Tenerife Top Tips

Readers, hello! Guess who’s just back from 7 nights in the suuuuunshine… where it was all 26c, blue skies and cocktails?  Also, guess who is back to reality tomorrow.  Yup, me.

Tenerife has a bit of a reputation of a 1970s time warp, pensioners’ paradise if you will.  And yes, without a doubt, Las Americas has a bit of that going on.  However, my totally un-pensioner friend moved out there nearly 3 years ago for the sunshine and year round great weather.  Since then, I’ve been out twice and neither trip has involved old folk, apart from an invite to “grab a Grandad”, but we’ll leave that well alone!

In a myth to dispel the rumours, I’ve done a Top Things to Do list for you all, in and around the Las Americas area… totally avoiding Veronica’s Strip, because I’m far too old for fishbowls and unidentified alcohol.

The Days

Siam Park                   

You CANNOT go to Tenerife and not spend a day here. Voted No1 Waterpark IN THE WORLD on Trip Advisor, Siam Park is definitely an adult waterpark that’s not for wee people.  We’ve now been twice and had the best time.  A lot of rides are for 4 people so keep this in mind if you’re going in a smaller group.  You could be paired up with people you don’t know.  The park’s for thrill seekers – some of the big rides include Tower of Power, The Dragon and The Singha….

Favourite ride goes to The Singha which is a recently built watercoaster that you ride in an inflatable boat like thing.  Prepare for ups, downs and a LOT of water in your face.

Adult day tickets to Siam Park cost approximately 35 euro and the food offerings are reasonably priced for an amusement park.

Image Credit - I Hoppers 

Aqua Club Termal

Now this was a hidden find! Off the beaten track and a favourite with locals, we found this day spa in Costa Adeje. Don’t ask how we got there… take a cab and Google maps.  For approximately £35, we got a pass to the spa for 3 hours and a VIP gazebo poolside, featuring cava and fresh fruit, whilst we dipped in and out of the various pools, sauna, steam rooms and a floatation pool.   A great way to relax with friends, or spend a rainy afternoon if the clouds do appear.

Image Credit - Aqua Club Termal 

 The Nights

Restaurant La Iberoteka

Located inside a small shopping plaza, it’s a courtyard tapas restaurant, where the roof is covered with umbrellas.  For 50 Euro, we were well fed (around 5 different dishes) and had a jug of sangria to share.  The place is tiny – no more than 10 tables – and is run by a French chef who comes over for a chat during service.  Don’t expect your usual tapas dishes here, there’s market fresh vegetables and meats, alongside interesting plates you might not find elsewhere.  We had a great lentil dish with chicken, chorizo and potato… The asparagus, prawn and chorizo plate was also fantastic.

Bianco

Owned by the Venture Restaurant Group, this is part of the Safari complex – across from the Hard Rock Café and near Harry’s Bar.  A reasonably priced Italian, with a very white interior… and if you save you’re receipt, you’ll get your first round of drinks at Magic Half Price.

Special mention goes to the amatraciano pasta… so good I had it twice.

Image Credit - Bianco Restaurant Tenerife 

Trattoria Da Fernanado e Anita

The second Italian to get a mention, this place pumps out amazing food from a very small kitchen.  You’ll find it up the hill along Los Cristianos beach in a little section of restaurants called San Telmo. This one came recommended from our local friend and didn’t disappoint.  The small open plan cooking area at the front of the restaurant prepares fresh dishes which smell divine and arrive at your table as and when they are ready.  The pizzas are thin and made in a proper oven whilst the pasta comes with lashing of homemade sauce and parmesan.

Harry’s Bar

The cocktails… that’s all I really need to say.  Extensive menu, properly mixed and guaranteed two will make you feel VERY happy.  A firm favourite from our last trip, we only went once this time, but none the less enjoyed it.

Hard Rock Café Cocktail Bar

Possibly a hidden gem?  Usually I avoid Hard Rock like the flu whenever I’m abroad, as the food is generally average and overpriced, however, Tenerife, you outdid yourself.  There’s a massive stage at the front with live bands most nights and if you take yourself up two flights of stairs you’ll find the open air cocktail bar that overlooks Avenue Las Americas.  A great spot for people watching and a glass of white sangria, mixed with orange vodka is less than 5 euros a glass. 

Magic Lounge Club

MUST GO!!!! Magic has been our go to late night venue, pretty much every night on both trips.  Outdoors, there’s usually a singer or a DJ set in the evening on the terrace, where all ages are mixing over proper good cocktails.  Come 11pm the Magic 3 band gets going, playing old school classics as well as modern tunes and after 2pm, the amazing DJ Nato takes to the decks to fill the dancefloor into the night.  Drinks aren’t cheap- 10 Euro on average for a cocktail, however it’s premium spirits, a great night of people watching and there’s a dancefloor to hit up.   For those of you avoiding cheap buckets of booze and Tenerife’s “tacky” image, this is the place to go.