Sojourn | Sovereign Magazine Winter 2023

Tenerife
TOP SPOTS IN
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Tenerife is often - unfairly - stereotyped as the Canarian
playground for the youth, yet there’s much more appeal to be
found here, with sumptuous tranquil resorts, and a plethora
of uniquely adult activities. We invite you to get below
the surface of the island.
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1 RIDE A CABLE CAR TO TEIDE VOLCANO
The snow-topped Mount Veide may seem at odds with the Canarian sunshine you’ve
come to expect from Tenerife, but it’s a wonderful place to explore. While permits are
required to hike, we suggest the easier option - an eight minute cable car that takes you
far enough up the peak for spellbinding views over this otherworldly national park. Be
sure to wear comfortable shoes and a jacket as it can get chilly at this height!
2 SPEND A NIGHT AT THE OPERA
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Seemingly looming out from the waters in its seafront location, the Auditorio de
Tenerife Adán Martín always has an exciting evening of musical and dance
performances for you. But it also has an annual programme of prestigious operatic
productions that celebrate classical opera from the likes of Giuseppe Verde, Wagner,
and Benjamin Britten, to more contemporary offerings.
3 COOL OFF IN BOTANICAL GARDENS
Along the north coast lies the former fishing village of Puerto de la Cruz. After you’ve
finished ogling the dramatic dark volcanic-sand beaches or delved into the historic
centre for a bite of Canarian food, you can step into the pretty botanical gardens and
get some respite in the shade of the trees. If you’re still feeling the heat, cool off in Lago
Martianez, the town’s public saltwater pool by the old harbour.
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4 VISIT A HOUSE OF BALCONIES
In the beautiful Old Town of La Orotava in northern Tenerife is an unusual but utterly
charming historic treasure. The Casa de los Balcones is a 17th century manor house
that’s riddled with intricately carved wooden balconies. Aside from being delightfully
quaint, inside is a typically Canarian patio that showcases many of the Canary
Islands' handmade traditions, including weaving, wicker work, and winemaking.
Right next door is a carpet museum that celebrates the local alfombras de arena
(highly decorative sand carpets) during the springtime Corpus Christi festival.
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5 EXPLORE THE UNLUCKIEST TOWN
Also along the north coast lies one of Tenerife’s oldest and prettiest villages, Garachico.
Founded first in the 15th century, it was a decadent place, with one street allegedly
made entirely from marble. Disastrously, it was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in the
17th century and had to be rebuilt from scratch. Not long after, Garachico suffered
biblical-style plagues, fires, and floods. The good news is that today it’s utterly
charming. There's a little port where local fishermen bring in fresh seafood, a small islet
called El Roque de Garachico that juts out right in front of the harbour, and popular
swimming pools that were naturally formed by the lava of yesterday.
48 Sovereign.com