Tenerife
Canary Island of diversity
Categories: Tenerife Canary Islands Spain
Beautiful, bright white beaches, rocky coasts and steep cliffs, dense forests shimmering in every imaginable shade of green, massive plateaus and deep gorges in the hinterland, surrounded by the deep blue Atlantic Ocean. Above them, the Pico del Teide, surrounded by a barren but no less impressive lava landscape, is enthroned as majestic as it is mysterious.
On Tenerife, nature shows all facets of its wondrous creative power. 
© carloscastilla / Fotolia
This has not only given the largest Canary Island an unmistakable and diverse face, but also enables tourists to spend their holidays in a variety of ways.
Whether active holidays in the wonderful nature or relaxation and enjoyment under palm trees on the beaches, in the numerous spas of the hotels or the excellent island restaurants - the popular holiday island of the Canaries has something for everyone.
Nature and culture in abundance - an island for discoverers
"Island of eternal spring" - what sounds like a pious wish is only too true for Tenerife. The comparatively mild and incredibly sunny climate, which mostly provides temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius throughout the year, has given the island a nature rich in forms and species. Whether original evergreen laurel forest of the "Bosque de la Mercedes" in the wild Anaga mountains, which once covered almost the entire island, or light, sun-drenched pine forest in the "Corona Forestal" nature park, the "green lung of Tenerife".
Hikers and mountain bikers experience the fascination of the island's natural landscape on numerous paths through the hinterland.
Bizarre and yet impressive is the rugged, barren lunar landscape of the lava sea around the Pico del Teide, the highest mountain and volcano in Spain. Here too, numerous hiking trails invite active sportsmen and nature enthusiasts to explore the mysterious formations of lava rock or to climb the Pico del Teide.
Also incomparable is a visit to the "Cueva del Viento", the world's longest lava cave in the north of the island with 17 kilometres.
Here in the north, holidaymakers also come across the most picturesque and quaint villages and towns of Tenerife. The beautiful old towns of places such as Puerto de la Cruz or La Laguna are characterized by typical colonial architecture as well as original Canarian architecture and many places of interest.
Those who want to get to know the archaic life of the islanders should visit the small village Masca, where the inhabitants still lead the Spartan country life, as it was the case a few decades ago in the whole island.
Fantastic beaches and traditional cuisine - an island for connoisseurs
But also those who want to focus more on relaxation and calmness during their holiday in Tenerife will not be disappointed. More than 40 beaches invite to bath in the sea or in the sun. From Caribbean white sand beaches to pitch-black lava beaches and rocky, rugged bays on the rocky coast, the range of offers for beach holidaymakers is extensive.
A classic beauty is the Playa de las Teresitas, which invites not only with its bright white sand and deep blue sea, but also with deck chairs, salsa music and beach bar for an extended beach visit. But also the water sports activities have no limits, thus, the general water sports offer of the touristical beaches of the south include jet-skiing and banana boat driving, stand-up-paddling and surfing.
But far away from the usual tourist bustle, there are also quiet and almost deserted beaches to discover, as the Playa del Duque that is hidden and protected in a bay. Those who still want to be adventurous should dare to dive into the unique underwater world in front of the coast or participate in one of the unforgettable whale-watching tours to the giants of the sea.
Friends of culinary delights are recommended to visit the numerous restaurants with traditional cuisine. 
© kaleff / Fotolia
A Canarian speciality are the "Papas arrugadas", unpeeled potatoes cooked in brine and refined with the typical spicy mojo sauce made of vinegar, oil and garlic.
Fish and seafood are also an important part of Canarian cuisine and are very popular with locals and tourists alike. Traditionally, the fish is prepared "à la plancha" in the style of the Spanish immigrants, thus simply fried in hot olive oil. For the necessary spice, the famous mojo is of course also here not to be missed.
