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) formed by volcanic craters where you can swim. However, there are also fine, light-colored sandy beaches, such as Playa del Duque in the south of Tenerife . Those who prefer rockier beaches can head west to the 500-meter-high cliffs of Los Gigantes, best admired from Playa de los Guios beach.

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

How about a dance on a volcano? And did you know that there are over 200 volcanoes on Tenerife? I didn't either before my trip. All of Tenerife is a volcano. That's what makes the island so exciting. Because of its mild climate and volcanoes, Tenerife is also called the Hawaii of Europe. The island's landmark is the 3718-meter-high Mount Teide . The region around Pico de Teide has been a national park since 1954 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007.

At 7.500 meters above sea level, Mount Teide is the third highest island volcano in the world . The national park is a hiker's paradise. You can also comfortably drive up the mountain—not all the way to the top, of course, but high enough to admire the breathtaking scenery. Alternatively, you can take the Teleférico del Teide cable car , which runs 150 meters below the summit. Many hiking trails await you at the mountain station.

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3. Make a wish: Observatory on Mount Teide

You can reach for the stars at the Teide Observatory . Thanks to its remote location far 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? If you've ever wanted to experience whales and dolphins in the wild , Tenerife is the perfect place, as the island is considered one of the world's best spots for whale watching . What's special about Tenerife is that you can observe whales here year-round. The most common species is the pilot whale. There are now so many mothers with their calves that Tenerife has earned a reputation as Europe's whale nursery. Besides whales, you can also frequently spot dolphins and many different species of fish. Most whale watching tours typically depart from the south of Tenerife, from the ports of Los Gigantes, Playa de las Americas, and Costa Adeje.

Depending on the route, tours of varying lengths are available, some even combining a swimming excursion. However, please ensure that your whale watching tour prioritizes responsible practices and avoid operators who chase the animals. To prevent whales and dolphins from being stressed during observation, the Canary Islands government introduced the "Blue Boat " certification , laying the foundation for environmentally friendly whale watching tours.

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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 evenings, you can stroll through the small, winding streets of Santa Cruz and sample delicious Canarian tapas . Many tapas bars feature live music. The atmosphere is cheerful and a bit like the landscape: captivatingly beautiful but not overwhelming, diverse, offering something for everyone, yet still unique.

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. Get rid of those preconceived notions and out into the world! These days, I've reached the point where I can say I have hardly any preferences for where I want to travel next. Until I've seen it with my own eyes, I don't want to form too strong an opinion about a particular place or country. I learned that lesson in Mauritius . Of course, there are those certain destinations that really capture my heart, but the more open and unbiased you are when you set off, the more wonderful the trip will be. Things almost always turn out differently than you expect anyway.

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

At the fabulous Hard Rock Hotel in Santa Cruz . But just how hard is a stay at the Hard Rock Hotel, really? What looks a bit like a concrete block from the outside turns out to be an oasis for music lovers and bon vivants. The hotel's name isn't entirely indicative of its purpose, as it's less about hard rock and more about the love of music and the many stories behind it. You can even order a guitar and DJ booth from room service upon request. The special thing is: Every Hard Rock Hotel has its own "Vibe Manager" who curates the perfect music for that particular hotel, and I think I've found my new dream job!

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