Tenerife is the largest island in the Canary Islands close to the continent of Africa. It’s home to beautiful volcanic sand beaches, charming villages and the tallest point in Spain.

Spend your time on the island exploring the beautiful Anaga rainforest, hiking in Mt Tiede National Park and relaxing on the south coast with a drink in your hand.

We explored the whole island finding the best things to do in Tenerife and now we’re creating this travel guide to help you plan your trip to the sub-tropical gem!

Whether you’re spending a week on the island or less, you’ll discover that Tenerife is so much more than beaches and bars! We encourage you to book a day trip or rent a car and explore the best places to visit in Tenerife.

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22 Incredible Things to do in Tenerife

There are so many things to do in Tenerife! After our trip, we created this list of the best places to visit on the island so you won’t miss out! In no particular order, here’s our list of the best places to visit in Tenerife!

1. Get lost in Anaga Rural Park

Flourishing with laurel forests, Anaga Rural Park is one of the best places to visit in Tenerife and the island’s only rainforest. With crooked sharp peaks, mossy tree trunks and breathtaking views, this national park is packed full of adventure.

Our favourite viewpoint in the park was from Benijo Viewpoint, the cliffs are spectacular! We also recommend walking through the Path of the Senses (Sendero de los Sentidos) to truly experience the rainforest vibe.

It’s best to rent a car to explore the park and there’s something for everyone here, read on to see some of the best highlights:

  • Taganana – a lovely village near the cliffs of Anaga Park.
  • Sendero de los Sentidos – a trail named the Path of the Senses full of moss and nature!
  • Mirador Pico del Inglés – an impressive viewpoint.
  • Camino Viejo al pico del inglès – a short walkway through high cliffs surrounded by rainforest nature.
  • Benijo Beach & El Mirador de Benijo – an incredible black sand beach and viewpoint of the cliffs.
  • Hike to Roque Taborno – a 1.5-hour hike for experienced hikers on mountain ridges.
Camino viejo al pico del inglès - Anaga Rural Park
Camino viejo al pico del inglès – Anaga Rural Park
Dramatic cliffs surrounding Taganana, Tenerife
Dramatic cliffs surrounding Taganana, Tenerife

2. Relax at Playa de Las Teresitas

One of our favourite beaches in Tenerife had to make it on this list.

Boasting over 2km of golden sands backdropped with dramatic Canarian mountains, Playa de Las Teresitas is the perfect place to spend the day at the beach.

Crystal-clear and calm waters make for an amazing place to take a dip in the sea. It’s easy to see why it’s our favourite beach in Tenerife!

Don’t miss out on the viewpoint to see Playa de Las Teresitas from above!

Playa de Las Teresitas - our favourite beach in Tenerife!
Playa de Las Teresitas – our favourite beach in Tenerife!

We’ve created the perfect 7 Tenerife Itinerary road trip if you’re looking for a route for all these places to visit in Tenerife.

3. Discover La Laguna

Tenerife’s former capital, founded back in the 15th century is a must-visit when in Tenerife. This history-rich city is great for walking due to its well-designed pedestrianised streets, meaning you can see everything on foot!

La Laguna is another one of our favourite places in Tenerife as you can really feel the atmosphere of the city. Somos lo que comemos is a lovely Canarian place to eat if you’re looking for food! Here are a few places to discover while in La Laguna:

  • Catedral de la Laguna – a Catholic Cathedral.
  • Iglesia de la Concepción – a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
  • Palm trees on Avenue la Universidad – a beautiful palm tree street!
Pedestrianised street leading to Iglesia de la Concepción
Pedestrianised street leading to Iglesia de la Concepción

4. Swim in a natural pool

Natural pools are a great alternative to swimming in the sea. These man-made structures are built along the coast and are naturally filled and filtered by the sea. This means even when the sea is choppy, you are almost guaranteed a calm swim in a natural pool.

They are extremely popular and can be found all over the Canary Islands, here are a few to check out in Tenerife:

5. Explore Mt Teide National Park

One of the best things to do in Tenerife is to visit Mt Teide National Park. If this list was in order, we’d have to put Mt Teide in the number one spot.

A huge, intimidating volcano surrounded by Mars-like terrain sounds almost made up, but trust us, this needs to be seen in person!

There is a reason that Mt Teide National Park is the most visited national park in all of Europe. Alongside the impressive volcano, there are beautiful trails and viewpoints and you’ll be above the clouds.

There’s a cable car (costing €40 return) that stretches almost to the top of the volcano. You’ll need to book your tickets at least a week before. To reach the very peak to see the crater, you will need to reserve a free permit at least a few months in advance!

You can also book tickets to Mt Teide on GetYourGuide that includes a pick-up from your hotel.

There is an abundance of trails throughout Mt Teide National Park, the most visited being Roques de Garcia which we can personally recommend. You can easily spend a whole day exploring Mt Teide National Park, so be sure to come prepared with food and water as there aren’t many shops/restaurants around.

Views of Mt Teide from the Roques de Garcia trail
Views of Mt Teide from the Roques de Garcia trail

6. Learn at the Finca Las Margaritas Banana Experience

Are you ready to learn about all things Banana? Well, look no further as Las Margaritas has you covered. Since 2012, this working banana plantation has been welcoming visitors through its doors to educate people on the nature and culture of bananas.

Tour tickets can be purchased on the Las Margaritas website. At the end of the tour, you’ll even get to sample bananas and banana-based products, a win-win!

We’ve added this banana experience to our list of the best things to do in Tenerife as it’s so unique! It’s not a very common activity to walk around a banana plantation! Plus bananas are our favourite fruit, so it was a must-visit for us whilst in the Canaries.

Banana plantation - Best things to do in Tenerife
Banana plantation – Best things to do in Tenerife

7. Go Surfing or Bodyboarding

For surfers, the Canary Islands is known as Europe’s Hawaii and Tenerife has some incredible surf spots. There are lots of things to learn about surfing in Tenerife, but for now, we can recommend some great spots to surf on the island.

  • Playa de Las Americas – great for surfing lessons
  • El Médano – the best area to visit for water sports!
  • El Socorro – In the north near Puerto de la Cruz

The best part about surfing in Tenerife is that it’s possible all year round with a lovely climate!

8. Visit Masca

Known as the ‘Machu Picchu of Tenerife’, Masca is one of the best places to visit in Tenerife.

Nestled in the Macizo de Teno mountains, Masca is home to only 90 people and is a slice of pure tranquillity. Soak in all of the glorious views this tiny mountain village has to offer while listening to wild birds chirping away in the trees.

If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s a hike that leads down from Masca to Masca Beach. This takes roughly 7hrs out and back and is roughly 10km long.

The parking in Masca can get pretty crazy and when we visited at 8 am, it was pretty much empty! When we left at 9 am, there were so many tour buses and cars heading down to Masca. The car park isn’t that big, so aim to arrive really early or late in the afternoon to get a space. Alternatively, you can book a tour on GetYourGuide.

Please keep in mind that Masca is a residential village.

The Machu Picchu of Tenerife - Masca
The Machu Picchu of Tenerife – Masca
Masca - Best things to do in Tenerife
Masca – Best things to do in Tenerife

➤ Here’s our list of the best things to do in Gran Canaria!

9. Go Stargazing above the clouds

One of the best things to do in Tenerife is to spend an evening with the stars.

Stargazing is incredible here and you’ll get the best visibility in Mt Teide National Park. Due to the high altitude of the national park, and the protected sky law in place, you’re guaranteed to see the starry night sky almost any night!

For optimal conditions, go as near to midnight as possible to avoid any sunlight affecting the sky, and if possible, when there is a ‘new moon’ when the moon is practically gone. This way, you are working with a sky as dark as possible to see even more stars.

We did stargazing on our own, but you can also book a fantastic tour if you don’t have access to a car or do not feel comfortable driving mountain roads at night. Browse for Stargazing Tours on GetYourGuide.

Here are a few spots in the park we recommend stargazing :

Stargazing in Mt Teide National Park, Tenerife
Stargazing in Mt Teide National Park, Tenerife

We spent an incredible evening stargazing in our convertible Fiat 500 (we lucked out with a rental car for stargazing)! The stars were beautiful and Mt Teide is one of the best areas on the island to see them.

Sadly we didn’t see the Milky Way on our visit, but we’re going to try stargazing in Gran Canaria too!

Check out our full guide on Where to stay in Tenerife to find the best areas to base yourself in Tenerife.

10. See the famous Dragon Tree at Icod de los Vinos

Icod de los Vinos is known for its wonderful historic centre, wine country and most of all, the ancient Dragon tree believed to be over 1000 years old. Known as the Drago Milenario, this relic is not to be missed.

The tree is located in Parque del Drago Milenario, a diverse botanical garden bursting with life. There is a small fee to enter the botanical garden but you can also see the tree for free if you don’t have time to visit the garden

We viewed the famous tree from the Plaza Parroquia San Marcos. In the historic centre, you will find colourful colonial buildings with quant plazas perfect for having lunch.

Join a tour to visit Icod de los Vinos, Garachico & Masca on a full-day tour.

Historical centre in Icod de los Vinos
Historical Centre in Icod de los Vinos
Drago Milenario - a thousand year old dragon tree
Drago Milenario – a thousand-year-old dragon tree

11. Puerto de la Cruz

When looking for where to visit in Tenerife, Puerto de la Cruz is a fantastic city not to be missed when visiting Tenerife. Back in its colonial days, it was a busy port town exporting sugar and wine.

Now, many visit to see its beautiful street art murals, volcanic black sand beaches, historical centre and impressive botanical gardens. Here are some highlights you shouldn’t miss:

  • Playa del Castillo – lovely beach in Puerto de la Cruz
  • Parque Infantil de Playa Jardín – black sand beach.
  • Playa de San Telmo – rocky beach
  • Lago Martiánez – saltwater pool with a sun terrace
  • Street Art – beautiful murals around the historical centre!
Street art in Puerto de la Cruz
Street art in Puerto de la Cruz
Best things to do in Tenerife - Puerto de la Cruz
Best things to do in Tenerife – Puerto de la Cruz

Our favourite places to eat in Puerto de la Cruz are Manipura Restaurante for their incredible vegan Italian cuisine and Machamama Puerto for their delicious juices! There’s lots of charming restaurants with patios all over the city.

Check out our Tenerife Itinerary for detailed information on how we planned our trip around the island.

12. Wander around Garachico

Garachico is a picturesque postcard seaside town with a beautiful historic colonial centre. We’ve considered it one of the best places to visit in Tenerife due to its charming vibe and unique natural pools.

The town is mostly known for its lava rock pools and people visit Garachico from all over Tenerife to take a dip in Piscinas Naturales “El Caletón”. These unique rock pools were formed in the sea when Montaña Negra erupted, and molten lava set in the cooling ocean, how cool?!

Nowadays, people enjoy swimming in the crystal clear waters when the tides are calm. The colourful town is also worth a wander through as there’s a lovely atmosphere and lots of cafes.

The natural pools in Garachico
The natural pools in Garachico

Need to get around without a car? Join a tour to discover Teide, Icod de los Vinos, Garachico & Masca on a day trip!

13. Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Check out Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital of Tenerife, for its awesome vibe, interesting architecture, and incredible beaches.

Explore hotspots like the Auditorio de Tenerife and TEA, dive into the city’s history at Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre, and chill out in parks like Parque García Sanabria. Have a blast shopping and eating along Calle Castillo until you cannot eat anymore.

If you happen to be around in February, don’t miss the wild Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife – it’s one of the biggest and most colourful carnivals in the world! (That’s right Brazil, you have some competition). Carnival also happens all over the Canary Islands.

14. Candelaria

Where to visit in Tenerife? Candelaria is a small, quiet town on the East coast of Tenerife. Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria put this town on the map as a major pilgrimage point of interest, which is a huge part of Spanish culture.

Near the Basilica on the promenade, be sure to check out the statues of the ancient Guanches (indigenous Canarians) towering along the coastline. Candelaria offers black sand beaches and a slower pace of life, with the quaint historic centre showing insights into Canarian heritage.

We visited Candelaria on a sunny Saturday and loved walking around the town soaking up the lively atmosphere. We grabbed some Canarian food at Plan Bakery Café which we recommend!

Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria
Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria
Guanche statues - Homage to the Indigenous Canarians
Guanche statues – Homage to the Indigenous Canarians

15. Discover Cueva del Viento

Did you know you can take a guided tour through the world’s 5th largest lava tube? Spanning 18km of known lava tubes, Cueva del Viento (which translates to Wind Cave) will take you underground into the depths of our planet, exploring parts of this vast lava tube network.

Adult tourist tickets cost €20 and can be purchased online on the Cueva del Viento official website. The tour takes around 2.5 hours, an unforgettable experience during your trip to Tenerife.

16. Playa de El Médano

Due to the constant coastal winds across Playa de El Médano, it has become the best spot in Tenerife to go kitesurfing and kiting! With the breathtaking natural beauty of Montana Rojo surrounding the beach, it’s a unique beach to add to your list of things to do in Tenerife.

We noticed that the town offers laid-back bohemian vibes, and it’s the perfect spot for relaxing. You can also browse the unique shops in the area and find many delicious restaurants.

Follow the wooden boardwalk promenade that hugs the volcanic coast alongside this beautiful sandy beach. It’s a lovely windy walk and we recommend visiting if you’re looking for things to do in Tenerife.

17. Playa de las Américas

Tenerife’s vibrant resort town of Playa de las Américas is one of the main tourist hubs on the island. The nightlife here is some of the wildest on the island and it’s not hard to find pubs or bars open in the daytime.

We’re not that into nightlife, so we enjoyed taking a stroll along the beautiful promenade and watching the beginner surfers in the Atlantic Ocean (you can also jet-ski).

There’s a wide variety of shops in the area and it’s a popular base to go golfing at the championship course of ‘Golf Las Americas’. Whatever ever you decide to do, you’ll have an unforgettable trip!

Dramatic scenery behind Playa de las Americas
Dramatic scenery behind Playa de las Americas

18. Siam Park

Did you know Tenerife is home to the biggest waterpark in Europe?

Siam Park is bursting with rides for everyone and is guaranteed to leave you speechless. Sudden drops, tube slides and lazy rives, Siam Park will have you covered! If you’re feeling particularly bougie, you can also purchase a VIP package to relax in a private cabana.

Grab your Siam Park tickets in advance.

19. Playa de Torviscas

Nestled into Costa Adeje, one of Tenerife’s main tourist areas, we have the wonderful beach of Playa de Torviscas.

Playa de Torviscas is a long sandy beach that’s great for swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing. Paired with the bustling promenade behind, you will find plenty of shops, restaurants and bars to keep all types of travellers entertained.

We chilled here for a while during our Tenerife road trip and grabbed an avocado smoothie bowl from Suka! It’s quite a busy area but once we were on the beach, it became very relaxing!

20. Barranco del Infierno

Wandering what to do in Tenerife that isn’t beaches? If you’re based in the south of Tenerife, we have the perfect hike for you!

Translating to ‘Hells Gorge’, this ravine trail isn’t as fiery as the name implies. A 6.5km loop of pure Canarian nature will leave you breathless. And better yet, you’ll get to experience Tenerife’s tallest waterfall!

You will need to book ahead to make a paid reservation to avoid disappointment. This is because the area is protected and the amount of visitors is limited per half hour.

21. Playa de Abama and The Ritz Carlton

When we arrived at our accommodation (Mini Casa Finca Arcoiris), our lovely host recommended we visit Playa de Abama! So now we’re recommending it to you as it’s one of Tenerife’s hidden gems (besides the hotel next to it) that’s getting more popular!

Playa de Abama is a luxurious golden sand cove beach right by the lavish Ritz-Carlton Abama hotel.

Playa de Abama is a public beach so it’s free to use, from the car park is roughly a 10-15 minute walk. While you’re in the area, be sure to snap some pictures of the unique-looking pink architecture of the Ritz-Carlton hotel. Celebrity guests such as Mariah Carey and Gary Lineker have stayed here, so it’s worth a visit!

We would love to stay at the Ritz-Carlton hotel one day but it’s a little out of our budget! Browse our guide on the best areas to stay in Tenerife.

22. Visit the giant cliffs of Los Gigantes

This small coastal town really packs a punch when it comes to things to do in Tenerife. Los Gigantes is home to Acantilados de Los Gigantes (Cliffs of the Giants), 800m tall cliffs creating the most dramatic backdrop for a swim at Playa de Los Gigantes.

These cliffs are the town’s highlight and a reason to visit the village itself! We even added Los Gigantes to our ‘where to stay in Tenerife guide’ as we loved the laidback atmosphere with a lovely black sand beach and cliffs as backdrops.

There are many activities on offer in this small town, such as diving, dolphin and whale watching eco-friendly tours, boat tours to see the cliffs and snorkelling on the beaches. The marina is also lovely to walk around with many restaurants and shops.

Acantilados de Los Gigantes viewpoint
Acantilados de Los Gigantes viewpoint

Planning a trip to Tenerife

  • Currency – Euro €, EUR (compare the currency here)
  • Cuisine – Spanish, Western, International
  • Apps – Google Maps, SuperDino, Google Translate
  • Sim cardsbuy an E-sim on Airalo.
  • Convenience stores – SuperDino, Suma, SPAR, Mercados
  • Official languages – Spanish, English

Where to stay in Tenerife

There are lots of great areas to stay in Tenerife depending on what activities you’d like to do. When we did our road trip in Tenerife, we stayed in a couple of different accommodations so we could experience everything the island has to offer with less driving! Here are our top recommendations:

🛏️ Unique Experience: We stayed in a tiny home during our Tenerife Trip. Mini Casa Finca Arcoiris is perfect for a unique stay. There are incredible sunsets, a quiet atmosphere and even a cat!

💤 Wyndham Residences Costa Adeje: An affordable resort in the popular area of Costa Adeje. The apartment-style rooms will make you feel at home and there’s also a swimming pool! – Find it on Booking.com here!

💤 Hotel Botanico & Oriental Spa Garden: An incredible luxury spa hotel in Puerto de la Cruz with a tropical swimming pool – Find it on Booking.com here!

We’ve written a full guide on the 10 best areas to stay in Tenerife with lots of recommendations on where to stay around the island.

How to get around Tenerife

Use TITSA Buses to get around the island without a car. You can pay with contactless as you enter the bus. There are always plenty of taxis around if you’re staying in one of Tenerife’s main tourist hubs or cities.

Our preferred way of exploring these places to visit in Tenerife is by renting a car. Use Discover Cars to find availability and prices!

We picked up our rental car from Tenerife North Airport. We were on the road in a matter of minutes thanks to this hassle-free pickup. We recommend Cicar when visiting Tenerife.

Another great way to get around Tenerife without a car is by booking a group tour! Here’s some of the most popular things to do in Tenerife by tour:

Cicar rental - Fiat 500C Hybrid
Cicar rental – Fiat 500C Hybrid

That’s the end of our places to visit in Tenerife guide! Find us on Instagram – @thesunrisedreamers. We also have more guides in Tenerife and Spain to check out!

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