Chasing Winter Sun on the Tenerife Coast
There’s a truly magical feeling that comes with escaping the gloom of a British winter for a dose of February sunshine. A few years agor, we did just that, jetting off with friends to the sun-drenched shores of Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands.
It’s no surprise that over five million tourists choose Tenerife each year. While February isn’t the peak of the hot season, this turned out to be its hidden advantage. The island was blissfully free of the summer crowds, offering a more relaxed pace. A slight trade-off was that some seasonal attractions, like certain farm tastings, weren’t yet open, but we found more than enough to keep us enthralled.
As part of Spain, the Canaries are a wonderfully easy EU getaway. Another brilliant perk? Thanks to its year-round mild climate, Tenerife is a favourite winter haunt for many Brits. You’ll find English spoken widely, making everything from ordering a coffee to asking for directions an absolute breeze.
Touchdown in Tenerife: Sun, Snow and Surprises
Our arrival followed a bout of dramatic weather, with Atlantic cyclones having battered the northern coast just days before. Thankfully, the clean-up was swift, and we landed to mostly clear skies. The storms had left a spectacular parting gift, however: a fresh dusting of snow on Mount Teide, creating a stunning contrast against the blue skies that both locals and tourists were marvelling at.
We flew into Tenerife South with Ryanair from London Stansted and had a comfortable Ford Galaxy waiting for us-pre-booked through a personal contact for seamless island exploring. After a quick paperwork handover, we were off to our first stop: Finca Vista Bonita, a charming hotel nestled in the San Miguel de Abona hills near the airport.
This historic-style hotel was a peaceful haven, with beautiful rooms and balconies boasting wonderful mountain views. Our only disappointment was the indoor pool, which was a little untidy and didn’t tempt us in for a swim. A true highlight, though, was the fantastic restaurant just across the street, Asador El Portillo. It left such an impression that we returned later in the holiday, even after moving accommodation! They serve sizzling char-grilled pork, chicken, and lamb on mini grills that keep your meal piping hot throughout – utterly delicious and paired with a great selection of drinks.
Conquering the Road to Mount Teide
Eager to see the famous snow up close, we set out the next day towards the mighty El Teide volcano. This isn’t just any mountain; it’s the highest point in all of Spain and the third-tallest volcano on Earth when measured from its seabed base!
The drive was nothing short of spectacular. With the sun shining from a brilliant blue sky, the landscape was a painterly mix of green pine forests and the dazzling white of fast-melting snow. Even the occasional traffic jam couldn’t dampen our spirits. The journey was both thrilling and challenging, as cars in Tenerife don’t use winter tyres. We watched a few less-daring drivers turn back, but our trusty Galaxy pressed on bravely.
Our triumph, however, was short-lived. The most direct route to the volcano’s peak was closed! Rather than be disheartened, we took it as a chance for an adventure and rerouted towards the west coast, with the sunny town of San Eugenio as our new target.
En route, we made a spontaneous stop at the Tenerife Pearl Factory in Armenime. It was a delightful bit of serendipity; having visited a similar place in Gran Canaria, the girls in our group knew exactly how to make the most of this unexpected shopping opportunity.
Our Perfect Villa Hideaway in San Eugenio
For the remainder of our trip, we based ourselves in San Eugenio, a charming village just north of the famous (and famously bustling) Playa de las Américas. We’d opted for a peaceful retreat and booked a superb summer house through the UK-based company Tenerife Sun Vacations – and we couldn’t have been happier.
Our ‘villa’ in the Parque Las Flores complex was perfect. It featured a spacious open-plan living room and kitchen, three comfortable bedrooms, two bathrooms, and best of all, a large roof terrace and a generous garden complete with a barbecue. It was the ultimate base for holiday relaxation. While our private pool wasn’t heated for February, a large, well-maintained communal pool was just a stone’s throw away.
A Day at World-Famous Loro Parque
No trip to Tenerife is complete without a visit to the award-winning Loro Parque in Puerto de la Cruz. We dedicated a full day to crossing the island to see it, and it was worth every minute.
This is far more than just a zoo; it’s an immaculate and vast park dedicated to animal conservation. The incredible shows are a major draw -we watched mesmerising performances by dolphins, orcas, sea lions, and clever parrots. Beyond the shows, the park houses a massive aquarium tunnel and a stunning penguin habitat with real snow.
The best part? You pay one single entry fee, and everything inside is included. Our top tip: allocate plenty of time. We spent six enthralling hours there and could have easily stayed longer to see it all.
Our February escape to Tenerife was the perfect blend of winter sun, breathtaking scenery, and pure relaxation. It’s a trip that recharges the soul and proves that summer isn’t the only time for an unforgettable holiday.