The North Of Tenerife, Discover What To See And Do In It
Every year, and during any season, Tenerife becomes the place chosen by lovers of the sun, beaches and the most exclusive adventures. The largest of the islands that make up the Canary archipelago exerts an undeniable attraction for millions of visitors. And within it, the north of Tenerife offers corners of special beauty.
Touring the north of Tenerife
Spectacular landscapes, history, culture, internationally famous festivals and movie forests. The north of Tenerife is special, that’s why we want to show you what to see and what to do so as not to waste a single day of your vacation on the island.
1. El Teide
El Teide is the volcano that dominates the entire island. It has an altitude of 3,718 meters above sea level and 7,500 meters above the ocean floor. It is therefore the highest peak in the country, that of any landmass in the Atlantic Ocean and the third largest volcano on Earth from its base on the ocean floor, after Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, both in Hawaii.
This volcano is part of the Teide National Park, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. A place where you can see spectacular landscapes of volcanic cones, craters, chimneys and rivers of petrified lava that seem from another planet.
After admiring the Cañadas del Teide, you can take the cable car up very close to the summit. From there several trails start that allow you to contemplate impressive views of the island. Of course, to go up to the crater you need to request permission and, in addition, do it well in advance.
2. Millennial Dragon Tree
Now let’s go to Icod de los Vinos. There we found a magnificent specimen of dragon tree, in fact, this is the largest and longest-lived of its species. The Millennial Dragon Tree is about 18 meters high and the perimeter of its base reaches twenty meters, while in its crown there are more than three hundred main branches.
Regarding his age, there seems to be no agreement, although most of the reputable opinions believe that he could be between eight hundred and one thousand years old. In what there are no differences is that, next to Mount Teide, it is one of the emblems of the island.
To protect it, a small park was created around it. In it you can see numerous specimens not only of dragon tree, but also of other significant plant species in the Canary Islands.
3. San Cristóbal de la Laguna
This is a beautiful town, declared a World Heritage Site in 1999. The reason is that it is a magnificent example of a non-walled colonial city. It was founded in 1496 and for years it was the most important nucleus of Tenerife and the entire Canary archipelago. Here, in addition, the first university in the Canary Islands was founded.
Strolling through La Laguna you will discover beautiful civil buildings such as the town hall, the Casa de los Capitanes or the Rodríguez Azero Palace. Of the religious architecture, the old convent of Santo Domingo de Guzmán and the Cathedral Church of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios stand out.
4. The valley of the north of Tenerife, La Orotava
La Orotava is a beautiful municipality declared a National Historic-Artistic Site. A municipality of large typical houses with elaborate wooden balconies. There are also several interesting churches, including San Agustín and La Concepción.
This town is well known for one of its traditions, which is celebrated on Corpus Christi day. Every year on that date, the center is dressed with colorful rugs made with thousands of colored flowers and volcanic sand.
And do not forget that La Orotava gives its name to an entire valley. A place that amazed geographer and naturalist Alexander Von Humboldt, which has a viewpoint in his honor. From it you can admire a beautiful view, and the fact is that, although the lower part of the valley is highly urbanized, it is still a small paradise.
These are the most important and spectacular places in the north of Tenerife. There are a few others, but nothing better than visiting the island to discover them for yourself.
