Tenerife is the biggest and most visited of the Canary Islands. It has diverse landscapes from mountains to black sand beaches. The food uses flavours from the volcanic soil and sun. Places to visit in Tenerife include its varied attractions and natural wonders.
Many visitors stay near the beaches. But Tenerife has much more to offer. Also Teide National Park is great for hikers and nature lovers. There are surprises everywhere in Tenerife beyond the beaches. See mountains, forests, tiny towns, and more by exploring this special island.
While Tenerife is a popular summer destination, visiting Spain during the winter months can be equally rewarding, with Tenerife offering mild temperatures and fewer crowds.
Here Are the 5 Best Places to Visit in Tenerife
1. Playa Teresitas
Playa Teresitas beach has pretty golden sand shipped from the far away Sahara desert. You should visit this special beach before your hotel stay is over. Walk barefoot on the soft sand by the clear and stunning blue water. Feel the nice cool breeze on a beautiful sunny day there.
Take in the peaceful views before a breathtaking sunset over the water. The imported golden sand stretches long and wide, leaving you feeling relaxed. No better way to end a hotel vacation than rewarding yourself with Playa Teresitas’ beauty and serenity. This beach’s glory can linger in your mind after you very happily leave.
While Tenerife offers unique Canary Island experiences, travellers might also explore the diverse attractions of southern Spain for a different kind of coastal beauty.
Visit Tenerife: Tours & Activities
2. Anaga Rural Park
The Anaga Rural Park has beautiful hikes on Tenerife Island. The landscape is very green and lush. It looks different than the volcanic parts of Tenerife. Anaga seems like Peru with its mountain shapes.
The forest is in the far north-east of Tenerife. But cars can access nice hiking spots easily.
Many places to park and walk exist near roads. One top hike goes from Cruz del Carmen to Chinamada.
Anaga Rural Park is perfect for adventure lovers wanting wilderness. It feels isolated but is not far from towns. Drives from Santa Cruz Tenerife or Puerto de la Cruz are short.
The forests and mountains seem endless. Remote dirt trails lead to tiny rural villages. Streams trickle and birds chorus all around the hikes. See Anaga’s green glory on foot to capture the magic. Then let the forests take you far away from normal life stuff for a while.
For those who enjoy hiking and nature, San Sebastian in northern Spain also offers beautiful trails and landscapes, providing a different perspective on Spain’s diverse geography.
Visit Tenerife: Tours & Activities
3. Teide National Park
Spend a full day at Teide National Park to see the volcanic wonder. The park delivers wonderful solo trip photos. The drive takes some time but proves well worth it.
Arrive in the evening near sunset. Mountains become gorgeous sunset-shot backdrops. Vibrant colors stretch across the valley, leaving you awed. Puffy clouds hang after a short, easy hike.
Your comfortable hotel room allows for much-needed sleep. Then the next day, explore more natural art. See old craters and calderas leftover from lava everywhere.
Watch the sunset turn the landscape into intense reddish-gold. Then prepare for more adventures ahead. The park presents endless beauty to catch on camera. Drive winding roads through alien-looking badlands. Also, discover reflective pools and more surprises. Teide National Park always impresses and is one of the most popular places to visit in Tenerife.
While Teide offers unique volcanic landscapes, those interested in diverse Spanish experiences might also consider exploring Madrid, which offers its own set of attractions and cultural highlights.
Visit Tenerife: Tours & Activities
4. Masca Village
Many rave about the old pirate village of Masca in Tenerife. It’s an absolute must-see spot. Visiting Masca takes most of a day but is very worth the long trip. When you imagine a pirate village, it’s hard to picture what awaits.
What you find in Masca will likely exceed any expectations. Head out in the morning to start this adventure. You’ll learn Masca spreads far and wide, not in one place.
Seeing all of Masca takes eight to nine hours of hiking. But great photo ops exist around every turn. The views feel phenomenal.
Nine hours may seem long for old buildings and nice gift shops. But you’ll truly soak up history and meet locals. Bring plenty of water, snacks, and camera batteries. Try the cactus lemonade to refresh. It hydrates well and tastes great.
However as you trek, see tiny homes cut right into hillsides. Moreover notice lush green trees sprouting everywhere. Appreciate the calm quiet only broken by bird songs. Let the fresh breezes reenergize you all day long. Capture Masca’s rough trails and endless mountains. This pirate village still feels wonderfully remote and is one of the most unique places to visit in Tenerife.
If you enjoy exploring unique places, Barcelona offers its own set of cool experiences, from historic neighbourhoods to modern attractions.
Visit Tenerife: Tours & Activities
5. Loro Parque
Loro Parque Zoo in Tenerife claims the title of Europe’s best. It’s a “must visit” spot for you to check out and one of the most popular places to visit in Tenerife.
You’ve seen many zoos but looked forward to discovering why this one shines above the rest.
The reason became clear fast by experiencing Loro Parque yourself. The zoo spreads massively with the most exotic plants you’ve ever seen. You feel part of the habitat! Gorgeous animals live on site too.
See many mammals like chimps, jaguars, lions, and tigers. An awesome aquatic area will also impress. Spot killer whales, dolphins, and cool jellyfish. Safely watch alligators from land as well. You’ll get fabulous photos at Loro Parque for sure.
When finished at the world-class zoo, you’ll find great traditional food nearby. Nonetheless trying local flavours reminds you – “When in Rome!” After the delicious meal, you’ll head off satisfied to your next Tenerife destination.
Loro Parque offers animals and sights nowhere else. However see cute otters play and get fed. Relax during fun seal shows in their arena pool. Don’t miss the giant turtle pond or the super smart orangutans.
This massive zoo surrounds you with nature’s wonders. Expect amusement, learning, and excitement at every turn. You’ll capture stellar memories to last a lifetime.
See also: Travel guide to Nerja, Spain
Visit Tenerife: Tours & Activities
Is Tenerife Accommodation Expensive?
The average hotel in Tenerife runs $85 per night, or $42 per person with two people. But costs can be much higher at all-inclusive resorts.
When you visit impacts prices most. Trips during school breaks cost families more. Without kids, visit outside peak holiday times for possible deals.
January through April sees fewer people and cheaper rates too. The weather stays nice that season. Though Tenerife draws winter travellers, cheaper stays and smaller crowds come earlier yearly.
Overall, book Tenerife stays far in advance. Research finds you the best rates potentially with airfare bundled. Last-minute bookings drive your bill way up.
Look into packages ahead of time for big savings over paying individually later. Planning ahead takes work but pays off on a dream budget. Saving money lets you enjoy more island adventures and memories at the various places to visit in Tenerife.
See also: Spain during winter, best places to visit
Is Eating Out Expensive in Tenerife?
You’ll find eating in Tenerife pretty affordable overall. Also restaurants don’t overcharge tourists too much. A full meal at a fair spot runs about €13 normally. Expect to spend €45 total for a nice three-course dinner for two with wine at a mid-range eatery.
Prices drop as you move away from the busy seafront areas. Fans of big breakfasts rejoice – full morning spreads can cost only €3! Budget about €30 daily per person on food.
Renting a place with a kitchen saves dining dollars. Buying groceries proves far cheaper than constant restaurant meals. Supermarkets provide good deals on ingredients. Best of all, shop the local markets to maximize bargains. The fresh, locally grown produce always bursts with awesome flavour too!
Likewise wandering Tenerife’s markets gives you a peek into daily islander life as well, beyond the tourist zones. Expect to haul home bags of tropical fruits, vegetables, and seafood while supporting the community. These markets can be great places to visit in Tenerife for foodies and culture enthusiasts alike.
See also: San Sebastian itinerary
Featured Posts for Spain
Travel Planning Guide for Visiting Tenerife
Travel Insurance for Your Trip to Tenerife
Buying insurance is always valuable when travelling abroad. Therefore, enjoy your holiday in Tenerife stress-free with one of my favourite providers, Visitors Coverage Insurance.
Renting a Car in Tenerife
Indeed, renting a car in Tenerife is easy and is a great way to explore the island freely. Consequently, I recommend booking yours with Rentalcars.com – they offer a variety of operators for all budgets.
Finding the Perfect Accommodation
The best way to book your accommodation in Tenerife is with Booking.com. In fact, it’s my go to site to compare and reserve places to stay each night, from affordable guesthouses to luxury hotels.
Booking Flights to Tenerife
Lastly, for air travel, I recommend booking your flight with Omio. Moreover, it has been my favourite platform for years, as it allows me to book the cheapest flights to visit Tenerife.
