Tenerife is the largest of all the Canary Islands, and definitely one of the most popular with tourists. Complete with dense forests, exotic flora and fauna, mountains with volcanoes, gorgeous coastlines and beaches, and interior deserts, Tenerife is considered by many to be one of Europe's last paradise isles. In Tenerife, like Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, you'll find an excellent spot for a beach holiday, not to mention a particularly lively nightlife.
A City Designed for Tourists: Las Americas
Las Americas was designed specifically with tourists in mind, consisting primarily of hotels, restaurants, and beaches. Despite the Spanish-sounding name, British visitors will be happy to know that everyone in Las Americas speaks English.
There are really two main activities in Las Americas: hanging out on the beach, and hanging out in the nearby nightclubs. For a couple Euros per day, you can rent a sunlounger and soak up the sun to your heart's content. Be aware that these beaches are fairly crowded during the day, but you'll discover that the water is warm enough to swim in even at night. In Las Americas, you'll find amazing black sand beaches; in nearby Los Cristianos, the beach quality is a little higher and the sand is yellow. The waves here are better for swimming than they are for surfing.
In Los Cristianos you'll find more nightlife than you'll ever be able to visit. Filled with British-owned bars and restaurants, the partying here is plentiful, but not necessarily cheap. You might pay a little bit less for your pint here than you would back home, but not very much less.
A World Heritage City: La Laguna
The oldest city on Tenerife is San Cristobal de La Laguna (typically just 'La Laguna'), which was made a World Heritage site in 1999. La Laguna is far different from the tourist-oriented Las Americas and its neighbouring cities; La Laguna is home to a large university and is the third-most populous city in the Canary Islands. In La Laguna you'll get a taste of everyday life in the Canary Islands, and you'll also have a chance to visit a few important historical sites, such as the Cathedral of La Laguna and the Palacete Rodriguez. La Laguna makes a nice day-trip for those more interested in the culture and history of the Canary Islands.
A City for Nature Lovers: Los Gigantes
Los Gigantes takes its name for the impressive cliffs nearby, which provide a wonderful panoramic view of the resort area and the marina. Not as crowded as Las Americas, Los Gigantes nonetheless has many small shops catering to visitors, and plenty of hotels. The beach here is small, but it also hosts a large marina, making it a perfect launching point for diving trips, whale watching, and other ocean-based adventures.
Summary
Five million tourists make a pilgrimage to Tenerife each year for various reasons. With fantastic beaches and warm waters, swimming, water sports, and diving aplenty can be found in Tenerife, but its protected, undeveloped interior also makes it a great destination for eco-tourists looking to visit its many natural monuments and unique landscapes. For a quieter holiday, visit Los Gigantes; if you want to stay up late with your friends having a good time, Las Americas is the place for you.
