7-day Tenerife Itinerary

Whenever I go somewhere abroad, I always make sure it’s a place I have never been to. Why you might ask? There are so many different places that I’d like to visit, I don’t have the time to visit certain places twice. However, for Tenerife, I made an exception.

The island is so versatile that a second visit brought me to places I hadn’t been before. It’s got something for everyone; from golden beaches to rough cliffs, to various hiking trails. Tenerife really is the place to be.

I definitely recommend staying 7 days to explore everything the island has to offer. So without further ado, let’s dive into the 7-day itinerary!

Getting there

Tenerife has got two airports: Tenerife South Airport and Tenerife North Airport.

Tenerife South Airport is located near Costa Adeje, Playa de las Americas & Playa de Los Christianos. These places are famous for their resorts, sunny weather and gorgeous beaches. This is the place to be if you are looking for a beach holiday. The island, however, is not that big. It takes about 3 to 3.5 hours to drive around the whole island. So staying in one place doesn’t mean you can’t see everything.

Tenerife North Airport is located near the capital city Santa Cruz and Puerto de la Cruz. The north is less touristic, more authentic and slightly colder than the south.

Most international flights arrive in the south, so, I recommend making a decision on where to arrive based on the possibilities, costs and what interests you more.

Getting around

The easiest way to get around is to hire a car. The roads are well maintained, the cars are inexpensive and the freedom is absolutely worth it. Parking however can be a bit of an issue, especially in the tourist areas.

Perhaps, you are unable to rent a car, like I was during my trip. If so, you could always take public transport. It is not ideal, but it will get you around and it’s pretty cheap. The public buses are called guaguas and they connect most of the towns and cities on the island. The buses are owned by TITSA and you can find the information on how to get from A to B on their website.

In order to use the buses, you will need a Ten+ card. You can buy these at the airport or bus stations and they cost €10 for a single day of unlimited trips and €50 for a 7-day card.

I myself had used the public transport during my recent trip and overall the buses are clean and air-conditioned. They are a bit irregular though and especially the hiking areas were hard to get to. A couple of times we were stranded at a bus station, having to wait 3 hours for the next bus. Obviously, we didn’t wait that long so we just booked a taxi for the final bits of our journey.

In short, getting from city to city is absolutely doable, wanting to go off the beaten path might require a taxi.

When to visit

There barely is a bad time to visit. You can visit Tenerife year-round because it is known for its amount of sun, but do keep in mind that it is always sunnier in the south. The north is still warm though, but you can expect more rain there (hence why it is greener).

Where to stay

I personally stayed in the south because I do like to have beach days intertwined with all the activities. These are the hotels I have stayed at:

Hotel Playa Real – Costa Adeje – Located 800m from the beach and lively promenade.

H10 Conquistador – Playa de las Americás – Located 380m from the beach.

I personally preferred staying in Costa Adeje, mainly because of the long promenade. I found Playa de las Americas to be deserted in the evening (except for the clubbing area), but that could be because of the coronavirus.

1 Week Itinerary

Day 1 – Costa Adeje / Playa de las Americas

Travelling is tiring. If you feel refreshed after a flight then I need some of whatever it is that you’ve taken. Take the first day to settle down. Explore your hotel and then the town you’re staying at.

You can reach most tourist destinations from Costa Adeje/Playa de las Americas easily, so you could stay here during your entire trip, or you could split the week in two (first the south of the island then the north of the island).

If you’re staying in Costa Adeje I recommend walking towards the sea where you can find the promenade (which goes on for 8 kilometres, all the way to Los Christianos!). Enjoy a cocktail as the waves gently crash onto the sand, seek the cutest restaurant to have dinner at later in the day or perhaps take a dive into the ocean. There are multiple beaches in Costa Adeje and they’re not all the same.

Playa El Duque is the best looking beach in my opinion. It has got gorgeous golden sand and crystal clear water. It is located at the more exclusive end of Costa Adeje because of the luxury hotels and restaurants.

Playa Fañabé is the longest beach you can find in Costa Adeje. Tenerife is a volcanic island therefore the sand is a bit darker than you might expect. Over here you can find plenty of watersports if you seek to do more than just sunbathing.

Playa Fañabé is near the harbour and has the best wave protection making it a safe spot for children. Not just safe, but also more fun because of the playing equipment in the water (unfortunately it’s not free).

Definitely explore the promenade in the evening. You will see it come to life as the sunsets!

Day 2 – Masca & Los Gigantes

Get up early because there is a lot to see and do today! I recommend getting to Masca early because then there will be fewer tourists and the temperatures are a little lower, which is ideal if you are going to hike. Once you have visited Masca and possibly hiked you can go to Los Gigantes for a swim or a cool drink.

Masca is a picturesque mountain village with authentic houses and cobbled streets. Back in the day, it is rumoured that Masca was used as a hideout by pirates. It is nestled amongst the Teno mountains and therefore it provides plenty of photo opportunities. It is not big, but there are a couple of hikes that you can do here.

Los Gigantes is named after ‘the giants’ referring to the cliffs. It has a beach, a harbour and a bunch of resorts. In my opinion, it is not a must-do, but it’s nice to have a refreshing swim after your visit to Masca or to drink something cool.

Hikes

Ridge to Masca – Another way to avoid the hectic drive towards Masca is by walking there. It even provides you with a different viewpoint of the village. The hike is 7.8 kilometres and it takes about 3 hours. There is an ascent in the beginning but from there on it is just a descent making it a moderate hike.

I, unfortunately, didn’t get to do this hike because there was some construction work going on when we got there and because of that we couldn’t find the start of the trail. I’ve heard from other people that you can however still access this trail. You can find more information over here.

There are a couple of restaurants in Masca where you can order a refreshing and well-deserved drink. After having roamed around in Masca you could take a bus or a taxi back to your car.

Sendero Barranco de Masca – This hike is the reason many people travel to Masca and because of its popularity the access to the trail is regulated meaning you have to book a spot in advance. The hike provides you with gorgeous views but you do need to be in shape because after descending toward the hidden beach you will have to go back up the same way which is considered challenging. You used to be able to take a boat to Los Gigantes at the end of the trail, but due to maintenance, this is no longer possible. It might become an option in the future though so make sure you often check out the website of the trail. You can also book a spot over there. The trail is 5 kilometres (one way) making it 10 kilometres (return journey) in 2022.

Keep in mind that this is not just a walk into the park. You need the right gear (mountain hiking footwear) otherwise you’ll be denied access. You can find all the information about this trail on this website.

Getting there

It is easier to get to Masca by car, but I have to warn you though, the route is not for the faintest of hearts. It is a small and windy road. If you do not feel comfortable driving there you could park at Santiago del Teide and take a bus or a taxi to Masca.

It is a lot harder to get there by bus, but it is possible. You just need to plan it very carefully. You might want to swap Masca & Los Gigantes, but that depends on which bus you are taking (we had to swap buses in Los Gigantes and had to wait for an hour for the next bus so we decided to roam around and look at the cliffs) and what hike you are planning to do. The next bus brought us to Santiago del Teide and from there we took a taxi because we had missed the last bus whilst looking for the start of the trail.

Day 3 – Siam Park

Yesterday was a very active day and so will today be but in a different manner. It is time to visit the world’s best waterpark (according to Tripadvisor). It definitely is the best water park I have visited; the slides are all amazing and the theming is absolutely brilliant. It seems like you’re somewhere deep in the jungle. Over here you can find the most insane waterslides, the wildest wave pool and the most relaxing sunbathing areas. Most queues are shaded which is very nice for your feet and skin (no sun and heat burn here!).

Getting there

Depending on where you’re staying, you could easily walk there. It is an uphill walk, but I found it doable from Playa de las Americas (and I’m not in the best shape!) which took me about 30 mins.

There is also a free bus service whose schedule goes as follows:

Or you could go by car. It is up to you!

Day 4 – El Teide

A trip to Tenerife is not complete with a visit to El Teide. There are several ways to discover the wonders of the national park. Down below I am going to name some of my favourites.

Explore by yourself

The drive towards the volcano cone and admire the changing scenery. One moment you’ll be driving through the pine trees and the next it will feel like you’re on the moon. Make sure you stop at some of the viewpoints for some photographs. The drive is pretty easy, the roads are very well maintained and it continuously is a two-lane road.

Once you’re at the top you could decide to take the cable cart to the summit, but I have to warn you though. There will be queues and they will squeeze as many people into the cart as possible.

There are also various hikes you can do. I will list some popular hikes down below:

• Mount Guajara hike (10km loop) – for the best views of the Teide.
• Cinyero Volcano Loop (6,4km loop) – easy route around Cinyero: the youngest volcano.
• Sendero de los Roques de García (3.5km loop) – The rock formations make it seem like your at another planet.

Book an excursion

It is hard to explore the National park by public transport, but there are plenty of excursions the choose from. My favourite one is the Teide by Night tour. You’ll be picked up from your hotel, stop at viewpoints, watch the sunset and then gaze at the stars. Did you know that there is so little light pollution in the national park that you can see a lot more stars than anywhere else? You might even spot the Milkyway!

Day 5 – Puerto de la Cruz

It is time to head over to the other side of the island. I recommend staying in Puerto de la Cruz because that is right in the middle of the upcoming activities. Nevertheless, it is possible to remain in Costa Adeje but that would involve driving about an hour to every upcoming location.

Puerto de la Cruz is a city in the North of the island. Unlike the south, you will not find golden beaches over here. Instead, there are black sandy beaches, beautiful flowers and cobbled streets.

There a plenty of things to do in Puerto de la Cruz for example: visit the Jardin Botanico to see some of the most beautiful plants (and it is a great place to escape the heat!), take a swim in Lago Martíanez; an entertainment zone with saltwater pools, bars, restaurants and more! Wander around the cobbled streets or go to the nearby Playa de los Roques for a beach with a phenomenal view.

Up for something rarely anyone else has done? Visit Las Ruinas de Gordejuela. The ruins of a water elevator, definitely a scenic sight!

Near the ruins, you can also find Playa Castro a beach with a waterfall.

Getting there

Getting to Puerto de la Cruz from Costa Adeje is fairly simple. You could either go by car which takes about an hour or you could go by bus. Travelling by bus between the bigger cities is very doable! Check the TITSA website for an up to date bus schedule.

Day 6 – Garachico – Icod

Today we are going to visit multiple places.

The first stop is Garachico which is a lot more authentic than Costa Adeje. It used to be a thriving and wealthy city with an important harbour, but then nature intervened when Montaña Negra erupted.

That isn’t all though because the city was terrorised by storms, floods, fires and epidemics causing it to lose the title of premier port, but nowadays it is still worth visiting because it rose from the ashes like a phoenix. You can learn more about its history at Castillo de San Miguel.

Ironically, the lava is what has transformed it into a tourist destination. At piscinas Naturales El Caleton you can swim in natural pools created by the lava.

Once you’re done swimming head to Plaza de la Libertad for a delicious lunch.

The next stop is Icod de los Vinos where El Drago Milenario is located. This is the oldest living Dragon tree. The name literally means ”The thousand-year-old Dragon) although the tree is estimated to be around 800 years old. You can visit the tree for a small fee of €5 at the botanical garden Parque del Drago or for free from Plaza de Andrés de Lorenzo Cáceres.

Near Icod de los Vinos you will also find Cueva del Viento ”Cave of the wind’ which is the largest lava tube system in Europe. Make sure you book your tickets in advance!

Getting there

Because you will be visiting two towns it is best to go by car. From Costa Adeje, this is a drive that will take you about an hour.

If you are travelling by public transport I recommend staying at Puerto de la Cruz. From there it is easier to get to Garachico and Icod de los Vinos. This doesn’t mean that it is impossible to get there by public transport, but you need to check the timetables on the TITSA website. Don’t forget to plan your trip back! You don’t want to get stuck on the other side of the island.

Day 7 – Rural Park Anaga

After having seen beaches, volcanic landscapes, and authentic towns there is one thing we haven’t seen yet: a forest. That is where Rural Park Anaga comes in. It is a mountainous area with deep ravines covered in lush greenery. It has one of the last remnants of a laurel forest. That in combination with fog turns the area in something a bit more enchanting and mysterious.

The park has an immense amount of trails, so gather your last bit of energy for the final hike!

These are the ones I’d recommend:

• Benijo – El Draguillo (5km loop) – for some of the best views! Go to Benijo beach after your hike to experience one of Tenerife’s prettiest beaches.
• Punta del Hidalgo a Chinamada (9km out and back) – Another hike with incredible views over the deep valleys.
• Path of the Senses (0,34km- 1.3km round) – A bit of an easier route through the laurelforest. There are three options. 1 being the shortest (and most accesible because there is a wooden walkway) and 3 being the longest each will stimulate your senses.
• El Pijaral (6.8km loop) – Also known as the enchanted forest trial (or Bosque Encantado oon Google Maps). This trail takes you through the dense laurel forest. Be aware! You need to get a permit in advance from this website because they only allow 45 persons a day.

Tip! Make sure to stop at Cruz del Carmen. You can find a tourist centre with information about the hikes but more importantly, it has a viewpoint over La Laguna with El Teide in the distance!

Getting there

Once again it is best to go by car, but do keep in mind that this is another windy mountain road. Up until Cruz del Carmen it is a two-lane road, but from there on it becomes a lot smaller. If you do not feel comfortable driving there stop at Cruz del Carmen and do one of the hikes there (for example the Path of Senses, but the tourist centre can provide you with even more routes!)

Buses do go there, but not very regularly and we had issues with our Ten+ card (there is no cell service up there and apparently the buses’ card systems needs that to work). Despite that, the bus driver was so kind to take us along anyway.

I hope you enjoyed reading this itinerary! This is an example of what 7 days could look like, but feel free to add or remove days. Leave a comment down below if you have been there or are planning to go there. What are you looking forward to most? Or what was your favourite thing to do in Tenerife?