25 Best Things to Do in Tenerife: North, South & Beyond (2026 Guide)

June 12, 2026 George 0 Comments

Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands and, for UK travellers, one of the most accessible year-round destinations in Europe — roughly a four-hour flight from most UK airports, with warm weather in every month of the year and a remarkable range of landscapes packed into a single island. Most visitors base themselves in the resort areas of the south, but Tenerife rewards those who explore further: a UNESCO World Heritage volcano, ancient laurel forests, dramatic gorges, whale-rich Atlantic waters, and one of the finest water parks in the world.

This guide covers 25 of the best things to do in Tenerife, organised by type and area, including activities in the south, things to do in Tenerife North, and the natural attractions that set the island apart from a typical beach holiday.

Quick Overview: Best Things to Do in Tenerife

Attraction / Activity	Area	Best For
Mount Teide & National Park	Central	Nature, hiking, views
Siam Park	South (Costa Adeje)	Families, thrill-seekers
Masca Gorge hike	Northwest	Hiking, dramatic scenery
Whale & dolphin watching	South	Wildlife, families
Loro Parque	North (Puerto de la Cruz)	Families, wildlife
Teide cable car	Central	Views, easy mountain access
Anaga Rural Park	Northeast	Hiking, ancient forest
La Laguna (UNESCO)	North	Culture, architecture
Los Gigantes cliffs	West	Scenery, boat trips
Playa de las Teresitas	North	Beach, authentic Tenerife

Top Natural Attractions in Tenerife

1. Mount Teide and Teide National Park

Teide is the defining feature of Tenerife — a 3,715-metre active stratovolcano that is not only the highest point in Spain but also the third tallest volcanic structure on Earth measured from its oceanic base. On clear days it is visible from the other Canary Islands and from the African coast. Teide National Park, which surrounds the volcano, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited national parks in the world.

The lunar landscape of the Las Canadas caldera — all volcanic rock, pumice fields, and ancient lava flows in extraordinary colours — is unlike anywhere else in Spain and distinctly unlike the beach resort Tenerife most visitors know. Even driving through the park on the road between the north and south of the island is an experience worth planning.

Getting up Teide: The cable car (Teleferico del Teide) takes visitors from 2,356m to 3,555m in approximately 8 minutes. Tickets sell out days in advance — book online before travelling. Walking to the summit crater requires a separate free permit (also book well in advance via the Teide National Park website). The views from the cable car station extend across the island and, on clear days, to Gran Canaria, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro.

2. Masca Gorge

Masca is one of the most visually dramatic spots in Tenerife — a small village clinging to the ridge of a deep ravine in the Teno Massif in the northwest of the island. The surrounding landscape of jagged rock columns, vertiginous cliffs, and deep gorges is among the most striking in the Canary Islands.

The classic Masca hike descends through the gorge from the village to a small black sand beach at the ocean — approximately 3-4 hours one way, with steep sections requiring reasonable fitness. From the beach, a boat transfer returns to Los Gigantes or Santiago del Teide (advance booking required). The hike requires a permit — book through the Tenerife tourism website or via tour operators in the south of the island.

Even without hiking, the drive to Masca through the Teno mountains — narrow road with dramatic views at every turn — is an attraction in itself.

3. Anaga Rural Park

The Anaga massif in the northeast of Tenerife is one of the oldest geological formations in the Canary Islands and one of the most biodiverse areas in Europe. The ancient laurisilva (laurel forest) that covers the upper ridges has survived here since before the last ice age and is now a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Walking in Anaga is a completely different experience from the volcanic south — cool, misty, green, and ecologically extraordinary. The Bosque de la Mercedes is the most accessible entry point; marked trails of varying length and difficulty wind through the forest. The village of Taganana on the north coast, reached by a spectacular mountain road, is worth the journey for lunch and the Atlantic views.

4. Los Gigantes Cliffs

The cliffs of Los Gigantes (Los Acantilados de los Gigantes) on the west coast rise vertically from the ocean to heights of 300-600 metres — among the tallest sea cliffs in the world. From the small town of Los Gigantes, boat trips pass close to the cliff face, giving a genuine sense of scale that is impossible to appreciate from land. The combination of the dark volcanic rock, deep blue Atlantic water, and the sheer vertical scale makes this one of the most impressive natural sights in Tenerife.

The waters around Los Gigantes are also among the best in Tenerife for whale and dolphin watching — short-finned pilot whales are present year-round in this stretch of the Atlantic.

5. La Orotava Valley

The valley behind Puerto de la Cruz in the north is one of the most historically significant landscapes in Tenerife — terraced agricultural land rising from the coast toward Teide, with views that so impressed early European visitors that it appeared in the writings of Alexander von Humboldt. The town of La Orotava itself is the finest historic town in Tenerife, with 16th and 17th century Canarian architecture, carved wooden balconies, and the extraordinary Casa de los Balcones.

Best Things to Do in Tenerife South

6. Siam Park

Siam Park in Costa Adeje is consistently rated one of the best water parks in the world — it has topped TripAdvisor’s global water park rankings multiple times. The Thai-themed park covers 185,000 square metres and features an extraordinary range of slides and water attractions, including the Tower of Power (a near-vertical drop through a shark tank), the Wave Palace (the world’s largest artificial wave), and the lazy river that runs through beautifully landscaped grounds.

Book tickets online in advance — queues at the gate can be significant, and online prices are generally lower. The park is open year-round and is suitable for all ages, with dedicated children’s areas alongside the extreme slides.

7. Whale and Dolphin Watching

The deep Atlantic waters off the southwest coast of Tenerife between Los Gigantes and Los Cristianos are home to a permanent resident population of short-finned pilot whales — one of very few places in the world where these animals can be reliably seen year-round. Common dolphins are also regularly sighted, and in the right season, sperm whales, fin whales, and occasionally orcas pass through.

Multiple reputable operators run whale watching tours from Los Cristianos and Puerto Colon (Costa Adeje). Tours typically last 2-3 hours. Look for operators who follow responsible whale watching guidelines — in Tenerife, there are specific regulations about minimum approach distances. Operators certified under the Whalewatch Tenerife scheme adhere to recognised responsible practice standards.

8. Playa de las Americas and Costa Adeje Beaches

The resort beaches of the south are the main draw for most UK visitors: Las Vistas, El Camison, and the various beaches of Costa Adeje offer calm, clear water, lifeguards, and all the facilities of a developed resort. The sand is dark volcanic in some sections and imported golden Saharan sand in others — most of the well-known resort beaches use imported sand for a more traditional beach appearance.

For families: Playa de Fanabe and Playa del Duque in Costa Adeje are calmer and less crowded than the Playa de las Americas beaches.

9. Golf

Tenerife has around a dozen golf courses, with the greatest concentration in the south. Golf del Sur, near the airport, and Abama Golf in Guia de Isora are among the most highly regarded. The year-round warm climate makes Tenerife one of the most popular golf destinations for UK visitors in Europe.

10. Paragliding and Hiking in the South

The mountains above the southern resorts offer excellent conditions for paragliding — thermal conditions are consistent and the views across the island and ocean are exceptional. Several operators offer tandem paragliding experiences from Ifonche above Adeje. The Paisaje Lunar (Lunar Landscape) hike in Vilaflor — a striking formation of white eroded rock pinnacles at high altitude — is one of the best day hikes in the south.

Best Things to Do in Tenerife North

11. Loro Parque

Loro Parque in Puerto de la Cruz is one of Europe’s finest zoological parks — consistently ranked among the top zoos in the world. Originally founded as a parrot collection (loro means parrot in Spanish), it has evolved into a full zoological facility with gorillas, chimpanzees, tigers, sea lions, dolphins, orcas, penguins, and one of the world’s largest parrot collections. The facilities are excellent and the animal care standards are genuinely high by international zoo standards.

The park is in the north of Tenerife — a day trip from the south, or more conveniently visited when staying in Puerto de la Cruz or La Orotava. Allow a full day.

12. Puerto de la Cruz

Puerto de la Cruz is the main resort town of the north and has a distinctly different character from the purpose-built resorts of the south — it is a real Canarian town with working harbour, historic centre, local markets, and a long-established tourist infrastructure that predates the southern resorts by decades. The Lago Martianez — a series of seawater pools designed by the Canarian architect Cesar Manrique — is the iconic swimming venue of the town.

13. La Laguna

San Cristobal de La Laguna — universally known simply as La Laguna — is Tenerife’s second city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The historic centre, laid out in the late 15th century on a planned grid system that became the model for colonial town planning in the Americas, is one of the finest preserved historic town centres in the Canary Islands. The Cathedral, the Convento de Santa Catalina, the streets of Canarian architecture with carved wooden balconies — La Laguna is the most culturally significant town on the island and frequently overlooked by visitors who never leave the resort areas.

La Laguna is 20 minutes from Santa Cruz by tram (Line 1) and approximately 45 minutes from the southern resorts by road.

14. Playa de las Teresitas

The finest beach in the north of Tenerife — a long crescent of Saharan sand (imported in the 1970s) just outside Santa Cruz, backed by palm trees and facing a protected bay. Unlike the busy resort beaches of the south, Las Teresitas has a genuine local atmosphere — it is where Santa Cruz residents come to swim. The calm, clear water is ideal for families.

15. Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Tenerife’s capital is a working Canarian city rather than a tourist resort — the contrast with the south is total. The Auditorio de Tenerife (the iconic Santiago Calatrava-designed concert hall), the Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre (natural history museum with the island’s remarkable Guanche mummy collection), and the city market (Mercado de Nuestra Senora de Africa) are worth the journey. Santa Cruz also hosts one of the world’s great Carnivals every February — second only to Rio de Janeiro in scale.

Tenerife Activities for Families

Siam Park: The world’s best-rated water park — suitable from toddlers to teenagers
Loro Parque: Full day at one of Europe’s best zoos — dolphins, orcas, gorillas, parrots
Whale and dolphin watching: 2-3 hour boat trip with almost guaranteed sightings year-round
Teide cable car: No hiking required — panoramic views from 3,555m in 8 minutes
Submarine trip (Submarine Safari): Glass-bottom submarine descends to the ocean floor off the coast of Playa de las Americas — popular with children
Aquarium Costa Adeje: Smaller than Loro Parque but convenient for families in the south

Things to Do in Tenerife for Adults

Masca Gorge hike: Full day; permit required; boat back from the beach
Anaga forest hiking: Half or full day in ancient UNESCO-listed laurel forest
Wine tasting in the Orotava Valley: The north has a growing wine culture centred on Tacoronte-Acentejo DO and La Orotava DO; tastings at local bodegas
Stargazing: Teide is one of the best places in the world for stargazing — the summit is above the clouds and far from light pollution; guided night tours operate year-round
Paragliding above Adeje: Tandem flights with instructors from the mountains above Costa Adeje
Cycling Teide: Descending from the summit area by mountain bike — operators offer guided descents

Things to Do in Tenerife: Practical Tips

Topic	What to Know
Hiring a car	Essential for exploring beyond the resorts; roads are good; Masca road requires confidence on narrow mountain roads
Teide cable car	Book online before travelling — often sold out days in advance
Masca hike permit	Required and limited; book well ahead via tourism websites or local operators
Teide summit permit	Free but strictly limited — apply via reservasparquesnacionales.es months ahead
North vs South	South = resorts, reliably sunny; North = greener, cooler, more authentic, occasionally cloudy
Currency	Euro (EUR); most tourist facilities accept cards
Best time to visit	Year-round; winter warmth is the primary draw; summer can be hot (30°C+) in the south; spring and autumn are ideal for hiking
Getting around	Bus network (TITSA) covers main tourist areas; car hire recommended for national park and northern exploration

Tenerife North vs South: Which Is Better?

The two halves of Tenerife are genuinely different destinations:

Feature	Tenerife South	Tenerife North
Weather	Reliably hot and sunny year-round	Warmer and sunnier April-October; can be cloudy in winter
Atmosphere	Purpose-built resort strip; international	Real Canarian towns; more local character
Beaches	Long sandy resort beaches	Las Teresitas (excellent); others are smaller and rockier
Activities	Siam Park, water sports, golf, whale watching	Loro Parque, La Laguna, La Orotava Valley, Anaga
Nightlife	Playa de las Americas has extensive nightlife	Puerto de la Cruz has a more relaxed bar scene
Best for	Beach holidays, families, package tourists	Culture, nature, authentic Tenerife experience

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Tenerife?

The unmissable experiences in Tenerife are: visiting Teide National Park (either by cable car or with a summit permit), whale and dolphin watching off the southwest coast, Siam Park water park in Costa Adeje, the Masca Gorge hike in the northwest, and exploring the UNESCO historic town of La Laguna. For families, Loro Parque and the submarine trip are also highly recommended.

What are the best things to do in Tenerife South?

The south of Tenerife offers Siam Park (one of the world’s best water parks), whale and dolphin watching trips from Los Cristianos, the beaches of Costa Adeje and Playa de las Americas, and golf on the island’s best courses. The Teide National Park is also most accessible from the south via the TF-21 road.

What are the best things to do in Tenerife North?

The north of Tenerife offers Loro Parque in Puerto de la Cruz, the UNESCO-listed historic town of La Laguna, the Lago Martianez seawater pools, La Orotava and its valley, the ancient Anaga Rural Park laurel forest, and Playa de las Teresitas beach. The north has more cultural depth and natural diversity than the resort south.

Is Tenerife good for young adults?

Yes — Tenerife has a wide range of activities for young adults beyond beach holidays. Siam Park is genuinely thrilling; the whale watching is exceptional; the Masca hike is a challenging and rewarding day out; stargazing on Teide is a unique experience; and Playa de las Americas has an extensive nightlife. Puerto de la Cruz in the north has a more relaxed, genuine atmosphere for those who prefer something beyond the resort strip.

How many days do you need in Tenerife?

A minimum of 7 days allows you to cover the main highlights of both north and south: 2-3 days based in the south with day trips to Teide and whale watching, then 2 days in the north for Loro Parque, La Laguna, and Anaga, with Masca as a full day trip from either base. Two weeks allows a more relaxed pace and the possibility of multiple hikes and deeper exploration of the north.

Final Thoughts

Tenerife’s depth as a destination is consistently underestimated. The island most UK visitors know — the resort strip of the south — is genuinely enjoyable but represents a fraction of what Tenerife offers. The addition of a hire car, a day in the Teide National Park, and an afternoon in La Laguna transforms a standard beach holiday into something considerably more rewarding. The whale watching, the Masca hike, Siam Park, and the ancient Anaga forest are all world-class in their respective categories — not just good for a Spanish island, but good by any global standard.