Tenerife. An island where wild nature collides with an azure ocean, volcanoes, picture-postcard villages and endless adventure. When we started planning our week-long road trip, we had no idea how much was waiting for us. But let’s take it from the top. These are the juiciest tips on things to see and do in Tenerife over 7 days.
Why Tenerife is the perfect island to explore
You’re flying to an island where it would be a shame just to lie on the beach with a drink. Sure, you can do that too – but still. This island is one big contrast: a volcano in the middle, misty forests in the north, a wild ocean, mountain villages and the touristy south. If you’re wondering about things to see and do in Tenerife, you’re in the right place. This isn’t a glossy brochure. It’s a real guide to the island, driven end to end by car.
Practical tips that’ll save you a headache
Renting a car on Tenerife – it makes no sense without one
The best way to explore Tenerife is to rent a car. It lets you discover hidden spots well off the tourist trail. We had a good experience with cicar.com, which operates across all of the Canary Islands.
Parking on the island
On Tenerife parking is free in most towns, but in the popular tourist areas finding a free spot can be tricky – trust us. We recommend arriving early in the morning, or visiting Tenerife outside the main season altogether.
Sleeping in the car and camping
Sleeping in your car is officially banned, but in more remote spots it’s tolerated as long as you don’t make a mess and park outside protected areas. For legal camping there are official campsites where you need to register.
Handy apps
We used the Park4night app, which helps you find good parking spots, campsites and places to sleep in the car.
The right clothing
Be ready for very different conditions – from hot beaches to cold, windy mountain peaks.
Sun protection
The sun on the Canaries is strong, so don’t forget sunscreen and plenty of water.
More things to see and do in Tenerife: taste the local food
Try local specialities such as papas arrugadas (wrinkly potatoes) with mojo sauce. And don’t miss the local fruit – bananas, pineapples and even prickly pears.
Top things to see and do in Tenerife
- Teide National Park: Home to Spain’s highest mountain – Pico del Teide (3,718 m). A cable car takes you almost to the summit.
- Parque Rural de Anaga: The north-east of the island – far less touristy, but well worth it for the flora and fauna.
- Masca: A picturesque mountain village with dramatic views and beautiful hikes all around.
- The Pyramids of Güímar: Mysterious terraced structures linked to Thor Heyerdahl’s expeditions.
- Candelaria: A historic town with an iconic basilica and statues of the Guanche kings.
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife: The capital, home to the architectural gem Auditorio de Tenerife.
- Arco de Tajao: An impressive natural rock arch.
- Los Gigantes: Staggering cliffs that plunge straight into the ocean.
The most beautiful beaches
- Playa de Las Teresitas: Golden sand shipped in from the Sahara and calm waters.
- Playa de Benijo: A wild beach with black volcanic sand, perfect for shooting sunsets.
- Playa del Duque: An elegant beach with fine sand and upscale facilities.
- Playa Jardín: A beach designed by the artist César Manrique, surrounded by tropical gardens.
Tenerife is an island of contrasts – from volcanic landscapes to lush forests, from quiet beaches to lively cities. All you have to do is choose where your heart takes you.
A day-by-day road trip around Tenerife
Day 1
We’d barely landed on Tenerife and the air already smelled of salt sea and sunshine. At the airport we picked up our rental car – an Opel Crossland X from cicar.com, the ideal companion for both driving and sleeping. We recommend booking ahead; they have great prices and operate across the Canaries. Seven days of rental cost us 195 euros, roughly 4,900 CZK.
We decided to spend the first night at an easy pace, at a glamping resort near the town of Arona. Not a hotel, not a beach, but a lovely inland complex surrounded by banana trees. For the first time in our lives we saw bananas growing straight off the tree – a slightly different kind of romance than the one in the catalogue. By the way, did you know Spanish carmaker Seat names its models after towns? Arona is exactly one of those towns you’ll find on Tenerife.
Day 2
Day two kicked off the first real goal of our road trip. Our first stop was Arco de Tajao, a fascinating rock arch carved by wind and time. A striking sight – a bit like the Pravčická brána arch back home.
Then we headed to the Pyramids of Güímar, an archaeological site still shrouded in mystery. Pyramids on Tenerife? Yes, really! They’re not Mayan structures but terraced stone formations whose origins are still debated. For us, though, the most fascinating part of the whole museum was the exhibition on Thor Heyerdahl, the Norwegian adventurer and scientist who believed ancient civilisations may have been far more connected than we ever thought. Thor is famous for his Kon-Tiki raft expedition, on which he crossed the Pacific to prove that ancient peoples could cover vast distances by sea. Standing there looking at the models of his boats, we felt our own Tenerife trip was a little expedition of its own.
Our next stop was Candelaria, home to the iconic basilica with the statue of Our Lady of Candelaria, patron saint of the Canary Islands. The square in front of the basilica is lined with statues of the Guanche kings – the island’s original inhabitants.
We finished the day in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the island’s capital. We strolled along the promenade and, as the sun set in magical fashion, admired the futuristic Auditorio de Tenerife.
In the evening we found a place to sleep via the Park4night app, which helped us find ideal spots for sleeping in the car throughout the whole road trip.
Day 3
We started day three with a visit to the iconic Playa de Las Teresitas, a beach of fine golden sand brought all the way from the Sahara. Here we enjoyed a few restful moments, a swim in the calm sea and views of the mountains behind. The beach is protected by a breakwater, so it’s ideal for safe swimming.
Then we set off into the Parque Rural de Anaga, where the landscape changes dramatically. Mountains cloaked in laurel forest and misty rainforest took us far from the tourist crowds. We parked the car and hiked out to the remote hamlet of Roque Bermejo, reachable only on foot or by boat. The trail was peaceful – we met only a few goats, not a single person, and listened to the song of canaries. In the village we found a tiny snack bar run by a local family – simple but tasty food and refreshing drinks.
In the evening we slept at the Mirador de Jardina viewpoint, with a gorgeous view over the town of La Laguna and the surrounding countryside. The starry sky above us was the perfect full stop to another day full of experiences.
Day 4
In the morning we carried on exploring Anaga and stopped in the village of Taborno, where we tried the local specialities and recharged. From there we set off on another nature hike with breathtaking views of the mountains and the Atlantic.
After a full day of hiking we headed to the Punta del Hidalgo lighthouse, where we savoured the sunset over the ocean.
After sunset we ended the day with dinner at a local fishermen’s restaurant. Ordering was an adventure in itself – no menu and minimal Spanish, and we ended up with a starter of bread and a mound of mayonnaise, and fried sardines for the main. An experience we didn’t forget all night.
Day 5
On day five we visited the beautiful town of La Orotava, known for its historic houses and stunning gardens. Then we headed to San Juan de la Rambla, where we bathed in natural pools shaped by lava rock. The waves were strong, so the swim was really more for confident swimmers.
In the afternoon we opted for a whale-watching boat trip. We found a company offering a catamaran cruise (for about 1,000 CZK per person) and had the unforgettable moment of actually seeing whales with our own eyes. At the end of the cruise we could swim in the open ocean. Jumping off the catamaran into the deep blue, with nothing but tens of metres of water beneath you, was a feeling of freedom that’s hard to put into words. It was one of those moments when you feel truly alive.
Day 6
In the morning we visited the picturesque mountain village of Masca, where parking was a challenge thanks to the spot’s popularity. Then we had lunch in Santiago del Teide, tucking into fresh seafood. We also tried the local speciality papas arrugadas (wrinkly potatoes) with mojo sauce. And, not to forget, the whole time on Tenerife we’d been drinking the local Dorada beer – it’s a long way off Czech beer, but at least it’s a pilsner-style lager. By the way, did you know that up to two-thirds of all the beer in the world is pilsner-style?
In the afternoon we drove into the heart of the island – Teide National Park, where the majestic Teide volcano, Spain’s highest mountain, rises up. The park feels like another planet – red rocks, black volcanic sand and sharp contrasts of light and shadow.
We parked at Mirador de Sámara and set off from there on a half-day hike with views of the volcano.
You can climb to the summit of Teide on foot and enjoy the sunrise, where you can supposedly see the longest shadow in the world. But you’ll have to set off while it’s still dark. Or there’s option two: a cable car runs to the top so you can save your energy and ride up. Either way you need to register online, as visitor numbers at the summit are monitored by local rangers. We didn’t make it to the top ourselves, though – we simply ran out of time.
In the evening we stayed in the park to enjoy some stargazing. Tenerife is famous for its clear skies and minimal light pollution. We lay on our sleeping mats, surrounded by silence, watching an endless number of stars, the Milky Way and even shooting stars. It was a magical end to a day that joined the beauty of the Earth with the infinity of the universe.
Day 7
For our last day on Tenerife we wanted to take it slow. We chose Los Cristianos, right next to Arona, where our road trip had begun. The beach was the perfect place to rest after a week full of adventure. Fine sand underfoot, the murmur of the sea and a light breeze made the perfect backdrop for our final hours on the island – or so we thought.
After a refreshing swim we had a late lunch at one of the local restaurants overlooking the ocean. We sat on the terrace, tasting fresh seafood and slowly taking in all the memories from the trip.
But of course, it wouldn’t be us if we didn’t get the idea to try surfing before leaving. So at the last minute we went for it! There were plenty of surf schools in town, and it only took walking past a few of them and asking about spots before we were zipped into wetsuits. Surfing on Tenerife was a great experience I’d recommend to anyone.
In the evening, at the airport, we said goodbye to our faithful Opel Crossland X, feeling that Tenerife had left us with memories for a lifetime.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Tenerife in winter?
Exactly the same – hikes, the ocean, the volcano. Just fewer people and more pleasant temperatures.
Is it worth renting a car on Tenerife?
Yes. Without a car you’ll see half the island at most.
How many days is ideal for exploring Tenerife?
The minimum is 7 days, the ideal is 10–14.
Is Tenerife expensive?
It depends on your travel style. A road trip is surprisingly affordable.
