The Ultimate One Week in Tenerife Itinerary

Travel
61 minutes read

Day 1: Arrive & Settle Into Puerto de la Cruz

Welcome to Tenerife! After landing, make your way to Puerto de la Cruz on the island’s lush north coast. Take your time on the drive and enjoy the scenery — you’ll pass dramatic volcanic landscapes and views of the ocean.

Good to know: Tenerife has two airports.

Tenerife South (TFS) → about 1 to 1.5 hours by car to Puerto de la Cruz
Tenerife North (TFN) → only about 20–30 minutes

Once you’ve dropped your bags at your hotel, hop on a local bus and head to the Jardín Botánico (Botanical Gardens). This peaceful garden is packed with exotic tropical plants, towering palms, orchids, and the sounds of colorful birds. It’s a perfect first stop after a travel day — calm, green, and slow.

Hours: Usually 9 AM – 6 PM
Entry: €3 (~$3.30 USD)

Afterward, bus or walk (about 25 minutes downhill) back toward the historic center of Puerto de la Cruz. Wander the old streets and admire the traditional Canary-style houses — brightly painted façades, carved balconies, and flower-filled courtyards. It’s super photogenic.

Make your way to Plaza del Charco, the buzzing main square, for people-watching and something to eat. Great first-day lunch spots:

Mokita Foodiexperience
Restaurante Régulo

Afternoon: Beach Time

Now it’s time to unwind by the water. You’ve got two great options:

Playa San Telmo
A small rocky black-sand beach with natural volcanic pools — beautiful and atmospheric.
Lago Martiánez
A huge open-air complex of seawater pools right next to the Atlantic. Think turquoise lagoons, white walkways, palm trees, loungers, and ocean views. It’s ideal if the waves at the real beach are rough.
- Entry: €7 (~$8 USD), which includes a sunbed

💡 Sunset tip:
End your first evening at El Castillo San Felipe. Bring some snacks and a drink, sit on the stone steps facing the ocean, and watch the sun drop behind the horizon. When we went, there was a musician playing live as the sky turned orange — total magic.

Day 1 Recap

Jardín Botánico
Old Town Puerto de la Cruz
Playa San Telmo or Lago Martiánez
Sunset at El Castillo San Felipe

Where to Base Yourself: Puerto de la Cruz

For this Tenerife itinerary, staying in Puerto de la Cruz is perfect. It has dramatic black-sand beaches, classic Canarian architecture, and views of Mount Teide (Spain’s highest peak, and an active volcano). It also puts you close to a lot of the island’s best nature.

We stayed at Alua Tenerife — decent price, good breakfast, pool, and walkable to the old town and beaches. It’s a resort-style stay. If you want something more boutique or local-feeling, there are plenty of other hotels and apartments in town.

Day 2: La Orotava & Teide National Park

Start Day 2 with a short drive (about 15 minutes) uphill from Puerto de la Cruz to La Orotava, one of the prettiest historic towns on the island. Expect cobblestone streets, terracotta roofs, colorful facades, and sweeping views of the valley all the way down to the sea.

Must-see stops:

Casa de los Balcones
A 17th-century mansion known for its carved wooden balconies and inner courtyard full of palms and banana plants. You can do a self-guided audio tour through the house and workshops.
- Entry: €6 (~$6.50 USD) – book ahead
Liceo de Taoro / Club Social Liceo Taoro
A beautiful historic building with terraces and a great view over town. If you only have time for one paid visit, prioritize Casa de los Balcones.

Lunch picks in La Orotava:

Café Breslau
Bar Los Castillos
Casa Verde
Or grab something on the terrace at Liceo de Taoro.

Afternoon: Teide National Park

Next up: the absolute showstopper of your week in Tenerife — Teide National Park. This is where you’ll find Mount Teide and its wild, otherworldly lava landscapes.

Drive about 1 hour from La Orotava along the TF-21 mountain road. The drive alone is unforgettable: volcanic rock towers, desert colors, twisted lava fields, viewpoints like “Queen’s Shoe,” and huge open skies.

When you arrive in the park, you’ve got two great options:

Option A: Take the Cable Car
The cable car whisks you near the summit of Mount Teide for insane views over the island.

~€24 one way
Book ahead if you want guaranteed spots

Option B: Hike Roques de García
We skipped the cable car and did the Sendero Roques de García trail instead. It’s short, incredibly scenic, and gives you that “we’re walking on Mars” feeling.

Start: Parador de Cañadas del Teide hotel
Distance: ~3.6 km loop
Time: 1.5–2 hours
Difficulty: Easy, mostly gravel path
Best light: Late afternoon / golden hour

⚠️ Timing tip:
Plan to finish before dark. We misjudged the sun and ended up hiking in the dark, which wasn’t ideal on uneven paths. Check the weather cams first — on cloudy days visibility can vanish fast up there.

Stargazing

After sunset, don’t rush off. Teide National Park is one of the best stargazing locations in Europe because there’s almost zero light pollution. Bring warm layers (it gets cold fast at altitude), snacks, and water. Note that the only nearby cafeteria (at Parador de Cañadas del Teide) closes at 6 PM, so stock up earlier.

Drive carefully back to Puerto de la Cruz — the mountain roads are dark, narrow, and full of bends.

No car? Book a Teide tour instead. There are also guided night tours that include telescopes and even a visit to the Teide Observatory.

Day 2 Recap

La Orotava
Teide National Park
Hike: Sendero Roques de García
Stargazing under Teide’s sky

Day 3: Icod de los Vinos, Garachico & Either Playa de Castro or Wine Tasting

Day 3 is all about the island’s northwest: charming towns, ancient trees, lava pools, and coastal views.

Morning: Icod de los Vinos

Drive ~30 minutes from Puerto de la Cruz to Icod de los Vinos, famous for two things:

Local wine
A legendary tree

That tree is the Drago Milenario (Dragon Tree) — said to be around a thousand years old. It lives inside Parque del Drago, a botanical garden full of palms, cacti, medicinal plants, and birdsong.

Entry: €5 (~$5.50 USD)
Go early (park opens at 8 AM). We arrived at 9:30 and it was still quiet.

You can’t walk right up to the Dragon Tree (it’s protected), but there are plenty of viewpoints along the paths.

When you’re done, grab coffee / cake at Casa del Drago, right inside the park — traditional stone walls, wooden beams, very local food.

Next, pop into Casa del Plátano (“Banana House”), a small museum about Tenerife’s banana-growing history. Vintage photos, old farming tools, even classic Land Rovers on display.

Entry: €5 (~$5.50 USD)
Ticket usually includes a banana at the end
There’s also a tiny banana plantation out back (and adorable chickens)

You can also bundle Icod, Garachico, etc., into a north-island guided tour if you prefer not to drive.

Lunch in Garachico

From Icod, drive ~15 minutes to Garachico, one of Tenerife’s most colorful villages. Park near the center (there are several marked lots) and wander its historic streets, leafy plazas, and traditional Canarian houses.

Eat lunch here, stroll Plaza de la Libertad, and grab gelato from Gelateria Artesanal Italiana Fragola (some of the best we had on the island).

Before you leave, look for viewpoints like Mirador Emigrante to admire Garachico from above.

Swim in the Lava Pools

Garachico is known for its natural lava pools (Piscinas Naturales El Caletón). Walk the stone paths, sit in the sun, and — if the ocean is calm — take a dip in the clear pools. Beware: if the sea is rough, it can be dangerous. Check conditions first.

Afternoon Option A: Playa de Castro

If you’re in the mood for a little adventure, continue ~30 minutes from Garachico to Playa de Castro, one of the most dramatic black-sand beaches on Tenerife.

This beach isn’t great for swimming (strong currents, rocks), but the views are incredible: cliffs, palms, pounding surf, and even a small waterfall at low tide. Getting down involves a steep walk, so wear decent shoes.

How to reach Playa de Castro:

Park at Restaurante Mirador de San Pedro
Take the paved road downhill to the right of the restaurant
At the curve, turn right and follow the path downhill
Pass through a stone doorway, continue toward a yellow/orange villa
Follow wooden signs and steps down toward the beach
Ignore Google Maps if it tries to route you straight to a cliff viewpoint — follow the marked trail instead

Afternoon Option B: Wine Tasting at Bodegas Monje

Not feeling a hike? Go wine tasting instead. The north coast is known for its volcanic-soil vineyards. Bodegas Monje is the most famous — gorgeous views of vineyards rolling toward the sea with Mount Teide in the background.

They offer tastings, tours, and even grape-stomping experiences during harvest. English-language tours typically run on Saturdays and Sundays at 11 AM and 4 PM, so plan ahead.

Drive ~40 minutes from Garachico
Book in advance

Day 3 Recap

Icod de los Vinos & Parque del Drago
Garachico and its lava pools
THEN EITHER:
- Playa de Castro hike and viewpoint
- Wine tasting at Bodegas Monje (weekends for English tours)

Day 4: Anaga Rural Park

Day 4 is for rainforest air, cliff views, and legendary hikes. Wear good shoes and bring layers — Anaga is cooler, wetter, and mistier than the south.

Drive ~35–40 minutes from Puerto de la Cruz to Anaga.

Morning: Mirador de Jardina → Sendero de los Sentidos

Stop first at Mirador de Jardina for sweeping views over La Laguna, Mount Teide in the distance (if it’s clear), and the green folds of the Anaga mountains.

Then continue to the Cruz del Carmen Visitor Center, where you’ll park to hike the Sendero de los Sentidos (“Path of the Senses”).

Easy 30-minute loop
Moss-draped laurel forest (these are ancient subtropical cloud forests)
Low, drifting mist gives the whole walk a storybook feel
After the walk, grab a coffee or snack across the road at Restaurante Cruz del Carmen

Parking here can be tricky — arrive early if you can.

From the viewpoint at Mirador Cruz del Carmen, you can sometimes see Teide poking above the clouds (we only saw fog!).

Extra viewpoints nearby worth a quick stop:

Mirador Pico del Inglés — jaw-dropping panorama
Camino Viejo al Pico del Inglés — an old, mossy tunnel-like road lined with laurel roots and branches, very atmospheric for photos

Lunch: Casa Santiago

If the clouds roll in (which they often do), duck out for lunch at Restaurant Casa Santiago (about 8 minutes’ drive from Cruz del Carmen). We loved the tuna steak in rich tomato sauce.

We were basically doing weather dodging here — checking live cloud maps and waiting for clearer skies before our next hike. Totally normal in Anaga.

Afternoon: Hike Roque de Taborno

After lunch, drive about 15–20 minutes to the little village of Taborno, and prepare for one of Tenerife’s best short hikes: Roque de Taborno.

They call this jagged volcanic spire the “Matterhorn of Tenerife.” The circular trail loops around the rock and along the ridge, giving nonstop coastal and mountain views. Think cactus, wildflowers, goats, seabirds — it honestly felt a lot like hiking in Madeira.

Key info:

Park in the tiny village (you may need to tuck into the roadside)
Distance: ~3.5 km loop
Time: ~2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate (narrow trails, some drop-offs, can be muddy/slippery)
Cost: Free, no permit
Best time: Late afternoon (we started around 3 PM in late March and hardly saw anyone)

Trail start:

Walk up to the little terracotta-colored church in Taborno
Take the path to the right of the church
Stop at Mirador Fuente del Lomo
Then follow the narrow trail as it loops around the rock and cliffs

Wear hiking shoes, bring water, a jacket, and sunscreen. Weather can flip from sunny to cold mist pretty fast.

Sunset: Playa de Benijo

Before heading back north for the night, drive about 50 minutes to Playa de Benijo, famous for its dramatic black sand, sea stacks, and crashing Atlantic waves. It’s one of the best sunset spots on the island — and a favorite with photographers.

You probably won’t swim here: currents are strong and waves can be huge. But for moody, wild coastline at golden hour? Unreal.

Day 4 Recap (Anaga)

Mirador de Jardina
Sendero de los Sentidos loop
Lunch at Casa Santiago
Roque de Taborno hike
Sunset at Playa de Benijo

Day 5: La Laguna, Playa de las Teresitas & Coastal Sunset Hike

Today blends culture, beach time, and one of Tenerife’s underrated sunset walks.

Morning: San Cristóbal de La Laguna

Drive ~30 minutes from Puerto de la Cruz to La Laguna, a UNESCO-listed city with a laid-back local vibe. Expect pastel houses, palm-lined streets, colonial mansions, and lots of students and artists.

Spend 1–2 hours wandering, shopping, and eating. Highlights:

La Laguna Cathedral
Casa Museo Cayetano Gómez Felipe
Palacio de Nava
Plaza del Adelantado

You can also download an audio guide for La Laguna if you want more background as you explore.

Nick said La Laguna reminded him of cities we’ve visited in Latin America — especially Cartagena — because of its colors, architecture, and plazas.

Afternoon: Playa de las Teresitas

After lunch, drive 30–40 minutes to Playa de las Teresitas, the most famous golden-sand beach in Tenerife. Most of Tenerife’s beaches are black volcanic sand, but this one was made with Sahara sand, creating a long, shallow, calm swimming bay fringed by palm trees and backed by green cliffs.

It’s popular (especially with locals), but super scenic. Try arriving mid-afternoon (around Spanish siesta time, 2–4 PM) when crowds sometimes thin a bit.

Late Afternoon / Sunset: Mirador de Las Breñas & Sendero El Sauzal

Now for a true hidden gem. After the beach, drive about 50 minutes toward Mirador de Las Breñas. This clifftop lookout is peaceful, dramatic, and has a memorial statue honoring local fishermen who once rescued survivors from a plane crash offshore. On clear days you can even see Teide from here.

From the viewpoint, hike the Sendero El Sauzal coastal trail.

First, you’ll descend steeply (wear sturdy shoes)
Then it levels out into an easy ~3.7 km out-and-back path along cliffs, caves, and wild Atlantic views
This trail is usually quiet — we shared sunset mostly with a couple of local runners

Note: We saw an old road lower down that looked like people used to drive closer, but when we tried, it was blocked. You can still plug “Sendero El Sauzal” into Maps to see if access changes.

From Mirador de Las Breñas, it’s only ~20 minutes back to Puerto de la Cruz.

Day 5 Recap

San Cristóbal de La Laguna
Swim/chill at Playa de las Teresitas
Mirador de Las Breñas
Sunset hike: Sendero El Sauzal

Day 6: Los Gigantes, Whale Watching & Masca

Your second-to-last day is all about Tenerife’s legendary west coast cliffs and mountain roads. Leave early.

Morning: Boat Tour in Los Gigantes

Drive ~1 hour 15 minutes from Puerto de la Cruz to Los Gigantes. The town is cute, but the real draw is the coastline: sheer 600-meter cliffs dropping straight into the sea — the tallest sea cliffs in Europe.

This is one of the best places in Tenerife to take a boat trip and (ethically) spot dolphins and whales. Some tours even include snorkeling stops where you might see turtles or rays.

Important:

Look for operators with the official “Barco Azul” certification, which means they follow wildlife-friendly rules.
Winter and early spring (Dec–April) can offer higher chances of spotting bigger whales.

We, sadly, had rough seas and couldn’t go — but if we could rebook, we’d choose a certified wildlife tour leaving from Los Gigantes harbor.

After your boat tour, grab lunch or coffee in town. We liked:

Tea House & Bar
Los Gigantes Beach Club

Then walk down toward the water to find the rock pools of Los Gigantes. These natural pools sit right at the base of the cliffs. Only swim if the tide is low and the sea is calm — this area can get powerful waves.

Afternoon / Evening: Drive TF-436 to Masca

Next: one of Tenerife’s most famous drives. Take road TF-436 toward Masca, a tiny mountain village tucked between razor-sharp ridges in the Teno Mountains.

The drive (about 35–45 minutes from Los Gigantes) is unforgettable — hairpin bends, cliffs, outrageously beautiful viewpoints. Try to arrive after 4 PM, when day-trip crowds have mostly thinned.

Masca is often called “the Machu Picchu of Tenerife” because of the way it sits in the valley with steep green walls on all sides. There’s not a ton “to do,” but honestly you don’t need more than the scenery. Walk around, take photos, breathe in the views.

Grab an early dinner or a drink at small local places like:

Restaurante El Guanche Altaschule
Bar Fidel
Casa Riquelme (adorable setting, but reviews for food are mixed, so maybe just stop for a drink with a view)

⚠️ Practical tips:

Roads here are narrow with sharp drop-offs. If you’re not a confident mountain driver — especially in a rental — consider going on a guided tour instead of driving.
It’s about 1 to 1.5 hours back to Puerto de la Cruz after Masca, so don’t leave too late.

Day 6 Recap

Los Gigantes whale/dolphin tour
Los Gigantes natural pools
Scenic drive to Masca
Sunset / dinner in Masca’s mountain views

Day 7 (Final Day): Choose Your Own Ending

For the last day of your Tenerife itinerary, pick one of these two routes:

Option 1: Day Trip to La Gomera

La Gomera is a smaller, greener neighboring island often compared to Hawaii for its deep ravines, palm-filled valleys, and ancient forests. It’s quieter than Tenerife and perfect if you’re craving wilderness and culture.

What to do:

Take the ferry from Los Cristianos (south Tenerife). The crossing is about 50 minutes.
Explore the island by guided tour — many include stops in traditional villages, viewpoints, and Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO-listed laurel forest.
You’ll likely also learn about Silbo Gomero, the island’s traditional whistling language.

If you want the easiest version, book a full-day jeep tour of La Gomera that includes transport from Tenerife and ferry tickets.

Logistics:

From Puerto de la Cruz to Los Cristianos port is about 1 hour 15 minutes by car
Check your rental terms if you plan to take a car on the ferry — not all companies allow it
Ferries run multiple times daily; reserve tickets in advance

If you’re already staying in south Tenerife by your last day, even easier: some La Gomera tours include hotel pickup.

Option 2: Barranco del Infierno + Siam Park

Prefer to stay on Tenerife for your finale? Do this combo instead:

Morning: Hike Barranco del Infierno (“Hell’s Gorge”)
This is a protected ravine trail where the Indigenous Guanche people once lived in caves. The hike winds between massive cliffs and ends at Tenerife’s tallest waterfall (about 200 meters).

Key details:

Distance: ~6.5 km round trip
Time: ~3–4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
You’re given a helmet at the start (small risk of falling rocks)
Entry: €13 (~$14 USD), advance booking required — daily visitor numbers are limited
Hours: 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM entry slots, so reserve the earliest time you can
From Puerto de la Cruz: ~1 hour 20 minutes’ drive

Afternoon: Siam Park
Wrap up your trip with full-throttle water rides at Siam Park, often ranked among the best water parks in the world. Expect massive slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, vertical drops — the works.

Entry: ~€42 (~$45 USD)
In high season, consider paying extra for fast passes because lines can get long

Note: We didn’t personally go to Siam Park because they keep captive marine animals on display and we don’t support that — but most travelers go for the rides, not the animals, so we’re including it as a realistic option.

Day 7 Recap

Option 1: Ferry to La Gomera + guided island tour
Option 2: Hike Barranco del Infierno + afternoon at Siam Park

Where to Stay on Tenerife

Tenerife is bigger than many people realize, and where you stay really shapes your trip.

Puerto de la Cruz (North)

More traditional and less resorty
Close to Anaga Rural Park, black-sand beaches, Icod de los Vinos, Garachico
Cooler, cloudier, more unpredictable weather
Great if you want nature, hiking, scenery

This is where we based ourselves. You’ll find mostly apartments and smaller hotels rather than giant resorts.

Costa Adeje (South)

Warmer and sunnier year-round
Lots of resorts and amenities
Sandy beaches, boat tours, water parks, shopping, nightlife
Great if you want a more classic “beach holiday” feel

💡 Not sure where to stay?
Split your trip. Spend ~4 days in the north (Puerto de la Cruz) for hiking, volcanoes, and green landscapes. Then spend ~3 days in the south (Costa Adeje) to relax by the sea, do boat trips, and soak up the sun.

How Long Do You Need in Tenerife?

One full week is ideal. You’ll have enough time to see volcanoes, historic towns, dramatic coasts, and ancient forests — and still leave room for slow afternoons at the beach or pool.

Getting to Tenerife

Tenerife has two main airports (north and south) with lots of year-round flights from across Europe.

When you book, check which airport you’re flying into so you can plan rental car pickup at the correct location.

From the airport, you can:

Rent a car
Take a public bus
Arrange a private transfer or hotel pickup

Getting Around the Island

This itinerary is easiest with a car. Some places — like Masca, Roque de Taborno, and Playa de Castro — are very hard to reach by bus alone.

By Car

We strongly recommend renting a car. It gives you the freedom to find hidden viewpoints, drive mountain roads, and time hikes around golden hour. Road quality is generally very good, with a fast main highway circling much of the island.

That said:

Mountain roads (Masca, Anaga) are narrow, twisty, and exposed. Confident driving is a must.
Parking in popular towns or trailheads can be limited — arrive early or after 4 PM.

By Bus

Tenerife’s public buses (the green “TITSA” buses) are excellent, cheap, and surprisingly extensive. They even serve some trailheads and viewpoints.

Downsides:

Trips take longer because of many stops
Some spots in this itinerary may have limited service or no direct connection

If you’ll rely on buses, you can still enjoy Tenerife — you’ll just want to adjust the plan slightly and maybe book a few guided day tours for remote areas.

What Does a Week in Tenerife Cost?

Tenerife is popular, but still pretty affordable compared to many European islands.

Approximate daily spend per person (not including flights):

Budget travel: ~$55–$70 USD/day
Mid-range: ~$130–$320 USD/day
High-end: $300+ USD/day

Typical costs:

Hotels: ~$40 to $300 USD per night
Hostels: ~$15 to $30 USD per night
Car rental: ~$15 to $50 USD per day
Food: ~$30 to $90 USD per day
Activities / entry fees: ~$5 to $40 USD
Travel insurance: ~$2 to $6 USD/day
SIM/eSIM: ~$1 to $3 USD/day equivalent

Eating out is surprisingly reasonable. We often paid under €30 total for two main dishes, a starter, and two drinks — around €15 each ($16 USD per person). Fresh fish and Canarian specialties are great value.

Parking was usually free in most places we visited, with just a few small pay zones.

💸 Tip: You can pay by card almost everywhere, but it’s smart to keep a bit of cash on you for small cafes, parking meters in villages, etc.

What to Eat in Tenerife

Tenerife’s food scene mixes Spanish, African, and island influences. Some things to try:

Papas arrugadas (“wrinkled potatoes”) with mojo sauce
Fresh local fish and seafood
Stews and grilled meats
Great coffee and pastries
Shockingly good non-Canarian options too (we had awesome Indian and Italian)

Favorites from our trip:

Casa del Drago (inside Parque del Drago, Icod)
Mokita Foodiexperience (Puerto de la Cruz)
Casa Santiago (Anaga area; Nick’s top pick — that tuna!)
Restaurante Alanda
Slow Coffee Tenerife
La Casa del Panadero
ZOKA Brunch & Coffee
A little Indian curry spot in Santa Úrsula we loved

💧 Water: Tap water in Tenerife is safe to drink. Bring a reusable bottle and refill. It can taste slightly chlorinated, but it’s fine.

Final Thoughts

This 7-day Tenerife itinerary gives you the island’s greatest hits:

Lush forests and hanging moss in Anaga
Lava fields and stargazing under Teide
Black-sand beaches and natural pools
Cliffside villages like Masca
Whale watching beneath 600-meter sea walls
Pastel old towns and golden imported-sand beaches

Split your stay between the wild, green north and the sunny resort south, rent a car if you can, and don’t skip sunset in Teide National Park. By the end of the week, you’ll understand why Tenerife is so much more than “just a beach holiday.”