Share The Article
Home to world-renowned city breaks like Madrid and Barcelona, a vibrant culture dating back millennia, and coastal resorts like Ibiza and Mallorca, Spain continues to reign supreme as one of the most popular destinations across the pond.
Beyond the usual summer hotspots, however, there’s a lesser-known island breaking all sorts of tourism records lately, and with the cheap prices, beautiful nature, and great weather to top it off, it’s not like visitors will be dwindling any time soon:
Tenerife Is One Of Spain’s Top Destinations Right Now
Before you roll your eyes at us and scroll down to the comment section to let us know, and rightly so, Tenerife is far from being ‘lesser-known’, you should keep in mind it’s all a matter of perspective.
Yes, it is, and it has always been extremely popular, especially among Brits, Germans, and other Northern Europeans, who have been flocking there for sunny weather—in many ways, it’s the European equivalent to Cancun.
The largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, it is primarily known for its year-round warm climate, epic volcanic landscapes, and a paradisaical coastline interspersed with resort strips, paradisaical beaches, and laid-back cities.
As far as ‘lesser-known’ goes, we understand that sentence would indeed sound ludicrous in any other context, but are you aware that, in 2023, out of Tenerife’s 5.6 million tourists, only 26,000 of those came from the United States?
That was a significant 51.1% rise over the preceding year, and last year, the numbers rose again by a more moderate 11.2%, but fast-rising as it may be, the U.S. share of the market is still nowhere as important as Europe’s.
Americans Have Been Sleeping On Tenerife For Far Too Long
What we’re trying to say is that, to the average American, Tenerife isn’t even an existing option, so yes, to most of us living on the other side of the pond, it is a niche destination to pick compared to, hem, Barcelona.
Be that as it may, the Canary Islands—an autonomous Spanish archipelago that includes Tenerife, as well as Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and other well-established holiday islands—are poised for a record-breaking year:
Tourism in the archipelago went up by an additional 2.1% over the first quarter:
According to the Canary Islands National Statistics Institute (INE), a total of 4.36 million tourists arrived locally between January and April, despite the rising anti-tourism sentiment, and Tenerife is the preferred destination.
If, like a majority of Americans, you’ve never even heard of Tenerife beforehand, you may be wondering what the hype’s all about. Well, if you’re ever looking for a beach getaway that won’t break the bank, and an island that offers both Old World charm and natural beauty, you know where to go.
Old World Allure & Paradisaical Beaches
The coastal capital of Tenerife, Santa Cruz, is a bustling city famous for its long coastal promenade, lined with laid-back seafood eateries and tall palm trees. The promenade straddles a long, sandy beach that rivals Rio’s Copacabana in beauty.
Some of the prominent landmarks in the historic center, which dates back to the colonial period when the Spaniards first settled the Canary Islands, include the Church of the Immaculate Conception, one of the oldest religious edifices in the archipelago, and the palace-like Old Civil Hospital.
Several pedestrian-friendly streets start from the centrally located Plaza de España, and as a sprawling oasis of green in the midst of the urban sprawl, Parque García Sanabria offers a temporary respite from the downtown chaos.
Santa Cruz is also popular for its thriving nightlife, largely centered around Avenida Anaga. Popular spots like Tao Club, Cooper Club, and gay-friendly Galeón Lounge are all located nearby.
They serve cold beer for around $3–$5 and delicious drinks for equally-cheap prices.
Natural Wonders & UNESCO-Protected Gems
Tenerife is more than just a city break, however: its true charm lies in its dramatic volcanic landscape and virtually unspoiled smaller towns, which have yet to be impacted by the mass tourism that has proved increasingly detrimental to the Canary Islands as a community.
A large natural preserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Teide National Park hosts Spain’s highest peak, Mount Teide, a volcano rising 12,198 feet above sea level.
The less-visited Los Gigantes Cliffs overlook the azure Atlantic, making for a great viewpoint for marine life sightings.
Over in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, you’ll find a historic 16th-century town crisscrossed by cobbled streets and peppered with picture-perfect, colorful Canarian houses and cozy tapas bars. Masca is a hidden gem up in the mountains, offering hiking along a scenic gorge.
It’s worth noting that the Masca Gorge Trail, one of the most beautiful on the island, requires booking in advance to avoid crowding, so make sure you plan it well in advance so you don’t miss out on that.
How Actually Affordable Is Tenerife?
Naturally, Tenerife’s affordability is a key factor in its success among Europeans and now Americans: a menu del día meal in a local restaurant in downtown Santa Cruz will set you back $10–$15, and a 3-course meal in a more boujee eatery will cost around $40–$60.
Meanwhile, 4-star hotels in Playa de las Americas, a trendy stretch of coast dominated by luxury complexes and commercial centers, start from as cheap as $60 each as a couple (whala!tenerife), rising to $137 at an adults-only, all-inclusive like Olé Tropical Tenerife.
Over in Costa Adeje, some of the best deals this season are Los Olivos Beach Resort, at $73 per adult, and Catalonia Oro Negro, where overnight rates cost a similar $73.50 when booking as a pair of travelers.
All in all, this is a culture-infused beach getaway for Americans this summer, or at least for those who’ve grown tired of Cancun and its Caribbean offshoots.
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
Ready For Your Trip? Check The Latest Entry Requirements For Your Destination Here
↓ Elevate Your Travel↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!
️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Please visit:
Our Sponsor