Little Black Book: Tenerife
Everything you need to know before trading up for the Canaries
A volcanic island with a snow-capped peak at its centre, Tenerife is a far calmer proposition than its geology suggests. Perfect for tanning, teeing off or dodging tax, the island luxuriates in year-round sun. And so can you…
YOUR NEW ADDRESS
Palm Ridge
A small development of only 18 villas, 12 garden apartments and 13 duplex apartments, built with luxury in mind, encircled by golf courses with panoramic views of the ocean and Mount Teide. Just a five minute stroll and you reach the new marina and Golf del Sur. These villas sold out when first constructed, but the show-house has recently been put on the market at Ð399,000 - an excellent opportunity for a fully furnished home in immaculate condition.
YOUR CONTACTS
BANKS
There are no shortage of banks in Tenerife, including a Barclays, a couple of Santanders, numerous branches of La Caixa as well as a local La Caja de Canarias. ATMs are dotted across the island, most attached to the banks.
BEACHES
Tenerife has loads of fab beaches to choose from, including Playa de las Américas, La Troya and the black sands of Los Gigantes. In contrast, Fanabe has beautiful, sugar-white sand. For windsurfing and watersports, try El Medano or Puerto de Santiago. Surfers should make for Playa de los Roques.
CULTURE
Culture-lovers should head to Santa Cruz’s La Recova Arts Centre and Museum of Natural and Human History. The City Library and Fine Arts Museum also has a few masterpieces of its own. See www.whattenerife.com
GOLF COURSES
Thanks to the climate, you can play golf all year round, and there are plenty of courses to choose from. Amarilla Golf (www.amarillagolf.com) in the south is a par-71 course with stunning ocean views, the new 27-hole Golf Costa Adeje (www.golfcostaadeje.com) is a haven for visor-wearing visitors, and Golf del Sur (www.golfdelsur.es) is one of Europe’s best leisure complexes.
HOSPITALS
Try Costa Adeje Hospital (Urb. San Eugenio, Edif Garajonay 38660, Adeje, Tel: +34 922 752 626) or Hospiten Bellevue (6 Urb. San Fernando 38400, Puerto de la Cruz, Tel: +34 922 383 551).
NATIONAL PARKS
As Tenerife is a volcanic island, there are some stunning landscapes to be explored. Mount Teide, a dormant volcano, is the highest peak in Spain and offers breathtaking views over the lunar landscape of Teide National Park. See www.webtenerife.com
NIGHTLIFE
Tenerife has a great variety of nightlife and shows to enjoy – the Casino de Taoro in particular is a must-see. Other popular venues in Puerto include the Café de Paris at Avenida de Colónilla, Caballo Blanco at San Telmo and Zhivago at Puerto Viejo. There are plenty of clubs to choose from, as well as a hoard of English pubs, including Lineker’s Bar in Playa de las Américas. For something really special, try the Faro Chill Art cocktail cafe and lounge between Puerto Colón and Torviscas beach. Classical, opera and folk music concerts are held at the Pirámide de Arona in Playa de las Américas.
RESTAURANTS
There are stacks of good restaurants, many of which serve international cuisine, and a handful that deal with more traditional fare. Try Fiesta Canaria Carnaval (99 Las Toscas, Santa Catalina 38350, Tacoronte, Tel: +34 922 382 910) for a spot of Canarian cuisine, while Méson El Drago offers stunning alfresco dining (2 Marqués de Celada, El Socorro 38292, Tegueste, Tel: +34 922 543 001). If you have a family of fussy eaters, Puerto de la Cruz has heaps of choice. See www.webtenerifeuk.co.uk
SCHOOLS
There are several decent international options in Tenerife, including the Wingate School (wingate school.com, Tel: +34 922 720 102) in Arona, the Britannia School (www.britanniaschoolonline.com, Tel: +34 922 797 563) in the heart of Los Cristianos, and the Luther King School in Aldea Blanca (www.lutherking.com, Tel: +34 922 167 141). Just a few minutes drive outside Los Cristianos you’ll find Echeyde (www.colegioecheyde.com, Tel: +34 922 720 261), a subsidised school with its own private nursery class.
SHOPS
Because of Tenerife’s low taxes, prices here are cheaper than in much of Europe. Santa Cruz is the best bet, with most shops located on Villalba Hervás, El Castillo, Doctor Allart, Bethencourt Alfonso and San José, as well as the Plaza de España and Plaza de la Candelaria. The Gran Sur Shopping Centre at Junction 29, off the TF-1 at Torviscas, has a bank, supermarket and cinema plus shops and bars. Santa Cruz’s Sunday market is also worth visiting.
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