Thursday, 10 January 2013 12:00

The Canary Island of Tenerife is a fantastic destination for all types of holidaymakers, from couples on a honeymoon to families who are in search of an affordable break. Coming to Tenerife doesn’t break the budget, making it an ideal choice.

If the island sounds like somewhere you’d like to potentially holiday to, below are five reasons why you should book a getaway here.

1. There are some fantastic all-inclusive options

One of the best ways to slash the costs of a holiday is to go all-inclusive. While this might cost more than a traditional self-catering or half-board break upfront, in the long run you can end up saving a lot of money.

All-inclusive holidays tend to include all of your flights, accommodation, meals, drinks and some activities, so you might not have to spend anything once you land on Tenerife. Of course, you might decide to eat outside of the resort or go souvenir shopping sometimes, but more often than not you will find your hotel boasts every facility you can think of.

2. It boasts lots of green spaces

If you like to do something more than simply sunbathe on the beach or around the pool, but are conscious of your finances, Tenerife boasts an abundance of natural protected spaces that are perfect for exploring underneath the warm sun.

Teide National Park is home to the highest mountain in Spain – Teide, at 3,718 m – as well as lots of flora and fauna. Spending a few hours hiking across the terrain is a free activity that everyone can enjoy. Some of the other natural spaces that holidaymakers can visit include Anaga Rural Park, Corona Forestal Nature Park and Teno Rural Park.

3. It has a wide choice of beaches

Spending the day at the beach doesn’t need to cost a penny, and Tenerife has plenty of stretches of sand to choose from. With a typical annual temperature of 23 degrees C, you can be sure the sun will be out for you when you jet off to the island. Out of Tenerife’s beaches, 16 have been awarded Blue Flag status for the high quality of the sand and water, something parents will no doubt be keen to look out for when deciding which one to take their children to.

El Bollullo is seen as one of the most stunning beaches on the Canary Island, and while it is perhaps not the best for swimming or sunbathing due to the strong currents and lack of shade, it is ideal for taking a stroll along before grabbing a refreshing drink at the beach bar.

4. There is a good selection of water sports

It is well worth seeing if your all-inclusive resort offers complimentary water sports, as the climate and sea conditions of Tenerife make these kinds of activities a popular choice. Young and old alike will be thrilled to go on a dolphin and whale-watching trip, with the south-west of the coast a particularly good place to see these creatures. Bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales are the two resident populations around the island and can be seen during approximately 80 per cent of the year.

Scuba diving, snorkelling, jet skiing and sailing are also available when on holiday in this corner of Spain.

5. You can go on affordable excursions

If you like to see what your holiday destination offers outside the confines of your resort, Tenerife is home to plenty of villages and hamlets that are fantastic for visiting for an hour or so. Taganana, for example, is located in the Anaga Rural Park and has lots of pretty buildings to explore.

One of these is a small church that is one of the eldest on the island. Step inside, and you can see a valuable 16th-century triptych.