What to do

Tenerife offers a very wide range of activities, and one of its main advantages is that each area of the island allows for quite different experiences within just a few kilometres. This makes it possible to organise your trip according to the type of landscape, atmosphere or activity you are looking for at any given time.

• In the north, greener landscapes, historic centres and a closer connection with local traditions are more prominent. Highlights include visits to San Cristóbal de La Laguna, La Orotava and Puerto de la Cruz, as well as routes through Anaga Rural Park, walks through historic gardens, winery visits and viewpoints located across volcanic mid-altitude landscapes. It is also a highly recommended area for discovering guachinches, traditional markets and villages where Canarian architecture remains very present.
• In the south, the atmosphere is more closely linked to coastal leisure and outdoor activities connected with the sea. Areas such as Costa Adeje, Playa de Los Cristianos and Playa de El Médano concentrate beaches, water sports, boat excursions and a wide range of restaurants and nightlife.

Among the most recommended activities across the island are climbing Teide National Park, whale and dolphin watching excursions between Tenerife and La Gomera, stargazing, panoramic drives along volcanic roads and visits to small inland villages where the landscape constantly shifts between coastline, forest and agricultural areas. Marked walking routes in natural areas such as Anaga or Teno are also very common, as are scenic driving routes linking several viewpoints in a single day and cycling routes particularly appreciated by experienced cyclists in mid-altitude areas and mountain roads.

Tenerife is one of the easiest destinations for family travel because it allows visitors to combine activities suited to different ages without long journeys and with options available throughout the year. For families with young children, the most common visits are Loro Parque and Siam Park, two highly valued attractions thanks to their ability to offer a full day of entertainment. Boat excursions to observe dolphins and whales also work particularly well, especially because they tend to be engaging and easy for younger children to enjoy. In natural areas there are accessible routes such as the Path of the Senses in Anaga, walks to viewpoints, botanical gardens and quiet beaches where several hours can be spent without demanding activity. The natural pools in the north are also an interesting option in certain locations. For teenagers, the island also offers activities with a stronger adventure element: surfing in El Médano, snorkelling, kayaking, water parks with adrenaline-focused areas, cycling routes and high-altitude night-time stargazing experiences, which often generate considerable interest among this age group. In addition, many towns and villages organise markets, local festivals, fairs and cultural activities that help complete the trip with different experiences depending on the time of year.

Tenerife offers many options well suited to couples, whether you are looking for relaxation or more active experiences. Sunset sailing trips, dinners overlooking the ocean or mountains, visits to spas and wellness hotels, and wine routes with tastings are all popular choices. Other highly recommended plans include exploring quiet villages in the north, stopping at less crowded viewpoints or hiking through areas where the scenery changes quickly between forest, volcanic rock and coastline. At night, high-altitude stargazing is one of the most distinctive experiences couples can share on the island.

Tenerife offers highly favourable conditions for sporting activities throughout the year thanks to its variety of altitudes, microclimates and coastal landscapes. At sea, popular activities include surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, paddle boarding, kayaking and diving. Areas such as Playa de El Médano are especially well known for constant wind conditions and the regular presence of sports enthusiasts. On land, hiking is one of the most widespread activities, with routes through Anaga, Teno, Corona Forestal and Teide, where both easy walks and more demanding routes are available. Mountain biking, climbing, canyoning and quad or buggy excursions along authorised tracks are also common. For those seeking something different, paragliding offers the chance to observe much of the island’s relief from the air, combining coast, mid-altitude landscapes and volcanic scenery in a single activity.

Cultural activity in Tenerife takes place throughout the year and combines historical heritage, local traditions and contemporary programming. Among the major events, Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife stands out as one of the island’s most internationally recognised celebrations, although the cultural calendar extends much further across numerous municipalities with concerts, festivals, theatre, exhibitions and traditional festivities. It is also highly recommended to walk through historic centres such as La Laguna or La Orotava, where many streets still preserve historic buildings, churches, convents and manor houses open to visitors. The island also has auditoriums, museums, interpretation centres and exhibition spaces where Tenerife’s volcanic history, Guanche heritage and the cultural evolution of the archipelago are explained.

Gastronomy in Tenerife offers an excellent way to discover much of the island’s identity through experiences closely linked to the territory. One of the best-known options is exploring guachinches in the north, where traditional dishes are served alongside wines produced by small local growers. Visits to wineries in areas such as Tacoronte, El Sauzal or La Orotava are also highly recommended, where guided tastings and walks through volcanic vineyards can be enjoyed. At municipal markets, food fairs and small rural settlements, it is also possible to taste cheeses, mojos, fish, heritage potatoes and other local products that form part of Tenerife’s everyday cuisine.

Tenerife offers a very flexible range of options for groups of very different profiles. For private groups or friends, catamaran excursions, guided routes, gastronomic workshops, winery visits and group sports activities are common. In the educational field, there are programmes in interpretation centres, botanical gardens, natural spaces and museums adapted for school groups. For companies, Tenerife Convention Bureau also facilitates the organisation of congresses, incentives and team-building activities.

Night-time in Tenerife varies considerably depending on the chosen area. In the south, tourist leisure areas with bars, music, terraces and live shows are more prominent. In cities such as Santa Cruz de Tenerife or San Cristóbal de La Laguna the atmosphere is usually more urban, with terraces, gastronomy and cultural proposals. There are also very different night-time plans available, such as stargazing, open-air concerts or dinners in outdoor settings.

For those looking for higher-end experiences, Tenerife offers a wide variety of premium options. These include helicopter flights, private sailing, high-end spas, golf overlooking the ocean, private tastings and yacht excursions. There are also private astronomical experiences and wellness programmes in luxury hotels that allow visitors to discover the island from a more exclusive perspective.