Tenerife packs extraordinary variety into one island — the towering Teide volcano and its Mars-like national park, world-beating theme parks, ancient laurel forests, dramatic sea cliffs and beautifully preserved colonial towns. Here are the 18 attractions worth building your trip around, with prices, opening hours and tips to make the most of each.
€40Mount Teide & Cable Car
Area
Teide National Park
Category
Volcano / Views
“Apply free online weeks ahead for the permit to walk the final trail to the 3,715 m summit crater.”
FreeTeide National Park
Area
Central highlands
Category
National Park
“Stop at the Roques de García and walk the 3.5 km loop past the iconic Roque Cinchado rock finger.”
€41Loro Parque
Area
Puerto de la Cruz
Category
Zoo / Animals
“Ride the free Loro Parque Express train from Puerto de la Cruz harbour to skip parking hassle.”
€42Siam Park
Area
Costa Adeje
Category
Water Park
“Rent a private cabana or arrive at opening — the Tower of Power and Dragon queues balloon by midday.”
FreeLa Laguna Old Town
Area
San Cristóbal de La Laguna
Category
Historic Town
“Its grid plan was the template for colonial cities across Latin America — pick up the free walking map at the tourist office.”
FreeMasca Village
Area
Teno Rural Park
Category
Village / Views
“Drive early — the hairpin TF-436 has few passing places and the tiny car parks fill by 10:00.”
FreeAnaga Rural Park
Area
Northeast Tenerife
Category
Nature Reserve
“Walk the Sendero de los Sentidos from Cruz del Carmen — an easy, signed loop through ancient laurel forest.”
FreeLos Gigantes Cliffs
Area
Santiago del Teide
Category
Cliffs / Coast
“See them properly from the water — a morning boat trip often means calmer seas and dolphin sightings.”
FreePuerto de la Cruz
Area
North coast
Category
Resort Town
“Spend an afternoon at the César Manrique-designed Lago Martiánez saltwater lido right on the ocean.”
FreeGarachico
Area
North coast
Category
Historic Town
“Bring water shoes for the El Caletón lava rock pools — natural bathing carved by an old eruption.”
€25Whale & Dolphin Watching
Area
Los Gigantes / Costa Adeje
Category
Boat Trip
“Choose a small, eco-certified boat (yellow 'Blue Boat' flag) for a calmer, more responsible sighting.”
€12Pyramids of Güímar
Area
Güímar
Category
Ethnographic Park
“The on-site Poison Garden of dangerous plants is a surprisingly fun add-on for older kids.”
€5Drago Milenario, Icod de los Vinos
Area
Icod de los Vinos
Category
Natural Monument
“You can see the tree free from Plaza de la Iglesia — the paid park just gets you closer and adds a garden.”
FreeAuditorio de Tenerife
Area
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Category
Landmark / Architecture
“Book a guided tour, or simply photograph the sweeping white 'wing' from the palm-lined maritime park next door.”
FreeBasílica de Candelaria
Area
Candelaria
Category
Church / Pilgrimage
“The bronze Guanche kings lining the plaza make the best photos with the ocean behind them.”
FreeLa Orotava
Area
Orotava Valley
Category
Historic Town
“Peek inside the Casa de los Balcones to see the carved Canarian pine balconies and a craft courtyard.”
FreeCuevas Negras & Anaga Forest Trails
Area
Anaga (Los Silos / Erjos)
Category
Hiking Trail
“It can be muddy year-round in the laurel forest — wear proper walking shoes, not sandals.”
FreeMirador de la Garañona & Anaga Viewpoints
Area
Anaga ridge (Taganana)
Category
Viewpoint
“Time it for late afternoon when the light rakes across the ridges toward Taganana and the sea.”
Tenerife attractions in detail
1.Mount Teide & Cable Car
El Teide is the beating heart of Tenerife and the third-tallest volcano on Earth measured from its ocean base. The Teleférico cable car whisks you from 2,356 m to 3,555 m in about eight minutes, delivering you to a raw lunar landscape of frozen lava, sulphur vents and, on clear days, views across to La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro floating above a sea of cloud. From the top station three short trails fan out to viewpoints; the final push to the true summit crater requires a free permit that must be booked online weeks in advance and sells out fast. Come early to beat both crowds and afternoon cloud, and bring warm layers — it can be near freezing and snowy in winter even when the coast is 25°C. Altitude is real up here, so move slowly. The drive up through Teide National Park is itself one of the island's great experiences.
Hours
Cable car daily 09:00–16:00 (weather permitting)
Price
Cable car ~€40 return; summit permit free but limited
Getting there
TITSA bus 342 from Costa Adeje or 348 from Puerto de la Cruz; or hire car up TF-21
Insider tip: Apply free online weeks ahead for the permit to walk the final trail to the 3,715 m summit crater.
2.Teide National Park
Surrounding the volcano, Teide National Park is a 190 km² UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most visited national park in Europe. The 16 km-wide Las Cañadas caldera is an otherworldly moonscape of solidified lava flows, obsidian fields and rock formations glowing ochre, red and black — so alien that NASA has tested Mars rovers here and directors have used it as a film set. Highlights include the Roques de García rock pinnacles, the twisted Roque Cinchado (once printed on the 1,000-peseta note), the Minas de San José 'white badlands', and spring blooms of the towering red tajinaste flower found nowhere else. Two visitor centres explain the geology and endemic wildlife. The park sits above 2,000 m, so temperatures are far cooler than the coast and weather changes fast. It's also one of the world's premier stargazing spots, with an observatory and certified dark skies. Allow a full day and pack water, sun protection and warm layers.
Hours
Open 24h; visitor centres 09:00–16:00
Price
Free to enter the park
Getting there
TF-21 from the south or TF-24 (La Esperanza forest road) from the north
Insider tip: Stop at the Roques de García and walk the 3.5 km loop past the iconic Roque Cinchado rock finger.
3.Loro Parque
Opened in 1972 as a parrot sanctuary, Loro Parque in Puerto de la Cruz has grown into one of the most awarded animal parks in the world while keeping conservation at its core. Its Fundación has bred and reintroduced endangered parrot species, and the park holds the planet's largest and most diverse parrot collection. Beyond the parrots you'll find a vast penguin house with real snow, a walk-through gorilla jungle, chimpanzees, tigers, meerkats, a huge shark tunnel aquarium and daily animal presentations. The lush botanical setting — palms, orchids and Thai-style pavilions — makes it a pleasant few hours even between shows. Buy a combined ticket with sister park Siam Park for the best value, and use the free vintage-style train from the seafront rather than driving. Arrive at opening to catch the most popular presentations before the crowds build. Allow at least half a day; families easily fill a full one.
Hours
Daily 09:30–17:00 (last entry ~16:00)
Price
Adult ~€41, child ~€28; twin ticket with Siam Park saves money
Getting there
Free Loro Parque Express train from Avenida de Colón, Puerto de la Cruz; TITSA bus 381/383
Insider tip: Ride the free Loro Parque Express train from Puerto de la Cruz harbour to skip parking hassle.
4.Siam Park
Siam Park in Costa Adeje has topped TripAdvisor's global water-park rankings year after year, and one visit shows why. Themed as a lost Thai kingdom of gilded temples, dragons and floating markets, it pairs beautiful landscaping with genuinely world-class rides. The signature Tower of Power drops you almost vertically through a tank of sharks and rays; the Dragon spins you into a giant funnel; and the Wave Palace generates the largest artificial waves in the world on a white-sand beach. Gentler options — a lazy river, a children's Lost City play fort and cabanas — mean all ages are catered for. It's owned by the same group as Loro Parque, so a combined ticket is the smart buy. Go at opening to ride the headline slides before queues form, bring or hire a locker, and note that a couple of rides carry height and swimming-confidence requirements. Half a day minimum; most families stay all day.
Hours
Daily 10:00–18:00 (seasonal, shorter in winter)
Price
Adult ~€42, child ~€30; combined Loro Parque ticket available
Getting there
Free Siam Park bus around the southern resorts; TITSA bus 111/343; exit TF-1 at Siam Park
Insider tip: Rent a private cabana or arrive at opening — the Tower of Power and Dragon queues balloon by midday.
5.La Laguna Old Town
San Cristóbal de La Laguna was Tenerife's first capital and remains its intellectual and religious heart, home to the island's university and a UNESCO-listed historic centre. Founded in 1496, its unfortified grid of straight streets became the blueprint for countless Spanish-American cities — a piece of world history you can walk in an afternoon. The pedestrianised core is lined with brightly painted 16th–18th-century mansions hiding cool inner courtyards, along with the Cathedral, the striking Iglesia de la Concepción with its climbable bell tower, and handsome squares like Plaza del Adelantado. A large student population keeps the tapas bars, specialty coffee shops and bookshops buzzing, and it feels a world away from the southern beach resorts. Sitting inland at 550 m, it's often cooler and greener than the coast, so bring a layer. Combine it with a tram ride from Santa Cruz and a stop at the Anaga hills just to the north for a full, culture-rich day.
Hours
Streets always open; churches ~10:00–17:00
Price
Free to wander; small charge for the cathedral tower
Getting there
Tram line 1 from Santa Cruz (~40 min); TITSA buses; 10 min from TFN airport
Insider tip: Its grid plan was the template for colonial cities across Latin America — pick up the free walking map at the tourist office.
6.Masca Village
Perched improbably on a ridge between plunging ravines, Masca is one of the most photographed villages in the Canaries — a scatter of terracotta-roofed stone houses, palm trees and terraced gardens seemingly stuck to the mountainside. The drive in along the serpentine TF-436 is an adventure in itself, with jaw-dropping miradores at every bend and views over the Teno massif to the ocean. Most visitors come to admire the setting from the village and its café terraces, but the famous Barranco de Masca hike descends 600 m through a spectacular gorge to a hidden beach, where a boat returns you to Los Gigantes. That trail requires an advance permit and reopened only after major safety works, so check the rules and book ahead. Even without the hike, Masca rewards the effort: come early to beat the tour coaches and the cloud that often rolls in by afternoon, and drive the narrow road with care and patience.
Hours
Always open; gorge hike requires a booked permit
Price
Free to visit; gorge hike ~€10 permit + boat return
Getting there
Winding TF-436 from Santiago del Teide or Buenavista; limited TITSA bus 355
Insider tip: Drive early — the hairpin TF-436 has few passing places and the tiny car parks fill by 10:00.
7.Anaga Rural Park
Rising over the island's northeastern tip, the Anaga massif is Tenerife's oldest landscape and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve — a tangle of razor-sharp ridges, deep barrancos and one of the world's best-preserved laurisilva, the ancient laurel cloud-forest that once covered the Mediterranean millions of years ago. Draped in moss and mist, these primeval woods feel Jurassic. A network of well-marked trails links tiny hamlets like Chamorga, Taganana and El Draguillo to remote black-sand beaches such as Benijo and Almáciga, while the ridge road serves up viewpoint after viewpoint. Start at the Cruz del Carmen visitor centre for maps and the gentle, family-friendly Sendero de los Sentidos ('path of the senses'). The weather here is cooler, greener and wetter than the sunny south, so bring layers and grippy shoes. Anaga is a paradise for hikers, birdwatchers and anyone wanting to see the wild, green Tenerife that the beach brochures never show. Half a day minimum.
Hours
Always open; Cruz del Carmen visitor centre 09:30–15:00
Price
Free
Getting there
TF-12 ridge road from La Laguna; TITSA buses 076/077 from Santa Cruz
Insider tip: Walk the Sendero de los Sentidos from Cruz del Carmen — an easy, signed loop through ancient laurel forest.
8.Los Gigantes Cliffs
The Acantilados de los Gigantes — the 'Cliffs of the Giants' — are a wall of black basalt that plunges as much as 600 metres sheer into the ocean, so imposing the Guanche people called them the 'Wall of Hell'. The resort town of Los Gigantes nestles at their foot around a pretty marina and a small black-sand beach, Playa de la Arena, just to the south. The cliffs are impressive from the clifftop miradores, but the classic way to experience their scale is from a boat: this stretch of coast is one of the best places in Europe for year-round whale and dolphin watching, with resident pilot whales and pods of dolphins in the deep channel between Tenerife and La Gomera. Sunset here is magical as the light turns the rock gold and red. Kayaking and diving trips also run from the marina. Combine a morning boat trip with an afternoon at the beach for an easy, memorable west-coast day.
Hours
Always visible; boat trips ~09:00–17:00
Price
Free to view; boat/whale trips from ~€25
Getting there
TF-47 to Los Gigantes marina; TITSA buses 325/473 from the south
Insider tip: See them properly from the water — a morning boat trip often means calmer seas and dolphin sightings.
9.Puerto de la Cruz
Puerto de la Cruz was Tenerife's first tourist resort, and it retains a character the purpose-built southern strips lack. Set on the greener, more Spanish north coast beneath the Orotava valley, it mixes a pretty historic quarter of cobbled lanes and fishing harbour with subtropical gardens and a relaxed, mostly local feel. The star attraction is Playa Jardín, a landscaped black-sand beach framed by lush planting designed by Lanzarote artist César Manrique, who also created the adjacent Lago Martiánez — a beautiful complex of ocean-fed saltwater pools that's perfect when Atlantic swell makes the sea rough. Add the excellent Loro Parque, the Botanical Garden dating to 1788, buzzing tapas plazas and easy access to Teide and Anaga, and you have one of the island's best all-round bases. The trade-off is more cloud and cooler water than the south, but many visitors prefer the authenticity. It's an ideal spot for travellers who want culture and nature alongside the beach.
Hours
Always open; Lago Martiánez ~10:00–18:00
Price
Free town; Lago Martiánez ~€5.50
Getting there
TITSA buses 103/102/343 from across the island; ~30 min from TFN airport
Insider tip: Spend an afternoon at the César Manrique-designed Lago Martiánez saltwater lido right on the ocean.
10.Garachico
Once Tenerife's most important port, Garachico was buried by a catastrophic volcanic eruption in 1706 that poured lava through the town and into the sea, destroying the harbour overnight. What rose from the disaster is one of the island's loveliest towns: elegant stone churches, convents and mansions rebuilt in the 18th century around handsome plazas, all set against a backdrop of green hills and black lava coastline. The eruption's one gift is El Caletón, a series of natural swimming pools formed where the lava met the ocean — sheltered turquoise basins ringed by black rock that are a joy to bathe in on a calm day. Wander the flower-filled Plaza de la Libertad, climb the little Castillo de San Miguel fort, and enjoy a long lunch at one of the excellent seafood restaurants. Peaceful, photogenic and refreshingly untouristy, Garachico pairs perfectly with nearby Icod de los Vinos and its ancient dragon tree for a classic slow day on the north coast.
Hours
Always open; rock pools free access
Price
Free
Getting there
TF-42 coast road; TITSA buses 107/363 from Icod and Puerto de la Cruz
Insider tip: Bring water shoes for the El Caletón lava rock pools — natural bathing carved by an old eruption.
11.Whale & Dolphin Watching
The strait between Tenerife and La Gomera is one of the most reliable places on Earth to see cetaceans, with a resident population of around 200–300 short-finned pilot whales and large pods of bottlenose dolphins present year-round, plus seasonal sightings of fin, sperm and even blue whales. Boats of every size leave from Los Gigantes, Puerto Colón and Los Cristianos, from budget 'three-hour' catamarans with a swim-and-snorkel stop to smaller eco-operators that keep a respectful distance. Sightings are so dependable that many companies offer a free repeat trip if you don't see anything. For the animals' sake, pick a licensed boat flying the yellow 'Barco Azul' flag, which certifies responsible whale-watching practice, and avoid the biggest party boats. Mornings usually mean calmer seas and less wind. Bring sunscreen, water and a light jacket, and take seasickness tablets beforehand if you're prone to it. It's a magical, family-friendly half-day and one of the island's genuine natural highlights.
Hours
Trips daily ~09:00–17:00 (weather permitting)
Price
From ~€25 for 2–3 hours; longer trips include swim stops
Getting there
Boats leave from Los Gigantes, Puerto Colón (Costa Adeje) and Los Cristianos
Insider tip: Choose a small, eco-certified boat (yellow 'Blue Boat' flag) for a calmer, more responsible sighting.
12.Pyramids of Güímar
On the eastern side of the island, the Pyramids of Güímar are six rectangular, terraced structures built from lava stone that fascinated Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl, who lived nearby and helped turn the site into an open-air ethnographic park in the 1990s. Whether they are pre-Hispanic monuments with astronomical alignments — the terraces line up with the summer and winter solstices — or simply 19th-century field clearances stacked by farmers remains hotly debated, and the park presents the arguments while leaning into the mystery. Beyond the pyramids, well-designed pavilions cover Heyerdahl's Kon-Tiki and Ra reed-boat voyages and the theory of trans-oceanic contact between ancient cultures. The lush botanical grounds include a shaded Poison Garden of toxic plants and replica reed boats. It's a thought-provoking, less-crowded alternative to the beaches and parks, especially good on a cloudy day. Allow around two hours, and combine it with the nearby coastal town of Candelaria and its basilica for a full eastern-Tenerife itinerary.
Hours
Daily 09:00–18:00 (winter until 17:00)
Price
Adult ~€12, child ~€5.50
Getting there
TF-1 exit to Güímar; TITSA buses 120/121 from Santa Cruz
Insider tip: The on-site Poison Garden of dangerous plants is a surprisingly fun add-on for older kids.
13.Drago Milenario, Icod de los Vinos
The Drago Milenario is the most celebrated tree in the Canary Islands — a colossal Dracaena draco, or dragon tree, that towers 18 metres high with a canopy of spiky sword-shaped leaves and a trunk the girth of a small building. Local legend puts its age at a thousand years; botanists suggest a still-remarkable few centuries, since these primitive relict trees have no growth rings to count. Whatever the truth, it bleeds a red sap the ancients called 'dragon's blood' and prized for medicine and dye, and it has become the natural emblem of the whole island. It stands in Icod de los Vinos, a handsome hillside wine town whose cobbled streets, Malvasía vineyards and 16th-century church reward a wander. You can admire the tree for free from the church square, or pay a small fee to enter the surrounding botanical park for a closer look and a shady stroll. Pair it with neighbouring Garachico for a relaxed north-coast half-day.
Hours
Parque del Drago daily 09:30–18:30
Price
~€5 for the park; free view from the square
Getting there
TF-5 to Icod de los Vinos; TITSA buses 363/107 from Puerto de la Cruz
Insider tip: You can see the tree free from Plaza de la Iglesia — the paid park just gets you closer and adds a garden.
14.Auditorio de Tenerife
Rising from the Santa Cruz waterfront like a cresting wave, the Auditorio de Tenerife is Santiago Calatrava's dazzling 2003 concert hall and the modern symbol of the island's capital. Its most famous feature is a gigantic curved 'wing' or crest of white concrete that arcs overhead and appears to defy gravity, a sculptural gesture that has drawn comparison with Sydney's Opera House. By day the gleaming white shell, clad in broken-tile trencadís that shimmers turquoise, is one of the most photographed buildings in the Canaries; by night it hosts the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra, opera, ballet and the closing galas of the city's famous Carnival. Even if you don't catch a performance, it's worth strolling the adjacent Parque Marítimo — another César Manrique creation of palm-fringed saltwater pools — and the Plaza de España with its huge reflecting lake. Guided tours reveal the acoustics and engineering inside. It anchors a walkable cultural waterfront that also takes in the market, the arts centre TEA and the palm-filled García Sanabria park.
Hours
Exterior always; guided tours ~select days, concerts evenings
Price
Free to view; tours ~€6; concert tickets vary
Getting there
Waterfront Santa Cruz, near the tram terminus and cruise port; buses 910/915
Insider tip: Book a guided tour, or simply photograph the sweeping white 'wing' from the palm-lined maritime park next door.
15.Basílica de Candelaria
The seaside town of Candelaria is the spiritual heart of the Canary Islands, drawing pilgrims from across the archipelago to venerate the Virgen de Candelaria, the black-Madonna patron saint of the Canaries. Her image is enshrined in the grand 20th-century basilica that fronts a vast oceanfront plaza, and the two great pilgrimages each year — most famously on the night of 14–15 August — fill the town with tens of thousands of the faithful, many walking through the night to reach it. Even outside the festivals it's a striking place: the plaza is guarded by nine imposing bronze statues of the Guanche menceyes, the aboriginal kings who ruled Tenerife before the Spanish conquest, standing sentinel above the black-sand beach and crashing surf. The old town behind holds pretty lanes, ceramic workshops and seafood terraces. Candelaria makes an easy, atmospheric half-day from Santa Cruz or the south, and pairs naturally with the nearby Pyramids of Güímar for a culture-focused eastern-coast itinerary away from the resort crowds.
Hours
Basilica daily ~07:30–19:30
Price
Free
Getting there
TF-1 to Candelaria; TITSA buses 120/122/124 from Santa Cruz (~25 min)
Insider tip: The bronze Guanche kings lining the plaza make the best photos with the ocean behind them.
16.La Orotava
Spread across the steep upper slopes of the lush Orotava valley, La Orotava is widely considered the most beautiful and best-preserved historic town in Tenerife. Once home to the island's wealthiest landowning families, its cobbled streets climb past a remarkable ensemble of 17th- and 18th-century mansions with ornately carved Canarian-pine balconies, Baroque churches like the domed Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, and pretty patios spilling with bougainvillea. The famous Casa de los Balcones is now a craft centre where you can watch traditional embroidery and buy local produce. Each June the town stages one of the Canaries' most spectacular events, when artisans carpet the streets and the town-hall square with intricate pictures made entirely from coloured volcanic sand and flower petals for Corpus Christi. Sitting on the main road up to Teide National Park, La Orotava makes an ideal cultured stop en route to the volcano, or a peaceful half-day paired with neighbouring Puerto de la Cruz down at the coast.
Hours
Streets always open; Casa de los Balcones ~08:30–18:30
Price
Free town; Casa de los Balcones ~€5
Getting there
Just above Puerto de la Cruz; TITSA buses 345/348/350; on the way up to Teide
Insider tip: Peek inside the Casa de los Balcones to see the carved Canarian pine balconies and a craft courtyard.
17.Cuevas Negras & Anaga Forest Trails
For walkers who want the primeval Tenerife the resorts never reveal, the forest trails around the island's north and northwest are a revelation. Routes like the Cuevas Negras path and the Erjos ponds thread through dense, dripping laurisilva — the ancient laurel cloud-forest, a living relic of the subtropical woodland that blanketed southern Europe millions of years ago and now survives only on a handful of Atlantic islands. Ferns unfurl overhead, old stone water channels (the island's traditional irrigation galleries) trace the hillsides, and birdsong replaces the sound of traffic. Mist frequently drifts through the canopy, lending the woods a mysterious, fairy-tale quality quite unlike the sunny south coast. These are moderate walks best tackled with grippy footwear, water and a windproof layer, since the weather here is cool and changeable. Signposting varies, so download a route in advance or join a guided hike. They pair beautifully with the wider Anaga and Teno rural parks for anyone wanting to spend a day immersed in Tenerife's astonishing natural diversity.
Hours
Daylight hours; no facilities on the trail
Price
Free
Getting there
Trailheads near Erjos/Los Silos in the northwest and within Anaga; car recommended
Insider tip: It can be muddy year-round in the laurel forest — wear proper walking shoes, not sandals.
18.Mirador de la Garañona & Anaga Viewpoints
The Anaga massif is stitched together by a series of miradores, and few are as memorable as the viewpoints above Taganana on the way down to the north coast. From these cliff-edge balconies the land falls away in a cascade of impossibly steep, green ridges — some of the oldest terrain on Tenerife — toward the white houses of Taganana village, the vineyards clinging to the slopes, and the wild black-sand beaches of Benijo and Almáciga beyond. On clear days the Atlantic stretches to the horizon; on many days you'll watch clouds pour over the ridge in the phenomenon locals call the panza de burro. It's a classic stop on any drive through Anaga, requiring nothing more than a short pull-in and a few steps to the railing, yet delivering one of the island's great panoramas. Combine the viewpoints with a walk down to Taganana for fresh fish, or continue to the end-of-the-road beaches at Benijo for sunset. Bring a jacket — it's often breezy and cool up on the ridge.
Hours
Always open
Price
Free
Getting there
On the TF-134 down to Taganana off the Anaga ridge road; car recommended
Insider tip: Time it for late afternoon when the light rakes across the ridges toward Taganana and the sea.