Tenerife is a volcanic island, so most of the beaches here feature coal-coloured sands. Just east of Puerto de la Cruz, Playa el Bollullo is one of the best black-sand beaches. Secluded and unspoiled, this place has an au naturel feel, with no hotels or shops – but the beachfront café is on hand for drinks and snacks.

Nearby, postcard-worthy Playa Jardin is undoubtedly one of the best beaches in Tenerife. As the name suggests, the volcanic sands are lined with beautiful botanical gardens, where greens, pinks and purples pop against the black beach. You’ll also be able to see Mount Teide looming in the distance.

If you’re planning a family holiday to Tenerife, though, Playa de las Vistas should be top of your list. This Blue Flag beach boasts 850 metres of pristine, blonde sands, and the clean, shallow waters are safe for swimming. Little ones can play and paddle, and then the whole family can mooch along the promenade of ice-cream kiosks, shops and restaurants.

As the biggest of the Canaries, Tenerife has plenty of things to do. On the coast, you can try out all sorts of activities and watersports. Head to Playa de las Vistas on the island’s southwest corner to try jet-skiing or paragliding, or take the whole family on a banana boat.

While it might be tempting to spend your entire Tenerife holiday on the beach, it’s worth venturing inland to Teide National Park. This vast lunar-like landscape is where you’ll find Mount Teide – an active volcano, and the highest peak in all of Spain. If you’re feeling energetic, you could hike to the top and gape at the enormous crater. Or, take it easy and hop in the Teide Cable Car and look out over the otherworldly landscape from above.

For something a little different, why not return to the national park after dark? You can visit Teide Observatory, where you’ll have a fantastic view the starry night sky. Light pollution is virtually non-existent in the Canary Islands and, in summer, you can even see the Milky Way.

Holidays to Tenerife are hugely popular with families. From toddler-friendly beaches to white-knuckle waterparks, there’s something here for kids of all ages. 

If you’re looking for a thrilling day out, Siam Park is the place to go. This Thailand-themed waterpark has been rated the world’s best waterpark by TripAdvisor, seven years in a row – and you’ll soon understand why. Children will love the Coco Beach area, where they can play on white sands and float in the wave machine. The Lost City is great for young kids, too, with lots of towers, bridges and 15 water slides.

Teens will love thrilling slides like the Dragon and the Mekong Rapids. But only the bravest will go on the Tower of Power – a vertical slide that shoots down through a shark-filled aquarium.  

Alternatively, why not visit Lago Martianez? This open-air leisure park is home to a huge salt water lake, seven swimming pools, and a range of family-friendly restaurants. Plus, you’ll have great views of Mount Teide.

Known as the ‘Island of Eternal Spring’, Tenerife can lay claim to warm sunshine all year round. Summertime temperatures average 24-28°C, but often soar much higher. Even in winter, the mercury hovers around 20°C, with daytime temperatures rarely dipping below 15°C. So, if you’re looking for reliable sunshine, there’s never a bad time for a trip to Tenerife.

As you’d expect, July and August are incredibly popular months, as families jet off into the sunshine in the school summer holidays. If you’d prefer the beaches to be a little quieter – but still hot – June makes a great alternative. You’ll find that Tenerife hotels are cheaper at this time of year, too.

Winter sun holidays to Tenerife are also incredibly popular, as Europeans flock to the Canaries to escape the cold weather back home. November to March is actually the island’s busiest time so, if you want to beat the crowds, you could consider planning you Tenerife holiday for April or October instead.