Cold and gloomy England is not a particularly inspiring place during the winter months. It is this reason why more and more are fleeing the drizzly UK for a winter sun holiday where you can catch some rays, soak up some culture and recharge your batteries.
If this has caught your attention, you should consider treating yourself with a lengthy holiday this winter in Puerto de la Cruz – Tenerife’s major tourist hub. A gorgeous climate, beautiful surroundings and myriad cultural activities and local attractions are awaiting here. You can also simply chill out on the beach – which is even more enjoyable when you know just how chilly it is back home!
Interested? Find out more about why Tenerife is perfect for winter sun holidays.
Here are a few of the local attractions which you should check out during your stay.
Loro Parque
Animal lovers will adore Loro Parque, which is voted as the number 1 thing to do in Puerto de la Cruz on TripAdvisor. This superb park is famous for being home to parrots who are found throughout the park, but you will also have the pleasure of seeing dolphins, orcas, penguins, pelicans, gorillas, tigers, chimps and plenty more. It is a great day out with plenty of amazing shows, attractive grounds, museums, places to stop for food and an all in all pleasant atmosphere.
Costa Martianez
Costa Martianez has a fantastic complex of beautiful and very clean pools, including a lagoon with lava islands to swim around and a small cave. In addition to the wide choice of enticing (and enormous!) pools, Costa Martianez also has picturesque grounds, views of the ocean, areas for sunbathing and a handful of cafes and restaurants. Whether you want to chill out and take in your surroundings or uncover all the hidden gems within the pools, this is a great day out and a very therapeutic experience.
Jardín Botánico
For a peaceful and serene day out, head to Jardín Botánico where you will find picture-perfect scenery, an abundance of striking and beautiful plant life and plenty of shaded areas to relax and be at one with nature. Be sure to take your camera to snap the fascinating, colourful and distinctive trees, plants and flowers – there is also plenty of information on each species for keen horticulturists to learn about the plant life.
Orotava Valley
Just a short bus or car journey from Puerto de la Cruz, Orotava Valley is 335 metres above sea level and provides breathtaking views of Tenerife. This scenic valley also has beautiful natural surroundings and a charming town with churches, shops, cafes, restaurants, gardens and museums. It is well worth the short trip from Puerto de la Cruz.
Playa Bollullo
Playa Bollullo is one of Tenerife’s finest beaches and a just a short journey from Puerto de la Cruz. Walking the distance is recommended (around 35 minutes), as this way you can go through a banana plantation and see plenty of rural Tenerife. Bollullo is somewhat of a hidden gem and an escape from the busy town centre, making it an ideal retreat. The beach has black sparkling sand, huge waves and a chilled atmosphere with a bar on the beach providing refreshments.
Be warned, it is a steep descent to reach the beach and swimming is not recommended.
Jardín de Orquídeas de Sitio Litre
Here you will find a lovely garden with orchids in every shape and size, as well as stunning trees and ponds teaming with wildlife. It is a wonderful place to visit for a relaxing stroll away from the hustle and bustle of the town centre.
Be sure to stop off at the charming tea shop for a drink in this peaceful haven.
How to Get to Puerto de la Cruz
Puerto de la Cruz is found in the north of Tenerife, which makes Tenerife North airport the best choice. If flying from London, Iberia Express fly from Heathrow and Air Europa from Stansted. Puerto de la Cruz is then just 25 minutes by road.
Alternatively, Tenerife South has a lot more flights and from airlines including Monarch Airlines, Ryanair, British Airways and easyJet. Flights are made from Luton, Gatwick, Stansted and Southend. If flying into Tenerife South, the onwards journey will take just over an hour.
Wherever you touch down, you will quickly want to reach your hotel so that you can make the most of the good weather. A private Shuttle Direct transfer will be the quickest, easiest and most comfortable onwards journey.
Where to Stay:
Hotel RF Astoria – Brilliantly located in the heart of Puerto de la Cruz and just a stone’s throw from the beach, this hotel has fully-equipped apartments with an elegant design. You can also enjoy a large outdoor pool, sunbathing areas and billiards. Due to its location, you can quickly reach the shops, restaurants and bars of the town centre.
Hotel Vallemar – Hotel Vallemar has spacious, air-conditioned rooms with stylish décor and balconies with garden or ocean views. Each also comes with TV, a mini-bar and private bathroom. The hotel has a restaurant serving varied cuisine and a buffet breakfast, as well as a bar with live entertainment. The outdoor pool offers great views of the ocean and the poolside terrace is a popular spot to enjoy a drink or snack. The property is just 5 minutes from the beach and next to the oceanfront promenade, which is lined with shops, bars and restaurants.
Hotel Botanico y Oriental Spa Garden – Here you will find huge rooms with air conditioning, satellite TV, large bathrooms and splendid views. The key selling point is the grounds, where there are 3 beautiful outdoor pools within attractive gardens. The 3500m2 spa has an indoor pool, sauna, Turkish baths, outdoor pools and many beauty treatments. There is also a choice of on-site restaurants, including outdoor dining areas and a cocktail bar.
About Shuttle Direct
As Europe’s leading airport transfer company, we at Shuttle Direct provide a professional, convenient and affordable service providing transfers between airports, hotels, train stations and other public areas. We have extensive experience, friendly local drivers and are able to cater to all sized groups and different budgets.
Book your private or shared transfer today and let our expert team take the stress out of your onwards journey.
