About Tenerife
Highlights:
The largest of Canary Islands, Tenerife offers everything from fantastic resorts and gorgeous beaches, to lush forests and surreal volcanic landscapes. The southeastern part of the island is dominated by huge resorts such as Los Cristianos, the Playa de Las Américas and Costa Adeje, while the beautiful Teide National Park, crowned by Spain’s highest peak, the Pico del Teide, spreads across much of the central part of the island. The north is greener and a little quieter, and is home to the popular resort of Puerto de la Cruz, as well as the charming island capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, famous for its annual Carnival celebrations.
Food & drink:
Seafood, as you might expect from an island, features predominantly on menus, usually served simply grilled or pan-fried, along with a dollop of the local ‘mojo’ sauces. The most popular ‘mojos’ are green (made with parsley and garlic), and red (a spicy version with peppers), which are also the traditional accompaniment for the local favourites, ‘wrinkly potatoes ’ (patatas arrugadas). ‘Gofio’, made with different kinds of grains, is another traditional dish, and the island’s fantastic cheeses shouldn’t be missed.
Off the beaten track:
More than 5 million visitors come to Tenerife annually, and the Teide National Park is the most popular park in Spain. Escape the crowds by heading to the dramatic, northern coastline, where the beaches are rockier and quieter, or head to the more remote reaches of the Teide National Park to enjoy some blissfully solitary hikes.
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