Museums in Tenerife

Tenerife is one of the most singular places in all of Spain. Eminently insular, there is a sense of identity in the Canaries that at once appeals to a national and a regional sentiment. That is because Tenerife, like the rest of the islands, is comfortable with its status within a federation where, nevertheless, it stands very much by its own. So much so, that even the time zone is different in the Canaries to the rest of Spain!

Think of Tenerife and you're most likely to relate the island to the beach, Carnival, the sea, the Atlantic ocean and the African coastline, or maybe to the highest peak in all of Spain, the Teide, a snow-covered volcano which renders this land of contrasts even more uncanny – surreal, actually – by providing a constant reminder of what could, but never does, befall (snow!), despite the fact that the temperatures near the level of the sea are usually close to 30 degrees.

Tenerife is, indeed a land of contrasts – a place with unusual combinations and marked extremes, from the tourist-laden south portion of the island, to the pristine north, scarcely inhabited, and that purely by locals; from the snowy top of the Teide to the sweltering heat of the coastline. And yet, within this utterly diverse environment what surfaces with most strength is a determination to come to grips with the elements – geographic, human, social – and to make the best of them.

A docile practicality that makes of Tenerife one of the nicest places, with the kindest people, in the country. So, if you are considering learning Spanish in Spain, then do have a look at Spanish courses in Tenerife, because a trip to the Canary Islands might well provide you with a lot more than good knowledge of Spanish.

But Tenerife is not all human warmth and geological wonders. There is plenty of culture to be soaked in the streets of La Laguna, one of the major towns of the island, or in the buzzing quarters of Santa Cruz, the capital of the Canaries. Culture in the form of popular traditions, as well as in the more high-brow use of the word. In relation to the former, nothing can rival the Carnival in Tenerife for impact or entertainment. A proper festival of colours, dances and costumes, Carnival here is still celebrated in connection to the religious festivity every year. And if you consult a Tenerife guide it is certain to tell you that it will be you standing out during Carnival, if you do not wear a costume.

But it isn't every day that you see pink gorillas, unearthed dinosaurs and bleeding zombies walking down the road in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. On a regular basis the city is more orthodox, although still pleasant. It is during those days, i.e. the rest of the year, when you should take the opportunity to visit some of the museums. Particularly noteworthy is the History and Anthropology Museum, where the present and the past are aligned to feed each other, providing a comprehensive view of the circumstances that have taken us this far, and the way our contemporary times fit in the evolution of mankind.

Equally interesting, although on a totally different level, is the Museum of Fine Arts of Tenerife, which is predictably biased in favour of local artists and artisans. While the collection of the museum spans five centuries of art, the main purpose of going through the permanent collection is, not so much to admire the works of the great artists of Western civilization, but to discover the scope and extent of artistic traditions within the rather isolated environment of the islands. Take a look: you are certain to be surprised by the prowess of some of these local creators.

If you are looking for a fine break in your routine, why not visit Tenerife and explore the unique range of choices the island has to offer? From outstanding white sand beaches bathed in the open waters of the wide Atlantic, to the fascinating research of prehistoric times available in the Museum of Nature and Man, Tenerife has a bit of everything for just about every taste. The best of all, however, is that everything in the Canary Islands is delivered kindly, softly, and with all the parsimony you would expect. So leave your troubles behind and enjoy a relaxing time in Tenerife!