Things to Do in Tenerife in 5, 6 or 7 Days: A Quick Guide to Falling in Love with the Island Nuevo post
📅 Actualizado: 11 de April de 2026
Tenerife is one of the Canary Islands we have visited the most, and there is a good reason for that. The second we set foot on this island, all our problems seem to disappear. If you are looking for the best things to do in Tenerife, this guide pulls together the places and experiences that really make the island special. This is where Mount Teide stands, and at 3,718 metres it is not only the highest peak in Spain, but also the absolute star of the island.
Contenido del post
- 1 Travel tips for Tenerife: what you should know before you fly
- 2 Must-see places in Tenerife
- 3 Visiting Teide National Park
- 4 The best viewpoints in Tenerife
- 5 Complete your Tenerife trip with these activities
- 6 Where to stay in Tenerife
- 7 Where to eat in Tenerife
- 8 Itineraries for visiting Tenerife
- 9 Map with the top places to see in Tenerife
If you are coming here expecting an island full of endless white-sand beaches, I should warn you that most beaches in Tenerife have black volcanic sand. And honestly, they really do have their charm. Even though we will recommend some incredible swimming spots in this guide, the main goal of this post is not to focus only on beach time.
That is why I can already tell you that many of the most stunning places to see in Tenerife are concentrated in the north of the island. While the south is flatter and more focused on sun-and-beach tourism, the north is all about rugged scenery, ravines and greenery. For us, it is infinitely more interesting.
In this post I am going to walk you through everything you need to plan your Tenerife itinerary for 5, 6 or 7 days: how to get there and get around, the best viewpoints in Tenerife, the must-see villages, and even restaurant tips, because you already know we take food very seriously. And if you want to jump straight to the itineraries, do not worry, they are waiting for you further down.
Travel tips for Tenerife: what you should know before you fly
Planning a trip to Tenerife is easier than organising many other destinations, but if you do not want to waste time driving back and forth across the island because you did not plan properly, or end up standing there with your best confused face because you forgot to sort out transport, make a note of this.
- Flights and airports: Tenerife has two airports. Tenerife South (TFS) is where most low-cost international and mainland Spain airlines operate. Tenerife North (TFN), formerly Los Rodeos Airport, is usually more practical if you are flying from mainland Spain with traditional carriers.
- The weather: Tenerife is basically split in two when it comes to climate. The south is flatter and almost always sunny and warm. The north, thanks to the trade winds and the famous sea of clouds, is much greener, cooler and more humid. Bring a light jacket even if you are travelling in summer.
- Where to stay in Tenerife: if your plan is sightseeing, visiting villages, doing hiking routes and seeing the island at its most authentic, stay in Puerto de la Cruz or nearby in the north. If all you want is beach time, sun and resort comfort, then the south will suit you better.
- How many days you need: the absolute minimum we would recommend is 4 days to see the main highlights. Realistically though, 7 days is perfect if you want to enjoy Tenerife without constantly rushing from place to place.
- Getting around the island: this is non-negotiable. You really do need a rental car. Public transport is fine between big towns, but the schedules and routes will seriously limit you if you want to reach viewpoints, remote villages and natural spots.
Must-see places in Tenerife
To stop you from going mad staring at the map, I have grouped the best things to do in Tenerife by village, city or area. That way you can organise your daily routes in a much more logical way.
San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz and Taganana
The northeast of the island mixes history, culture and nature, and that contrast is exactly why we love it. In San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it feels like you are walking through a colonial city somewhere in South America.
Very close by, you can stop at Jóver Natural Pool, a seawater pool with views of Teide.
From there, continue on to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the island’s capital. A lot of people skip it, which is a mistake, because it is definitely worth a visit. I would recommend a walk through Plaza de España, with its huge artificial lake, and a stop at the stalls in Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África. Do not leave without trying something local.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
From the capital, head into Anaga Rural Park, one of the oldest parts of Tenerife and one of the most beautiful areas on the island. This is where you can do the well-known Path of the Senses, a route that cuts through laurel forest. If you keep driving down to the coast, you will reach Taganana and the wild beaches around it, including Benijo Beach, one of those places that gets under your skin.
And if you want a safe swim while exploring this area, because Benijo is definitely not for carefree bathing, I would recommend Las Teresitas Beach, just north of Santa Cruz. It has spectacular viewpoints from both ends and it is one of the best beaches in Tenerife.
Puerto de la Cruz and La Orotava
Puerto de la Cruz is our favourite base in the north. It is lively, attractive and full of character. Here you will find, among other things, the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Peña de Francia and the busy Plaza del Charco. Make sure you stop at Mirador de la Punta del Viento too.
For swimming, you have two very good options:
- Playa Jardín
- Costa Martiánez, a complex of saltwater pools designed by César Manrique
Costa Martiánez and Puerto de La Cruz
Just a few kilometres away is La Orotava, one of Tenerife’s most historic towns. The absolute must here is Casa de los Balcones, a beautiful house museum where you can learn about Canarian crafts and the traditional dress of La Orotava. Very close by, you can also visit El Socorro Beach, which is very popular with surfers.
Icod de los Vinos
This town is famous above all for the Millenary Dragon Tree, a spectacular tree that genuinely looks like something from a fantasy film. To see it properly, you have to pay for entry, but there is also a viewpoint in Plaza de Andrés de Lorenzo Cáceres where you can see it for free from a bit farther away.
If you like caves and lava tubes, this is also where you can visit Cueva del Viento, one of the longest volcanic tubes in Europe.
Garachico
Garachico used to be Tenerife’s most important commercial port until the Trevejo volcano buried it in 1706. Today it is one of the prettiest villages in Spain. Ironically, the same lava that destroyed the harbour created El Caletón Natural Pools, which are now perfect for a safe swim right by the sea.
Also visit Plaza de la Libertad, the gardens of the Marquisate of Quinta Roja, and Puerta de Tierra, one of the few remains of the old port that survived the eruption.
Buenavista del Norte and Masca
Some of the most jaw-dropping scenery on the island is in the northwest. You can visit Buenavista del Norte and then continue along the same road to Punta de Teno, one of the best viewpoints in Tenerife. The views of the cliffs from here are spectacular.
Speaking of cliffs, from here you can continue towards Masca, a tiny hamlet literally hanging inside a ravine. From the village itself, or from a boat trip along the coast, you will get views of the Los Gigantes Cliffs, some of the most impressive rock walls in the Canary Islands.
Mirador de Masca y Acantilados de Los Gigantes
If you do not fancy driving these roads, and honestly they can be quite intense if you are not used to this sort of thing, you can always skip the car and book an organised tour instead.
The south: Costa Adeje, Las Américas and Los Cristianos
Even though I already told you the south is the island’s main “beach and pub” zone, it is still worth seeing, at least for a final couple of relaxed days. Costa Adeje, Las Américas and Los Cristianos are all linked by a seafront promenade. If you want a classic beach day with restaurants and no complications, this is where you will probably end up.
From the south, you can also do activities such as whale and dolphin watching tours.
Visiting Teide National Park
No, I have not forgotten the main star of Tenerife. Visiting Teide National Park is absolutely essential, and there is a bit more to it than just showing up. Also, how to get to the summit of Mount Teide requires some planning.
As soon as you enter the park, you will start seeing an incredible lunar landscape. The first thing I recommend is stopping at El Portillo Visitor Centre to understand the geology of the area and take the classic photo at Roque Cinchado, the famous rock formation that used to appear on old 1,000 peseta notes.
How to get to the summit of Mount Teide
You have two options to go up:
- Take the Teide cable car, which takes you to La Rambleta station at 3,555 metres
- Hike up via Montaña Blanca, which is much more demanding physically
But that still is not enough to reach the actual summit of Teide at 3,718 metres. If you want to do the final stretch from the upper cable car station, you need a special permit issued by Spain’s National Parks network. Do not bother trying that last part without it, because they do check.
The permit is free, but spaces disappear very quickly. You need to book it months in advance on the official website, sometimes two or even three months ahead.
If you manage to get the permit, remember that oxygen is much scarcer at that altitude and you will get tired much more quickly. Go slowly. As you approach the summit, you will start to notice the typical sulphur smell from the volcanic fumaroles, and seeing them up close is a pretty intense experience.
Always carry water, sunscreen, sunglasses and warm clothing. High mountain sun is no joke, and it can be cold up there even when it is hot on the coast.
The best viewpoints in Tenerife
If there is one thing Tenerife does really well, it is viewpoints. Some are dramatic, others are more peaceful, and a few of them will make you stop talking for a while, which is not exactly easy in my case.
These are the best viewpoints in Tenerife for us:
- Punta de Teno – one of the most powerful coastal landscapes on the island
- Mirador de Jardina – fantastic views over La Laguna and the north
- Mirador de La Tarta – one of the best roadside stops in Teide National Park
- Mirador de Chipeque – one of the classic places to see the sea of clouds with Teide in the distance
- Mirador de Cruz del Carmen – perfect if you are exploring Anaga
- Mirador de Humboldt – views over the Orotava Valley that are absurdly good
- Mirador de San Pedro – another excellent viewpoint over the coast and banana plantations in the north
- Mirador de Masca – dramatic and a little nerve-racking if you do not like heights
- Mirador de La Garañona – beautiful coastal scenery near El Sauzal
Where to stay in Tenerife
Choosing your base in Tenerife depends 100% on the kind of trip you have in mind.
We will always recommend the north, especially Puerto de la Cruz. If you want to do some proper sightseeing, visit charming towns, drive scenic mountain roads, stop at viewpoints and experience the local culture, the north feels far more authentic and much calmer.
Our favourite hotels in Puerto de la Cruz are Silken Saaj Maar and Catalonia Las Vegas, both with direct sea views and modern, comfortable facilities at a pretty reasonable price. Another brilliant option in Puerto de la Cruz is DWO Nopal, which is more central and has a rooftop pool with panoramic views.
If what you are after is a beach holiday where the main plan is dropping your towel on the sand and only getting up to order another mojito from the beach bar, then forget the north. Do not even bother with it. In that case, head south, to Los Cristianos, Las Américas or Costa Adeje, where you will find the huge all-inclusive hotel chains.
Hotels in this part of Tenerife are usually quite a bit more expensive, but you can still find some good deals, such as Sunny Oceanview in Las Américas or Apartamentos Garden Atlantis, both very much in that big holiday-complex style with a huge central pool for those days when you do not feel like leaving the hotel.
Where to eat in Tenerife
Food is one of the reasons we always come back happy from Tenerife. There are quite a few dishes you really should try.
Typical food to try in Tenerife
- Papas arrugadas with mojo sauces – the great Canary Islands classic, and rightly so
- Almogrote – originally from La Gomera, but also amazing in Tenerife; a strong cheese spread with garlic, oil and pepper
- Canarian fried cheese – crispy on the outside, soft inside, and dangerously easy to order every single day
- Polvito Uruguayo – honestly one of the best desserts you can have in the Canaries, with crushed biscuits, dulce de leche, whipped cream and meringue
There are many more typical dishes such as gofio, ropa vieja canaria and local fish, but these are the ones we order almost every time we go back.
Papas arrugadas with mojo sauce and mushrooms with almogrote
Our recommended restaurants in Tenerife by area
Here are some of our favourite places to eat well in Tenerife.
In Puerto de la Cruz:
- Restaurante Divino
- Casa Mika
- Mesón Los Gemelos
- África Gastrobar
- Vinoteca Con Pasión
- Black Sea
- Tasca El Olivo
In Icod de los Vinos:
- La Parada (Casa de Comidas)
In the northeast / Anaga area:
- El Mirador de Benijo
In Los Gigantes:
- Tas-k
Canarian fried cheese and Polvito Uruguayo
Itineraries for visiting Tenerife
Now for the best part: the itineraries. These are the routes I would recommend for seeing Tenerife in 5 days, 6 days or 7 days.
What to see in Tenerife in 5 days
This is a fairly tight itinerary, so get ready for early starts and making the most of your mornings if you also want beach time later in the day.
- Day 1: Morning in Puerto de la Cruz and up through La Orotava. In the afternoon, visit the Millenary Dragon Tree in Icod de los Vinos and continue to Garachico, including a swim in its natural pools.
- Day 2: Stop in Buenavista del Norte before heading along the winding road to Masca. In the afternoon, visit the Los Gigantes Cliffs and have a swim at the beach.
- Day 3: A full day for Teide National Park. Drive the viewpoints, stop at the visitor centre and go up Teide. Just remember to sort out the permit months in advance if you want the summit.
- Day 4: Walk around Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the morning and spend the afternoon in San Cristóbal de La Laguna.
- Day 5: Nature day in Anaga Rural Park. Drive the viewpoints, do some hiking through the laurel forest, go down to Taganana, and say goodbye to the island with sunset at Benijo Beach.
What to see in Tenerife in 6 days
If you have one extra day, I would use it to balance out the pace of the previous days with some well-earned rest in the south of the island.
- Days 1 to 5: Follow exactly the same route as in the 5-day Tenerife itinerary to cover the most important highlights.
- Day 6: Head south and switch off. Spend the day around Costa Adeje and Las Américas. You can do a boat trip to spot whales and dolphins in the morning, then simply relax on the beach, order a cocktail and watch the sunset like you do this all the time.
What to see in Tenerife in 7 days
This is the sweet spot. With a full week, you have the perfect amount of time to see all the most interesting places to see in Tenerife without rushing all over the island.
- Day 1: Take it easy in the Orotava Valley. Then head down to Puerto de la Cruz and enjoy the pools at Costa Martiánez. A relaxed day without doing too many kilometres.
- Day 2: Visit Icod de los Vinos, Garachico with a swim in the pools, Buenavista del Norte, and add Punta de Teno Lighthouse if road access restrictions allow it.
- Day 3: Visit Masca in the morning and then continue to the Los Gigantes Cliffs with some beach time afterwards.
- Day 4: Full day for Teide National Park and the summit route.
- Day 5: Visit Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the morning and San Cristóbal de La Laguna in the afternoon.
- Day 6: Full nature day in Anaga Rural Park. Viewpoints, hiking along the Path of the Senses, a visit to Taganana, and sunset at Benijo Beach.
- Day 7: Move down to the south of the island. Total rest day between Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas. At that point, you have earned the right to do absolutely nothing except enjoy the sun and the beach.
I hope this quick Tenerife guide helps you make the most of your days on the island and that you come back home with your batteries recharged and your stomach full of papas arrugadas with mojo.
If you think I have missed a great spot, or you are not sure how to fit your route together, leave a comment and I will try to help.
Map with the top places to see in Tenerife
You now have everything you need to explore Tenerife properly. And if you are thinking of combining it with Gran Canaria, which is what we did on one trip, you can also check out our Gran Canaria guide to get the whole route organised.
Otros lugares para descubrir
