Tenerife in December: 5 things that will enchant you in Tenerife

The Canary Island of Tenerife in December

Happened again: I flew to an island that never really interested me. Why? On the one hand, because I wanted to escape the winter weather in Germany. Who has anything to complain about when it comes to the beach, sun and sea? And on the other hand, because I heard so many good things about Tenerife from a friend that I just wanted to experience it myself. At first I didn't expect much more than a colorful beach life on Tenerife. For a long time I wasn't particularly drawn to the Canary Islands. Fortunately, life is full of surprises and so I was once again positively surprised by a place and can count another island among my personal favorites.

Tenerife in December: Escape the cold winter months in Germany

If you want to spend the pre-Christmas period or the cold winter months in general in a different way, Tenerife is the place for you. The mild summer temperatures don't really put you in the mood for Christmas, but you can exchange your thick, heavy winter coat for sandals and bathing suits. A piece of summer in the middle of winter. But the island offers much more than just good weather. Tenerife is such a wonderful diverse island with lush vegetation and varied landscape that is best explored by rental car. I have collected 5 things for you that will definitely put a smile on your face in Tenerife. Here we go!

1. Black Jewels: The beaches of Tenerife

On the approximately 360 km long coast of Tenerife you will find an impressive variety of landscapes, which is particularly beautiful to see on the more than 50 beaches. Many of the beaches consist of the fine black sand typical of volcanic islands, which gives the island something almost mystical. In the north you will find many lava beaches, from the well-developed and comfortable Playa Jardin beach to many secluded and completely natural bays, there is a beach for every taste.

There are also natural pools (so-called lava pools) that were formed by volcanic craters and where you can swim. However, there are also light, fine sandy beaches such as the Playa del Duque in the south of Tenerife. Those who prefer rockier terrain can head west to the 500m high Los Gigantes cliffs, best viewed from Playa de los Guios beach.

2. The Teide - National Park for hiking, dreaming and being amazed

How about a dance on the volcano? And did you know that Tenerife has over 200 volcanoes? Neither did I before my trip. All of Tenerife is a volcano. This is what makes the island so exciting. Tenerife is also called the Hawaii of Europe because of the mild climate and the volcanoes. The landmark of the island is the 3718 meter high Teide volcano. The region around the Pico de Teide has been a national park since 1954 and has been a UNESCO natural heritage site since 2007.

At 7.500 meters above sea level, Mount Teide is the third highest island volcano on earth. The national park makes hikers' hearts beat faster. But you can also easily drive up the mountain by car, of course not up the whole mountain but high enough to admire the breathtaking landscape. Alternatively you can take the cable car Teide cable car take advantage of the 150 vertical meters below the summit. Many hiking trails await you at the mountain station.

Advertising

3. Make a wish: Observatory on Mount Teide

You can reach for the stars in the Observatory on Mount Teide. Thanks to the remote location far away from cities and civilization, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the starry sky.

"If you don't raise your head, you can't see the stars."

Did you know that the sun has its own frequency and beats like a heart every five minutes? Tenerife is home to the world's largest solar observatory. You can find out all this and much more on a guided tour of the observatory.

4. Watch whales and dolphins in Tenerife

Have you ever seen a whale nursery? Who ever Whales and dolphins in the wild Tenerife is the place to be because the island is considered to be one of the world's best places for whale watching. The special thing about Tenerife is that you can watch whales here all year round. The pilot whale is the most common. In the meantime, so many mother animals are out and about with their young that Tenerife has made a name for itself as Europe's whale kindergarten. In addition to whales, you can also watch dolphins and many different types of fish from time to time. Most whale watching tours usually start in the south of Tenerife at the ports of Los Gigantes via Playa de las Americas to Costa Adeje.

Depending on the route, there are tours of different lengths, some in combination with a swimming trip. However, please pay attention to careful whale watching on the tours and avoid providers who literally rush the animals. To ensure that whales and dolphins are not stressed by observation, the Canary Islands government has issued the “Blue Boat” certificate" introduced and thus laid the foundation for gentle whale watching tours.

Advertising

5. Local Life: Because life is too short for bad coffee

I particularly liked the relaxed and completely relaxed atmosphere on Tenerife. Almost everywhere you can comfortably drink a coffee, enjoy the sun or just look at the ocean. Incidentally, a very own coffee culture has developed on the island and there is now a large selection of different coffee specialties, such as my favorites, the café cortado leche y leche or the café Carajillo quemado.

In the evening you can stroll through the small winding streets of Santa Cruz and enjoy delicious Canarian tapas try. Live music is played in many tapas bars. The atmosphere is cheerful and a bit like the landscape: bewitchingly beautiful but not intrusive, varied, something for everyone and still extraordinary.

Experienced: Breathtaking sunsets on Tenerife

Stunning sunsets as the world of Tenerife is momentarily bathed in hazy golden and rose colored light. At one of the sunsets we spotted a beautiful Malamute bitch on the beach, who was going for a walk with her new owner. Apparently her former owner just left her on the island. Luckily she found a new home. Oddly enough, we even met malamute dogs in Tenerife several times. It might get a bit too warm for them on the island...

Learned: Away with the stereo images

Don't Listen to What They Say. Go see. Away with the stereo images in your head and out into the world! I'm now ready to say that I don't really have any preferences as to where I want to travel next. Until I've seen it with my own eyes, I don't want to form too many opinions about any particular place or country. I already have that open Mauritius internalized. Of course there are certain destinations that make your heart beat faster, but the more open and impartial you go, the more beautiful the trip will be. It usually turns out differently than you think.

Marveled: The coast of Tenerife

The coast and the indescribably beautiful landscape when we were traveling with the rental car. We were also amazed and enthusiastic about our accommodation.

Overnight: The Hardrock Hotel on Tenerife

im fabulous Hard Rock Hotel in Santa Cruz. But how hard is a stay at the Hard Rock Hotel? What looks a bit like a concrete block from the outside turns out to be an oasis for music lovers and bon vivants. The name of the hotel doesn't quite say it all, because it's less about hard rock and more about the love of music and the many stories behind it. If desired, you can order a guitar and a DJ booth from room service. The special thing: Every Hard Rock Hotel has its own “Vibe Manager” who puts together the right music for the respective hotel and I think I have found a new dream job!

Advertising

The free newsletter from Petit Chapeau