Connect with your inner beach bum on Tenerife

Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands and one of the most visited. It has exquisite beaches, rugged volcanic hills, modern resorts and relaxed and traditional villages.

Tenerife is lush and green in the north and dry and hot in the south.

The dry southern part of Tenerife is where tourist haunts and high-rise developments are concentrated. The Playa de las Americas is the busiest and most famous tourist resort on the island, with a lively nightlife and lots of opportunities for shopping and eating out.

The busy port of Santa Cruz de la Tenerife is the second most populated city on the island. If you're after something more relaxing, head to one of rural towns and villages, such as La Orotaval, which has historic buildings, stunning architecture and three excellent dark sand beaches - El Rincon, El Bollullo and Martin Alonso.

The northern part of Tenerife is quieter and less developed. Visitors who travel to this charming area will find the picturesque village of Masca which is perched on a precipice.

Puerto de la Cruz is the main visitor centre in northern Tenerife. More traditional and tranquil than than some of the newer resorts in the south, the city has excellent hotels. One of the most exotic attractions in Puerto de la Cruz is Lago Martianez. This series of seawater pools was designed by famed artist Cesar Manrique. The city also boasts the volcanic beaches of Martianez and Playa Jardin and the botanical garden Loro Park, full of entertaining parrots.

Survival guide

Among the Canary Islands, Tenerife is often called the "island of eternal spring" thanks to its consistently pleasant climate. The northern part of the island is a bit cooler than the southern side, thanks to the Passat winds. The island experiences its hottest weather in July.

There is one international airport on Tenerife (Reina Sofia International Airport). Flights to and from Tenerife are plentiful, especially if you catch a connection out of Madrid. The island is a major tourist destination for Europeans, so several international carriers out of Europe (such as KLM and British Airways) offer direct flight to Tenerife.

Accommodation in Tenerife is plentiful and varied. Choose from luxurious resorts and large hotels or spend your holiday in a self-catering apartment or villa.

Castilian Spanish is the main language spoken and the Euro is the currency.