Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands and one of the most geographically dramatic islands in the Atlantic. At its center rises Mount Teide, Spain's highest peak at 3,718 meters, surrounded by a vast volcanic caldera that feels more like another planet than a holiday island. The contrast between the lush, green north and the sun-baked south gives Tenerife a split personality that rewards exploration.
The north is built around Puerto de la Cruz, the oldest tourist center in the Canaries. Since the 19th century, visitors have come here for the mild climate and the fertile Orotava valley, where banana plantations cascade down hillsides toward the sea. The town itself has genuine character: a historic harbor, the extraordinary Lake Martianez swimming complex designed by Lanzarote artist Cesar Manrique, and the excellent Loro Parque zoo. Further west, Icod de los Vinos has the island's famous dragon tree and the Cueva del Viento lava tube. Above the coast, the Anaga mountains offer some of the best hiking in the archipelago through ancient laurel forests.
The south is drier, sunnier, and more resort-oriented. Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos sprawl along the coast with a wide selection of restaurants, bars, and beaches. Further along the coast, El Médano is one of Europe's top windsurfing spots, and quieter resorts like Costa del Silencio offer a more relaxed pace. The stunning Playa de las Teresitas near Santa Cruz is the island's most beautiful beach, made from imported Saharan sand. The Masca village and gorge in the northwest is one of the island's most dramatic landscapes.
The Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dominates the interior. A cable car takes you close to the summit, but the real magic is in the caldera itself: the strange Roques de García rock formations, vast lava fields, and an almost lunar stillness. On a clear day, you can see the shadows of all seven Canary Islands from the peak. The island capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife is worth a day for its Calatrava concert hall and the Guanche museum.
