In the first instance, a family trip involves spinning an idea: the place chosen for a few days of fun and rest is sufficiently different from what everyone is used to, while providing enough comfort and safety for a relaxing time. Nowadays, when a family is looking for a holiday destination where all its members can have a great time, many are increasingly thinking of Tenerife. The main reason is that the island represents an accessible yet exotic destination, with an annual average of 22 °C (71 °F) and, above all, with almost infinite possibilities of entertainment.
Another motive is that children can be demanding when it comes to holiday destinations, so you would want the given city or town to tick many boxes – of which accommodation is crucial. In Tenerife, there is a wide range of hotels with all sorts of family-friendly facilities – communicated rooms, children’s pools, play areas, etc. Moreover, the island features gastronomy that satisfies any palate, making Tenerife a complete and irresistible destination for the little ones (and of course, for their dads and moms).
Theme Parks for Adults and Children
Among the great traits of Tenerife are the theme parks. Siam Park, in Costa Adeje, is the largest water park in Europe and one of the best in the world. Inspired by the Kingdom of Siam, it offers incredible slides, tropical gardens, and attractions such as a large white sand beach with an artificial wave. Such features make it the perfect spot to have a family photographer register fun moments of underwater action with the kids. Loro Parque, in Puerto de la Cruz, is another of those places that deserve an almost obligatory visit. Penguins, gorillas, otters, sharks, orcas – nature shows all its splendor in a unique space considered as the best zoo in Europe.
There are more alternatives in the south of the island, such as the Jungle Park. Here, families find a space where animals live in absolute freedom, with more than 500 species around inhabiting the area. There are tours through tunnels, suspension bridges, waterfalls, lagoons, and caves – perfect opportunities for more outdoor family photographs.
The sensation of becoming a true explorer is very vivid in Pyramids of Güímar, an ethnographic park that offers several outdoor routes and in which the youngest have to face a very important mission: deciphering the secrets of the ancient pyramids. If you wish to play and have fun in the middle of nature, Forestal Park provides all the members of the family the possibility of jumping on zip lines among the towering pines of Mount La Esperanza.
Who Said Museums Can’t Be Fun?
Most children often associate museums with boredom – not in Tenerife! The Museum of Science and the Cosmos, in La Laguna, invites you to discover the funniest part of science through experiments and gadgets that can be touched and manipulated. For those interested in knowing the origin of the island’s indigenous culture, the Museum of Nature and Man, in Santa Cruz, preserves mummies and ceramics that belonged to the Guanches, the first inhabitants of the island.
Stargazing and Cetaceans
Children love the stars. They imagine that those sparkling little dots stare at them, while adults are fascinated by the unfathomable immensity of the Universe. Tenerife, and especially the Teide National Park, is recognized among the best places in the world for the observation of stars for the cleanliness and purity of its sky. This is a very original activity to experience as a family and a great opportunity for mom or dad to test their skills as photographers.
Another highlight of the island is the sighting of cetaceans. A few miles from the southern coast of Tenerife there are colonies of these adorable mammals. It is possible to hop on a boat and go on an excursion to contemplate the wildlife, take photographs, and learn more about this incredible and unique species.
Wonderful Surprising Corners
The coast of Tenerife is full of beaches where to go for a good swim and take stunning family portraits. If the most important thing is a more relaxed dip, one of the best options is the eight spectacular natural pools of Lago Martiánez, in Puerto de la Cruz. A complex with a wide gastronomic offer to spend a whole different day and where children do not stop for a minute.
Alternatively, there are other spots that compete in originality. From the Palmetum of Santa Cruz, a botanical garden with all kinds of plant species among which stands out an impressive collection of palm trees; as well as the Cueva del Viento (Icod de Los Vinos), one of the largest volcanic tubes in the world thanks to its 17 kilometers of passageways flooded with silence and mystery.
