Tenerife, as with most of the Canary Isles has long been thought of as the perfect package holiday destination. With good weather all year round and within reaching distance from the UK, plenty of tourists flock to the resorts and large hotels located on the Island.
With great beaches and a bustling nightlife scene, who could blame them?
It’s true that more than 2 million tourists visit the island from the UK each year and partying can be common, especially in the south. However, away from the island’s southern tourist centre you’ll find a wealth of cultural and educational visits that make it the perfect place to spend your next geography tour.
The island’s incredible heritage and geographical attractions lend themselves to a very attractive itinerary for the young and aspiring geographer, or any student looking to gain valuable knowledge away from home.
Check out what geographical gems Tenerife’s got for you.
Tenerife’s top geographical visits
Mount Teide
Enjoy a ride up the sloping volcanic terrain in a cable car towards the summit of Mount Teide. During your trip, you’ll learn all about the complex history of the stratovolcano. The educational benefit is endless. Learn about the geographical development stages such as the quiescence and erosion periods. In addition, examine the evidence of lava flows, the emptying of internal magma chambers and the sedimentation of particles along the ravines of Las Cañadas.
In addition to the history of volcanic activity, the lava flows on the flanks of Teide have gradually weathered to a nutrient and mineral-rich soil that supports a wide range of endemic flora and fauna.
Explore the various plant species throughout the surrounding national park as well as a large number of invertebrate species. Some of the flora and fauna you will see are only found only in this National Park, pretty cool right?
Overall, Mount Teide’s geological and geographical heritage makes it perfect for school geography trips, whilst its rich flora and fauna appeal to the biologists among us.
San Blas Environmental Reserve
San Blas Environmental Reserve offers further opportunities to learn about the island’s flora and fauna, as well as the nearby volcanic landscapes and the lifestyle of Tenerife’s first inhabitants – the Guanche people.
The multimedia museum and guided tours offer the chance to learn about ravines, rock formations and lunar landscapes. This is a unique opportunity as the geological sites can often date back thousands of years. You can also see the caves and ceremonial places that were once used by the native Guanches.
The discovery of the Guanche people is regarded as a huge part of the Canary Islands’ history. Their mummified bodies were discovered in the 20th century and act as a great example of the techniques used by these and other ancient civilizations.
Believed to have come from a North African origin, the Guanches were aboriginal inhabitants that were eventually absorbed by the Spanish after the conquest of the Canaries.
Maritima Acantilados Whale & Dolphin Cruise
Admire the beauty of Tenerife‘s coastline with a scenic boat trip along the shore surrounding Los Gigantes. Boat trips offer the perfect insight into the coastline and its features, as well as the development and tourism that feeds the island’s economic growth – a great trip to align with the geography curriculum. Be sure to keep a lookout for sightings of whales and dolphins that are regularly spotted in the area!
For more information on our school geography trips to Tenerife, click here.