Tenerife

[pedrotunes]

Hi

I am looking at going to Tenerife for some Spring sun and was wondering if you guys had any recommendations on where to stay? Looking at going for a week with the Mrs so somewhere more suited to couples is what we are looking for.

We have both been to the other islands in the Canaries so fancied trying Tenerife.

Thanks

[FlipFlopGriff]

Depends on what you want. Scenery, noisy/quiet, choice of places to eat/drink, late night clubbing or bars, walking, beach, activities etc.
Most popular areas are the south, ie Los Cris, Las Americas, Adeje, also Golf del Sur. El Medano is one of my faves but not so touristy. i also like Alcala but its a sleepy fishing village so maybe doesn't fity the typical hoiday checklist. Puerto de la Cruz is quaint but I thought it was geared for 60+ age group or Santa Cruz for a city break/culture. Los Gigantes also popular but pretty hilly away from the front Garachico is also very nice but a good way from the airport.
Should get some decent flight prices assuming you go after easter and avoid school holidays.
FFG

[BrabusMog]

I've stayed in Adeje a couple of times, it's close enough yet far enough away (if that makes sense) to the busier areas like Las Americas/Fanabe etc. I've always enjoyed my trips to Tenerife.

[FlipFlopGriff]

Adeje is a region so you want Costa Adeje which includes Fanabe and El Duque. Adeje is the capital of the area and is town but it very steep in the centre and about 2 miles for the sea with no easy access, other than bus or car. Anything between Los Cris and La Caleta is ideal as you can walk for about 5 miles along the front with very few steps encountered. I guess there are about 2000 bars/restaurants on this walk so a good choice. A cold beer averages 1.50 euros, although you can get some at 95 cents but the beer isn't generally the best.
FFG

[jogon]

Been a few times mostly in the South around Los Cristianos but last time stayed in Puerto De La Cruz on the north side and actually preferred it, hired a car and explored the island. A bit more culture and less Brit pub and restaurant establishments only downside is the weather can often be cloudy in the north and beautiful sunshine in the south.

Garachico as mentioned is well worth a visit and take your trunks so you can swim in the volcanic formed pools in the sea though can be closed when waves are rough.

Up in Adeje there is an amazing walk called Barranco del Infierno and then you have to go to Otelo's, next to the start of the walk, for a bowl of garlic chicken and canary potatoes.

Also some incredible driving roads over the National Park and Mount Teide. We hired a Skoda Up for the week and it was about the same price as the transfer from the airport to our hotel in Puerto De La Cruz would have cost.

[simoid]

jogon said:

Been a few times mostly in the South around Los Cristianos but last time stayed in Puerto De La Cruz on the north side and actually preferred it, hired a car and explored the island. A bit more culture and less Brit pub and restaurant establishments only downside is the weather can often be cloudy in the north and beautiful sunshine in the south.

I concur fully.

Been to PdlC too and also hired a wee supermini for a few days. I'd recommend it - especially drive out to Masca if you get a chance. The views and road are incredible! Also a drive into the middle of the island is great fun.

At times, the southern resorts can feel like a hot Blackpool, but they are enjoyable nonetheless with good beaches and masses of choice for us tourists.

IIRC accommodation and eating out is a little more expensive in Las Americas too (maybe 10-20%) but it just might have been the particular hotels we were looking at.

[pedrotunes]

Fantastic replies chaps, much appreciated. Looking to book up this week so will report back.

Cheers

[jogon]

View of Barranco del Infierno from Otelo's chicken restaurant the walk takes a good few hours to reach the waterfall and back and it has been closed for a number of years but is officially due to reopen in April this year. Although it wasn't tricky climbing over the fence even my 60odd year old mother made it.

[FlipFlopGriff]

The drive to Garachico is as interesting as the town itself. We walked around the streets and bizarrely had a lunch in some old ladies front room. Only served cans of soft drinks (so we didn't stay long) and we had what she was cooking which was fish. Simple meal but very nice and an experience. Others came in and she said she had run out of food so guess she was just selective on who she wanted to entertain.
We've been to most places but the top tourist trip to do has to be Mount Teide and the surrounding national park. Its literally out of this world and if you find a quiet spot, which is easy, you cant hear a thing which is a very eerie experience. The views from the top on a clear day are unbelievable and even when cloudy its great to be above the clouds - maybe heaven is like that, not that I'll be going. I'd hire a car rather than go on a coach as you'll get a much better experience and can stop as many times as you want, but only if you're a confident driver as some of the bends and drops are scary, but not as bad a the Mercedes mountains in the north. Come down the other side into Puerto de la Cruz as that it a pleasant place to see for an hour or so and you will see the contrast between drier south and wet north.
Must have been 150 times so I think we like it there.
Let us know where you've booked and can let you have some ideas of what to do depending on what you like.
FFG

[chris7676]

simoid said:

Been to PdlC too and also hired a wee supermini for a few days. I'd recommend it - especially drive out to Masca

Please do go around Masca, it's very different from the also impressive volcano.
Btw, I think car hire should be compulsory in Canaries for the sake of not missing out so much

[simoid]

All this talk of Tenerife made me want a holiday. So, I did some personal research for you, OP. Los Cristianos was a wee bit cloudy this morning, but now fking roasting! Just the right amount of council for me too

Edited by simoid on Monday 6th April 16:28

[silverthorn2151]

Like the sound of roasting! Whilst not Tenerife, we are off to Fueteventura this coming Saturday for the first time!

Our first experience of all inclusive too.

[BlackST]

My younger brother is in Fuerteventura now and i'll be there a week on Saturday

[FlipFlopGriff]

simoid said:

All this talk of Tenerife made me want a holiday. So, I did some personal research for you, OP. Los Cristianos was a wee bit cloudy this morning, but now fking roasting! Just the right amount of council for me too

Edited by simoid on Monday 6th April 16:28

Probably walked past you if you're on the grass slope in front of the hotel with the pink glass balconies. Got the bus to LC (for breakfast - Miami beach, been going there on and off for 20+ years and still same owners) and walked back along the front to Puerto Colon with the odd beer stop.
Was defo colder than normal with more cloud and colder at night than even Xmas. That wind was cold in the afternoon and it didn't half whistle up, although oddly we went to Medano and it was still but in PC it was really windy so must have been blowing from La Palma direction and sheltering Medano.
Back home now after a short break.
Back again shortly for 10 days this time.
FFG
Just come back myself after 5 days.

[j4ckos mate]

done that myself a few times,
carry on into LC under the harbour tunnel keep the sea on your right
100 meters before the crazy golf, you'll find this place

English breakfast nirvana

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g65...

[FlipFlopGriff]

j4ckos mate said:

done that myself a few times,
carry on into LC under the harbour tunnel keep the sea on your right
100 meters before the crazy golf, you'll find this place

English breakfast nirvana

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g65...

Never eaten there but looking at the size of the meals I'd struggle anyway. Never seem to eat anywhere near the volume when I'm out there - probably too full on the beer!!
I've only had 2 or 3 bad meals and with the competition they need to keep the standards up as people tend to vote with their feet and there are a lot of return visitors out there.
FFG

[simoid]

FlipFlopGriff said:

Probably walked past you if you're on the grass slope in front of the hotel with the pink glass balconies. Got the bus to LC (for breakfast - Miami beach, been going there on and off for 20+ years and still same owners) and walked back along the front to Puerto Colon with the odd beer stop.
Was defo colder than normal with more cloud and colder at night than even Xmas. That wind was cold in the afternoon and it didn't half whistle up, although oddly we went to Medano and it was still but in PC it was really windy so must have been blowing from La Palma direction and sheltering Medano.
Back home now after a short break.
Back again shortly for 10 days this time.
FFG
Just come back myself after 5 days.

You know the place, hope you weren't eyeing up my Mrs

Yeah a fair breeze up, but find a nice sun trap and it's grand. We just booked last week because it was snowing on Tuesday!

[LuS1fer]

I always hire an apartment and a car.
I can recommend this one just outside El Medano, http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/el-medano... (not mine but stayed there - secure parking and cheap) - a stone throw from the airport but not in the least noisy and practically across the road from the beach though it's a longer walk to get to El Medano if you don't drive there.

The advantage of this location is you can literally drive straight up into the National Park and Mt Teide without a long detour and it made a great base for exploring the island. the north is more prone to rain even when this location is sunny.

not great if you're a night life person though as you'd have to drive up to Playa de Las Americas for all the Blackpool glitz.

[simoid]

http://rallyevilladeadeje.com

This rally appears to be starting from Playa de las Americas today - all the cars etc (a fezza, some 911s, lancers and hot hatches) are parked up just down from McDonald's just now. Lovely noises

[simoid]