<\/span><\/h2>\nThere are many things to do in Tenerife other than just sun and Sangria, it’s actually a great place for the adventurer as well – for me this is the perfect match. I like the days relaxing on the beach with a drink just as much as going exploring, which is what makes Tenerife such a great destination.<\/p>\n
Tenerife is a pretty small island in Spain, so it’s easy to get around and see everything in a shorter period of time.<\/p>\n
However, the island itself is far from short of things to do – there are flights to Tenerife every day, and you can actually get away with living there on a pretty low budget.<\/p>\n
You will find some great hostels all around the island and the food and drink expenses aren’t too bad either (about 3-5\u20ac for a beer or drink and there are also some cheap restaurants and take aways with prices from 5 \u20ac).<\/p>\n
Horseback Riding in Tenerife<\/h3>\n
To do this you don’t have to be experienced, they offer rides for beginners as well. It’s a great way to see the beautiful nature, and what could possibly beat running along the beach on a horse?!<\/p>\n
Climb a Volcano in Tenerife<\/h3>\n
The entire island is actually one whole volcano, and is the third largest volcanic ocean island in the world. One of the many popular things to do in Tenerife is to get on top of the island by climbing Mount Teide. The view from the top is incredible, with a good aerial view of the UNESCO park, countryside, coast, sea and the other islands. You can choose to either trek or take the cable car up.<\/p>\n
For those who want the more genuine experience the trek is the best option, which takes about 3 hours. If you just want to get up there and enjoy the view, the cable car will take you there in 8 minutes.<\/p>\n
Diving in Tenerife<\/h3>\n
![\"Adventurous](\"https:\/\/aswetravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/1426685593_7b62e1801c1-300x200.jpeg\")
Tenerife isn’t as famous as many other places for diving, but it’s actually a pretty good place to dive. There is a large variety of fishes, there are green turtles to swim with (they actually come to you when they see the bubbles and lets you rub them), ship wrecks and corals.<\/p>\n
Black Beaches in Tenerife<\/h3>\n
Everyone has been to a nice white sand beach, but how often do you get the chance to visit a black one? Head out to some “dark secrets” and enjoy the locals’ hot spots.<\/p>\n
![\"Things](\"https:\/\/aswetravel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/7869936_bfa5da3254-300x225.jpg\")
The three black sand beaches of Playa Bollullo, Pozo and los Patos are popular sunspots with locals, but often overlooked by visitors. Tucked into the cliffs, they\u2019re virtually hidden from view from north Tenerife\u2019s main tourist resort at Puerto de la Cruz, even if it’s only half an hour away (through banana plantations).<\/p>\n
Most people stay on Bollullo, a half moon shaped black sand beach with a small nice beach bar.<\/p>\n
Then there is Pozo and Los Patos, smaller beaches that are great for surfing, but also popular among those wanting some nudist sunbathing.<\/p>\n
Explore the Small Villages in Tenerife<\/h3>\n
The touris towns of Tenerife are nice, but to really make the most of all the things to do in Tenerife, make that extra effort to take a day trip out to the more rural areas, and smaller villages of the island. Hire a moped, car or motorbike for the day and explore!<\/p>\n
One tip is to visit a village called El Tanque. It’s located in the green countryside of the northwest of Tenerife, and is situated in the mountains above the cliffs of La Culata. If you are looking for a truly rural flavour of the island, this is it.<\/p>\n
Well – you there go, 5 great things to do in Tenerife – have you been there?<\/p>\n
Did you know that Tenerife is one of the Canary Islands?<\/h3>\n
Mind you, I didn\u2019t even know where the Canary Islands were before I spent two glorious weeks there last summer, and neither did I know that Tenerife is an island, not a city. Inevitably, my learning curve was steep. Tenerife is one of the Canary Islands<\/p>\n
Tenerife is famous, or rather infamous, for classic binge holidays. I use the phrase \u2018binge holiday\u2019, in the nicest possible way, to mean shameless hedonism, the pursuit of suntans and beer cans.<\/p>\n
It experienced a tourism boom in the 1980s, which goes some way to explaining why I associate it in my mind with the place all the kids at school used to go on holiday. The island claims to have left its sordid past behind, however, to have ditched the uncultured reputation and had a face lift.<\/p>\n
Certainly, Tenerife\u2019s fundamental qualities are rich, which is probably why it became so popular in the first place. Tenerife weather is, frankly, unbearable, but that\u2019s exactly how most people like it.<\/p>\n
The landscape is diverse and fantastically picturesque, with the third largest volcano in the world, Spain\u2019s highest peak, its striking focal point. It took me four and a half hours to climb Mount Teide, and even then I only made it to 3,555 metres, 163 metres short of the crater.<\/p>\n
Mount Teide<\/h3>\n
I wish someone had let me know before<\/em> I expended all that effort that I wouldn\u2019t get to see any bubbling lava or steaming rocks hurtling through the air. Then again, it is about as far from the stereotype of cramped beaches and bars sprawling with plastic tables and chairs as you can get.<\/p>\nThe view from the top was [insert jaw dropping clich\u00e9 here]. To the north, an expansive verdant plain, to the south, a spinal ridge beyond which arid, brown land stretches towards the shimmering crumples of the Atlantic Ocean.<\/p>\n
Depending on which way you face, you may be staring at clear water all the way to Africa, Europe or the Americas.<\/p>\n
Santa Cruz, the capital city of Tenerife, is not a bit like the supersized time share I was expecting.<\/p>\n
Santa Cruz, the capital city of Tenerife<\/p>\n
Quintessentially Spanish, its shady streets dissect brightly coloured buildings, which are centred around peaceful parks and open spaces.<\/p>\n
The city\u2019s iconic futurist auditorium, completed in 2003, is a symbol of Tenerife\u2019s regeneration as a cultural getaway, free from the stigma it developed during the tourism boom.<\/p>\n
Of course, there are still echoes of the island\u2019s past, but they have been refreshed and, as such, reborn.<\/p>\n
Tenerife nightlife is still up there with the best, which is understandable seeing as it was one of the fundamental factors in the island\u2019s rise to stardom, but it\u2019s no longer the guts-out binge-fest that earned the name Tene-grief.<\/p>\n
The clubbing in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is now classy and does not overshadow the daytime serenity of its streets.<\/p>\n
Tenerife<\/p>\n
Overall, I didn\u2019t know a lot about Tenerife before last summer, and arrived with only mild preconceptions and expectations.<\/p>\n
Thankfully, these were banished instantly, as I discovered an island pulsating with cultural treats rather than drum beats.<\/p>\n
It is only a matter of time before Tenerife is rediscovered as a tourist destination and a second tourism boom arrives.<\/p>\n
I hope this will not destroy Tenerife\u2019s newly established charm.<\/p>\n
![\"Tenerife\"](\"https:\/\/aswetravel.smugmug.com\/photos\/i-bpzGHgD\/0\/M\/i-bpzGHgD-M.png\")
<\/p>\n