What to do in Tenerife, Spain
7 Best outdoor activities for your island holidays
After spending an action-packed week with my fellow FALKE Ambassadors on the beautiful island of Tenerife, I am still overwhelmed by the various outdoor activities that this fantastic island has to offer.
From hiking through volcanic landscapes to exploring underwater worlds, Tenerife offers a wide range of exciting experiences.
No need to only hang out on the stunning black and white beaches, there is something for every level of adventurer.
Here’s a rundown of what to do in Tenerife and 7 of the best outdoor activities I discovered during my one week trip on that divers island.
1. Exploring & Hiking in Teide National Park
When thinking of what to do in Tenerife, exploring and hiking in Teide National Park should be on top of your list! The Parque nacional del Teide is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007 due to its unique volcanic landscapes and biodiversity.
In the center of the protected area towers Mount Teide. With 3,715 meters in altitude, it is the largest peak in Spain and the third-tallest volcano in the world!
Good to know: To get to the topof the volcano, you need to get a permit, months in advance. It is easier to book a Small Group guided tour that includes the summit hike and cable car ticket (⇨ Book this Tour here).
Out of the many things to do and see in Teide National Park, here just two of the many options, I was able to experience.
1.1. Roques de García Trail
The hike around Roques de García in Teide National Park is a short but impressive trail that starts at the Mirador de la Ruleta lookout point (⇨ Location).
Following the circuit trail with the number 3 counterclockwise, most of the path is relatively flat, making it accessible and easy to navigate.
The hike offers amazing views of Mount Teide and the iconic Los Roques formations, giant volcanic rocks that have been shaped by years of erosion. Another impressive rock formation you will pass is called La Cathedral.
Only the last stretch requires a steep climb of 100 to 200 meters, adding a bit of a challenge towards the end. The stunning views throughout the trail make it a must-do outdoor activity in Tenerife and in Teide National Park.
1.2. Watch the sun set
If you are into sunsets, this one is for you! Even if you are not, the light is magical, and I promise you will be amazed anyway.
From the Mirador de las Narices del Teide (⇨ Location) you will have a fantastic view of the ocean and the neighboring islands of El Hierro, La Gomera and Gran Canaria, weather permitting.
Be aware that you won’t be alone. As car parking is limited, I recommend you arrive early. This will also give you time to take a short walk and get away from the people who stay very close to their vehicles. Bring a jacket, as it gets cold quickly when the sun goes down.
2. Sea Kayaking in Los Gigantes
To experience the grandeur of the impressive Los Gigantes Cliffs, I highly recommend getting into the water. From a kayak, you can get really close and feel very small.
I went on a two-hour sea kayak trip with Teno Activo from Puerto de Santiago (⇨ Location) and I loved it. The great thing is that you do not need to have kayaked before. It is very easy to learn and a lot of fun.
During the 2-hour trip, we got very close to the remarkable volcanic landscape and secluded coves along this unspoiled coastline. Our knowledgeable guide stopped several times to keep us together and give us information about the incredible cliffs.
Before returning to the harbor, we stopped for a refreshing swim in the crystal clear waters beneath the rock face and enjoyed a complimentary refreshment.
My Tip: Dress in swim wear, bring a towel, lots of sun screen, a hat and if you want to take your own pictures, a waterproof cell phone case with you. Check out my Packing List for Tenerife to find out what else to pack.
3. Hiking in Anaga Rural Park
The Anaga Rural Park is Tenerife’s green treasure, located in the very northeast of the island. The beautiful area offers rugged mountains, deep ravines, and dense laurel forests.
The park is known for its rich biodiversity, including many endemic species. Traditional hamlets like Taganana, Chinamada, and Afur are scattered throughout, offering a glimpse into local life.
The climate within the park, recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is humid and mild, with frequent mist and rain in the higher areas, so do not forget your rain and wind jacket.
There are lots of fantastic hiking options depending on your fitness level and time. For an overview of the Park and hiking suggestions, I recommend visiting the Info Center, close to the viewing point Mirador Cruz del Carmen (⇨ Location).
4. Responsible Whale Watching
Normally, I would avoid places like Las Americas, which were only built for tourists. But if you want to go whale watching, which definitely is one of the best outdoor activities in Tenerife, starting from nearby Puerto Colón is a great choice.
This is because you can easily reach the deep waters between Tenerife and La Gomera where many of these beautiful animals live or pass through.
PLEASE be sure to book a sustainable and even more importantly, an animal friendly whale watching tour like the one, I took. The captain of our eco-friendly catamaran made sure to turn off the engine and music when spotting dolphins and whales and not to get too close.
As these animals are very curious, they often approach anyway. It is truly a magical and unforgettable experience to observe the large resident populations of Pilot Whales and Bottlenose Dolphins up close.
⇨ You can read my full experience of responsible whale watching from the Costa Adeje here.
Dolphin & Whale Eco-Cruise
✅Eco-friendly Catamaran
✅Responsible Dolphin and Whale Watching
✅Underwater sound equipment to hear the animals
✅3-hour or 5-hour options with food, drinks, and swimming time
5. Hiking in Teno Rural Park and around Masca
Another fantastic area for hiking is the Teno Rural Park around the popular village of Masca in the northwestern part of Tenerife. Be prepared for narrow, winding roads when driving there.
My Tip: If arriving by car from the north and interested in plants, you should stop at the Drago Park to admire El Drago Milenario. This dragon tree is said to be a thousand years old (⇨ Location).
Once again totally different nature from other corners on Tenerife, you will find here dramatic cliffs, deep ravines, and lush subtropical vegetation.
One of the most famous hikes which is still on my to-do list passes the Masca Gorge. This stunning route runs through the canyon surrounded by high, several hundred meter-tall rocks, all the way to the Masca Beach. A mandatory permit is required, which you can get it here.
Some fantastic one-way hikes do start or end in Masca village, Mirador de Cruz de Hilda (⇨ Location) or Mirador Altos de Baracán (⇨ Location). To enjoy those you will have to take the bus 355 which connects Buenavista del Norte with Santiago del Teide to return or start the trails.
6. Surfing
If you ever wanted to learn how to surf, you can do so in Tenerife. Some surfers say: Canary Islands… Europe’s Hawaii!
Tenerife is known for its excellent surfing conditions, benefiting from consistent waves throughout the year and offering surf spots for all levels.
Being a fantastic all year round surfing location, there are many, many surf courses and surf schools to choose from.
I can definitely recommend Tenerife Surf Point in Playa de las Americas who did their best to teach us how to stand up and look good on our boards. We were given wetsuits, shoes, and boards and then a technical lesson, still on land.
At a beginner’s surf spot, away from the beach, we were then able to practice in the water, with the surf guides on hand to help with practical tips and advice. And I must have done something right because I was able to stand on my board for at least three seconds on the first try.
After the “very successful” practical lesson, we were given a short debriefing and shown video footage of our surfing attempts to improve our technique and understand where we could make adjustments for better performance in future sessions.
7. Exploring San Cristóbal de La Laguna
A more relaxing outdoor activity in Tenerife is a stroll through the beautiful city of La Laguna, which used to be the island’s capital. Now it is Santa Cruz de Tenerife, located a few kilometers to the east, on the coast.
With approximately 155000 inhabitants La Laguna is the second most populated town of Tenerife. Since 1999, it has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved colonial architecture.
In that old part of the city you will find landmarks such as the Cathedral of La Laguna, the Church of La Concepción, the Royal Sanctuary of the Christ of La Laguna and the Museum of History and Anthropology.
The layout of the city is similar to that of many Spanish colonial cities in South America, as La Laguna’s urban plan was the model for these Latin American cities.
Take two hours to stroll through the lovely little streets with many colonial style buildings. They have beautiful wooden balconies and when the doors are open you can peek into the beautiful tree-lined patios that are the center of the buildings.
I actually recommend La Laguna as one of 4 possible areas on where to stay in Tenerife if you are into hiking.
Conclusion
I am sure that the question of what to do in Tenerife has been answered, for now. These outdoor activities will keep you busy for at least a week.
But don’t worry, there is so much more to do and explore as Tenerife belongs to the best islands for outdoor adventure in Europe. That’s why I’ll have to go back and add more to the list.
I didn’t include things like Lago Martiánez, a leisure complex in Puerto de la Cruz or Siam Park Waterpark on purpose as in my opinion, those activities can be found everywhere in the world and are not specific to Tenerife.
The island offers a really diverse range of outdoor activities for summer and winter including hiking through volcanic landscapes, kayaking along dramatic cliffs, or exploring historical cities. There is really something for everyone on this beautiful Canary island.
Be sure to check out my travel tips for Tenerife to be prepared.
Disclosure
I was able to write this article because I was invited to Tenerife by FALKE and VisitTenerife. My opinion was in no way influenced by this, nor was I given any guidelines for this article. Many thanks for that!
Thank you as well for the great experiences I was able to have on this beautiful island!
