Canary Islands have a split personality, they are an autonomous community while simultaneously being part of Spain. They are geographically part of Africa while officially being part of Europe and the European Union. It is a place we wanted to visit for some time and with a direct flight to the US from Tenerife we decided to take the plunge in 2024. We really want to visit to see the landscapes and old towns as well as the many endemic birds especially the two endemic species of pigeons.
While known as a party location mostly Tenerife is a lot more. The most touristy area is the south with many beaches but there are many other sights to see like small historic towns, the highest peak in Spain, Teide, and nature, lots of nature.
The capital of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is worth visiting but the highlight city on the island is San Cristobal de la Laguna, an Unesco World Heritage Site. There are also many hiking trails, usually well described and marked some going through the ancient laurel forests that are under threat due to agriculture and tree cutting.
Driving is easy but there are many mountain roads where you have to take it slow and don’t speed through the switchbacks while parking can be a problem especially in the touristy towns.
Map of Travels
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Trips
- One, last, night at Playa de las Americas
The last night of our trip is spent in the tourist town of Playa de las Americas in luxury enjoying a five star hotel room, good food and a private plunge pool - Pyramids of Güímar, old or new, still interesting
We have heard a lot about the Pyramids of Güímar so we really have to stop here even if for less than one hour to see them with our own eyes - Exploring Anaga Rural Park and the Forest of Enigmas Trail
The early afternoon hours are spent exploring Anaga Rural Park and especially the Forest of Enigmas Trail a beautiful trail through the laurel forest - The classical art museum, Museo de Bellas Artes
Late afternoon we visit the Museo de Bellas Artes one of the few museums open late with an eclectic collection of art both classical and more modern - Basilica de Candelaria, a pilgrimage place
On the way to the airport we stop for an hour in Candelaria to visit the famous basilica which is hosting the Virgin of Candelaria the Patron of the Canary Islands - Museum of Nature and Archaeology
The major museum we visit today is the Museum of Nature and Archaeology with the major attraction being the Guanche mummies besides other historical artifacts - The interesting Tenerife Espacio de las Artes
We start the exploration of the capital with TEA an interesting art museum with some nice exhibits - The famous Las Teresitas Beach
In the evening we hurry to the Teresitas beach through the standstill of traffic in Santa Cruz for a quick bath in the Atlantic Ocean - Casa de Los Balcones, a magnificent mansion
The most famous attraction in La Orotava is Casa de Los Balcones an architectural gem from the 17th century and now a museum showcasing how people lived centuries ago - La Orotava, an unexpected jewel
We spend the afternoon in La Orotava a beautifully preserved hilly city that really is a workout as we explore up and down the narrow streets and beautiful mansions - Exploring the original, Puerto de la Cruz
This morning we explore Puerto de la Cruz the original tourist city on the island immmortalized by Agatha Christie - Museum of the History of Tenerife
The major museum in San Cristobal de la Laguna is the Museum of the History of Tenerife with some interesting exhibits focused on the town history - Santa Clara Museum of Sacred Art
One of the museums we visit is the small Santa Clara Museum of Sacred Art housed in a convent across a couple of floors with some impressive religious objects - Historic San Cristobal de la Laguna
We spend today exploring the Unesco WHS historic downtown of San Cristobal de la Laguna with magnificent mansions and churches - Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the island capital
We spend a few days in Santa Cruz de Tenerife however none are dedicated to explore the city proper which is visited more in chunks in the morning or evening as time permits - El Portillo Visitor Center and the Botanical Garden
We continue exploring Teide National Park stopping for multiple vistas before exploring the Botanical Gardens at the Portillo Visitor Center at the end - Exploring the Roques de Garcia
The first stop in the Teide National Park is to view the Roques de Garcia and the nearby visitor center as well as do a small hike into the volcanic desert - Finding endemics in Las Lajas Park
First stop today is Las Lajas Park which is one of the best places to see the endemic Tenerife Blue Chaffinch and other interesting birds - Finally Garachico
At the end of the day we return to the old town of Garachico for an hour of exploration of its interesting downtown area - Looking for pigeons in Barranco de Ruiz and nearby
In the afternoon we spend a couple hours exploring some natural forest areas looking for the endemic pigeons and finally finding one of them - El Drago Milenario in Icod de Los Vinos
Icod de Los Vinos is famous for the very old El Drago Milenario and the pretty historic downtown area and quite - Adeje, a historic village
We start our long day with a visit to Adeje a former capital of a guanche and a tourist city with a few interesting attractions - Finding Birds on the Erjos Water Mountain Trail
Today we have only one stop planned at the Erjos Water Mountain Trail to look for the elusive endemic pigeons and other endemic or rare birds - Arriving and living in a cave in Tenerife
For the next week we are visiting Europe in Africa otherwise known as Canary Islands with the first few days being spend in a unique cave AirBnB while exploring the south of Tenerife