What to See in Tenerife: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Tenerife is the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, set in the Atlantic Ocean near Morocco. The island feels like a small continent, with microclimates ranging from volcanic deserts around Mount Teide to lush banana valleys in the north and black-sand beaches meeting turquoise waves. At its center, Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rises to 3,718 meters—Spain’s highest peak. A cable car ride here reveals craters in shades of ochre and rust-red above the clouds. Colonial La Laguna features 16th-century pastel mansions, Santa Cruz blends modern culture with port life, and La Orotava, surrounded by mountains, keeps Tenerife’s aristocratic history alive with its carved wooden balconies.
Must-see: Mount Teide & National Park (UNESCO), La Orotava historic center, La Laguna old town, Santa Cruz capital, black-sand Playa Jardín, golden Playa del Duque, Los Gigantes cliffs, Masca canyon, Anaga mountain rainforest.
Daily budget: €60–120, covering meals €20–40, transport €10–20, Teide cable car €40, museum €6–10, bus €2–5, car hire €40/day; budget travelers manage around €70/day.
Best time: March–June or September–November for warm 22–26°C weather, fewer crowds, and blooming laurisilva forests; July–September peak heat 30°C and crowds; December–February mild 19–22°C, ideal for hiking.
Famous for: Mount Teide volcano, year-round spring climate, subtropical flora, colonial old towns La Orotava & La Laguna, Carnival of Santa Cruz (second only to Rio), papas arrugadas potatoes with mojo sauce, and black volcanic beaches.
Teide National Park sits in the center of Tenerife, with a 17-kilometer-wide caldera recognized by UNESCO for its unique volcanic scenery. Here, solidified lava, pumice cones, and obsidian fields create a vast natural amphitheater. Mount Teide rises above it all, reaching 3,718 meters, the highest point in Spain. From the €40 cable car station at 3,555 meters, you can enjoy sweeping views of the Atlantic. At sunset, the area glows with saffron-orange light over the sea of clouds, called la mar de nubes. At night, the park becomes one of Europe’s top stargazing spots, certified by UNESCO’s Starlight reserve.
Trails from Roques de García wind among lava monoliths with names inspired by legends, such as the “Cathedral.” The dry plateaus here stand in sharp contrast to the green banana plantations that cover the northern valleys beyond the crater walls. This landscape shows how Tenerife’s volcanic core continues to shape the island, even long after Teide’s last eruption in 1909.
San Cristóbal de La Laguna, once Tenerife’s capital, was founded in 1497 as Spain’s first colonial city built without fortifications, following Renaissance planning ideas. Today, its straight pastel streets and early convents—La Concepción, Santo Domingo, and La Catedral de los Remedios—have earned UNESCO recognition as a model for later cities in Latin America, such as Havana and Cartagena. The city’s cafés and bars are lively with university students, and free museums share stories of Canarian emigration and trade with the Americas.
Just fifteen minutes west, in the misty Orotava Valley, you’ll find La Orotava, known for its elegant heritage. Here, 17th to 19th-century mansions line steep cobbled streets, shaded by bright bougainvillea. The Casa de los Balcones, built in 1632, features wooden balconies carved from Canarian pine. Colonial courtyards are filled with geraniums, and stone steps lead to the terraced Victoria Gardens, which honor the Marquis of Quinta Roja. The Baroque Iglesia de la Concepción stands out with its twin white domes and volcanic stone façade.
This well-preserved architecture, set in a natural amphitheater, owes its past wealth to sugar, cochineal dye, and banana exports that supported La Orotava’s aristocracy. Meanwhile, local farmers worked the terraced fields down to Puerto de la Cruz. Today, the town is the cultural heart of northern Tenerife, famous for its Corpus Christi festival each June, when sawdust carpets with religious and floral designs cover Plaza del Ayuntamiento and attract thousands of visitors.
The northern slopes of Tenerife are full of life, thanks to trade winds that bring moist air up the mountains. This creates lush forests of laurels and dragon trees, along with terraces of vines and mango groves. The Orotava Valley, surrounded by pine forests at 800 to 1,200 meters, offers classic viewpoints like Mirador Humboldt, named after Alexander von Humboldt’s 1799 visit. From here, you can see the rooftops of La Orotava and the Atlantic waves at Puerto de la Cruz. On the other side of the island, Anaga Rural Park protects rare plants that have survived since the Tertiary Era. Hiking trails such as Cruz del Carmen to Punta del Hidalgo (11 km) pass through cloud forests covered in moss and ferns, and deep ravines lead down to hidden beaches like Benijo and Taganana.
South Tenerife offers a different scene, with dry volcanic plains and sunny beaches. Playa del Médano is known for its strong winds and kite-surfing, while resort areas like Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas are lively with nightlife and seafront walks. Remarkably, within 30 kilometers, you can go from swimming in the subtropical sea to seeing snow on Teide in a single day—a rare combination of climates.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, island capital since 1833, fuses colonial streets with futuristic silhouettes, such as Santiago Calatrava’s gleaming wave-like Auditorio de Tenerife (2003), the city’s architectural icon. The African Market (Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África, 1943) spreads fresh produce, Canarian cheese, and mojo-spiced olives beneath pink neo‑Mudéjar arches, while civic plazas commemorate the island’s naval history against British invasion attempts led by Admiral Nelson (1797).
Each February or March, Santa Cruz ignites with the Carnival of Tenerife, one of the world’s largest costume parades, rivaling Rio, with 300,000 dancing nightly under fireworks as queens’ sequin‑laden gowns weigh over 100 kg apiece. After Carnival, life resumes along palm‑lined Avenida de Anaga and modern art museums lining the port, while ferries link to nearby Gran Canaria and La Palma.
La Orotava Walking Tour: 1h30 tip-based route through the National Historic-Artistic Ensemble (Tuesdays & Saturdays, guide: María Pacheco).
Stops include:
The tour introduces 17th–19th-century Canarian architecture, civic heritage, and festival traditions, ending with viewpoints across the green valley toward Teide’s snowy peak—a compact education in Tenerife’s layered history. Wheelchair accessible, pet- and family-friendly, no extra fees, free cancellation.
Getting There: Tenerife South Airport (TFS, Reina Sofía) handles most international flights and is 60 km from La Orotava. Tenerife North (TFN, Los Rodeos) is near La Laguna, 25 km to the east. Buses run hourly between the airports and cost €10–15. Renting a car (€35–50 per day) is important for visiting remote parks and valleys. Intercity buses (guaguas) connect main towns, but service is limited in the mountains.
Getting Around: Island roads circle via TF‑1 (south motorway) and TF‑5 (north route to La Orotava). Green TITSA buses connect Santa Cruz, La Laguna, Puerto de la Cruz, the Teide cable car, and southern beaches—use the Ten+ card (€2 deposit, cheaper fares).
Accommodation: In the north, La Orotava offers boutique rural houses (€80–150), and Puerto de la Cruz has eco-hotels (€100–180). In the south, resorts in Adeje and Los Cristianos cost €140–250. Mountain refuges near Teide are about €30 per night and require a reservation.
Visit Duration:
Known as “The island of eternal spring,” Tenerife stays mild year‑round: the south coast averages 26–30°C in summer, 21–23°C in winter, while the north (La Orotava) is slightly cooler and greener (18–26°C). The sunniest months are June–October; December–February are best for quiet trails. Snow occasionally tops Teide while coastal resorts swim at 22°C—pack both sunscreen and a fleece.
Before the Spanish conquest, the indigenous Guanches lived on Tenerife, farming goats and barley. In 1496, the Castilian annexation brought the Canary Islands into Spain. La Orotava’s fertile valley soon became a center for sugar and wine, exporting malvasía wines to England and the Americas. Colonial elites built ornate mansions with wooden balconies made from Canary pine, and artisans developed embroidery and pottery crafts that are still found today.
In the 18th century, Tenerife prospered through Atlantic trade routes; Santa Cruz rose from port to capital, though British admiral Horatio Nelson’s 1797 invasion failed (losing his arm in the attempt). Tourism began in the mid‑20th century as Europeans sought year‑round warmth—south coast resorts emerged around Los Cristianos, while La Orotava retained cultural prestige, hosting the island’s famous Corpus Christi flower mats since 1847.
Today, Tenerife welcomes 6 million visitors each year while focusing on sustainability. Teide conservancy protects the volcanic environment, La Orotava’s preservation laws safeguard its historic center, and eco-routes in Anaga and Teno parks help connect the Canary Islands’ identity to their volcanic origins.
What is Tenerife best known for?
Spain’s tallest mountain, Mount Teide (3,718 m), black‑sand beaches, UNESCO-listed old towns La Laguna & La Orotava, volcanic hiking, and Europe’s warmest winter climate draw travelers, transforming Tenerife into a top Canary Islands escape. The island’s Carnival ranks second globally after Rio's.
Are there free tours on Tenerife?
Yes—Freetour.com lists several, notably the Visit to La Orotava Walking Tour (1 h 30, tip‑based) through 17th–19th‑century heritage homes and gardens led by María Pacheco, suitable for families, wheelchair access, pets welcome. It’s available Tuesdays and Saturdays from Iglesia de La Concepción—book free with no minimum group.
What’s the best base for visiting the island?
Stay north (La Orotava / Puerto de la Cruz) for authentic culture, botanical gardens, and easy access to Teide; choose south (Adeje, Los Cristianos) for beaches and nightlife. Santa Cruz suits Carnival season or island explorers near Anaga.
Best time to visit Tenerife?
March–June and September–November—pleasant 23–27°C, few crowds, clear skies for Teide summit access. July–September: busy/high sun; winter (Dec–Feb): ideal for mild hiking at 19–22°C, with fewer tourists.
Where is La Orotava located?
La Orotava sits on Tenerife’s northern slope 4 km inland from Puerto de la Cruz and 45 km west of Santa Cruz, perched 390–600 m above sea level in a volcanic valley beneath Teide NP. Its Old Town is a National Historic‑Artistic Ensemble that preserves Baroque and Canarian architecture unmatched in the Canary Islands.
How to reach Mount Teide summit?
Drive to Teide cable car base (2,356 m, 1 h from La Orotava), ride to the 3,555 m station (€40 return), then obtain a free but limited permit online (months in advance) for the final 200 m summit walkway (requires ID). Independent or guided climb, sunrise/sunset options available year‑round, weather permitting.
Quick Takeaway
Must-see: Mount Teide & National Park (UNESCO), La Orotava historic center, La Laguna old town, Santa Cruz capital, black-sand Playa Jardín, golden Playa del Duque, Los Gigantes cliffs, Masca canyon, Anaga mountain rainforest.
Daily budget: €60–120, covering meals €20–40, transport €10–20, Teide cable car €40, museum €6–10, bus €2–5, car hire €40/day; budget travelers manage around €70/day.
Best time: March–June or September–November for warm 22–26°C weather, fewer crowds, and blooming laurisilva forests; July–September peak heat 30°C and crowds; December–February mild 19–22°C, ideal for hiking.
Famous for: Mount Teide volcano, year-round spring climate, subtropical flora, colonial old towns La Orotava & La Laguna, Carnival of Santa Cruz (second only to Rio), papas arrugadas potatoes with mojo sauce, and black volcanic beaches.
Mount Teide & National Park
Teide National Park sits in the center of Tenerife, with a 17-kilometer-wide caldera recognized by UNESCO for its unique volcanic scenery. Here, solidified lava, pumice cones, and obsidian fields create a vast natural amphitheater. Mount Teide rises above it all, reaching 3,718 meters, the highest point in Spain. From the €40 cable car station at 3,555 meters, you can enjoy sweeping views of the Atlantic. At sunset, the area glows with saffron-orange light over the sea of clouds, called la mar de nubes. At night, the park becomes one of Europe’s top stargazing spots, certified by UNESCO’s Starlight reserve.
Trails from Roques de García wind among lava monoliths with names inspired by legends, such as the “Cathedral.” The dry plateaus here stand in sharp contrast to the green banana plantations that cover the northern valleys beyond the crater walls. This landscape shows how Tenerife’s volcanic core continues to shape the island, even long after Teide’s last eruption in 1909.
Colonial Towns: La Laguna & La Orotava
San Cristóbal de La Laguna, once Tenerife’s capital, was founded in 1497 as Spain’s first colonial city built without fortifications, following Renaissance planning ideas. Today, its straight pastel streets and early convents—La Concepción, Santo Domingo, and La Catedral de los Remedios—have earned UNESCO recognition as a model for later cities in Latin America, such as Havana and Cartagena. The city’s cafés and bars are lively with university students, and free museums share stories of Canarian emigration and trade with the Americas.
Just fifteen minutes west, in the misty Orotava Valley, you’ll find La Orotava, known for its elegant heritage. Here, 17th to 19th-century mansions line steep cobbled streets, shaded by bright bougainvillea. The Casa de los Balcones, built in 1632, features wooden balconies carved from Canarian pine. Colonial courtyards are filled with geraniums, and stone steps lead to the terraced Victoria Gardens, which honor the Marquis of Quinta Roja. The Baroque Iglesia de la Concepción stands out with its twin white domes and volcanic stone façade.
This well-preserved architecture, set in a natural amphitheater, owes its past wealth to sugar, cochineal dye, and banana exports that supported La Orotava’s aristocracy. Meanwhile, local farmers worked the terraced fields down to Puerto de la Cruz. Today, the town is the cultural heart of northern Tenerife, famous for its Corpus Christi festival each June, when sawdust carpets with religious and floral designs cover Plaza del Ayuntamiento and attract thousands of visitors.
Natural Landscapes: Valle de la Orotava & Anaga Forests
The northern slopes of Tenerife are full of life, thanks to trade winds that bring moist air up the mountains. This creates lush forests of laurels and dragon trees, along with terraces of vines and mango groves. The Orotava Valley, surrounded by pine forests at 800 to 1,200 meters, offers classic viewpoints like Mirador Humboldt, named after Alexander von Humboldt’s 1799 visit. From here, you can see the rooftops of La Orotava and the Atlantic waves at Puerto de la Cruz. On the other side of the island, Anaga Rural Park protects rare plants that have survived since the Tertiary Era. Hiking trails such as Cruz del Carmen to Punta del Hidalgo (11 km) pass through cloud forests covered in moss and ferns, and deep ravines lead down to hidden beaches like Benijo and Taganana.
South Tenerife offers a different scene, with dry volcanic plains and sunny beaches. Playa del Médano is known for its strong winds and kite-surfing, while resort areas like Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas are lively with nightlife and seafront walks. Remarkably, within 30 kilometers, you can go from swimming in the subtropical sea to seeing snow on Teide in a single day—a rare combination of climates.
Santa Cruz & Carnival
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, island capital since 1833, fuses colonial streets with futuristic silhouettes, such as Santiago Calatrava’s gleaming wave-like Auditorio de Tenerife (2003), the city’s architectural icon. The African Market (Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África, 1943) spreads fresh produce, Canarian cheese, and mojo-spiced olives beneath pink neo‑Mudéjar arches, while civic plazas commemorate the island’s naval history against British invasion attempts led by Admiral Nelson (1797).
Each February or March, Santa Cruz ignites with the Carnival of Tenerife, one of the world’s largest costume parades, rivaling Rio, with 300,000 dancing nightly under fireworks as queens’ sequin‑laden gowns weigh over 100 kg apiece. After Carnival, life resumes along palm‑lined Avenida de Anaga and modern art museums lining the port, while ferries link to nearby Gran Canaria and La Palma.
Free Walking Tour: La Orotava Heritage Stroll
La Orotava Walking Tour: 1h30 tip-based route through the National Historic-Artistic Ensemble (Tuesdays & Saturdays, guide: María Pacheco).
Stops include:
- Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción – 18th‑century Baroque emblem with twin domes of Canarian lava stone.
- Plaza del Ayuntamiento – site of annual sawdust carpets during Corpus Christi.
- Casa de los Balcones – 1632 mansion showcasing Canarian wooden balconies & folk crafts.
- Hijuela del Jardín Botánico – annex botanical garden linked to Puerto de la Cruz’s main one (3,000 species).
- Jardines Victoria / Marquesado de la Quinta Roja – terraced 19th-century gardens dedicated to a local noble.
- Liceo Taoro & Plaza del Quiosco, finishing at Convento de San Agustín monastery.
The tour introduces 17th–19th-century Canarian architecture, civic heritage, and festival traditions, ending with viewpoints across the green valley toward Teide’s snowy peak—a compact education in Tenerife’s layered history. Wheelchair accessible, pet- and family-friendly, no extra fees, free cancellation.
Practical Tips
Getting There: Tenerife South Airport (TFS, Reina Sofía) handles most international flights and is 60 km from La Orotava. Tenerife North (TFN, Los Rodeos) is near La Laguna, 25 km to the east. Buses run hourly between the airports and cost €10–15. Renting a car (€35–50 per day) is important for visiting remote parks and valleys. Intercity buses (guaguas) connect main towns, but service is limited in the mountains.
Getting Around: Island roads circle via TF‑1 (south motorway) and TF‑5 (north route to La Orotava). Green TITSA buses connect Santa Cruz, La Laguna, Puerto de la Cruz, the Teide cable car, and southern beaches—use the Ten+ card (€2 deposit, cheaper fares).
Accommodation: In the north, La Orotava offers boutique rural houses (€80–150), and Puerto de la Cruz has eco-hotels (€100–180). In the south, resorts in Adeje and Los Cristianos cost €140–250. Mountain refuges near Teide are about €30 per night and require a reservation.
Visit Duration:
- Weekend (3 days): Teide NP day trip, Santa Cruz walk, La Orotava tour & Puerto de la Cruz beach.
- Week (7 days): Add La Laguna, Anaga forest hiking, south coast beaches, & dolphin tour.
Weather in Tenerife
Known as “The island of eternal spring,” Tenerife stays mild year‑round: the south coast averages 26–30°C in summer, 21–23°C in winter, while the north (La Orotava) is slightly cooler and greener (18–26°C). The sunniest months are June–October; December–February are best for quiet trails. Snow occasionally tops Teide while coastal resorts swim at 22°C—pack both sunscreen and a fleece.
Short History
Before the Spanish conquest, the indigenous Guanches lived on Tenerife, farming goats and barley. In 1496, the Castilian annexation brought the Canary Islands into Spain. La Orotava’s fertile valley soon became a center for sugar and wine, exporting malvasía wines to England and the Americas. Colonial elites built ornate mansions with wooden balconies made from Canary pine, and artisans developed embroidery and pottery crafts that are still found today.
In the 18th century, Tenerife prospered through Atlantic trade routes; Santa Cruz rose from port to capital, though British admiral Horatio Nelson’s 1797 invasion failed (losing his arm in the attempt). Tourism began in the mid‑20th century as Europeans sought year‑round warmth—south coast resorts emerged around Los Cristianos, while La Orotava retained cultural prestige, hosting the island’s famous Corpus Christi flower mats since 1847.
Today, Tenerife welcomes 6 million visitors each year while focusing on sustainability. Teide conservancy protects the volcanic environment, La Orotava’s preservation laws safeguard its historic center, and eco-routes in Anaga and Teno parks help connect the Canary Islands’ identity to their volcanic origins.
FAQ about Tenerife
What is Tenerife best known for?
Spain’s tallest mountain, Mount Teide (3,718 m), black‑sand beaches, UNESCO-listed old towns La Laguna & La Orotava, volcanic hiking, and Europe’s warmest winter climate draw travelers, transforming Tenerife into a top Canary Islands escape. The island’s Carnival ranks second globally after Rio's.
Are there free tours on Tenerife?
Yes—Freetour.com lists several, notably the Visit to La Orotava Walking Tour (1 h 30, tip‑based) through 17th–19th‑century heritage homes and gardens led by María Pacheco, suitable for families, wheelchair access, pets welcome. It’s available Tuesdays and Saturdays from Iglesia de La Concepción—book free with no minimum group.
What’s the best base for visiting the island?
Stay north (La Orotava / Puerto de la Cruz) for authentic culture, botanical gardens, and easy access to Teide; choose south (Adeje, Los Cristianos) for beaches and nightlife. Santa Cruz suits Carnival season or island explorers near Anaga.
Best time to visit Tenerife?
March–June and September–November—pleasant 23–27°C, few crowds, clear skies for Teide summit access. July–September: busy/high sun; winter (Dec–Feb): ideal for mild hiking at 19–22°C, with fewer tourists.
Where is La Orotava located?
La Orotava sits on Tenerife’s northern slope 4 km inland from Puerto de la Cruz and 45 km west of Santa Cruz, perched 390–600 m above sea level in a volcanic valley beneath Teide NP. Its Old Town is a National Historic‑Artistic Ensemble that preserves Baroque and Canarian architecture unmatched in the Canary Islands.
How to reach Mount Teide summit?
Drive to Teide cable car base (2,356 m, 1 h from La Orotava), ride to the 3,555 m station (€40 return), then obtain a free but limited permit online (months in advance) for the final 200 m summit walkway (requires ID). Independent or guided climb, sunrise/sunset options available year‑round, weather permitting.
