TENERIFE is well known for its year-round sunshine, beautiful beaches, amazing stargazing opportunities, and lively nightlife.
For years its been a popular place for Brits to visit, particularly those looking for some winter sun.
But what’s definitely worth adding to your trip’s itinerary or where should you go if you’re looking to go off the beaten track?
Rick Cosgrove, Kitty de Graaf, Katie Honcu, and Kara Scarlata all live and work on the island and shared their tips on the best bears, restaurants, hidden gems, beaches and more, as part of our Best Of Beaches series.
Best place to go for a beach holiday
Rick Cosgrove, a professional compere at many of the island’s bars, said: “I love both Puerto Colon and Fanabe beaches. These two coves are next to each other in Costa Adeje in the south of the island, and are ideal for beach lovers.
“Puerto Colon has a lot more going on, as it’s next to the marina and all sea excursions in the south tend to depart from here, so there is a plethora of bars, cafes and restaurants to serve your needs.
“If you find Puerto Colon too busy, then neighbouring mile-long Fanabe beach is a little more relaxed with quieter beach clubs along the edge.”
Kitty de Graaf, a travel consultant and blogger on the island, said: “Tenerife South is perfect for a beach holiday with more hours of sunshine and stunning beaches like Playa de las Vistas in Los Cristianos, and Playa del Duque in Costa Adeje.”
Favourite restaurants
Rick said: “For posh nosh it has to be any number of restaurants from Venture Group, who have about 12 restaurants in the south of the island including Empire Steak House and Mrs Miyagi’s – a Thai fusion spot in Playa de Las Americas.
“The Sea Horse in Fanabe is another favourite of ours, offering oversized tapas, with all dishes between €7-12 and probably the best sunset in Europe overlooking the island of Gomera.”
Kitty said: “If you’re a meat eater, Mesón Era Las Mozas inland in the Valle de San Lorenzo, South Tenerife, offers delicious Spanish cuisine and grilled meats, with starters from €3.80 and mains from €4 .
“For an upscale experience, try Meson Castellano in Playa de las Americas (dishes from €7 – the Castillian restaurant has an old-world feel and traditional Spanish gastronomy menu).
“For fish lovers, Restaurante Salitre in La Caleta offers fresh seafood from €22 for a main, with stunning bay views.”
Katie Honcu, a freelance photographer, said: “Restaurante Roque Las Ánimas in Taganana, north Tenerife, is my top place for delicious local food at great prices. (A rustic restaurant with mountain views, selling Canarian food, dishes from €4).
“Wok Chinatown in Las Chafiras, south Tenerife, offers all-you-can-eat Chinese and sushi for €16 per person and the food is so tasty, while El Mirador de Benijo is a Spanish restaurant perched on a rock in the northern tip of the island, offering stunning views over Benijo beach.
“If you hike Red mountain, make sure to visit La Casa del Crepes in El Médano – they have sea views and serve delicious pancakes from €4,50, fresh fruit shakes, and a Canarian coffee called ‘Barraquito’.”
Tara Scarlata, who works for a local chain of bars, said: “For a proper taste of the Canaries you need to find a Guachinche – a special type of Canarian restaurant that serves Spanish food and the owners’ own homegrown wine.
(Guachinche restaurants are open for only four months a year… or until they run out of house wine!)
Hidden gems – places only locals know about
Rick said: “Rincon del Pollo restaurant on the second floor of a little shopping centre, at the entrance to the massive Los Cristianos market.
“It serves amazing Canarian-style chicken cooked in a mojo sauce, home cooked chips and great salads, and the whole experience including drinks for two would only cost about €30.
“El Cini in Los Cristianos is a little fish restaurant hidden up an alleyway, that always has a queue of locals queuing to get in (sides from €3 and swordfish steaks from €11).
“Breakfast at the Olive Garden Deli in Los Cristianos is a must (everything from full English to curries and Sunday roasts) , and Los Abrigos is a stunning little fishing village on the south coast, filled with too many great restaurants to mention.”
Katie said: “Roque Bermejo and Roque de Taborno, on the northern tip of the island, are excellent hiking spots away from the crowds that offer unique Canarian landscapes with stunning views.”
Tara said: “Roca Negra Sunset Club in Playa Paraiso is a perfect place for sitting on the rocks at sunset with a cocktail (cocktails from €9), or El Puertito beach.” (One of the prettiest bays on the south coast, perfect for snorkelling)
Best place to go for families
Rick said: “Santiago Park 3 on the Golden Mile, in Playa De Las Americas, is a 3-star hotel that is very popular with families for its pools and slides, as is the Bouganville hotel in San Eugenio for its kids’ play areas.”
Kitty said: “Costa Adeje is ideal for families, with kid-friendly hotels and easily accessible beaches like Playa del Bobo and Playa de Fañabe.
Where to grab a cheap bite to eat
Rick said: “One of my favourites is the newly opened Chicagos in Los Cristianos – an American style sports bar serving ribs and burgers. (Burgers from €9 and ribs from €12)
“In Los Cristianos, The Star of Bengal does fantastic curries (mains from €8 and €3 pints), and the Mongolian BBQ Restaurant has an all-you-can-eat buffet that’s cooked in front of you, for around €15 per person.”
Kitty said: “For a quick and affordable meal, try 100 Montaditos, a popular Spanish chain known for its small, tasty sandwiches (sandwiches from €1 and €2 large beers).
“You can find locations across the island, including Parque Santiago 6, Siam Mall, Garachico, Puerto de la Cruz, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Katie said: “There are some great Venezuelan restaurants serving arepas —cheap, filling snacks. The ‘Reina Pepiada’ (shredded chicken and avocado) and ‘Mechada’ (pulled pork) are especially good.
“Two of my favourites are Bar Arepera Las Rosas in Costa Adeje and the Arepera Gocharepa fast food chain, with several locations along the south coast (arepas from €4).”
“For those with a sweet tooth, Casa de Churros in San Cristobel De La Laguna has the best churros with various toppings on the island (churros from €1,80).”
Tara said: “Try Canarian Chicken at Otelo in Adeje – a southern Tenerife restaurant that’s famous for its special recipe of friend chicken (€7,80) a dish.”
Hidden beaches, away from all the tourists
Rick said: “La Tejita, near the airport in the south of the island, is the largest sandy beach in Tenerife and used mainly by locals (also one of the island’s windiest, it is popular with windsurfers).
“Two of the favourite black sand beaches among locals are Playa san Juan, up the coast from Costa Adeje, and Las Galletas beach, not far from Los Cristianos.”
Kitty said: “Playa de Benijo, in the far north, is a pristine, uncrowded beach accessible via a 10-15 minute staircase – but bring your own supplies as there are no facilities.
“Playa de Diego Hernández is a secluded beach on the southwest coast, between the fishing villages of La Caleta and El Puertito that can be reached via a 30-40 minute walk along a narrow sandy path.”
Katie said: “La Pelada is one of the few remaining quiet beaches at the foot of the Montana Pelada on the south coast, while Playa de la Arena in Puerto De Santiago, on the southwest coast, is a volcanic beach surrounded by dramatic rocks.”
Tara said: “El Medano on the south coast has a lovely vibe and is great for watching the windsurfers, or Las Teresitas in the north, on the edge of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, has a huge golden sand beach.”
Budget attractions worth visiting
Rick said: “The Wally Trolly is a train that drives on the roads and takes families and small children all over the south of Tenerife.
“It gives you a great perspective in seeing actually how large an area the south is, and is very popular with families. (adult tickets €9 and kids tickets €5)”
Kitty said: “The Pyramids of Güímar on the east coast features six stepped pyramids and a poison garden, with more than 70 toxic plants from across the world (€10 tickets).
“Ecomuseum van El Tanque, located in the northwest of the island, is a charming museum with free admission that shows what traditional farmhouse life was like.”
Katie said: “Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is held every January/February, with free processions and other activities.
“You can also spend a day in an ‘area recreativa’ in the forests around Teide – these areas have tables and stone BBQs for al fresco meals, perfect for a relaxing day in nature.”
Must-do activities
Rick said: “This has to be Siam Park – the world’s number one water park – I love the incredible waterslides, but my partner Shelley is more into sunbathing, which she can do with the hundreds of sunbeds surrounding the huge wave pool.”
Kitty said: “Whale and dolphin watching – hop aboard the Flipper Uno in Los Gigantes, and experience the thrill of spotting whales and dolphins from the deck of a pirate ship.
“Or explore the breathtaking Las Cañadas del Teide National Park, by either hiking or taking the cable car to Spain’s highest peak, Mt. Teide. This area is also amazing for stargazing.”
Best place to go for great nightlife
Rick: “This is definitely age dependant – all the young ones head straight for Veronicas Strip in Playa de Las Americas, which opens late and goes on until the very early hours of the morning.
“Older generations tend to head to Parque de La Paz behind the safari centre, where you’ll find a row of around 10 bars with local entertainment.
“Families and middle aged people like myself tend to go and visit individual bars hosting nightly entertainment – we like the Mirador strip in Los Cristianos for its comfortable feel and age appropriate visitors.”
Kitty said: “For a lively Latino atmosphere, visit Casablanca Disco Bar in Los Cristianos, or Magic Lounge Club on the Golden Mile in Playa de las Américas also offers quality nightlife.
In Playa de las Américas, both Papagayo Beach Club and the popular Monkey Beach Club are must-visit hotspots, just a five-minute walk from each other near the Veronicas strip.
And for for a fantastic atmosphere with live music and an Irish/English vibe, check out the Dubliner in Playa de las Américas.”
Best place to go for outdoors adventurers
Rick said: “Teide National Park has numerous hikes and walkways for all abilities, as well as cycling, quad biking and buggy safaris.”
Kitty said: “For hiking enthusiasts, the Erjos area in the northwest of the island has stunning trails through dense forests and beautiful lava fields.”
Katie said: “I love stargazing at Teide National Park – rent a car and drive up for a sunset above the clouds, staying until dark to see the sparkling night sky.”
Meet our local experts
Our panel of Tenerife experts all live, own businesses or work in the largest of Spain's Canary Islands...
Rick Cosgrove, 52, (pictured above) is a compere, working numerous bars between Los Cristianos and Adeje. Him and his partner Shelley (also pictured above), who is an award winning singer on the island, have a YouTube channel together, Rick and Shelley.
Kitty de Graaf, 53, draws on her passion for travel and writing and her experience in the tourism industry with her website Tenerife Insider Tips, where she serves as a travel consultant. She’s lived in Tenerife nearly 30 years.
Katie Honcu, 28, is a freelance photographer specialising in real estate. She’s lived in Tenerife for six years.
Tara Scarlata, 39, is administrator at TRISK Group – Beer Garden, San Eugenio and Mustang Sally’s, Fanabe Beach. She’s lived in Tenerife 10 years.
Favourite viewpoints
Rick said: “Masca is stunning – it reminds me of Switzerland without the snow, and the whole of the Teide National Park is a place of awe.”
Kitty said: “The Mirador del Inglés viewpoint in Anaga Rural Park offers stunning views of the laurel forest, while the Mirador de La Ruleta in Las Cañadas del Teide National Park has vistas of the caldera and Mount Teide.”
Katie said: “500 Escalones View in Tacoronte has an incredible high viewpoint, with magnificent views over Teide and a wild, untouched beach.
“Or the Mirador de Chipeque in Teide offers breathtaking views of Teide above the clouds, and is an amazing place to watch the sunset.”
Tips when visiting
Katie said: “Visit during low seasons like late spring (May-June) or early autumn (September-October) to avoid crowdsand make time to explore smaller towns and villages.
“Rent a car to explore the island on your own rather than relying on tours, and try less popular hiking trails instead of the crowded Masca Gorge.”
Tara said: “Make sure you book into places you want to visit during the busy time – Christmas is very busy here.
“If you are here for New Year look out for the Three Kings parade on the 5th January, its always a great night.”
