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What to see and do in Tenerife
Top 10 things to do 🏝️Looking for things to do in Tenerife? You've come to the right place! With its stunning landscapes, cultural attractions, and famous nightlife, Tenerife truly has it all. Volcanoes, beaches, historic cities, and stunning viewpoints exist side by side, providing experiences for all travelers.
Discover Tenerife's top 10 sights, from its Caribbean-like beaches in the south to its lush mountains and historic villages in the north!
Useful info: On Ferryhopper you can find all ferry schedules for Tenerife and book your tickets online with no hidden fees!
Tenerife's beautiful Playa Fañabé beach
How to get to Tenerife by ferry
You can reach Tenerife by ferry from mainland Spain and the other Canary Islands. Taking the ferry is an excellent choice if you want to bring your car with you, if you have extra luggage or want to have your pet with you.
Ferries from the Spanish mainland to Tenerife depart from the cities of Huelva and Cádiz, with weekly crossings to Tenerife. The Huelva - Tenerife crossing is active all year round, 3 days a week. Cádiz - Tenerife ferries also operate weekly and stop in Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and Gran Canaria.
If you're already in the Canary Islands and want to visit Tenerife, you can choose from several domestic routes:
- Gran Canaria - Tenerife: Daily departures from the ports of Las Palmas and Agaete to Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The ferry ride lasts around 2 hours.
- Fuerteventura - Tenerife: Departures are available from Puerto del Rosario and Morro Jable to Santa Cruz, with a 6-hour trip duration.
- Lanzarote - Tenerife: Ferries from the port of Arrecife for Santa Cruz take around 10 to 13 hours.
- La Gomera - Tenerife: Frequent departures are available from San Sebastián to Los Cristianos. The crossing takes around 50 min.
- La Palma - Tenerife: Daily departures from Santa Cruz de la Palma to Los Cristianos, with a travel time of around 2.5 hours.
- El Hierro - Tenerife: Daily crossings to Los Cristianos, with an average journey time of 2 hr 20 min.
Tip: Read our guide to learn more about getting to Tenerife!
Los Cristianos, one of Tenerife's main ports
What to see in Tenerife
Are you ready to discover Tenerife's most spectacular attractions? Here are our top 10 things to see and do during your stay on the island!
Parco Nazionale del Teide
A visit to Teide National Park is a must for anyone traveling to Tenerife. Standing at 3,718 meters, Mount Teide is Spain's tallest peak, towering over a spectacular volcanic landscape with lava flows and colorful rocks.
You can quickly ascend to an elevation of over 3,500 meters with a cable car for a unique view of the surrounding islands. More adventurous travelers can continue on foot to the summit, but a special permit is required. Some of the most beautiful trails can be found at Roques de García, particularly popular among photography enthusiasts.
The mountain is a symbol of the island, and at night, the park becomes one of the world's best stargazing spots.
Tip: If you spend the Christmas season in the Canary Islands and experience a snow-capped Mount Teide!
Costa Adeje
Considered one of the most glamorous areas in Tenerife, Costa Adeje is the perfect place for a relaxing beach vacation. With its upscale hotels, oceanfront restaurants, and stunning beaches, Costa Adeje is the ultimate destination to experience the sun-drenched Canary Islands year-round.
Its most famous beaches are Playa del Duque and Playa Fañabé, which both have soft, white sand and calm waters. If you prefer a more secluded setting, you'll find many beautiful hidden coves just a few minutes away.
Costa Adeje is also where many boat excursions set off, some of which offer a chance to see whales and dolphins at sea!
Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas
Want to discover Tenerife's more lively places? Then check out Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas. These two towns are now part of a single urban area and offer an unbeatable selection of beaches, a thriving nightlife and a wide range of outdoor activities.
Los Cristianos has retained a more traditional atmosphere, where the port area and seafront are bustling with restaurants and cafés. Playa de las Américas, on the other hand, comes alive at night. Its clubs, live music and beach bars make it one of the island's trendiest areas.
During the day, you'll have plenty of beaches to choose from where you can relax, go snorkeling or surfing, or take a boat trip. Once evening arrives, prepare to hit the dance floor!
Useful info: Tenerife is one of the warmest Canary Islands, so you can still enjoy the beaches in February!
Playa del Duque, one of Tenerife's most famous beaches
Acantilados de Los Gigantes
On the west coast of Tenerife lies one of the island's most impressive sites: the Acantilados de Los Gigantes. These cliffs soar up to 600 meters above sea level, earning them the name Los Gigantes, or "the giants."
You can take a boat excursion from the Los Gigantes marina to see the rock formations up close. The contrast between the ocean's deep blue and the rock's dark hue creates a truly striking scene.
The black-sand beach and the village's scenic terraces are the perfect place to relax after a long hike. Los Gigantes truly deserves a spot on every traveler's list of off-the-beaten-track places to see in Tenerife.
Puerto de la Cruz
Puerto de la Cruz is a charming city in northern Tenerife. Once primarily a fishing village, it has become a place that perfectly combines tradition and modernity. Take some time to stroll through the old town, where you'll find cobbled streets, timbered balconies and bustling squares.
One of its main attractions is Lago Martiánez, a complex of natural pools designed by artist César Manrique where visitors can swim amid sculptures and fountains. Also not to be missed are the Botanical Garden, one of the oldest in the Canary Islands, and the Castle of San Felipe.
If you're looking for traditional charm, cultural experiences, and delicious cuisine, be sure to set aside a day to visit Puerto de la Cruz!
Useful info: The north of Tenerife is usually cooler and more humid than the southern parts of the island. Check out our Canary Islands climate guide for a more detailed look at the local weather.
San Cristóbal de La Laguna
Located in the north of the island, San Cristóbal de La Laguna makes for an unmissable stop on any itinerary for history and architecture lovers. This former capital of Tenerife is a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with colorful buildings, blossoming courtyards and chic pedestrian walkways.
As you wander through the town center, you pass by churches, museums and historic cafés. The city's universities and thriving arts scene make it one of the most exciting places to visit in Tenerife.
Visiting La Laguna means discovering a more authentic side of Tenerife, one that is far from popular tourist routes and full of wonder.
La Laguna's charming historic center
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Tenerife's capital, Santa Cruz, is a modern, thriving city where art, culture, and the ocean come together. The city is famous for its Carnival, one of the largest and most spectacular celebrations in the world and has been declared a Site of International Tourist Interest.
In the city center, you will find tree-lined squares, art galleries and the impressive Tenerife Auditorium, designed by architect Santiago Calatrava. Not to be missed are also the García Sanabria Park, a green oasis in the city center, and the Mercado de Nuestra Señora de Africa, a great place to sample local products.
Santa Cruz is also a great base to explore the northern part of the island and its beaches. One of our favorites is Las Teresitas, a stretch of golden sand and palm trees brought in from the Sahara. Whether you're interested in experiencing the local culture or just looking for a place to relax, you'll find both here.
La Orotava
Located on the slopes of Mount Teide, La Orotava is one of the most beautiful towns of Tenerife. With its historic residences featuring intricately carved wood balconies and courtyards filled with flowers, the town is the perfect example of the traditional Canarian architectural style.
The historic center is home to the Casa de los Balcones, which houses an artisanal museum, and the Iglesia de la Concepción, a Baroque church and masterpiece. During the Corpus Christi festival, which takes place every summer, the streets are adorned with stunning tapestries and carpets made from colored volcanic sand.
La Orotava is also the perfect place to stay if you want to visit Teide National Park and the surrounding valleys, as many excursions leave from here.
El Médano
El Médano, known as one of Tenerife's windiest towns, is loved by water sports enthusiasts, especially windsurfers and kitesurfers. Located near the southern airport, El Médano has retained a laid-back, down-to-earth atmosphere that sets it apart from larger resorts found elsewhere on the island.
Its main beach is one of the longest on the island and extends toward the picturesque Montaña Roja, a volcanic peak that dominates the surrounding landscape. The town is also a great place to enjoy sunset walks and drinks by the sea.
El Médano embodies the island's youthful and dynamic spirit, making it perfect for those seeking an action-packed vacation in Tenerife.
Tip: Check out our dedicated guide to discover the best surfing spots in the Canary Islands.
Whale-watching in Tenerife
One of the most exciting things to do in Tenerife is, without a doubt, to go whale and dolphin watching. The stretch of water between Tenerife and La Gomera is one of the best places in Europe to spot these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
Daily boat trips with expert guides depart from Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos and Los Gigantes. During the trip, you might catch a glimpse of different species of marine mammals, such as fin whales, striped dolphins and sperm whales.
Colorful sunset over El Médano beach
Travel tips for your trip to Tenerife
Now that you know what to do in Tenerife, here are 5 tips to help you plan your vacation:
- Tenerife enjoys a mild climate year-round. May through October is the ideal time for a beach holiday, while the winter months are perfect for hiking and unwinding. Check out our guide on when to visit the Canary Islands for more info.
- Traveling with your car or renting one is the best way to explore the island freely, but there are also convenient bus routes between the major towns.
- In addition to Las Teresitas and Playa del Duque, don't miss the black sand beaches of El Bollullo and Playa Jardín.
- Why not plan an island-hopping adventure in the Canary Islands? From Tenerife, you can reach La Gomera, La Palma and Gran Canaria by ferry in no time!
- To experience the true heart and soul of Tenerife, have some papas arrugadas with mojo sauce while watching the sunset over the ocean!
Want more travel tips and information about this dreamy island? Head over to our Tenerife travel guide to discover all the wonders this destination has to offer!
The beautiful city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Book your ferry tickets on Ferryhopper and discover Tenerife
Ready to explore Tenerife? Find all ferry schedules for Tenerife on Ferryhopper and book your tickets online with only a few clicks!