Tenerife – A travel report
In the middle of the wild Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa, the Canary Islands brave the elements. Tenerife is the largest of the archipelago and also the most diverse. Rugged cliffs, black sand beaches, enchanted forests and moon-like volcanic landscapes. Towering above it all is the mighty Teide, Spain’s highest mountain at 3,718 metres. Sounds like a good mix of beach holiday and hiking.
So in March, my girlfriend and I went to Teneriffa for two weeks with our swimming trunks and camera in our bags. We were greeted by pleasant 21 degrees and sunny weather. But we didn’t just sunbathe on the beach or enjoy coffee and delicious snacks in the towns (Tip: If you’re ever in Puerto de la Cruz, you should definitely try the croissants at the little bakery La Casa del Panadero. But beware, they are quite calorie bombs). No, there were also a few hikes on the programme. Somehow we had to work off all those calories, especially since my girlfriend and I were supposed to run a trail run at the beginning of June.
I was particularly taken with the barren volcanic landscape around Mount Teide, which offered countless opportunities for hiking and photography. In general, Tenerife offers new motifs at every corner, from landscapes to wildlife. Even a short sunset walk on the beach can turn into a longer photo session. Having a photographer as a boyfriend has its advantages but also disadvantages. 😉
So, of course, a sunrise tour was not to be missed and even short stops at vantage points could drag on when some Tenerife blue chaffinches, an endemic, blue-coloured finch species, showed up. However, I also entered unfamiliar terrain and took pictures of my girlfriend for her website.
As a travel time, I can recommend March. Temperatures are not too hot and the weather is usually good. It’s great for outdoor sports activities, but you can also relax on the beach and swim in the ocean. A rental car makes it much easier to explore the island with its winding, sometimes narrow roads. Due to the size of the island, it is advisable to change accommodation several times, as otherwise you will be travelling a lot by car.
