Tenerife: Snow and Swim in 30 Minutes
Tenerife recently offered a rare mid-December experience where visitors could enjoy snow on Mount Teide and swim in the ocean within a 30-minute drive.
Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands. As the capital of the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the island offers a wide variety of experiences. Visitors can enjoy its delicious food, explore cities and towns that truly capture the spirit of the Canary Islands, relax by the sea, or venture into the high mountains, home to Spain's tallest peak. You can even combine several activities, like enjoying the snow on Mount Teide and then swimming in the ocean under a glorious sun.
For such a unique experience, several things need to happen. The trickiest part is for it to snow, and then for that snow to stay when sunny weather returns. This rare combination recently happened in northern Tenerife. In just a 30-minute drive, adventurous visitors could enjoy the snow brought by storm Emilia on Tenerife's summit, and then later, take a dip at Playa Jardín in Puerto de la Cruz.
The timing was perfect. It was mid-December, with the year-end approaching, a time when people in other parts of Spain are bundled up in coats and scarves. Yet, in many areas of the island, temperatures were above 22ºC. It felt even warmer thanks to the bright sun and clear skies.
This paradise in the Canary Islands attracts millions of visitors, all hoping to experience the lifestyle that locals often enjoy. Despite its idyllic image, it's a place we must actively protect and care for to ensure its beauty lasts for generations.