Picturesque hills with laurel and pine forests, which alternate with a wildly romantic volcanic landscape, fantastic beaches, historical monuments and a diverse cuisine characterize the Canary Island of Tenerife. The most populous island in Spain attracts sun worshippers, families and active holidaymakers year after year. Party-goers get their money’s worth at Playa de las Americas, while history lovers walk in the footsteps of the indigenous people, the Guanches. Traditional towns with quaint pubs and narrow, flower-filled streets invite you to take a stroll, and in the hinterland the majestic Mount Teide rises.

Picturesque natural scenery and relaxed beaches

Tenerife is an island born of fire. Visitors can see this especially near the fishing village of Garachio. The interesting rock formations were created by a volcanic eruption in the 18th century and formed natural pools with deep blue water in which it is wonderful to swim. The most famous fire-breathing mountain on the island is the Teide volcano. It erupted for the last time in 1909 and is now located in a national park.

The summit of Mount Teide is above the clouds and is a popular destination for hiking – provided you wear warm clothing. There are also many beaches that bear witness to Tenerife’s volcanic past, including Playa El Bollullo with its fine, black sand. But white sand can also be found on the coast around the island. The crystal clear waters are suitable for diving, for example to the Tabaiba, a shipwreck that is now home to an impressive underwater world. In addition, whales and dolphins are at home in the waters off the coast.

If you want to admire idyllic lakes and waterfalls , you should take a boat trip to the island of La Gomera . Visitors can also see the small island from the Barranco de Masca mountain range with its majestic gorges. On the other hand, guests can experience adventures underground in the Cueva del Viento cave with its cooled lava lakes and bizarre rock formations. A special landmark of Tenerife is the thousand-year-old tree with its gnarled trunk. It is also called the dragon tree because, according to legend, it germinated from a drop of dragon’s blood.

Cultural sights and museums

Many peoples and cultures have left their mark on Tenerife , and holidaymakers can understand this by visiting the numerous historical monuments. Among the most interesting are the Pirámides de Güímar, stone pyramids that were discovered in the 90s and whose purpose scientists have still not sufficiently clarified.

The city of San Cristóbal has an old town worth seeing. Many buildings, including Laguna Cathedral, date back to the 16th and 18th centuries. Millions of guests make the pilgrimage to the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Candelaria with its golden altar every year, and visitors marvel at ornate Renaissance buildings in the small town of La Orotava with its narrow streets. Next to it is the Jardín de aclimatación. The Botanical Garden is home to a variety of exotic plants that were originally stored for acclimatization and then brought to Spain.

In addition to historical monuments, visitors to Tenerife will find a number of interesting museums. The Tenerife Espacio de las Artes (https://teatenerife.es/) mainly exhibits contemporary artists. You can learn more about the geography and flora and fauna of Tenerife at the Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre. Here, visitors also learn everything they need to know about the cultural history of the original inhabitants. If you’re interested in space travel and astrology, head to the Museo de la Ciencia y el Cosmos, which houses interactive exhibits and a planetarium.

Modern attractions and culinary delights in Tenerife

Canarian cuisine is known for its hearty dishes such as meat stews, boiled potatoes and spicy paprika sausage. But fish, seafood and squid are also served here. Of course, a glass of red wine should not be missing. Fortunately, the dry climate and the many sunny days ensure that the vines thrive magnificently on the wine terraces.

Asturias is located in the north of Spain . With its wild cliffs and green landscapes, it invites you to hike and linger. This untouched nature stretches for more than 300 kilometers. Again and again you can see fishing villages here, which were built directly into the steep mountain slopes and extend down to the coast. The whalers and their families lived in the shelter of these slopes. The small harbour villages also offered protection to the royal ships from storms. Even today, they take their visitors back to this time.

A unique experience of unspoiled nature can be found in the Biosphere Reserves of Asturias, recognized by UNESCO. The Principality of Asturias is known and loved as a natural paradise, as more than 30% of the landscape is protected. This also provides numerous wildlife species with the life form they need. Here, the Cantabrian brown bear finds a protected environment in the beech and oak forests. Alto Nalón offers the capercaillie and its conspecifics a safe home with its beautiful grassy landscape.

The coastal mountains Cordillera del Sueve offer a special kind of excursion. Here you can admire the Asturcones, a semi-wild breed of horse. The Mirador del Fito viewpoint offers its visitors a magnificent view over the mountains to the coast.

In the 9th century, the Asturian King Alfonso II set out from his court in Oviedo to the tomb of the Apostle James. In doing so, he laid the foundation stone for the pilgrimage path to Santiago de Compostela. The “Camino Primitivo” runs through the western part of the region. A hike is recommended here.

Beaches in Asturias

There are many secluded beaches along the Costa Verde. On the one hand, very different sections of coastline offer imposing rocky cliffs with magnificent stone formations in the sea. On the other hand, there are always sandy beaches that simply invite you to enjoy. These beaches are natural. They are often deserted and offer visitors peace and relaxation.

Those who prefer a livelier environment on the beach are in the right place in villages such as Llanes, Ribadesella, Luarca and other places along the Costa Verde. The villages captivate with a colourful mixture of old traditions and modern tourism. Here, the local image still dominates, far away from mass tourism.

The cities of Asturias

Excursions to the attractive cities of Asturias offer a change between hikes in the countryside and days at the beach. The villages and towns captivate with their own attractions, which are located in these places. Oviedo and Gijón, for example, are recommended.

Oviedo

Oviedo is the capital of Asturias and is located in the hinterland of the Costa Verde. The origin of this city finds its beginning in the construction of a monastery. The old town is located on a hill and thus offered protection from attackers in times gone by. The focus here is on the famous Cathedral of San Salvador, whose construction began in the 14th century and lasted until the 16th century. Oviedo, with its old town, cathedral and other magnificent Romanesque churches, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Although Oviedo has a long and exciting history, it is cosmopolitan and modern, especially in the outskirts, thanks to the industry located there and a well-frequented university. Cosy bars and cafés invite you to linger. Romantically located in the old town or near the university, there are numerous taverns that provide a vibrant ambience.

From Oviedo, a trip to the Naranco is worthwhile. This mountain not only offers a unique view of Oviedo and the magnificent mountains, but the view goes all the way to the Costa Verde. The figure of Christ is the symbol of Naranco.

Gijón

Gijón is the largest city in Asturias with about 275,000 inhabitants. Due to the settlement of industry, people came to this region to work. Today, Gijón impresses with its magnificent marina. Sailing ships and yachts dominate the scene here and give the harbour a sophisticated shine.

A special experience is a visit to the Aquarium of Gijón. In addition to the numerous sea creatures, the aquarium also offers an interesting insight into the marine fauna and flora. Here, various marine ecosystems are skilfully captured and brought closer to the visitor.

Gijón is rich in museums that are worth visiting. More than ten museums with different themes will not let you get bored.

The Museu del Pueblu d’Asturies is particularly popular. This museum resurrects bygone times both indoors and outdoors. The large outdoor area invites you to take a siesta. With a view of the cider house, a mill and other buildings from the past, everyone will find their personal favourite place.

Culinary journey through Asturias

In the taverns and bars there are delicious local food and drinks. This applies to the coastal region, but also to the hinterland. No wine is grown in Asturias. The traditional cider (Sidra) is often offered here in the “Sidrerias”. It is also used in the kitchen for local dishes.

Probably the most famous dish is the Fabada Asturiana. This consists of meat, sausages and white beans. Other ingredients are added to taste. The offer ranges from offal to black pudding and tripe. There are no limits to the imagination here.

In the mountains of the hinterland, delicious cheeses are produced. The village of Cabrales is not only an experience for gourmets.

On the Spanish Mediterranean coast, the port city of Tarragona is located about 100 kilometers southwest of Barcelona. The Roman amphitheatre offers magnificent views of the sea and the fine golden sandy beaches of the Costa Dorada. The real sensation of the city, however, are the human towers that are built here by the Tarragonese. The Catalans call them the Castells, which have become an authentic part of Catalan culture for over 200 years.

Roots of the Castells

In the early 19th century, Catalonia came up with the idea of showing the skill and power of the Catalans with human towers that rise high into the sky, thus manifesting the majesty of the culture and the people here. By the middle of the 19th century, the impressive Castells had spread throughout Catalonia and began to develop into a centre of regional identity in Tarragona.

The Castells became higher and higher until social crises, the First World War and later the Spanish Civil War led to a widespread collapse of the Castells. After the Second World War, a new period of prosperity began, with Barcelona and today Tarragona becoming the centre. The modern mass media led to ever new competitions and increased the ambition of the Castellers. Today, prestigious competitions between the various Castellers groups take place throughout the country, creating unique cultural events. Previously unthinkable constructions were realized. Since 1980, there has been talk of a golden age for the Castells.

The culture and technology of the Castells

The Castellers who build the Castells are organized in local groups that compete with each other. Everyone wants to build the most beautiful and best Castell. The event includes exact techniques and a variety of rituals. The Castells can be between 2 and 9 men strong and eight, nine or ten and even more levels high. Musicians accompany the event with their Catalan drums and shawms. The strong always support the weak.

The Castells, which can contain very different foundations and many floors, are planned using sophisticated technology. The Castells, symbols of the cooperation of the Catalans in the community, are built in the central squares, in Tarragona usually in front of the cathedral or in the Rambla Nova. Here is one of the monuments to the human towers often found in Catalonia, in which the faces of well-known artists such as Pablo Picasso, cellist Casals and Joan Miró have been incorporated.

Castells in Tarragona today

During the summer season, a Castell is erected every Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. in front of the cathedral in the Plaza de la Seu. Other highlights can be found at Plaza Santiago Rusiñol. On some days throughout the summer until late autumn, large parties are celebrated with several Castellers groups. Brave visitors to Tarragona actively participate in Castells workshops organised by the Tourist Office. In autumn, a competition of Catalan Castellers groups is celebrated in the Tarragona Arena. The homepage of the tourist office provides information about dates.