Tenerife Itineraries: The Best Day Trips and Multi-Day Tours
Tenerife Itineraries: The Best Day Trips and Multi-Day Tours
Tenerife is an island with an incredible variety of landscapes within a relatively small area: a snow-capped volcano and tropical forests, black volcanic beaches and snow-white lagoons, historic colonial towns and ultra-modern resorts. You can see all of this in 7 days if you plan your itinerary wisely.
Tenerife is an island with an incredible variety of landscapes within a relatively small area: a snow-capped volcano and tropical forests, black volcanic beaches and snow-white lagoons, historic colonial towns and ultra-modern resorts. You can see it all in 7 days if you plan your itinerary wisely.
Table of Contents
Day 1: The South—Beaches, the Waterfront, and Los Gigantes
Day 2: Mount Teide and the Orotava Valley
Day 3: The North—Puerto de la Cruz, La Laguna, Santa Cruz
Day 4: Anaga Massif—Wild Nature and the Village of Taganana
Day 5: Southwest—Maska, Garachico, and the Dragon of the Millennium
Half-day: Whale watching
One-day trip to La Gomera
Weekly Itinerary: 7 Days in Tenerife
Practical Tips for Itineraries
FAQ
Day 1: The South—Beaches, the Boardwalk, and Los Gigantes
The first day is perfect for spending in the southern resort area: to acclimate and get a feel for the island’s atmosphere.
Morning: Siam Park or a day at the beach
If Siam Park is on your list, the best time to visit is in the morning (the park opens at 10:00 a.m.). Las Vistas Beach in Los Cristianos is perfect for families.
Lunch: Paseo Marítimo Promenade
The promenade connects Los Cristianos and Las Américas. Be sure to try papas arrugadas with mojo rojo and mojo verde sauces. Average bill: €15–25.
Afternoon–Evening: Los Gigantes
Basalt cliffs 400–600 meters high plunge straight into the sea. The black sand beach, Playa de la Arena. Boat ride to the cliffs (~€15–20). The sunset here is one of the most impressive on the island.
Day 2: Mount Teide and the Orotava Valley
Teide National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—is the most visited in Spain.
Itinerary
7:00 a.m. — Early departure. The road is winding, and the scenery changes every 10 km.
9:30–11:00 — Cable car (Teleférico del Teide). Ascent to 3,555 m in 8 minutes (~€27). Book online in advance. At the summit, temperatures range from 0 to +10°C—bring a jacket.
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. — Hike through the lava fields (Telesforo Bravo trail).
3:00–6:00 p.m. — La Orotava: colonial architecture, wooden balconies (celosías), and the 16th-century Church of La Concepción.
Day 3: North — Puerto de la Cruz, La Laguna, Santa Cruz
Morning: Puerto de la Cruz
Botanical Garden (founded in 1788), Playa Jardín Beach (designed by César Manrique). Loro Parque—this is the best time to visit.
Afternoon: La Laguna (UNESCO)
The island’s first capital; its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The street grid, dating from 1496, served as a model for colonial cities in Latin America. The Cathedral, the Church of La Concepción, Adelantado Square, and the History Museum.
Evening: Santa Cruz
The island’s capital; take the tram from La Laguna (20 min, €1.35). Visit García-Sanabria Park, the Museum of Nature and Man (featuring Guanche mummies), and the Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África.
Day 4: Anaga Massif
The laurel forest (laurisilva) is a relict biome from the Tertiary Period and a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
Pico del Inglés: panoramic overlook
Taganana: a mountain village on a winding road with a 16th-century church and a local bar
Playa de Benijo: a wild black-sand beach; considered by photographers to have the best sunset on the island
Easiest to reach by car. Travel time: 5–6 hours.
Day 5: Southwest — Masca, Garachico, Icod
The village of Masca
643 m above sea level in a gorge; the road has over 200 turns. A hike through the gorge (3–4 hours) ends at a secluded beach, followed by a boat ride back. Registration is required.
Garachico
Natural swimming pools in solidified lava—Charco El Ancla and Charco de la Suerte. Free. A historic town destroyed by the 1706 eruption.
Icod de los Vinos + The Millennium Dragon Tree
A dragon tree 800–1,000 years old, 17 m tall, with a circumference of 20 m. Admission ~€6–8. The Cave of the Wind (an 18-km lava tube; reservations required).
Whale Watching (Half-Day)
Departure: Los Cristianos or Puerto Colón
Duration: 2.5–3 hours
Price: ~€35–45 for adults, ~€15–20 for children
Humpback whales live off the coast year-round—a sighting is almost guaranteed
Day trip to La Gomera
35–45-minute ferry ride from Los Cristianos (~€35–50 round-trip). Port of San Sebastián (Columbus set sail from here on his third voyage). Garajonay Park (UNESCO). Lunch in Valle Gran Rey.
Weekly itinerary: 7 days
Day
Itinerary
Base
1
Arrival, Las Vistas Beach
South
2
Siam Park + Los Gigantes
South
3
Teide Volcano + La Orotava
South or Puerto de la Cruz
4
Puerto de la Cruz + Loro Parque + La Laguna
North
5
Anaga Mountains
Santa Cruz
6
Maska + Garachico + Icod
South
7
Whales (morning) + beach + departure
—
Practical Tips
Rent a car (€20–30/day) to visit Anaga, Masca, and Garachico
Start early: the parking lots near Teide fill up by 11:00 a.m.
Navigation: Google Maps works; in Anaga, download Maps.me for offline use
The Teide cable car may close in windy conditions—check in advance
In mountain villages (Taganana, Masca), cash may be the only accepted form of payment
FAQ
How many days does it take to tour all of Tenerife? At least 5–7 days. In 3 days: Teide + southern beaches + the north or Anaga.
Is it better to take guided tours or go on your own? Going on your own is cheaper and more flexible. Renting a car is the best option.
How to get to the main attractions without a car? Teide—bus line 348; La Laguna and Santa Cruz—tram; Puerto de la Cruz—bus line 343. Anaga and Masca—inconvenient.
Do you need to book the cable car in advance? Yes, especially during peak season and on weekends. Website: teleféricoteide.com
