Su Casa Estate Agent - Tenerife

Tenerife: is the largest island of the Canarian Archipelago. It is situated at more than 200km (125 miles) from the African coast and has a coastline of 358km (222 miles). It is the most populated of the Canary Islands . The Canarian people are proud, friendly and easygoing, and in the local tongue are called "Tinerfeños".

The most recognizable symbol of Tenerife is undoubtedly Mount Teide . This impressive, extinct volcano is the highest mountain of all the Spanish Provinces with a summit reaching 3718m (12195 foot). It is visible from almost every place on the island, watching over the land as a motionless guardian. A must for every visitor is a visit to Las Cañadas and the National Park. There is a visitors' centre where one can get more information and maps for walkers.

Vegetation: This paradise isle offers a diverse landscape and wonderful contrasts, due to the specific microclimates of the archipelago. Tenerife has countless banana plantations and exotic palm trees. The north is abundant with flora and very green, while the south is rocky and dry. It is known as the "Galapagos" of the plant world, because of its infinite variations. We can find Laura Silva forests that are unique in the world, snow-crowned pine forests, moon landscapes, big heaps of lava, craters, cliffs and of course superb beaches. Because of this variety of landscapes and climates the visitor has a choice between a relaxing beach holiday or getting back to nature with a peaceful stay in a rural area.

Climate: It is a popular saying that Tenerife enjoys an eternal spring. In winter Mount Teide is crowned up to 3 months with snow, which means that the visitor, after an exiting morning of throwing snowballs, can then enjoy a nice afternoon on the beach and take a swim in the ocean, of which the temperature is never under 18ºC. Water sports can be exercised all year round.

History: Tenerife was conquered in the 15th century by the Spaniards. The original habitants of the island were called Guanches. It is said that they were a tall, proud and majestic people, with blond hair and blue eyes. According to ancient accounts of the Spanish conquerors they were bold warriors, and they stood up against their assaulters for more than a century. The main activities of these Guanches were limited farming, hunting, herding and gathering. They lived in caves, but their culture nonetheless was highly developed. They embalmed the dead and had a language that still up to now hasn't been decoded. After the conquest they were victims of mass massacres, slavery and intermarriages.

Holidays: There are fiestas all year round, celebrations of Saints' days and other religious dates. The biggest party of the year is the famous carnival of Santa Cruz in February, which is considered by many the second best in the world, after Rio de Janeiro . The carnival is spread over a period of 3 weeks, and includes the election of a Queen, street processions and of course, a lot of salsa music and dancing. Other famous events are the yearly flower carpets in La Orotava, and the celebration of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria on August 14 and 15, which attracts pilgrims from all over the islands.

Food and drink: Living costs are quite cheap on Tenerife , especially eating out. The local gastronomy in based on delicious fish dishes and a fine Canarian wines. Typical dishes are small potatoes boiled in salt water ("papas arrugadas"), that are eaten with different kinds of "Mojo" sauces. Besides the exquisite fish dishes the Canarian people serve lots of varied stews.

Property: The prosperous economy and the unique climate of Tenerife make sure that property values sustain a continuous growth, although investment in property is not cheap as cheap as other islands.

Santa Cruz: Santa Cruz ("Holy Cross"), famous for its splashing carnival, is a bustling city on the north east coast of the island. The name of the city is derived from a crucifix planted by the Spanish conqueror Alonso Fernández de Lugo in 1494. The capital since 1723, it is the administrative centre and main port of the island of Tenerife . The city is situated in a large natural bay surrounded by the Anaga Mountains , which are over 1000m (3280 foot) high. Calle del Castillo is the best place to be for people who like shopping. The prices are tax free and therefore relatively cheap. This street is located between the Plaza de España and the Plaza de la Candelaria. On the Plaza de España is the island Tourist Board where you can obtain maps, street plans and other information, and where the visitor can admire the "Monumento de los caídos", the monument for the victims of the Spanish Civil War.

Close to the Plaza de España we can also visit the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción , which was built in 1496. The city has many more wonderful plazas and parks, with most extensive being Parque García Sanabria, which is located in a wealthy neighborhood fringed with beautiful city houses and gardens. West of the city centre is the Rambla de General Franco, where visitors can take a relaxed stroll between historical buildings, beautiful squares and broad boulevards. The casino is one of the oldest private clubs of Tenerife . The famous Mercado de Nuestra Señora de Africa is the place to be to buy flowers andsupplies. Las Teresitas, the "golden beach" is situated at only a few kilometres from the city centre.

Puerto de la Cruz is the main tourist resort of the north of the island of Tenerife. Always present on the background is Mount Teide. Puerto de la Cruz was originally built as the harbour of Orotava in the 16th century. Today it is still the most visited town of the north. Although the main part of the city consists of hotels and big buildings, there is still a charming old fishing port, which conserves its original cosiness with narrow cobbled streets and colonial architecture.
Visitors are recommended to visit the Botanical gardens, which were built by King Carlos III. Originally the gardens were meant as a pass-through for tropical plants on their way to Madrid, but this experiment failed and many of the plants and trees stayed on the island. There are over 3000 different varieties of tropical and sub-tropical trees and plants.

Loro Parque is the biggest recreational park of the island. The park was built as a resort dedicated to breeding and conservation work, and contains the largest collection of parrots in the world, over 200 different species. Moreover there is a dolphinarium, tropical gardens and a zoo. Recently inaugurated is the transparent underwater aquarium.
The famous Canarian architect César Manrique designed a bathing place meant for the stimulation of tourism in 1977, and the Lago Martianez are still inviting for every visitor to take a swim. These open-air swimming pools are filled with sea water.

La Bananería El Guanche is a banana plantation open to visitors, who receive information about the growing of "platanos" (bananas). Girls in traditional clothes serve liquor.

Airports Tenerife has 2 airports, one in the north, close to La Laguna, and one in the south. The airport Reina Sofia in the south is the larger of the two. A new double runway has recently been approved. There are good facilities for the disabled at all terminals of this international airport. Reina Sofia is at only 10km (6 miles) from Los Christianos and Las Americas, and at an approximate driving distance of ½ hour from the south west coast of Tenerife.