I was expecting Tenerife to be just another beautiful beach destination, packed with British tourists longing for warmth and sun. Well, it’s so much more than that. This island is genuinely one of the most diverse places I’ve visited — you can hike a volcano, swim in natural lava pools, kayak with dolphins, and eat fresh seafood in a clifftop village, all in the same trip. If you’re looking for the best things to do in Tenerife, you’ve come to the right place.
VISITING TENERIFE: THE ESSENTIALS
Transport / Tenerife has two airports: Tenerife South (TFS) serves the resort areas and is where most UK direct flights land; Tenerife North (TFN) is closer to Puerto de la Cruz and La Laguna. Book a private airport transfer with WelcomePickups for a fixed-price, no-hassle arrival with your driver waiting at arrivals. Search for flights on Skyscanner.
Car Rental / A car is essential in Tenerife — the best beaches, hikes, and villages are spread across the island and public transport won’t cover them. Compare rental rates on DiscoverCars — they consistently beat the airport desks.
Tours / There’s a lot worth pre-booking in Tenerife. The best:
Teide National Park & Cable Car
Masca Gorge Guided Hike
Whale & Dolphin Watching from Los Gigantes
Kayaking with Dolphins
Teide Stargazing Tour
Siam Park Tickets
Stay / The north (Puerto de la Cruz) gives you authentic Tenerife with easy access to nature; the south (Costa Adeje) is best for beach resorts and reliably sunny weather.
Stay / The north (Puerto de la Cruz) gives you authentic Tenerife with easy access to nature; the south (Costa Adeje) has more reliable sunshine and full resort facilities:
South
Sunwing Fanabe Beach $ — best for families
Hotel Jardín Tropical $$ — best for couples
Royal Hideaway Corales Resort $$$ — best for couples (adults-only)
North
Hotel San Telmo $ — best for hikers
Hotel Botánico & The Oriental Spa Garden $$ — best for couples
Gran Hotel Taoro Park $$$ — best for couples & hikers
Search all Tenerife hotels on Booking.com →
Connect / You’ll need mobile data while you are in Spain, I always recommend using an eSIM (there’s absolutely no need for a physical one!). I always use Sim Local, and you can get 5% discount with code TRAVELWITHPAU. Get it here.
Get Insured / Things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for over 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more — especially important if you’re hiking Teide or doing the Masca gorge.
Things to Do in Tenerife
Parque Nacional El Teide
Mount Teide is Tenerife. Standing at 3,718 metres, it’s Spain’s highest peak and the third-largest volcano in the world — and on a clear day you can see it from almost anywhere on the island. The national park surrounding it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the lunar-like landscape of rust-red rock and volcanic ash is genuinely unlike anywhere else I’ve been.
There are a few ways to experience Teide. The cable car takes you up to 3,555 metres — the views from the top are extraordinary, with the clouds far below you and, on the clearest days, glimpses of the other Canary Islands in the distance. If you want to go all the way to the summit (an additional 30-minute hike), you’ll need a free advance permit from the national park website. Book it well ahead, especially in summer.
For hikers, the Montaña Blanca trail (8.3 km, 4–6 hours up) is the classic route. The shorter Roques de García walk is an easier 2-hour loop that still takes you through spectacular volcanic scenery.
Book a Teide cable car + guided tour
Barranco de Masca Hike and Los Gigantes
This was, hands down, my favourite experience in Tenerife — and I didn’t even know it existed until a local told me about it.
The Barranco de Masca is a dramatic gorge hike that descends from the mountain village of Masca down to a remote black-sand beach at the bottom. It’s about 3 hours of walking through one of the most spectacular landscapes I’ve ever seen: towering cliff walls, exotic palms and cacti, mini streams, geckos darting across the rocks. It feels like the set of a film.
At the bottom, you can either hike back up (double the time, not for the faint-hearted) or take a boat back to Los Gigantes — I’d strongly recommend the boat. Los Gigantes itself is worth a visit for the famous cliffs alone: sheer black rock faces dropping straight into the Atlantic, some reaching 800 metres high.
The hike involves some scrambling over large rocks and can be slippery — wear proper shoes and take plenty of water. A permit is now required to do the hike (book via caminobarrancodemasca.com). Taxis from Los Gigantes to Masca village cost around €23.
The hike trail can be confusing at times, if you are not an experienced hiker, I would recommend to book a guided hiking tour:
This tour visits Masca Beach and includes a boat transfer
This tour is above Masca, with some beautiful scenic views
Kayaking with Dolphins
One of the most memorable mornings of my Tenerife trip was a 3-hour 45-minute kayaking excursion out to find wild dolphins. We went out in two-person kayaks and spent the morning paddling along the coast, then spotted a pod of dolphins — not performing in a show, just going about their lives in the ocean. There were beers and snacks waiting when we got back.
Our guide Dominique (a Frenchman who’d ended up in Tenerife and never left, as you do) was brilliant — knowledgeable about the local marine life and genuinely passionate about keeping the experience as natural as possible. Book your dolphin kayaking tour here.
The Best Beaches in Tenerife
One of the surprises of Tenerife is how varied the beaches are — golden sand, black sand, wild and remote, or fully set up with sun loungers. Here are my favourites:
Playa Las Teresitas — The most beautiful beach on the island, in my opinion. Golden Saharan sand (yes, imported from the Sahara), calm turquoise water, palm trees, and the dramatic Anaga mountains as a backdrop. It’s just a short drive from Santa Cruz and has a wonderfully local feel — this is where the Tenerife residents come to relax.
Playa El Bollullo — Black volcanic sand, banana plantations on either side, and very few tourists. You have to walk down a path to reach it, which is probably why it stays quiet. The seafood restaurants at the top are great for lunch.
Playa El Jardín — A beautifully landscaped beach in Puerto de la Cruz with black sand and views across to Mount Teide on clear days. The surrounding gardens are gorgeous and make it feel very different to a typical resort beach.
Playa del Duque — Costa Adeje’s most upmarket beach, with calm turquoise water, sunbeds, and smart restaurants nearby. The mock castle at one end is a bit kitsch but it makes for a good photo.
Playa El Médano — Wide, golden, and very windy — which is exactly why the surfers and windsurfers love it. If you’re into water sports or just want a beach with a more local, active atmosphere, this is it.
Playa La Tejita — A spacious golden beach just along from El Médano, with a dramatic red mountain as a backdrop and a clothing-optional cove at one end. Very chilled.
Playa Abades — Remote and hard to reach, but worth it for the solitude. There’s an abandoned leper village nearby that adds a strange, atmospheric quality to the whole area.
Garachico
Garachico is one of those places that makes you fall a little bit in love with Tenerife all over again. This small coastal town sits in a valley surrounded by tropical vegetation and, until 1706, it was the island’s most important harbour. Then the Montaña Negra volcano erupted and buried most of it under lava. The town rebuilt — and what the lava left behind actually became one of Garachico’s greatest assets: a series of natural rock pools carved out by the lava flow, perfect for swimming in.
Wander the cobblestone streets, visit the 16th-century San Miguel Castle, and stop at Fragola café for ice cream. It’s a really easy half-day trip from anywhere in the north or you can also visit it via a tour to various spots. Book it here.
Anaga Rural Park
The Anaga Rural Park in the northeastern corner of Tenerife is a world away from the sun-and-beach version of the island. It’s one of the oldest forests in Europe — ancient laurisilva trees dripping with moss, hiking trails that wind through misty mountains, and dramatic viewpoints over wild coastline. The village of Taganana at the bottom is beautiful, with a handful of tiny restaurants serving fresh fish straight from the Atlantic.
This is the Tenerife that most visitors miss, and honestly it was one of my highlights. Allow at least half a day if you can.
Book a guided Anaga Rural Park hiking tour here.
La Laguna
La Laguna — officially San Cristóbal de La Laguna — is a UNESCO World Heritage city and one of the most beautiful towns in the Canary Islands. Its old colonial quarter is a maze of colourful buildings, churches, and atmospheric squares that were the model for many cities built across the Americas in the 16th century. Today it’s also a university town, which gives it a buzzy, youthful energy.
It’s only 10 minutes from Santa Cruz by tram and could easily fill a half-day. The food and coffee scene is great — much better than anything in the resort towns down south.
La Orotava
La Orotava is often overshadowed by its more famous neighbour Puerto de la Cruz, but it deserves its own visit. The historic centre is full of ornate Canarian wooden balconies (some of the finest examples anywhere on the island), lush botanical gardens, and well-preserved colonial architecture. The views down to Puerto de la Cruz and the Atlantic are spectacular too.
When you visit make sure you go to the Casa de los Balcones (Balconies House). You can book your ticket here. Also if you are the adventurous type, you can book this canyoning adventure that departs from La Orotava. Book it here.
Whale and Dolphin Watching
The waters off Tenerife’s southwest coast are home to a resident population of short-finned pilot whales, which means whale watching here is reliable year-round — not a seasonal gamble. You can also spot bottlenose dolphins, loggerhead turtles, and, if you’re lucky, blue or sperm whales passing through.
Boat tours leave from Los Gigantes and Costa Adeje, and most are 2–3 hours. Go for one of the smaller, more responsible operators over the big party boats if you want a genuine wildlife experience.
Book a whale and dolphin watching tour here
Siam Park
If you’re travelling with kids (or just want a brilliant day out regardless of age), Siam Park in Costa Adeje is consistently rated one of the best water parks in the world — and having been, I can confirm the hype is deserved. The rides are excellent, the wave pool is enormous, and the Thai-temple theming is surprisingly well done. Book tickets online in advance to skip the queues.
Stargazing at Teide
Mount Teide sits above the clouds, far from light pollution, in one of the clearest skies in the world — which makes it one of the premier stargazing destinations in Europe. Several tour operators run evening stargazing excursions that take you up the mountain after dark, usually with telescopes and a guide who really knows their stuff. I didn’t do this on my trip and I genuinely regret it.
Canarian Food and Markets
Tenerife’s food scene is better than most people expect. Don’t leave without trying papas arrugadas (wrinkly potatoes boiled in heavily salted water and served with mojo verde or mojo rojo), gofio (a toasted grain flour used in everything from soups to ice cream), and fresh grilled fish at a local guachinche — a type of informal Canarian tavern where local wine and home cooking are the whole point.
For markets, the Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África in Santa Cruz is one of the best: fresh produce, local cheeses, Canarian wines, and street food all under one roof. Go on a Saturday morning.
Where to Stay in Tenerife
One of the most important decisions you’ll make before visiting Tenerife is which part of the island to base yourself in — because the north and south feel like two completely different destinations.
The island is split by a mountain range, and the two halves have entirely different climates and vibes. The south (Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas) is hot, dry, and resort-heavy — great for beach holidays, buzzy evenings out, and family-friendly facilities. The north (Puerto de la Cruz, La Orotava, La Laguna) is greener, cooler, and much more authentic — lush tropical vegetation, colonial architecture, and far fewer package tourists.
My recommendation? Base yourself in the north and day-trip south. You get the best of both worlds, and you’ll discover a side of Tenerife that most visitors miss entirely.
South Tenerife — Best For Beaches and Resorts
The south is where you’ll find the big resort hotels, long stretches of golden sand, and the best weather on the island. It’s more developed but can feel a bit soulless if you stay exclusively in the resort bubble.
Browse hotels in Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos: South Tenerife
North Tenerife — Best For Authenticity and Nature
The north is where I’d choose to stay every time. Puerto de la Cruz is a charming town with a real local feel, great restaurants, and easy access to La Orotava, La Laguna, and Anaga Rural Park. It’s also cooler, which you’ll appreciate after a long day of hiking.
Browse hotels in Puerto de la Cruz and La Laguna: North Tenerife
Best Day Tours in Tenerife
If you’d rather not drive yourself — or want to cover multiple highlights in one go with a guide — these are the tours worth booking:
- La Laguna, Aloe Vera Farm & Lunch Tour: An 8-hour cultural day out that combines the UNESCO-listed city of La Laguna, a visit to a working aloe vera farm, a stop at a bodega, and lunch included in the price. A great option if you want to get beyond the resorts and understand the island a little better. Book here
- Full-Day Guided Island Tour: A classic 8-hour circuit around the island’s perimeter taking in four very different stops — the dramatic cliffs of Los Gigantes, the ancient Dragon Tree in Icod de los Vinos, the seaside city of Puerto de la Cruz (free time for lunch), and the Basílica in Candelaria with its famous Black Madonna. A good all-rounder if it’s your first time. Book here
- Teide, Icod, Garachico & Masca Full-Day Tour: The volcano-focused option. You head up through Vilaflor’s pine forests — the highest village in Spain — into the otherworldly Las Cañadas del Teide (filming location for Planet of the Apes, genuinely as dramatic as it sounds), then drop down to Icod de los Vinos for the famous ancient Dragon Tree and free time for lunch, Garachico for its natural lava pools, the clifftop hamlet of Masca, and the giant cliffs of Los Gigantes on the way back. Book here
- Complete Island Tour with Masca (no Teide): A cultural and coastal circuit that covers a completely different part of the island — no Teide on this one. You visit the Basílica in Candelaria with its Guanche king statues, the beautifully preserved historic quarter of La Orotava with its famous carved wooden balconies, the historic harbour town of Garachico and its volcanic lava pools, Teno Rural Park, and the village of Masca. Hotel pickup from south resorts from 7:30am; the tour runs for around 9 hours. Book here
- La Gomera Full-Day Trip from Tenerife South: A small-group day trip (max 18 people) to Tenerife’s neighbouring island. You’ll visit the Roque de Agando volcanic formations, walk through the ancient laurisilva forest of Garajonay National Park, have lunch with a live silbo gomero (the island’s unique whistled language), and explore San Sebastian de La Gomera — where Columbus stopped before sailing to the Americas. Transfers included from Los Cristianos, Las Américas, and Costa Adeje. Operates Tuesdays to Thursdays. Book here
Getting There and Around
Getting to Tenerife
Most UK airports have direct flights to Tenerife South (TFS) — the main tourist airport near the resort areas. If you’re heading to the north, Tenerife North (TFN) is smaller and closer to Puerto de la Cruz and La Laguna, though there are fewer flight options.
For your airport transfer, I’d recommend booking with WelcomePickups — you get a fixed price, the driver meets you at arrivals with a name board, and there’s no haggling with taxis.
Getting Around Tenerife
A car is pretty much essential if you want to make the most of Tenerife. The buses (guaguas) connect the main towns but routes to places like Masca, Teide, or the Anaga viewpoints are infrequent or non-existent. The moment I picked up my rental car, the whole island opened up.
I always use DiscoverCars to compare rental prices — they compare across multiple suppliers so you can see which companies have the best deal on the dates you need. Book early, especially in summer and over the winter Christmas/New Year period when prices spike.
A few driving tips for Tenerife:
- Roads in the mountains (especially around Masca and Anaga) can be very narrow and steep — take it slowly
- Parking in the resort towns is easier than you’d think; most have free or cheap car parks nearby
- Keep a full tank when heading to Teide — petrol stations are scarce inside the national park
Best Time to Visit Tenerife
Tenerife earns its “Island of Eternal Spring” nickname — the weather is genuinely pleasant year-round, which is one of the main reasons it’s such a popular destination for British travellers in winter.
Winter (November–February): Mild and sunny with temperatures around 20–22°C in the south. This is peak season for escaping the UK winter and is also the best time for whale watching. Expect crowds and higher prices.
Spring (March–May): Arguably the best time to visit if you’re into hiking — temperatures are comfortable, wildflowers bloom across the national park, and the island isn’t yet packed with summer tourists.
Summer (June–September): Hot and very sunny in the south (28–30°C), which is great for beach holidays. The north stays a little cooler. Teide and Anaga are best hiked early morning to avoid the heat.
Autumn (October): A lovely shoulder season — warm enough for the beach, not too crowded, and one of the better months for hiking. Whale watching is also excellent in October and November.
One thing to know: the south and north have noticeably different climates even within the same day. It can be overcast and misty in Puerto de la Cruz while blazing sunshine reigns in Costa Adeje. This is just Tenerife being Tenerife — don’t worry about it.
FAQ
Is Tenerife worth visiting?
Absolutely — and it’s much more than just a beach holiday destination. Tenerife is the most diverse of the Canary Islands, with an active volcano, UNESCO World Heritage cities, ancient forests, black-sand beaches, world-class whale watching, and year-round sunshine. Whether you want to hike, relax, explore culture, or do water sports, Tenerife has it covered. It genuinely surprised me on my visit, and I left wanting to go back.
When is the best time to visit Tenerife?
Tenerife is a genuine year-round destination. Winter (November–February) is ideal for escaping cold UK weather, with mild temperatures around 20–22°C. Spring (March–May) is the best season for hiking — comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, and wildflowers in bloom. Summer is great for beach holidays, and autumn offers a lovely balance of warm weather and quieter resorts.
Do you need a car in Tenerife?
Yes — a rental car makes a huge difference in Tenerife. The island’s best beaches, hikes, and villages are spread across very different parts of the island, and public transport is patchy for many of the highlights. I always book through DiscoverCars to compare prices across rental companies. Roads in the mountains can be narrow, so take your time on the scenic routes.
Where is the best area to stay in Tenerife?
It depends on what you’re after. The south (Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos) has the best beach weather, the biggest resorts, and a lively nightlife scene — ideal for a classic sun holiday. The north (Puerto de la Cruz, La Orotava, La Laguna) is greener, cooler, more authentic, and much better for exploring Tenerife’s culture and natural landscapes. I’d personally always choose the north and day-trip south when I want the beach.
Is the Masca Gorge hike difficult?
The Masca Gorge hike is moderately challenging — it’s not technical climbing, but it does involve several hours of walking on uneven, rocky terrain with some scrambling required. The descent takes around 3 hours; going back up is significantly harder. A permit is required and must be booked in advance at caminobarrancodemasca.com. Wear proper hiking shoes, bring plenty of water, and take the boat back from the beach to Los Gigantes rather than attempting the full return hike.
What should I eat in Tenerife?
Don’t leave without trying papas arrugadas (wrinkly salted potatoes served with mojo sauce) — they’re everywhere and they’re brilliant. Also look out for fresh grilled fish at a local guachinche (a small, informal Canarian tavern), gofio (a toasted flour used in traditional dishes), and Canarian wine, which is much better than you might expect. For an authentic food experience, visit the Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África in Santa Cruz on a Saturday morning.
Have questions about Tenerife? Drop them in the comments below — I’m happy to help.
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