The essentials in Tenerife in 1 day
Do you want to know what is essential in Tenerife in 1 day? Our island offers numerous points of interest as well as a wide range of leisure and activities. Therefore, the ideal is to spend several days to be able to enjoy Tenerife to the fullest. But if you will only be on the island for one day, don’t worry, we compile in this article the main places that you should not miss in 1 day.
Index
A must-see in Tenerife: The Teide National Park
Among the essentials in Tenerife in 1 day is, without a doubt, the Teide National Park. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it is one of the greatest emblems not only of Tenerife, but also of the Canary Islands. Its volcanic landscapes are unique and it is highly recommended to spend some time admiring its beauty.
You will find hundreds of cones, lava flows and caves, as well as flora and fauna of great value. And of course, you will be able to admire the main protagonist of the park: the Teide volcano. With its 3718 meters high it is the highest point in Spain, and the third highest volcano in the world. In total, the Teide National Park has an area of close to 19,000 hectares, being the largest in the archipelago.
Local tip: The climb to the National Park is quite an experience! We recommend going up one road and down another, so that you can appreciate the different landscape contrasts. Here you can check the 4 accesses to the park.
San Cristóbal de La Laguna
The historic centre of San Cristóbal de La Laguna is also a must-see in Tenerife. We recommend adding a walk through this city, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to your day on the island. As you walk through its streets you will be able to admire the Canarian architecture, reflected in mansions, churches and other historic buildings.
In addition, thanks to its many restaurants, bars and cafes, it is the perfect place to rest and have a drink or a bite to eat. Some of its main points of interest: the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, the Plaza del Adelantado, the Teatro Leal or the Casa de Anchieta.
In this municipality there are natural spaces that are also worth a visit, although it will depend on the time you have available. The Anaga Rural Park, a Biosphere Reserve, includes the largest representation of laurel forest on the island. A thousand-year-old forest that has lived for 40 million years!
Local tip: San Cristóbal de La Laguna is characterized by its humid climate, as well as being colder than the rest of the areas of the island (with an average of 16.5 degrees per year). It is advisable to wear warm clothes to walk through its streets, especially in winter.
A swim on the beach
In the morning, at noon, in the afternoon… What is clear is that you cannot leave Tenerife without enjoying its beaches. Thanks to the mild climate it is possible to take a swim at any time of the year. If you only have one day, a swim will be enough to make you fall in love with Tenerife. You will surely want to enjoy the island’s coasts with greater tranquility!
And you may be wondering, which beach is the most essential to visit in Tenerife? It is very difficult to choose just one, so it will depend on where you are. In the south of the island, some stand out, such as Playa Fañabé, Las Vistas, Playa El Médano, La Tejita, Playa Los Guíos or La Jaquita. On the other hand, on the northern slope you will find Playa Jardín, Playa el Bollullo, Mesa del Mar or natural pools such as El Caletón or Charco de La Laja.
And we do not forget the capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which has the photogenic beaches of Las Teresitas or Playa de Benijo. Totally different from each other and perfect for a dip!
Other points of interest and activities
Do you have more than one day available? There are more attractions that are essential to visit in Tenerife. For example, if you are looking for fun and a lot of excitement, you cannot miss Siam Park. Located in Adeje, it is considered by TripAdvisor users as the best water park in the world.
The Loro Parque zoo, in Puerto de la Cruz, is another of the most popular places among tourists. Especially recommended if you are traveling with your family. Mammals, birds, fish and reptiles will make both adults and children spend an unforgettable day.
Likewise, there are other towns such as La Orotava, Puerto de la Cruz or Garachico that have a lot of charm. And in addition to the natural spaces already mentioned in this article, others such as the Teno Rural Park with its popular Masca farmhouse, are worth a visit. Learn more about our island by reading “List of tourist attractions in Tenerife”.
And that’s it for our article! We hope that now you have a clearer idea of what is essential in Tenerife. As you have seen, there are many attractions, so we always recommend enjoying the island for several days. Although you only have one day, with the aforementioned places you can get an idea of the unique beauty of Tenerife. We are waiting for you!