10 Best Things to Do in Tenerife

This post is my guide to the best things to do in Tenerife including the most useful travel tips to help you plan your perfect Tenerife itinerary.

About Tenerife

Tenerife is the largest and most popular of a group of islands known as the Canary Islands, which are located in the Atlantic Ocean, opposite Africa’s Northwest Coast. Privileged with a subtropical climate and in proximity to the coast of Africa, Tenerife’s weather is almost perfect, with sunshine all year round making it an attractive place to visit in Europe at any time.

I visited Tenerife alone for two weeks and found plenty of interesting things to do on the island which I am happy to share with you here.

First things first, here are some answers to Tenerife’s FAQs.

What is the prettiest part of Tenerife?

Although most visitors to Tenerife head to the south where it is undoubtedly the warmest and driest, the landscape in the north is much richer and prettier. North Tenerife is a perfect place to learn the Canarian way of life, enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, surfing and exploring unspoiled beaches or just marvel at some beautiful volcanic landscape.

If you want to relax by the beach, sunbathe or enjoy an active nightlife, then, south Tenerife, where popular resort towns such as Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Americas and Los Gigantes are located will suit you best.

You could also choose to visit the south of Tenerife on a day trip from the north as I did. Dolphin watching and whale watching cruise, a few hours in the amazing Siam Park Water Theme Park, scuba diving and a trip to Los Gigantes Cliffs, located on the western edge of Teno Rural Park, are some of the worthwhile activities to add to your South Tenerife bucket list.

• Book your Siam Theme Park ahead.

• See Top South Tenerife Tours.

How many days is enough in Tenerife?

One to two weeks is the perfect amount of time to spend in Tenerife or longer if you can. If you’re like me who enjoys an active holiday, this amount of time is enough to give you plenty of time to wander around and also chill.

What’s the best way to get around Tenerife?

I spent two weeks in Tenerife and I rented a car from Rentalcars.com (€155/week) to get around. This is the easiest and most convenient mode of transport to navigate the island and see the best of Tenerife attractions. A car rental is worthwhile as there are just so many things to see in Tenerife by car. It will also give you the flexibility you’ll need to get the most out of your trip. Luckily, car hire in Tenerife is inexpensive.

Tenerife public buses provide a service to most places on the island at a reasonable price, so this is another option worth considering as well.

What are the best places to stay in Tenerife?

Where to stay in Tenerife depends on activities in Tenerife which appeal to you as well as the part of the island you ultimately choose as your base. I prefer northern Tenerife and I recently stayed in this lovely hostel in Punta del Hidalgo, a small village in La Laguna for €200/week.

North Tenerife has also La Laguna, the resort town of Puerto de la Cruz as well as other numerous towns and villages, all of which are perfect spots to stay in North Tenerife.

Let’s get started!

Tenerife Map with all the places to visit in Tenerife shared in the guide.

What to Do in Tenerife

1. Visit the Capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife

A trip to Tenerife should include a visit to the capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which is located on the island’s northeast coast. The architecture of the most visited attraction in the city, Auditorio de Tenerife, is truly awe-inspiring, a tour of other attractions on the city’s waterfront like the Cesar Manrique Lido and the Palmetum botanical garden would be a great way to fill your itinerary while you are there.

Spain Square (Plaza de Espana) makes for a perfect welcome to the city, especially if you are coming through the port. A stunning lake with numerous water jets, monuments and historical buildings like the Post Office beautifully decorate the square.

Santa Cruz is a perfect place for taking strolls, doing a bit of shopping and trying some local food from the impressively built market, Nuestra Senora de Africa or from the local restaurants.

Santa Cruz is full of history as well. The historical monuments such as the 15th-century Church of the Immaculate Conception and the excellent Museum of Nature and Mankind are worth checking out. They are also perfect things to do in Tenerife when it rains!

During my visit to Santa Cruz, the modern cultural centre, Tenerife Arts Space was showing the work of Spanish architect, Fernando Higueras. A permanent exhibition of Tenerife’s artist, Oscar Dominguez, is also shown here.

Whilst in Santa Cruz, why not visit the popular Playa de Las Teresitas? It’s one of north Tenerife’s best beaches which is made up of fine sand transported from the Western Sahara. Playa de Las Teresitas is a lovely beach perfect to spend a few hours.

2. Explore Teide National Park

Price: €37 cable car return ticket or €27 one way.

Visiting the impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site, Teide National Park is a highlight of a trip to Tenerife and should be on top of your list of things to do in Tenerife. Teide National Park is the largest park in the Canary Islands and one of the most visited national parks in Spain.

Breathtaking, unique, and captivating, are perfect descriptions of the landscape found in this park which includes craters, volcanoes, rivers of hardened lava and other unique volcanic debris of different sizes and colours, all surrounded by Spain’s highest mountain, Mount Teide which stands at 3718m above sea level.

Teide National Park has an extensive network of hiking trails with varying intensity and distance, enabling you to enjoy a comprehensive view of the park. It’s possible to hike up to Teide’s Peak, however, you will need to apply for a permit well in advance of your trip.

A unique way to experience Teide is to take a cable car which brings you to a station close to the peak where you are rewarded with a spectacular volcanic landscape and stunning views of the ocean and the islands beyond.

The motorway, TF-21 which gets you to Teide National Park is quite a spectacular drive, although the road has many twists and turns and at some stages reaches an altitude of 2650m.

Another awesome thing to do during the drive to Teide National Park is to stop at the various viewing points and marvel at the various volcanic landscapes and the unique fauna and flora surrounding the park.

Teide is certainly a must-see in Tenerife which you shouldn’t miss when on the island. It’s possible to join an organised group or private tours to Teide National Park from most resort towns in Tenerife in case you won’t be driving.

Good to know

When planning a trip to Teide National Park, pick a day with good weather and bring along appropriate clothing, snacks and a camera. I would advise you to make use of the park’s visitor centre and park rangers for advice on safe hiking trails.

Teide Popular Tours

3. Go hiking in Anaga Rural Park

Exploring the hiking trails in Parque Rural de Anaga or Anaga Rural Park is one of the most popular Tenerife activities which is a must for outdoor enthusiasts. Anaga Rural Park got me very excited and was one of my favourite experiences I had in Tenerife.

The park, a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, consists of a huge mountainous area home to ancient laurel forests, natural pools, waterfalls, black sand beautiful beaches and an extensive network of hiking trails.

Anaga’s landscape is stunning, however, much of it is quite harsh as it’s made of massive mountains with sharp peaks, deep ravines and cliffs stretching down into the northeast coast. Hence, much of Anaga remains largely unspoiled and uninhabited except for a few small traditional villages.

When exploring Anaga, start with the visitor centre at Cruz del Carmen, where you can get a free map of the park with places of interest and hiking trails marked out. Cruz del Carmen has some easy and accessible hiking trails known as Paths of the Senses designed to give you a lovely introduction to Anaga and interesting information about the park.

From Cruz del Carmen, continue exploring the park, enjoying the various natural viewpoints along the route to the remote villages of Charmorga and Taganana. I believe these are some of the most beautiful parts of the island. Also, the hiking trails around here offer some of the most spectacular views especially, of the unspoiled coast.

Pick a good day to visit Anaga Rural Park, as the area tends to get dense fog which can make driving and hiking at high altitudes quite dangerous.

Good to Know

Have more time in Tenerife? Take a day trip tour to Lagomera Island from Tenerife for another outdoor adventure which includes a visit to the amazing Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check out this highly recommended Lagomera Island Tour which leaves from southern Tenerife.

Book Your Tenerife Theme Parks Tickets

4. Visit La Laguna

The city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna or La Laguna is one of the most fascinating and unique places in the whole of Tenerife. La Laguna is located quite close to Santa Cruz in a valley at the bottom of Anaga Rural Park, so it can be easily integrated into an itinerary of north Tenerife.

La Laguna was once the island’s capital and undoubtedly it has retained some of the charms of a capital city. Due to its inland location, La Laguna was shielded from pirate attacks over the centuries so the city has remained largely intact.

The main attraction in La Laguna is its Old Town which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, awarded because of its layout which was successful as a city and became a model for other Spanish colonial cities built in the Americas like Havana, Cuba.

If you like places full of character, amazing architecture and a bit of history and enjoy strolls in vibrant towns, then make a point to visit La Laguna.

La Laguna has a long history of being a university town as well, luckily this is still the case, so you can expect to find an energetic atmosphere on its streets.

5. Visit Puerto de La Cruz; North Tenerife’s best resort

If you are looking for a resort in North Tenerife with great tourist facilities, definitely consider Puerto de La Cruz. Puerto de La Cruz is located on the north coast, 30km from Santa Cruz and very close to La Orotava.

Even though Puerto de La Cruz’s centre is small, you will be spoiled for choice with a harbour where you can enjoy exciting black sand beaches, water sports, delicious food and a lively drink scene.

Loro Parque, one of Europe’s best zoos, famous for its parrot and dolphin shows, is also located in Puerto de La Cruz. It’s one of the top things to do in Tenerife for families, so if you wish to visit, it might be ideal to choose Puerto de La Cruz as your base.

A delightful thing to do in Puerto de la Cruz is to spend a day sunbathing in the charming Lago Martianez swimming complex. The swimming complex is one of Cesar Manrique’s masterworks, so if you’re a fan of his work, do give it a quick look.

Lago Martianez is decorated with palm trees, rocks, geysers, little islands and all sorts of amenities that you can think of to make swimming and sunbathing outstandingly fun.

As a town with origins that date back to the 15th century, Puerto de la Cruz has some historical heritage as well which is worth checking out like the Church of Our Lady of the Rock of France on Iglesias Square and the 17th-century Casa de La Aduana which is currently the tourist office and a contemporary-art museum.

If you are looking to take a break from the sun, the impressive Botanical Garden, Jardin Aclimatacion de La Orotava, provides a lovely shade and peaceful atmosphere with its huge collection of ancient plants and trees from around the world.

The botanical garden in Puerto de La Cruz is one of Tenerife attractions which is a real treat for nature lovers.

6. Visit La Orotava

Similar to La Laguna, the Old Town of La Orotava is one of the most beautiful in the whole of Tenerife and is worth a visit on a trip to the north. As well as having a preserved old town, La Orotava’s landscape is very pretty as the town is located in a lush green valley and close to the north coast.

La Orotava is a town where authentic Canarian traditions are still alive like the town’s famous big celebration of Corpus Christi which sees the town decorated in beautiful volcanic sand flowers each year.

Handicrafts made by specially skilled Canarians are sold in the town’s craft shops and museums such as The Tenerife Latin American Craftwork Museum and Museum-House of Balconies. Most of the ancient mansions on the island are found in La Orotava so it’s a perfect place to learn about traditional Canarian architecture.

During your visit to La Orotava, don’t miss sampling some Canarian cuisine in some of La Orotava’s traditional restaurants such as the highly-rated Bar Los Castillos.

7.Go to see the Dragon Tree in Icod de los Vinos

You have probably heard of the ancient Dragon Tree or the Drago Milenario in Tenerife. Well, Icod de Los Vinos is the town you need to visit to see it. The exact age of the Dragon Tree is unclear but it’s estimated to be at least 800 years old. You will be fascinated to know that the Dragon Tree has the status of a Natural Monument.

Dragon Park, a garden and a museum, have been built around this Dragon tree, so the tree is highly revered.

Apart from being the home of the Dragon Tree, Icod is a great place to discover Tenerife’s wines like the famous, Malmsey Wine, made from the Malvasia grape which this region has a long history of farming. In fact, at one time, Icod was quite a wealthy town due to the farming of grapes and sugarcane.

A lovely thing to do in Icod is to take a stroll in its old town admiring its historical buildings and monuments which are a testimony to its flourishing past.

If you enjoy wine or want to learn a thing or two about Canarian wines, Icod is the perfect place to discover Tenerife’s wines. Museum de Malvasia offers awesome wine tasting from their beautiful garden and well-appointed rooms starting from as little as €4.50.

One of the loveliest but unusual things to do in Tenerife is to visit the Butterfly Park which is located across from the Church of San Marcos in Icod. The Butterfly Park is home to a large variety of butterflies housed in a lovely tropical-like garden, with interesting and educational information about the butterflies. If you like nature and butterflies, then, you will definitely like Butterfly Park.

One of the longest volcanic tubes, Cueva de Vento, which was formed after Pico Viejo erupted is found in Icod. A visit to Cueva de Vento is said to be fascinating, unfortunately, during my visit, it was closed.

8. Visit Garachico

Garachico is another charming small town in Tenerife worth checking out. Up until 1706, Garachico was one of the wealthiest places in Tenerife mainly because all the products from the island like the famous Malmsey Wine and sugar were exported from its port to markets in Europe and America.

The town was partially destroyed and the port rendered unusable when a volcano, Arenas Negras, erupted, filling Garachico with its lava. What you will see when you visit Garachico’s harbour are unique and attractive natural swimming pools created by the hardened lava, which are very popular with locals as well as visitors for swimming and sunbathing.

Evidence of the once prosperous Garachico can be found in its historical centre where the huge grand Liberty Square is the focal point, surrounded by former mansions, monuments, the town’s main church, Church of Santa Ana, and enticing cafes and restaurants.

Garachico is a lovely little town to spend a few hours taking strolls either in its narrow cobbled streets or along the harbour and having one or two drinks in the bars dotted around the town.

Keep an eye on San Miguel Castle while on the harbour. You will be interested to know that it is the only largest structure in Garachico to have survived the volcanic eruption of 1706.

9. Visit Punta del Hidalgo

Punta del Hidalgo is a small fishing village in the municipality of La Laguna, on the northeast coast of Tenerife. Although Punta del Hildalgo is a little bit off the beaten path, you will like it, especially if you enjoy swimming and surfing or plan to explore the hiking trails in Anaga Rural Park.

My favourite things to do in Punta del Hidalgo are taking strolls during the evenings along the promenade, and watching the sunset and the breathtaking ocean waves.

10. Go for a dip in Bajama’s natural pools

Bajama is a small fishing village very close to Punta del Hidalgo which is known for having some of the best natural swimming pools in Tenerife. The pools in Bajama are bigger and come with a dedicated area for children.

Keep in mind that the northeast coast in Tenerife is very rocky and can be dangerous to swim but the pools in Bajama and Punta del Hidalgo are some of the safer options in the area.

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I hope you enjoy your visit to Tenerife! Let me know if you need help by leaving a comment, I will be glad to help.

Good to Know

Travel Insurance

In addition to travel insurance, I don’t visit another EU country without a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EU Health Card allows you to access healthcare across the EU for free, or at a reduced cost. If travelling as a family, make sure you obtain one for each of you. Learn more here

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