The Real Tenerife: An Insiders' Guide

By Jack Montgomery, Andrea Montgomery, Jack Montgomery

Version 4, updated for 2026/2027.

The most comprehensive guide to Tenerife available in the English language, written with insight and passion by travel writers Andrea and Jack Montgomery. For 14 years, they lived and worked on the island, travelling its length and breadth to research, photograph and record every aspect of island life, writing for travel magazines, specialist travel companies, tourist boards, and UK newspapers (Andrea was Canary Islands specialist for The Telegraph), gaining a reputation in the travel writing world as Canary Islands specialists.

This is an insider guide in the true sense of the word and it contains information about Tenerife you won't find in other guidebooks. Packed with information, tips and personal recommendations, part one of The Real Tenerife takes readers into the heart of all things Tenerife - the extraordinary landscape that morphs from arid volcanic to lush sub-tropical; the fascinating history of a frontier island at the crossroads between old and new worlds; the abundant harvest of fish, seafood, tropical fruits, plump grapes and ancient potatoes that produce first-class gastronomy and award-winning wines; and not least, the language, customs, fiestas and costumes of its people. Along the way, are myriad surprises including ancient drago trees, mysterious pyramids and an abandoned leper colony.

Part two is a comprehensive guide to the island's cities, towns, main villages, and major hamlets, giving an insight into the roots and personality of each, recommending the authors' pick of places to stay and to eat, and highlighting the best of what to see and do. In the final section are useful insider tips, including favourite things to do on Tenerife as well as ways to make holiday money go further.

Instead of endless hotel and restaurant listings, some of which will be out of date before the virtual ink has even dried and which now most people consult TripAdvisor and Booking.com for, The Real Tenerife concentrates on information you can't source from anywhere else. The result is a guide which will remain relevant for years to come. It's a compendium of 14-years experience of living in the Tenerife that exists beyond the holiday brochures and tour operator websites; a showcase of the very best of the island the authors know and love; the Tenerife they now want visitors to discover and enjoy.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1481926934
• ISBN13: 9781481926935
• Release Date: March 2013
• Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 274 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"