Vilaflor holidays

Nature lovers will be in their element on holidays to Vilaflor, thanks to the pair of national parks right on its doorstep.

Mountains for miles

Things don’t get much more scenic than this. Vilaflor is plotted in the south of Tenerife, right at the foot of Mount Teide, a world away from the island’s buzzing tourist resorts down by the coast. The landscape’s smothered in pine trees as far as the eye can see, and right in the middle of it all is a historical old town dotted with colonial buildings and family-run restaurants. Plus, you’ve got plenty of nature trails and wineries to try out.

A nature lover’s playground

You’ve got two massive parks right on your doorstep here, including the world-renowned Mount Teide National Park, where you can climb the craters and see Tenerife from above. The second park is Corona Forestal Natural Park. It’s just east of Mount Teide, and spreads towards the sea down steep, pine tree-covered hills. Make sure you throw some comfy shoes in your suitcase, because there’s a web of hiking and mountain biking trails here waiting to be checked out. For a whole different landscape, visit Paisaje Lunar– it’s made up of ancient rock formations all with moon-like textures.

Tranquil town

Vilaflor’s old town will make you feel like you’ve gone back in time. Stroll along the cobbled streets, and you’ll pass age-old mansions and San Pedro Church – one of the town’s oldest buildings – which sits proudly in the centre of the square. Just in front of the church is one of Vilaflor’s most extravagant houses, La Casa del Los Soler. The mansion shows off traditional Canarian architecture and has a winery tucked around the back where you can try a glass of the regional Malvasia wine. Come nighttime, the square’s illuminated by old-fashioned lamps that cast a golden glow all over.

Bolt for Blue Flag beaches

Fancy a day of sandcastle building and paddling? Costa Adeje’s about half an hour away by car, and families flock there for its Blue Flag beaches like Playa Fañabé and Playa del Duque. The first blends in with the rest of the island’s shores with dark volcanic sand. The latter, meanwhile, has golden sands imported from the Sahara and a promenade that links it to eight other beaches – so it’s fair to say you’ll have a lot of sandy swatches to choose from. Plus, both have plenty of sunloungers, bars and restaurants as well as watersports shacks.