Information from A - Z

Airports
There are two major international airports on Tenerife. The “Aeropuerto Los Rodeos” is located in the north of the island, close to the town of La Laguna and about 50 km away from Los Silos.
The international airport of “Tenerife-South Reina Sofia” is located in the south of the island, about 60 km south of the capital of Santa Cruz and 130 km away from Los Silos.

Anaga Mountains
The northeast of the island of Tenerife is occupied by the wild craggy Teno range, which is covered with dense laurel forests (so called laurisilva) and tree heath - the Anaga Mountains. Narrow winding streets and beautiful walks offer breathtaking views of ravines, cliffs and offshore islands.

Beach
Tenerife has many wild and craggy creeks as well as small natural beaches. However there are only few beaches of pure sand. In the north of the island there are many opportunities for bathing, however their use is limited due to high tides, weather and undercurrents. For this reason the Hotel Luz del Mar has an ample swimming pool with a length of 25 Metres.
Alternatively there are beautiful sea water swimming pools, which invite you to swim all year round, in the immediate proximity of the hotel as well as in Garachico.
Los Silos beach is a popular excursion destination, above all at the weekends, although it has a dark pebble beach.
A beautiful coastal path invites you to take walks, go Nordic Walking or jogging in the direction of Buenavista.

Bus connexion
Tenerife has a well developed network of bus routes. Two bus routes are available to the neighbouring villages Buenavista, Garachico and Icod de los Vinos from the “Plaza de la Luz” in the centre of Los Silos.

Carnival
The world’s second biggest carnival, immediately after the carnival in Rio de Janeiro, is celebrated on Tenerife in February/March. Carnival on Tenerife means dancing in the streets, dazzling costumes and boisterous parties until dawn.

Events
There are quite a lot of Events and regioal festivities. Click here to find an annual overview 

Food & beverage
In the Canaries the cuisine with its specialities is very varied and has fantastic dishes to offer. Tenerife is also well known for its tasty fish dishes such as the giant grouper, the most common type of fish prepared, but sole, lobster, crab, crayfish and mussels are also very popular. Usually small potatoes ("papas arrugadas") with edible salty skins are served. As an accompaniment the very typical "Mojo" is served – a sauce made with coarse salt, oil, paprika, herbs and garlic.
"Conejo Salmorejo", tender rabbit in a white wine sauce with pepper and garlic, is another speciality of the island.
Typical appetizers are a part of every good meal. "Tapas”, are made with goat’s cheese, olives, tasty ham "jamón serrano", calamares in garlic, small fish, "pimiento frito", fried peppers, pieces of tortilla and much more.

Flora
Tenerife offers varied vegetation – many species of plants are only to be found in the Canaries, or even only in Tenerife. The Canaries pine (Pinus canariensis) forms many extensive forests in the island and in the dry southern region spurge plants (Euphorbia canariensis) are indigenous. The Canaries dragon tree (Dracaena draco) is another characteristic plant – a very old and impressive example is to be found in the town of Icod de los Vinos 
Besides the indigenous flora the landscape is also characterised by wild growing cacti from America as well as huge bushes of Poinsettia.

Garachico
The formerly rich seaport on the northern coast of Tenerife has preserved its aspect and almost appears to be a town out of the middle ages. Many historic buildings, various restaurants, a former convent and a seawater swimming pool offer an invitation to linger.

Golf
The golf course in Buenavista del Norte is about 5 km away from the Hotel Luz del Mar and is bounded by the Teno Mountains nature reserve and the Atlantic Ocean.
The golf course has 18 holes and is a par 72 course of 6,150 metres in length. The club house is in a slightly elevated situation in the centre of the course and offers a panoramic view over the fairways from its terraces and cafeteria.

Guanches
The original inhabitants of the Canaries are called “Guanches”. The word, “Guanche” means “man from Tenerife” and comes from the language of the original inhabitants, which has now been almost completely lost. The Guanches were herdsmen and fishermen, who mainly ate meat and fish and tilled very little land. They had already learned the art of making fire as early as 820 BC and, although they were a relatively primitive people, possessed a very highly developed moral code.

Hire car
Tenerife is easy to explore by car. The Hotel Luz del Mar will be happy to assist in arranging for the hire of a car.

Holidays
The public holiday calendar can contain minor differences because it is newly determined each year by Spain’s individual autonomous regions.
1. January: Año Nuevo (New Year); 6. January: Los Reyes (Epiphany); 19. March: San José (Saint Joseph); 1. May: Día del Trabajo (Worker's day); 30. May: Day of the Canary Islands June: Cuerpo del Señor (Corpus Christi); 25. July: Santiago Apóstol (Apostle Jacob); 15. August: Asunción (Mary Ascension Day); 12. October: Día de la Hispanidad (holiday in honours of America's discovery); 1. November: Todos los Santos (All Saints' Day); 6. December: Día de la Constitución (Constitution day); 8. December: Immaculada Concepción (the Blessed Virgin); 25. December: Navidad (Christmas)

Icod de los Vinos
The legendary dragon tree "Drago Milenario" makes the little town on the north coast of Tenerife, about 15 km to the west of Puerto de la Cruz, one of the most visited locations in Tenerife.

Isla Baja
One of the most beautiful regions in the Canaries, the Isla Baja, is to be found in the northwest of Tenerife. Here there are countless hiking trails and opportunities to pursue sports such as golf, riding and mountain biking as well as wonderfully tranquil bathing beaches. Many lookout points offer opportunities to take photographs and admire the countryside. The panoramic views across the tranquil and virgin countryside, which can be enjoyed from La Atalaya or from the lookout point at Lomo Molino, are enough in themselves to make a visit to this area a must.

La Orotava
The attractive old Canaries town in the north of Tenerife lies in the middle of the green Orotava valley. La Orotava, with its large old town centre, is a popular excursion destination for lovers of Canaries architecture, trekking, nature and gourmets.

Loro Parque
The Loro Parque in Puerto de la Cruz with the largest collection of parrots in the world is one of the most outstanding tourist magnets, which the Canaries have to offer. An undertunneled aquarium, the Planet Penguin, with over 200 Antarctic and subtropical penguins, shows with dolphins, parrots and sea lions awaits visitors to this zoo, which is very well worth seeing.

Los Silos
The little town with about 4.200 inhabitants nestles at the foot of the Teno Mountains, bedded in the beautiful countryside in the northwest of Tenerife.  The Plaza de la Luz with its inviting atmosphere, little bars, restaurants and shops is the centre point of the quiet little town. The Hotel Luz del Mar is located here in the town’s district of Sibora, approx. 250 m away from the coast.

Masca
The town lies high above the breathtaking Masca gorge in the Teno Mountains of Tenerife.  The nature reserve of “Barranco de Masca” is one of the most impressive gorges in Tenerife and you will encounter fascinating flora on a trek down to the sea. At the foot of the gorge lies the crystal clear Atlantic, which reveals a small volcanic beach at low tide.

Orotava valley
The green and fruitful “Valle de La Orotava” lies in the north of the island. Beautiful walking excursions lead from here to the higher regions of the Dorsal de la Cumbre Vieja.

Paisaje Lunar
In the middle of a pine forest near Vilaflor lies the Paisaje Lunar, an artistically formed group of pumice rocks, which is well worth a visit, not least because of its remarkable location.

Parque Nacional de las Cañadas del Teide
The crater floor measuring about 17 km in diameter, which is bisected by many lava steams and small volcanic cones from an ancient volcano, is one of the most impressive natural sights in Tenerife. In the north of the national park of "Las Cañadas del Teide" is the highest mountain in Spain, the 3,718 metre high Pico del Teide.

Pico del Teide
At 3,718 metres the Pico del Teide is the highest mountain on the Canaries island of Tenerife und thus the highest mountain in Spain. The Teide is the third highest island volcano on earth.

Puerto de la Cruz
Since the 60s the former little fishing village has developed into the tourist centre of the north coast with approx. 30,000 inhabitants. The centre of the town, which is rich in tradition, invites you with its unique charm to pay a visit.

Pyramids of Güímar
The pyramids of Güímar are to be found in the little town of Güímar – six stepped pyramids with a rectangular layout and a remarkable similarity with those of the Mayas and Aztecs in Mexico, which continue to puzzle archaeologists.

San Cristóbal de La Laguna
The former island capital with more than 100,000 inhabitants is the second largest city in Tenerife. Its historic centre is dominated by magnificent palaces and sacred buildings. In addition, La Laguna is home to the only university of the island, having been established in 1701.

Santa Cruz
The administration centre for the western Canary Islands and the capital of Tenerife are on the northern coast of the island. This busy city in the centre of a large natural bay with an impressive mountain backdrop is an excellent starting point for exploring the northeast of the island.

Shopping
In Spain there is no fixed shop closing time. Above all shops and supermarkets are to be found in the tourist centres, which are open out with the stated opening hours until late in the evenings and even on Sundays.

Pharmacies:

Mo - Fr	9 - 13 hours / 16 - 19 Uhr hours
Sa	9 - 13 hours

 

Banks:

Mo - Fr	9 - 14 hours
Sa	9 - 13 hours.

Many banks are closed on Saturdays from June to September.
There are three Spanish banks in the town, which also have cash machines.

Shops:

Mo - Fr	10 - 13 hours / 17 - 20 hours
Sa	9 - 13 hours

Sports facilities in the north of Tenerife
The north of the island lends itself particularly to walking excursions of all grades of difficulty, which are also accompanied by experienced mountain guides. Here you will also find fantastic mountain biking routes. There are 7 golf courses on the island, of which the golf course in Buenavista del Norte is only about 5 km away from the Hotel Luz del Mar. For tennis players there are also two well maintained hard courts only about 100 m distant. In addition to this, the coast, which is only a short walk away, provides an opportunity for fishing.

Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands and was created by volcanic activity about five to seven million years ago.  The island is about 80 kilometres long, up to 50 kilometres wide and has an area of about 2,000 square kilometres. It belongs to Spain and lies off the coast of Morocco and the Western Sahara and is about 1,300 kilometres away from the Spanish mainland coast.

Teno Mountains
The Teno Mountains, like the Anaga Mountains, belong to the oldest mountain formations in Tenerife and reach a height of up to 1,000 m. Located in the extreme northwest of the island; they offer beautiful walking trips through the virgin countryside and impressive gorges, such as the famous “Barranco de Masca”.
From the Hotel Luz del Mar you can go trekking directly into the Teno Mountains, e.g. to Erjos, a little village above Los Silos. The walkways are well signposted from the centre of Los Silos.

Traffic
The streets of well built and the island can be explored easily by car. You can obtain a taxi anywhere and they are very economically priced in the Canary Islands as compared to Germany. A close network of bus routes also covers the whole island and timetables are available in the tourist information offices.

Trekking
Tenerife is a walker’s paradise and offers ideal walking areas, particularly in the Teno and Anaga Mountains as well as in the "Parque Nacional del Teide". For the very fit, trekking up the highest mountain in Spain the "Pico del Teide" is an absolute highlight and on a clear day you are rewarded by a magnificent view across the whole Canaries archipelago.

Whales and dolphins
Because of the excellent water quality, 26 out of a worldwide total of 86 types of whale as well as many dolphins abound in the straits between Tenerife and La Gomera almost all year round dolphins.  The Hotel Luz del Mar can organise guided boat trips for you.

Weather/Climate
Tenerife is very popular because of its mild climate all year round. The climate of the Canaries is mainly influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, the trade winds and by the occasionally significant height differences. There is generally very little rain. The Canaries are known as the "Islands of permanent spring" with average midday temperatures of 22° C in winter and 27° C in summer. The water temperature varies between 18° C in winter and 23° C in summer and thus invites you to bathe all year round.

Climate table	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Ø Temperature at daytime °C	21	21	22	22	22	24	25	26	26	26	24	22
Ø Temperature at night °C	15	14	15	16	17	18	19	21	21	19	18	16
Ø Water temperature °C	19	18	18	18	19	20	21	22	23	23	21	20
Average sunshine/day	5	6	6	7	8	9	10	9	8	6	5	5
Rainy day/month	11	6	6	7	4	1	1	1	4	5	11	9