What's on in Tenerife (Canary Islands), Spain through the year

Peak crowds — the editor's peak month, Christmas holidays in Spain

• Nature

  Whales and dolphins offshore

  1 Jan – 31 DecWhale season

  A resident population of pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins sits in the channel off the south-west coast all year, which is unusual and not seasonal.

• Nature

  Almond blossom

  20 Jan – 15 Mar · usuallyCherry blossom

  The groves around Santiago del Teide and the mountain villages come out from late January and the almond blossom trail runs into March, which is the island's one genuinely seasonal sight. Source ↗

Still on: Teide walking season (1 Oct – 31 May (usually))

Peak crowds — the editor's peak month, Carnival in Santa Cruz

• Festival

  Carnival in Santa Cruz

  13–22 FebCrowdedBook early

  The largest carnival in Spain after Cadiz takes the capital for a fortnight, with the main parade at midweek and street parties that run until dawn. Source ↗

Still on: Whales and dolphins offshore (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Almond blossom (20 Jan – 15 Mar (usually)), Teide walking season (1 Oct – 31 May (usually))

Busy — between the peaks, Semana Santa (Easter) holidays in Spain

Nothing new starts in March.

Still on: Whales and dolphins offshore (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Almond blossom (20 Jan – 15 Mar (usually)), Carnival in Santa Cruz (13–22 Feb), Teide walking season (1 Oct – 31 May (usually))

Busy — between the peaks, Semana Santa (Easter) holidays in Spain

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Whales and dolphins offshore (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Teide walking season (1 Oct – 31 May (usually))

Shoulder season — between the peaks, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

• Festival

  Corpus Christi carpets

  11 JunMajor festivalCrowded

  La Orotava lays a carpet of coloured volcanic sand from Teide across its town hall square for one day, built over a week and swept away the same evening. Source ↗

Still on: Whales and dolphins offshore (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Teide walking season (1 Oct – 31 May (usually))

Peak crowds — the editor's peak month, Corpus Christi carpets

• Season

  Trade-wind cloud in the north

  1 Jun – 15 Sep · usuallyFog seasonRisk

  The panza de burro sits on the northern slopes most afternoons in summer while the south stays clear, which is why the two halves of the island read differently.

• Hazard

  Calima dust

  15 Jun – 15 Sep · usuallyDust season

  Saharan dust can settle over the island for days, dropping visibility, raising the temperature and putting the airport on the news. It arrives with little warning. Source ↗

Still on: Whales and dolphins offshore (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Corpus Christi carpets (11 Jun)

Peak crowds — the editor's peak month, Summer holidays in Spain

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Whales and dolphins offshore (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Trade-wind cloud in the north (1 Jun – 15 Sep (usually)), Calima dust (15 Jun – 15 Sep (usually))

Peak crowds — the editor's peak month, Virgin of Candelaria pilgrimage

• Festival

  Virgin of Candelaria pilgrimage

  14–15 AugPilgrimage seasonCrowded

  Thousands walk overnight to the basilica at Candelaria for 15 August, the patron of the Canaries, arriving on foot from all over the island. Source ↗

Still on: Whales and dolphins offshore (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Trade-wind cloud in the north (1 Jun – 15 Sep (usually)), Calima dust (15 Jun – 15 Sep (usually))

Busy — between the peaks, Summer holidays in Spain

• Season

  Warmest sea of the year

  1 Sep – 5 Nov · usuallySea warm enough

  The Atlantic here is at its best in early autumn rather than midsummer, which is the argument for September and October over August.

Still on: Whales and dolphins offshore (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Trade-wind cloud in the north (1 Jun – 15 Sep (usually)), Calima dust (15 Jun – 15 Sep (usually))

Shoulder season — between the peaks, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

• Season

  Teide walking season

  1 Oct – 31 May · usuallyTrail season

  The mountain works either side of the summer: cool enough to walk, before the heat and the dust. The summit cone itself needs a free permit booked well ahead.

Still on: Whales and dolphins offshore (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Warmest sea of the year (1 Sep – 5 Nov (usually))

Shoulder season — between the peaks, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in November.

Still on: Whales and dolphins offshore (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Warmest sea of the year (1 Sep – 5 Nov (usually)), Teide walking season (1 Oct – 31 May (usually))

Peak crowds — the editor's peak month, Christmas holidays in Spain

Nothing new starts in December.

Still on: Whales and dolphins offshore (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Teide walking season (1 Oct – 31 May (usually))