This was the destination we had been anticipating. We had considered flying a bit further, but with all the repair expenses, we were inclined towards the closest yet most exotic warm destination possible in January — the wonderful Tenerife.
The journey there seemed to take forever! We rose at 4:00 (having spent a few hours sleeping in a hotel in London to ease the day), and then endured a 4-hour flight to Tenerife with our son, Natans, who refused to sleep on both flights! 😅 In any case, we realised that the first day would be slow and relaxed. We breathed in the warm air, took a dip in the pool, grabbed a bite to eat, and headed home. Yet, even these initial impressions were enchanting! This land is really very, very beautiful!
Let's start with the sights that I really recommend visiting:
- Playa Amarilla
Textured rocks. Large black stones. A hint of canyon ambiance. Fish, crabs, and remarkably big and beautiful waves. It felt truly magical! There were moments when we had to carry Natans in our arms to navigate through some areas, so if you're traveling with a child, be prepared to assist the little walkers! We were here for more than an hour, and I definitely recommend it as a stop if you’re in Tenerife. Plus, with the leeward wind, you can bask in the sun in your swimwear!
- Teide National Park
You can easily spend an entire day here. If you are traveling without children, there are many different hiking trails ranging from one to four hours or more. Since we were traveling with our son and we are two pregnant women, we understood that there would be no long walk. So, we opted to find several points of interest, drive as close as possible, and embark on short walks instead. And let me tell you, it was really very, very beautiful! Here are some of our stops in case they're helpful for you:
— Tajinaste rojo 38300 La Orotava, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain (truly feels as if you’re in a real canyon here);
— Mirador Azulejos II — (beautiful walking trails);
— Montaña Blanca 38300, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain (ideal spot for a photo with the large mountain in the background);
— La Ventana de Igueque (box in rocks) 28°19'34.2"N 16°29'22.7"W
— Mirador de Esperanza (a hill where you can enjoy a beautiful sunset) 28°21'39.2"N 16°28'04.2"W.
It's fascinating how the park can make you feel like you're on Mars one moment and in the lush green mountains of Norway the next. The variety of nature is truly unimaginable! And don't let the desert pictures mislead you, Teide is much colder than anywhere else! Warm jackets will definitely be needed, as temperatures are just a few degrees above freezing!
Next, we'll be exploring the Banana plantations.
- Finca Tenerife Daisies
Here, you can observe how bananas are cultivated, tended to, and how different treats from bananas are prepared. And the coolest thing is the opportunity to sit down for a tasting of these delicacies. Tickets are priced at 8 euros per person, and children under 4 years of age enter for free! We found it to be a super interesting and enjoyable stop!
If you're aiming for a picturesque Instagram shot, don't miss this spot:
- The Ritz-Carlton, Alabama @ritzcarltonabama
This hotel is stunning, with a distinct Moroccan vibe! If the opportunity arises, I would love to spend a night here someday; the area looked incredibly beautiful!
We decided to take a day of rest, especially since we're two pregnant women in need of some relaxation. Even though we took it easy and didn't drive anywhere, there was still plenty to experience and see around our hotel. In fact, we managed to visit both of these locations in one day (they're very close to each other, so it's easy to combine them)!
— Charco el Diablo — natural water pools where swimming is possible;
— Playa de los Gigantes — a beach surrounded by large cliffs, which was one of my husband's favourite spots;
— The Tea House Bar — conveniently located on the way to the beach, we researched that this is a great place as a stop for delicious food. We didn't make it there ourselves, but it's definitely on our list for next time.
We then embarked on the narrow and sometimes treacherous road to a marvelous destination:
- Masca Valley
The journey to Masca Valley had its surprises. Masca is a small town nestled among mountains with only about 100 inhabitants. It's a bit cooler here than elsewhere on the island due to its mountainous location. We got caught in the rain at one point and sought refuge and a quick bite at the only café open at the time. Then, we were treated to both sunshine and a rainbow! I recommend bringing a jacket and being prepared for the winding and occasionally hazardous road. If you're renting a car, insurance is a must! And if it's raining, sturdy footwear is essential — I learned that the hard way while sliding around in my slippers on the slippery stone streets of Masca!
My favorite place in Tenerife was undoubtedly this beach:
- Playa de Benijo
With its black sand, large stones, and verdant cliffs, this beach is awe-inspiring. The crashing waves remind one of nature's might. Everything here made my heart dance, smile, and feel truly thankful. This is a 'must-see' if you're in Tenerife, and the journey to this destination was spectacular!
You can combine a trip to this beach with the following stops:
— Arco de Tajo (rock formation);
— Santa Cruz de Tenerife (auditorium);
— Playa de las Teresitas (we drove to the viewpoint above to get a glimpse of the beach itself);
— Anaga Mountains (there are plenty of cool spots to stop, with epic hiking trails. Unfortunately, we didn't attempt them with a child and two pregnant women, but we thoroughly enjoyed passing through and stopping just for some fun).
For our last full day in Tenerife, we chose:
- Playa de Castro
The road to this beach is incredibly scenic, with lush greenery and some of the most beautiful palm trees on the island! There are two paths down to the beach, but be sure to check the tide schedule — during high tide, you won't be able to access the beach waterfall. We arrived at just the right time to see both waterfalls. The boys went for another swim, but this beach is full of very sharp rocks, so we wouldn't recommend swimming here! 😅
Before heading to the beach, we took a stroll around the charming town of Garachico, where we stumbled upon a lovely café with delicious cupcakes in the courtyard — Le Patissier.
I also want to mention that Tenerife is a fantastic and family-friendly destination. The island isn’t very large, making it easy to get around without worrying about long stretches of road that are unsuitable for children. If you're traveling with your family, I would definitely recommend visiting these two parks:
I think @siampark will appeal more to older kids, but @loroparque was surprisingly cool not only for Natans but also for us. The zoo garden is vast, beautiful, green, and impeccably maintained!
As for accommodations, we stayed in several places, but one I would definitely recommend is this one:
https://www.airbnb.com/slink/3UjiRNAI
Thank you for following our adventures, and stay tuned for more stories to come!