The largest island in the Canaries, Tenerife is jam-packed full of golden beaches, turquoise waters and a plethora of fantastic hotels and resorts to suit all tastes and budgets. But did you know that this jewel of the Canary Islands actually boasts some of the most beautiful natural scenery in Europe, if not the whole world?

In this blog post, we’ll explore five of the most beautiful places in Tenerife, so you can get those Instagram-worthy snaps during your holiday.

The Canary Islands are closer to Africa than they are to Europe, and Tenerife’s highest point - Mount Teide - and the National Park that surrounds it resemble the rolling plains of Africa more than the Spanish mainland. Teide National Park is the breathtaking remains of a much bigger volcano, which exploded 700,000 years ago and left an enormous crater of fifteen kilometres, which is now Teide National Park.

Holiday Gems recommendation: For spectacular views of Tenerife and the surrounding islands, travel up Teide by cable car. Stand almost at the top of this magnificent volcano and see La Fortaleza to the north, Teide National Park to the east and the awe-inspiring crater of Pico Viejo to the south west.

Often quoted as the most beautiful village in the whole of the Canary Islands, Masca really is a site to behold. This tiny hamlet is located in the rocky valleys of Teno Massif - one of the ancient volcanoes that gave rise to Tenerife millions of years ago. Here you’ll discover some of the most beautiful scenery you’ve ever seen, with ancient rocks jutting out of luscious green foliage, palm trees gently swaying in the breeze and, of course, the deep blue Atlantic Ocean in the background.

Cliffs five hundred metres high, dropping into the ocean below - Los Gigantes is a stunning part of Tenerife that’s maintained its popularity over the years. This charming seaside town is famous for the ‘Cliffs of Giants’, which provide the perfect backdrop to your holiday. Located just 30km from the popular holiday resorts of Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americas - Los Gigantes is a wonderful choice for anyone looking to stay in a quieter resort, while not being too far away from the action.

Holiday Gems recommends: Did you know that Tenerife’s natural beaches are volcanic, meaning that the sand is actually black. Los Gigantes has a beautiful black beach that’s situated right next the marina. It’s just 180 metres long, but is rarely crowded, and offers spectacular views of the cliffs in the distance.

This beautiful square is located on the north coast of the island, and is well worth a visit during your Tenerife holiday. It’s one of those picture-perfect places full of history, with colonial architecture, the Palace of the Counts of La Gomera and, taking centre stage, the beautiful white kiosk bandstand.

Holiday Gems recommends: Visit the Little Music Hall, which has a bar below. Here you can taste some authentic Canarian tapas and enjoy some ice cold drinks in the sun.