What to see in Tenerife in a week

Mount Teide

The highest point in Spain at 3,715 metres, with a national park all around it. The drive from the south takes about an hour and is beautiful in its own right: pine forest gives way to a lunar landscape. A cable car runs to the top; it's best to buy tickets in advance.

It is cold and windy at the top all year round, so take a jacket even if it's 25 °C down below. To hike to the very summit you need a free permit from the park, and only a limited number are issued each day.

Masca and Garachico

The village of Masca sits in a deep ravine in the west of the island, reached by a winding road with spectacular views. From there you can carry on down to Garachico, an old town on the north coast that was destroyed by an eruption in 1706 and rebuilt. It also has natural pools set in solidified lava.

Whales and dolphins

A colony of pilot whales lives permanently off the south-west coast, and dolphins turn up on almost every trip. Boats leave from Los Cristianos and Puerto Colón, and outings last 2–3 hours. Choose licensed operators flying the Barco Azul flag: they keep a respectful distance from the animals.

La Gomera

The neighbouring island, an hour away by ferry from Los Cristianos. It has the Garajonay laurel forest, older than humankind, steep ravines and villages where the whistled language, silbo, is still used. You can do it in a day if you catch the first ferry.

Loro Parque and Monkey Park

Loro Parque in Puerto de la Cruz is considered one of the best-known zoos in Europe: a penguin enclosure, orcas and dolphins, a parrot collection and a tropical garden with an avenue of palms. Allow a whole day; the drive from the south takes about an hour. Closer to home, in Los Cristianos, the small Monkey Park lets you feed the animals by hand. Children often love it more than the big parks. We can help you get Loro Parque tickets through our partners.

La Orotava and Santa Cruz

La Orotava, a historic town of carved wooden balconies and gardens, is often called one of the prettiest on the island. The capital, Santa Cruz, has the Auditorio concert hall, a market, museums and shops. Next door is La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its university quarter and old streets.

Starry skies

Tenerife is considered one of the best places in the world for stargazing: clean air, altitude and a law that protects the sky from light pollution. There are viewpoints in Teide National Park and an observatory at Izaña. Telescope tours set off in the evening and come back late, so bring warm clothes.

A week's itinerary

1. Settle in: the promenade, the marina, dinner close to home.
2. El Médano and Montaña Roja: a beach day.
3. Teide and the cable car.
4. Whale watching, then an evening in Los Cristianos.
5. Masca, Garachico and the natural pools.
6. A day trip to La Gomera.
7. Rest: the pool, the patio, no plans at all.