Tenerife

Remarkable beaches & mountains

Situated in the Canary Islands archipelago off the coast of mainland Spain, Tenerife stands out due to its size, population density and commendable number of tourists attracted, amounting to millions yearly. In terms of natural beauty, the island is known for it remarkable beaches and mountains.

There are many protected natural areas in Tenerife, including Teide National Park, which abounds in indigenous flora; moreover, Mount Teide reaches the highest altitude in Spain.

Rocky beach, Tenerife island, Spain

The Canary Islands and in fact most offshore Spanish territories base their economies on tourism, and Tenerife is no exception. With many lucrative resorts such as Playa de las Americas and towns such as Puerto de la Cruz, developed towards better exploitation of its touristic potential.

There are many museums to visit, for example the Museum of History of Tenerife and the Museum of Science and the Cosmos, both located in La Laguna, or the Museum of Nature and Man in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Tenerife, as does the rest of Spain, is home to a large number of churches and cathedrals, mostly Roman Catholic, among which are the Cathedral of La Laguna and the Basilica of Calendaria (in the town of the same name). Among other religious traditions, Tenerife is known for its pilgrimages (Romerias), consisting of ritualistic processions blending religious significance with local customs.

Major events in Tenerife include the Carnival of Santa Cruz, resembling carnivals from other parts of Spain yet with a unique local flavour.

Akin to most Spanish islands, Tenerife is ideal for diving enthusiasts and there are a few well rated dive resorts on the island; bob diving is particularly favoured at the moment as it is deemed uncomplicated compared to the traditional method. There are also quite a few wildlife parks and botanical gardens to visit; sea life observation is available as well.

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