Car Rental Granadilla de Abona

Granadilla de Abona is situated south of the Canary island Tenerife. The city has a multicultural population; there are lots of immigrants from African and Latin-American countries. The city is located south of the Guajara mountain (2718 m), the second highest mountain of Tenerife (after El Teide). The surroundings of Granadilla de Abona are very dry, almost desert-like, as is the entire southern part of Tenerife. The significant difference between the subtropical vegetation in the north and the dry world in the south is caused by the volcano El Teide. The clouds from the ocean stick to the mountain and cause rain at the northern side.

In and around Granadilla de Abona

Even though Granadilla itself is attractive enough for a long walk through winding streets, most sights are located around the town. The seaside El Médano ("the Sand dune") lies about five kilometers south of Granadilla. Due to an often strong wind and the high waves of the Atlantic Ocean many windsurfing races take place there. Between the beaches Playa Grande and Playa Tejita lies the volcano Red Mountain (La Montaña Roja), a protected nature reserve.

Close to El Médano lies the cave of Hermano Pedro, also known as San Pedro de Vilaflor. In the seventeenth century he lived in that cave for some time, but later on he departed to Guatemala to spread Christianity. In 2002 he was declared holy and the cave is now a pilgrimage visited by thousands of devoted Roman Catholics.

If you continue driving west you will encounter the fishing village Los Abrigos. There are a lot of fish restaurants. The Spanish tourists know the best seafood of Tenerife is served here. The most popular beach of the island, Playa de las Americanas, is located further west. The city is a series of hotels, apartments, restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

Los Gigantes on the western tip of Tenerife is called that way, because the touristic village is surrounded by very steep, pale rocks. When you turn your back to the seaside, it's as if you are spending your vacation on the moon! Located on top of the rocks is the little city Masca, which has been isolated for decades from the rest of Tenerife.

The El Teide volcano (3718 meter) is the highlight of the island in both the literal and figurative sense. You can drive a rental car through the surrounding national park, up to 2200 meters. From there a cable car takes you up to the viewing point at 3550 meters.

If you travel with children, visit the Loro Parque zoo near the north side of Tenerife. The name (loro = parrot) refers to its origin in 1972 when the park was opened with 150 parrots. It has been vastly expanded since. In addition to the parrots you can see dolphins (shows too), orcas, penguins, sea lions, sharks, chimpanzees, gorillas and crocodiles.

Not far from Puerto de la Cruz lies the picturesque town of Los Realejos. It has a nice old center with steep streets around the Plaza de la Iglesia. You can see the characteristic dragon trees, locally called Drago all over Tenerife. These trees can grow very old, the oldest example on the island is in Icod de los Vinos, about 10 kilometers west of Los Realejos. A reddish juice is released when scoring the tree. The former inhabitants believed this was the blood of dragons.

Just northeast of capital Santa Cruz lies San Christóbal de la Laguna, the oldest city in Tenerife. It's a university city and thus makes for a great nightlife. The city is located quite high, causing it to be cooler than the beaches.

Parking

On Tenerife, it is forbidden to park along a solid yellow line. To park next to a blue line, pay at a parking meter. Furthermore, in the tourist areas it is often difficult to find a free parking space. You'll see a lot of cars double parked, but whether that's advisable.... Avoid problems and park your car in a parking lot or garage. There are enough places in the tourist areas.

The roads on Tenerife are of good quality, but are quite narrow, steep and full of hairpins. There is a coastal road that consists of two highways: autopista del sur and autopista del norte. Together they form an almost closed lane, only in the mountainous west the road becomes smaller.

Airport

Tenerife's main airport is just south of Granadilla de Abona. From South Tenerife Reina Sofia Airport it is easy to get to other towns on Tenerife with a rental car. The airport is right next the autopista TF-1.