In a nutshell
- Ride the cable car up Mount Teide: Soak in the view from over 3,700 meters above sea level at Spain’s highest peak.
- Whale watching without the chase: See whales and dolphins in the wild in a completely animal-friendly way — with a money-back guarantee if you don’t spot any.
- Jeep safari through the Teide: Pure off-road adventure through volcanic landscapes — and you’ll hit spots a regular rental car could never reach.
The Best Day Trips from Tenerife
Whale Watching with Guaranteed Sighting
Want to see whales and dolphins in the wild — in a genuinely animal-friendly way? Then this tour is perfect for you (and for the animals).
On the respectful whale and dolphin cruise from Los Cristianos, you head out to sea at a leisurely pace and watch pilot whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and even sharks in their natural habitat.
Along the way, you’ll also soak in stunning views of the Teide volcano and the south coast of Tenerife — seriously gorgeous!
The experienced guides share fascinating facts about the animals and the ecosystem, and a portion of the proceeds goes toward marine conservation.
If you happen not to spot any animals, you’ll get a ticket for a second trip free of charge. That said, the operators only offer this because there are ALWAYS sightings — so don’t worry.
Our experience: We’ve done this tour ourselves and genuinely recommend it to everyone! The crew is super friendly, the trip is totally relaxed, and we spotted both pilot whales and dolphins. An all-around fantastic experience — great value, and no animals were disturbed.
Whale Watching Tour from Los Cristianos
Whale and Dolphin Eco Tour
On this whale and dolphin watching tour aboard an eco-friendly catamaran, you’ll get remarkably close to these impressive animals if luck is on your side.
You can choose between a three- and five-hour tour. Snacks and drinks are included on board.
There’s also plenty of time for a swim and snorkel stop.
Loro Parque
Loro Parque on Tenerife is a mix of zoo and aquarium.
The park is home to just about every type of animal: pink flamingos, gorillas and lions, various reptiles and fish. It’s especially well known for its huge collection of exotic, colorful parrots.
We’ll be honest — we have mixed feelings about zoos in general, since animals are kept in enclosures rather than their natural habitat. Loro Parque in particular stands out for this reason, as it is the last aquarium in the world still offering an orca show.
That said, it remains one of the most popular attractions on Tenerife, and kids will surely love a day here.
Admission to Loro Parque
Read our tips for Tenerife with kids!
Day Trip to La Gomera
The Canary Islands sit pretty close together, and La Gomera is right next door to Tenerife — making a day trip to La Gomera absolutely worth it. The fast ferry from the south of Tenerife takes about 50 minutes.
La Gomera is known for its lush, deep-green landscape, so a visit to Garajonay National Park and the El Cedro forest is a must.
At midday, you’ll stop at the highest point on the island for lunch with a fantastic view across the island.
On the way back, you’ll pass through a few small villages and visit the Church of Asunción, where Christopher Columbus once prayed.
Don’t forget: Bring your ID or passport — you’ll absolutely need it for the ferry.
Winery Tour with Cheese Tasting
Wine is one of the most important exports of Tenerife and the Canary Islands. Volcanic soil is incredibly fertile, and the mild climate is ideal for growing grapes — which is why wine tours on Tenerife are just as popular as they are in, say, Tuscany.
On this tour, you’ll visit one of the most traditional wineries in the Canary Islands. The Monje family has been producing wine here since the 1750s.
You’ll learn all about the history of the winery and the unique characteristics of Canarian winemaking.
And of course, the tasting is the highlight: you’ll sample four different wines paired with traditional Canarian goat cheese.
Wine and Cheese Tasting in Tacoronte
Activities on Tenerife with Pure Adrenaline
Tandem Paragliding Flight
One of the most popular things to do in Tenerife is paragliding, offered mainly in the south along the Costa Adeje.
After a short briefing, you’ll gear up and soar to an altitude of 700 meters. Together with your paragliding pilot, you’ll glide over some of Tenerife’s most iconic scenery — including the Barranco de Infierno — and see the Teide from a whole new perspective.
Your flight lasts about 15 to 20 minutes, and you’re in safe hands with your experienced tandem pilot the whole time. Feeling brave? You can even take the controls yourself for a bit.
Tandem Paragliding from Costa Adeje
Jeep Safari through the Teide
On this tour, you’ll spend an eight-hour day exploring Teide National Park in a four-wheel-drive jeep.
It’s the perfect pick if you’re after a little off-road adventure. The jeep takes you to places a regular rental car simply can’t reach.
And since your guide is at the wheel, you can fully focus on the stunning landscape while soaking up insider knowledge that only a local would have.
Full-Day Jeep Safari from Playas de las Americas
Quad Tour
Riding along in a jeep not enough for you — you’d rather be behind the wheel yourself? On this tour, you can tear through forests and lava landscapes on a quad bike.
The great thing is that you’re exploring the island at the same time, taking in some of the best sights Tenerife has to offer. That includes Teide National Park, and you’ll ride all the way up to 2,400 meters to Vilaflor, the highest village in Spain.
Don’t forget: Bring your driver’s license — you won’t be allowed to ride without it. Pack a jacket too, as it can get cold at altitude.
Quad Tour through Teide National Park
Tours around the Teide
Big Teide Sightseeing Tour
If it’s your first time on Tenerife, a guided tour like this one is a really great choice. You’ll be picked up from your hotel on Tenerife and have an experienced guide along for the ride, sharing all kinds of fascinating facts about the island.
The main highlight is of course Teide National Park and its namesake volcano — the symbol of Tenerife and the highest mountain in Spain.
Beyond the Teide, you’ll also see other standout points of interest like the ancient dragon tree Drago Millenario, the lava pools of Garachico, and the mountain village of Masca.
Don’t forget: Even though you’ll be traveling by minibus, there are regular stops with short walks. Wear sturdy shoes or sneakers.
Teide Sightseeing Tour with Transfer
Stargazing and Teide by Night
NASA has called the Teide a window to the universe — and for good reason. From up here, you get a one-of-a-kind view of the night sky, including the Milky Way in all its glory.
On this tour, you’ll observe the night sky through a telescope while your guides explain the constellations and the ancient myths behind them.
You can also add a traditional Canarian three-course dinner for the ride up, or a glass of sparkling wine at sunset. On a couples’ trip, that’s a seriously special touch.
With the crystal-clear skies up here, it’s also a fantastic spot for photographing the stars.
Night Sky Star Safari at the Teide
Cable Car Ride up the Teide
Pico del Teide is the ultimate highlight of any Tenerife trip. At 3,715 meters, though, it’s not exactly an easy climb — it’s really best suited for seasoned hikers.
No worries though, because on this tour you’ll cover 1,200 meters of elevation by cable car. After the cable car, there’s still a 170-meter hike on foot to the top — and the reward is what is arguably the best panorama on Tenerife.
Normally you’d need to pay 12 euros for a summit permit, but both the permit and your skip-the-line cable car ticket are already included in the tour price.
Don’t forget: Wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring a warm jacket. You’ll also need your passport or ID.
Teide Hiking Tour with Cable Car Ride
Summit Hike up the Teide
Want to really push yourself? You can of course climb the Teide entirely on foot.
Fair warning: you’ll be covering a solid 1,500 meters of elevation gain, often on loose scree. Only attempt this if you’re in good shape and confident on your feet.
But once you reach the summit, this is one Tenerife excursion you won’t forget anytime soon. Take in the breathtaking views before riding the cable car back down to the parking lot.
Your summit permit and cable car ticket are included in the tour price.
Don’t forget: You’ll need hiking shoes, weatherproof clothing, sunscreen, plenty of water, and a passport. Hiking shoes can also be rented for a fee.
Water Sports on Tenerife
Diving in Sea Turtle Territory
Want to explore the underwater world but have no diving experience? This beginner’s dive is perfect.
You’ll start with a land briefing covering the key scuba basics, and your certified dive instructor will be right by your side the entire time.
Then it’s into the water, where you’ll dive to a depth of up to 7 meters. Expect amazing reefs and fish — and with a bit of luck, turtles and rays too.
After your dive, you can also go snorkeling in a lagoon that ranks among the top snorkeling spots in the world.
The underwater world is a particularly sensitive ecosystem, so try to keep a respectful distance from the marine life throughout.
All equipment is provided for the full excursion.
Beginner Diving Experience in Puerto de Colon
Surf Lessons in El Médano
Surfing is simply an indescribable feeling — and just like the neighboring islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, Tenerife is a brilliant place to start surfing.
Before you hit the waves, there’s a short theory session to get your technique sorted on land first. In the water, your surf coach stays right by your side, helping you catch plenty of waves and offering useful pointers along the way.
Photos are taken of you while you surf, so after the lesson there’s a photo analysis session — great for spotting how to improve, and you’ll have some fantastic souvenir shots to take home.
Surf Lessons for All Levels in Playas de las Américas
Kayak Safari with Sea Turtles
Whale watching tours are everywhere on Tenerife. But if you want an activity where marine animals aren’t disturbed by motorized boats and large tourist groups, a kayak safari is tailor-made for you.
Aside from the ecological angle, kayaking is just a whole lot of fun!
You’ll paddle with your guide along the cliffs of Guaza and stop along the way to jump in with snorkel and fins. With a bit of luck, you’ll spot sea turtles and other marine life up close.
