You are wondering about the best places to visit in Tenerife? We’ll show you!

 

Local people and people, who spent sufficient time in Tenerife will confirm it – it is impossible to put all those places to visit in Tenerife on a small list. There is simply too much beauty to see, too many hidden gems to discover and too many locations for an exciting excursion.

But we know, that we have to be reasonable, as you will probably only have limited time to enjoy the island’s splendor. Therefore we will show you in the following what to see in Tenerife:

 

The 10 best places to visit in Tenerife

1) Teide

Of course, what else could be named first?

The volcano with a height of 3.718m is the highest mountain in Spain and it is worldwide the third highest volcano on a volcanic island. You can either enjoy the view on it by visiting the huge Teide National Park or you can even experience the Teide first hand by cable car or by climbing on top of it.

The Teide is literally the center of the island and there are several ways to reach it by car and public busses. There are numerous routes for hiking and mountain biking, as well as visitors can even spend a night on the volcano at the highest accommodation in Spain, the “Refugio Altavista”.

2) Masca Gorge

The Masca Gorge and the Masca village are a very popular destination for excursions and hiking trips. Situated in the volcanic formations of the Teno Massif, it offers visitors spectacular views on a impressive landscape.

The small and very charming village used to be one of the most isolated places on the island many years ago. Today luckily you can visit the traditional houses along narrow alleys by car or by bus. There you can enjoy traditional local delicacies and products.

If you want to be even more active, take our hiking equipment with you and walk the ca. 8km long trail down the Gorge to the Masca beach. The route is said to be one of the most beautiful in Tenerife, however you should avoid it during bad weather. Once arrived on the beach, you can either return upwards or go on a boat to Los Gigantes. With some luck you may even see some whales or dolphins on the way.   

3) The Dragon Tree (El Drago)

When you visit Tenerife, you will probably see them everywhere: curious Dragon Trees. However there is one of them in the northern part of the island, which is quite popular. It is situated in Icod de los Vinos and called “El Drago Milenario”.

What makes it so special is the fact, that Dragon Trees grow very slow. Therefore, by having a diameter of almost 20m and with a height of 18m, it is no wonder that estimates of its age have been from 800 years to 3000 years. Though, until today the real age has not been revealed by scientists.

You can get there by public bus or by car. For the latter you might consider leave the car in the parking lot nearby. You can either spend a small fee to enter the botanical “Parque del Drago” and get really close to it, or you can stay outside the park and enjoy the view on the Dragon Tree from the terrace above it.  

4) San Cristobál de La Laguna

If you like city trips and historic places, San Cristobál de La Laguna – or simply La Laguna – will be your place. This beautiful city is often mentioned as cultural center of the island and the Unesco declared its historical center a World Heritage Site in 1999.

We have to admit, that La Laguna is not known for the best weather in Tenerife, as it can get quite chilly in the winter and extremely hot in the summer. But this should not detain you from discovering its historical beauty during a relaxed walk through its center. You will see the Cathedral of La Laguna, petite cafés and boutiques as well as well-groomed green spaces.

Other important of La Laguna is the university and the Tenerife North Airport closeby. You can reach La Laguna easily by car, public bus or by the tram, that connects La Laguna with the capital Santa Cruz.

5) Loro Parque and Siam Park

Tenerife hosts two leisure parks, that are famous all over the world: Loro Parque and Siam Park.

Loro Parque is situated in the north of Tenerife, in Puerto de la Cruz. Tripadvisor declared it to be the best zoo in Europe and second best in the world. It all started originally with a parrot collection and developed over the years to a giant park with animal shows, aquaria and a baby station. You can see dolphins, orcas, gorillas and numerous colorful parrots.

Siam Park is in the south of Tenerife, in Costa Adeje. According to Tripadvisor it is the best waterpark in the world, which is no wonder considering the diversity of attractions. You can relax on the white beach with the world’s biggest artificial wave, enjoy thrilling water slides like the Tower of Power with a height of 28m or you can watch the sea lions at the entry area.  

Both parks are open all year round and can be reached by car or public transport. Additionally Siam Park offers free busses in the south, that will bring you from different bus stations to the park. They even offer Twin Tickets, so that visiting both of them is more economic for you.  

6) Cueva del Viento

The Cueva del Viento (“Cave of the Wind”) is mostly missing in the lists of places to visit in Tenerife. But this could be called injustice, because with a length of more than 17km the Cueva del Viento is the largest lava tube in the European Union and the fifth longest in the world.

It was formed by volcanic eruptions and is a treasure chest for every person interested in biology, geology or simply in the beauty of nature. During the 2 hours tour a guide will tell you more details about its history and importance.

Tickets are available online and you should bring hiking shoes and long gear, as the cave is very humid. The maximum number of participants in a group is 16, so you better save your spot on time.

7) Macizo de Anaga

The Macizo de Anaga or Anaga Country Park is a mountain range in Tenerife, that was declared Biosphere Reserve. It is situated in the northeastern part of the island and characterised by green and deep valleys and majestic mountain tops.

You can either make a tour around the rural park by car and discover stunning beaches, small villages and curious rock formations such as the “León de Piedra”, which has the shape of a lion. Or you can take one of the numerous hiking trails around the area and discover humid forests like laurisilva. Scientists estimate it to an age of more than 40 million years, so in fact you can experience living history.

The Macizo de Anaga is only few minutes by car from Santa Cruz or La Laguna (depending on which end you want to start) and there is also public busses leading to it.

8) The Cliffs of Los Gigantes

“The Acantilados de Los Gigantes” – The Cliffs of Los Gigantes – are situated in the northwestern part of the island. As the name literally reveals, the giant cliffs rise from the sea and have a height of up to 500-800 metres.

You can marvel at their splendor from the small town of the same name. It can be either sitting in one of the small beach front cafés and restaurants or you can go on one of the excursion boats leaving the Los Gigantes harbour. Another option to discover the stunning area of the cliffs are active tours by kajak or by Stand up Paddle Board.

You can get to Los Gigantes by car or by public bus. If you go by car, try to make a stop at the lookout point “Mirador de Archipenque”.

9) Auditorio de Tenerife “Adán Martín”

When you enter Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital of the island, you will directly see the Auditorio de Tenerife on the right side. You may first think, that you may have ended up in Sydney, as it is quite similar to the Sydney Opera House.

It was designed by architect Santiago Calatrava Valls and completed in 2003. Since then it is the home of the Symphonic Orchestra of Tenerife and it hosts numerous musical shows and concerts every year.    

The extraordinary design, the location and the cultural importance of the Auditorio de Tenerife “Adán Martín” make it to an emblem of Santa Cruz and Tenerife itself. You should check their agenda, as the interior is impressive as well.

You can go there by car, as a big parking lot is right beside it or you can take public busses to see it.

10) Barranco del Infierno

We cannot finish this list without having mentioned the Barranco del Infierno (“Hell’s Gorge”). This popular hiking trail is situated right next to our Spanish school in Adeje. The path leads through a ravine and offers some stunning views on the ocean, Adeje and the landscapes of Tenerife south. In the end you will reach the highest waterfall in Tenerife.  

Furthermore the gorge has a very high archaeological importance, as it was the place of discovery of Guanche mummies and utensils, which are now on exhibition in the Museum of Nature and Man in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. They have been living in many of the caves, which can be seen from the trail. Also you can discover a very rich flora and fauna.

Only 300 people may enter the Barranco del Infierno per day, so it is advisable to make a booking in advance. The hiking trail is considered as low-medium difficulty and it takes you approximately 3,5 hours for the whole tour. However you should make sure to wear proper shoes and clothes. You can reach the Barranco del Infierno either by car or by public bus.

Are you curious now?

 

We can help you making your stay more fun by organising excursions for you or by giving you more recommendations. And of course we can teach you Spanish, so that you can get most out of your vacation. Just contact us!

 

Your SMS Spanish Experience Team