A romantic getaway to Tenerife, activities for couples

Never-ending beaches, a gentle climate all year round, picturesque villages, stunning places to see all over the island, and unique cuisine. Tenerife has everything you need for the perfect romantic getaway. It’s no wonder that it’s one of the islands that attract most tourists during the year and it’s the perfect destination for couples who want to escape the everyday grind and enjoy an unforgettable experience. But what can a couple get up to in Tenerife? Read on and you’ll find out!

Romantic getaways for all tastes

You could soon be enjoying sun, sea and sand on one of the beaches in southern Tenerife, adventuring into Mount Teide National Park to climb Spain’s highest peak, or visiting the picturesque, culturally rich towns and villages in the north of the island. If there’s something particularly special about Tenerife, it’s that its 2,034 km² are full of contrasts.

If you’re planning a getaway and you don’t have much time, you should know that Tenerife has two main advantages: one, you’ll only need three or four days to get a sense of the whole of the island and two, you don’t have to worry about choosing the best time of year, because it’s always a good time to visit Tenerife. With one of the best climates in the world and average temperatures of between 17 and 21 degrees, you can almost certainly take a dip in the ocean at any time of year.

Tenerife’s most romantic beaches

To start with, we want to talk about one of the island’s biggest attractions, especially during the cold winter on the Spanish mainland: enjoying a day at the beach at all times of year. It’s true that if you’re looking for gentler, more summery temperatures you should head south. But, with approximately 340 km of coast, you can’t go wrong wherever you are on the island of Tenerife.

Playa del Bollullo: To the north of the island, in the area of La Orotava, this beach is one of the essential places to visit in Tenerife. The sand is very dark and volcanic, and the waves are wild and strong, meaning you’ll want to hold on tight to the person by your side.

Playa del Duque: Tenerife also has paradisiacal beaches with fine white sand and turquoise waters. If that’s what you’re after on your romantic getaway, don’t miss out on the Playa del Duque. On top of that, encircling the beach is a pleasant promenade with modern restaurants and shops.

Playa de Los Gigantes: The Playa de Los Guíos or Los Gigantes beach, with fine, dark sand, is to the west of the island, and is one of Tenerife’s most impressive beaches. The majestic, more than 600-metre-high Los Gigantes cliffs, which stand out on the horizon, will leave you speechless.

Playa de Los Cristianos: This pleasant urban beach with a unique atmosphere is more than 300 metres long and 80 metres wide. Its golden sand is perfect for a restful day by the ocean. Between dips in the water and time spent in the sun and the shade, you can enjoy a pleasant stroll and savour some of the island’s typical food in the nearby restaurants.

Restaurants for a romantic dinner in Tenerife

The sun and sea always make you hungry, and there’s no better way of ending the day than sampling Tenerife’s traditional food in some of its most romantic restaurants.

Las Terrazas del Sauzal: Is there anything more romantic than witnessing the moment when the sky turns orange? From this restaurant, you can watch the sun set, with a unique panoramic view of the coast, all whilst enjoying quality food with a creative touch, yet rooted in tradition. Round off the evening with a drink or cocktail on its wonderful terrace.

Kabuki Abama: Set in idyllic surroundings, this renowned restaurant with a Michelin star offers its diners the perfect opportunity to indulge their love for Japanese cuisine.

The guachinches: We have to mention these rustic, family restaurants. They might not be the most romantic options, but they are the most authentic places to eat at on the island.

There’s no reason why you can’t discover the most traditional customs in the area first-hand whilst on a romantic getaway. All over Tenerife, it’s never particularly easy to track down a guachinche. Located in strategic spots, you won’t find many tourists eating here, but you will find plenty of people who are born and bred on the island, enjoying grilled meats, papas arrugás (‘wrinkled’ potatoes), gofio (dishes made with a special roasted flour), ropa vieja (literally meaning ‘old clothes’, but actually a kind of stew), and other Canarian delicacies served with excellent, mostly local wines.

The villages and towns of northern Tenerife

Tenerife’s unique cultural wealth makes its villages and towns the perfect places to explore, get lost in, learn about… And fall in love with.

Driving north from the area of Los Cristianos, it’s worth making a few strategic stops along the way. Be sure to visit Garachico, with its cobbled streets and architectural gems, and Icod de los Vinos with its steep hills which lead you up to the Drago Milenario [Thousand-Year-Old Dragon Tree], which is the largest and oldest known tree of its species.

The complex of historic monuments in La Orotava deserves a special mention, as does the colonial, colourful San Cristóbal de la Laguna, which has been a World Heritage Site since 1999. From there, you can continue discovering the north until you reach the capital of the province, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Then, you can head back south again, and explore more hidden corners, until you’ve driven clean around the entire island.

Romantic ideas for adventurous couples

When you’ve had enough of sun, beach and swimming pool, you might fancy doing something a bit more intrepid whilst on the island.

If you want to see whales and dolphins in their natural habitat, you can hire a boat at the port of Los Cristianos or Los Gigantes which will take you out to sea for a unique experience. Cameras at the ready! They say that almost 100% of these whale watching trips actually spot whales or dolphins.

The climate, and Tenerife’s waves, which are strong but not dangerous, make it the perfect destination for surfing enthusiasts. If you share a love of the waves, a visit to the island could be a great moment to get some practice in.

If you prefer hiking, then we recommend you set aside one day to discover Tenerife’s greatest treasure: Mount Teide. There are two types of people in this world: those who go up Mount Teide by cable car, and those who do it on foot. You decide!

As you can see, whatever your idea of romance, you can share the experience together in Tenerife!