The Canary Island of Tenerife has several coastal towns, each offering something unique, making it a top destination for travelers. Don’t just think about staying on the beaches. Notice the differences between the North and South. Take a deeper dive into these towns and decide which sounds like your home base during your vacation here.
La Orotava
As you wander through the old town, you will see some amazingly preserved colonial architecture and cobblestone streets. Most historical houses are well maintained with courtyards and greenery, but there are also few museums.
Casa de los Balcones is mainly known for its intricately carved wooden balconies with their artwork and ceramics, but it may be overhyped from the experience. Casa Lercaro is a 17th-century mansion with a small exhibit detailing the family history and involvement in developing La Orotava. Many of these will give you an excellent insight into the Canarian history here, and they are small enough to be only a short detour if you are looking for a time filler.
Take a break from the streets and take a leisurely walk through the Hijuela del Botánico, a botanical garden of tropical and subtropical plants nestled inside the town. This is a perfect place for quiet reflection amid nature and tranquility.
To see the town from above, head to the park and garden Jardines Victoria. It’s beautifully kept on a hill in the center of La Orotava, with views of the sea and neighborhoods. The public space is popular, so there are always people passing through, and it is also a nice spot for a picnic or romantic outing.
It’s also a gateway town that leads to Teide National Park, one of the best activities in Tenerife. The volcanic terrain and landscape make this place stunning during the day and especially in the evenings. With hiking trails and stargazing opportunities, you don’t want to miss out on this.
Vilaflor
This is Tenerife’s highest mountain village. To get there, you will drive up into the mountains and above the clouds. Bring warm clothes as the weather changes dramatically from the bottom to the top.
Start in the town center where the Sanctuary of Santo Hermano Pedro is a historical landmark dedicated to the first saint of Tenerife. Next to it is Iglesia De San Pedro, the local 16th-century church. It remains open so you can see the altar and other displays inside.
Just a short distance away outside of town is El Pino Gordo, a massive pine tree that is a natural landmark and is reported as the second tallest tree in Spain. The tallest tree in Spain is right next to it. You can walk down a small stoned path down to the tree for a picture and see its massive size. It’s an excellent stop for nature lovers and has great panoramic forest views.
It’s a different lifestyle change here in that it is a tranquil village with few visitors visiting to explore. There is plenty of fresh air, so breathe deeply. Perfect if you are looking for an afternoon stroll and relaxing somewhere.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
As the capital of Tenerife, the more popular beach towns often overlook it for an island vacation. This means the feel here can be a little more authentic, with more residents than tourists filling the plazas of Príncipe de Asturias, España, and Los Patos. These squares are always busy with pedestrian traffic around the boutique and artisanal shops, so it’s a good place to sit down for a break and watch the crowds walk by.
It would be best to visit the Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África (Our Lady of Africa Market). The traditional market has two floors of fresh produce stalls, flowers, souvenirs, and local crafts. It’s not significant compared to others, but the activity here is buzzing. For Canarian cuisine, local restaurants do part of their shopping here, so take a note out of their playbook and pick up some gourmet items for yourself.
The Old Town part of Santa Cruz is just as fun, with plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from. The bell tower of the local church is a landmark and a good way to orient yourself if you get lost while exploring.
Los Silos
Here is a little-known town northwest of Tenerife that is perfect for nature lovers. It’s usually an added stop to the more popular cities, but that gives it a more authentic character and makes it less attractive to tourists.
You can experience the beautiful and rugged coastline easily from here. One of the fun things you can do is dip in Charco Los Chochos, a natural pool formed from the island’s volcanic eruptions. Only the rock wall keeps it separated from the ocean so that you can get plenty of ocean views.
Right next to it is a massive display of a whale skeleton with general information about the mammal. As whales and dolphins are frequent visitors around the island, it’s nice to get a better understanding. You may also notice more birds, as the area has many natural habitats for those native to Tenerife. This means you can add birdwatching to your nature walks.
Take a short walk over to the deep cave by the coastline. Like the Giants Causeway in Ireland, the rock cliff formations formed from the lava give it a unique geological shape, with the deep blue waves crashing against it. Watch your step and get some great photos before heading back.
Garachico
Before you head into town, the first thing you will want to do is get an impressive view of the entire town at Mirador de Garachico. It’s a cafe and souvenir shop located part of the way on a long, winding road to your destination. Even if you just need a break from the drive, it’s a nice stop to have and really take in the coastal scenery.
This port town has revitalized itself over the last century after recovering from a devasting volcanic eruption. Similar to Los Silos, the El Caletón are volcanic rock pools that are a highlight here, so come early to beat the crowd and check to make sure they are open.
Plaza de La Libertad is another familiar Spanish square and the heart of Garachico. Stop at one of the restaurants or cafes here for a quick bite amid the historic buildings. With its baroque architecture, the Church of Santa Anna is a particular highlight but not something you need to stop and admire for a long time.
Finish with a close-up shot of Roque de Garachico, the tinier island just a few hundred meters from the town. You won’t be able to go there yourself, as it is a protected area for plants and animals, but it is still an interesting landmark.
Puerto de la Cruz
A popular location on the north side of Tenerife, this place is lively in the evenings but still has a very laid-back, chill vibe compared to some of the other places. It still offers a lot of activities for all ages.
Take the colorful Agatha Christie Stairs, where the town honored her for staying during part of her writing career and wrote several popular novels. The stairs are meant to represent the book spines, each with the title from one of her novels. It’s not a steep climb, and a nice change of pace from just taking the sidewalk.
The Playa Jardín might be one of the few times you get to enjoy some rare black sand in not one but three connected beaches. It’s not a natural occurrence here; it was created by the late artist César Manrique. The unique color is because of the volcanic ash brought from the sea, which was then cultivated into the landscape with added gardens and trees to make it the beach-like paradise you see now.
Enjoy the impressive murals strolling Plaza El Charco, one of the best and yet surprisingly little-known parts of Puerto de la Cruz. You will feel like it’s an urban art gallery as you go from building to building. It’s just not those, though; the entire neighborhood and streets are more artistic than the others.
Best Time to Visit Tenerife
Summers are really for beach lovers and sun-soakers, so you will always see an increase in European tourists and those off from school and university. Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are the best times to visit Tenerife. There are fewer crowds, which makes booking accommodations and planning activities easier. The weather is warm and mild all day, making going outdoors absolutely fantastic.
Of course, these towns are filled with local celebrations of traditional culture and music. You have Easter, which is a big affair here in Tenerife, and the wine harvesting season for the local vineyards in Autumn. Those are my personal weather preferences, but pick what best fits your criteria.
Conclusion
I spent 5 days exploring Tenerife and found each town memorable, fun, and exciting. Plan and learn more about Tenerife. This might be the largest Canary Island, but it’s still an island. Each town is only a few hours away from each other and easily accessible.