Attractions Nearby Tenerife, Day Trips and Excursions

(Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain)



Tenerife is one of seven Canary Islands standing in the Atlantic Ocean, close to mainland Spain. Many additional island attractions lie close to Tenerife, with Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote being the other principal Canary Islands (located to the east), with 'island hopping' being particularly popular.

All three of these islands can be easily reached by plane or ferry and are major tourist resorts in their own right, being full of world-class attractions and appealing beaches. Most flights between the islands are handled by the Tenerife Norte airport, which is close to Santa Cruz.

The smaller islands of La Palma, Gomera and Hierro can be found on the western side of Tenerife and although less popular with tourists, still have much to offer, including plenty of alluring sandy beaches and dive spots.


Aerial view of Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria

One of the biggest of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria has a population of 735,000 inhabitants, and is connected by a number of regular ferries and speedy jetfoils. Departing twice daily, the journey between Tenerife and Gran Canaria lasts just 80 minutes, leaving from Santa Cruz de Tenerife and arriving in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the island's capital. Full of charming villages, such as Arucas, Teror and Vega de San Mateo, other attractions here include the yachting town of Puerto de Mogán, the tourist resort of Maspalomas and the beaches around the Playa del Inglés area, where sunbathing, swimming and general water sports are very much the order of the day.

Many families choose to visit Gran Canaria for its superb tourist attractions and theme parks, such as Cocodrilo Parque (Crocodile Park) in Villa de Agüimes, and Holiday World in Maspalomas - which is full of fast rollercoasters and rides. Those travelling from Tenerife looking for more historical sights on the island will not be disappointed, with the Catedral de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Las Palmas Cathedral) dating back around 600 years, and the Cenobio de Valerón in Santa Maria de Guia being full of pre-Hispanic remains and old artefacts.

Fuerteventura's Morro Jable beaches Photo showing the Lighthouse

Fuerteventura

Further to the east, Fuerteventura is connected to Tenerife by regular weekly ferries and faster jetfoils, travelling between Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Fuerteventura's harbour town of Morro Jable. Full of attractions for all ages, this is an easy going island with a population of around 65,000 and always popular with holiday makers.

Most holiday makers enjoy the island's many spectacular beaches, including the Playa de Sotavento de Jandia, which stretches for around 20 km / 12 miles. Apart from its beaches, Fuerteventura is also known for its exceptional range of water sports activities, which include windsurfing, sailing, scuba diving and snorkelling, together with a number of excellent golf courses and a lively nightlife. Close by, the Isla Lobos (Los Lobos Island) is an important nature reserve, with inexpensive ferry trips available from Corralejo.

Lanzarote beaches photograph

Lanzarote

Standing roughly to the north-east of Tenerife and directly above Fuerteventura, Lanzarote is a vibrant island with a population of around 102,000. Much of the island has been greatly shaped by famous local César Manrique, who is responsible for various imposing buildings and structures, particularly around the island's Tahiche area. Lanzarote is full of superb holiday resorts, together with an endless selection of beaches, including the Playa Blanca, Papagayo and also the Puerto del Carmen beaches.

Further inland you will find a host of superb attractions, natural and man-made. Regularly visited by both locals and tourists from Tenerife, some of Lanzarote's best draw cards include the vast Parque Nacional de Timanfaya, the volcanic Los Jameos del Agua (Water Caverns) and the nearby Cueva de los Verdes (Green Caves). For families travelling to Lanzarote from Tenerife, attractions not to be missed include the Guinate Tropical Park - containing a collection of exotic birds and animals, and the Rancho Texas Park - featuring birds of prey, crocodiles and many other magnets, including a gold mine.