Welcome to our guide on the top places to visit in Tenerife, the largest and most visited Canary Island. After spending 2 weeks exploring all corners of Tenerife, from north to south, we’ve assembled a list of places you can’t miss. Ranging from beautiful beaches, historic towns and unique national parks, to exhilarating adventure attractions, you’re sure to find inspiration for your own visit.
We’ve grouped attractions together so you get a good idea of what you can visit on the same day. We’ve also included a Google Map of all the places featured in our guide. Download it for free here.
Read our guide to explore some of the top places to visit in Tenerife, plus some lesser-known local gems.
Google Map of all locations in our guide
Day 1:
Teide National Park
Teide National Park is the dramatic volcanic heart of Tenerife and one of the most breath-taking landscapes in the Canary Islands. Centred around Mount Teide – Spain’s highest peak at 3,718 meters, the park is a vast world of ancient lava flows, towering rock formations, and otherworldly landscapes. You can explore the park on a guided tour, or alternatively, and in our opinion, the best way to see Teide is by car.
Enjoy road-tripping around the unique volcanic landscapes, stopping at viewpoints and rock formations. You can take the cable car up toward the summit of Mount Teide for birds eye view, or wander along one of the many trails that wind through volcanic terrain.
Los Gigantes
We’re now heading to Tenerife’s rugged west coast, where you’ll find the dramatic coastline of Los Gigantes. This hillside coastal town is known for its scenic views, but most notably, its rock pools. Los Gigantes is a top place to stay for those that want a quieter resort area in the south. It’s also a popular stop-off point for those that want to explore the coastline Los Gigantes is famous for.
Wander along its seaside promenade to get a good view of the cliffs and crashing waves below. If it’s a hot day, you can cool down in the natural rock pools. They’re some of the largest and most-unique looking pools on the island. Our final recommendation for Los Gigantes is its old town centre, which has some excellent restaurants and coffee shops.
Day 2:
Masca
Masca is a place we’d heard of before visiting Tenerife. It’s a unique mountain range and national park to the north-west of the island. The village is perched on the side of a prominent mountain peak, creating a scene that closely resembles the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Peru. It’s one of the best places to visit in Tenerife for stunning mountain views.
The drive to get to Masca is almost as beautiful as the valley itself, but it’s also quite nerve-wracking. Tight hairpin turns, narrow roads and dramatic edges make for some challenging driving. Therefore, it’s best to arrive early on a morning to beat the crowds and secure a parking space. Once you arrive at Masca village you’ll be treated to several impressive viewpoints and nature trails.
Garachico
Garachico is northern-Tenerife town surrounded by dramatic stunning coastal scenery. It has a lush mountain backdrop with palm trees and a charming old town centre. It also has several natural rock pools. They’re the perfect place to cool down in the sun and are completely free to visit.
Visit Garachico to wander around its colourful old town, marvelling at the old buildings and churches. Grab a drink in a seaside café, or change into your swimsuit and take a plunge in the natural pools. For those that aren’t keen on swimming near crashing waves, there’s a large lido swimming pool.
Drago Park (Icod de los Vinos) Botanical Garden
Located in the northern town of Icod, Drago Park is home to the world’s largest living Dracaena Draco. These beautiful, unusual trees can be found throughout the Canary Islands, but not many are as impressive as the tree in Icod. The tree is located in the local botanical garden, in which there’s a small fee to enter.
Visit Icod to wander around the garden terraces, marvelling at the tropical plants, mansion house and spice gardens. There’s also a picturesque café where you can grab a drink. Once you’ve visited the botanical gardens, explore Icod’s market stalls, old buildings and restaurants. We had lunch in a small Venezuelan restaurant called Q’Arepas and it was one of the best meals of our trip.
Mariposario del Drago Butterfly Park
The Butterfly Park is another attraction in Icod, right next to the entrance of Drago Park Botanical Garden. This small, tropical greenhouse houses over 800 butterflies across a variety of different species. Tropical flowers, plants, bridges and garden displays make it one of the most beautiful places to visit in Tenerife. Butterflies flutter around you as you walk and may even use you as a perch.
Mariposario del Drago Butterfly Park is no doubt a beautiful attraction, but there’s an entrance fee of 10 euros per person to enter. We found this to be a little expensive for the size of the greenhouse, but still enjoyed our visit.
Puerto de la Cruz
Puerto de la Cruz is another major town in North Tenerife. Whilst Santa Cruz is the thriving business and commerce hotspot, Puerto de la Cruz is a popular place to stay for tourists. Whilst still feeling much more local than the towns in the south of the island, Puerto de la Cruz is a good combination of beaches, seaside walks and the many amenities of town. It’s a great place to visit in Tenerife for those that want a more local experience, especially when it comes to eating out.
Top things to see and do in Puerto de la Cruz include the black sand beaches, the saltwater pools of Lago Martiánez and the historic old town centre. There are also several shopping streets and malls for those that want some retail therapy.
We recommend visiting Puerto de la Cruz as part of a road trip around the north of Tenerife.
Day 3:
Los Cristianos
During our visit to Tenerife, we stayed in Los Cristianos, a small fishing village on the south coast. It has quickly become one of the island’s top tourist hotspots, featuring a long sandy beach, and countless bars, hotels and restaurants. It also has a weekend market and is a top place to embark on a boat trip. The shores around Los Cristianos are teaming with marine life such as dolphins and whales.
Los Cristianos sits away from the busier resort areas of Las Americas and Costa Adeje. Therefore, it has more of a local feel to it and isn’t as busy. Visit Los Cristianos for a long walk on the beach promenade, which is one of the best in Europe. You can also explore its old town, or head out to sea on a boat trip.
Playa de las Americas
Playa de las Americas is Tenerife’s nightlife hotspot. Nestled between the many hotels of Costa Adeje and the quiet village of Los Cristianos, this massively popular tourist resort is a top spot for beach days, eating out and nights out. Visit during the day and you’ll find a quiet atmosphere, with most people chilling out by the beach promenade.
Return after sunset and it comes alive with neon lights, busy bars and restaurants, and a great shopping scene. The ‘Golden Mile’ is the classier area of town, noted for its top-rated History: The Evolution of Music show, a grand fountain and collection of designer stores. Head to the beach area and you’ll find bustling bars that are open until the early hours.
Costa Adeje
Costa Adeje is one of Tenerife’s biggest tourist areas, boasting some of the best hotels. This hillside coastal region has some excellent sandy beaches, tourist attractions and all of the shops, bars and restaurants you’d expect. It’s also a great place for scenic walks. The Costa Adeje promenade stretches for miles, taking you to nearby resort areas, alongside beaches and past a marina.
Costa Adeje is a great place to stay in Tenerife for those that like luxury hotels. However, it’s also a nice place to explore for an afternoon. Spend your day in Adeje enjoying a drink in a sea-view bar, checking out the local restaurants or relaxing on the beach. You’ll also find attractions such as mini golf and an abundance of shopping options.
Playa del Duque
Playa del Duque is a small corner of the Costa Adeje area, and in our opinion, it’s the most beautiful of all Costa Adeje’s beaches. Located away from the hustle and bustle of cheap bars and restaurants to the south, Playa Del Duque offers a finer beach experience. Plush sun loungers, bohemian beach bars and a luxury shopping mall set the scene for one of Tenerife’s most exclusive places to live. Playa Del Duque is known for its luxury hillside villas and 5-star hotels.
Even if you aren’t planning on living a life of luxury, you can visit Playa del Duque for the day to appreciate its beautiful beach cove. Go for a scenic walk or hire a lounger for the day and admire the view on one of the island’s nicest beaches.
La Caleta
La Caleta was one of the prettiest towns we visited during our time in Tenerife. The town is located in a secluded cove and is perched on the edge of a cliff, creating the perfect setting for a lunch or dinner with a view. Boasting some excellent restaurants, it’s one of the best places to visit in Tenerife to sample fresh seafood as you watch the sun set.
Top things to do in La Caleta include a walk down the long seaside promenade, La Caleta Beach, and the colourful squares, buildings and shops of the town centre. Life in town is relaxed and a complete contrast to the wider Costa Adeje area to the south.
Day 4:
Anaga National Park
Anaga National Park is a protected mountain range in the north-east corner of Tenerife. Unlike anywhere else on the island, the park is a sprawling collection of cloud forests, mountain ravines and an abundance of wildlife. The best way to explore Anaga is by car. Hire a car for a day of driving around the winding roads and hairpin turns, stopping at viewpoints, hiking trails and small mountain villages.
Anaga National Park was the most scenic place we visited in Tenerife. The misty façade, lush green trails and breath-taking views of Anaga make it a must-see for those that love nature. If you don’t want to hire a car, you can visit parts of the park on the local bus, or join a guided tour.
Teresitas Beach
We visited many beaches during our time in Tenerife and Playa de las Teresitas proved to be our favourite. Hidden in a cove at the foot of the Anaga Mountain Range, Teresitas is a golden sand beach surrounded by palm trees. Due to its secluded location and 1.5km stretch of shoreline, it feels quieter and more peaceful than many of Tenerife’s other beaches.
You can get to Teresitas Beach on the local bus or by hiring a car and driving there. The tropical scenery and beautiful mountain backdrop make it one of the top places to visit in Tenerife for a beach day. We recommend pairing your visit to the beach with a stop in the capital, Santa Cruz, or a road trip around Anaga National Park.
La Laguna
At the foothills of Anaga National Park is San Cristóbal de La Laguna, one of Tenerife’s oldest and most culture-rich towns. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site with several old churches, cobbled streets, lively squares and a striking clock tower. The colourful streets of La Laguna give it a very different appearance to other towns on the island, and it has an upbeat local feel to it.
Visit La Laguna for a morning of sightseeing and to sample the local food. The cathedral is the highlight here, but it also has several museums, a historic centre, a grand theatre and a palace.
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is the capital city of Tenerife. Situated to the north of the island, it’s a melting pot of tourists and locals, with several museums, exhibitions and a long promenade. There’s a lot to see and do here, so we recommend allocated a full day for sightseeing. The main squares of Santa Cruz are where you’ll find some excellent, bars, cafes and restaurants. You then have narrow, hidden alleyways, which often lead to historic churches and palaces. It feels much like any other historic Spanish city, but with a colourful Canarian style.
Other areas to explore in Santa Cruz include its long seaside promenade, cruise port and marina. Walk a little further out of town and you’ll find the Maritime Park of César Manrique. This man-made art exhibit and public swimming pool is a great place to relax on a hot day.
Santa Cruz African Market
Santa Cruz African Market, known as Mercado Municipal Nuestra Senora de Africa in Spanish, is a local market that was established in 1943. Every day until early afternoon, it’s a bustling collection of vendors selling everything from fruits, meats and flowers, to clothing, gifts and food dishes. The sights, sounds and smells of the market make it a great place to wander around for an hour or so. It’s located just a short walk from Santa Cruz city centre.
Candelaria Church
The coastal town of Candelaria is a good stop off point after visiting the capital of Santa Cruz. It attracts very few tourists, feeling much more local and authentic compared to many of the places we’ve featured in our guide. Colourful Canarian buildings, a seaside promenade and a selection of cafes with a view can all be found at its seafront. However, the main reason to visit Candelaria is for its church.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria is one of Tenerife’s most important religious buildings. With a history dating back to 1390 and a grand façade both inside and out, it’s well worth a visit.
Day 5:
Siam Park
Next on our list is one of the best attractions in Tenerife for thrill-seekers. Siam Park has been rated as one of the best water parks in the world for consecutive years, boasting an exhilarating collection of slides, water activities and relaxation areas. One of our favourite things about the park is its theming. The whole area, from restaurants and décor, to the water rides, is themed on Thailand. Golden dragon statues, giant elephants and ornate water fountains give you the impression you’re in South-East Asia.
There’s a lot to do in Siam Park, so we recommend allocating the full day to explore it. Arrive for opening and beat the queues for the top water slides. You can then take it easy in the afternoon, checking out the lazy river, wave pool and snack stalls.
Siam Mall
A short walk from Siam Park, you’ll find Siam Mall, a Thailand-themed shopping mall with popular high street brands. Just like its neighbouring attraction, the unique Thai statues, water features and colourful design of the mall make it much more than a place to shop. Walk around Siam Mall and you’ll find shops such as Zara, Mango, Pull and Bear and Levi. There’s also a spacious rooftop area with plenty of restaurant and café options.
We recommend visiting Siam Mall on an evening after a day in Siam Park. Alternatively, check it out during the day if you want a break from the sun.
Day 6:
Barranco del Infierno hike
On an island as mountainous and nature-rich as Tenerife, it’s no surprise that there are some excellent hiking opportunities. You’ll find hikes scattered around its national parks and mountains. If you want an easy but beautiful hike near the main tourist centre, consider visiting Barranco del Infierno. This 3-hour round-trip hike takes you along the side of a valley, down into a gorge and onward to a waterfall.
The scenery and low incline of Barranco del Infierno make it a great walk for all levels of hiking experience. Visits to the valley are limited and you’ll need to reserve a slot online. There’s a 15-euro per person fee to join the hike, and you must wear a helmet.
Day 7:
El Medano
El Medano is the go-to spot for wind-surfing in Tenerife. Every day tourists and locals flock to the beaches of Medano to surf its waves and enjoy a laid-back seaside vibe. The main town has a main square and a quaint collection of shops, bars and restaurants. There’s also a long promenade that leads to sand dunes and the main water sports beach.
Even if you don’t want to partake in the exhilarating wave riding, El Medano is an excellent place to visit for the day. Enjoy an ice cream or coffee in a promenade bar and watch the surfers, relax on the golden sand beaches or explore the old town.
Amarilla Beach
Amarilla Beach is another beautiful coastal spot on the south coast. Located just a short drive from El Medano, Amarilla gets its name from its unique backdrop of yellow cliffs. The rock face appears a bright yellow colour, particularly when its sunny. It overlooks a turquoise-water bay and has a series of scenic relaxation spots. Bathe on the rocks, take some cool photos on the beach or join the locals for the top activity here, snorkelling! The transparent waters of Amarilla Beach are some of the best on the island for sea life spotting.
Tejita Beach
Another must-see beach in this area is Tejita Beach. It sits at the base of Montaña Roja, a towering coastal cliff that provides stunning views of the coastline. Tejita Beach itself feels remote and vast, and it’s classed as a wild beach. It has very little development, just a small snack bar and a small section of sun loungers.
It’s a great place to visit in Tenerife for those that want to relax on a beach towel and enjoy the island’s nature. In our opinion, it’s one of the prettiest beaches on the island, but you’ll need a hire car to get there.
Los Abrigos Rock Pools
Los Abrigos Rock Pools are a small collection of volcanic rock pools just outside the town of Los Abrigos. They’re another key stop-off point on the south-coast, and whilst better known by locals than tourists, they make a great place to cool off on a hot day. The natural pools are at the bottom of a rugged cliffside, so to get there, you’ll need to walk down a winding staircase.
The pools are a natural creation and are completely free to visit. There aren’t any facilities nearby so be sure to bring a towel, drinks and snacks with you.
Thanks for reading our guide on the top places to visit in Tenerife. As the largest Canary Island, there’s a lot to see and do here. Plan your itinerary carefully so you don’t miss anything and try to group attractions together so you can see lots in a short amount of time. Whether you’re looking for nature, beaches, old towns or fun adventure attractions, you’ll find it in Tenerife.
If you have any questions about any of the places we’ve featured, be sure to post a comment.
By Ricky Marshall
Author bio:An adventurer at heart that loves anything outdoors. Beaches, mountains and amazing scenery is everything I love about travel! I also enjoy home comforts and need a nice place to relax and re-charge after every trip.