What to see in Tenerife, the largest island of the Canaries, between volcanoes and canyons, natural pools, tropical beaches where you can bask in the sun and waves to surf. The 20 most beautiful places in Tenerife and the unmissable experiences to do on this wonderful island of the Canarian archipelago.
What to see in Tenerife? We landed on this island with great reserve , convinced that we would find the classic holiday destination without a soul, only to return home changed our minds and with a lump in our throats. Because Tenerife has a soul to spare … Perceivable in the happy eyes of those who have “ridden” their first wave, for example, or at the rickety table of a guachinche , one of the taverns that serve old-fashioned cuisine with “pan con mojo” (bread with typical sauce) and “papas arrugadas” (wrinkled new potatoes). The largest and most well-known island of the 8 that make up the Canary Islands archipelago is not only a collection of trendy beach clubs and American-style fast food, but also boasts a nature of heartbreaking beauty and a history that has its roots in a past that still echoes, among fishing villages, colonial towns, ancient paths and surprising trekking routes. Not to mention the most famous places in Tenerife, including his majesty Pico del Teide (3,718 meters high): probably the most beautiful place in the Canaries.
Only Teide, the highest volcano in Spain , is worth a trip to Tenerife. But then you also have to take into account the charm of the island’s 11 microclimates : moving between the various areas of Tenerife, even just a few kilometers, in fact, you can encounter completely different temperatures, and contrasting scenarios that, from snow-capped peaks to lava beaches, ending with pine forests, rock canyons and lunar landscapes. Also in the wake of the new popularity that has affected the island, reached by travelers and digital nomads in the months of lockdown, we thought we would tell you about the 20 most beautiful places in Tenerife and the experiences to have on the island , hoping this travel guide can be useful if you are planning a vacation in Tenerife. Whether it’s for a weekend getaway, hopping between islands, a relaxing holiday, a longer stay as a digital nomad or an adventurous road trip, in Tenerife you’ll find nature, culture, entertainment and plenty of opportunities to get together a little, continually immersed in breathtakingly beautiful scenery.
Discover also: The best hotels in Tenerife by the sea
What to do and what to see in Tenerife
1. Teide National Park
At the top of the list of things to see in Tenerife, one of our favorite places in the Canary Islands. Our article on what to see in Tenerife begins, in fact, with the Parque Nacional del Teide , undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in the Canary Islands. Located in the center of the island , Teide will become your faithful travel companion on the road , almost always visible through the window of your car with its very high peak, often dusted in white. The highest peak in all of Spain (3,718 m high), the volcano and the entire surface of the Park cover 189.9 km and have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO . Via the official website , check when the cable car that takes you to the base of the peak is open, to admire the view of the Park in all its magnificence, and that of Pico Viejo and the rest of the archipelago. Unless you want to try climbing Teide on foot: one of the most beautiful experiences to have in Tenerife. To reach the Pico del Teide, remember to request a permit , and do it well in advance, otherwise you will not be able to get past the “feared” entrance gate, which is only left open at night. Also worth a visit are the trekking routes that start from the Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide hotel and which take you to discover the nearby formations of Roque de Garcia and some natural wonders such as the red tajinaste , a plant that flowers every two years and which produces a prized honey.
2. Taganana and the Anaga Mountains
If there is a special place in Tenerife it is Taganana and the Anaga Mountains , in the far north of the island. These rugged mountains are part of the geologically oldest region of Tenerife and offer spectacular landscapes made up of caves, succulents, crests, glimpses of the ocean and vapors that touch the sky. The best way to visit this area is by car, tackling the dizzying hairpin bends that stretch inside it, unless you prefer exciting trekking routes such as those that lead to the Mirador Llanos de los Loros , the Roque de Taborno , the Mirador de Atalaya or the Semaforo de Igueste , the latter two starting from Igueste de San Andrés , the last inhabited center on the east coast of Tenerife. Heading down the northwest coast, you’ll reach the village of Taganana , the rocky outcrops of Roque de la Bodegas , and the remote beaches of Almàciga and Benijo , favorite spots for local surfers. After a typical lunch at Guachinche Bibi y Mana , which you’ll also find on the Carretera Taganana, head south toward Punta de Hidalgo and Bajamar , two places famous for their stunning natural pools. The Atlantic waves create real water bombs against the wall of rocks and reefs at Bajamar, making it a truly thunderous attraction.
3. Santa Cruz de Tenerife
In this guide dedicated to what to see in Tenerife, not only spectacular natural scenery, but also cosmopolitan vibes. The main city of the island is Santa Cruz de Tenerife , a decidedly lively port hub, as well as an active cultural center, where you will find a well-kept historic center, beautiful public parks and unique postcard views, such as that of the iconic Playa de las Teresitas , a crescent famous for its soft, golden sand that slopes gently into a sea of shades of turquoise and emerald – if you are wondering why its sand is so fine and clear, know that it was imported directly from the Sahara, like the rest of the white beaches of the island! But what to see in Santa Cruz de Tenerife? The pulsating heart of the city beats between Plaza España and the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción , with the ancient bell tower and traditional ceilings. Enjoy a drink by the church, explore Parque García Sanabria , shop for food at Mercado de Nuestra Señora de Africa , and then visit the Museo Municipal de Bellas Artes and TEA Tenerife Espacio de las Artes . Your Santa Cruz tour cannot end without a visit to the gleaming Auditorio de Tenerife , which is reminiscent of the Sydney Opera House: Santiago Calatrava ‘s treasure is located directly opposite the Palmetum , a 12-hectare botanical garden that arose from the ashes of a former landfill and is now a place of astonishing beauty.
4. The Lagoon
Tra i più bei posti da vedere a Tenerife non può mancare San Cristóbal de La Laguna. La Laguna è forse la città più bella di Tenerife e, nonostante il maltempo che spesso la colpisce, resterete illuminati dai colori pastello dei suoi edifici coloniali e dal calore canario della sua gente, senza contare la grande quantità di giovani che la rendono così vivace: dopotutto si tratta di una importante città universitaria. Un tesoro di viuzze che è stato inserito nell’elenco dei siti Patrimonio dell’Umanità UNESCO, caratterizzato non solo da palazzi antichi (le case più belle le incontrate lungo Calle San Agustin, come Casa del Montañes e Casa Salazar, per citarne due delle più famose) ma anche da bar curati dove sorseggiare un cocktail, o boutique alla moda dove fare acquisti ricercati… cosa ardua in quel di Tenerife, approfittatene quindi! Dopo aver fatto un giro al Museo de la Historia de Tenerife e dopo una visita alla Iglesia y ex-convento de San Augutin, una chiesa speciale perché in rovina (sbirciando dalla fessura di un muro vedrete come la natura si sta magicamente appropriando dell’interno dell’edificio), fate una tappa golosa all’antica Dulceria La Catedral per assaggiare “truchas de batata”, “submarinos”, “rosquetes” e tanti altri dolci tipici…
5. Puerto de la Cruz
Per raggiungere Puerto de la Cruz da La Laguna passerete per la regione vinicola di Tacoronte di cui parleremo meglio in seguito. Questa, che è la seconda città più grande di Tenerife è una vera meraviglia, un luogo che ci ha fatto venire in mente le città del Sudamerica, con le piazze fiorite, le panchine assolate e le piante tropicali che ombreggiano anziani giocatori di scacchi. Dopo averla visitata in lungo e in largo abbiamo capito perché in tanti la scelgano come casa: qui ci sono le quattro stagioni, la scena gastronomica è vibrante e la natura bussa ad ogni angolo. Senza parlare della bellezza delle spiagge, a partire dalla piccola Playa del Muelle, in pieno centro, dove gli abitanti si rinfrescano durante le giornate più calde dell’estate e l’acqua è trasparente, nonostante il porto. Dopo un pranzo di pesce fresco alla Cofradia de Pescadores, esplorate La Ranilla, il vivace quartiere dei murales. I giardini botanici punteggiano la città, regalando colori e profumi: al di là dell’Orto Botanico, gustatevi le orchidee del Jardín Sitio Litre, un luogo dal fascino segreto, per poi entrare nel Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Eduardo Westerdahl (MACEW). La vostra visita alla città si può concludere con la lunga ma panoramica passeggiata della Rambla de Castro, che tra l’altro vi porterà alla vista della scenografica Casa de la Gordejuela, un edificio abbandonato, ma meraviglioso. Se vi state chiedendo cosa visitare a Tenerife, Puerto de la Cruz non la potete saltare!
6. La Orotava e la Casa de los Balcones
After La Laguna, the second beautiful colonial city we want to tell you about is La Orotava , smaller but equally fascinating. Canarian to say the least with its relaxed atmosphere, old buildings with wooden balconies and cobbled streets that wind through the “casco histórico” (old town). Speaking of balconies, once in the city don’t forget to go inside the Casa de los Balcones , a palace from 1632 that has remained intact: for just 5 euros, once you cross the threshold you will feel like you have gone back in time, with a central patio overflowing with flowers and birds chirping in chorus. Go upstairs and enjoy the rooms furnished as they once were, the lace and period relics. Once out of here, go and see the 19th century Victoria gardens and the magnificent Iglesia de la Concepción . It won’t take you long to see the entire center of La Orotava, so we recommend spending the rest of the day on the hiking trails immersed in the Laurisilva, or evergreen laurel forest that start from the small village of Aguamansa . You’ll feel like you’re walking with elves, but to get there, expect a steep climb on narrow streets, between vegetable gardens and “fincas” (country houses). For lunch, head to Guachinche La Finca (La Victoria), for typical dishes under a shady pergola.
