Alternative destination in Canary Islands that features a towering volcano

Nestled in the Canary Islands is a destination full of unique landscapes, a volcano and a rare species of flower.

The Teide National Park is the Canary Islands’ largest National Park and is located on the popular holiday destination island of Tenerife. Travellers who head to the park will find a towering volcano named Mount Teide, with an altitude of 3,718 metres. Surrounding the volcano, are craters, chimneys and lava streams, adding to the destination's extraordinary geological beauty.

The volcano is the dominant structure of the park, however there are amazing sites around it they that should not be missed either. At the base of Mount Teide, a stretch of volcanic rocks lies scattered across the landscape. Teide was declared a National Park back in 1954 and later also was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.

The park features convenient access via road, and also has several restaurant facilities. For those exploring the area on foot, there are several spectacular viewing points, as well as an extensive network of paths to explore the landscape. The park is also home to two accommodation establishments.

One of the most visited destinations in the park is Roques de Garcia. These rocks are a popular site due to their beauty — they rise up from the Llano de Ucanca plain and feature breath-taking formations.

Another popular spot to explore is Arenas Negras — a path that starts at the El Portillo Visitors’ Centre before reaching an altitude that allows visitors to enjoy a beautiful view of the Park and of the Llano de Maja.

The park also has a visitor centre, known as El Portillo. Here, visitors can learn about the history of Teide National Park, which dates back to the formation of the Canary Islands. The centre also has an exhibition room, a passage that replicates a volcanic tunnel, and a large-scale model of Tenerife.

One important feature of the El Portillo Visitors’ Centre is that it is perfectly integrated into the volcanic landscape and is also home to a Botanical Garden, where travellers can see over 75 per cent of the Park’s plant species, including its famous tajinastes or ‘tower-of-jewels’ plants.

One of the more curious attractions on the island, is the Teide Violet — a flower that only grows above altitudes of 2,500 metres. The flower has been found on the peaks of Guajara and on the slopes of El Teide, 3,300 metres high. Although the flowers can be in a number of different colours, they are usually in mauve and violet tones, with yellow and white specks in the middle.

If holidaymakers want to enjoy the park for longer, they can spend the night at the Altavista Refuge, which is located at an altitude of 3,270 metres. Prices range from €10 to €20 (£8.28 to £16.57). The National Park is open all year-round apart from Christmas Day and New Year's Day.