Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands and has everything you want for a holiday. Contrary to what you might think, Tenerife has much more to offer than just beautiful beaches. From the impressive volcano El Teide to national parks where you can go for endless hikes, high cliffs, whale watching tours, charming towns and fine restaurants. Curious about what to do in Tenerife? In this article I will take you along the most beautiful sights, things to do, activities and hotels in Tenerife, including my personal tips for what you should not miss during your visit.
The Canary Islands are a Spanish archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, west of Morocco. They consist of seven large islands: Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro, plus a few smaller ones. Each island has its own unique landscape and character, ranging from volcanic moonscapes to green forests, sand dunes and perfect beaches. Thanks to the mild climate, the islands are great to visit all year round and are a perfect destination to escape the cold in winter. In this article you will find my tips for visiting Tenerife with the best things to do, nice villages, tours, and beautiful hotels.
When I first visited Lanzarote years ago, I was so surprised about its beauty and diversity and I was determined to discover more of the Canary Islands. And just like Lanzarote, also Tenerife didn’t let me down. Whether you are looking for adventure, culture or complete relaxation, the variety of nature and activities on Tenerife is enormous. I hope these tips for things to do will inspire you and make sure you the most out of your trip to Tenerife.
One of the most famous things to do and highlights of Tenerife is a visit to the volcano El Teide. This volcano is the highest mountain in Spain with a height of 3718 meters above sea level and 7000 meters above the seabed.
On a nice day you can see the volcano from far, beautifully towering over the island. It is recommended to rent a car and explore the national park on your own. The roads are good and there is only one road that goes through the park. Along the way you will see the vegetation slowly change from green to black lava blocks and a moon-like landscape. At several viewpoints and at Roques de García you can get out, take a picture and go for a walk.
Don’t want to rent a car? Then you can book a tour that shows you the volcano in its best way, including hotel transfers. You will be picked up and brought back to your hotel. Do you prefer a private tour? That is also possible. You can book a private tour to El Teide here.
One of the destinations that you should not miss is the Anaga Mountains, because it shows a completely different side of Tenerife. This national park covers a large part of the north of the island and is known for its mountainous green surroundings. One of the best things to do in this ares of Tenerife is to rent a car. Along the way you can stop at points that offer views of the surroundings or are the starting point for a hike
There are several walking routes so it is important to do your research about the trails in advance, so that you know where to park your car and start the walk. Keep in mind that the north is known to be cooler than the rest of the island so bring warm clothes.
Don’t want to rent a car? Then you can also book a tour and go out with a guide.
Tenerife is one of the best places to spot whales and dolphins. Since January 2021, Tenerife is even the first destination in Europe to have the title of Whale Heritage Site. Pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins are seen all year round along the west coast. For other whale species, the months of May and June are the most suitable.
Several tours and activities depart daily from towns such as Los Gigantes, Los Cristianos and Puerto Colón located on the Costa Adeje in Tenerife. You can choose from short boat trips of about 2 hours and longer trips, including a swimming stop and tapas lunch. I myself did not choose this because availability was limited and I have been spoiled with whale and dolphin watching tours in South America. But the photos and stories about these trips are so incredibly positive. Do you want to see whales? Then you definitely want to book a tour. Make sure to book your sport in advance, because the trips are popular.
Why is whale and dolphin watching a responsible activity in the Canary Islands? To be awarded the title of Whale Heritage Site, a destination must meet a series of criteria demonstrating that sustainability is leading and that the destination is committed to the conservation and protection of cetaceans.
If you are in the Anaga Mountains, make sure to stop at Playa de Benijo, located in the northeast. This is without a doubt one of the most photogenic beaches in Tenerife because of its special rock formations and black volcanic sand. A staircase leads you from the restaurants at the top of the mountain to the beach where you can go for a short walk. Due to the strong current and many rocks, it is not the best place to swim, but a little further, there is a beach where you can go take a dip in the ocean. Make sure to also find a restaurant for fresh fish or a delicious paella.
A special thing on Tenerife is that it is easy to see the volcano up close. A cable car takes you to an altitude of 3555 meters in 10 minutes, offering walks to viewpoints such as La Fortaleza and Pico Viejo. However, you need a special permit for a walk to the 3718 meter high summit, as only a limited number of people are allowed per day. There are two ways to reach the top on foot, from Montaña Blanca, a six-hour walk or from the La Rambleta cable car station, located at an altitude of 3,555 meters. From here, the 200 meters Telesforo Bravo trail takes you to the top.
You can make a reservation for the permit here. You can also book a tour, with the permit, guide and a return cable car ticket included.
One of the most beautiful and largest beaches in Tererife is Playa de las Teresitas. This golden sandy beach of 1.3 kilometers long and 80 meters wide, with its beautiful palm trees gives you the feeling of being in Africa. And the view of the mountains, behind it, makes the picture complete. It is a wonderful place for a dip in the sea or a spot on the terrace. Just keep in mind that it is a popular destination, so unfortunately you will not be the only one.
Did you know that Tenerife is one of the best places in the world to look at stars? El Teide is even one of the darkest destinations on earth at night and therefore a perfect place for stargazers. There are several tours and activities offered in Tenerife, where you can learn more about the universe, visit the observatory and even combine this with a dinner.
Tips: The sunset in the El Teide National Park on Tenerife is also beautiful and on a nice day very worth adding to your itinerary.
My favorite destination on Tenerife is the town of San Cristobal La Laguna, located near the capital Santa Cruz. Not only because of the beautiful center but also because you experience the real Tenerife here. During the day you want to stroll through the colonial center that is also on the UNESCO World Heritage List, with its colorful houses. And in evenings you can take a seat on one of the terraces, just like the locals on Tenerife. Do you have enough time on Tenerife? Then I definitely recommend you to spend the night here. In the evening most day tourists are gone and it is a lot more pieceful.
Looking for a nice hotel in San Cristobal La Laguna? I stayed in El Ombú del Agua, a beautiful boutique hotel in Tenerife within walking distance of all sighsts and things to do. An overview of all hotels in La Laguna can be found here.
Did you know that Tenerife Island is counting ten Michelin star restaurants in 2025? Something that of course says a lot about the Canarian cuisine and top chefs. And it is always nice to include a special evening during your trip. The Michelin star restaurants are spread across the island. From Santa Cruz de Tenerife to La Orotava and the Costa Adeje. Are you staying at the Bahía del Duque hotel? Then you have the award-winning star restaurant Nub, by Fer Fuentes and Andrea Bernardi around the corner from your room.
When you read about Tenerife, there is a good chance that you will come across Puerto de La Cruz, a destination with numerous hotels that is a starting point for many people to explore the island. Personally, I was not that impressed by the town. But if you are driving around by car, I recommend you to stop and have look at the local street art. In the streets of the Barrio La Ranilla district there are narrow streets with many restaurants and special works on the walls.
Another beautiful place on Tenerife is Garachico. This little town is located in the north of Tenerife and is known for its natural lava pools and things to do such as wander through the atmospheric streets and observe historical buildings. Make sure to have a look at the Castillo de San Miguel, the harbor and the Plaza de La Libertad. And afterwards, settle down in one of the many fish restaurants.
The Masca Valley is one of the destinations and things to do on Tenerife that you simply can’t miss. A hairpin curve road takes you to the small village of Masca, located in a gorge. Not only are the views beautiful, you can also go for beautiful walks here. One of the most beautiful trails is the one towards the ocean, where you walk for 3.5 hours through the Masca gorge with steep rock walls and end on the beach. You can afterwards return by water taxi. The hike takes an average of six hours, so it is important that you are in good physical condition and have walking shoes.
You can book a guided tour here. Another beautiful walking tour can be found here.
On Tenerife you will be amazed by the unique trees and vegetation. One of the most famous ones is el Drago Milenario, the dragon blood tree, also the symbol of the island of Tenerife. According to reports, the Drago Milenario is around 1000 years old and therefore the oldest in Europe. The tree, which is actually a plant, is 18 meters high with a circumference of 20 meters and known for its dense, umbrella-shaped crown with thick leaves. It is a slow-growing plant, taking ten years to reach a height of 1 meter.
You can stop in the village of Icod de los Vinos in the northwest of Tenerife to observe the tree from a distance. If you want to admire the tree up close, you have o visit the botanical garden of Icod de los Vinos.
Believe it or not, Tenerife is home to several vineyards, a tradition that dates back to the 15th century. The combination of fertile lava soil, microclimate and high altitude give the grapes a special flavor. There are five wine regions on Tenerife, including Valle de La Orotava and Abona, which are known for their white wines and local grape variety Listán Blanco. If you are into wines, make sure to visit Bodegas Monje or Viñátigo for a tasting, offering tastings of 3, 5 or 8 glasses combining snacks, a lunch or dinner. It is also possible to sign up for workshops and other tours.
You can book a tour at Modegas Monte here. Do you want to discover more vineyards and taste wines on Tenerife? Check out this tour.
A lovely town in the mountains of Tenerife, near Puerto de La Cruz is La Orotava. It is nice to visit the old town and stroll through the streets along sights and beautiful 16th century buildings. Don’t forget to visit the botanical gardens, where you walk in peace along flowers and the special vegetation of Tenerife. Do you want to learn more about the history of La Oratava and Tenerife? Then take a look at the historic Casa de Los Balcones.
During the day La Orotava is busy with visitors. Do you want to experience the town in a more quiet way? Then plan your visit as early as possible or book an overnight stay.
Do you like bananas and liqueur? Tenerife is known for its banana liqueur and a visit to a banana plantation can be a nice experience. During a tour you will not only learn more about the local and sustainable banana cultivation and but you will also taste several snacks and of course the liqueur itself.
Are you staying in the south of Tenerife? Then you have several nice beaches to choose from. One of the most beautiful is Playa del Duque on the popular Costa Adeje. The golden sandy beach is 700 meters long and there are umbrellas, sunbeds, changing rooms and showers. A great place to relax in the sun for a day.
One of the impressive things to do on Tenerife are the 600 meters high cliffs of Los Gigantes. They are located on the west coast of the island and can best be admired by boat. There are day trips and tours around sunset, where the cliffs are colored red and orange. Also the viewpoint Mirador de Archipenque offers views of the cliffs.
There are several natural pools to be found on Tenerife. In the past, the lava flowed from the volcano El Teide over the island to the ocean. Because it then solidified, natural swimming pools were created all over the island, in a volcanic environment. Nowadays you can float in them. Well-known places are the natural pools of Garachico, Charco de la Laja, Charco de Isla Cangrej, Bajamar at La Laguna Charco del Viento.
One of the cool things to do on Tenerife if you want to see more of the Canary Islands in a short amount of time, is to visit neighbouring island La Gomera. You leave in the morning by boat to admire the island from a distance, visit viewpoints, a national park and a number of towns on La Gomera. Curious? You can book a tour here.
Are you adventurous? Tenerife offers some amazing activities. How about a tandem paragliding jump where you admire the island from above? You can make a jump at several locations. Or a canyoing tour where you climb, walk, abseil and swim through narrow ravines and waterfalls? Of course you need to have an adventurous mindset, but experience is not required. Tenerife has spectacular canyons, in the Anaga and Teno mountains, with routes that are suitable for both beginners and advanced.
Are you looking for more tours and things to do in Tenerife? Viator is a renowned platform where you can easily search, compare and book tours. This is an overview.
Are you looking for adventure and outdoor activities in Tenerife? This is an overview of tours.
In Tenerife you will find numerous hotels, most of which are all-inclusive. In addition, you will find nice boutique hotels in the smaller towns. But it takes time to find a nice place that suits you. These are my favorite hotels in Tenerife.
Are you looking for a luxury hotel to stay in Tenerife? Then take a look at Gran Hotel Bahía del Duque. This luxurious fairytale hotel is located near Adeje, directly on the Atlantic Ocean with botanical gardens, swimming pools, high-end à la carte restaurants and nice rooms. It is not only a wonderful place to stay but also the perfect starting point to exploring the island.
Do you also want to stay in Bahía Del Duque hotel in Tenerife? Here you will find the latest prices and availability. Curious? In the next article you can read my experiences at Bahía del Duque. Curious about more hotels in Tenerife? This is an overview.
El Ombú del Agua is a small boutique hotel in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, located in a former mansion. There are four comfortable and modern rooms and they are all different in terms of atmosphere and decoration. Some of them have a little balcony. The hotel is ideally located, within walking distance of the historic center of La Laguna Tenerife and its things to do.
Do you want to stay at Hotel El Ombú del Agua Tenerife? Here you will find the latest prices and availability. Curious about more hotels in La Laguna? This is an overview.
The best way to discover Tenerife and its things to do is by car. This way, you are independent and can stop wherever you want. Also, you have the possibility to stay a few nights in the North and in the South. Both show a completely different side of the island.
Looking for a rental car for your trip to Tenerife? Use Rental Cars to search and compare your car rental options. A quick and easy tool and no need to have up multiple tabs trying to figure out which company is the most affordable. They also have great discounts and cancellation policies.
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The best time to travel to Tenerife is from May to October. Then it is warm and sunny with the least chance of rain. But actually you can visit Tenerife all year round because of the mild climate. Personally I think spring is a beautiful period, where everything is in bloom. It is also less busy than in the summer months. In the winter Tenerife is a perfect destination to escape the cold and seek out the sun.
How long you want to stay in Tenerife depends entirely on your interests and the type of trip you want to make. But I recommend to stay at least a week to ten days. That way you not only have time to enjoy the beaches but you also have the opportunity to discover different sides of Tenerife island and its activities. The north of the island shows a completely different side of Tenerife than the south and both regions are worth it. Do you have more time? You can also combine your stay with a visit to the neighbouring island of La Gomera or one of the other Canary Islands such as Lanzarote.
Did you enjoy reading this article with my tips for the best things to do in Tenerife? In the next articles you will read more tips for visiting the Canary Islands.
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