Tenerife off the beaten track
Tourism has a long tradition in Tenerife - and especially in the south of the island this is visible. There are only a few loopholes left to spend your holiday away from crowds of tourists. Visitors will find more peace and space in the north, east and west of the island, around the spacious Teide National Park and, in general, in the Canary Islands villages that are not part of the discovery routes of the majority. Here are a few places and features that go well with a holiday off the beaten track in Tenerife.
Hiking Masca Surroundings
It has become known that Masca is no longer an insider tip on Tenerife - word has got around that this small mountain village has something that many are looking for: originality. Only about 80 houses are scattered over the mountain slopes of the volcanic crater in this small, picturesque holiday resort. Masca is often a stopover for tourist routes. Nevertheless we would like to recommend a walk around the small village.
One of the most beautiful walks in Tenerife starts from the centre to the Masca Gorge by the sea. Over stairs and gravel paths - literally off the beaten tourist track - one finally reaches a small beach with a view of La Gomera. The hike is not very easy, and takes about six hours in total, but leads through not always easy to walk vegetation and past impressive rock formations.
Quit beaches in Tenerife
In places without infrastructure, less traffic can be expected. This is especially true for the beaches in Tenerife. Well-known sandy beaches with public facilities and boardwalks are naturally crowded in the season. Those who want it a little quieter and more relaxed will also find beaches and bays with a touch more privacy on Tenerife. One of our favourites is the Playa de Almaciga, which is situated quite secluded in the municipality of Taganana in the north-east and is completely taken up by black volcanic sand.
If you want pure nature, you should go to Playa de Benijo (also Taganana) in the middle of the Anaga Landscape Park. This beach is one of Tenerife's photo spots, especially in the evening light. Playa de Antequera, which belongs to Igueste de San Andrés, can only be reached by walking or by boat. In the south-east, Playa Grande is on the list - a place more of the locals near El Porís with fine-grained sand. Following is a list of the most beautiful beaches in Tenerife.
Canarian villages
Not very crowded and worth seeing are the numerous small fishing villages along the coast. The Poris de Abona, situated in front of the municipality of Aricov, is a real insider tip among the holiday resorts of Tenerife! There are no hotels, bars or discotheques in this tranquil fishing village. Instead, you will find peace and relaxation here with a view of the sun-drenched southwest coast of Tenerife.
Igueste de San Andres has also remained fairly unspoilt and quiet - a fishing village in the furthest north-east of the island, at the foot of the Anaga mountains and at the same time gateway to the Parque de Rural de Anaga. You can enjoy similar advantages directly in Tagananaa.
Special places
One of the most curious and secluded spots on the island is the old lighthouse at Iqueste de San Andrés (El semáforo) - to get there you have to climb a fairly reasonable 400 metres. The effort is not only worth it because of the phenomenal views. The ruins are a testimony to the architecture and those who manage the ascent may have even more respect for the effort that the construction of this building must have meant at this altitude.
The small peninsula of Punta de Teno marks the westernmost point of Tenerife and is surrounded by a wild and dramatic coastline. Until the Canary Islands government restricted access to the peninsula, Punta de Teno was a popular tourist destination. Today you can be one of the few to see the lighthouse and the magnificent scenery.
Casa Rural
Generally speaking, the best way to experience Tenerife off the beaten tourist track is to stay in holiday flats, houses or fincas. This way you will have to take care of your own food, but you will be able to get to know the typical dishes of the country while shopping or eating out - and maybe even pick up some of the Canarian dialect.
You may also need to hire a car to get you from A to B on your own terms. Especially for a family holiday in Tenerife a rental car gives you more freedom. You can find the concept of historic country houses in Tenerife online by clicking the keyword Casa Rural. The accommodations are generally located in the middle of the cultural landscape and belong to the really original sides of Tenerifes.
Food & Wine
And if you are already living in a country house in Tenerife, you can also try the wines on offer in the Guachinches - the village houses serve their own wines during the grape harvest. Canarian food is cooked with them. If you walk around El Sauzal, you will discover some of these very authentic places and people along the country roads.