Things to Do in Tenerife

This page sorts everything bookable on Tenerife by what you actually do, from Teide trips to whale boats and park tickets, then narrows the list by area, budget and what needs booking ahead.

Researched and written by the Tenerife Travel Guide editorial desk, from published sources.

Short answer

Most first visits start with Teide, whether by cable car, at sunset or under the night sky, and with a whale and dolphin watching boat from Los Cristianos or Costa Adeje. Families lean towards Siam Park and Loro Parque. In the north, free walking tours cover La Orotava, Puerto de la Cruz and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, free to join and tip-based through GuruWalk.

A visitor chooses between a volcano and the sea: Teide with its cable car, summit trail and stargazing tours on one side, whale and dolphin boats, scuba, kayaking and jet ski on the other. Between them come park tickets, Masca, La Gomera day trips, quads, food and wine, shows, hikes, town walks and free walking tours in the north. The sections below run in order: Teide, the water, what is free, families, north versus south, booking ahead, cost, photographs and questions.

13 Kinds of Things to Do in Tenerife

The roster below is grouped by what a visitor actually does rather than by price or operator: on Teide, on the water, park tickets, hiking, day trips, food and wine, evening entertainment, town walks and cruise excursions. Each chip beneath the grid narrows the list to that single kind, so comparisons stay like with like.

Whale and Dolphin Watching

Boat trips from the southern marinas to see pilot whales and dolphins in the waters between Tenerife and La Gomera. Options run from short cruises of about two hours to half-day sailings, on boats ranging from large catamarans to smaller craft.

Eco Yacht Safari, Swim Stop

4.7 19,175 traveller reviews

Los Cristianos · 1 hour 30 minutes · Electric yacht cruise from the south coast looking for pilot whales and dolphins, with a swim stop and snorkel gear. Runs quietly, so the boat disturbs less. · Run by Travelin´ Lady Tenerife

Glide out on an eco electric yacht through the waters between Tenerife and La Gomera, where a resident pilot whale population lives year round. There is time for a swim stop on the way back.

from $34.34Per person, in USD. A promotional rate, so the regular price is higher. Check availability →

No-Chase Catamaran, Underwater Windows

4.6 15,261 traveller reviews

Los Cristianos

Catamaran trip that follows the whale-watching rules rather than chasing animals, with underwater viewing windows. Boats here fly the Barco Azul flag.

from $32.16Per person, in USD. A promotional rate, so the regular price is higher. Check availability →

Los Gigantes Cliffs, Swim Stop

4.7 5,673 traveller reviews

Los Gigantes

Boat trip to the Los Gigantes cliffs, which rise up to 600 m straight from the sea, with a swim stop in a quiet cove below the rock face.

from $32.16Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Catamaran, Drinks, 2 or 3 Hours

4.7 4,167 traveller reviews

Costa Adeje

Short catamaran sail from Costa Adeje, two or three hours, with drinks included. A light option for a morning or afternoon on the water watching for dolphins.

from $40.20Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Puerto Colon Catamaran, Food and Drinks

4.6 5,782 traveller reviews

Costa Adeje

Catamaran from Puerto Colón along the Costa Adeje coast with food and drinks served on board. Pilot whales are the main draw in these protected waters.

from $53.98Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Small Boat, Ten Guests Max

5 2,243 traveller reviews

Costa Adeje

A small eco boat from Costa Adeje capped at ten guests, so everyone gets rail space when the pilot whales surface. Snorkel gear is carried for the swim stop.

from $76.11Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Sailboat Cruise, Los Gigantes

4.9 2,264 traveller reviews

Los Gigantes

Small sailboat cruise along the Los Gigantes coast, quieter and lower in the water than the larger catamarans, with whales often passing nearby.

from $86.14Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Catamaran, Buffet and Transfer

4.8 2,852 traveller reviews

Costa Adeje

A catamaran from the south coast with hotel transfer included: pilot whales and dolphins from the deck, a swim stop, and a buffet lunch served on board. Authorised boats fly the Barco Azul flag.

from $73.77Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Los Cristianos Cruise, Swim Stop

4.7 286 traveller reviews

Los Cristianos

A cruise from Los Cristianos to look for pilot whales and dolphins, with time to swim and snorkel off the boat before the return leg. Drinks are served on board.

from $32.67Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

No-Chase Trip, Los Cristianos

4.6 2,274 traveller reviews

Los Cristianos

A whale and dolphin trip from Los Cristianos run on a strict no-chase policy. The boat drifts and lets the animals decide how close to come, which is how the island's rules intend it.

from $29.27Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Park Tickets

Tickets for the island's big parks, including the water parks in the south and the animal parks in the north. Buying ahead saves queueing at the gate on busy days, and some tickets bundle two parks together.

Siam Park Day Ticket

4.5 18,714 traveller reviews

Costa Adeje · Skip the queue with a prebooked Siam Park day ticket. Thai-themed slides, a wave pool and a lazy river in Costa Adeje.

A day ticket for Siam Park in Costa Adeje, the Thai-themed water park with slides for every nerve level, a large wave pool and a slow river for recovery. Booking ahead means you walk straight to the entrance. Lockers and sunbeds are available inside.

from $50.54Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Loro Parque Day Ticket

4.8 14,633 traveller reviews

Puerto de la Cruz

Prebooked entry to Loro Parque in Puerto de la Cruz, home to parrots, orcas, penguins and an aquarium you walk through.

from $50.54Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Loro Parque Plus Siam Park

4.7 8,367 traveller reviews

Puerto de la Cruz and Costa Adeje

One twin ticket for both Loro Parque and Siam Park, valid for a visit to each. The two parks sit on opposite sides of the island.

from $89.59Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Camel Park, Ride on Some Tickets

4.7 789 traveller reviews

Arona

Meet the resident camels and, on tickets that include a ride, sit in the saddle for a gentle circuit of the grounds. A low-key family option away from the coast, with the herd living on site.

from $10.33Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

On and Under the Water

Everything that gets you on or under the water beyond a standard whale-watching cruise: kayak sessions, jet ski safaris, submarine dives and parasailing. Trips run from ten minutes to a full half-day depending on the activity.

Small-Group Kayak, Free Video

4.7 12,101 traveller reviews

Los Cristianos · 3 hours · Small-group kayak and snorkel session off Los Cristianos, where green turtles graze the seagrass. A free video of the trip is included. · Run by Xplore Tenerife

Paddle out from Los Cristianos in a small group with a guide who knows where the turtles feed. Snorkel over seagrass beds, watch for rays, and take home a video of the session. No kayaking experience needed, and all gear is provided on the beach.

from $29.24Per person, in USD. A promotional rate, so the regular price is higher. Check availability →

Guided Jet Ski Safari, Two Durations

4.5 3,122 traveller reviews

Arona

A guided jet ski safari along the south coast, with two durations to choose between and no licence needed to take the controls.

from $37.32Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Surf Lesson, Photos Included

4.8 1,622 traveller reviews

Playa de las Americas

A beginner surf lesson at Playa de las Américas with photos of your session included, boards and wetsuits provided.

from $43.42Per person, in USD. A promotional rate, so the regular price is higher. Check availability →

Try-Dive Plus Snorkel, Ages 8+

4.7 1,968 traveller reviews

Costa Adeje

A first scuba dive with an instructor in a calm bay, plus snorkelling with turtles, open to children from eight years old.

from $86.14Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Kayak Tour, Wetsuit Included

4.6 1,591 traveller reviews

Los Cristianos

Paddle out from the south coast in a kayak, with wetsuit, snorkel and instruction included. Turtles and dolphins appear on many trips, and the pace suits beginners.

from $40.98Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Small-Group Beginner Surf Lesson

5 338 traveller reviews

Playa de las Americas

A small-group beginner surf lesson on Tenerife's south coast beaches, with board and wetsuit included.

from $52.69Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Submarine, Hotel Pickup, Audioguide

4.9 10 traveller reviews

South Tenerife

A submarine trip with hotel pickup from Tenerife South and an audioguide on board. Descend below the surface in a cabin with viewports, watch the sea life pass by, and surface with the day still ahead of you.

from $71.42Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

10-Minute Parasailing Flight

4.8 764 traveller reviews

Costa Adeje

A short parasailing flight from Costa Adeje, taking off and landing on the boat so you never touch the water unless you want to.

from $62.02Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Beginner Boat Try-Dive, PADI

4.7 470 traveller reviews

Costa Adeje

A first scuba dive from a boat in a natural turtle habitat, with full instruction and no certification needed.

from $87.82Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Small-Group Fishing, Tackle Included

4.7 70 traveller reviews

Playa San Juan

Small-group sea fishing with tackle included, so nothing needs packing. The crew handle bait and rigging, beginners get help with the basics, and the day is as much about the water as the catch.

from $93.67Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Submarine Plus Beach Stop, 7 Hours

4.6 197 traveller reviews

Puerto de la Cruz

A seven-hour submarine trip from Puerto de la Cruz with a beach stop, suiting families and non-swimmers alike.

from $84.94Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Teide Sunset and Stargazing

Evening trips that watch the sun go down from inside Teide National Park, then stay for stargazing under some of the clearest night skies in Europe. Most run around three hours, with dinner options on some departures.

Telescope Stargazing, 3 Hours

4.2 4,551 traveller reviews

Teide National Park · 3 hours · Three hours above the clouds at sunset, with telescope time in the Starlight-certified skies over the summit. Warm layers are essential at altitude. · Run by Tenerife Stars

Watch the sun drop from the national park, then stay for a guided session at the telescope as the stars come out. Teide's altitude makes the sky unusually sharp, so bring a coat.

from $45.94Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Small-Group Sunset, Self-Drive Option

4.7 3,600 traveller reviews

Teide National Park

Small-group sunset and stargazing with a guide, and a self-drive option if you would rather use your own car up to the park. Includes telescope viewing after dark.

from $40.20Per person, in USD. A promotional rate, so the regular price is higher. Check availability →

Large Telescope, Small Group

4.9 380 traveller reviews

Teide National Park

Evening stargazing in a small group with time at a large telescope. Guides explain the constellations visible from the park's high, dry air.

from $74.66Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Coach Tour, Dinner Included

4.8 2,961 traveller reviews

Tenerife

A coach tour to Teide for sunset and stargazing, with dinner, hotel pickup and the return journey all arranged.

from $76.11Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Teide by Night, North or South

4.7 1,626 traveller reviews

Teide National Park

Sunset above the clouds, then telescope time with an astronomy guide who points out what the dark skies hold. Coach travel and hotel pickup take care of the winding park roads, and warm layers are advised at altitude.

from $104.21Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Self-Drive Astrophotography Session

4.9 121 traveller reviews

Teide National Park

Meet a small group inside the national park for stargazing with an astrophotography guide who helps you capture the night sky. You drive yourself, so the evening ends when you choose.

from $40.98Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Teide by Day

Daytime tours to Teide National Park, combining the drive up through the volcanic landscape with the cable car to La Rambleta. Options run from short visits of about two hours to full-day tours that add stops elsewhere on the island.

Cable Car Ticket, Coach Transfer

4.3 6,024 traveller reviews

South Tenerife · 7 hours · Coach transfer from the south coast to the Teide cable car, which stops at La Rambleta at 3,555 m. The crater trail is a separate permit-only route booked on Tenerife ON. · Run by Volcano Teide

Ride the cable car to La Rambleta at 3,555 m with coach transport from your hotel area included. Note the car stops below the crater: the summit trail PNT 10 needs its own reservation on Tenerife ON.

from $105.67Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Observatory Tour, Solar Telescope

4.6 901 traveller reviews

Teide National Park

Guided visit inside the Teide Observatory with its solar telescope, showing how professionals study the sun. A daytime alternative to the sunset trips.

from $24.12Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Night Summit Hike, Sunrise

5 31 traveller reviews

Teide National Park

A guided night hike up the Telesforo Bravo trail to the crater rim for sunrise, starting from La Rambleta. The summit reservation is arranged with the walk, and you descend in daylight with views across the islands.

from $256.43Per person, in USD. The rate changes with the size of your group. Check availability →

Half-Day Small-Group Volcanic Tour

4.8 416 traveller reviews

South Tenerife

A small-group half day through Teide National Park, from lava fields to Canary pine forest, with a guide who explains how the island was built. Pickup from south-coast hotels keeps the logistics simple.

from $81.96Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Quads, Buggies and Paragliding

Off-road safaris on quads and buggies through the hills above the south coast, plus tandem paragliding flights from the mountains to the sea. Most ground trips run two to three hours; flights are measured in minutes rather than hours.

Quad Convoy to Teide, 4 Hours

4.8 1,691 traveller reviews

South Tenerife · 4 hours · A four-hour guided quad convoy from the south up into Teide National Park, with photo stops and volcanic scenery on forest tracks. · Run by Quad Safari Tenerife

Ride in a guided convoy of quads from the coast road into the pine forests and lava fields of the national park, stopping for photographs as the terrain changes. Four hours on the trail, with a guide leading and no off-route riding.

from $91.89Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Tandem Flight, Champion Pilot

4.9 1,216 traveller reviews

Costa Adeje

A tandem paragliding flight over Costa Adeje with a competition pilot at the controls, so no experience is needed.

from $149.31Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Treetop Ropes and Zipline Ticket

4.9 604 traveller reviews

Las Lagunetas

An entrance ticket to Forestal Park's treetop ropes course, with ziplines strung through the pines. Circuits are graded by height and difficulty, so younger children and confident adults each get a course that fits.

from $30.44Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Buggy for Two, Morning or Sunset

4.8 540 traveller reviews

Las Chafiras

A two-seat buggy with morning and sunset departures, driving mountain roads above the south coast with a guide out front.

from $229.71 per buggy, up to 2Per buggy for a group of up to 2, in USD, not per person. Check availability →

12-Minute Go-Kart Session

4.6 461 traveller reviews

Arona

A 12-minute session on the Karting Club Tenerife circuit, with karts to suit different ages and a briefing before you head out. Enough time to learn the corners and start chasing a faster lap.

from $40.18Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Bronze Tandem Flight, Costa Adeje

4.9 263 traveller reviews

Costa Adeje

A tandem paragliding flight over Costa Adeje's coastline, with hotel pickup in the south and no experience needed.

from $128.80Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Scenic Helicopter, Route Choice

4.8 353 traveller reviews

Adeje

A scenic helicopter flight from Adeje with a choice of routes. Pick your path over the island, settle into a window seat, and see the coastline, ravines and mountains from the air.

from $126.27Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Half-Day Teide Quad Adventure

4.7 322 traveller reviews

South Tenerife

A half-day quad ride through Teide National Park's volcanic landscape, with hotel transfer from the south included.

from $93.67Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

One-Hour Estate Horse Ride

4.4 141 traveller reviews

Adeje

An hour in the saddle around a south Tenerife estate, on quiet trails with a guide leading the way. No experience needed; the pace suits first-time riders as much as regulars.

from $56.25Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Masca and Island Tours

Coach tours that pair the village of Masca with other island sights, from the cliffs of Los Gigantes to the north-coast towns. Most run seven to nine hours, with hotel pickup from the main resorts in the south.

9-Hour Coach Loop, Teide and Masca

4.6 2,951 traveller reviews

Tenerife · 9 hours · A nine-hour coach loop taking in Teide National Park, Masca village, the Drago Milenario in Icod and the old port town of Garachico. · Run by Atlántico Excursiones

This nine-hour coach tour strings together Tenerife's headline sights: the volcanic landscape of Teide National Park, the hamlet of Masca perched above its gorge, the thousand-year-old dragon tree in Icod de los Vinos and Garachico's rock pools. A guide narrates the whole loop.

from $66.62Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Masca and Pools, Picnic Included

4.6 417 traveller reviews

Los Cristianos

A full day pairing the Masca gorge descent with a boat ride beneath the Los Gigantes cliffs, with a picnic along the way. Swim stops at natural pools round out the route.

from $76.38Per person, in USD. A promotional rate, so the regular price is higher. Check availability →

Whole-Island Tour, North Focus

4.5 374 traveller reviews

South Tenerife

A full-day island tour with a focus on the north, covering La Laguna, the Orotava valley and Puerto de la Cruz, with Teide on the route.

from $65.47Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Jeep Safari, Teide and Masca

4.5 178 traveller reviews

Costa Adeje

An open-top jeep safari linking Teide National Park with the village of Masca, taking mountain roads a coach cannot manage. Hotel pickup is included.

from $79.62Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

La Gomera Day Trips

Full-day trips that cross from Tenerife to La Gomera by ferry, then tour the island by coach with a guide. They run a full day door to door, and some include lunch on La Gomera itself.

Jeep Safari, Garajonay and Lunch

4.7 571 traveller reviews

Costa Adeje

Explore La Gomera by open-top jeep, climbing into Garajonay National Park for lunch and viewpoints on roads a coach cannot use.

from $172.29Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Coach and Ferry, Lunch Included

4.1 2,218 traveller reviews

South Tenerife

Ferry from Los Cristianos to La Gomera with coach touring on the island and lunch included. A full day out with no driving of your own.

from $126.34Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Food, Wine and Farms

Tastings at island wineries, visits to banana and other farms, and food tours that take in local produce. Sessions run from about an hour to several hours, and some combine a tasting with a walk through the surrounding countryside.

Banana Plantation, Guided or Self-Guided

4.7 1,571 traveller reviews

Arona · 1 hour · A working banana finca visit with a guide, or wander the plantation at your own pace and finish with a tasting of local produce. · Run by Finca Las Margaritas banana Experience

Bananas shaped Tenerife's export history, and this plantation shows how they are grown, irrigated and packed today. Walk the rows, learn the island's farming story and sample the fruit and other local goods at the end.

from $11.49Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Winery Tour, Four Wines and Cheeses

4.6 524 traveller reviews

El Sauzal

Guided tour of Bodegas Monje in the north of Tenerife, tasting four wines alongside local cheeses, with vineyard views over the sea.

from $40.20Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Owner-Led Eco Banana Farm Walk

4.8 157 traveller reviews

La Orotava

A guided walk through working banana plantations with the farmer who runs them, ending in a tasting of local produce.

from $23.42Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Full-Day Gastronomy, Lunch Included

4.5 232 traveller reviews

South Tenerife

A full day of Canarian food and wine with lunch included, moving between vineyards, farms and villages rather than sitting on a coach.

from $97.63Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Evening Shows

Night-time entertainment booked as a ticket, typically with dinner included: medieval-themed shows, live music and pirate-style evenings. Most run two to three hours and include hotel transfers from the main resort areas.

Medieval Banquet and Tournament Show

4.7 1,394 traveller reviews

Castillo San Miguel · 2 hours 30 minutes · A medieval banquet and jousting tournament inside Castillo San Miguel, with dinner served as the knights compete. · Run by RADEZA, S.L.

Castillo San Miguel in San Miguel de Abona stages a night of armoured knights on horseback, swordplay and a banquet eaten by torchlight. Transfers from the southern resorts are part of the evening.

from $59.73Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Teatro Timanfaya Flamenco Ticket

4.5 114 traveller reviews

Puerto de la Cruz

A ticket to a flamenco performance at Teatro Timanfaya in Puerto de la Cruz, with several showings each week.

from $35.13Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Guided Hikes

Walks with a qualified guide through the national park, the laurel forests of Anaga and the valleys of the north. Trips range from a couple of hours to full days out, and a guide covers the route, the booking and the transport.

Laurel Forest Hike, Picnic Included

4.9 462 traveller reviews

Santiago del Teide · 5 hours · A guided hike through laurel forest above Masca, with a picnic included. Ancient trees, deep ravines and views over the Teno massif. · Run by 10X. TENerife eXperience.

Walk above Masca into the laurel forest of the Teno massif, where moss-draped trees shade the path and ravines open onto coastal views. A guide leads at a steady pace, and a picnic is included. Good footwear is essential for the rocky sections.

from $102.22Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Guided Day Hike, South Pickup

4.9 258 traveller reviews

South Tenerife

A guided hike with transport from southern resorts, led by a qualified mountain guide across Tenerife's volcanic terrain.

from $70.25Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Full-Day Anaga, Hotel Pickup

5 155 traveller reviews

South Tenerife

A full-day guided hike into the Anaga mountains and their laurel forest, with hotel pickup. Walking shoes and a layer for the mist are the essentials.

from $162.76Per person, in USD. The rate changes with the size of your group. Check availability →

Summit Hike, Hotel Pickup

4.9 84 traveller reviews

Tenerife

Guided hike on the PNT 10 summit trail with hotel pickup included. The visitor permit costs EUR 15 and the guide handles the Tenerife ON reservation.

from $217.08Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Anaga Laurisilva, Route Options

4.8 252 traveller reviews

Anaga Rural Park

Guided hike in Anaga Rural Park with route options to suit your legs, from gentle laurel-forest paths to longer ridge walks above the sea.

from $27.57Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Private Short Anaga Hike

5 5 traveller reviews

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

A private, shorter guided hike in the Anaga hills, shaped to your pace rather than a group's. Good if you want the laurel forest without a full day on your feet.

from $45.67Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Town Walks and City Tours

Walking tours of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and San Cristóbal de La Laguna, plus food-led city walks. The free tours are tip-based and run about two hours; paid tours add tastings or transport further afield.

Santa Cruz Free Walking Tour

4.81 233 traveller reviews

Santa Cruz de Tenerife · 2 hours · A free, tip-based walking tour of Santa Cruz de Tenerife's historic centre, from Plaza de España outward.

The capital's historic centre unfolds on this free walking tour on GuruWalk, taking in Plaza de España, the shopping streets and the churches at its heart. Guides mix history with pointers for the rest of your day. The walk is free to join and tip-based. See this free tour on GuruWalk for times.

Free, pay what you wantFree to join: you pay the guide what you want at the end. See this free tour on GuruWalk →

Bike or E-Bike, Cruise Terminal Start

4.5 177 traveller reviews

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

A guided bike or e-bike ride around Santa Cruz de Tenerife, starting close to where cruise passengers come ashore.

from $28.48Per person, in USD. A promotional rate, so the regular price is higher. Check availability →

Cruise Shore Excursions

Shore excursions here range from short port-side outings to full island days. Options differ mainly in duration and in how much of Teide, La Laguna or the south coast they pack in.

Small-Group Shore Tour, Teide and Icod

4.9 275 traveller reviews

Santa Cruz de Tenerife · 7 hours · Small-group shore excursion from Santa Cruz to Teide National Park, Icod's dragon tree and Garachico, timed to the ship's schedule. · Run by World Travel Tenerife

Built around cruise schedules, this small-group excursion leaves Santa Cruz and climbs to Teide National Park before dropping down to the Drago Milenario in Icod and the lava-rock pools of Garachico. The group size is kept low, and the return is timed to the ship.

from $82.70Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

VIP Small-Group Teide, Port Pickup

4.8 23 traveller reviews

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

A small-group VIP shore excursion to Teide National Park with pickup directly from the cruise port.

from $84.30Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

Panoramic Island Excursion, Port Pickup

5 8 traveller reviews

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

A panoramic shore excursion around Tenerife's highlights, collecting cruise passengers at the port in Santa Cruz.

from $69.08Per person, in USD. The total depends on the date and option you pick. Check availability →

The Things to Do in Tenerife Travellers Book Most

The table below is ordered by traveller review count, the clearest signal available for how often something is actually booked. Each column holds the kind, the product name, its rating, its review count and its starting price, pulled straight from the product data.

ExperienceKindLengthFromTraveller ratingTraveller reviewsBook
Eco Yacht Safari, Swim Stop Whale and Dolphin Watching 1h 30m $34.34 ★ 4.7 19,175 Check availability
Siam Park Day Ticket Park Tickets $50.54 ★ 4.5 18,714 Check availability
No-Chase Catamaran, Underwater Windows Whale and Dolphin Watching 1h 30m $32.16 ★ 4.6 15,261 Check availability
Loro Parque Day Ticket Park Tickets $50.54 ★ 4.8 14,633 Check availability
Small-Group Kayak, Free Video On and Under the Water 3h $29.24 ★ 4.7 12,101 Check availability
Loro Parque Plus Siam Park Park Tickets 1 day $89.59 ★ 4.7 8,367 Check availability
Cable Car Ticket, Coach Transfer Teide by Day 7h $105.67 ★ 4.3 6,024 Check availability
Puerto Colon Catamaran, Food and Drinks Whale and Dolphin Watching 3h $53.98 ★ 4.6 5,782 Check availability
Los Gigantes Cliffs, Swim Stop Whale and Dolphin Watching 2h $32.16 ★ 4.7 5,673 Check availability
Telescope Stargazing, 3 Hours Teide Sunset and Stargazing 3h $45.94 ★ 4.2 4,551 Check availability
Catamaran, Drinks, 2 or 3 Hours Whale and Dolphin Watching 2 to 3 hours $40.20 ★ 4.7 4,167 Check availability
Small-Group Sunset, Self-Drive Option Teide Sunset and Stargazing 3 to 5 hours $40.20 ★ 4.7 3,600 Check availability
Guided Jet Ski Safari, Two Durations On and Under the Water 1h 40m $37.32 ★ 4.5 3,122 Check availability
Coach Tour, Dinner Included Teide Sunset and Stargazing 8h $76.11 ★ 4.8 2,961 Check availability
9-Hour Coach Loop, Teide and Masca Masca and Island Tours 9h $66.62 ★ 4.6 2,951 Check availability

Things to Do in Tenerife on Teide

A day visit rides the cable car from the base station at 2,356 m up to La Rambleta at 3,555 m and back within a few hours. A sunset tour times the ride for the light and the temperature drop once the daytime hours end. A stargazing tour runs after dark with telescopes, and several depart as small groups because of the equipment and the guide ratio. The crater beyond La Rambleta is a separate trail with its own summit permit, covered next.

The cable car stops at La Rambleta, 3,555 m, and the crater beyond it is a separate trail with its own permit, booked on Tenerife ON. The permit rules and the cable car prices are set out in the guides to Teide National Park, the Teide cable car and the Teide summit permit.

Things to Do in Tenerife on the Water

Whale and dolphin boats sail mostly from Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje to watch resident pilot whales and dolphins under Canary Islands law: a minimum distance, a boat limit and a speed limit near the animals, and every authorised boat carries the Barco Azul flag. The other water trips are hands-on: kayaking, scuba, jet ski, parasailing, surf lessons and a submarine, mostly from the south coast, with one from Puerto de la Cruz.

Free Things to Do in Tenerife

Teide National Park has no entry fee on any official page: the charges are per booking, on two summit trails only. The free walking tours below run on GuruWalk, where you join without paying and tip the guide at the end.

Driving through Teide National Park and stopping at its viewpoints carries no entry charge on any official page; the only charges on the mountain are the per-booking fees on the two summit trails. The island's beaches are free to visit, from the golden sand at Las Teresitas and Las Vistas to the black sand at El Bollullo.

Things to Do in Tenerife with Kids

Children under 3 are not allowed on the Teide cable car, because of the altitude, and the summit trail does not admit them either.

Park tickets suit families best: Siam Park, Loro Parque and the camel experience. The Teide cable car and the PNT 10 summit trail both refuse children under 3 because of the altitude, and the summit trail admits under-16s only with an adult. Some scuba and snorkelling trips set their own minimum age, one listing 8 and over.

Things to Do in Tenerife by Area: North and South

Most departures sit in the south: Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Americas, Arona and the Los Gigantes coast hold most of the whale-watching, water-sport and quad or buggy trips. The north, around Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Puerto de la Cruz, La Orotava and Anaga, holds the free GuruWalk walking tours and a smaller cluster of hiking and culture trips. Teide National Park sits centrally, reached from either coast.

Adeje

Anaga Rural Park

Arona

Castillo San Miguel

Costa Adeje

El Sauzal

La Orotava

Las Chafiras

Las Lagunetas

Los Cristianos

Los Gigantes

Playa San Juan

Playa de las Americas

Puerto de la Cruz

Puerto de la Cruz and Costa Adeje

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Santiago del Teide

South Tenerife

Teide National Park

Tenerife

What Sells Out and When to Book

The Teide summit permit is the one thing on the island with a hard release schedule. It is booked on Tenerife ON, a new week opens every Monday at 07:00 Canary time so that 56 days are always bookable, and the 09:00 to 17:00 slots cost visitors EUR 15. Bookings are non-refundable unless the trail is closed or the cable car is not running.

Several Teide sunset and stargazing departures run as small groups by design, which caps the seats on any given night regardless of demand, unlike the larger coach-based day tours. The one item on the island with a fixed release schedule is the PNT 10 summit permit, covered below.

The sunset and night sky options are compared under Teide Sunset and Stargazing.

What Things to Do in Tenerife Cost

Each row below is one named product with its own starting price, never a range for its kind. Most prices are per person; a few group activities price per group instead, and the table marks which basis applies. Local trail fees such as the Teide summit permit, Masca and Barranco del Infierno are separate euro charges paid at entry, outside any tour price.

Around the Island in Photos

The photographs below show Teide's volcanic landscape, the coastline where the boats and water sports run, and the northern towns behind the free walking tours.

Things to Do in Tenerife: Questions Answered

What is a must do in Tenerife?

Teide and the sea. A cable car trip up the volcano, or a sunset or stargazing tour, is the island's most established experience, and a whale and dolphin watching boat from Los Cristianos or Costa Adeje is the other. Start with those two and the rest of the island falls into place.

What should you not miss in Tenerife?

Two things. The Masca gorge descent is a pre-booked, guided-access trail that ends with a boat exit from Masca bay, one of the island's signature walks. And one of the free GuruWalk walking tours through a northern old town, such as La Orotava or Puerto de la Cruz, costs nothing but a tip.

What is there to do in south Tenerife?

The south, around Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Americas and Arona, holds most of the whale and dolphin boats, the water sports and Siam Park. It is the resort coast most visitors stay on, so a large share of the island's bookable days out sit within a short drive of the main hotels.

Do you need a permit to climb Teide?

Yes, for the summit trail. The cable car stops at La Rambleta, 3,555 m, and the crater beyond it needs a personal reservation on Tenerife ON. The 09:00 to 17:00 slots cost visitors EUR 15, and the sunrise and sunset slots are bookable reservations too.

What is there to see in Tenerife for free?

Free walking tours cover La Orotava, Puerto de la Cruz and the historic centre of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, free to join and tip-based through GuruWalk. Beyond them, driving through Teide National Park and stopping at its viewpoints carries no entry charge, and the island's beaches are free to visit.

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