Tenerife

Tenerife is far more than a package holiday destination — it’s an island of genuine contrasts and surprising depth. At its heart stands Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak and one of the world’s most visited national parks. The cable car to the summit offers otherworldly views across the island and, on clear days, glimpses of the neighbouring islands. The volcanic landscape around Teide — all rust-red rock formations and lunar plains — is unlike anything else in Europe.

The island divides broadly into two resort areas. The south — centred on Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos — offers reliable sunshine, broad sandy beaches, lively nightlife and a huge range of hotels and apartments. The north, including the capital Santa Cruz and the charming town of Puerto de la Cruz, is greener, cooler and more traditionally Canarian, with a genuine local atmosphere and the spectacular Loro Parque.

For beach lovers, Tenerife offers excellent choices: the sweeping black sands of Playa Jardín, the calmer family-friendly El Duque beach in the south and the quieter coves along the north coast. Water sports — surfing, diving, whale and dolphin watching — are all easily arranged.

Tenerife’s year-round warm climate (averaging 22°C even in winter) makes it one of Europe’s most popular winter sun destinations from Ireland. It suits families, couples, groups of friends and solo travellers — with enough variety across the island to keep any visitor thoroughly engaged for a week or two.