What is so Special About Tenerife?

 

Exploring Tenerife: Sun, Sand, Wine & Stars

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Ever wondered...

• What is so special about Tenerife?
• Or is it worth going to Tenerife? 
• Maybe even what should I know before going to Tenerife?

I'm here to help you!

In November 2024, I set off on a European vacation to celebrate my 50th birthday with a girlfriend. This was one of two major trips that year, and Tenerife—a sun-soaked island in the Canary Islands—was our destination of choice. Though part of Spain, Tenerife is actually closer to Africa, making it a unique blend of European and island influences. If you're considering a visit, here’s everything you need to know—plus my personal experiences and favorite moments.

Why Tenerife?

I knew I wanted to go somewhere warm and outside the U.S., so after a bit of research, Tenerife popped up as an ideal choice. The journey from Seattle was no small feat—Seattle to London, then London to Tenerife—but it was well worth it for the beauty and adventure that awaited.

Where We Stayed

We booked an Airbnb in Santa Cruz (Arona - Los Christianos), located on the south side of the island. Los Christianos is a quaint, charming area with plenty of stores, restaurants, and picturesque church squares. Our spot was in the Italian Quarter, where we were just a 10-minute walk from the beach.

View from our Terrace at Sunset

One of our favorite moments? Visiting a local Italian store just a few doors down from our stay. Fresh meats, cheeses, and bread made for the perfect charcuterie board lunch, paired with a bottle of local wine—all for about €15!

Things to Know About Tenerife

Beaches & Accessibility

• All beaches are man-made, with sand imported from the Sahara. Otherwise, the coastline is rocky.

• Beaches can get very busy, so arrive early to snag a chair and umbrella.

• Santa Cruz is very accessible, with wide boardwalks, beach walkways, and a high number of mobility scooters available for rent—even a shop called Hilary’s Scooters!

  
  

  
  
  

Wine, Food & Prices

• Wine is amazing! You can grab a quality bottle for just €3-€7, equivalent to a $30 bottle in the U.S.

• Food was very good but didn’t steal the show—the wine did! With so many restaurants, you’ll have choice overload. Check out below for some of our favorites. 

• Restaurants close early, around 9 p.m., so plan ahead if you're on a late tour.

• Everything is affordable—from meals to a gel manicure (about 50% less than in the U.S.)

Getting Around

• Tenerife is BIG. While walkable in certain areas, distances between major spots can be long.

• Scooters and car rentals are popular choices.

• We skipped the car rental and instead opted for group tours to explore further.

Experiencing Tenerife: My Favorite Tour

Stargazing on Mount Teide – A Must-Do!

🔗 Here’s the exact stargazing tour we did 

The best tour I’ve ever done (and remember, I don’t typically like group tours) was the Stargazing Tour on Mount Teide.

Here’s how it went:

• Dinner stop first—cue the awkward silence with strangers at our table. 😅

• Sunset stop with cava (Spanish sparkling wine)—a gorgeous moment to sip and snap photos.

• Surprise proposal at sunset! Fun to witness, and the tour company even took photos for them.

• Stargazing at the base of Mount Teide—Tenerife is one of the top three stargazing spots in the world due to its high altitude and clear skies.

• Telescopes & iPhone photography—I even captured a moon photo using their big telescopes!

Some of my Photography from that Tour - Visit my Etsy Site

Pro Tips for the Teide Stargazing Tour

• Dress WARM—It was about 35°F at night, so bring a coat!

• Have cash (€) for tipping—Always good after tours.

• Book in advance—This experience is very popular.

Know Before You Go!

1. No pre-vacation mani/pedi! - Instead, pamper yourself on Day 1 at a local salon. They do a great job and you'll save 50% or more!

2. Bring that extra bag -- The shopping is amazing and very inexpensive! If you still want to just do carry on, then skip packing some dresses and buy there! Or buy a bag!

3. Pack layers -- As mentioned above, it can be cold up in the mountains or if you are hiking, and in the winter it does cool down at night.

4. Buy the bottle, not the glass -- Wine is so good and reasonably priced, you'll thank me by buying the bottle at dinner and then taking the rest back for later. Oh, and if you like bubbly wine, grab a Kloveo Champagne stopper to pack and keep those bubbles!

5. Don't over schedule - Tenerife is not a place to plan a big itinerary. Schedule a few tours, rent a car, do some hiking, shopping, sun bathing, or just wander. But just enjoy the time, especially the sunsets!

Final Thoughts: Is Tenerife Worth It?

Absolutely! Warm weather, friendly people, beautiful beaches, great wine, and accessibility make Tenerife a fantastic destination. Even with the long travel time, I’d 100% go back. And most importantly, I felt very safe walking around at night.

If you’re looking for an affordable European getaway with sun, adventure, and wine, put Tenerife on your list! 🌞🍷✨

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Tenerife Wines: A Visit to Bodegas Monje Winery

Bodegas Monje: A Wine Lover’s Must-Visit in Tenerife 🍷

Tenerife isn’t just about stunning beaches and volcanic landscapes—it’s also home to some incredible wineries! On our second winery stop, we visited the breathtaking Bodegas Monje, where we enjoyed an unforgettable lunch paired with their exceptional wines.

🔗 Here’s the exact winery tour we did!

About Bodegas Monje

Nestled 600 meters above sea level, Bodegas Monje is a fifth-generation family winery that combines tradition with innovation. The estate boasts panoramic ocean views, a terrace restaurant, and even a wood-fired pizza oven—a perfect excuse to return! 🍕

The winery specializes in native Canary Island grape varieties like Listán Negro, Listán Blanco, and Negramoll, producing small-batch, high-quality wines with a unique volcanic touch.

The Wine Tasting Experience

We savored three incredible wines during our visit:

• Drago Blanco – A crisp, refreshing white wine with bright acidity.
• Bibiana Rosado – A semi-sweet, fruit-forward rosé (my personal favorite!). 🌸
• Tradicional Tinto – A bold red, crafted from Listán Negro, showcasing the island’s rich terroir.

Each sip highlighted the distinct flavors that volcanic soil imparts, making these wines truly one of a kind.

Exploring the Cellar

After lunch, we took a tour of the winery’s cellar, where tradition runs deep. The winery’s oak barrels date back to the 1950s, and they have an impressive capacity of 160,000 liters—all managed by a dedicated team of just 10 people! 🍇

Plan Your Visit

If you’re planning a trip to Tenerife, Bodegas Monje is a must-visit for wine lovers. Between the stunning scenery, rich history, and unforgettable wines, this gem is well worth the stop. ❤️ We did a tour through Viator and I highly recommend that approach as the winery is not in the South where most hotels are.

Tenerife Wines: Casa Del Vino de Tenerife

Is Tenerife Good for Wine? 

YES!

Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, is a hidden gem for wine lovers. Did you know this stunning island is built on over 400 volcanoes? The volcanic soil, paired with diverse microclimates, creates a winemaker’s paradise, producing one-of-a-kind wines unlike anywhere else in the world. On my recent trip, I explored this rich wine culture, starting with a visit to the Casa del Vino de Tenerife in the Tacoronte-Acentejo region.

🔗 Here’s the exact winery tour we did! (Viator Tours)

Casa del Vino: A Winery, Museum & Stunning Experience 🍇✨

Located on a hilltop with breathtaking ocean views, Casa del Vino de Tenerife is more than just a winery—it’s an experience. Set in a 17th-century estate, this historic site offers visitors a blend of winemaking history, stunning landscapes, and incredible wines. Inside, you'll find a museum showcasing an original wooden wine press, vintage wines, and exhibits on Tenerife’s unique terroir.

Tour Highlights 🎥🌊

The tour began with a video presentation on Tenerife’s winemaking heritage, explaining how its volcanic landscape and microclimates shape the island’s wine. Afterward, we stepped onto the terrace, where the panoramic views of the ocean and surrounding vineyards were absolutely unforgettable.
Casa del Vino also features a restaurant with local cuisine, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a wine-paired meal while soaking in the views.

Tenerife’s Five Wine Regions: A Quick Guide 🍷🌍

What is the typical wine in Tenerife?

Tenerife boasts five distinct wine regions, each with its own unique characteristics:

1️⃣ Tacoronte-Acentejo – Known for medium-bodied Listán Negro reds, this northern region thrives in a humid climate. 2️⃣ Valle de La Orotava – A picturesque valley producing Listán Blanco and Listán Negro wines. 3️⃣ Ycoden-Daute-Isora – Western Tenerife's terraced vineyards craft fresh whites and reds, shaped by cooling trade winds. 4️⃣ Abona – A high-altitude region (up to 1,800m), creating aromatic whites and light reds with a volcanic influence. 5️⃣ Valle de Güímar – The eastern region, known for whites, rosés, and reds, featuring varieties like Listán Blanco and Negramoll.

No matter your wine preference, Tenerife’s volcanic terroir makes for some truly special bottles.

Tasting the Wines: A Journey Through Tenerife’s Flavors 🍷🌋

One of the best parts of Casa del Vino is the tasting experience. We sampled wines from three distinct wineries across Tenerife, each reflecting the island’s diverse terroir.
✨ Rosado Afrutado (Ferrera’s Bodega) – A fruit-forward rosé, made with 100% Listán Negro, grown at over 3,200 feet in the Southeast Zone. Sweet, vibrant, and absolutely delicious! 🍓🍷
✨ Blanco (J.D. Padilla) – A smooth, medium-bodied white from the Tacoronte-Acentejo region, made with Listán Blanco. The volcanic influence is evident in its crisp minerality. 🌿🍇
✨ Tinto (Tagara) – A cherry-red Listán Negro, aged 12 months in oak barrels. This wine balances berry notes like blueberry with hints of cocoa, making it a true standout. 🍒🍫

Why Tenerife Wines Are So Unique 🌋🍇

Did you know that the Canary Islands have some of the oldest vines in Spain, dating back to the 15th century? Thanks to their isolation, Tenerife escaped the phylloxera disease, allowing vines to remain ungrafted and hundreds of years old. The volcanic soil, trade winds, and microclimates make these wines truly one-of-a-kind—light-bodied, smooth, and lower in tannins compared to mainland Spanish wines.

Where to Buy Tenerife Wines 🛒🍷

Canary wines are super affordable locally but can be pricey to ship internationally. If you want to try them for yourself, I found Ferrera’s Rosado Afrutado and Tagara’s Tinto available for online purchase—tempting, right? 😉 

Final Thoughts & What’s Next

Visiting Casa del Vino de Tenerife was an unforgettable experience, blending history, breathtaking scenery, and incredible wines. If you’re ever in Tenerife, I highly recommend making this stop part of your wine walk!

Be sure and read my tips on traveling to Tenerife!

💬 Have you explored wines from the Canary Islands? Which one would you love to try? Let’s talk favorites! 👇

Be sure and follow me on Instagram @MyWineWalk for more tips, wine pairings, and wine reviews!

MyWineWalk contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks!

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