Tenerife belongs to a group of Islands called the Canary Islands. They are made up of 13 small islands and are located 187 miles from the coast of Western Sahara, Africa.
Tenerife is one of the largest Islands in the group; it covers 1287 square miles, and has a population of approximately 710,000. Tenerife’s nearest neighbour is a smaller island called La Gomera, which is the second smallest of the Canary Islands.
Although the Islands belong to Spain, they are a long way away, some 950 miles away in fact. Only seven of the thirteen islands are inhabited, as the others are too small.
Visitors have been flocking to Tenerife since the mid 19th Century, and it has prospered ever since. Most package holidaymakers’ stay in the South of the Island, whereas the locals prefer the cooler climate in the Northern part of Tenerife.
Unfortunately, tourists tend to remain in the vicinity close to their accommodation whilst on holiday, which is a shame, as Tenerife has much to offer. Lying beyond the hustle and bustle of the tourist trade is colonial Spain. The real Spain.
Tenerife has a history that dates back many years, and much of the scars of war remain. Tenerife has had a colourful past, and has been conquered several times. The Canary Islands have been seen as an easy target for invaders and pirates for centuries
Tenerife is split down the middle weather wise. The Northern halves of both Tenerife and La Gomera are open to the prevailing trade winds, bringing cloud and rain, while the South is often rain free. Any rain that does fall does so in the winter months. Both of the Islands can be quite windy, more so however in the West.
The local language spoken is Spanish, with a few indigenous words thrown in. Due to the tourist trade, English is widely spoken, albeit poorly.
Take the time to wander away from the sea-front hustle and bustle, and lose yourself through the back streets of La Laguna, or Santa Cruz. The narrow cobbled streets twist and turn their way into real Tenerife. Family run restaurants and bars offer local cuisine and hospitality. Walk even further, and the towns and villages disappear altogether.
Discover Tenerife’s beautiful, if not daunting, countryside. Tenerife offers everything you could wish for, from fertile terraces to soaring cliff faces, to desolated areas in The Teide National Park. Discover Spain… Visit Tenerife.
[
[
[
