Tenerife in 7 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

There are thousands of tourist and family entertainment options in the Canary Islands, and a large part of these activities take place in Tenerife, as it is the largest and most populated island in the archipelago. In turn, the best things to see and do in Tenerife are scattered between the north and south of the island, which means that planning your itinerary is not just a bonus but a necessity.

With this in mind, in this post I have compiled all kinds of plans and every type of place imaginable so that you can return home knowing that you have seen the most attractive and interesting places in Tenerife. Keep reading if you want to get a clearer and more concise idea of the kind of trip you can enjoy if you visit Tenerife for 7 consecutive days.

The northeast of Tenerife is one of the most populated areas of the entire island due to the fact that it is home to the capital. At the same time, it is characterised by being a section of the island with a very defined natural beauty, as the greenery of the Anaga Natural Park next to the Enchanted Forest of La Ensillada creates a contrasting landscape with the rocky coasts full of cliffs.

I recommend starting your trip in this part of the island, as it is well worth exploring. Keep in mind that for this day and the rest of your trip , you will need a hire car to get from one place to another quickly and safely.

Explore the streets of Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the most populated city in the Canary Islands and stands out as a cosmopolitan community where the historic atmosphere of its oldest neighbourhoods blends with new modern buildings. Such as the Adan Martin Auditorium or the Tenerife International Trade Fair and Congress Centre.

The colonial church of the Immaculate Conception, the Carta Palace and the Museum of Nature and Man are just some of the places you should visit during your short stay in this beautiful city. The Plaza de España is another must-see in the centre of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Continue your day visiting La Laguna

While in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, it is highly recommended to visit the city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna. It is a picturesque city that must be explored on foot, so I advise you to leave your car in the car park in the historic centre. This will allow you to visit the cathedral that bears the same name as the city, as well as its surroundings and the famous Plaza del Adelantado.

The Plaza de la Concepción and the Museum of History and Anthropology of Tenerife are also stops you must make on your short tour of the city.

Take the old road to Pico del Inglés

From the centre of La Laguna, you can start driving towards the northern tip of the island and take the TF-12 road through the Anaga Rural Park. This road will take you to the last destination of the first day of the trip, but there is a small detour you can take to head to the Mirador del Pico del Inglés. This is an opportunity not to be missed.

This is a narrow road that passes through a dense section of the park's vegetation, creating a path that looks like something out of a fairy tale. Over time, this feature has made it one of the most photographed spots in all of Tenerife.

Drive to Las Teresitas for a beautiful sunset

If you continue driving for about an hour, you can spend the last hours of the afternoon and the first hours of the evening at Las Teresitas Beach. This is a beautiful coastal community with almost two kilometres of uninterrupted white sand and is considered one of the best beaches on the island.

It's an excellent place to enjoy your first swim of the trip, as well as a delicious dinner of the catch of the day at one of the restaurants in the picturesque village of San Andrés. The return to the city can be more comfortable and faster, as you have the option of driving along the TF-11 road.

Puerto de la Cruz is another of Tenerife's most important urban settlements and, since the late 19th century, has presented itself to the world as one of the first Spanish cities geared towards tourism and entertainment.

Throughout this community, you will find all kinds of things to do, but a short walk through its historic centre, a stroll along the fishing pier and dinner at one of the city's hundreds of restaurants are things you cannot miss on your visit.

Start the day at the Cruz De La Atalaya viewpoint

On the outskirts of Puerto de la Cruz, on the road to Candelaria near the village of Tamaide, there is a modest viewpoint that offers one of the best views in the entire region.

This is the Cruz De La Atalaya viewpoint, an excellent place to start your second day, as it offers you the chance to see the first skies of the morning before driving along the TF-21 towards your next destination, which is also located in the vicinity of Puerto de la Cruz.

Explore the stately architecture of La Orotava

The famous town of La Orotava is known locally as the town of balconies. This has to do with its famous wooden balconies, which belong to the old mansions that line its cobbled streets.

Among the highlights of this town are the Victoria Gardens, characterised by their terraced design full of fountains and flowers, which create a very beautiful and unique atmosphere. The Casa de Los Balcones is another of the town's major attractions. It is a large, stately building that now houses a museum open to the public, where you can learn about the world of crafts in Europe and Latin America.

Spend the afternoon at Loro Parque

Loro Parque is a very famous family entertainment complex in Tenerife that functions as a kind of zoo. It is a space that also combines activities and educational dynamics to interact with the animals that are protected there from the dangers of their natural environments.

There are penguins, gorillas, tigers, red pandas, dolphin pools and lots of other impressive animals. There are exhibits set up in the style of a natural history museum, and there are also a few cafés where you can have lunch.

However, I recommend eating at one of the restaurants in the neighbouring neighbourhood of Punta Brava, so you can take the opportunity to explore its picturesque streets.

Watch the sunset at Playa de Los Roques

The sunsets in this part of Tenerife are worth admiring, and if there is a good place to enjoy them in the vicinity of Puerto de La Cruz, it would be Playa de Los Roques. This is a practically untouched beach that stands out for its total absence of sand and the presence of several rocks that break the strong waves, creating a captivating landscape.

You cannot access the shore with your hire car, but you can leave it in the public car park and walk down to the beach along a short, well-signposted and well-maintained path.

The north-western tip of Tenerife is characterised by its rugged terrain, which juts out sharply into the sea to form some of the most beautiful cliffs in the world.

Inland, there are also several natural attractions. Winding roads make their way through the Teno Rural Park, which has the largest number of canyons and cliffs on the island due to the shape of the volcanic massif in the area.

Visit the Punta Teno Lighthouse

Punta de Teno is a tourist spot in Tenerife because it is the westernmost point of the entire island. It is an excellent idea to start your third day of visiting here because you can enjoy an energising swim at the beach of the same name.

Entering the lighthouse to enjoy its panoramic views is something you cannot miss. However, if you are unable to enter, you can still enjoy the view from the Punta del Frailete or Punto del Teno viewpoints.

Explore the Teno Natural Park

If you take the TF-445 road and then head south on the TF-436, you will have the privilege of driving through the villages located throughout the Teno Natural Park region.

El Palmar, Las Lagunetas and Masca, with its famous viewpoint, are just some of the communities you will pass through on your route, where you can stop briefly to explore the narrow streets and admire the craft shops. They are also ideal places to enjoy a typical Canarian breakfast if you haven't had a chance to eat yet.

Admire the immensity of Los Gigantes

Los Gigantes are undoubtedly some of the most beautiful cliffs on the planet and are one of the great natural attractions of Tenerife and the Canary Islands. There are different ways to enjoy and admire their beauty, and the choice will depend on your time and interests.

For example, you can sit down for lunch at one of the restaurants in Puerto de Los Gigantes, which offer direct, unobstructed views of these impressive geological formations. Enjoying a catamaran or sailing trip that combines a closer exploration of Los Gigantes with a whale watching route is also an excellent idea.

The best thing about it is that these types of boat trips usually depart from Puerto de Los Gigantes itself. The restaurants in Playa Puerto de Santiago are also a good option for lunch after these trips, especially as they are close to the next activity on your itinerary.

Swim in the Los Gigantes Natural Pool

If you like the natural pools created by the rocky coastline, then you can't miss a swim at sunset in the Los Gigantes Natural Pool.

Also known as Charco de Isla Cangrejo, it is a free and completely safe place where you can enjoy a beautiful sunset while swimming in a saltwater pool in the style of the Canary Islands.

On the fourth day of your trip, you'll probably want to make the most of some of Tenerife's most famous beaches. That's why today's itinerary focuses exclusively on exploring the beauty of the island's southern coastline.

Tour the Golden Mile

Before you start swimming in the Atlantic waters that lap the island's beaches, you'll probably want to enjoy a quick shopping spree on one of the island's most famous shopping streets. This is the Golden Mile, a well-known avenue lined with some of the most famous hotels in Playa de Las Américas. There are also several restaurants, such as Hard Rock Café, and shopping centres.

Spend the morning at Los Cristianos Beach

The next thing you should do to start experiencing the beach atmosphere of Tenerife's south coast is to spend some time at the nearby Playa de Los Cristianos, one of the best known and most suitable beaches for swimming.

If this part of the coast doesn't appeal to you, you can spend the morning at Playa de las Vistas or simply stroll along the promenade at Playa de los Tarajales. Keep in mind that this is one of those activities to see or do with children in Tenerife, as all of these beaches have calm waters and lifeguards.

Visit Costa Adeje beach

A couple of kilometres to the north is the tourist area of Costa Adeje. It stands out for its large concentration of hotel and shopping complexes, making it one of the most important industries on the island. There are also several beaches along the area that you may find interesting, such as El Bobo Beach, Troya Beach and the extensive Fañabé Beach.

Keep in mind that some of the whale watching excursions in Tenerife depart from this point . This can be a great alternative if you didn't have the opportunity to enjoy the boat trip during your visit to the cliffs of Los Gigantes.

Go jet skiing in Puerto Colón

Right in the centre of Costa Adeje is a place known as Puerto Colón. Basically, it is the marina in the area where most of the moorings for luxury yachts, sailing boats, catamarans and all kinds of boats are located.

Its proximity to the beautiful La Pinta Beach is convenient if none of the other sections of the coast have captivated you so far.

What's more, the best thing about this coastal town is that it organises jet ski excursions. These could be just the adrenaline rush you've been looking for to round off your beach exploration of the most touristy area of Tenerife.

Teide is a volcano over 3,700 metres above sea level, located right in the centre of the island, and is a site of great geological and tourist importance for the whole of Spain.

Firstly, because it is the highest peak in the entire country and secondly, because it is a volcanic formation that is not located on the continental shelf but on an island in an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean.

The area is full of things to do and activities that will keep you entertained all day long. That's why it's a good idea to devote the fifth day of your trip to enjoying this beautiful corner of the Canary Islands.

Discover the island's astronomical observatory

Starting the day and your tour of the Teide area at the Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics Observatory is an excellent decision. This complex is a world leader in the monitoring of cosmological phenomena and studies related to outer space.

This particular site is the largest solar observatory on the planet and you have the option of taking a guided tour as well as admiring its structure from the outside.

Climb Mount Teide in the beautiful cable car

If you drive from the observatory along the TF-21 road , you will arrive directly at the base of the Teide Cable Car. Riding this fun transport system is something you cannot miss if you want to reach the top of the highest mountain in Spain.

When you reach the top, you can choose from a number of hiking trails that take you to other more distant viewpoints, or you can enjoy the view from the cable car station itself. At the cable car base station , you can also eat if you wish, as there is a restaurant for the hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit the summit of Mount Teide every year.

Try hugging the fat pine tree on your way down the mountain

If you continue driving along the TF-21, there will be a point where you will begin to descend the mountain, passing through areas such as the Las Lajas Recreation Area.

Just before reaching the picturesque village of Vilaflor, there is a famous tourist destination that is traditionally a stop on the descent from excursions to Teide: the Pino Gordo and Pino de las Dos Pernadas.

The first is a large Canary Island pine tree with a trunk so thick that it has caught the attention of the local tourist offices, who have even created a car park nearby. The second is a curious pine tree with a trunk that splits in two at the top.

Enjoy a unique dinner at the Castle of San Miguel

If you continue down the TF-21 and turn onto the TF-28, heading west, you will reach the town of San Miguel. From there, drive south on the TF-25 and after about 15 minutes you will arrive at the entrance to San Miguel Castle.

This castle is inspired by medieval architecture and, if you visit at night, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a themed dinner. This experience includes a medieval show with knights in armour and all kinds of theatrical scenery.

This is a great entertainment option for the whole family and can also be the ideal break after a day of driving around the Teide.

At this point in the trip, the southwestern part of Tenerife is the only part of the island you haven't been able to explore. The beautiful village of Güímar and its neighbouring towns are the perfect opportunity to return home knowing that you have enjoyed most of Tenerife.

Visit the Güímar Pyramids

The Pyramids of Güímar are structures built from volcanic rock that belong to an ethnographic museum combined with a botanical garden.

This site offers tourists a close-up view of the pre-Columbian past of the Canary Islands. It also provides all kinds of information about the nature of the island as a special biosphere reserve of the Canary Islands.

Take a hiking tour of the Malpaís de Güímar

After you have taken part in all the activities available at the Güímar Pyramids Museum, it is a good idea to set off on a hiking trail through the Malpaís de Güímar Special Nature Reserve.

This is a very important area for the island, as it covers some 290 hectares of completely volcanic soil and vegetation. The reserve has a mountain that is fairly easy to climb, and some people choose to walk to the coast to watch the waves crash against the rocks formed by volcanic flows 5,000 years ago.

Explore La Candelaria and Punta Larga

Heading north on the TF-21 road, you will reach the community of La Candelaria. This is a coastal fishing village with a basilica that has been a place of pilgrimage for the Canarian community for a couple of decades.

The neighbouring town of Punta Larga is also worth a visit, and between the two places there are different options for lunch and for enjoying a walk along the black volcanic sand beaches.

For the last day of your week in Tenerife, you could go on an excursion to some of the nearest islands.

I will tell you about the two most common options that will allow you to discover a new destination and return in time for the afternoon or evening of the same day. This is assuming that your next step will be your flight or ferry back home.

Go to La Gomera from Tenerife as Columbus did

La Gomera is the closest island to the south of Tenerife and is a destination with countless tourist attractions such as the Garajonay National Park and its picturesque capital, San Sebastián.

You should know that these types of day trips to La Gomera from Tenerife usually depart from Los Cristianos or Puerto de La Cruz early in the morning and return at around 5 or 6 pm. The logistics of transport and the tourist route followed in La Gomera are usually determined by the type of excursion you choose.

Choose to visit the smallest island in the Canary Islands

El Hierro is the smallest of all the inhabited islands in the Canary Islands and is also one of the most unique and beautiful. Excursions to this part of the archipelago also usually depart from Puerto de La Cruz or any other port in the south-east of Tenerife.

On this type of day trip from Tenerife to El Hierro , you will discover places such as the Mirador de Jinama viewpoint and the Laurisilva Natural Park, as well as a short visit to sites such as the Hotel Punta Grande and the Roques de Salmor.