Last Updated: 21 Feb 2024
Right now Europe is a rising star when it comes to Reward Seat destinations. Increasing fuel costs and airline fees mean that longer-haul routes, where Avios collectors have to pay more cash surcharges, are waning in popularity. If you collect points to spend on British Airways reward seat flights, you might be considering short-haul destinations as a more attractive option than usual, and it’s true - some short-haul destinations offer excellent value for Avios reward seats.
Europe is a favourite short-haul Avios reward seat destination for many UK travellers, with a huge choice of possibilities. Tenerife is just one.
Most people associate Tenerife with cut-price resorts, tacky apartments, imported sand, and an all-day full of English breakfast. But, there is so much more. Open your mind, step off the beaten track and you will discover extraordinary rural beauty, with half the island a nature reserve or national park. With year-round temperatures of at least 20 degrees Celsius, it is particularly appealing in winter.
The queen bee of the Canaries, it attracts over 6 million visitors each year, most confining themselves to the south of the island. Travel north though and you enter a secret world of volcanic landscapes, lava fields, cloud forests of rare ferns and laurels, remote mountain villages, traditional port settlements, vineyards and many charming towns.
Here are 6 reasons to give Tenerife a try.
Stars, stars, stars
I’m not talking about celebrities! Along with Chile and Hawaii, Tenerife is one of the best places to stargaze, with its velvety, cloudless sky lit up by thousands of stars. The overwhelming vastness of the star-studded sky and the nocturnal beauty of the volcanic landscape create a magical setting. The national parks are ideal places to stargaze as it is easy to find completely dark vantage points. One of the best places to stargaze is the Observatorio del Teide, just off the TF24 highway between La Laguna and the El Portillo Visitors Centre. Scientists from all over the world come to study here.
Just look up and start naming your planets and constellations!
Fantastic beaches
All 43 miles of them. Black glistening sand, clear aquamarine water, often deserted. Try sheltered Playa El Bollullo in the Orotava Valley, reached by walking through the banana trees, or Playa de la Tejita, at the base of the sandy Montaña Roja nature reserve. If you really insist on white or gold sand, go to Playa de las Teresitas in the north where the sand is golden (as it has been imported). It is a large curved beach at the bottom of dark volcanic cliffs with swaying palms, and its waters are sheltered by a man-made breakwater.
Charming picturesque towns
The Spanish colonised Tenerife in the 15th century and built some pretty towns in the mountains. Masca is probably the most famous as the ride there is the scariest. Only drive yourself if you are a confident driver and won’t get dizzy. Best to go on a coach tour. At 750m in the Teno mountains, the hairpin bends to get there are legendary. Although it is rather touristy it is definitely worth a visit for the breathtaking views and the special atmosphere.
La Laguna is widely considered to be the most beautiful town in Tenerife. An easy day trip from Santa Cruz or Puerto de la Cruz, it has a delightful historic town centre, with narrow, poker-straight cobbled streets flanked by candy-coloured mansions, inviting bars, and an idiosyncratic array of small shops. It is a Unesco World Heritage site with youthful energy and good nightlife.
Garachico is also special. A charming settlement located in a deep valley flanked by forested slopes and a rocky coastline, it was an important commercial port. Partly destroyed by a volcano in 1706, it has some handsome and historic buildings and the best natural swimming pools in Tenerife.
The most varied walking
Tenerife is a consummate walking destination. You can literally walk anywhere. Consequently, there are hundreds of potential walking routes - through ancient forests, rugged ravines, cauldron-shaped valleys, high-altitude hiking, epic volcanic landscapes, dramatic coastal routes, and a 3,718m high mountain.
Michelin starred restaurants
What??? Yes, believe it or not, Tenerife has four Michelin-starred restaurants, one of which – Martín Berasategui’s MB at the Abama Hotel (ritzcarlton.com) – has held two stars for years. A 10-plate tasting menu features El Hierro cheese and Lanzarote sweet potato alongside Iberian pork and Wagyu beef. The hotel is also home to one-star Kabuki, which serves excellent sushi and sashimi.
At the Royal Hideaway Corales Beach (barcelo.com), the Padrón brothers pair seasonal produce such as cherne fish with Canarian wines on their 12-course tasting menu.
Upmarket hotels for the discerning
There is a wide variety of hotels in Tenerife, with a deliberate move upmarket to provide both small and large luxury hotels. For peace and tranquillity, try the Hotel San Roque in Garachico. For party animals wanting some luxury, try the Hard Rock Hotel - very music-led with a full entertainment schedule, including live music by the pool.
Avios needed
Avios reward flights will cost you between 9,000 to 30,000 Avios off-peak, depending on the cash you choose to pay.
Reward Seat Availability
In general, there is good availability for Economy and business British Airways reward seats in July, August, September and October.
You can search Avios reward flight availability up to a year ahead for free using our Search Calendar at rewardflightfinder.com. However, by signing up for a Reward Flight Finder membership you can maximise your chances of getting the British Airways reward seats you want by setting travel Alerts, and we’ll notify you when your preferred seats are available to book. If you sign up for an Annual Reward Flight Finder membership you’ll get 12 months of subscription for the cost of 10 months, a nice saving at a time when we’re all tightening our belts.
If you fancy finding out where in the world your Avios points pot can take you, sign up as a Silver or Gold Reward Flight Finder member and you’ll get access to our Worldwide Map tool, which allows you to see all available British Airways Avios redemption flights across the globe for your preferred dates, in all cabin classes. To take a look at our different memberships visit our Pricing page.