# Tenerife: 70 Beaches and One Enormous Volcano! > Volcanic landscapes, 70 beaches and traditional cuisine on a single island. Here is how Tenerife surprises even the most seasoned travelers. - URL: https://langandtrip.com.ua/en/article/teneryfe-70-pliazhei-y-odyn-ohromni-vulkan/ - Language: en - Published: 2025-08-20 - Categories: Mountains, Beaches, Spain, Food & Drinks, Relaxation, Seas & Oceans --- By the time I reach the foot of the mountain, my legs are already starting to give out. Orange dust swirls upward, then settles again, revealing the view of Mount Teide, an active volcano standing 3,718 meters (about 12,200 feet) tall, the highest peak in Spain. From any angle, Teide, which last erupted in 1909, is striking, and even the white mist wrapped around its summit cannot hide its sheer size. A two-hour flight from Madrid brought me to Tenerife, an island 300 kilometers (186 miles) off the coast of West Africa that rose from the ocean floor 10 million years ago through a volcanic eruption. Over three days, I explore a place with a landscape far more varied than its 2,000 square kilometers might suggest. Tenerife is the largest and most populous of the seven Canary Islands, welcoming more than 5 million tourists every year. That figure is partly driven by the "something for everyone" appeal the island offers. In less than an hour, you can travel from lush subtropical rainforest to volcanic terrain. ## Natural Wonders The magic of Tenerife lies in its untouched, natural grandeur. The island's isolation in the Atlantic Ocean has allowed its biodiversity to evolve in fascinating ways. It is home to 50 endemic species, including five of the world's seven remaining turtle species, the Canary Cleopatra butterfly and even an eyeless cockroach. Conservation is a top priority on Tenerife; 48 percent of its land is protected. And at nearly every turn there is some natural wonder to marvel at. The southern part of the island is home to between 500 and 600 pilot whales, which boats can take visitors out to observe. In the resort town of Los Gigantes, dramatically tall cliffs plunge straight into the ocean. In the mountainous areas, visitors can walk above a sea of clouds, a natural phenomenon created by the trade winds. In the port town of Garachico, tidy cobblestone streets connect squares framed by palm trees, and the natural lava pools in the bay churn with surging seawater. ## North Versus South ![](https://test.langandtrip.com.ua/wp-content/uploads/de_import_uploads/june-article-image-103-1-2025.jpg) While the arid regions of southern Tenerife draw beach lovers to their high-rise resorts, cooler temperatures, subtropical forests and quiet towns define the north of the island. The capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is a northern port city with churches that have stood since the 16th century. In February, the city comes alive during Carnival, when revelers in fancy dress take to the streets to drink and dance until the early morning. Less than a mile from Santa Cruz, the cobbled lanes of the town of La Laguna are lined with everything from boutiques and museums to local art galleries. It is also home to some of the island's most historic buildings and its only university, the University of La Laguna. Tenerife also boasts 70 beaches, so the question is not which one to visit, but what kind. At the El Bollullo beaches in the north, cascading green cliffs and abundant banana plantations lead down to a sea of black stones that gleam against even blacker volcanic sand. For golden beaches and beautiful bodies, the main town of Adeje on the southern coast is the place to see and be seen. ## Time-Honored Recipes ![](https://test.langandtrip.com.ua/wp-content/uploads/de_import_uploads/june-article-image-103-2-2025.jpg) While simplicity of flavor is the hallmark of Canarian cuisine, Tenerife's gastronomy celebrates local ingredients that bring together the best of traditional and modern recipes. In cozy hillside restaurants across the island, many of which were once homes, old family recipes bring memories to life. One restaurant that perfectly embodies this tradition of flavor and family is El Calderito de la Abuela, which translates to "Grandmother's Pot." Chefs and brothers Fabian and Mario Nunez Jr. took their grandmother Gregoria's recipes and created an atmosphere that keeps locals at their tables and fresh, traditional Canarian food at the heart of what they do. Their dishes include grilled goat cheese topped with palm honey and mojo, thin and crispy fried onion rings called "cebollitas," and conejo al salmorejo, a tender and flavorful rabbit stew. ## A Sense of Scale ![](https://test.langandtrip.com.ua/wp-content/uploads/de_import_uploads/june-article-image-103-3-2025.jpg) Perhaps the greatest wonder of Tenerife is Mount Teide. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that experienced hikers can climb with written permission. A cable car called "El Teleferico" can also take visitors to the summit in eight minutes. And while the volcano dwarfs everything else on the island, its peak offers an even greater sense of scale. The low levels of light pollution make it a perfect spot for gazing at an endless starry sky.