Things to do in Tenerife

What to do, see and visit in Tenerife

There are many places to visit and experiences to enjoy which make Tenerife one of Europe’s top tourist destinations. Nevertheless, we have selected the top 25 things to do and see in Tenerife so that you can make the most of your stay on the island.

1.- Visit Teide National Park

Discover the immense volcanic landscape that surrounds the symbol of the island, the Teide volcano, the third largest volcano in the world whose summit reaches an altitude of 3718 metres. During your visit you will come to understand why it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and why nearly 3,000,000 people visit every year. Choose from the different excursions in the Teide National Park which one you are most interested in.

2.- Climbing Teide’s summit

Reaching the peak of Teide is only possible after long hours of walking on trails from the base of the volcano. Alternatively, the cable car allows you to ascend 3555 of the volcano’s 3718 metre height and enjoy magnificent views of Tenerife. Take a trip to Teide by cable car and bypass the long queues.

3.- Take the best pictures of Teide from Los Roques de García

Located at the foot of Mount Teide, you can take the best photographs of Teide and the Ucanca Valley from this group of rock formations known as Los Roques de Garcia.

In fact, one of the most iconic photos of Teide was taken from one of these enormous rocks, the Roque Cinchado. In the days of the peseta (Spain’s official currency until 2002), this image was present on the 1000 peseta bills.

4.- Surprise yourself in the Ucanca Valley

Situated in the Teide National Park, at an altitude of 2000 metres, you can find one of the most spectacular landscapes on the island—a large plain known as the Llanos de Ucanca.

5.- Get to know Masca

In the northwest of Tenerife, in the Teno Rural Park, you will find a small hamlet at the foot of the Roque de Masca. Although access to this location is complicated by the narrow and winding access roads, it is well worth a trip to Masca to enjoy the beautiful scenery of this ravine.

6.- Wander around San Cristobal de la Laguna

Discover Tenerife’s most beautiful city on a walking tour in La Laguna. Get to know the city that was once the capital of the Canary Islands, from its founding in 1496 until 1833. Visit its historic city centre, declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and stroll through its colourful colonial-style streets and typical Canarian architecture while contemplating some of its most important monuments such as the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios [Cathedral of our Lady of Remedies] or the Parroquia Matriz de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción [Main Parish of Our Lady of the Conception].

7.- Marvel at Los Gigantes

The views from the sea of the enormous cliff of Los Gigantes, which rise over 600 metres high at some points, will be one of the most memorable sights that you are likely to see during your visit to Tenerife. The best way to appreciate these extraordinary vertical walls is to take a boat trip to Los Gigantes.

8.- Walk through Orotava’s old town

It is well worth taking a stroll through the historic quarter of this small town, located in a valley of the same name, which has been declared a Historical Artistic Site. On your visit to Orotava, don’t miss the Casa de los Balcones [House of Balconies] and the Iglesia de la Concepción [Church of the Conception].

9.- Discover Puerto de la Cruz

Situated in the north of Tenerife, in the Orotava Valley, this small municipality was the earliest tourist destination on the island and today it is one of the most important tourist centres on the island.

Among the many gems of this small municipality, we recommend two destinations: 1. Lago Martiánez, a set of seawater pools designed by the most important Canarian artist in history, César Manrique, and 2. El Loro Parque, arguably the most spectacular zoo in the world.

10.- Relax on a boat trip

Enjoy a boat outing along the west coast of Tenerife to relax, swim in the sea, see dolphins and whales or explore the area around Los Gigantes.

11.- Stroll around Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Discover the capital of Tenerife and its most iconic locations such as the Adán Martín Concert Hall [Auditorio Adán Martín], designed by the famous architect Santiago Calatrava, the Monument of the Fallen [Monumento a los Caídos] in the Plaza de España, the Church of the Conception [Iglesia de la Concepción] or the Avenida de Anaga, the main avenue that runs through the city alongside the sea.

12.- Explore La Gomera

Make a day trip to La Gomera departing from the southeast of Tenerife and get to know the island’s culture and most impressive landmarks. If you get a chance, listen to the locals communicate through the local whistled language and visit the Garajonay National Park.

13.- Visiting El Hierro

Visit the most interesting locations on this island, declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, in just one day. Get to know its most impressive attractions such as the laurel forest, the lookout point at La Peña [Mirador de la Peña], Punta Grande [the big point] or the Church of the Conception [Iglesia de la Concepción].

14.- Savour the local cuisine

Enjoy yourself in the countless guachinches – the small, cosy, family-run restaurants in Tenerife. Try typical Canarian home-cooked food such as ropa vieja, grilled meat, cheese, potatoes in a mojo sauce and taste local wines at very affordable prices.

15.- Combine adventure and breathtaking scenery on jeep excursions

Get to know the most representative corners of each island on a jeep safari while simultaneously enjoying the adventure of traveling along roads otherwise inaccessible to other types of vehicles.

16.- Boat Fishing

Regardless if you are an expert fisherman or if you want to have your first experience fishing at sea, the boat fishing trips in Tenerife are suitable for you to catch species such as marlin, tuna, bonitos or mahi-mahi.

17.- See whales and dolphins

One of the main attractions of the island is the sight of marine mammals in their natural habitat. Every day of the year there are boat excursions to see whales and dolphins.

18.- Make a trip to Garachico

There are two main attractions in this small coastal town located in the northwest of Tenerife: 1. its historic quarter, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest, made up of typical Canarian houses from the 16th and 17th centuries, and 2. the natural pools of El Caletón, located opposite the Monumento Natural del Roque de Garachico [Roque de Carachico Natural Monument], symbol of the town.

19.- Discover Anaga Massif

Declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO, this mountain range is worth seeing for its great beauty and impressive laurel forest, where you will be amazed by the enormous laurel, heather, and lime trees.

20.- Photograph the northern cliffs from Taganana

From this small village located in the area known as Macizo de Anaga, there are marvelous views of the immense cliffs on the northeastern tip of the island.

21.- Contemplate the Drago Milenario de Icod de los Vinos

Declared a national monument, this impressive 18-metre high and 20-metre circumference tree is, without a doubt, the most famous tree on the island.

22.- Have fun in Siam Park

See for yourself why Siam Park is considered the best water park in the world, according to TripAdvisor. Enjoy its many attractions. Go down its spectacular slides, relax in its pools or enjoy a family day out with activities specially designed for you and your children.

23.- Enjoy a day at Loro Parque

Located in Puerto de la Cruz, Loro Parque is probably, together with Mount Teide, the most visited attraction on the island. Its amazing orca, dolphin, and bird shows, penguinarium, aquarium, and its thousands of animals from all over the world make this zoo number 1 in the world according to TripAdvisor.

24.- View Mount Teide from the Orotava Valley

Situated to the north of Tenerife, this is where the municipalities of Realejos, Orotava, and Puerto de la Cruz meet. Stop at some of the lookout points to contemplate the spectacular views of Mount Teide.

25.- Making outdoor/activity tourism plans

If you are looking for other things to do in Tenerife, you could go on a buggy tour, explore the coastline by kayak, rent a jet ski or take a jet ski tour, go parasailing, play golf or go hiking.