Holidays to Tenerife

Tenerife, one of Spain's Canary Islands, is a popular destination for visitors seeking guaranteed sun and warm weather. Its location, less than 200 miles from the west coast of Morocco and 820 miles south of Spain, ensures a pleasant climate all year round – ideal for package holidays in Tenerife. Explore the island's many beaches, outdoor bars and restaurants, as well as its unique inland geography.

As part of Spain, the main language on Tenerife is Spanish, though most people, especially those working in the tourist industry, will speak some English. The currency is the euro, and Tenerife keeps the same time as the UK. When choosing a flight and hotel in Tenerife, there are lots of options when it comes to deciding which airport to fly from. Package holidays in Tenerife are hugely popular with visitors from the UK, and flights to Tenerife from the UK depart from most regional airports, including flights from Manchester and from London airports, including Luton, Gatwick and Stansted.

There isn't really a bad time to visit Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands. While temperatures regularly reach well above 30°C during summer, even in the winter visitors can enjoy warm weather, with only a few days of rain each month. What makes the temperature here all the more pleasant is the cooling breeze that comes off the Atlantic. Having said this, be sure to take some cold weather clothing on holiday with you just in case, especially if you plan to head inland on your weekend in Tenerife to visit the island's volcano, Teide. It can be quite cool once you reach the summit.

What is there to do while holidaying on Tenerife? Explore the variety of stunning beaches, that's what:

• The beaches at resorts like Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos get very busy in the summer months, so you might want to head off the beaten track for some peace and quiet.
• Playa Jardin in the smaller resort of Puerto de la Cruz to the north of the island is backed by a tropical garden, while Los Gigantes is an unspoilt beach dwarfed by giant cliffs.
• If you are willing to put in the legwork, Tenerife is home to some truly spectacular isolated beaches, including El Bollullo, a black sand beach which is a half-hour walk from Puerto de la Cruz.
• The remote beach at Masca, a three-hour hike through a steep gorge from the village which shares its name.
• If you want to try watersports on city breaks in Tenerife, best stick to the resort beaches, where you can hire surfboards, jet skis or enjoy the fantastic view while parasailing high above the ocean.

While idyllic, there is much more to a weekend in Tenerife than soaking up the sun on an isolated beach! Mount Teide, the island's active volcano, is a popular visitor attraction, complete with cable cars which take you most of the way to the summit. Only 200 people per day are permitted to take the trail to the very top of the volcano, and permits must be obtained in advance. Even from the cable car stop (at a height of 11,600 feet), you can enjoy breathtaking views over the island.

The island's capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife is well worth a day trip. Home to the historic fortress Castillo de San Cristobal and the Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre, Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a great place to learn more about the island's fascinating history. As a popular holiday destination, there is no shortage of water parks and theme parks to keep kids of all ages amused. Siam Park is a Thai-themed water park, with attractions to suit swimmers of all abilities, while Loro Parque zoo is home to 4000 parrots, the longest shark tunnel in Europe and the world's largest indoor penguin enclosure.

If you also have time to explore the surrounding area, you can also rent a car in Tenerife.

What To Eat On Tenerife?

The cuisine on Tenerife is much the same as in Spain, with plenty of locally caught fresh seafood added to the mix. Tapas are particularly popular in beach bars, served to accompany the local Tropica or Dorada beers, and favourites include papas arrugadas, potatoes cooked in salt water and served with sea salt, churros de pescado, fried fish goujons served with garlic mayonnaise, and chopitos, small pieces of squid fried in batter.

The Canary Islands are famous for their fruit, and Canarian bananas, mangoes and papayas feature heavily on local dessert menus. Another sweet favourite is bienmesabe, which translates literally to "It tastes good to me", and is a purée made with almonds, lemon juice and cinnamon, often served with ice cream.

What To Bring Back From Tenerife?

Why not bring back a taste of city breaks in Tenerife with a jar of the local honey? Multi-flower honey is made from pollen from across the island, but the really exclusive produce is made solely from avocado and chestnut trees, which only bloom for one month in late-spring deep inside Teide's crater! Stores on the island also sell delicious jams, made from unexpected plants like cacti and banana, while a bottle of Dragon Tree liqueur, a bright red drink made from the resin of the unusual trees which can be seen all over the island, makes a truly unique gift from Tenerife.

Teide is also responsible for another favourite Tenerife souvenir: Peridot. The semi-precious gemstone is found inside solidified lava flows and is a deep green in colour. Artisans across the island use the gemstone in rings, pendants and other keepsakes.