Tenerife holidays

The northern extension of Playa de las Americas, Costa Adeje’s main attraction is the Puerto Colón marina from where there are numerous boat excursions and water sports. Nightlife is quiet and the resort’s championship golf course is one of the best in the Canary Islands. Just inland is the relatively unspoiled village of Adeje and, near here, the Barranco del Infierno (Hell’s Gorge), a picturesque lush ravine, very popular with walkers.

The old fishing harbour teems with pleasure boats, fishing boats, and ferries chugging to and from La Gomera; a day trip here is highly recommended. To either side of the port lie two large man-made beaches. Although Los Cristianos is an unashamed fun-and-sun family resort, some vestiges of the old settlement remain amidst the many hotels, pubs, clubs, shops and restaurants. There are several attractions close by in Playa de las Américas.

Famous for its boisterous nightlife, Playa de las Américas attracts youthful revellers, as well as budget family holidaymakers, from all over northern Europe. By day the young slumber on the black-sand beach while families can enjoy one of the many attractions such as the dolphin show at Octopus Aquapark, or Parque las Aguilas (Eagles Park) to see free-flying birds of prey. A boat trip from neighbouring Los Cristianos to La Gomera is recommended.

Tenerife’s longest established and most complete resort, “Puerto” offers bags of local colour as well as several top-class visitor attractions. Most famous is Loro Parque (Parrot Park), one of the finest wildlife-theme parks outside of Florida with world-class exhibitions of marine life, penguins, primates, and, of course, parrots. Sunbathers head to the flamboyantly landscaped Lago Martiánez lido, or the black-sand Playa Jardin beach.

The capital of Tenerife, Santa Cruz is a busy, largely modern city visited by day trippers. It is a good place to stay if you wish to avoid the island’s more touristy aspects. The shopping is excellent (particularly the daily market), golden San Andres beach is the most attractive on Tenerife, and there is a wide choice of authentic Canarian bars and restaurants. Plaza del Principe is a charming square, home to the Municipal Museum of Fine Arts.