For many people, a holiday to Tenerife means spending long, lazy days relaxing in the sun by the pool or beach. And sure, you can definitely do that if you want – but you’d be missing out. See below for the Top 5 sightseeing attractions in Tenerife.
Tenerife is the most popular of all the Canary Islands – as well as the largest – and features a huge diversity of landscapes and things to visit. What it lacks in historical monuments or museums, it more than makes for with its diversity of terrain and things to do. Scroll down for the full list.
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Take a little time from out from lazing by the pool and you’ll discover a plethora of cool things to see and do. Here are just five sightseeing attractions you should visit on your next trip to Tenerife.
Take a trip up the Mount Teide cablecar
At 3.718m, Teide is Spain’s highest mountain (by virtue of Spain’s ownership of the Canaries). Teide dominates Tenerife and is visible from pretty much everywhere on the island. Indeed, as you fly in and out, it’s the first and last thing you’ll see (it’s also visible from most of the surrounding islands).
“One of the most sublime achievements of nature where all her vast resources come together to produce a grandiose and supreme effect is sunrise seen from the peak of Mt Teide. If there is a person who has never experienced a profound trembling of the soul, then that person must seek ectasis on the summit of Mt Teide”.
Olivia M. Stone 1887
The Mount Teide cable car climbs the mountain in around eight minutes from a base station at 2,356m up the top station at 3,555m. There are various walking paths at the top but be aware if you want to climb to the actual summit, you’ll need a special dispensation. Access is limited for environmental reasons. Regardless, a trip up Teide is a definite must-do on a trip to Tenerife. The views from the top are astounding across to Gran Canaria, La Gomera and La Palma. Indeed, on a clear day, it’s possible to pick out all the islands in the archipelago.
The easiest way to take a trip up Teide is by organised tours – the majority of which collect you and drop you off. Alternatively, you could hire a car and drive yourself – but that means also finding parking at the base station.
Remember also that, due to its world-beating climate and lack of pollution, the Teide observatory offers unrivalled stargazing opportunities.
Related content
Introducing Mount Teide, Spain’s highest mountain
The history of Mount Teide, Tenerife
Visit the cliffs at Los Gigantes
The 600m cliffs at Los Gigantes are spectacular from any viewpoint – but maybe even more so when viewed from the sea. Trips leave regularly from the main tourist areas of Los Cristianos, Playa de las Americas and, in particular, Costa Adeje (most boat trips leave from the Puerto Colon harbour next to Adeje).
Alternatively, it’s very easy to take a bus to Los Gigantes on Tenerife’s regular and reliable bus service (buy a Bonobus card for the best rates). You could also take a taxi – depending on budget.
The town of Los Gigantes is worth visiting in itself – particularly around the harbour area (which also affords the best views of the cliffs). Sunsets here are particularly spectacular.
Hike the Masca Gorge – kayak / boat trip out
Hiking Masca Gorge is a must-do on any trip to Tenerife. Situated in a secluded corner on the North West of the island, the tiny village of Masca is worth visiting in itself – if only for the spectacular ride.
When you arrive, you’ll be greeted with the sight of the long snaking valley which wends its way down to the sea. Be warned though – this hike is genuinely taxing and should only be undertaken by people in good health (there are numerous stretches which involve pretty tough terrain).
Unless you’re particularly keen on hiking, it’s best to arrange a boat trip or kayaking service on the other side of the gorge – otherwise your only option is to hike back out again. Did we mention – it’s steep – particularly on the way back out. Better to organise a boat taxi or kayak trip back to Los Gigantes.
Anaga ridge and national park
While Teide and Los Gigantes are undoubtedly the most famous of Tenerife’s natural wonders, more – equally dramatic – scenery exists at the other end of the island in the Anaga national park.
Located in the far north tip of the island, Anaga lies just above Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It is one of the most visually dramatic areas of the island – with equally dramatic roads – so you might be advised to take an Anaga Park tour to this part of the island if you’re of a nervous disposition.
As anyone who’s flown into Tenerife will know already, the island is very much split in two with a predominantly wet north side and the much drier southern areas (where the majority of the tourist resorts are located). Nowhere on the island is this north/south divide more clearly seen than on the Anaga ridge.
The Anaga ridge acts like a spine along the north of the island. Conveniently, a road cuts along the summit with multiple laybys where you can stop to admire the view. To the north (right in the photo above), the ground drops away into lush, green forested areas whereas to the south (left), the ground is almost bone dry – typifying the climate split seen across the rest of the island.
La Gomera from Tenerife
Ok, fair enough – La Gomera isn’t strictly-speaking on Tenerife. Actually, it’s not on Tenerife at all, it’s an island in its own right – but it still deserves a mention here regardless. After all, you came all this way to Tenerife already. It would be a shame let a short stretch of water dissuade you from visiting one of the area’s treasures.
Depending on where you’re staying in Tenerife, La Gomera will very likely be visible during most of your stay. The sunsets over Gomera from Costa Adeje, Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos are a highlight of most people’s trips. However, rather than just admiring the island from afar, you really ought to consider making the short journey over to discover more about this magical place.
Accessing La Gomera is easy – by plane from Tenerife North airport or by ferry from Los Cristianos. While it is quite easy to sort out your own arrangements, for most people, a La Gomera tour is probably the easiest option – and it will mean everything is already taken care of for you. Of course, this will probably mean you go there and back in a day, meaning you’ll miss out on some of the best the island has to offer (you can always go back again!)
If hiking is your thing, you’ll love La Gomera as there are really only two small towns of note on the island – the rest is largely untouched and undeveloped.
If you’re not so into your walking and hiking, St Sebastian de la Gomera is still worth a visit. Columbus parked up here for a few weeks before setting off to (unwittingly) discover America and there is a surprising amount to see and do here for such a small town.
The nightlife is considerably more chilled on La Gomera too – which can be a welcome break after the hectic fervour of the south of Tenerife. The town of St Sebastian tends to close up around 11/12pm but there are still a couple of relatively well-frequented bars in the main square. Having said that, the typical holidaymaker on La Gomera tends to considerably quieter – and normally into their walking.
La Gomera is definitely worth a longer trip if you can spare the time – but be prepared – Tenerife this is not. The islands are very, very different to one another.
Where to stay in La Gomera – the best range of accommodation at the best price
We’ve teamed up with the accommodation specialists, Booking.com, to bring you the best deals on accommodation in Tenerife.
Tenerife – an island of many personalities
Tenerife offers everything you could possibly want from a summer holiday – from heady nights out that seem to last forever right down to secluded walking and trekking far from the madding crowd – plus pretty much everything else in between. A holiday on the island is very much what you make it but if you prefer things a little more lively, check out our other Tenerife activity guide (coming soon).
To see more videos from Tenerife, click here for the first day wakeboarding at Costa Adeje Tenerife – day two wakeboarding in Tenerife here – and day three wakeboarding in Tenerife on these links. You may also be interested in learning more about the best Tenerife activities. Alternatively check the iRide summer guides and winter guides for ideas of things to do.
