A holiday on the beautiful island of Tenerife can be anything you want it to be. For sun seekers, this is a year-round holiday hotspot with temperatures rarely falling below 20°C in the winter, making sunbathing on the beach in December ideal.
For those who love more thrill than chill, the largest of the Canary Islands has everything, from water parks – the incomparable Thai-themed Siam Park, to Loro Parque Zoo, and the south of the island is known for its lively nightlife and bustling resorts.
If you’re after a traditional Spanish experience, the north of the island really hits the spot. There truly is, as clichéd as it sounds, something for everyone on Tenerife.
See the Giants, one of the things to do in Los Gigantes
The sun-drenched west coast is home to one of the prettiest resort towns on the island – Los Gigantes. This corner of Tenerife attracts visitors to see the impressive Acantilados de los Gigantes – which translates to ‘Cliffs of the Giants’ – and for good reason. These huge cliffs rise out of the ocean at 500 to 850 metres high and make for a rather spectacular sight.
Protecting the town from sea winds, the cliffs actually help make Los Gigantes one of the sunniest resorts on the island, so if that’s not a great advert for a holiday, then I don’t know what is!
No matter where you are in town, the Giants are constantly visible, making it a picturesque as well as a memorable place to holiday in.
Los Gigantes, along with neighbouring Puerto de Santiago and Playa de la Arena, is quieter than the busy resorts of Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americas that are found in the south – so is a great holiday destination for families. Even as a more relaxed destination, there are still many things to do in Los Gigantes for all the family.
There are plenty of cafés, restaurants and family-friendly bars to choose from if you’re looking to stop for a bite to eat. And also everything is within easy walking distance, making this town perfect for those with children.
Best beaches in Tenerife
The marina is a very pretty place for a relaxing wander. Charming restaurants and bars line the boardwalk. So it is the perfect place to stop for a refreshing drink and to watch the world go by.
It also makes it one of the best places to try delicious fresh seafood dishes, endless bowls of tapas, or some local delicacies. Try an order of papas arrugadas (Canarian potatoes), slathered in mojo sauce, delicious.
As its a volcanic island most of the best beaches in Tenerife come with black sand, with the exception of a few where white sand has been imported from the Sahara. The black sand looks stunning, though it does get very hot, so make sure you keep your flip-flops on until you can get your toes into the cooling water.
Los Guios Beach in Los Gigantes is small, but rarely crowded and has the most incredible views of the Giants, which is definitely a draw. It is a lovely place to sit and watch the waves roll onto the sand.
The nearby Playa de la Arena has a slightly larger beach, but it also comes with a lifeguard and the option to rent sunbeds and parasols.
For something a little different, Isla Cangrejo is a must-visit. It’s a natural seawater pool, though a concrete wall shelters it from the crashing waves, making it an unbeatable place for a dip, and it’s free to visit.
Sitting in the pool as the waves splash onto the rocks is quite an experience. Though if the tide is in and the waves are a bit wild, it’s advisable to be a bit more cautious, especially with the little ones.
Mount Teide a visit to remember
If you want to venture out a little further, no matter what you want out of your holiday to Tenerife, a visit to Mount Teide is one place you should be sure to go. Situated just 30 kilometres from Los Gigantes in the UNESCO World Heritage site, Teide National Park. The spectacular peak sits at a height of 3,718 metres above sea level.
To really appreciate its beauty, you have to go up the mountain. Though if you’re not up to the rather tough hike, you can simply hop onto a cable car and let that do all the work, leaving you to appreciate the incredible views as you travel.
The cable car takes less than eight minutes to get you to 3,555 metres. And on clear days, you can see the nearby islands of La Gomera, El Hierro, La Palma and Gran Canaria, which makes the trip well worth it.
The views really are spectacular – there’s nothing more calming than looking out from so high up and seeing for miles out across the ocean.
A little tip, make sure you are prepared with the correct footwear and clothing for the change in temperature – you’ll find it much colder at the top of Mount Teide than the hot sands of the beach.
When you’ve had your fill, take the cable car back down and stop for a refreshing drink at the café, where you will no doubt be planning a return trip.
It’s worth noting that if you want to go to the summit you have to apply for a permit well ahead of time. So, if you fancy hiking a bit further, make sure you book in plenty of time for your holiday. Prices for the cable car are €13.50 for children and €27 for adults.
Where to stay in Tenerife
Royal Sun Resort on Tenerife has a picture-perfect location, perched high above the village of Los Gigantes, with uninterrupted views of the Atlantic Ocean and across to the island of La Gomera.
Located in Santiago Del Teide, the resort has been cleverly designed so all 120 apartments have ocean views, and each opens out onto its own private balcony, with sun beds, tables, and chairs. This makes for a beautiful spot to enjoy a glass of wine or a family dinner on the balcony at the end of the day.
Sunsets are no more spectacular anywhere on Tenerife than here. The view of the golden sun disappearing on the horizon behind La Gomera is as romantic as it gets.
Talking of the apartments, the modern, one-, two-, and three bedroom spacious units are elegantly furnished and air-conditioned and come complete with complimentary robes and slippers for each guest, which adds a special touch for visitors.
The rooms are well-furnished, with flat-screen satellite TV, large bathrooms, fully-equipped kitchens, free Wi-Fi and a safe. There is an option to pay an additional fee to access high-speed unlimited Wi-Fi if you prefer.
Royal Sun Resort is designed to give you the freedom of a self-catering holiday, but with the convenience of hotel amenities on your doorstep – it’s all about choice. The well-equipped kitchens mean you can whip up a delicious meal if you want to keep things low key and not venture too far from the resort. The resort has its own mini-market where you can stock up on all the essentials.
Elsewhere on the resort, there is plenty to keep you busy – or not if you prefer to do nothing more strenuous than turn over on your sun lounger every half hour.
There are two outdoor swimming pools, which are situated on the third and fourth levels. Again these have beautiful views across the ocean and down to the villages of Los Gigantes and Puerto Santiago, as well as the breathtaking Acantilados de los Gigantes. The raised smaller children’s pool has a waterfall cascading down into the adult pool below, it really is very picturesque.
As well as the children’s pool, younger guests are well catered for at this family-friendly resort. There are a playground and fantastic children’s club, with a full entertainment programme in place to keep the little ones busy.
The playroom is full of toys, games, and craft materials for enjoying creative activities. In the evenings there is a mini-disco and once a week the popular Parrot Show draws in the crowds down at Imperial Bar.
For those who want to indulge in a bit of well-deserved ‘me time’, the Royal Sun Resort has got you covered. Make the most of the children’s club and head to the Royal Sun Salon for a head to toe (literally) pamper session while the little ones are off having fun. You can get your hair done, a manicure and a relaxing massage – when better to treat yourself than on holiday?
Although this is a self-catering resort, the on-site restaurants are second to none. The Regency Restaurant is the resort’s main restaurant, serving local and international cuisine, so there is something for the fussiest eaters here.
During the day, the poolside bar, Oasis Abraxas, provides snacks and refreshing drinks, perfect if you want an uninterrupted day by the pool. And the Imperial Bar is ideal for a fruity cocktail in the evening and to enjoy the live entertainment.
The Aqua Restaurant is an exclusive and intimate restaurant with just ten tables for evening dining. Led by one of Tenerife’s most successful chefs, Lucas Maes, who has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants all over the world, this is the place to book for a date night or special occasion.
The Royal Sun Resort Tenerife is an RCI-affiliated resort and it boasts RCI Gold Crown status.
If you’re looking for a beautiful resort in a stunning location, Royal Sun Resort is clearly a winner. To book a stay here, please visit us here.
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Mary Zaxou says
Such an amazing post!