Alternative things to do in Tenerife to mix up your holiday

Debbie Ward

Debbie Ward

Get a more authentic take on Tenerife* by switching up the standard activities for those that bring you closer to the island's culture and nature.

Forget banana boats: try sea kayaking
Forget banana boats: try sea kayaking © Turismo de Tenerife

Just a few miles away from your sun lounger you could be meeting resident whales or heading north to visit heritage towns and restaurants popular with locals. Then there's the lunar landscapes around Mount Teide which deserve unhurried exploration.

Getting there: find great value escapes to Tenerife with Jet2holidays*, which depart between January and December from airports UK-wide.

Swap water parks for the open ocean

Loro Parque, which rather shamefully still features orca shows, remains one of Tenerife's most popular attractions, but why go there when you can catch whales and dolphins jumping in the wild just off the island's shore?

Key departure points for whale-watching trips include Los Cristianos, Puerto Colon and Los Gigantes, all amid the popular beaches of the island's southwest.

Tenerife has resident pilot whales meaning they can be spotted year-round; some boat operators quote a more than 90% sighting success rate!

Enjoy whale and dolphin-watching year round
Enjoy whale and dolphin-watching year round © Mistervlad - Adobe Stock Image

The creatures are not much bigger than dolphins but have distinctive domed heads. Their size means they're more agile than other whale species, arcing through the water in unison and surfing in the wakes of boats before upending with a flick of their flukes.

With bottlenose dolphins also plentiful in Tenerife's waters, you're in for some frolicking fun. Longer trips can also include lunch and the chance of a dip in a secluded bay. Just choose a Blue Boat-flagged outfit to ensure your presence around the wildlife is responsibly handled.

Please note: Weather2Travel.com does not support attractions that promote performances by or interactions with animals. As of March 2024, Jet2holidays stopped selling tickets to attractions featuring orcas, whales and dolphins in shows.

Swap neon lights for stargazing

While there's nothing wrong with a good old-fashioned night out, the best of Tenerife's nightlife can be found a few thousand metres up in the island's interior.

Mighty Mount Teide, the world's third-highest volcano, and its surrounding national park are not only a combined UNESCO World Heritage Site but also constitute a Dark Sky Reserve, which draws astronomers from across the globe.

The lunar landscape of the park is well worth touring by day, perhaps stopping to watch a spectacular sunset from above the clouds. After dark, you're guaranteed a view of the heavens free from light pollution.

Try stargazing in Teide National Park
Try stargazing in Teide National Park © Konstantin - Adobe Stock Image

Call in a professional with a decent telescope (look out for Starlight Guide accreditation) and they'll show you the smudge of galaxies and Saturn's rings.

Seven observation points in Teide National Park have celestial information boards. And, if you book ahead, you can take a daytime tour of Teide Observatory, operated by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), or the Canaries' Institute of Astrophysics.

Just remember to wrap up warm for stargazing. The air temperature can easily be 10-15°C cooler at 2,000 metres than it is at sea level, and at night there is no radiant heat from the sun.

Swap banana boats for sea kayaking

The honeycomb Los Gigantes* cliffs are a scenic highlight of the island. As the name suggests, they loom large over the sea, and you can get the full effect of their 600-metre height from a kayak.

Sure, paddling takes rather more effort than a spin on a banana boat from one of Tenerife's popular beaches but there's a greater sense of achievement and you can rent a double to share the work.

In the 1980s, giant lizards were rediscovered in the caves that pockmark the cliffs so you might get lucky with a sighting. You're more likely though to see dolphins on your travels. And if the wildlife doesn't play ball, you can still enjoy a dip in the inky waters.

Guided kayaking and paddle boarding tours are offered from the harbour at Los Gigantes with the likes of Teno Activo.

When the water's calm, there's also the chance to bathe in a natural pool at the sea's edge. If you'd rather stick to dry land, you can hike along the top where the popular café Mirador Archipenque offers splendid views from its terrace.

Swap all-inclusive buffets for local bites

Swerve that all-you-can-eat buffet and you'll be rewarded with outstanding food across Tenerife. The island may be best known for its distinctive short bananas and the wrinkled Canarian-style potatoes called papas arrugadas served with spicy mojo sauce but you'll find a lot more to tantalise your tastebuds including plenty of fresh fish.

Tenerife's wines, grown in volcanic soil, were once so popular they were referenced by Shakespeare and Shelley, no less. Learn more about how they're produced and sample some of the 23 recognised varieties at La Casa del Vino wine museum at El Sauzal (not far from Santa Cruz or Puerto de la Cruz).

Here, Restaurant Xarko has a covered terrace with views of Mount Teide and serves up local specialities such as black pork.

Feast on local favourites away from the big buffets
Feast on local favourites away from the big buffets © Barmalini - Adobe Stock Image

In the low-key northern resort town of Garachico, facing the main square is stylish La Quinta Roja, a boutique hotel in a former manor house. Its contemporary restaurant Silogia serves up beautifully presented local dishes with an international twist.

At kite surfer's favourite, El Medano*, on the south coast, Restaurante El Ancla specialises in modern tuna dishes with a sharing element; think tacos and gyozas.

A stone's throw from Playa de las Americas*' party strip you can join locals dining on fine, fresh seafood at Besame Mucho. There's a smart interior but, as it's over a beach club, expect a lively evening atmosphere.

Swap selfies for street art

Take a wander through the northern city of Puerto de la Cruz* and you'll soon be snapping the striking murals which cover many buildings.

Among them are works by internationally renowned urban artists including Belin and Roa. It began with the Mueca Festival a decade ago (repeated each May) but artists with a mural in mind can request spaces from the council year-round.

Go mural-spotting in Puerto de la Cruz
Go mural-spotting in Puerto de la Cruz © Duncan Cumming - Flickr CC BY-NC 2.0

Take a self-guided tour and you'll encounter giant portraits, dreamscapes, a tower of bugs and a tiny squid beside pocket parks where you can rest in the shade of banana plants.

There's more contemporary art to be found in the Eduardo Westerdahl Museum of Contemporary Art (MACEW) housed in the port's former Custom House.

For a modest charge, you can hang out at the seawater Lago Martiánez near the seafront and continue your cultural immersion. Created by the artist César Manrique in 1977 the lido is attractively landscaped with palm trees, rock islands and sculptures, some of which move in the wind.

Take a look at Puerto de la Cruz's cultural calendar and you might find your visit coincides with festivals themed for clowns, literature or jazz.

Climate in Tenerife

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C
Hours of sunshine (daily)
Days with some rainfall
Sea temperature °C

The above guide shows the climate in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Find out more about conditions across the island in our complete guide to the climate in Tenerife.

Ready to book your break? Search the latest online offers from Jet2holidays to bag your break for less and experience a different side to Tenerife.

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Debbie Ward

Debbie Ward

Posted on Wednesday 7th August 2024 in: Culture Europe Summer Winter sun

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