The Teno Rural Park

The Teno Rural Park is one of the most beautiful areas on Tenerife. This park, traditionally isolated due to its limited and difficult access, with its mountainous massif in the north-west of Tenerife is of great ecological value, both scenic and cultural: it includes many examples of traditional island architecture. Large areas of Laurisilva forest still survive here, a type of rich leafy forest vegetation, and are the home of many species of animals, such as, the Osprey. It is precisely its rich bird life that has led to its being declared a protected area for birds. From the Punta de Teno, the most westerly point of the island, which is marked by an old lighthouse, there are spectacular panoramic views of the Gigantes Cliffs, which drop straight down to the sea from a height of almost 600 metres. To get to the Punta de Teno you have to follow the coast road that leaves from the centre of the town of Buenavista del Norte.

Districts:
Buenavista
Los Silos
Santiago del Teide
El Tanque

Villages:
Los Carrizales
Masca
El Palmar
Las Portelas
Teno Alto

The Anaga Rural Park

The Anaga Rural Park is one of the areas of greatest ecological value in Tenerife, both for its special geological form and for the extraordinary bio-diversity it contains. The Anaga Massif, one of the three corners of the island of Tenerife, offers visitors extraordinary scenery, hidden beaches, spectacular cliffs and leafy Laurisilva forests: these forests are a relic of prehistoric Mediterranean vegetation. Other great attractions of this protected nature reserve are the variety of bird life, with numerous different species, and the presence of several traditional rural villages that blend harmoniously into the local scenery and whose inhabitants are mainly framers.

Districts:
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
La Laguna
Tegueste

Some villages in the Anaga Rural Park:
Afur
Almáciga
El Bailadero
Las Casas de la Cumbre
Chamorga
El Draguillo
Lomo Las Bodegas
Roque Negro
Taborno
Taganana
Las Montañas
Valle Tahodio

Birds & Wildlife

Click for listings courtesy of the Official Tenerife Tourist Board

El Socorro

El Socorro beach, in the Los Realejos district, is particularly well known by surfers as they often practice here or use the beach for competitions. There is quite a strong swell, which means you need to take care when swimming. El Socorro beach is a long, beautiful beach of volcanic sand with a range of facilities including car parks, bars, restaurants and sometimes, lifeguards. To get there drive along the C-280 main road north and then take the signposted exit near the mirador de San Pedro (viewpoint) which will lead you down to this beach

Natural Swimming Pools

The north coast of Tenerife is rugged and lined with cliffs formed by ancient lava flows. In places this coast offers some unusual spots for swimming, for instance the Charco de la Laja, in the seaside district of San Juan de la Rambla. A track by the sea takes you to a natural pool created by the remains of a lava flow that reached the sea. The Charco de la Laja is suitable for swimming but sometimes you need to take care due to the big waves.
For a detailed list of natural pools across Tenerife click courtesy of The Official Tenerife Tourist Board

Historical Monuments

For a detailed list of Historical Monuments across Tenerife click courtesy of The Official Tenerife Tourist Board

Historical Districts

For a detailed list of Historical Districts across Tenerife click courtesy of The Official Tenerife Tourist Board

Craft work Shops

For a detailed list of Craftworks Shops across Tenerife click courtesy of The Official Tenerife Tourist Board

Mt. Teide Observatory

Izaña
Tel: 34 / 922 329 110
Fax: 34 / 922 329 117
E-mail: teide@ot.iac.es
Web site: www.iac.es
Visits to the Institute of Astrophysics
Visits to the head offices can be arranged with the IAC Management Board
Canary Island Institute of Astrophysics
C/ Vía Lactea, s/n
38200 – La Laguna (Tenerife)
Telephone: 922 605 200 / 207
E-mail: aqg@ll.iac.es
Web site: www.iac.es

Canarian Institute of Astrophysics

Although the first telescope was installed in the Teide observatory in 1964, the Canarian Institute of Astrophysics was not created until 1975. Today, it has 19 different countries participating in research there. The Institute and its observatories, one at the Teide (Tenerife) and one at the Roque de los Muchachos, on the island of La Palma, make up the North European Observatory. The various telescopes that are installed on the peaks of the Teide take advantage of the unique atmospheric conditions that are ideal for astronomical observation. The Canarian Parliament even passed a law in 1988, known as, the Law of the Sky, which guarantees the continuation of these conditions by prohibiting any type of contamination that might affect them. On a few days each year, the Institute opens its doors to the public and allows people to visit some of the telescopes.