Tenerife is probably the most diverse island of the Balearics. It certainly offers the biggest variety of landscape. Where else in the world can you be on a small almost tropical island and also have snow! The exotic Flora, fauna, deserts, mountains, volcanoes and incredible white sandy beaches along the beautiful coastlines make this destination so unique. Tenerife has it all in one unbelievable location.

There are two airports on Tenerife the southern airport known as Reina Sofia deals with the vast majority of tourists who visit the island arrive here but there is also a northern airport which is much smaller in size and has far less commercial arrivals. Tenerife is a busy destination all year round. The summer months see visitors from France England and Germany flocking to the Island to enjoy the hot summers and perfect beach weather. But during winter many northern Europeans travel here to take advantage of the relatively warm winters. The Balearics experience much better year round weather that mainland Spain as they are actually closer to the northern coast of Africa than Spain.

Reina Sofia Airport is the seventh busiest in Spain and handles over 65 thousand flights which bring over 8 million people to this popular Island hideaway Many car hire firms operate from the airport but in our experience it is much easier and convenient to pre-book your hire car for collection at the airport.

Hiring a car on Tenerife will give you the ability to see many more places of interest than you might usually it will also allow you to travel at your own pace and in your own time. A fantastic road runs around the entire circumference of the coast connecting all of the major sites, villages and towns. There are many amazing places on Tenerife waiting to be explored in your hire car here are just a few to get you started on your adventure.

The Teide national park is a must visit destination for anyone hiring a car in Tenerife. The landscape here is completely out of this world infact the volcanic activity has left the place looking more like something from a james bond set or the moon. Make sure you take a walk to look into the vocanic crater which is 48 kilometers in circumference! Here on this tiny Island you will also find Spain’s highest mountain! The volcanic activity that saw Tenerife rising from the ocean floor millions of years ago has left a peak which reaches 3,718 meters above sea level.

The area has been a national park and therefore protected since 1954 at this amazing altitude you get some unbelievable views of the island; during winter whilst the temperature on the beaches is still in the mid twenties snow falls at the top of this sleeping volcanic monster.

If you venture up to this arid desert like wilderness during summer make sure your hire car has air-conditioning and that you take plenty of water because temperature remain around 40 degrees centigrade for months on end. The best way to reach the summit is to take the cable car which will save your legs and leave you in awe at the incredible views. This is the canaries’ most popular tourist attraction so to enjoy it at its best and quietest try visiting either early in the morning or at sunset.

A great place to take the children but where the whole family can enjoy the day out is Loro Parque. Again during the height of summer this place can get very busy. You’ll find the world’s biggest parrot collection, a brilliant zoo and aquarium with shark tunnels all rolled into one. Don’t miss the dolphin shows or the penguin house where you could be forgiven for thinking you were in the penguins real habitat, in fact 12 tons of real snow falls on them every day! This zoo really is a world leader when it comes to investing care, time and research into their animals, you will be staggered by the place I strongly suggest a visit.

For the Island’s best shopping a trip to Santa Cruz is essential the harbour here is one of the world’s oldest and deepest today it is still a busy port with many container ships trawlers and passenger cruise ships coming and going on a daily basis. You can also take jet foil ferries to the other Islands from this port but the best part is the masses of shops offering goods at tax free prices. There isn’t much sightseeing to be had here as the city has been developed recently. The Plaza de Espana on the seafront and the Plaza de Candelaria are where you will find the best designer goods and tourist shopping on the island.

If you’re staying here already make sure you come for an evening out and a night of fantastic entertainment at the Playa de las Americas; it has been a tourist destination since to 1960s and today is bigger and better than ever. Great artificial beaches of white sand imported from the tropics makes this a great place for a day playing in the sea.

This area is better for younger holiday makers who are on holiday to have a good time, partying all night and sleeping off the night before on the beaches.

For the older generation of travelers who might want to avoid the noise and busy areas of Las Americas try visiting Los Cristianos. Its only 15 kilometers west of the southern airport and it again one of the most popular destinations on the island. As well as being great for a quieter more relaxed holiday you can try your hand at any number of water sports and boating or sailing excursions.

Of course if you have hired a car you will have the opportunity to visit all of these areas and chose your favorite.