Tenerife sights: the 12 most beautiful places

In short: Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands and packs volcanic desert, laurel forest, steep cliffs and colonial towns into a small area. The big four are the Teide, the Anaga mountains, Masca and La Laguna. Plan at least a week and a hire car, and book the Teide and the Masca gorge in advance.

At a glance

Must-sees: Teide National Park, Anaga, Masca, La Laguna
Time needed: at least 1 week, 2 weeks with hiking and beach time
Getting there: two airports, Tenerife South and Tenerife North
Getting around: a hire car is highly recommended, regular buses (guaguas) rarely go into the mountains
Book in advance: Teide cable car, summit permit, Masca gorge
Best time: all year round, in winter the north is often cloudy

Which places on Tenerife are really worth it?

The list is sorted by importance: you should manage the first four even on a short trip, and the rest will fill a second week.

Teide National Park: Spain’s highest mountain (3,715 m) with a cable car and a lunar landscape. Everything about tickets and permits is in the article on the Teide.
Anaga mountains: laurel forest, mountain villages and narrow ridge roads in the northeast, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Masca: a mountain village above a deep gorge in the Teno mountains.
San Cristóbal de La Laguna: a colonial old town with colourful façades, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a university town.
Los Gigantes: sheer cliffs that drop several hundred metres vertically into the sea. Best seen from a boat.
Puerto de la Cruz: the promenade, the Lago Martiánez seawater pools and Loro Parque.
Garachico: a small harbour town with the El Caletón lava rock pools.
Icod de los Vinos: the Drago Milenario, an ancient dragon tree.
La Orotava: manor houses with carved wooden balconies and steep lanes.
Playa de las Teresitas: a light sandy beach with palm trees near Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife: the Auditorio at the harbour and the Nuestra Señora de África market hall.
Paisaje Lunar: pale tuff rock columns near Vilaflor, only reachable on foot.

What do you need to book in advance?

On Tenerife, many things have required a reservation in recent years.

Teide: the cable car costs 42.00 € return for non-residents (as of October 2026). For the summit, you also need a permit via the Tenerife ON portal.
Masca gorge: the hike through the gorge is only possible with a reservation via the official portal. You book the boat from the bay separately. You can get into the village itself without a hiking ticket.
Anaga: special access conditions apply to the El Pijaral protected area. Current information is available on Tenerife ON.

Warning: The road to Masca is narrow, steep and full of hairpin bends. Only drive it if you are confident on mountain roads. According to media reports, access to the village is now regulated via shuttle buses, so check the current situation before you go.

North or south: where is the best place to stay?

The north is green, cooler and more Spanish, while the south is dry, sunny and geared towards beach holidays. The trade wind piles the clouds up against the northern side, which is why it can be raining in Puerto de la Cruz while the sun is shining on the Costa Adeje. Help with deciding is in Tenerife north or south.

How do you sensibly split up a week?

Group together places that lie along the same road, otherwise you will spend more time in the car than necessary.

Day 1: La Laguna in the morning, then Santa Cruz and Las Teresitas.
Day 2: Anaga with a short hike in the laurel forest, then the north coast for sunset.
Day 3: Teide. Go up early, before the car parks fill up.
Day 4: La Orotava and Puerto de la Cruz.
Day 5: Icod de los Vinos, Garachico, then over the Teno mountains to Masca.
Day 6: Los Gigantes with a boat trip to see whales and dolphins.
Day 7: beach day, with the options listed under beaches on Tenerife.

Tips on the ground

There are a few things almost everyone underestimates on their first visit.

Altitude and temperature: there is often a difference of 15 degrees between the coast and the Teide. Keep a jacket and long trousers in the car.
Time of day: mountain destinations early in the morning, coastal towns in the afternoon. In Anaga, clouds often roll in at midday.
Hiking: the best routes are in Hiking on Tenerife.

If after your holiday you are thinking of staying longer: La Laguna is also a university town, find out more in Studying in La Laguna.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do I need for Tenerife?

A week is enough for the most important places. With hiking days and beach time, two weeks are more relaxed.

Do I need a car?

For the Teide, Anaga and Masca, yes. Buses do run, but rarely and not at times that suit hikes. Between the coastal towns you can get around well by bus.

Can I go up the Teide without a reservation?

Into the national park, yes, but not to the summit. For the cable car you book a ticket with a time slot, and for the summit trail a permit.

Is Tenerife also a winter destination?

Yes. On the coast at Santa Cruz, the average daily maximum in January is 21.0 °C (AEMET, normal values 1981 to 2010). There may be snow on the Teide at that time.

Sources

Last updated: October 2026

As of October 2026. Opening hours, prices and entry rules change. Check them on the official websites before your visit.

Cover image: Diego Delso · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

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