Tenerife is much more than sun and beach. The largest island of the Canary Islands hides a volcano that exceeds 3,700 meters in height, forests of laurisilva declared World Heritage, vertical cliffs that fall to the Atlantic, beaches of black volcanic and black sand like coal, pilot whales that live on its shores all year round and a canarian gastronomy that deserves its own journey. If you've been planning a trip to Tenerife for a while and you don't know where to start, this guide gives you the 10 essential experiences ordered by impact, with all the practical information to reserve them.
Tenerife receives more than 6 million tourists a year and yet it remains an island that surprises almost all who go beyond the southern hotel complexes. The secret is to know where to look and to have the right experiences reserved in advance. We started.
1. Up to the Teide: the highest volcano in Spain
If there is an experience that cannot be lost in Tenerife, it is this. The Teide National Park is the most visited natural space in Spain and the most visited national park in Europe, with more than 4 million visits per year. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, the park occupies the center of the island and its volcanic landscapes seem literally taken from another planet.
The Teide reaches the 3,718 metres of altitude, which makes it the highest peak in Spain and the third largest volcano in the world measured from its ocean base. The panoramic view from the top (or from the top station of the cable, at 3,555 m) includes views over a sea of clouds that separates the top from the rest of the island, with the islands of La Gomera, La Palma and Gran Canaria visible on clear days.
The options to visit the Teide are varied, but the most complete experience combines hiking, local gastronomy and sunset on the clouds:
The Volcano Heart Tour: Hiking + Degustation + Dizziness - The best rated tour of Tenerife (4.9 out of 5 with more than 1,100 reviews). It combines guided hiking through the park, tasting of local Canarian products and spectacular sunset on the sea of clouds from the top. Between 7 and 10 hours, from 99 €.
Sunset and stars in Teide National Park - For those who prefer to live the Teide in two unique moments: the volcanic sunset and astronomical observation under one of the darkest and cleanest skies in Europe. 4h 30min, from 60 €.
- Council of Experts: The Teide has access fee to the top (the last 200 meters from the top station of the cable requires a free but limited permission, which is requested weeks in advance on the National Park website). If you book a guided tour, the operator usually manages this procedure for you. You can also visit the Teide National Park independently, although organized excursions make it possible to use time much better.
2. Whale and dolphin watching in the Atlantic
Tenerife is one of the best places in the world to see free cetaceans. The southern coast of the island, especially the area between Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje and Los Giantos, is home to one of the few pilot whales (calderones) that are residents all year round in European waters. In addition, blue whales, cachalotes and different species of dolphins arrive during the summer months.
What makes this sighting special is that it is not a timely event: you can see cetaceans any day of the year. Specialized companies have a sighting rate of close to 95%.
Tenerife The Christians: whales and dolphins in ecoyate and stop for swimming - The most popular and affordable option: 1h 40min by organic boat with low environmental impact, with stop to swim in open waters. More than 1,375 reviews, from only 15 €.
Cruise with Drinks, Whale Watching and Time to swim - 3 hours in catamaran with drinks included, guaranteed sighting and swimming area. Top rated with 4.8 on average and over 590 reviews, from 38 €.
Whale-watching trip to The Giants on sailboat - The most premium experience: 3 hours on a sailing boat sailing to the famous Los Giganos Acantilates, with cetaceans watching and swimming stop. Perfect rating of 5.0 with more than 600 reviews, from 75 €.
Important: always choose companies that operate on low-impact vessels and that respect the minimum distance rules with cetaceans. The companies certified in Tenerife do not pursue the animals or interrupt their natural behaviour.
3. Los Acantilados de Los Giantes: the most dramatic coast of the Canary Islands
The The Giants are one of the most impressive landscapes in Spain. A vertical wall of black volcanic rock that falls directly to the Atlantic, with heights ranging from 300 to 600 meters. The only way to see them in all their magnitude is from the sea, as from the ground they only look partially.
The Giants are in the northwest of the island, about 50 km from the southern tourist area. The small town that gives them a name has a charming fishing port and some of the best black sand beaches in Tenerife.
The perfect way to combine Giants with cetacean sighting is the Sailing tour to the Giants with whale watchingYou sail from the south to the cliffs, you see cetaceans along the way and you have time to swim under the rock walls.
4. Hiking in Anaga Rural Park: the lost forest of Tenerife
Most tourists who visit Tenerife never arrive at Anaga Rural Park. And it's a huge mistake. Located on the northeastern end of the island, Anaga is one of the most extensive and best preserved laurisilva forests in the world: a primitive forest that existed before human beings stepped on the Canary Islands, with moss-covered trees, giant ferns, fog trails and a green beauty that is absolutely different from everything you imagine when you think of Tenerife.
The park has several paths of different difficulty. The most popular are:
Path of Chinamado: village of caves living inside the massif, with spectacular views to the north and the Atlantic.
Route of the Sense (Barranco de Roque Negro): one of the most beautiful trails in the park, between moss and millennia trees.
Playa de Benijo: the wildest and most spectacular beach in Tenerife, with black sand and Atlantic waves perfect for surfing.
The 6-hour private tour on the Costa Norte de Tenerife is the best option if you prefer to discover this area with private guide: it covers the best points in the north, including Anaga, the most authentic villages and local cuisine. Top rated with 4.9 and more than 150 reviews, from 98 €.
5. Surf and water sports in southern Tenerife
South Tenerife has some of the best conditions to learn surfing in all of Spain. The Atlantic waves, the warm weather throughout the year and the existence of well-established surf schools make the island one of the most accessible surf destinations for beginners.
The best surfing areas in Tenerife are:
Beach of the Americas: the most tourist area, with surf schools that have been forming surfers for decades.
El Médane: the capital of windsurfing and kitesurf in Tenerife, with constant wind and a very alternative environment.
Punta Blanca and Playa de la Arena: more consistent waves, ideal for intermediate levels.
Surf class in Tenerife - One of the best valued on the island (4.9 with more than 110 opinions). 2 hours of class with included material, perfect for absolute beginners. From 44 €.
- Council: the surf classes in Tenerife work all year round. In summer the sea is quieter and the waves are smaller (perfect for learning); in winter the waves are bigger and more powerful (best for intermediate and advanced levels).
6. Paragliding flight on the south of the island
Few experiences in Tenerife match the feeling of flying in paragliding biplaza on the south of the island: the Teide at the bottom, the Atlantic below, the tourist complexes reduced to points in the distance. You don't need previous experience: you fly with a professional tandem pilot and just enjoy the landscape.
The flight conditions in the south of Tenerife are exceptional throughout the year: soft and regular winds, warm terms and spectacular visibility.
Flight to Paraglide Biplaza Tenerife Sur - 2 hours of full experience (transfer, equipment, flight) with certified pilot. Perfect rating of 5.0 with more than 830 reviews. From 110 €.
7. Tour to La Gomera: the wildest island in the western archipelago
Just 30 minutes by ferry from Los Cristianos, The Gomera is the wildest and least turified island in the western canary archipelago. Its mountain center is covered by Garajonay National Park, another laurisilva forest declared World Heritage where the fog falls down the slopes as in a fairy tale.
The Gomera is also famous for the Silbo Gomero, the articulated whistle that the gomeros developed to communicate at a distance between ravines, recognized by UNESCO as the Inmaterial Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
One day escape to La Gomera from Tenerife - Full 12-hour tour including ferry, transfer and guide. A full day on the most authentic island of the Western Canary Islands, from 105 €.
8. Canary Gastronomy: what you have to eat in Tenerife
Canary cuisine is one of the great unknown in the Spanish culinary landscape. It has influences of African, Latin American and Portuguese cuisine, uses unique volcanic products and has some preparations that you will not find anywhere else in the world.
The essentials of the Canary cuisine you have to try in Tenerife:
Pipes with mojo: the most iconic dish in the Canary Islands. Small potatoes cooked with their skin in salt water until they are wrinkled, served with red mojo (pepper, garlic, cumin and oil) or green mojo (cilantro or parsley). Simple and addictive.
Gofio: roasted cereal flour used by canaries in a multitude of preparations: gofio scale, waffy waffle, gofio breads. A pre-Hispanic ingredient that remains central to local cuisine.
Goat meat and pig of the land: The local meats, cooked at the roast or stew with spices, are impressive in the restaurants of the villages of the interior.
Bienmesabe: the canary dessert par excellence, a sweet cream of almonds, honey, egg and lemon. It is served alone or with ice cream.
Wines of the Teide: the vineyards at high altitude in the skirts of the Teide produce white wines and unique inks, with a volcanic minerality that does not exist in any other denomination of Spanish origin.
The Volcano Heart Tour includes tasting of canarian products in local markets and restaurants during the route, making it the best way to combine nature and gastronomy in a single day.
9. Astronomical observation: the Teide under the stars
The Teide Observatory is one of the most important astronomical research centres in the world, and it is no coincidence: the Teide night sky is among the darkest and cleanest on the planet. At 2,400 meters of altitude, above the cloud layer that usually covers the island, light pollution is virtually non-existent and the atmosphere is extremely stable.
Seeing the Milky Way from the Teide is one of those experiences that change the perspective: millions of stars visible to the naked eye, planets with visible rings in telescope, constellations that you have never seen complete from the city.
Sunset and stars in Teide National Park - The perfect combination: volcanic sunset over the sea of clouds followed by guided astronomy session with telescopes. 4h 30min unique experience, from 60 €.
- Council: The best time for astronomical observation is from October to April, when the nights are longer and the sky is clearer. In summer it is also possible, although the nights are shorter. Always book several days in advance, as these tours have very limited places.
10. Private tours and personalized tours on the island
If you travel in a couple, in a family with young children or in a group and prefer the total flexibility over the itinerary, private excursions through Tenerife are the smartest option. You have a vehicle and a guide for yourself, stop where you want, adjust the rhythm and you can combine the points that interest you most in a single day.
6 hours: Private Tour on the North Coast of Tenerife - Walk the most authentic and green face of the island: fishing villages, northern cliffs, laurisilva forests and exclusive viewpoints. Top valued at 4.9, from 98 €.
Private excursions for Passengers of Cruises - If you arrive at Tenerife on a cruise and have only one day on the island, this private 6-hour tour is designed to take advantage of every minute. From 98 €.
The north and south of Tenerife: two islands on a
One of the most surprising aspects of Tenerife is the radical difference between the north and the south of the island. Teide acts as a natural barrier that creates two completely different micrometers:
The South of Tenerife The main tourist complexes are: Playa de las Américas, Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, Las Galocas. Dry, sunny climate almost 300 days a year, sandy beaches (mostly imported or volcanic black), the whole modern tourist infrastructure. It is where most of the international hotels are located and where most of the organized excursions come out.
The north of Tenerife It is completely different: greener, more humid, with the historic city of La Laguna (World Heritage), the Port of the Cross with its natural volcanic rock pools, the Anaga Park and the island's agricultural and wine production. Quiet, more authentic and with a beautiful canarian colonial architecture.
The recommendation for a week trip is to stay two or three days in each area, or to stay in the centre of the island (near the Teide) for easy access to both sides.
When to go to Tenerife: the island that works all year round
Tenerife has the advantage of being a valid destination during the 12 months of the year. The south always has sun; the Teide always impresses; the cetaceans are always present. But there are important nuances according to the time:
Winter (February): the high season of European travelers from the north fleeing from the cold. Higher prices in the south, but the Teide can have snow (visually impressive) and temperatures are perfect for hiking.
Spring (May): the most pleasant time to explore the island: soft temperatures, less tourists than in summer, flowers in the Teide Park (especially the red tajinaste, the endemic plant that blooms only in spring). Easter is high season on the island.
Summer (June-August): National high season. Intense heat in the south (35-40 ° C), full beaches, high prices. The north and the Teide are the perfect refuge during the central hours of the day.
Autumn (September-November): Maybe the best time to visit Tenerife. The sea is still hot (above 23 ° C), tourists are down, prices are down and the countryside is in its most beautiful state after summer. Perfect for hiking and gastronomy.
Practical tips to visit Tenerife
How to get there
Tenerife has two airports: the Tenerife South Airport (TFS)the largest and best connected, used by most charter and low cost flights from all over Europe; and Tenerife North Airport (TFN), closer to the capital and to the north of the island, used mainly by national flights and some European connections. If you fly from the Iberian Peninsula, there are direct connections from Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Valencia, Málaga and almost any Spanish airport.
How to move on the island
Car rental is the most recommended option for exploring Tenerife with freedom. The distances are not large (the entire island is about 90 km long) but public transport does not reach many of the most interesting points. For organized excursions such as Teide or whale watching, transport is usually included.
Where to stay
Costa Adeje / Playa de las Américas: the area with more tourist options, better infrastructure and closer to the sea excursions.
Port of the Cross: the most authentic alternative in the north, with the volcanic pools of Lake Martianez and a more local atmosphere.
La Laguna: perfect for those who seek to know the historical and university Tenerife, declared World Heritage Site.
Teide area: There are rural houses and small hotels on the slopes of the volcano, ideal for those who want to early and get from the first to the park.
Estimated budget
Tenerife is much more economic than the Peninsula for day to day (especially restaurants and supermarkets, which have island prices for the Canary Islands economic regime). A traveller with a medium budget can move between €80 and €130 per person per day including medium-range accommodation, meals and a daily experience.
Related items that may interest you
If you are planning your trip to Spain, these FeelRoute items will help you:
Frequently asked questions about what to do in Tenerife
How many days do I need to visit Tenerife?
With a week (7 nights) you have enough time to see the Teide, to watch cetaceans, to explore the north and south of the island, to take a trip to La Gomera and enjoy the beaches. With 4-5 days you can make the most important experiences if you organize them well. Less than 4 days is little to take advantage of the island.
Can you see the Teide from the sea?
Yeah. The Teide is visible from almost every point of the sea around Tenerife, and even from La Gomera, La Palma and Gran Canaria in the clear days. Whale-watching tours have the Teide as a permanent backdrop, making the photos absolutely spectacular.
When is it better to go to Tenerife to see whales?
The pilot whales (calderones) are permanent residents in the waters of Tenerife and can be seen all year round. For other species (cachalotes, blue whales), spring and summer are the best times. The sighting rate of some type of cetacean is 95% at any time of the year.
Do you need to be fit to get on the Teide?
It depends on the modality. The cable excursion does not require any special physical condition, although the altitude may affect people with respiratory or heart problems. The hiking routes of the park have different levels; the most popular to the Roque de García is accessible to anyone in normal physical condition. Up to the top (requires special permission) is a more demanding route.
Is Tenerife expensive?
Not compared to other Mediterranean islands or similar European holiday destinations. Prices in restaurants, supermarkets and services are generally lower than in the Peninsula thanks to the Canary Islands tax system (IGIC 7% instead of the Peninsular VAT). Car rental, excursions and accommodation are similar to any fashionable tourist destination.
What's the difference between the north and south of Tenerife?
The south has more sun, more beach tourism and more international hotel infrastructure. The north is greener, cooler, more authentic and culturally richer. For a first trip, stay in the south and take excursions to the north (and to the center, where the Teide is) is the most efficient combination.
Conclusion: Tenerife, the island that does not stop to surprise
Tenerife is probably the destination of Spain most undervalued by travellers who already know it superficially. Many think they saw her because they spent a week in a hotel in Playa de las Americas ten years ago. But the Tenerife of the Teide at dawn, the calderons in the Atlantic, the Anaga mist barrels and the volcanic wineries of the center have nothing to do with that memory.
It's an island of layers. And every time you go, you find a new one. If this is your first time, start with the 10 experiences of this guide and book in advance those who call you the most: the whale watching and the Teide tours are the ones that are first exhausted.
Ready to plan it? Discover all available tours and experiences in Tenerife in FeelRoute with free cancellation and instant confirmation.
