A beautiful and bountiful island, Tenerife holds many impressive records both locally and worldwide. Of the seven Canary Islands, it is both the largest and most populated, housing the city Santa Cruz de Tenerife which is the capital of the archipelago. At the center of the island you will find the largest mountain in Spain, Mount Teide, which is also the third largest volcano in the world. The largest number of endemic species on the entire continent of Europe can be found on the island, with over a hundred plants and animals that are native to Tenerife. Nicknamed the Island of Eternal Spring, you will enjoy a charming tropical climate – located along the same latitude as central Florida, perfect for a vacation.
+Be dazzled by the swirling geological features in Montana Amarilla
+Take in the rugged coast along the western most point of the island: Punta de Teno
+Get lost in the laurel forest and discover beautiful views in the Anaga Mountains
+Visit the highest mountain in Spain within Teide National Park
+Hike the volcano and then relax at the beach around Montana Roja
+Admire Canarian architecture at its finest: Tenerife Auditorium
+Witness the thousand year old Drago Milenario, the oldest of its species
+Gaze at one of the newest beacons on the island, Punta del Hidalgo Lighthouse
+Eat mouthwatering local food and wine at a Guachinche
Nearby Islands:
+El Hierro
+La Gomera
Playa de Amadores is a well loved beach, popular due to its readily available amenities. There is ample free parking, but at high season you may need to spring for the adjacent paid lot. Plenty of lounge chairs for rental.
Shops and restaurants line the crescent cove for those who crave a cold boozy drink or a unicorn floaty. The calm waters are perfect for swimming, and those looking for further activity can rent pedal boats. Clearly this isn’t the beach you will find seclusion, but you can count the fact that there will be no loud music – as that and smoking are banned from the sand. If you are looking for a readymade experience, dine at one of the many restaurants right on the beach.
Dinner on the open patio of Las Caracolas de Amadores had a perfect view for sunset, and by this time the beach had all but cleared out from its sun seekers.
Both tapas and a general menu are offered, service is friendly and efficient. For a starter try the fried little green peppers which are wrinkly, charred, sea salted, and utterly delicious.
Grilled fish with fried garlic was reasonably priced at 12.50 euro (2019), especially when paired with the location.
After a long day of hiking, an all inclusive like atmosphere was just what the doctor prescribed.
Driving down from the mountains to the coast on GC-200 through the town of Mogán you can’t miss Molino de Viento.
In the Canary Islands you are likely to see windmills, especially 
A coffee percolator, teakettle, table, and chairs are just some of the oddities you will find all set within a lovely cactus garden.
It’s centerpiece the windmill was likely built in the 19th century, the oldest in the area and the largest to ever exist on the island. It is also referred to as Molino Quemado, the Burnt Windmill, because in 1875 it was badly damaged by a fire. Magnificently restored, you can enter the two-story windmill and observe its mechanisms.
Personally, I came upon this eccentric display by chance – but I would recommend making a point to plan your route past this roadside attraction.
The site is free to enter.
It’s a bold claim, but I truly stand behind the fact that the stark zigzagging cliffs ending in the sea, visible at Mirador del Balcón, make for the single most impressive vista on the islands. The four perfectly formed pyramids are viewed best by descending the stone stairs onto the small balcony hanging over the sea.
As awe-inspiring as it may be, this remains one of the less traveled spots on the island due to its hazardous road and in the middle of the day no one else was there. GC-200 claims to be the most dangerous road in Spain, hugging the coast with sheer drops and serious switchbacks, one must be confident driving here.
The twenty mile path was built between 1934-1954 in unbelievably difficult conditions, prior to that the access to this gorge, once known as Seamen’s Pass – was only visited by the peasant shepherds who obtained the treasured lichens used in fabric die from the orchilla plants that grow here. Treat yourself to some exotic fruit to revel in the view with, and imagine driving this road every day as the vendor does.
With the modern day ease of access, the reward is well worth the risk.
Sure it isn’t the worst that the island has to offer, but the narrow and precarious bends aren’t for the faint of heart. Upon reaching the village a well signed parking lot is located just on the side of the road, the spaces in town are reserved for locals only.
The first portion of this hike rambles through the sleepy hamlet, every couple of hundred feet there will be a sign pointing you in the right direction.
Really there is no way to get lost, the road meanders uphill and the only spurs are driveways.
From the town the trail veers off into the Barranco del Risco passing local farms along the way. Then you are truly and finally surrounded by nature, the mountains of Tirma.
For the most part the trail follows the creek, and crosses it a few times – always shallow enough on a December visit to avoid getting your feet wet.
To get to the falls the trail is approximately 1 mile out, so a two mile roundtrip trek gaining minimal elevation.
Depending on the water flow, little cascades dot the trail on the way to the main pool.
Translating to blue puddle, the small natural pool tends to change colors depending on the amount of sunlight hitting the land, and the presence of algae can turn the water more of a green shade.
People love to take a dip in the fresh water oasis, cool from the top of the mountain on a hot day, giving the perfect energy boost for your hike back. Spring yields the greatest flow of water, but at least a trickle can be seen year round.
To get to the pools you can drive down the rural dirt road to find the parking lot, or take a short walk from the port town. There are three pools here with different sizes and depths, connected by submarine volcanic lava tubes.
As the tide changes the water is renewed keeping it perpetually clean, and also traps sea life for a time, making the pools a favorite spot for snorkelers. Be aware that during low tide the water is protected for swimming, and in high tide the turbulence can create a hazardous situation even in this sheltered area.
Good to know:
The pedestrian promenade is almost 100 feet long situated on a hill, its upper reaches display three motifs of the seven Canary Islands within a lively square.
Of the seven, each has a mosaic showcasing a natural image of its respective island as its top.
On the bottom left, a topographical representation of the island including its highest elevation and its square kilometers.
Lastly the bottom right corner shows each of the unique coat of arms for its particular island.
Walking down to the lower portion of the passage, on one side there is a seven tier cascading fountain boasting Figras water source on a desert island.
The side other shows the 21 municipalities of Gran Canaria atop ornately decorated ceramic benches.
Completed on May 27th, 1995 the artists at work here have created a place which breathes a timeless air. 
There are a few quiet restaurants and a church in town, if you are looking to savor the atmosphere.
The area is just a fraction of its former self, 1.5 square miles, and flanked by resorts. To the west of the beach there are two icons to explore. Faro de Maspalomas was built in the 1800s, the tallest masonry lighthouse in the Canaries, standing 184 feet.
Just a short distance away La Charca de Maspalomas is a protected natural lagoon nestled between the edge of town and the start of the dunes.
Birders visiting the island flock to this oasis on account of the great amount of wildlife it attracts.
Many species of fish are present in the salty water, including eels and guppies.
Walking around the large shopping center with no signage pointing towards it, no doubt it will be difficult to find this place, but so worth the effort.
Parking can easily be found on the surrounding streets for free. You’ll want to make a reservation, the place turned away many parties and would fill up completely in its first hour open. Though popular, it isn’t elitist, you can wear casual clothing and feel comfortable here. Service is extremely attentive and friendly, filled with recommendations. Bread and libations came quickly.
They know their wine and source ingredients as local as possible, with a menu that changes every three months. A complimentary appetizer was the first to the table – the Tortilla Española, or Spanish omelet, was a delicate morsel with fabulous texture and a powerful sauce.
Next, our own choice of appetizer was crispy fried goat cheese with caramelized pear, beetroot sauce, and black olive powder.
Each ingredient was so clean and crisp, with such a beautiful presentation. We tried two seafood items as mains, and they were perfectly portioned. Skate-fish wings were unbeknownst to us, even the process of eating them was new and our waiter showed us how to skim the meat off of the bone.
Light and flaky, the meat was similar to scallop in taste, cooked with cappers, brown butter & purple aubergine, and cabbage cream – this was a delicious and memorable dish. The red mullet was fresh and perfect for sharing, the fillets were partitioned by lemon-thyme mashed potatoes.
On top, sprinkled with olive powder, artichokes, and dried tomato. Do not miss this restaurant while on Gran Canaria.
Standing at 5,016 feet, Caldera los Marteles is a quiet alternative on the way to some of the most popular sights on the island, 
Its base shows the patchwork past of agricultural endeavors, but the walls of the caldera are endlessly lush.
The Canary pine trees that once covered the island are growing tall, due to reforestation efforts.
There are a myriad of trails that meander through the mountainside ranging in mileage.
On the opposite side of the road there is another worthy view, through almost in the center of the island the clouds act as an illusionary sea.
The pinnacles Roques de Tenteniguada and Roque Grande are within a reasonable day hike from the crater.
It isn’t physically demanding to summit the Peak of the Snows which showcases Morro de la Agujereada standing 6,417 feet tall. All you need to do is get a spot in the small parking lot to be on top of the world, gazing out into the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve which boasts a sea of pines and spine of mountains.
Facing west, the vista makes a phenomenal spot to watch the sunset.