Eco Adventures

It’s not possible to discuss Tenerife without mentioning Mount Teide. The mountain and surrounding park hold several major distinctions, including being a UNESCO World Heritage site, a volcano and the highest elevation in Spain. Start your time on the island by taking a guided tour up the mountain. If you want to go to the peak, you have to apply for a permit (and commit a good amount of time!). For those who are more interested in the view than the hike, you can take a cable car up to a lookout point.

Stop to visit Teide Observatory during your tour to see one of the largest solar observatories. You can take a guided tour to learn more about the research there, gaze through large telescopes and learn astrophysics trivia to show off at home.

Your tour can end with a leisurely (and all downhill) bike ride that takes roughly two hours from a midpoint up the mountain back down to the base. Start preparing for your cycling in Tenerife adventure, stop to have a picnic lunch and admire the views before you resume your ride.

After hiking and biking, you deserve to relax. Make your way to The Ritz-Carlton Spa, to enjoy the Traditional Abama Ritual. Incorporating the benefits of naturally indigenous ingredients like papaya, banana and organic aloe vera, you’ll be exfoliated and massaged for total relaxation.

Unwind at a delicious dinner that elevates the best Spanish classics with an innovative new approach from 12-Michelin-star chef Martín Berasategui. Try a multitude of seafood dishes, from tartars to grilled options to freshly shucked oysters. Don’t miss one of the Tradition in a Dish plates for the true Txoko experience.

Treat yourself with breakfast at Relieve, which is known as the best spot for delectable cakes and brownies in the historic area. Start with a more traditional breakfast or go for the specialty patchanga, a creamy custard-filled doughnut.

Tucked into the northwest corner of Tenerife is Anaga, a rural park with a dense network of trails. The most popular path takes you through the laurel forest to the hamlet of Taganana, where you can end your trek with a dip in the sea.

After you’ve made your way to Taganana village, head to Playa Roque de las Bodegas. The black-sand beach is popular with surfers and families alike and, for a spectacular bit of scenery, is at the foot of the Anaga mountain range. Check out one of the local fresh-fish restaurants dotting the beach and ask for the local specialty of papas arrugadas (“wrinkly” potatoes) with a spicy mojo to go with your catch of the day. 

Before you leave the region, head to the capital city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Take in the exteriors of the striking Auditorio de Tenerife, designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava while walking around.

Panzaburro pulls from its own organic garden, La Cañada del Pilar, for the produce it uses in its beautifully plated dishes. Take a table at the intimate outdoor terrace for a healthy and locally inspired Spanish meal.

Start your day with a trip onto the water to listen to nature, literally. On a whale and dolphin listening expedition, you’ll be guided by an expert biologist while experiencing the sounds of cetaceans through hydrophones.

If you want more control over your boating excursion, drive down to Los Cristianos for a kayaking outing in the relatively calm waters of the bay. Take in beautiful views of the smaller island La Gomera across the strait, while watching dolphins bob and swim by your boat (or underneath, if you book one of the companies that offer transparent kayaks).

Book a helicopter tour to see the unique and stunning landscapes of Tenerife. Begin with the famous cliffs, Los Gigantes, which are up to 600 meters tall. Continue flying over the island for a view of El Teide National Park from above as well as the lush Corona Forestal.

Take advantage of the temperate weather in Tenerife with dinner outside at El Mirador, perched on top of the cliffs near the Resort´s rows of Villa Club and Adults-Only Villa Club lane . Enjoy locally sourced seafood while soaking in the panoramic views from the restaurant’s terrace.