Tenerife isn’t just another beach destination, it’s a volcanic wonderland where visitors can summit Spain’s highest peak in the morning, dine in a centuries-old wine cave at lunch, and stargaze under some of Europe’s clearest skies by evening.
The largest Canary Island offers an extraordinary diversity of experiences within driving distance, making it perfect for adventurous day trippers who want to dig deeper than the typical resort experience.
After months of exploration across this remarkable island, from the laurel forests of Anaga to the lunar landscapes of Teide National Park, the most striking discovery is how Tenerife rewards those who venture beyond the obvious. While the popular attractions rightfully earn their fame, the island’s hidden gems provide authentic encounters with local culture and pristine nature that create lasting memories.
This guide reveals both the must-see highlights and the secret spots that locals cherish, ensuring travelers experience the full spectrum of what makes Tenerife truly special.
Top Activities: Tenerife’s Essential Day Trips
Mount Teide National Park: Spain’s Volcanic Crown Jewel
No visit to Tenerife feels complete without ascending Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak at 3,715 meters. This UNESCO World Heritage site offers multiple ways to experience its otherworldly volcanic landscapes, from leisurely cable car rides to challenging summit hikes.
The Teide Cable Car operates daily from 9:00 AM, transporting visitors from the base station at 2,356 meters to La Rambleta station at 3,555 meters in just eight minutes. The panoramic views during the ascent reveal the island’s diverse microclimates, from pine forests to the lunar-like Las Cañadas caldera. Cable car tickets start at €37 for adults, with combo packages including guided tours available from €87.
For the ultimate Teide experience, hiking enthusiasts should secure permits well in advance for the final 163-meter ascent to the summit. This challenging trek rewards climbers with 360-degree views across the Canary Islands and the distant African coast. The Montaña Blanca route, starting from the trailhead at 2,200 meters, offers a more comprehensive hiking experience through various volcanic zones.
Insider tip: Visit during sunrise for the most spectacular views and cooler temperatures. Many tours depart as early as 4:00 AM to catch the dawn breaking above the clouds, an unforgettable experience that transforms the volcanic landscape into a canvas of gold and crimson.
Stargazing: Europe’s Premier Dark Sky Experience
Teide National Park holds international recognition as a Starlight Tourist Destination, offering some of the world’s best conditions for astronomical observation. At this altitude with minimal light pollution, visitors can see 83 of the 88 officially recognized constellations.
Professional stargazing tours typically include sunset viewing, dinner at traditional Canarian restaurants, and guided telescope observation sessions.
Teide by Night excursions range from €59 to €172 depending on inclusions, with expert astronomers using laser pointers to trace constellations while sharing mythology and scientific insights. The Teide Observatory, operational since 1964 as one of the world’s most important solar observatories, offers daytime tours where visitors can observe solar prominences through specialized telescopes.
For those seeking a more intimate experience, private stargazing sessions are available starting at €27 per person for group sessions, with private tours at €300. The combination of professional-grade telescopes, expert guidance, and Tenerife’s exceptional atmospheric conditions creates an astronomy experience rivaling the best observatories globally.
Whale and Dolphin Watching: Marine Life Encounters
The waters off Tenerife’s southwest coast form part of a Special Conservation Area where resident populations of pilot whales and dolphins thrive year-round. This unique ecosystem makes Tenerife one of Europe’s most reliable destinations for cetacean sightings, with success rates exceeding 95%.
Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos serve as the primary departure points for whale watching excursions. Tours range from intimate 2-hour trips on small zodiac boats (maximum 10 guests) starting at €25, to luxury 4.5-hour catamaran cruises with lunch and swimming stops at €40-65 per person. The smaller boat experiences offer closer encounters and often include underwater hydrophones for listening to whale communications.
Eco-friendly operators like Whale Watch Tenerife and Whale Express maintain responsible viewing distances while providing educational commentary from marine biologists. The best operators include complimentary photography services, allowing guests to focus on the experience while professionals capture the encounters.
The waters between Costa Adeje and Los Gigantes regularly host short-finned pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins, and occasionally sperm whales and orcas. Tours typically sail toward the impressive Los Gigantes cliffs, creating opportunities to combine marine wildlife viewing with spectacular coastal scenery.
While traveling to Tenerife by ferry, you can also often spot whales and dolphins. The ferry services offer various routes to nearby islands.
Los Gigantes Cliffs: Towering Natural Monuments
The Los Gigantes cliffs rise dramatically 600 meters from the Atlantic Ocean, creating one of Tenerife’s most photographed natural landmarks. These vertical basalt walls, formed by ancient volcanic activity, provide a stunning backdrop for various water activities and coastal exploration.
Kayaking excursions around the cliffs offer unique perspectives of these geological giants while providing opportunities to explore sea caves and secluded coves. Half-day kayaking tours typically cost €40-60 and include equipment, basic instruction, and often snorkeling opportunities in crystal-clear waters.
The nearby Playa de los Guíos provides beach access with dramatic cliff views, while the natural swimming pools at Acantilado de Los Gigantes offer safe swimming in volcanic rock formations filled by Atlantic swells. The small marina of Los Gigantes serves as another departure point for boat trips, sailing excursions, and fishing charters.
Photography enthusiasts should visit the Archipenque viewpoint for panoramic cliff vistas, particularly stunning during golden hour when the setting sun illuminates the towering rock faces. The combination of vertical cliffs, deep blue ocean, and often-present marine life creates some of Tenerife’s most dramatic scenic compositions.
Read as well: A guide to the best beaches in Tenerife
Siam Park: World-Class Water Adventure
Consistently rated as the world’s best water park, Siam Park offers Thai-themed aquatic adventures suitable for all ages. Located in Costa Adeje, this 48-acre park combines thrilling rides with authentic Thai architecture and tropical landscaping.
The park’s signature attraction, the Tower of Power, sends riders through a transparent tube passing through a shark-filled aquarium—a unique experience found nowhere else. The Dragon roller coaster and the Volcano with its cone-shaped slide provide additional adrenaline rushes, while the Lazy River and artificial beaches cater to relaxation seekers.
All-inclusive packages starting at €52 include fast-track access to attractions, lunch with beverages, towel rental, and locker use. The park’s wave pool generates some of the world’s largest artificial waves, reaching heights of 3 meters and attracting professional surfers for demonstrations.
For families, Sawasdee, a multi-level play area with smaller slides and water features, provides safe entertainment for younger children while parents relax in nearby Thai pavilions. The park typically opens at 10:00 AM, with extended hours during peak season allowing for full-day experiences.
Special Activities: Tenerife’s Hidden Treasures
Guachinches: Authentic Canarian Culinary Traditions
Beyond Tenerife’s resort restaurants lies a centuries-old dining tradition that offers the most authentic taste of Canarian culture. Guachinches are family-run establishments, often located in garages or converted homes, where local winemakers sell their homemade wine alongside traditional dishes.
The tradition dates back to the 17th century when farmers sold surplus wine to neighbors, gradually adding simple meals to accompany their vintages. The name “guachinche” reportedly derives from English merchants saying “I’m watching you” while tasting local wines, later adopted by Canarians to describe these informal establishments.
Authentic guachinches typically feature handwritten menus limited to 3-5 traditional dishes: papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes) with mojo sauce, carne fiesta (seasoned pork), conejo en salmorejo (rabbit stew), and gofio escaldado (toasted grain porridge). The wine selection consists exclusively of locally produced varieties, often made by the establishment’s owners.
La Matanza, Santa Úrsula, and La Orotava in northern Tenerife host the highest concentrations of authentic guachinches. Highly recommended establishments include Guachinche La Cueva de Casiano, Guachinche El Cubano, and Guachinche La Noria in Santa Cruz. These venues typically operate seasonally, depending on wine availability, and many don’t accept credit cards. So cash payments remain the norm.
Dining etiquette: Reservations are essential, especially during harvest season (October-February). Expect shared tables, minimal décor, and authentic family atmospheres where locals gather to socialize over homemade wine and traditional dishes. A complete meal with wine typically costs under €15 per person, making guachinches exceptional value for authentic cultural experiences.
Anaga Rural Park: Prehistoric Laurel Forests
Declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Anaga Rural Park protects one of Europe’s last remaining laurel forests, a prehistoric ecosystem that once covered much of the Mediterranean region. This mystical landscape of ancient trees, deep ravines, and hidden villages provides some of Tenerife’s most rewarding hiking experiences.
The Sendero de los Sentidos (Path of the Senses) offers an accessible introduction to the laurel forest, featuring interpretive signs encouraging hikers to engage their senses with the forest’s unique sights, sounds, and aromas. This 1.2-kilometer trail near the Cruz del Carmen visitor center requires minimal hiking experience while providing maximum immersion in this ancient ecosystem.
For more adventurous exploration, the Chamorga Circular Trail leads through some of the park’s most pristine forest sections before emerging at dramatic coastal viewpoints. Advanced hikers can tackle the challenging Pico del Inglés route, ascending to 960 meters for panoramic views across the forest canopy to the Atlantic Ocean.
Hidden villages like Taganana and Afur nestle within Anaga’s valleys, maintaining traditional Canarian lifestyles largely unchanged by tourism. These settlements offer glimpses of authentic island culture, with small bars serving local specialties and elderly residents who remember when these villages were accessible only by foot.
Practical considerations: The park’s microclimate creates frequent mist and occasional rain, making waterproof clothing essential. Many trails become slippery when wet, requiring proper hiking boots. The Cruz del Carmen visitor center provides trail maps and current conditions, operating Tuesday-Sunday 9:30 AM-4:00 PM.
Traditional Markets and Artisan Crafts
Tenerife’s local markets provide authentic encounters with Canarian culture while supporting traditional artisans and local food producers. These vibrant gathering places offer everything from handmade crafts to seasonal produce, creating opportunities for meaningful cultural exchange.
Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África in Santa Cruz, operating since 1943, stands as Tenerife’s most significant market. Known locally as “La Recova,” this covered market buzzes with activity as locals shop for fresh seafood, artisanal cheeses, Canarian wines, and traditional mojo sauces. The market’s small cafés provide authentic breakfast experiences with locally roasted coffee and traditional pastries.
Los Cristianos Market, operating Sundays 9:00 AM-2:00 PM, caters to both locals and tourists with a diverse selection of handmade jewelry, leather goods, local artwork, and traditional crafts. This outdoor market’s relaxed atmosphere encourages browsing and bargaining while discovering unique souvenirs created by local artisans.
Artisan specialties include traditional Canarian ceramics decorated with indigenous Guanche motifs, hand-embroidered linens, and woven baskets reflecting centuries-old techniques. The Pinolere Craft Fair in La Orotava, held annually in September, showcases the finest traditional crafts from across the Canary Islands, attracting artisans who demonstrate pottery, woodcarving, and textile traditions.
Food specialties available at markets include Almogrote cheese spread, Frangollo and Bienmesabe traditional desserts, and various gofio preparations. Local honey varieties, particularly from highland areas, offer unique flavors derived from endemic plant species found nowhere else in the world.
Cave Exploration: Volcanic Underground Worlds
Tenerife’s volcanic origins created extensive underground cave systems that offer unique geological and adventure experiences. Cueva del Viento (Wind Cave) near Icod de los Vinos ranks among Europe’s longest volcanic tube systems, stretching over 17 kilometers through ancient lava flows.
Guided tours of Cueva del Viento operate Tuesday-Saturday with advance booking essential due to limited capacity. The 2-hour underground journey reveals incredible geological formations including lava stalactites, fossil-rich walls, and chambers large enough to contain multi-story buildings. Professional guides explain the cave’s formation during volcanic eruptions approximately 27,000 years ago.
These lava tubes formed when the surface of flowing lava cooled and solidified while molten rock continued flowing beneath, creating natural tunnels. The constant temperature of 19°C makes cave exploration comfortable year-round, though sturdy footwear and provided helmets are mandatory for safety.
Alternative cave experiences include exploring smaller, lesser-known tubes in the Fasnia area, where ancient Guanche petroglyphs (rock carvings) provide insights into Tenerife’s pre-European inhabitants. These sites require guides familiar with the area and represent some of the island’s most significant archaeological treasures.
The geological diversity within these caves showcases different types of volcanic activity, from explosive eruptions that created ash-filled chambers to gentle lava flows that carved smooth-walled tubes. This underground world offers cooling respite from Tenerife’s warm climate while providing educational insights into the island’s volcanic formation.
Hidden Beaches and Secret Coastal Spots
Beyond Tenerife’s developed resort beaches lie hidden coastal gems that reward those willing to venture off the beaten path. These secluded spots offer pristine natural beauty and authentic island experiences away from tourist crowds.
Playa de Benijo, located near Taganana in the northeast, showcases dramatic black volcanic sand contrasted against towering rock formations and powerful Atlantic swells. This remote beach requires a winding mountain drive through Anaga Rural Park but rewards visitors with some of Tenerife’s most spectacular coastal scenery, particularly at sunset when the rocky islets create stunning silhouettes.
Playa de Bollullo near Puerto de la Cruz offers a more accessible hidden beach experience, reachable by coastal hiking trail or narrow access road. The secluded bay features black sand, excellent swimming conditions, and fewer crowds than nearby tourist beaches. Parking costs €5 for the day, but the pristine setting justifies the fee.
Read as well: Things to do in Puerto de la Cruz
La Caleta de Interián, a small fishing village on the north coast, provides authentic coastal culture alongside scenic hiking opportunities. The village’s simple restaurants serve fresh seafood while coastal trails connect to nearby Los Silos and Buenavista, offering full-day coastal exploration possibilities.
Natural swimming pools formed by volcanic activity create unique bathing experiences throughout the island. El Caletón in Garachico features pools carved by lava from the 1706 eruption, now filled with clear seawater perfect for swimming. These geological formations provide safe swimming areas protected from ocean swells while maintaining connection to the sea.
Photography opportunities at these hidden locations capture Tenerife’s raw natural beauty without modern development. The contrast between black volcanic rock, white wave foam, and deep blue Atlantic waters creates dramatic compositions enhanced by the island’s exceptional light quality.
Planning Your Tenerife Day Trip Adventures
Getting to Tenerife and connecting islands
Tenerife is remarkably accessible, with regular flights from mainland Europe and year-round ferry connections to the Spanish peninsula and the other Canary Islands. Those exploring the archipelago can easily hop between islands via the frequent ferries running between Tenerife, Gran Canaria, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro. Including a boat journey as part of your trip to Tenerife can add another authentic dimension to your island adventure.
Transportation
Renting a car provides maximum flexibility for exploring both popular attractions and hidden gems, with mountain roads requiring careful driving but offering spectacular scenery. Public buses (guaguas) connect major attractions, though they limit access to remote locations and operate on fixed schedules.
Read as well: Exploring the roads in Tenerife
Best seasons
Tenerife’s subtropical climate makes year-round visits possible, though spring and autumn offer ideal hiking conditions with comfortable temperatures and minimal rainfall. Summer brings peak tourist season with higher prices but also extended operating hours for attractions.
Budget considerations
Mix expensive activities like Siam Park (€52) with budget-friendly options like hiking (free) and guachinche dining (€10-15 per person) for balanced costs. Many natural attractions are free, making Tenerife exceptional value for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Cultural sensitivity
Respect local traditions, especially in small villages and authentic establishments. Learn basic Spanish phrases, support local businesses, and follow Leave No Trace principles when exploring natural areas.
Safety preparations
Mountain weather changes rapidly, requiring layered clothing and waterproof gear. Ocean conditions vary by location. Always check local advice before swimming or water activities. Trail conditions in Anaga can be challenging when wet.
Tenerife rewards travelers who balance iconic experiences with authentic local encounters. From the otherworldly summit of Mount Teide to the centuries-old traditions of village guachinches, the island offers depth and diversity that extends far beyond its beaches.
These day trip opportunities create lasting connections to Canarian culture and natural wonders that transform a simple vacation into an enriching cultural adventure.
Whether seeking adrenaline-fueled activities or peaceful cultural immersion, Tenerife delivers experiences that satisfy every type of traveler. The key lies in embracing both the famous attractions that rightfully earned their reputation and the hidden gems that locals have cherished for generations – together, they reveal the complete character of this remarkable Atlantic island.
