8 reasons why Tenerife is a world-class holiday destination

Imagine a world where you need not unpack a woolly hat or dust off a winter coat every year for the winter season - Tenerife is just that. This unassuming Spanish isle which sits just off the northwest coast of Africa, on a similar latitude as Florida, actually features one of the best climates in the world. 

This is because the island provides mild but consistent weather across all seasons, with temperatures ranging from average lows of 17°C in January to average highs of 24°C in August. Residents here are also thoroughly blessed with a huge 3,000 hours of sunlight per year. A trip to this warm and welcoming isle presents visitors with the opportunity to enjoy spring sunshine at any time of the year. It is not surprising then that Tenerife is wildly accepted as one of the best locations for us Brits to catch some winter sun, without having to head off on a long-haul flight.
 

Great food often goes hand in hand with travel, after all, it is one of the main reasons why we delve into new destinations, right? And we’re pleased to share that our favourite Canary island will not let you down, as Tenerife offers visitors a huge range of quality restaurants ready to be sampled. The island showcases a broad spectrum of international foods with modern twists from well-respected and internationally renowned chefs. In fact, this beautiful isle is actually the surprising home to a total of five Michelin-starred restaurants with six Michelin-stars between them, the largest number in all the Canaries. Assessed yearly on the quality of the ingredients used, mastery of flavour and the excellence of cooking techniques, a meal at any of these five restaurants is assured to be world-class, so be sure to look them up: Kazan, Nub, El Rincon de Juan Carlos, Kabuki and M.B.

What better way to complement excellent dining other than whetting your whistle with a delicious selection of fine wines? Tenerife’s abundant wine making tradition is thriving and is now home to five designations of origin that have certified quality. The many varieties of wine grown here are currently enjoying great success in several esteemed international competitions, so be sure to sample some home-grown goodness while on your travels.  
 

‘The best waterpark in the world’, feels like an extraordinary title for this small island to hold. This statement is no self-proclaimed accolade either as Siam Park in Tenerife is verified by Trip Advisor as the number one waterpark in the world. Scoring ahead of world-recognised waterpark royalty including the many thrill-seeking splash zones of Florida and the wet n’ wild parks of Dubai, it is clear that this is quite an extraordinary accomplishment. If you haven’t already experienced the slip sliding fun at Siam Park, where have you been? The park has held this title now for seven years consecutively.

The Thai themed park is not to be overlooked as a bit of fun that’s ‘just for kids’ either; here there is something to float everyone’s lilo. The Champagne Club provides a dream like scene where guests can recline on Balinese beds and enjoy some time out while sampling a premium bottle of bubbles. For the more adrenaline hungry amongst you, head towards the Mekong Rapids, The Vulcano or the Tower of Power, where you can slide from heights of 28 metres and reach speeds of up to 80km/h. If you have the kids in tow, they will be thrilled to take on the Sawasdee or splash around on Coco Beach.

A destination’s natural surroundings adds significantly to the personality of a region. On this matter Tenerife is certainly not shy, by showcasing an array of spectacular landscapes including Mount Teide. Standing at 3,718 metres high, this dormant volcano is the tallest peak throughout the whole of Spain and across all the Atlantic Isles. Situated in the midst of Teide National Park, visitors are able to adventure into the mountainous shadow to witness the dramatic terrain with craters and lava formations or take the cable car to the top to experience spectacular views from the summit. Given the ‘otherworldly-ness’ of this region it is no surprise that this National Park is protected as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tenerife also boasts another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the former capital of the island, San Cristóbal de La Laguna. This is a fantastic place from which to discover more about the history of the island and its fascinating connection with South America. The city is very well conserved and demonstrates the typical colonial-style architecture that was exported to Latin America. Don’t forget also, The Macizo de Anaga UNESCO Biosphere Reserve which is brimming with a diverse array of flora and fauna, located in the north of the island.

Offering more than 40 miles of beautiful beaches in total, Tenerife boasts lots of popular long bays that are perfect for sandy shoreline walks. While some have been elevated by soft yellow grains of Sahara Desert sand, others maintain their natural dark and ashy appearance created from the island’s volcanic history.

But beaches are just the beginning of the spectacular topography on offer. Tenerife proudly displays everything from ancient forests and jaw-dropping ravines to astonishing volcanic terrain and inspiring coastal cliffs. The isle welcomes adventurers warmly and invites plenty of exploration across its varied and dynamic landscape. On Tenerife you have the chance to walk off the beaten track and see a whole other side to this exhilarating isle - beyond its picturesque shores. With options for all levels of hiking ability, it's time to dust off those walking shoes, breathe in the fresh air and observe various delightful vistas on either a coastal, volcanic or forestry trail.

Like many far afield or exotic destinations around the world, Tenerife is famed for being a popular whale, dolphin and porpoise spotting area. The all-year warm weather isn’t just a pull to the human race in this part of the world, it is also a beacon to a wealth of sea life creatures, from the smallest beings to the largest mammals. If you have watched any of Attenborough’s The Blue Planet, you will know that where there is plankton, there is diverse and exciting marine life under the waves.

The waters about three miles off the south of the island are particularly recognised as a fantastic habitat for around 21 species of cetacean including a stable colony of approximately 500 pilot whales and 250 bottle nose dolphins. This area of water has also been declared a Hope Spot by the ocean conservation organisation Mission Blue, in order to highlight its value and protect its marine life. Here the opportunity for cetacean spotting presents itself 365 days a year. With the odds in your favour, it is easy to understand why many travellers visit this region purely for the thrill of cruising around the coastline to spot a fin splash out of the water.

Tenerife continuously surprises left right and centre, but this one really hits the ball out of the court. This beautiful Canary isle is believed to be home to one of the best locations on earth from which to observe the night sky. Teide National Park was declared a Starlight Tourist Destination and Starlight Reserve in 2013, which means a special law is now in place to protect the pristine conditions.

The combined height of the volcano’s peaks, the lack of urban lighting brightening up the night’s sky and the fantastic location of the island’s coordinates on earth, allow observers the chance to witness 83 of the 88 officially recognised constellations. As long as the weather stays as blissful as usual and your view is unobstructed by clouds, you are almost guaranteed fantastic conditions from which to look out for a shooting star - how romantic!   
 

BAHÍA DEL DUQUE, COSTA ADEJE

Bahía del Duque boasts direct access to the promenade of the Playa del Duque beach, where visitors can make the most of the local restaurants, cafes and shops. While inside the resort guests are spoilt with a choice of nine restaurants, including Michelin-starred restaurant, Nub. The facilities here are top-notch, too. Fancy a game of tennis or round of golf before dinner in the afternoon sunshine? Sounds appealing, doesn’t it? Discover more about Bahía del Duque.

THE RITZ-CARLTON, ABAMA

The Ritz-Carlton, Abama is a spacious resort with its own championship golf course, blissful spa, pristine secluded beach alongside 10 on-site restaurants, 2 of which hold Michelin-star accreditation. This family-friendly hotel has amazing facilities to keep everybody entertained with a range of water sports available, tennis courts, a kids' club as well as a choice of seven swimming pools including an adult-only pool – bliss! If you are looking for the perfect combination of action and relaxation while away, The Ritz-Carlton, Abama may just be ticking all the right boxes. Click here to find out more.