ocean. Good Aperol spritz. Great for sunset.

It was closed while I was there but I went to the spot and what a great location!

Good but a bit pricey. I recommend the Palak Paneer and the cheese naan

Restaurants - Santa Cruz

A sunny terrasse until 3 pm. Nice decor inside so even for diner it can be nice. Beautiful table set. I took the Ensalada de burrata and it was good! They also have vegan pizzas. The desert “Polvito uruguayo” is just delicious.

Perfect for a snack, a dessert, or brunch. Lots of veggie/vegan options. 


Restaurant - Teide

If you go to the Teide, it’s the closest restaurant and it has a great view!

Restaurant - Masca

Super nice spot, amazing view, good choices of food”. They have a veggie salad. The patatas are really good. There are a lot of different restaurants in Masca but it was the only one open. Still, it was great. 

Restaurant - San Cristobal de la Laguna

Restaurant in the San Cristobal museum. Super cute patio! Call to book and to ask to be outside.

RESTAURANTS - LOS GIGANTES

Cute small restaurant. They have good sandwiches so I would say take away (ask no plastic bags!) and go to the beach 100m from there.

Located in a super cute place. The staff is really nice and it’s local food.

EXPLORE


Santa Cruz de Tenerife: some cute streets but not really worth it compare to San Cristobal de la Laguna. You can miss this city if you do not have enough time.

Masca: what an adorable village. One of my favorite spots on the island. The road there is super curvy and not the easiest one to drive, be careful. Make sure to walk through the little village. So many hikes start for the area.
I WILL ADD THE HIKING ROUTES WE DID, JUST MESSAGE ME IF YOU NEED THEM BEFORE.

San Cristobal de la Laguna: Typical and historical city. UNESCO city. Make sure to take walk along the 3-4 most typical roads. If you have time, many cuts places with local bars, perfect for a break.

El Sauzal: Go to the cute village main square and have lunch or at least just a coffee/drink at the restaurant Terrazas del Sauzal! Maybe my favorite one on the island.

Anaga Park: Just gorgeous. So many roads and ways to discover it. Make sure to cross it from Santa Cruz to Roques de las Bodegas.
Take your time, many spots to stop along the way.
Small and curvy roads, just be aware in case you don’t like driving!
I WILL ADD THE HIKING ROUTES WE DID, JUST MESSAGE ME IF YOU NEED THEM BEFORE.

Drago de Icod de los Vinos: I had never see such a tree before

Cueva del viento: Impressive. book online  

Teide: You HAVE TO GO. The second tallest volcano in the world. Amazing views, so many hikes. You can go to the top by cable car (book online before and check the weather/wind) and you need a special permit to go to the top. Try to come from one side of the island and drive down from the other side, because all roads going to The Teide are insane. I WILL ADD THE HIKING ROUTES WE DID, JUST MESSAGE ME IF YOU NEED THEM BEFORE.


PLAYAS:

  • SOUTH: Mainly rocks and a lots of tourists, BUT amazing for surfing (perfect for beginners on playa las Americas, see surfing section below).
    Nice walk from Playa Las Americas to Playa del Duque.
    Playa de las vistas and Playa del Camison are the typical white sand beaches.
    Playa de Troya is a black sand beach.

  • SOUTH-WEST - Los Gigantes: What a view! Super nice black sand beach with a view on the famous and majesties cliffs. Highly recommend. Park here and walk. You can rent sun shares for 5euros a day! You can also rent paddles and kayaks at Nautilo´s SUP. BOOK in advance to rent!

  • SOUTH-EAST - El Medano: Super famous spot for kitesurfing. Don’t go to chill on a windy day!

  • NORTH-WEST: So many beautiful black sand beaches.
    Playa almáciga: beautiful black sand beach and a great spot for surfing.
    Roque de las bodegas: so gorgeous

  • NORTH-EAST - Las teresitas: The most famous beach in Tenerife. Impressive but all the cruise boats parked close by waste the view

LAS PISCINAS:

All along the coast, you have access to the ocean by the volcanic rocks that create natural pools. Example: El Caletón, great with the sunset light too!


SUNSETS:

All along the west/south coast, some amazing spots!
In the south for a sunset drink:

ACTIVITIES:


SURF:
Check the season and the forecast but Tenerife is great for surfing! In the south around las Americas there are a lot of spots and for all levels. In the north around Bajamar, you also have great spots but bigger waves and more difficult.

  • Surf lessons - Las Americas
    I highly recommend Umberto (+34637838660) from Volcano Surf Camp. Tell him you come from me!

  • Surf Lessons - Punta del Hidalgo
    I recommend Gonzalo from Ocadila

WHALE WATCHING:

I recommend in priority Atlantic Eco Experience. Super nice crew and they work with local and national marine protection organizations so they respect the animals. David and Higenio were just adorable and know a lot! We also went with Watersafarimoi and they were adorable too.
Most probably you will see pilot whales and dolphins!

DIVING:

Tenerife is a great spot to dive! I highly recommend Atlantic Eco Experience. David is an amazing instructor and really care about the marine life (be careful, many diving centers do feeding)


HIKING:

OMG… So So SO many options… I will just list the ones I have done.
Remark: it easily gets cold!

  • Barranco del infierno:

6,5Km, 3h in total, chill, easy hike, the path is well delimited, beautiful views! You need to book a ticket online in advance (8,5euros the ticket).

  • Anaga park:

There are just so many hikes there.
A good list here. We did the Mirador Cruz del Carmen with the Sendero de Los Sentidos and the Sendero hija. Super easy paths, short ones, you can do it chill in family, or running (what we did ^^).

I also recommend Cambada. On the way make sure to stop at Mirador de la Jardina, beautiful view!

We also did the hike Chamorga - Casas blancas - Faro de Anaga - Cruz del Draguillo - Chamorga. It was just insanely gorgeous. It’s a good 14k but you can make it shorter by not going to Cruz del Draguillo. It is not the easiest hike but seriously one of the most beautiful ones I have done. You start in Charmorga and go through the Barranco until Casas Blancas, an ADORABLE village (we could leave here). Btw, there is an old man selling fresh soda and beers there. There is a beautiful black sand beach, take your swimsuit for a break! Then the hike really starts, all the way to the Lighthouse and then to different summits, until back at Chamorga and then you just want to go to the local bar for a leche leche.

  • Teide park:

So many hikes all around! We did not go to the top because we wanted to hike there all the way and did not have the right equipment. There is a refuge but it was close because of covid. You have to ask for a permit to hike to the top. Go can hike all the way or you take the cable car and walk the last section (it is still a good walk apparently). You need to book online the ticket for the cable car  (21euros). It is often close because of the wind but they reimburse you. They let you know on the d-day at 8 am if the cable is open. Don’t forget the sunscreen! It is often super sunny there! And the jackets, it is also super cold up there!

Guajara Mount: Gorgeous hike! You start from Paradores Cañadas del Teide and follow the path (the start is on the right when you look at the Parador) until the top of the mount. Insane view all along the way and at the end you face the Teide! It is a loop so super nice and it is well indicated. Intermediate level 

Sendero Roques de Garcia: A beautiful and easy 1h walk around the famous rocks.

  • Teno - Punta de Teno - Teno

This hike looked amazing but once we arrived in Teno it was raining, stormy and windy, we could not see a lot and we were not equipped at all. So we drove to the start of the road to Punta de Teno (be careful, you can only access on certain days and time by car, bus there is a shuttle leaving from the village). Check online for the route.

  • Punta del Hidalgo

So many hikes start from there too.

  • Masca - Los Gigantes:

Really famous hike but it was close when we were there. You need to book a ticket online.

PARAGLIDING:

Tenerife is known as a Paragliding spot. I went with Excursions Jesus. Stefania is managing the bookings: +34602534417

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, YOU CAN TEXT ME VIA INSTAGRAM: @MC_FOLLOWSTHESUN