Eating amongst volcanoes in Tenerife

Come here if you fancy some fine dining after your hike. Situated inside the state-owned Parador hotel, the outstanding beauty of this location is hard to beat. The restaurant enjoys wonderful views of the third largest volcano in the world. It’s not especially cheap, but you’ll get a complete menu of the finest local cuisine. In winter, savour your after-dinner drinks in front of the open fireplace.

Two different venues owned by the same people and open 365 days a year. Both restaurants have surprisingly stuck to homemade, fair-priced local food which is offered to the more than 4 million guests visiting the National Park each year. Try their Spanish tortilla, always hot and freshly made, or simply drop by for a coffee and an ice cream. To the back of El Portillo you’ll find an easy walking trail suited for children, which nametags the endemic flora.

Especially on Sundays or on holidays, many local families take out the picnic basket and head for Mt Teide to enjoy nature at its best. Las Lajas and Chío, located just outside the National Park, are picnic spots set in the scented Canarian pine forest. They provide wooden tables and benches, barbecues, running water, toilets and a playground for kids. If the islanders’ lively joie-de-vivre should not appeal to you, choose to go mid-week. Great spots for birdwatching.