22 Best Things to Do in Tenerife: Top Highlights

Book tickets for Tenerife highlights in advance

Some of the best things to do in Tenerife are seriously popular — and they fill up fast.

To skip the long lines and guarantee your entry, we strongly recommend buying tickets online ahead of time. Sometimes you’ll even save a few euros in the process.

For these Tenerife attractions, book your ticket in advance:

All 22 Tenerife highlights on one map

Before we dive into our favorite things to do in Tenerife, here’s a quick overview of exactly where everything is located.

We’ve put together a map with all 22 top Tenerife highlights for easy reference.

Highlights in the North of Tenerife: Lava Beaches and Cities

Playa de las Teresitas

Tenerife has plenty of beautiful beaches, but Playa de las Teresitas is something special!

A long, golden sandy beach in front of turquoise water, with black mountains rising up in the background — it’s genuinely stunning.

Around the beach you’ll also find plenty of bars, restaurants, and chiringuitos (Spanish beach snack bars).

The entire beach is framed by breakwaters, keeping the water shallow and calm. That makes it a great spot for families too.

Fun Fact: Most beaches in northern Tenerife are black and rocky. But Playa de las Teresitas was artificially filled with sand shipped over from the Sahara, giving the north its own swim-friendly stretch of golden beach.

Lago Martianez

Lago Martianez is one of the most popular points of interest in northern Tenerife. It’s a large saltwater bathing complex right on the ocean.

The facility was built in the 1960s because the rocky northern coast isn’t well suited for swimming — which meant most tourists headed south. This was the solution.

There are seven saltwater pools surrounded by lava rock, palm trees, and a direct view of the sea.

Sun loungers are free, and you can rent umbrellas for a few euros.

Palmetum

The Palmetum is a 12-hectare botanical garden in Santa Cruz. It specializes in palms, with waterfalls, ponds, a museum, and beautiful views of the ocean.

More than 2,000 different plant species grow here, including 500 varieties of palm alone.

The park is divided into island worlds — think Madagascar or the Caribbean. A stroll through this subtropical oasis is simply perfect for unwinding.

Get tickets for the Palmetum

Auditorio de Tenerife

The Auditorio de Tenerife is often described as the landmark of the island — and honestly, it earns that title.

The building is truly impressive and, thanks to its silhouette and waterfront location, is somewhat reminiscent of the Opera House in Sydney. It’s futuristic and stands in stark contrast to the surrounding nature and open sea — and that’s exactly what makes it so worth seeing.

Enormous white arches sweep across the building, and especially at sunset, the modern architecture makes for a fantastic photo opportunity.

The Auditorio hosts concerts and is home to the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra. Catching a show is absolutely worth it — the orchestra is considered one of the best in all of Spain.

Casa de los Balcones

If you’d like to learn something about the history and traditional way of life of the Canary Islands, head to La Orotava — a small town about 30 minutes by car from Puerto de la Cruz.

Here you’ll find the Casa de los Balcones, a 17th-century manor house converted into a museum showcasing traditional Canarian crafts.

The centerpiece is the courtyard with its large, intricately carved wooden balcony and almost jungle-like vegetation — very typical of Canarian manor houses.

You can also pick up Canarian embroidery, ceramics, timple guitars, and traditional costumes as souvenirs. In short: everything authentically Canarian!

Ticket for the Casa de los Balcones

Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África

The Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África is the largest and most important market on Tenerife.

It runs daily in its dedicated building in Santa Cruz and has just about everything: fruits, vegetables, baked goods, fish, clothing, handicrafts, and plenty of small restaurants.

This is by no means a tourist market — this is where locals actually do their shopping. Which means no inflated tourist prices either.

So stroll, eat, and shop to your heart’s content. There’s even a children’s playground to keep the little ones busy.

Also read:

Rural de Anaga

The Anaga Nature Park is one of the most important on all of Tenerife — at over 14 hectares, it covers a substantial chunk of the island. It’s located in the far north and makes for an ideal day trip from Santa Cruz.

The landscape is wonderfully varied: rugged mountain ranges, secluded coves with black volcanic sand and turquoise water, wildly growing laurel forests, and the so-called dykes — walls of solidified lava.

All that diverse nature is a natural invitation for outdoor adventures. Topping the list are hiking and mountain biking. But you can also grab a surfboard, go diving, or even try horseback riding.

Guided hike through the Anaga forest

Museo de Naturaleza y Arqueologia

The Museo de Naturaleza y Arqueologia is the natural history museum of the Canary Islands, located in Santa Cruz.

It features permanent exhibitions on the history of the Canaries and their indigenous people, plus fascinating information on geology, the Canarian volcanoes, and the local flora and fauna.

The museum spans three floors, so set aside a few hours. There’s a free audio guide you can download on your phone.

Loro Parque

Loro Parque is one of the most visited attractions on Tenerife, but we don’t recommend it.

The reason: not only are sloths, chimpanzees, parrots, and other animals kept here, but also orcas and dolphins.

The marine mammals live in far too small tanks and are required to perform shows for visitors on a regular basis. For us, that is anything but species-appropriate — and honestly, it’s just not acceptable anymore.

Precisely because the park is so often touted as a “highlight,” we think it’s important to give you the full picture, and we’d clearly advise skipping it.

If you’d love to see whales and dolphins, Tenerife has some great alternatives. Our personal, firsthand recommendation: an eco-friendly whale watching tour (no. 12 in the article) where the well-being of the animals is taken very seriously and they’re never chased. Truly amazing!

Respectful whale and dolphin cruise without chasing

Highlights in the South of Tenerife: Tourism and Nightlife

Barranco del Infierno

Barranco del Infierno roughly translates to Hell’s Gorge. It’s a spectacular canyon near Adeje in the south of Tenerife.

A hiking trail stretches 6.5 kilometers (round trip) through the gorge, passing sheer rock faces and plants that in some cases exist nowhere else on earth but Tenerife.

Along the trail you can also spot ancient paintings in some of the caves.

At the end of the hike, you’re rewarded with a real standout: a large waterfall.

Access to the gorge is limited to 20 people per hour to protect the environment. Book your ticket in advance on the park’s website — don’t leave this one to chance.

Aqualand

Aqualand is a combination of water park, spa, and entertainment. For kids there are slides, wave pools, and water playgrounds, while adults can relax under hydro-massage showers and in whirlpools.

The highlight of the park is a multiple award-winning dolphin show, included in the admission price. It takes place daily at 3:30 PM and lasts about 25 minutes.

Our tip: Book your ticket online in advance and you’ll save a few euros!

Ticket for Aqualand

Whale Watching

Have you always wanted to see a whale or dolphin in its natural habitat? In the south of the island, a whale watching tour ranks among the absolute top things to do in Tenerife.

That’s because around 400 whales and dolphins swim year-round between La Gomera and Tenerife. You’ll very often spot pilot whales and common bottlenose dolphins, for example.

There are also species that only pass by the Canaries at certain times of year.

And don’t worry: the chances of not spotting any whale or dolphin are very slim. If it does happen, many operators will repeat the tour.

Our experience: We’ve done this tour ourselves and loved it! The trip was super relaxed — we spotted a large pod (yes, that’s what it’s called) of pilot whales and even three dolphins. An unforgettable experience.

Whale watching tour departing from Los Cristianos

Monkey Park

Another animal-themed Tenerife attraction worth checking out is Monkey Park.

This wildlife park is home to a huge variety of primates: from classic great apes like chimpanzees all the way to tiny ones like lemurs from Madagascar.

What makes Monkey Park special is that you’re allowed to enter the enclosures — and the animals are happy to get up close and cuddly with you. You can feed them too, but only with the food provided.

Beyond primates, there are also tortoises, crocodiles, snakes, and birds to admire.

Siam Park

Siam Park is the largest water park in Europe and is definitely one of the top Tenerife highlights for water lovers — especially if you’re traveling with kids.

There are tube slides, near-vertical drop slides, slides that shoot you through a tunnel inside a shark tank, and plenty more.

Beyond the slides, there’s a massive standing wave of three meters and various water playgrounds.

Get tickets for Siam Park

Highlights in the West of Tenerife: Cliffs and Viewpoints

El Teide

At more than 3,700 meters high, El Teide is not only the tallest mountain on Tenerife but in all of Spain. You can imagine the kind of gigantic panorama you get from up there.

If you want to go all the way to the summit, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, you should be in solid physical shape — the ascent takes five hours. Only a limited number of people are allowed to reach the very top each day, and spots are often booked out weeks in advance. On the way back down, you take a cable car.

Alternatively, you can take the cable car on the way up. It carries you from the base station to an elevation of 3,555 meters. Check the cable car’s status in advance though, as it can’t operate in strong winds.

Hike up El Teide with cable car up and down

Guided summit hike of El Teide with cable car descent

Teide National Park

El Teide again? As beautiful as the mountain is, it still only appears once on our list of best things to do in Tenerife. Because beyond the volcano itself, there’s the national park that surrounds it — and it deserves its own entry.

Teide National Park is the largest national park in the Canary Islands and offers a breathtaking setting: rugged crater landscapes, solidified lava flows, and a colorful sea of wildflowers in spring. And of course, the giant Teide volcano always looms in the background.

The great thing about the park is that it’s very accessible. There are 38 official hiking routes in total, but you can also explore it comfortably by car.

Nighttime tour to El Teide

Day trip through Teide National Park and northern Tenerife

Get more tips on activities on Tenerife around El Teide right here.

Drago Milenario

A very special type of tree grows in the Canary Islands: the dragon tree. These are gnarled, sprawling trees that can reach gigantic proportions.

The largest of these dragon trees stands near the town of Icod de los Vinos and is called Drago Milenario. And it really is massive — 20 meters tall with a circumference of 6 meters.

All kinds of rumors surround its age: it’s said to be up to 1,000 years old, though scientists have only confirmed around 400 years.

You can view the tree either from the free viewing platform Plaza Andrés de Cáceres or from within Drago Park. The park has the added bonus of letting you visit some traditional Guanche caves.

Ticket for Drago Milenario

Playa de los Guíos

Playa de los Guíos is one of the most beautiful beaches on Tenerife — and a real highlight you shouldn’t miss.

The sun-warmed black volcanic sand invites you to soak up the rays, and when it gets too hot, the calm cove is perfect for a dip — there are hardly any waves or currents here.

But the real standout is the spectacular view of the Acantilados de los Gigantes — the Cliffs of the Giants — and the name says it all.

Good to know: the beach sits right next to the small village of Santiago del Teide, so restaurants and bars are never far away.

Piscinas Naturales de El Caletón

The natural pools of El Caletón were formed during a volcanic eruption several hundred years ago.

Here you can swim, sheltered from the surf, in calm pools made easily accessible with ladders. It’s a fantastic experience — you can enjoy the view of the crashing sea while you float in the still water.

The pools are, however, only open in summer.

Our tip: The nearby Garachico is a wonderfully picturesque town with great cafés and restaurants, and it pairs perfectly with a trip to the natural pools.

Punta de Teno

The westernmost tip of Tenerife is Punta de Teno.

Out here, a beautiful lighthouse suddenly appears against a stunning backdrop of the Teno Mountains and the wild sea. It’s a perfect photo opportunity.

Around Punta de Teno you can also hike or go for a swim. From here you also get a breathtaking view of the Acantilados de los Gigantes cliff face.

A road does lead to the lighthouse, but it’s closed to private traffic during the day. Instead, take a taxi or bus — a bus ticket starts at just 1 euro.

Highlights in the East of Tenerife: Fishing Villages and Pyramids

Pyramids of Güimar

When you think of pyramids, you think of Egypt? Well, you don’t have to go that far. Near the town of Güimar, there’s a park with several step pyramids. Pretty wild, right?

Granted, these pyramids are just 4 meters tall — much smaller than the Egyptian ones — and they date back only to the 19th century. But all kinds of theories surround the origins of these structures.

Some say farmers just wanted to clear rocks out of their way, while others see a connection to ancient Egyptian civilization.

You can explore all of this in the park’s museum, which digs into the history and construction of the pyramids.

Ticket for the Pyramids of Güimar

Basilica of Candelaria

Since Tenerife is part of Spain and therefore predominantly Catholic, churches are certainly not in short supply. The Basilica of Candelaria — also known as Basilica Nuestra Señora — is surely one of the most remarkable buildings on Tenerife.

The church stands right on the water in the town of Candelaria, about 20 kilometers south of Santa Cruz.

Its setting on the sweeping plaza right by the open sea is even a little reminiscent of St. Mark’s Square in Venice.

And the interior is well worth a visit too — richly adorned with gold decorations.

General tips for your Tenerife vacation

Our hotel recommendations for Tenerife

Tenerife is well set up for tourists, so you’ll have plenty of places to stay to choose from. Here are our hotel picks for every budget:

The best way to get around Tenerife's attractions

For your vacation on Tenerife, we’d strongly recommend renting a car. It gives you the flexibility to reach even those Tenerife sights that aren’t well connected by public transit.

In peak season you’ll pay from 30 euros per day, and in the off-season from 20 euros per day.

You can find the best rental car deals on Discovercars:

Compare rental car prices on Discovercars

If you’d rather use public transportation, that works too — the bus network on Tenerife is very well developed. You can find the Titsa schedule here.

There’s also a tourist ticket that gives you unlimited use of public transit. A day pass costs 10 euros, a weekly pass 50 euros — so it’s only worth it if you’re really planning to travel a lot by bus.

Island hopping between the Canary Islands

Since you’re already on Tenerife, it makes perfect sense to visit one of the other Canary Islands too. Gran Canaria, for example, is only about 1.5 hours away by ferry, and La Gomera is just 50 minutes.

The easiest way to do this is by ferry, on which you can also bring your rental car. Check ferry connections on the websites of Fred Olsen and Naviera Armas.

Our favorite island, Fuerteventura, is a bit farther away — flying makes more sense there.

Find flights on Skyscanner

The best travel guides for Tenerife

Want even more information about Tenerife’s sights, or do you just like having a printed guide on hand? Here are two solid picks.

Bruckmann Travel Guide: Tenerife Hidden Places
This travel guide covers 394 of the most beautiful spots in the Canary Islands. Our personal favorite detail: all the tips come from locals and are based on the author’s many years of experience on the islands.

DuMont direkt Travel Guide Tenerife
Need something more compact? The DuMont direkt guide for Tenerife fits perfectly in your carry-on or day bag. In just 120 pages, you’ll still find everything you need on the top Tenerife highlights and the best restaurants on the island.