A winter with a difference awaits you in Tenerife: star-studded skies, whales in the wild, volcanic trails and local traditions as you escape from the cold.
Tenerife, the island full of surprises
There are some destinations that never go out of fashion, and Tenerife is one of them. You may be thinking of sun-bleached beaches, cocktails by the shore and relaxing afternoons, but this island has much more to offer than its picturesque beaches. Tenerife is about wild nature, authentic culture and experiences that don’t fade with the seasons. Its year-round mild climate is a real treat: as the cold weather tightens its grip in Europe, here the sun continues to radiate its warmth. That’s why Tenerife is so appealing in winter: it gives you the chance to relax, along with the thrill of discovering its hidden side, full of adventures, flavours and bright blue skies.
Read also: Winter in the Canaries: the beach and switching off
An ideal destination for beating the winter blues
A winter break in Tenerife is like opening the window onto summer without missing out on the magic of the cold season. The temperature rarely dips below 20 degrees, so you can swap your coat for your swimwear after a couple of hours in the air. But the climate is not the only great thing: at this time of year the island becomes more peaceful, more authentic and more intimate. The paths are quieter, the towns resume their normal pace and the guachinches, those family-run restaurants so typical of the Canaries, are filled with seasonal aromas. This is the perfect time to enjoy Tenerife at your leisure, and here are some suggestions for how to soak up the island’s magic:
Under the stars of Mount Teide
Picture yourself at the top of the Teide National Park, surrounded by a sea of volcanic lava and a silence that never seems to end. Now look up: above you is one of the clearest skies on the planet. Tenerife is a Starlight Reserve and the spectacle is even more stunning in winter. Away from light pollution, the constellations are painted like brushstrokes of light onto the darkness. Guided tours combine the climb up Mount Teide with stargazing sessions using professional telescopes. Whether you’re an expert or a beginner, seeing how the Milky Way unfolds above you is an experience that brings you closer to the universe.
Whales and dolphins swimming wild and free
There are few things more thrilling than sailing in the open sea and spotting, just a few metres away, the glistening back of a whale or a playful pod of dolphins alongside the boat. There are boat trips from Los Cristianos or Costa Adeje in winter, enabling you to watch these creatures as they migrate. Tenerife is one of the best places in the world for whale and dolphin watching, with over 20 species recorded throughout the year. Seeing them swimming freely in their natural environment, rather than performing tricks, is something you’ll find hard to forget.
Hiking across volcanoes and ancient forests
Tenerife is a hikers’ paradise and winter is the ideal season for exploring its landscapes. Routes of varying difficulty cross the island from north to south: you can enter the laurel forest of the Anaga Country Park, a humid, mysterious fairytale forest; or tackle the Los Gigantes cliffs, that drop almost vertically into the Atlantic and offer truly breathtaking views. And then there’s Mount Teide, of course, with its trails winding through lava flows and lunar landscapes. As you walk through this environment, you can feel the ancient volcanic force of the island with every step.
Seasonal flavours at the guachinches
If you want to get to the true soul of Tenerife, forget about the tourist restaurants and seek out a guachinche. These family-run establishments, that started out as improvised eateries in private garages, offer you a unique gastronomic experience in winter. Here they serve young, freshly bottled wines, accompanied by seasonal dishes: conejo en salmorejo (marinated rabbit), papas arrugadas (wrinkly potatoes), chickpeas, cheeses and homemade desserts. There is no menu as such: you simply eat what’s available on the day, and that’s what makes it so authentic. When you visit a guachinche you sit at the table with the whole of Tenerife.
Winter traditions and festivals
Aside from the scenery and the cuisine, Tenerife also has its own winter traditions. Between December and February the island celebrates in style. Epiphany, with the Cavalcade through Santa Cruz and La Laguna, is one of the most exciting events for families. Also around this time, many towns celebrate feast days of their patron saints, with traditional dancing and music, whilst in February the spirit of Carnival is in the air. Tenerife has one of the most famous carnivals in the world, prepared weeks in advance with contests and local parades. Taking part in these celebrations is a great way of immersing yourself in the life of the island as you join in the fun with everyone else.
Tenerife, a winter of surprises
Visiting Tenerife in winter is about much more than just escaping the cold: it’s about discovering an island that reinvents itself with every season. From the immensity of the star-studded sky of Mount Teide to the warmth of a guachinche hidden in a local neighbourhood, watching whales and dolphins in the wild and hiking along otherworldly trails, the island offers experiences far beyond the summer
