Tenerife might be known for its golden sand beaches and affordable resorts, but a long-time resident says holidaymakers should venture further north to experience the island’s true hidden gems.
Natasha Mooney is a TUI travel advisor who spent more than a decade holidaying in the Canary Islands.
Since tying the knot with her husband Javier, the couple have settled in Güímar, Tenerife, on a part-time basis.
Mooney said: ‘I’ve been a TUI travel advisor for 10 years, now working as a homeworking retail expert. Javi and I split our time between the UK and northern Tenerife, so I can genuinely call it my specialty.’
She claims the greener and cooler north is home to the island’s best-kept secrets, and urges travellers to trade the familiar resorts and coastlines of the south for scenic harbours, saltwater pools, black sand beaches, rustic hotels and local Canarian wine.
Natasha Mooney, a TUI travel advisor, has spent more than 10 years holidaying in Tenerife, where she now resides on a part-time basis with her husband Javier (pictured)
Mooney works as a homeworking retail expert, and spends much of her time in Güímar, Tenerife
Despite many holidaymakers flocking to Tenerife’s southern coast, Mooney advises heading north to the likes of Puerto de la Cruz (pictured)
Santa Cruz might be the island’s capital, but Mooney says the city is often overlooked, despite boasting tree-lined boulevards, modern art, picturesque plazas and a waterfront with a true Mediterranean feel.
She encourages visitors to stop by Auditorio de Tenerife, a striking modern auditorium designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, and the Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África, a bustling complex packed with bars and stalls selling fresh, local produce.
Away from the capital, Playa de Las Teresitas offers a Saharan-style beach experience with its rich golden sand and turquoise waters.
Mooney adds: ‘And then there’s Carnival. Held in February, it’s second only to Rio. It’s truly spectacular, and you really feel the pride and spirit of the island.’
However, according to the travel rep, Puerto de la Cruz, located on the north coast, is where Tenerife is ‘at its most authentic’.
For travellers who want a chic yet traditional Spanish experience, the charming city boasts a historic fishing harbour, intimate bars with live music, narrow, colourful streets, and colonial-style restaurants offering modern Canarian cuisine.
No trip to Puerto de la Cruz is complete without a visit to Lago Martiánez, a saltwater complex designed with interconnected pools filled with Atlantic water, backed by crystal-blue waters, palm trees, sun terraces and black volcanic rock.
Northern Tenerife is full of hidden gems, from scenic harbours, to natural saltwater pools, to black sand beaches, vast mountainscapes and traditional Canarian food
Pictured: The beautiful black volcanic shores of Playa Jardin in northern Tenerife
Santa Cruz, the island’s capital, is full of character – marked by colourful streets and tree-lined boulevards
Northern Tenerife has an abundance of wild and black sand beaches, along with lesser-known nature spots.
While nearby Playa Jardín offers breathtaking views with its contrasting black volcanic sand and crashing Atlantic waves, Mooney suggests a detour to some of the region’s wilder beaches.
One of her top picks is Playa Bollullo, another black sand beach that is famously accessed via stretches of banana plantations.
Mooney said: ‘It’s one of my favourites. It’s stunning – dramatic cliffs, black sand and just one traditional chiringuito, a type of laidback beach bar serving fresh local food and drinks.’
Travellers are also encouraged to stop by Tenerife’s famous charcos – natural lava rock pools formed by the ocean. According to Mooney, Charco del Viento and El Caletón in Garachico are ideal for safe sea swimming and offer exceptional views.
Beyond the coast, thrillseekers can enjoy adrenaline-boosting hikes at Anaga Rural Park, which boasts ancient laurel forests and wild ravines, while Teno Rural Park offers jaw-dropping views over the cliffs of Los Gigantes.
Mount Teide, situated in UNESCO-listed Las Cañadas del Teide National Park, is described by Mooney as the ‘volcanic heart of the island’ thanks to its ‘lunar-like’ landscape, featuring rock formations and views of Spain’s highest summit.
Tickets to access the mountain can be purchased through TUI Musement, which offers a variety of excursions, including easy hiking tours from £48 per adult and £24 per child, and Teide by night from £78 per adult and £48 per child.
Living near Güímar also gives Natasha easy access to the Pyramids of Güímar, while La Laguna, the island’s former capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers pastel-coloured mansions and a cooler, greener feel.
Tickets for the Pyramids are from £11 per adult and £5 per child or full-day tours of the northwest with lunch are from £46 per adult and £24 per child both with TUI Musement.
Pictured: View on Lago Martianez beach. Puerto de la Cruz
Pictured: Lago Martiánez, a saltwater complex designed with interconnected pools filled with Atlantic water
At Lomo de Santo in northern Tenerife, a meat platter with a litre of wine costs just €20 (£17) for four people
Getting round northern Tenerife is relatively straightforward, Mooney says, with regular buses connecting the north, south and capital.
As for accommodation, there’s a range of diverse spots to suit every traveller – from the rustic Hotel Riu Garoe with its relaxed atmosphere and easy access to beaches, to the 5-star Hotel Botanico & The Oriental Spa Garden for a more luxurious stay.
Mooney adds: ‘But if you want nature, tranquillity and real Canarian life, try The Hotel Hacienda del Conde at the far northwest tip of the island, in Buenavista del Norte. It’s set amongst rugged landscapes and a dramatic coastline. It’s really very special.’
Most importantly, eating like a local is a must when holidaying in northern Tenerife.
Although the region boasts plenty of Michelin-starred restaurants, many visitors tend to flock to guachinches; intimate, family-run eateries serving up authentic Canarian food paired with local wine.
For dinner with views of vineyards and volcanic slopes, Mooney suggests stopping by Lomo de Santo, a hidden gem with no website or social media presence. There, diners can feast on a meat platter for four – plus a litre of wine – for just €20 (£17).
For great value wine, visitors ought to look out for Listán Blanco or Malvasía whites, and Listán Negro reds.
Mooney said: ‘You’ll often find good bottles in local restaurants and shops from around €6–€10. It’s a brilliant way to taste the island for very little money.’
The travel advisor has one final piece of advice for holidaymakers: ‘Be confident enough to explore. The public transport is excellent.
‘So, wherever you’re staying, it’s easy. Tenerife is an island of contrasts, and the north rewards curiosity with culture, scenery and food that stay with you long after you return home.’
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