Tenerife, the largest of Spain's Canary Islands off the coast of West Africa, is built almost entirely around Mount Teide, Spain's highest peak and the third-largest volcano in the world measured from its base on the ocean floor. The island's varied microclimates produce everything from lush laurel forests to lunar-like volcanic plains within a short drive of each other.
Mount Teide
Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, surrounds the volcano's summit with a landscape of red and ochre rock formations so otherworldly that NASA has used it to test Mars rover equipment. A cable car climbs to near the summit, though the final stretch to the crater requires a permit booked in advance.
Sunset from the upper cable car station, watching the volcano's shadow stretch across the clouds below, is one of the more genuinely spectacular natural sights in the Canaries, dress warmly, as temperatures at altitude drop fast once the sun goes down.
Coastline and Villages
The island's beaches vary dramatically by region, black volcanic sand in the north around Puerto de la Cruz, and imported golden sand in the purpose-built resorts of the south around Playa de las Américas, a contrast worth knowing before choosing a base.
Masca, a village wedged into a dramatic gorge in the Teno mountains, is reachable by a winding mountain road or a demanding hike down to the sea, either way, it's one of the most striking landscapes on the island and worth the effort to reach.
Recommended Stay · Tenerife · Costa Adeje
Royal Hideaway Corales Suites
An adults-only oceanfront resort on the island's sunny south coast, with infinity pools facing the Atlantic and easy access to Teide day trips.
