Tenerife: land of the [photo] opportunity!

The Canary Island of Tenerife is best known for an affordable short-haul holiday to the crowds who rush to its southern shores each year.

But aside from those gleaming beaches, Tenerife owns some of the most unusual volcanic landscapes in the island group, as well as traditional towns and the tallest peak in Spain and the Spanish islands. Here are some of the best photo opportunities on the island that don’t involve a sunburnt tourist or a cocktail umbrella.

Whether you drive, hire a bicycle or set out on foot, the Teide National Park is a must for snapping the surreal moon-like valley, dense pine forest and the dizzying views from the Pico de Teide, the world’s third largest volcano. From the summit, you can even glimpse the other islands of La Gomera and Gran Canaria and the crater of the volcano itself is a vast 10 miles wide.

A picturesque village at the base of the north-western Teno mountains, Masca has remained a hidden gem until relatively recently, mainly due to its tricky location. Scenes of this tiny settlement balanced on a rocky ridge high above the ground, surrounded by ravines on all sides, will make any photographer very happy indeed. Approach from Masca bay and the 3-hour walk is equally stirring stuff.

Further down the coast, the cliffs known as Los Gigantes rise majestically, chased only by the growing development up the rockface from below. Views from the clifftop and the harbour are stunning but you may be tempted to leave the camera behind and get stuck in; the diving and deep sea fishing around this area is too good to miss.

Tenerife is not the most likely destination to see pyramids, but the ancient structures at Guimar on the eastern shore attest otherwise. Built to the same stepped principles as those found in Central and South America, these enigmatic ruins offer another viewpoint on the island famous for package holidays. There’s also a small museum containing masks and artefacts here.

Aside from the multitude of natural attractions, you and your camera might want to spend a day wandering around one of the more cultural centres such as Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The capital often gets overlooked as people make their way to the coast, but a satisfying Canarian vibe can be found in the local markets, historic churches and colonial mansions around here.

Tenerife holidays may have more than you think to offer in terms of visual spectacle and it’s definitely worth exploring all corners to get the full experience. So to make sure your photos capture more than just blue and yellow seascapes, head inland and discover the alternative wonders of this surprising island.

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