The Hidden Wonders That Make Tenerife Truly Special
Discovering Tenerife: Sun, Sand, Wine & Stars
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Ever wondered what makes Tenerife such a special European destination? Is Tenerife worth visiting for its beaches, wine, and stargazing? Whether you’re planning a Tenerife vacation or simply curious, I’m here to share my top experiences on this sunny island.
In November 2024, I celebrated my 50th birthday with a girlfriend getaway, and Tenerife, a sun-soaked paradise in the Canary Islands, was the perfect spot. Though part of Spain, it’s closer to Africa, giving it a unique European-island charm. If you’re looking for a beach holiday with great local wines, adventure, and starry skies, keep reading for all my Tenerife travel tips, personal experiences, and must-know info.
Why Tenerife?
To begin with, 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.
In addition, 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!
A Hidden Gem in the Canary Islands
Warm Beaches
- 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!
Discovering Tenerife’s Food Scene
- 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. We did have great paella one night!
- 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 in Tenerife on Mount Teide – A Must-Do!
🔗 Here’s the exact stargazing tour we did
Further, this is the best tour I’ve ever done (and remember, I don’t typically like group tours) was the Stargazing Tour on Mount Teide.
Next, 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!
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!
- 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!
- 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!
- 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.
- 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.
- 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! So what is so special about Tenerife? 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! 🌞🍷✨
And don’t forget to read my posts where on local wine experiences in Tenerife at the Bodegas Monje and Casa del Vino de Tenerife wineries.
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