Everyone will have their own ideas on the best attractions in Tenerife, but we have given our top 5 below, which should be enough to at least get you started, and cover 3 -5 days of your stay:

No 1: Parque Nacional de las Canadas del Teide

El Teide is the third largest volcano in the world, and the Parque was designated a Parque Nacional in 1954. The Teide National Park was founded in order to protect a landscape of great beauty and importance, that extends around the volcano. 

Since its last eruption, Teide has given life to a wide variety of plants and animal species that are unique in the world. The diversity of plants is quite astonishing, and more than 700 different insects have been listed as living there, half of which are endemic to the Teide area. There are also several species of reptiles such as the tizon lizard and birds  such as the Egyptian vulture, the sparrow hawk, kestrel, and red kite. Also resident here are mouflons, rabbits and five different species of bats.

To get to Teide, take the 348 bus from Puerto de la Cruz, or the 342 from Playa de las Américas. Contact in advance: Tel.: +34 922 290 129.

Try the Cableway (cable cars) route to the summit, and enjoy a fantastic panorama which on clear days, includes the other islands in the Canarian archipelago. For further details, call +34 922 010 440.

No 2: Loro Parque (near Puerto de la Cruz)

A wildlife park conatining a huge variety of animals that you would normally only expect to see on a safari - tigers, gorillas, chimpanzees, dolphins, whales, to name but a few. Not to be missed. Contact: +34 922 37 38 41

No 3: Siam Park Water Kingdom (near Costa Adeje)

Water-based theme park at the south of Tenerife.  Enjoy rides and rapids, and artifical waves up to 3 metres high. You can even relax on the white beach (if the kids will let you!)

No 4: Aqualand, Costa Adeje

Billed as "the best dolphin show in the world", but also a great learning experience, as it brings children and adults alike into close contact with these highly intelligent marine species.  A great opportunity to learn about the importance of preservation and ecological balance.

There is a free bus service froma  a number of the hotels in Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos, and a bus service (paid) can also be found from Puerto de la Cruz. Telephone 922 716 128 for more information.

No 5: Ferry to La Gomera

Naviera Armas and Fred Olsen operate ferries 4 times daily to La Gomera (also known as Christopher Columbus Island), probably the greenest of the Canary Islands, and well known for its natural beauty. A great choice to find a chnage of scene and pace from Tenerife.