FREE THINGS TO DO IN Tenerife

This extremely picturesque valley offers the chance for some hiking and an opportunity to get close to the more rugged side of Tenerife. There are several options for exploring this beautiful valley. If you have hired a car, you can make the drive to Masca Village, but be aware the road is quite hair-raising to navigate with lots of hairpin bends. The tiny village has some charming little cafes selling local delicacies like cactus ice cream.

If you come via taxi, you can then hike down from the village to the beach. This is a fairly arduous trek and practical shoes are essential, along with a good supply of water. The walk takes around 2-3 hours, and from the beach you can then take a water taxi over to Los Gigantes (or walk back up if you’re not exhausted!). Prebooking is advised. It’s not recommended if you have mobility issues or a fear of heights, but is perfect if you want an invigorating walk with stunning views.

This charming coastal town on Tenerife’s north coast nestles at the heart of one of the island’s most unspoilt areas. The town has natural rock pools formed by lava flow; these have been joined by manmade steps and are used as a series of swimming pools, sure to delight both young and old alike. Garachico has an interesting history, as it was destroyed by a massive earthquake 300 years ago and subsequently rebuilt. Many of the buildings from this reconstruction remain.

The old town is very picturesque and very pleasant to walk around in, with a wide selection of gift shops and restaurants with local cuisine. There is an old monastery next to the main square which you can visit, and museums housed in an old water mill and in Castillo San Miguel, also home of the Medieval Night (link).

To get to Garachico you must travel along the coastal ride either by car or bus. Be aware there are a lot of sharp bends and twists and turns!

It’s well worth taking a trip to the quaint former fishing village of Los Gigantes to see these magnificent cliffs towering from the ocean to the sky. They reach a height of 500-800m.

There are three main viewpoints to see the cliffs: the easiest one to find is on the main road to Tamaimo, but there is also one above the sports club and one from the coastal path around the Hotel Barcelo. However, to get even closer, a boat trip is a great idea. You will often be lucky enough to see whales and dolphins. Jet skis are also available.

The town itself has some lovely bars and restaurants as well as an art gallery and marina. You can savour some delicious local cuisine and watch the world go by. Just a short walk from the marina is Playa de Los Gigantes with its dark coloured sand. If you’re feeling more active, Los Gigantes has a dive centre offering the opportunity to explore the undersea world in crystal clear water.

This striking and distinctive modernistic structure sits adjacent to the Atlantic coast at Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It has a very large central arch overhanging the building, inviting differing interpretations; some say it resembles a ship’s sail, others a leaping fish, and many draw comparisons to the Sydney Opera House. The building was constructed between 1997-2003.

The auditorium hosts a great variety of concerts and shows, but it’s more than worth going just to see the outside. Also, along the sea wall there are hundreds of rocks with images of famous musicians painted on them, making a fascinating sight.

If you want to venture inside, free tours take place at 12.30pm from Monday to Saturday, as well as 5.30pm during the summer. Prior booking is required.

The main hall has 1,616 seats, and two large organ pipes on either side of the pit. The chamber hall seats 422. There is also a press room, shop and cafe.

Visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site and admire the wonders of Mother Nature as you explore, on foot and/or by car, this volcanic landscape full of interestingly shaped lava rocks and ash beds. One iconic photo you'll want to take is that of the Cinchado, a volcanic rock that is eroded at the bottom making it look like it could topple over at any moment – Combined with the view of Mount Teide (which last erupted in 1909) it's a classic shot worthy of going straight onto Instagram! If you visit in May/June you'll also be able to admire the plants known as Echium Wildpretti or Teide Viper's Bugloss, stunning with their 2 metre tall red spikes. If you want to hike to the top of Mount Teide (3718 metres) you have to apply for a free permit ahead of time as numbers are limited to protect this natural environment.

Address: Mount Teide, 38300, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

Otherwise known as La Oratava, this botanical garden might be on the small side but it certainly is beautiful. Once the garden of a nearby convent, today it can be enjoyed by everyone as they recharge in nature admiring the different tree and plant species (including a marvellous dragon tree) from different parts of the world along with a variety of birds, butterflies, and other wildlife.

Take a stroll along the dirt paths (if it has been raining you'll need to wear shoes that you don't mind getting muddy!) and you'll soon find a corner of this tranquil oasis to enjoy all to yourself. Pause by the pond on one of the benches and just enjoy this 4,00 square metre space.

Opening Hours : Daily 9am-2pm

Address: Calle Tomás Pérez, 6, 38300 La Orotava, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

Get free access to this interesting and informative museum free of charge every Friday and Saturday afternoon, saving yourself 5 euro per person and learn what life in the bygone days was really like, not what popular belief has led us to believe.

The museum is located in Casa de Carta (the charter house), a typical 18th century manor house with 14 exhibition rooms and open spaces highlighting the traditions, beliefs, and behaviours of rural and domestic life both locally and abroad with collections of pottery, tools, furniture, musical instruments, basketwork, costumes, and so much more.

Opening Hours: Friday and Saturday afternoons until 5pm

Address: Valle Guerra, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife

This country park is your gateway to the mountains of La Laguna and Santa Cruz. Declared a Biosphere Reserve, the stunning mountain chain with its sharp peaks is sure to take your breath away as you try to do it justice with a photo.

Spanning 14,500 acres it's a vast playground for those who love to play in the ground outdoors – Follow one of the trails that leads to a charming sandy bay such as Benijo beach which is loved for its black sand. Or, go hiking and marvel at the geological formations with 'roques' (volcanic chimneys), dikes (fractures in the earth filled with solidified magma that form walls), if you hike up high enough you'll find the 40millions year old laurel forests that you can walk around.

Address: Carretera TF- 12 Monte de Las Mercedes, Km 6, 38294 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

This buzzing colourful carnival is the second most popular in the world after Rio de Janeiro. It takes place every February-March with many events (shows, parties, and parades) leading up to the grand finale – The grand parade otherwise known as 'el Coso' which takes places on 'Carnival Tuesday'.

On the Wednesday you can see the the 'Burial of the Sardine' which sees a papier mache sardine carried through the streets on a funeral pier and then burnt – This marks the end of the fun and festivity you think, not quite! The following weekend there's one last party, the 'Pinata Chica'. The whole thing is quite a spectacle and certainly the most 'Brazilian' of all the Spanish fiestas with the streets bursting with activity for 15 solid days and nights.

Opening Months : February/March

Address: Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The honey and wine museum are located at Casa del Vino, a 300 year old typical Canary farm estate home and are a must-see for anyone with a passing interest in gastronomy, that would be most of us! Watch a short video documentary describing how the wines of Tenerife have evolved before viewing the 2 permanent exhibitions that give you more information. You will also get to see the vineyards and gardens before seeing the traditional wine and honey making processes with the opportunity to sample the products in the tasting rooms. If you like what you taste you can try more at the on site wine bar and restaurant or buy goods to take home at the shop. Art exhibitions also regularly take place here and you also have the option of visiting the old chapel with its 17th century Mudejar-style coffered ceiling.

Opening Hours:Wednesday-Saturday 9am-9pm, Tuesday 10.30am – 6.30pm

Address: Casa Del Vino, Calle San Simon 49; El Sauzal;