Tenerife, Spain
"Spain's highest peak, a moon-like crater, and beaches for afterwards"
Tenerife is far stranger than its resort reputation. Drive an hour inland and you're in Teide National Park — a lava desert at 2,000m with Spain's highest mountain in the middle. The north is misty, green and Canarian; the south is dry and sunny. Both share the same island, and the contrast is the whole point.
Best Time to Visit
Year-round; March to May and September to November are ideal
Dec – Feb
Mild coast, snow on Teide, peak European escape season.
Mar – May
Wildflowers in the crater, clear air, comfortable hiking.
Jun – Aug
Hot in the south, calima dust possible, busy beaches.
Sep – Nov
Warmest sea of the year and quieter trails.
Getting Around
Two motorways ring the island; the mountain roads in between are where the driving gets fun.
🚗 Rental Car
Cheap here and essential for Teide, Anaga and Masca.
🚌 TITSA Buses
Excellent, cheap green buses covering most of the island.
🚡 Teide Cable Car
Up to 3,555m in eight minutes; the last 200m needs a permit.
⛴️ Ferries
To La Gomera in under an hour from Los Cristianos — an easy day trip.
💡 Fill up on fuel before heading to Teide — there are no petrol stations inside the national park.
Suggested Itineraries
Arrive South
Settle in Costa Adeje, beach evening.
Teide Day
Crater viewpoints, cable car and stargazing after dark.
Masca
Hairpin drive into the valley, hike towards the gorge.
Whales & Cliffs
Pilot whales off Los Gigantes, swim at Playa de la Arena.
La Laguna & Anaga
UNESCO old town, then laurel forest ridges.
North Coast
Puerto de la Cruz, Garachico pools, local wine.
Departure
Last beach morning, fly home.
☕ Too much? Totally allowed to swap a monument for a long lunch. The place isn't going anywhere, and neither is your curiosity.
Highlights
Must See
- Mount Teide cable car
- Masca valley
- Anaga rural park
- Los Gigantes cliffs
Local Cuisine
Insider Tip
Teide's summit permit is free but sells out weeks ahead — book it before you book the flight if you want the crater rim.