Tenerife Travel Guide

A summit that needs a permit, a sunny south of resorts and a greener, wetter north. Start with the side of the island you are on and what you want the day to feel like.

Start Here Where To Go One Day Free Things Where To Stay The Map
November averages 7.8 °C at Izaña, 2,369 m up beside Teide, and 21.5 °C at the south airport, a gap of 13.7 °C.

Tenerife Right Now: The Summit And The South Coast

The summit and the south coast sit at very different altitudes and answer different questions, so this block reads them separately. The figures below come from public weather feeds for each place.

November averages 7.8 °C at Izaña, 2,369 m up beside Teide, and 21.5 °C at the south airport, a gap of 13.7 °C.

Fuente: AEMET. The line above reads AEMET's hourly station observations when the page opens; when it cannot, the published November mean stands, and it is just as true.

Nights up there are colder again: the November mean daily minimum at Izaña is 4.5 °C, against 18.2 °C at the south airport.

November at four AEMET stations, from the published 1981-2010 normals: mean daily high, mean daily low and rain. The sea off the south coast averages 22.5 °C in November (NOAA OISST satellite analysis, 1991-2020).

StationHighLowRain
Izaña (2,369 m)11.1 °C4.5 °C54 mm
North airport (632 m)19.6 °C13.3 °C81 mm
Santa Cruz (36 m)24.1 °C18.4 °C34 mm
South airport (64 m)24.8 °C18.2 °C26 mm

A warm evening on the coast says little about the summit. Anyone booked on a Teide sunset or a stargazing night should dress for the Izaña figure, not the beach one. The two airports tell the other half of the story: the north one sits at 632 m and runs cooler and wetter than the south one in every month of the normals.

How Many Days Does Tenerife Need? One Day Done Well

A loop from the summit to the west coast and the south is a full day, and the Teide cable car is the one thing to book first. Here it is in four stops.

Three-day itinerary
1Morning
A cable car cabin travelling above a rocky volcanic slope under a clear sky

Teide Cable Car

The cable car runs from 2,356 m to La Rambleta at 3,555 m, from 09:00 in standard season. The crater beyond it needs a separate permit.

Return From EUR 42
2Midday
A small stone village of terraced houses sitting on a ridge above a deep green ravine in western Tenerife

Masca

A stone village above a deep ravine on the west side. The village viewpoint costs nothing; the gorge walk is a separate, pre-booked descent.

3Afternoon
Dark vertical cliffs above a small town and a blue sea on Tenerife's west coast

Los Gigantes Cliffs

Cliffs that tower up to 600 m beside a marina town. Boat trips leave from the marina.

4Evening
Grey sand beach at El Duque with sunbeds and calm blue water in Costa Adeje

Costa Adeje

Grey-sand El Duque and a seafront promenade on the south-west coast, the coastal end of the loop.

A guided full-day island tour stopping at Teide and Masca
9-Hour Coach Loop, Teide and Masca 4.6 from 2,951 reviews · from $66.62
Check availability

North Or South: Which Tenerife Are You Visiting?

The south is the sunnier half. The north is greener, and a motorway links the two.

Grey sand beach at El Duque with sunbeds and calm blue water in Costa Adeje

The South: Beaches, Water Parks And Boats

From Costa Adeje to Los Cristianos, the sunnier half is built around beaches, water parks and whale boats. Families after sand and sea mostly base themselves here.

The seafront of Puerto de la Cruz with palm trees and the Atlantic beyond

The North: Gardens, Valleys And Old Towns

Around Puerto de la Cruz the island is greener, with gardens and La Laguna's colonial centre. AEMET's stations show the north gets about four times the south's rain.

The full list of things to do in Tenerife sorts every option by area as well as by kind, and the north or south guide sets out the choice in full.

Tenerife Travel Guide: Eight Places That Anchor A First Trip

From the volcano and its cable car to the west-coast cliffs, a water park and a colonial town. Prices shown are the official ones.

All things to do in Tenerife
Mount Teide rising above the volcanic slopes of Teide National Park under a clear sky Free Entry Teide National ParkThe volcanic cone and the lava fields around it. A cable car cabin travelling above a rocky volcanic slope under a clear sky Return From EUR 42 Teide Cable CarFrom 2,356 m up to La Rambleta at 3,555 m. A small stone village of terraced houses sitting on a ridge above a deep green ravine in western Tenerife Gorge EUR 40.66 MascaA village on a ridge and a reservation-only gorge. Dark vertical cliffs above a small town and a blue sea on Tenerife's west coast Los Gigantes CliffsDark cliffs up to 600 m high on the west coast. A Thai-themed water park with palm trees, towers and slides under a blue sky in Costa Adeje, Tenerife Siam ParkThe water park in Costa Adeje, open every day of the year. Tropical planting and walkways around the animal park in Puerto de la Cruz under a bright sky Loro ParqueThe animal park in Puerto de la Cruz, open every day. Pastel-coloured colonial facades along a cobbled street in San Cristobal de La Laguna UNESCO La LagunaA UNESCO colonial town inland from Santa Cruz, reached by tram. A deep green ravine with rocky walls rising on both sides under a blue sky in southern Tenerife Adult EUR 15 Barranco Del InfiernoA gorge walk above Adeje to a waterfall, booked ahead online.
166,098 traveller reviewsacross 74 checked tours
From $7cheapest paid tour today
Prices checkedagainst the booking page, refreshed monthly

Find Your Tenerife Tour In Three Questions

Seventy-four tours and tickets cover the island, from whale boats to Teide at night. Three quick questions sort them into a shortlist.

1. What kind of day are you after?
2. Where are you based?
3. How much time do you have?

A starting shortlist: six of the best-reviewed tours on the island. Answer a question and the list rebuilds around your plans.

  1. Eco Yacht Safari, Swim Stop 1 hour 30 minutes Travelin´ Lady Tenerife from $34.34 ★ 4.7 19,175 Check availability
  2. Siam Park Day Ticket from $50.54 ★ 4.5 18,714 Check availability
  3. No-Chase Catamaran, Underwater Windows 1 hour 30 minutes VISION SUBMARINE 100% NO CHASE, RESPECTFUL TOURS GUARANTEED from $32.16 ★ 4.6 15,261 Check availability
  4. Loro Parque Day Ticket from $50.54 ★ 4.8 14,633 Check availability
  5. Small-Group Kayak, Free Video 3 hours Xplore Tenerife from $29.24 ★ 4.7 12,101 Check availability
  6. Loro Parque Plus Siam Park 1 day from $89.59 ★ 4.7 8,367 Check availability
  7. Cable Car Ticket, Coach Transfer 7 hours Volcano Teide from $105.67 ★ 4.3 6,024 Check availability
  8. Puerto Colon Catamaran, Food and Drinks 3 hours White Tenerife from $53.98 ★ 4.6 5,782 Check availability
  9. Los Gigantes Cliffs, Swim Stop 2 hours Flipper Uno from $32.16 ★ 4.7 5,673 Check availability
  10. Telescope Stargazing, 3 Hours 3 hours Tenerife Stars from $45.94 ★ 4.2 4,551 Check availability
  11. Catamaran, Drinks, 2 or 3 Hours 2 to 3 hours Eden Catamaran S.L. from $40.20 ★ 4.7 4,167 Check availability
  12. Small-Group Sunset, Self-Drive Option 3 to 5 hours DAS Experience Tenerife SL from $40.20 ★ 4.7 3,600 Check availability
  13. Guided Jet Ski Safari, Two Durations 40 minutes or 1 hour Ocean Jet Ski & Boat Tenerife from $37.32 ★ 4.5 3,122 Check availability
  14. Coach Tour, Dinner Included 8 hours Night Skies Tenerife from $76.11 ★ 4.8 2,961 Check availability
  15. 9-Hour Coach Loop, Teide and Masca 9 hours Atlántico Excursiones from $66.62 ★ 4.6 2,951 Check availability
  16. Catamaran, Buffet and Transfer 3 hours Monte Cristo Catamaran from $73.77 ★ 4.8 2,852 Check availability
  17. No-Chase Trip, Los Cristianos 1 hour 30 minutes TROPICAL DELFIN - Collaborating with Neptunes Pirates UK, Captain Paul Watson Foundation from $29.27 ★ 4.6 2,274 Check availability
  18. Sailboat Cruise, Los Gigantes 3 hours Third Element S.L. from $86.14 ★ 4.9 2,264 Check availability
  19. Small Boat, Ten Guests Max 2 hours Whale Watch Tenerife from $76.11 ★ 5.0 2,243 Check availability
  20. Coach and Ferry, Lunch Included 9 hours Viajes Teide Tenerife Excursions from $126.34 ★ 4.1 2,218 Check availability
  21. Try-Dive Plus Snorkel, Ages 8+ 3 hours TRAVEL SUB DIVE CENTER from $86.14 ★ 4.7 1,968 Check availability
  22. Teide by Night, North or South 8 to 9 hours Elegant Excursions from $104.21 ★ 4.7 1,626 Check availability
  23. Surf Lesson, Photos Included 2 hours Shaka Surf Tenerife from $43.42 ★ 4.8 1,622 Check availability
  24. Kayak Tour, Wetsuit Included 3 hours XploreTenerife from $40.98 ★ 4.6 1,591 Check availability
  25. Banana Plantation, Guided or Self-Guided 1 hour Finca Las Margaritas banana Experience from $11.49 ★ 4.7 1,571 Check availability
  26. Medieval Banquet and Tournament Show 2 hours 30 minutes RADEZA, S.L. from $59.73 ★ 4.7 1,394 Check availability
  27. Tandem Flight, Champion Pilot 2 hours Sky of Tenerife from $149.31 ★ 4.9 1,216 Check availability
  28. Aqualand Ticket, Dolphin Show from $41.92 ★ 4.3 1,107 Check availability
  29. Jungle Park Zoo Entry Ticket from $41 ★ 4.5 1,040 Check availability
  30. Sunset Catamaran, Buff and Drinks from $72.51 ★ 4.7 955 Check availability
  31. Observatory Tour, Solar Telescope 1 hour 30 minutes Volcano Teide from $24.12 ★ 4.6 901 Check availability
  32. Camel Park, Ride on Some Tickets 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes Camel Park Tenerife from $10.33 ★ 4.7 789 Check availability
  33. 10-Minute Parasailing Flight 10 minutes Aj Fly Watersports from $62.02 ★ 4.8 764 Check availability
  34. Treetop Ropes and Zipline Ticket 3 hours Forestal Park Tenerife from $30.44 ★ 4.9 604 Check availability
  35. Jeep Safari, Garajonay and Lunch 1 day TAMARAN from $172.29 ★ 4.7 571 Check availability
  36. Buggy for Two, Morning or Sunset 3 hours BuggyCanarias from $229.71 per buggy, up to 2 ★ 4.8 540 Check availability
  37. Winery Tour, Four Wines and Cheeses 2 hours Bodegas Monje from $40.20 ★ 4.6 524 Check availability
  38. Fran Chafino Flamenco, Hotel Pickup 1 hour 30 minutes GF Victoria 5*GL from $58.58 ★ 4.8 512 Check availability
  39. Beginner Boat Try-Dive, PADI 2 hours 30 minutes Travel Sub SLU from $87.82 ★ 4.7 470 Check availability
  40. Laurel Forest Hike, Picnic Included 5 hours 10X. TENerife eXperience from $102.22 ★ 4.9 462 Check availability
  41. 12-Minute Go-Kart Session 12 minutes Karting Club Tenerife from $40.18 ★ 4.6 461 Check availability
  42. Masca and Pools, Picnic Included 5 to 5.5 hours Easytours2.0 from $76.38 ★ 4.6 417 Check availability
  43. Half-Day Small-Group Volcanic Tour 4 to 5 hours Tenerife Stars from $81.96 ★ 4.8 416 Check availability
  44. Large Telescope, Small Group 3 hours Astrophototour from $74.66 ★ 4.9 380 Check availability
  45. Whole-Island Tour, North Focus 8 hours Viajes Teide Tenerife Excursions from $65.47 ★ 4.5 374 Check availability
  46. Pyramids of Guimar Entry Ticket from $14 ★ 4.3 355 Check availability
  47. Scenic Helicopter, Route Choice 7 minutes to 45 minutes Helidream Helicopters from $126.27 ★ 4.8 353 Check availability
  48. Small-Group Beginner Surf Lesson 2 hours Surf Life Tenerife from $52.69 ★ 5.0 338 Check availability
  49. Half-Day Teide Quad Adventure 4 hours Tour2b from $93.67 ★ 4.7 322 Check availability
  50. Los Cristianos Cruise, Swim Stop 2 hours Neptuno Whale Experience Tenerife from $32.67 ★ 4.7 286 Check availability
  51. Palmetum Botanical Garden Ticket from $7 ★ 4.6 285 Check availability
  52. Small-Group Shore Tour, Teide and Icod 7 hours World Travel Tenerife from $82.70 ★ 4.9 275 Check availability
  53. Bronze Tandem Flight, Costa Adeje 2 hours Airsports Tenerife Paragliding from $128.80 ★ 4.9 263 Check availability
  54. Anaga Laurisilva, Route Options 3 to 6 hours A donde vamos hoy from $27.57 ★ 4.8 252 Check availability
  55. Santa Cruz Free Walking Tour 2 hours Free, pay what you want ★ 4.8 233 See this free tour on GuruWalk
  56. Full-Day Gastronomy, Lunch Included 8 hours Viajes Teide Tenerife Excursions from $97.63 ★ 4.5 232 Check availability
  57. Submarine Plus Beach Stop, 7 Hours 7 hours Submarine Safaris from $84.94 ★ 4.6 197 Check availability
  58. Jeep Safari, Teide and Masca 6 to 7 hours Yedra Excursiones en Todoterreno, S.L. from $79.62 ★ 4.5 178 Check availability
  59. Bike or E-Bike, Cruise Terminal Start 2 hours 30 minutes Guided City Tours by Bike and e-Bike from $28.48 ★ 4.5 177 Check availability
  60. Owner-Led Eco Banana Farm Walk 1 hour bananaECOplantation from $23.42 ★ 4.8 157 Check availability
  61. Full-Day Anaga, Hotel Pickup 7 hours 10X. Tenerife eXperience. Hiking Adventure from $162.76 ★ 5.0 155 Check availability
  62. One-Hour Estate Horse Ride 1 hour Onira Equestrian Center from $56.25 ★ 4.4 141 Check availability
  63. Self-Drive Astrophotography Session 1 hour 20 minutes Discover Experience from $40.98 ★ 4.9 121 Check availability
  64. Masca Gorge Guided Hike 6 hours from $74 ★ 4.2 115 Check availability
  65. Teatro Timanfaya Flamenco Ticket 1 hour VIMOTIONS from $35.13 ★ 4.5 114 Check availability
  66. Summit Hike, Hotel Pickup 7 hours Sana Senda from $217.08 ★ 4.9 84 Check availability
  67. Puerto de la Cruz Free Tour 1 hour 30 minutes Free, pay what you want ★ 4.8 84 See this free tour on GuruWalk
  68. Small-Group Fishing, Tackle Included 4 hours Sea Passion Charter Fishing from $93.67 ★ 4.7 70 Check availability
  69. Night Summit Hike, Sunrise 10 hours 10X. Tenerife eXperience. Hiking Adventure from $256.43 ★ 5.0 31 Check availability
  70. La Orotava Free Walking Tour 1 hour 30 minutes Free, pay what you want ★ 4.8 26 See this free tour on GuruWalk
  71. VIP Small-Group Teide, Port Pickup 6 to 7 hours WorldtravelTenerife from $84.30 ★ 4.8 23 Check availability
  72. Submarine, Hotel Pickup, Audioguide 2 to 4 hours Submarine Safaris Tenerife from $71.42 ★ 4.9 10 Check availability
  73. Panoramic Island Excursion, Port Pickup 7 hours Vexperio from $69.08 ★ 5.0 8 Check availability
  74. Private Short Anaga Hike 2 to 3 hours WorldtravelTenerife from $45.67 ★ 5.0 5 Check availability

See all 74 options sorted by kind →

Tenerife Travel Guide To Teide: Permits, Fees And The Cable Car

Going up Teide means sorting three separate things: the drive through the national park, the cable car to La Rambleta, and the summit trail, which needs a reservation on Tenerife ON.

How high the cable car goesIt stops at La Rambleta, 3,555 m. The base station is at 2,356 m. The crater is a separate trail that needs its own permit.
Cable car return ticketFrom EUR 42.00 for a non-resident adult and EUR 21 for a child aged 3 to 13.
Who cannot ridePeople with cardiovascular conditions, pregnant women and children under 3, because of the altitude.
Where the summit permit is bookedOn Tenerife ON, the island council's site at tenerifeon.es. You must be registered and logged in.
What the summit permit costsEUR 15 for visitors in the 09:00 to 17:00 slots. Children are exempt, and the booking page shows the age band that applies.
When new dates openEvery Monday at 07:00 Canary time a new week is released, so that 56 days are always bookable.
Sunrise and sunset slots06:00 to 09:00 and 18:00 to 22:00 are bookable slots too. Walking the summit trail without a reservation can be penalised.
Entry to the national parkNo official page lists a park entry fee. The charges are per booking, on two summit trails only.

Tours that include the cable car, the sunset and the night sky are compared under Teide by Day and Teide Sunset and Stargazing. The summit permit guide walks through the booking.

Tenerife With Children: Water Parks, Animals And Calm Sand

Siam Park and Loro Parque are open every day of the year, and the golden-sand bays behind breakwaters are the gentle option.

A Thai-themed water park with palm trees, towers and slides under a blue sky in Costa Adeje, TenerifeSiam ParkOpen 365 days a year in Costa Adeje. Tropical planting and walkways around the animal park in Puerto de la Cruz under a bright skyLoro ParqueOpen 09:30 to 17:30 every day, with its own car park. Golden sandy beach with calm water behind breakwaters and sunbeds under a clear skyPlaya De Las VistasGolden sand with breakwaters that calm the water.
Entrance to a Tenerife animal park and water park twin ticketBookable TourLoro Parque Plus Siam Park4.7 from 8,367 reviews · from $89.59Check availability

Cloudy Or Wet Days On Tenerife: Where To Go Instead

The north gets about four times the south's rain on AEMET's figures, so these are the indoor and sheltered stops, with a winery visit to round it out.

A massive dragon tree with a swollen grey trunk and a wide crown of spiky green leaves in a small town parkIcod Dragon TreeA National Monument since 1917 in Icod de los Vinos. Stepped stone terraces rising from a volcanic slope under a blue skyPyramids Of GuimarStepped stone terraces, open daily 10:00 to 18:00. Rain clouds over green hills above Garachico in northern TenerifeA Rainy Day PlanIndoor stops in the north, or drive south where it is drier.
A guided winery visit in the north of TenerifeBookable TourWinery Tour, Four Wines and Cheeses4.6 from 524 reviews · from $40.20Check availability

Tenerife After Dark: Sunsets, Stargazing And The Veronicas Strip

The island's night sky is its own attraction, and the nightlife strip sits in Playa de las Americas.

The sun setting over a volcanic ridge in Tenerife with orange light across the landscapeSunset SpotsThe best sunset is from Teide National Park, with coastal options at Los Gigantes. A telescope silhouetted against a star-filled sky above the volcanic slopes of Mount TeideStargazing ToursGuided sunset and telescope tours from the north and the south. A lit promenade in a Tenerife resort town at night with people walking between bars and restaurantsNightlifeVeronicas and Playa de las Americas, plus quieter evenings elsewhere.
A guided sunset and stargazing evening in Teide National ParkBookable TourSmall-Group Sunset, Self-Drive Option4.7 from 3,600 reviews · from $40.20Check availability

Whales, Dolphins And Sea Swims Around Tenerife

The sea between Tenerife and La Gomera is a designated Whale Heritage Area, and the north coast has lava-rock swimming pools.

A small catamaran cruising on calm blue water off the Tenerife coast with hills in the distanceWhale And Dolphin TripsSightings run all year; every legal trip follows a 60 m approach limit. Volcanic rock pools filled with clear sea water along the waterfront at Garachico in TenerifeGarachico Natural PoolsVolcanic rock pools along the waterfront. Clear sea water filling a volcanic rock pool at low tideNatural Pools GuideWhere the lava basins are and when to swim.
A whale-watching yacht under sail off the Tenerife coastBookable TourEco Yacht Safari, Swim Stop4.7 from 19,175 reviews · from $34.34Check availability
Rock formations of the Roques de Garcia standing on a ridge inside Teide National Park with Mount Teide behind them Volcanic rock pools filled with clear sea water along the waterfront at Garachico in Tenerife

Free Tenerife: Viewpoints, Trails And A Walking Tour

No official page lists an entry fee for Teide National Park, the Roques de Garcia are free to view and Anaga Rural Park is free to enter. Then add a free walking tour of the capital's old centre.

Roques De Garcia Anaga Rural Park Garachico Pools Punta De Teno Tenerife On A Budget
A free walking tour group in the historic centre of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Santa Cruz Free Walking Tour 4.8 from 233 reviews · free, pay what you want
See this free tour on GuruWalk

Where To Eat: Guachinches, Papas Arrugadas And Island Wine

Canarian food is simple and local: small salted potatoes with red and green mojo, family wine taverns in the north, and wine from island vineyards.

The food guide
Rustic wooden tables set out beside vines on a hillside in northern Tenerife Guachinches Small family wine taverns, above all in the north, serving the house wine and a short menu. Small wrinkled potatoes with a salt crust in a bowl beside two dishes of red and green sauce Papas Arrugadas And Mojo Potatoes boiled in very salty water until the skin wrinkles, served with red and green mojo. A table of Canarian dishes with small bowls of red and green sauces in a restaurant Island Wine Wines from Tacoronte and other island vineyards, alongside goat cheese, gofio and bananas.

A Map Of Tenerife: Where Everything Is

Loading the map. Every place is also listed below.

Click the map to zoom with the scroll wheel. Numbers match the list.

  1. Mount Teide SummitMount Teide, the island's centre and its best-known landmark
  2. Teide Cable CarTeide and the Interior · 2.6 km from Teide
  3. Roques de GarciaTeide and the Interior · 5.2 km from Teide
  4. Cueva del Viento Lava TubesNorth · 9.8 km from Teide
  5. Paisaje Lunar (Lunar Landscape Hike)Teide and the Interior · 9.8 km from Teide
  6. VilaflorTeide and the Interior · 13 km from Teide
  7. Icod de Los VinosNorth · 13 km from Teide
  8. The Dragon Tree of Icod (Drago Milenario)North · 13 km from Teide
  9. Teide ObservatoryTeide and the Interior · 13 km from Teide
  10. Los RealejosNorth · 13 km from Teide
  11. Barranco del Infierno (Hell's Gorge)South · 14 km from Teide
  12. GarachicoNorth · 16 km from Teide
  13. El Caleton Natural Pools, GarachicoNorth · 17 km from Teide
  14. Loro ParqueNorth · 17 km from Teide
  15. Casa de Los Balcones, La OrotavaNorth · 17 km from Teide
  16. La OrotavaNorth · 17 km from Teide
  17. Playa JardinNorth · 18 km from Teide
  18. Mirador de CherfeWest · 18 km from Teide
  19. Puerto de La CruzNorth · 18 km from Teide
  20. Puerto de La Cruz Botanical GardenNorth · 19 km from Teide
  21. Adeje Old TownSouth · 19 km from Teide
  22. Lago MartianezNorth · 19 km from Teide
  23. San Miguel de AbonaSouth · 19 km from Teide
  24. Los GigantesWest · 20 km from Teide
  25. Arona and ChayofaSouth · 20 km from Teide
  26. Masca Village and the Masca Gorge WalkWest · 20 km from Teide
  27. Los Gigantes MarinaWest · 20 km from Teide
  28. Puerto de Santiago and Playa de La ArenaWest · 20 km from Teide
  29. Playa San Juan and AlcalaWest · 20 km from Teide
  30. Playa El BollulloNorth · 20 km from Teide
  31. Callao SalvajeSouth · 21 km from Teide
  32. Playa ParaisoSouth · 21 km from Teide
  33. El Puertito de AdejeSouth · 22 km from Teide
  34. La CaletaSouth · 22 km from Teide
  35. Jungle Park (Las Aguilas)South · 22 km from Teide
  36. Playa del DuqueSouth · 22 km from Teide
  37. Costa AdejeSouth · 23 km from Teide
  38. Playa de FanabeSouth · 23 km from Teide
  39. Aqualand Costa AdejeSouth · 23 km from Teide
  40. Pyramids of GuimarSanta Cruz and La Laguna · 23 km from Teide
  41. Buenavista del Norte and TenoWest · 23 km from Teide
  42. Puerto Colon MarinaSouth · 24 km from Teide
  43. Siam ParkSouth · 24 km from Teide
  44. Monkey Park TenerifeSouth · 24 km from Teide
  45. Los Gigantes Cliffs (Acantilados de Los Gigantes)West · 24 km from Teide
  46. The Abandoned Village of AbadesSouth · 25 km from Teide
  47. Playa de Las AmericasSouth · 25 km from Teide
  48. Los CristianosSouth · 26 km from Teide
  49. Playa de Las VistasSouth · 26 km from Teide
  50. Los Cristianos Ferry PortSouth · 26 km from Teide
  51. Tenerife South Airport (TFS)South · 26 km from Teide
  52. Golf del SurSouth · 27 km from Teide
  53. El MedanoSouth · 27 km from Teide
  54. Los AbrigosSouth · 28 km from Teide
  55. Paisaje Protegido de Las LagunetasTeide and the Interior · 28 km from Teide
  56. Basilica of CandelariaSanta Cruz and La Laguna · 28 km from Teide
  57. Palm-MarSouth · 28 km from Teide
  58. La Tejita Beach and Montana RojaSouth · 29 km from Teide
  59. Punta de Teno LighthouseWest · 29 km from Teide
  60. Las Galletas and Costa del SilencioSouth · 29 km from Teide
  61. Tacoronte and El SauzalNorth · 32 km from Teide
  62. Tenerife North Airport (TFN)Santa Cruz and La Laguna · 38 km from Teide
  63. San Cristobal de La LagunaSanta Cruz and La Laguna · 40 km from Teide
  64. Bajamar and Punta del HidalgoSanta Cruz and La Laguna · 43 km from Teide
  65. Palmetum of Santa CruzSanta Cruz and La Laguna · 43 km from Teide
  66. Auditorio de TenerifeSanta Cruz and La Laguna · 43 km from Teide
  67. Mercado de Nuestra Senora de AfricaSanta Cruz and La Laguna · 44 km from Teide
  68. Museum of Nature and Archaeology (MUNA)Santa Cruz and La Laguna · 44 km from Teide
  69. Santa Cruz de TenerifeSanta Cruz and La Laguna · 44 km from Teide
  70. Santa Cruz Cruise PortSanta Cruz and La Laguna · 45 km from Teide
  71. Anaga Rural ParkSanta Cruz and La Laguna · 46 km from Teide
  72. Playa de Las TeresitasSanta Cruz and La Laguna · 52 km from Teide
  73. Playa de BenijoSanta Cruz and La Laguna · 56 km from Teide

Day Trips Across The Island And To La Gomera

Tenerife is a set of day trips from wherever you sleep: up to Teide, along the north coast, out to Masca, or across the water to La Gomera. Pick one per day.

Ferry at the port of Los Cristianos with La Gomera visible on the horizon across the seaAnother Island

La Gomera

The ferry from Los Cristianos takes 50 minutes; coach-and-ferry trips with lunch run from the south.

9-hour tour · 4.1 from 2,218 reviews · from $126.34Check availability
Mount Teide volcano rising above a landscape of dark lava rock under a clear blue skyVolcano

Teide From The South

Drive or take a coach to the cable car base station at 2,356 m.

7-hour tour · 4.3 from 6,024 reviews · from $105.67Check availability
The village of Masca perched on a rocky ridge with terraced slopes falling towards the seaWest And North

Masca, Garachico And Icod

Masca village, the Garachico lava pools and the dragon tree in one loop.

Gorge ticket EUR 40.66, boat exit booked separatelyPlan the route
Green hillsides and a volcanic cone above the north coast road of TenerifeGreen North

North Tenerife

A hire car or an early TITSA bus gets you to Icod, Garachico and La Orotava.

Cooler and cloudier than the southPlan the loop
Dense green laurel forest covering steep ridges in Anaga Rural Park under low cloudForest Trails

Anaga Rural Park

Laurel forest and ridge trails near Santa Cruz, free to enter.

4.8 from 252 reviews · from $27.57Check availability

All day trips

When To Go: Tenerife Across The Year

Figures are 1981 to 2010 AEMET climate normals for Tenerife South Airport, on the sunny south coast. The north is cooler and wetter.

At Tenerife South Airport the 1981-2010 normals put the mean temperature between 18.4 C (January) and 24.7 C (August), and the wettest month, December, still averages only 30 mm.

January: 17 mmFebruary: 20 mmMarch: 15 mmApril: 7 mmMay: 1 mmJune: 0 mmJuly: 0 mmAugust: 1 mmSeptember: 4 mmOctober: 12 mmNovember: 26 mmDecember: 30 mmJanuary: 18.4°CFebruary: 18.5°CMarch: 19.3°CApril: 19.5°CMay: 20.4°CJune: 22.1°CJuly: 24°CAugust: 24.7°CSeptember: 24.5°COctober: 23.4°CNovember: 21.5°CDecember: 19.7°C0204015°23°30°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec Rain mm Temp °C
  • Monthly precipitation (mm)
  • Mean temperature (°C)
Tenerife South Airport, 1981 to 2010 normals: August is warmest at 24.7°C average, January coolest at 18.4°C, December wettest at 30 mm and June and July driest at 0 mm, 133 mm across the year.
MonthMean TempPrecipitation
January18.4°C17 mm
February18.5°C20 mm
March19.3°C15 mm
April19.5°C7 mm
May20.4°C1 mm
June22.1°C0 mm
July24°C0 mm
August24.7°C1 mm
September24.5°C4 mm
October23.4°C12 mm
November21.5°C26 mm
December19.7°C30 mm

Data: AEMET (Agencia Estatal de Meteorologia), station C429I Tenerife South Airport, 1981-2010 official normals.

Where To Stay: A Tenerife Travel Guide To Three Main Bases

The south is the sunniest half and holds most of the resorts, the north is greener and quieter, and the capital suits city breaks and Carnival.

All areas compared
Grey sand beach at El Duque with sunbeds and calm blue water in Costa Adeje

Costa Adeje

Best For Beaches And Families

Grey-sand El Duque, pale-sand Fanabe and Siam Park in the same municipality.

Costa Adeje area guide
The seafront of Puerto de la Cruz with palm trees and the Atlantic beyond

Puerto De La Cruz

Best For A Quieter, Greener Stay

A long-established north-coast resort with Loro Parque, seafront pools and gardens.

Puerto de la Cruz area guide
White concert hall building with a curved roof beside the sea in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Santa Cruz And La Laguna

Best For City Breaks And Carnival

The capital and its UNESCO neighbour, linked by tram, with Anaga and Las Teresitas within reach.

Santa Cruz area guide

Getting Around: Two Airports, Buses And Car Hire

Which airport you land at, what the buses cost a visitor, and whether a hire car earns its place.

A passenger aircraft climbing away from a runway with Tenerife's mountains in the distance

Two Airports

Tenerife South serves most international holiday flights and handled 13,969,678 passengers in 2025. Tenerife North handled 7,174,977 and is stronger for domestic and inter-island connections.

A green island bus at a stop on a Tenerife road with hills behind

TITSA Buses

Visitors pay: a single ticket priced by route, a EUR 10 day travelcard or a EUR 50 seven-day travelcard. The 2026 free-travel subsidy is for Canary residents only.

A coastal road with palm trees and ocean views in Tenerife

Car Hire

A hire car suits Teide at dawn, the north coast and the Anaga hills in one week. Some walks, including Masca, refuse arrivals by private vehicle. Compare car hire prices.

A Tenerife airport terminal forecourt in bright sunshine with palm trees and coaches waiting at the kerb

Airport Transfers

Pre-book a ride from the airport to your door, or take the buses that serve both airports and every major resort.

What Tenerife Is Known For

1

Mount Teide

The cable car climbs from 2,356 m to 3,555 m. The crater is a separate trail that needs a Tenerife ON permit, EUR 15 for visitors on the daytime slots.

2

Whale And Dolphin Watching

The Tenerife-La Gomera marine area became a designated Whale Heritage Area in January 2021, with a resident population of pilot whales.

3

Dark Skies

The Fundacion Starlight lists both a Starlight Tourist Destination and a Starlight Reserve on the high ridge around Teide.

4

Los Gigantes Cliffs

Cliffs that tower up to 600 m, with the seabed about 30 m deep at their foot, inside Teno Rural Park.

5

Papas Arrugadas And Mojo

Small potatoes boiled in very salty water until the skin wrinkles, served with a red mojo of dried peppers or a green one of coriander.

6

La Laguna

A UNESCO World Heritage town, described as the first non-fortified Spanish colonial town, whose layout was a model for colonial towns in the Americas.

Tenerife Travel Guide Questions, Answered

Short answers from this site's own guides, each linking to the fuller version.

Where Is Tenerife

Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of Africa, and it belongs to Spain as part of an autonomous community.

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Is Tenerife Safe

Tenerife took 7,561,659 tourists in 2025, and the risks that official pages actually warn about are mountain weather, altitude and the sea, not crime.

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What Is the Best Month to Go to Tenerife?

The honest answer depends on what you want: the driest weather, the warmest sea or the smallest crowds. The official numbers settle all three.

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What Is Tenerife Currency

Tenerife uses the euro, but the Canary Islands run their own sales tax instead of mainland VAT, card acceptance is close to universal, and tipping is a matter of custom rather than obligation. Here is what the official sources say.

Read the full answer

Is There a Tourist Tax in Tenerife

Tenerife has no per-night tourist tax, but it does have per-booking charges on a handful of trails and gorges. Here is what the official pages actually say, and what that means for your holiday money.

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Do You Need a Visa for Tenerife

Tenerife follows Spain's entry rules, and two EU systems, EES and ETIAS, sit behind most of the confusion travellers now search about. Here is what the official pages actually say, and what nobody can honestly promise you.

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Is It Safe to Swim in the Sea in Tenerife?

The sea around Tenerife is warm enough for swimming for most of the year, and the tourist board's own beach pages record which bays are calm and sheltered. Here is what the official data says about temperature, waves and wildlife.

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More From The Tenerife Travel Guide

All guides and answers
How Many Days In Tenerife? Best Time To Visit Tenerife Tenerife North Vs South How To Get The Teide Summit Permit Car Hire In Tenerife Tenerife On A Budget

What Travellers Say

“The coach was clean, cool, and on time. We had plenty of scenic stops, and the guide was clear and engaging. Dinner and wine were surprisingly good, and the stargazing was absolutely fascinating. A magical way to experience Teide-highly recommended!”

Suet_L, operator-listing review of Teide by Night, North or South

“Great views. The national park and the sunset views were the highlight of the trip. Very knowledgeable guide. Would recommend. Take a few layers , the climate is fresh on higher altitudes.”

Marios_P, operator-listing review of Half-Day Small-Group Volcanic Tour

“Fantastic experience . Highly recommend . We saw bottle nosed dolphin and Atlantic spotted and pilot whales . Very knowledgeable guide . There is an indoors on the boat which I thought we might need - as I thought it might be chilly but it was lovely and warm , no need for jackets . February .”

Stef_W, operator-listing review of No-Chase Trip, Los Cristianos

Every quote here is copied character for character from a review published on the operator's own booking listing. Names, dates and star ratings are as published. Nothing is paraphrased, shortened or written by us.

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