Popular activities in Tenerife

Water sports are one of the most popular activities on Tenerife. For surfers, windsurfers, kitesurfers and sailors, the Canary Island with its north-easterly trade winds is a blessing. Boat trips across the Atlantic are also popular with tourists - not least because dolphins, whales and orcas can often be spotted off the coast of Tenerife. The island is also the perfect place for hiking and cycling due to its different altitudes.

1. boat tours

Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Tenerife is the perfect place for boat trips - for half-day or day trips with or without a skipper. The choice ranges from excursions on speedboats to sailing trips on yachts and catamaran tours.

When the boats depart from the south of Tenerife, whale and dolphin watching are often a highlight of the tour, while other boat tours in Tenerife are designed for you to jump into the water in a secluded bay.

We have five recommendations for unforgettable boat tours in Tenerife for you:

Experience day 1

A pirate boat trip with whale and dolphin watching: Tenerife has a lively history that includes pirates and buccaneers. You will be transported back to these times on a beautiful wooden ship that will take you on a 2-, 3- or 5-hour boat trip from Los Cristianos or Puerto Colón to La Caleta, Los Gigantes and Masca. Swimming stops in the most picturesque corners and dolphin sightings are part of this tour.

Adventure day 2

A sailing excursion on a comfortable yacht: On this relaxing sailing excursion on Tenerife, you will sail for three hours on a luxury sailing yacht from Puerto Colón towards La Gomera. Along the coast, it is not uncommon to catch a glimpse of whales, dolphins and turtles.

Adventure day 3

A round trip on the south coast in a glass-bottom boat: The excursion on the glass-bottom boat takes a little more time. The half-day excursion stops at the most beautiful coastal locations in the south of the island from Puerto Colón at Playa de Las Américas in the direction of La Gomera. On this tour, too, you might spot a dolphin or two in the wild! During the trip, the glass floor of the boat provides a view of the rich underwater world.

Adventure day 4

A submarine trip through the underwater world of Tenerife: A trip in a submarine through the fascinating, little-explored underwater world of Marina San Miguel is absolutely spectacular. During the 50-minute trip, you can observe the colourful underwater world through the panoramic windows of the submarine at a depth of 30 metres.

Experience day 5

A party boat with a live DJ: Anyone can party at Playa Las Americas, but very few people will have ever danced on a party boat. On the 4.5-hour catamaran tour, you can dance to a live DJ together with other Tenerife holidaymakers. The tour departs from Puerto Colon (Adeje). Unlimited drinks and champagne shower included! Occasional swimming stops cool off the party animals in the Atlantic.

For half-day or full-day excurs ions on Tenerife, you can also charter boats, yachts or sailing boats from many providers. This way you can spend unique hours on the Atlantic with friends or family - without any other annoying tourists. However you do it, whether on a sailing boat, a yacht or a speedboat, you will spend a wonderful day at sea!

2. hiking

Tenerife is a real paradise for hikers! Ideal hiking areas are the national park around Pico del Teide in the centre of the island, the Anaga Mountains in the north-east and the Teno Mountains in the north-west of the island.

The island is the perfect destination for holidaymakers who want to explore the fascinating landscape of spectacular scenery, bizarre rock formations, mysterious laurel forests and secluded mountain villages while hiking on Tenerife. The volcanic origin and the different vegetation zones of the largest Canary Island provide a wealth of diversity that is hard to imagine.

The ten most popular routes include

• La Forteleza - through the landscape of the former Cañadas volcano

• Alto de Guajara - a high mountain hike to the summit of Alto de Guajara, with panoramic views of the Teide, Pico Viejo and Montaña Blanca volcanoes

• Pico del Teide - the most difficult but also the most rewarding hike to the summit of Mount Teide, which requires a special permit

• Malpaís de Güímar - a circular hiking trail through the Malpaís de Güímar nature reserve with impressive contrasts of volcanic soil and blue sea

• Punta del Hidalgo - one of the most varied hikes, which starts in the green forests of the Anaga mountains in Cruz del Carmen and leads through the last remaining Canarian laurel forests to the rugged coast of Punta del Hidalgo

• Paisaje Lunar - a "moon hike" through the unique rock formations near Vilalflor, which are reminiscent of a lunar landscape and are called "Paisaje Lunar" in Spanish

• Barranco del Infierno - an exciting hike through the "Barranco del Inferno" gorge, where only 300 hikers are allowed per day for environmental reasons

• Masca - one of the most challenging and spectacular hikes through the Masca Gorge in the Teno Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean

• El Draguillo - a coastal hike from Benijo to El Draguillo, which rewards you with an exciting view of the steep cliffs and roaring surf along the hiking trail

Before you decide to go hiking on Tenerife, you should find out about the different hiking routes. Some of the hiking trails vary greatly in terms of difficulty, duration and area. Permits are also required for some areas - these include the ascent to the crater of Pico del Teide or a hike through the "Barranco del Inferno" gorge.

Make sure you find out up to three months before your holiday in Tenerife whether and when you are allowed to climb the heights of the island. Whether it's a steep climb or a leisurely hiking trail: every route on Tenerife presents the beauty of the archipelago in a unique way!

3. cycling

Tenerife is also a paradise for holidaymakers who want to explore the island on two wheels! As with the hiking trails, you can explore the most beautiful corners of the unique volcanic landscape at your own pace on a cycle tour of the island. The average annual temperature of 23 degrees, few rainy days and 300 hours of sunshine a year offer the best conditions for a cycle tour.

The well-developed route network, which is often not very busy, is a wonderful place to cycle! But here too, the options range from more leisurely tours along the coast with views of the sea to more challenging routes through the Anaga and Teno mountains. Many cycling enthusiasts even take a holiday in Tenerife just for one of the routes!

For beginners: Leisurely cycle tours

Tenerife offers cyclists who want to take a leisurely ride across the island many beautiful cycle paths. Generally, the more leisurely, less demanding routes lead along the coast and cliffs, as they are at sea level. There are only a few climbs, but instead breathtaking views across the island.

• Tour of Santa Cruz: One of the most popular routes, which starts at low altitude and leads to the highest point, the Pico del Inglés viewpoint, and back down again. Route 3 leads through Santa Cruz and laurel forests, always parallel to the coast with beautiful views of the sea and the Teide volcano

• From Buenavista to Punta del Hidalgo: Route 4 is 75 kilometres long and takes you from one corner of Tenerife to the other. The route runs along the north coast from Buenavista to Punta del Hidalgo on almost flat terrain with relatively few metres in altitude. On this tour, you will be able to enjoy the changing beauty of the coastal landscape without too much effort!

For advanced cyclists: Challenging routes

Ambitious cyclists who train on their mountain bike or racing bike will find some of the best and most challenging cycle paths in Tenerife. The network of routes is over 200 kilometres long and in many places leads through the higher parts of the island and rocky mountain landscapes.

• The largest route through Corona Forestal: The 84-kilometre route leads through the Corona Forestal, the largest nature reserve in the Canary Islands. If you are looking for a special challenge, you should take the BC-1 route: The largest route on the island can be extended by a further 53 kilometres and 13 junctions and variants

• Oratava Valley challenge: Route 2, which starts and ends in La Orotava, runs along the north side of the island. The 98-kilometre route passes through the villages of La Esperanza, La Laguna, El Sauzal, La Matanze and Santa Ursula. The trail is one of the most challenging routes, as it also leads through the El Teide National Park and up a total ascent of 2,727 metres

• Highest altitudes in Costa Adeje: Three of Tenerife's cycle routes start in Costa Adeje, all of which are relatively challenging. Along the south-west side of the island, there is an average gradient of 5% and a gradient of 6% downhill. Route 5 passes through villages at higher altitudes. When you arrive in Vilaflor, you will find yourself at an altitude of 1,380 metres in one of the highest villages in Spain.

There is a 200-kilometre network of routes across the island with a total of eight routes, which can be ridden and completed in several variations. Every rider - whether on a bike, mountain bike or racing bike - can put together a tour to suit their level of difficulty.

In any case, the varied landscape of cycling on Tenerife always offers new highlights!

A Sunbonoo tip: (occasionally) stick to the signposted viewpoints on your route. This is the only way to make sure you don't miss out on the best views of Tenerife's breathtaking, diverse landscape!

4. shopping on Tenerife

If you are planning a shopping trip on your Tenerife holiday, there are numerous opportunities on the island to spend your holiday money. Of course, you can stroll through the city centre and its pedestrian zone in every major town and look for the latest Spanish fashion and unusual souvenirs in the shops.

Tenerife also has some larger shopping centres that are popular with locals and tourists. We have sorted the best places for shopping in Tenerife for you by city:

Santa Cruz

The island's capital has the most, largest and most varied offerings for extensive shopping trips. Most of the shops are located in the streets Villalba Hervás, El Castillo, Doctor Allart, Bethencourt Alfonso o San José and in the vicinity of Plaza España and Plaza Candelaria. In addition, the two large shopping centres, the "Centro Comercial Meridiano" and "El Corte Inglés", attract locals and tourists alike. In the "Tres de Mayo" shopping centre, Tenerife holidaymakers will mainly find smaller boutiques and high-quality fashion. Especially in rainy weather - as rare as it is in Tenerife - it is an ideal destination for an excursion.

In better weather, however, you should stroll through Calle Castillo, where you are sure to find the more unusual clothing and souvenirs in the smaller shops.

A special attraction is the Mercado de Nuestra Señora de Africa, one of the largest markets on Tenerife. Here you will find everything to delight your eyes, nose and palate!

For special souvenirs, you should visit the smaller farmers' and flea markets in Santa Cruz.

Puerto de la Cruz

Stroll through San Telmo or the historic neighbourhood of La Ranilla and you will discover small shops selling Spanish and Canarian fashion. For original, handmade gifts that remind you of your holiday in Tenerife, the boutiques in the centre of Puerto de la Cruz are perfect.

Most of the shops are located in Plaza del Charco, Calle de San Felipe, La Hoya and Avda. Generalísimo.

Basically, the offer is comparable to that in Santa Cruz, but you have to pay a tourist surcharge in Puerto de la Cruz.

Costa Adeje

In the south of Tenerife in Costa Adeje, the Siam Mall and Duque Platz shopping centre are popular. While you can shop in over 400 different brands in 62 shops in the large shopping centre, the Siam Mall always offers events with raffles, concerts and parades that are exciting for adults and children alike.

La Orotava

A stroll through the old town of La Oratava is like travelling back in time, as the beautifully crafted balconies and arcades reflect the history of Canarian woodcarving. As traditional Canarian handicrafts are still very important, you can buy original pottery, especially in La Oratava.

Our 5 sunbonoo shopping tips for your holiday in Tenerife:

• North vs. south: Shopping is slightly more expensive in the south than in the north. If you are travelling around Tenerife in a hire car, it is worth driving to one of the large shopping centres - Carrefour and Alcampo - to shop at a lower price

• Fresh fruit and vegetables: Of course you can find fruit and vegetables in the supermarkets ("mercados"), but for fresh, regional and seasonal produce you should visit the weekly markets on Tenerife. Here you will also find local spices, specialities and traditional handicrafts

• Spirits and tobacco products: Canarian cigars and cigarillos as well as wines and liqueurs are a popular souvenir from a Tenerife holiday. The only thing to note here is what and how much you are allowed to take home on the flight: 1 litre of spirits with an alcohol content of more than 22%, although 2 litres are permitted if the spirits, aperitifs or taffy you bring with you have 22% alcohol or less

• German food: If you are spending a longer period of time on holiday in Tenerife and are self-catering in your holiday flat or finca, you may feel like buying German products. The best place to go is the German stronghold of La Paz or Puerto de La Cruz. At SPARmarkt 2000 you can buy German groceries such as sour cream, Maggi products or coffee, but you will have to expect more expensive prices than at home

• Discounts: If you are on the hunt for "rebajas", you should wait for the end of the summer or winter sales. In many shops and shopping centres, prices fall by up to 60% in total until the end!