If you are still in doubt about a good destination for training or for a nice holiday with guaranteed altimeters in every ride, look no further than Tenerife. This Canary island has good conditions for training all year round and, in addition, you can climb the magical El Teide. That's no mean feat, of course. If you do go cycling on Tenerife for a week or, say, five days, the ideal rest day is also important. Training makes you tired and then recovery is key. We wrote in collaboration with our partner Tenerife some great ideas on how to make the most of your rest day. Cycling in Tenerife: the ideal rest day. Are you watching?
also read Ruth's experiences: Cycling in Tenerife: from lighthouse magic to Vuelta al Teide
Discover the most beautiful animals around Tenerife
On a rest day, above all, don't want too much. If you are not the type who likes to sit still, you can go whale-watching or bird-watching on and around the island, among other things. The south-west coast of the island is the ideal spot for whale watching. In Tenerife, there are many companies that organise excursions so you can admire whales in the wild. Boats leave from the ports of Los Cristianos, Puerto Colón and Los Gigantes. You can opt for a short excursion (of about three (3) hours) to a long excursion of five (5) hours. Whatever you like. You can discover as many as 21 (!) different species of whales and yes that includes dolphins too! You can choose from the many companies offering excursions via this link.
Bird-watching
Some 70 different species of breeding birds live on the island, some of which are endemic. There are 21 different points, where it is ideal to spot these birds. These points can be found scattered across the eialnd.
Cycling in tenerife: the ideal rest day is a day at the beach
If you're in Tenerife for a cycling holiday, you'll also want to catch a slice of island life. This is best done at the beach. Then, if you want a real day of rest, plant your parasol in the sand and enjoy beautiful sand and finger-licking views. In terms of location, the south is always recommended. At least the weather is sure to be nice there. The beaches on the north side are certainly beautiful too, but then if you go for sun security. Of course, always check the weather forecast. On the Tenerife site, you can search for your favourite beach. There are almost 100 beaches to choose from so there's something for everyone! Our tips:
- El Duque beach: quiet, a Blue Flag beach (clean water), sandy and fully equipped. This beach is close to Costa Adeje with good connections to the whole island
- Beach Charcos: these are natural pools created by nature (due to volcanic eruptions. For more information on this, see link.
- Near Arona, you'll find the sandy beach of El Camison. Here you can totally relax, although you will have to reckon with some more people. If you like being among people, this is a good choice.
All beaches and filter options can be found here
Teide visits
You can visit the Teide and the national park even as a non-cyclist. That is to say: you can take beautiful walks (a bit less suitable for a rest day), go up by cable car (very fat views), visit the observatory. You'll have to do that through the company Volcano Life. They provide guided tours (in Spanish, German and English). The botanical garden on this volcano is also definitely worth a visit. All in all, you can spend days in this beautiful area. Even if you are not on a bike. Or just when you are not on the bike. Ideal for a rest day, in other words. Just make sure you apply for a permit if you go off the beaten track. Do this on time! You can use the special access here to questions
Into the woods
On the north side of the volcano, you can enter the forests of the Corona Forestal. What's in a name. Perhaps the best region to really retreat into nature. You're guaranteed shade because you're in the forest. It is the largest protected area in the Canary Islands, a haven for Tenerife's most beautiful populations of pine forests and mountain vegetation. Indeed, with a size of some 50,000 hectares, it is the ideal place to discover the rich native flora and fauna
Enjoying the view
If you can enjoy the view anywhere it is on the teide. But there is so much more. In the north, you have the best view of the Teide. But other places on the island also offer views of the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, or you can look at the other islands, such as Gran Canaria and the rather nearby and unknown La Gomera. On the site of Tenerife's tourism office you will find all the beautiful viewpoints listed. There are more than 40 (!). If that doesn't relax you, we don't know what will.
Ultimate rest: day at Spa
Many hotels on the island have their own spa or relaxation area. This is highly recommended anyway, for instance in combination with a nice massage or other treatment. Ultimate relaxation is almost impossible. The Bahia del Duque spa is the most fine place at that point. Should you be near there, book a day in this wellness area. Pure luxury, but you deserve that after such a vigorous effort.
