Tenerife is the most complete of the Canary Islands. It has Spain's highest peak, a World Heritage colonial city, laurel forests, cliffs hundreds of metres high and whales living off its coast all year. The typical mistake is staying in Costa Adeje and treating Teide as a quick stop: the island offers far more.
Book the essentials
| Activity | Rating | From |
|---|---|---|
| Teide trip with cable car and transfer | 4.3★ (6,121) | €92 |
| Teide, Icod de los Vinos, Garachico and Masca tour | 4.6★ (3,066) | €58 |
| Whales and dolphins on an eco-yacht from Los Cristianos | 4.7★ (19,490) | €30 |
| Sunset and stargazing in Teide National Park | 4.7★ (3,691) | €35 |
| Masca Gorge: hike and boat back | 4.7★ (374) | €145 |
| Kayak and snorkel tour in Los Cristianos | 4.7★ (12,364) | €25 |
How many days you need
With five or six days you'll see the essentials: a day for Teide, one for the north (La Orotava, Puerto de la Cruz, Icod and Garachico), one for La Laguna and Anaga, one for the west (Masca and Los Gigantes) and one or two for sea and beach in the south. With three days, prioritise Teide, the north and a whale-watching trip.
Teide
Teide National Park, a World Heritage Site, surrounds the 3,715 m volcano. Drive through Las Cañadas, stop at the Roques de García and ride the cable car up to 3,555 m. Reaching the summit needs a free permit that sells out. At night, Teide is one of the best places in the world for stargazing. It's all in our guide to climbing Mount Teide.
The north: La Orotava, Puerto de la Cruz, Icod and Garachico
La Orotava is the island's stately town, with the Casa de los Balcones and views over the valley. Puerto de la Cruz combines a seafront, the Lago Martiánez pools and Loro Parque. Icod de los Vinos has the Drago Milenario, and Garachico, partly buried by the 1706 eruption, keeps its historic centre and the natural lava pools of El Caletón.
La Laguna and Anaga
San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a World Heritage Site, is a colonial grid of streets with a lively student scene. Beyond it begins Anaga Rural Park, a Biosphere Reserve: laurel forests, viewpoints such as Pico del Inglés and hamlets such as Taganana or the wild beach of Benijo.
The west: Masca and Los Gigantes
The road to Masca is one of the most spectacular in the Canaries. From the hamlet, the Masca Gorge runs down to the sea (with a permit and, most easily, with a guide and a boat back). To the south, the Los Gigantes Cliffs drop sheer into the Atlantic; they're best seen from the water.
The south and the sea
Costa Adeje, Las Américas and Los Cristianos have the beaches, hotels and most boat departures. Pilot whales and dolphins live between Tenerife and La Gomera all year, so sightings are almost certain. Read our whale-watching guide. For families, Siam Park is one of Europe's best water parks.
Getting around
TITSA buses link Santa Cruz, La Laguna, the north and the south well, and there are two airports (Tenerife North and Tenerife South). For Teide, Masca and Anaga, hire a car or book a tour: mountain roads are slow and parking on Teide is scarce.
Where to stay
Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos for sun, beach and boats; Puerto de la Cruz and La Orotava for the green north and its towns; La Laguna or Santa Cruz for city life and Anaga. With a week, split your nights between north and south.
Eating in Tenerife
Find a guachinche in the north (simple eateries serving their own wine), try papas arrugadas with mojo, conejo en salmorejo (marinated rabbit), grilled goat's cheese with palm honey and the barraquito, coffee with condensed milk and liqueur. For wine, try Tacoronte-Acentejo and the La Orotava valley.
What we DON'T recommend
- Going up Teide without a jacket or booking. It's cold at the top and the cable car sells out.
- Hiking Masca on your own without a permit. The gorge requires booking and hiking boots.
- Choosing boats that chase cetaceans. Look for licensed, responsible operators.
- Staying only in the south. The north and Anaga are the most authentic Tenerife.
In one sentence
Tenerife is Teide, La Laguna, the green north, Masca and whales half an hour off the coast: in five or six days you'll see an island full of contrasts.
