If you’re planning to explore beyond the beach strip, having wheels changes everything on Tenerife. The best viewpoints in Anaga, the stops inside Teide National Park, and places like Masca or Garachico are the kind of spots you’ll miss if you rely only on buses. That’s why I always recommend booking a car early, especially in peak season. If you want to compare options in one place, you can find the best car rental deals in Tenerife here, filter by pickup location (airport or city), and choose what actually fits your route and budget — from small city cars to SUVs for mountain roads.
A quick note before we start: Tenerife is easiest with a car, but you can still do plenty without one if you base yourself smart and pick a few guided days.
Now, my 25 must-see places.
1) Teide National Park
If you only have time for one “wow” day, make it Teide National Park. The park is recognized by UNESCO, and it is famous for the Teide-Pico Viejo volcano and its landscapes.
My favorite way to do it: drive up early, stop at the viewpoints without rushing, walk a short trail, then stay long enough to watch the light change. Teide is not a quick photo stop. It is a full feeling.
Practical tip
If you plan to go higher (especially toward the summit area), permits and rules apply, and they can change. It’s worth checking official permit guidance before your trip.
2) Roques de García (Teide’s iconic rock scenery)
This is the classic Teide walk that delivers maximum scenery with minimum effort. The rock formations look like someone placed them carefully for a movie set. Go early if you want that quiet, wide-open feeling.
3) Mount Teide Cable Car (Teleférico del Teide)
If heights don’t bother you and you want big views without a long hike, the cable car is a Tenerife highlight. Do it on a clear day. If clouds roll in, the views can vanish in minutes.
Again, summit access can involve permits, so plan ahead if the very top is your goal.
4) Teide at sunset and stargazing
People search “best sunset in Tenerife” and often end up on a beach. I get it. But Teide sunset is a different category.
Bring layers. The temperature drop surprises almost everyone the first time.
5) Anaga Rural Park
If Teide is Tenerife’s volcanic heart, Anaga Rural Park is its green soul. Forests, cliffs, tiny villages, and roads that feel like they were carved into the mountain one careful turn at a time.
This is the place I take friends when they say, “I didn’t know Tenerife looked like this.”
6) Benijo Beach (Playa de Benijo)
Benijo is the kind of beach that makes you talk quieter. Black sand, strong ocean, dramatic rocks, and sunset light that turns everything into gold and charcoal.
My tip: treat it as a viewpoint even if you do not swim. The ocean here has power.
7) Taganana village
Taganana is small, steep, and full of character. I love arriving mid-morning, wandering the lanes, then eating something simple and local with a view that reminds you the island is basically a mountain dropped into the sea.
8) La Laguna (San Cristóbal de La Laguna), the UNESCO city
If you want history, architecture, and a slower, local day, head to San Cristóbal de La Laguna. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its preserved city layout and historic character.
My favorite plan: arrive late afternoon, walk until you get hungry, then choose a cafe by feeling, not ratings. La Laguna is built for wandering.
9) Santa Cruz de Tenerife (for a city day that feels real)
Santa Cruz is not just a gateway. It is a proper city day: markets, plazas, and that mix of island calm and capital energy.
Pair it with Las Teresitas (next on the list) for an easy “city plus beach” day.
10) Las Teresitas Beach
If you search best beaches in Tenerife, Las Teresitas comes up for a reason. It’s long, golden, and very easy to enjoy, with facilities and places to eat nearby.
My tip: go on a weekday if you can. Weekends can feel like the whole city had the same idea.
11) Masca Village
Masca is famous, yes. But it is famous because it’s genuinely stunning: a tiny village tucked into deep mountain scenery.
My advice: arrive early, take your time, and don’t rush back to the car. The magic is in the pauses.
12) Masca Gorge (Barranco de Masca), if you want the full adventure
The Masca Gorge trail has specific booking rules and requirements, including gear expectations and access conditions. Always check the official booking and trail requirements before you go, because access logistics can be strict.
Even if you don’t hike the gorge, Masca village alone is worth seeing.
13) Los Gigantes Cliffs
Los Gigantes is Tenerife showing off. The cliffs rise hard and dark above the sea, and the best way to understand them is from the water. A boat trip here can feel like you’re sailing beside a wall.
14) Whale watching in Tenerife (do it responsibly)
This is one of the top “things to do in Tenerife” searches, and it can be unforgettable. But choose operators that follow responsible practices.
In Tenerife, authorized whale watching vessels can be identified by the “Blue Boat” system (often shown as a yellow flag with the Blue Boat logo) and a code of conduct.
My rule: if a tour sounds like chasing, skip it. You want respectful, calm encounters.
15) Garachico
Garachico is one of those towns that makes you slow down without trying. Pretty streets, sea air, and an easy rhythm.
Do it as a half-day with a swim stop at El Caletón.
16) El Caletón natural pools (Garachico)
These natural pools are tied to the volcanic history of the town. Spain’s official tourism site notes that the 1706 eruption shaped this area and formed the natural pools.
Go when the sea is calm. The Atlantic is not a joke, even when it looks friendly.
17) Icod de los Vinos (and the famous dragon tree area)
Icod is a classic north coast stop, especially if you like small-town Tenerife. Pair it with Garachico easily.
18) Puerto de la Cruz (a relaxed north-coast base)
Puerto de la Cruz is a great place to stay if you want the greener side of Tenerife with oceanfront walks, cafes, and easy day trips.
It’s also a good break if you’ve been driving mountains for days and want a slower pace.
19) La Orotava
La Orotava feels like Tenerife dressed up. Historic houses, wooden balconies, and views that spill into the valley. It’s a beautiful place to walk without a plan.
20) Mirador de Humboldt
If you like viewpoints, this is one of the most satisfying ones in the north. You get the valley, the towns, and Teide hanging in the distance when the sky is clear.
21) Candelaria (the island’s spiritual heart)
Candelaria has a special atmosphere. Even if you are not visiting for religious reasons, it’s a meaningful cultural stop and a good way to see a different side of the island.
22) Güímar (for a quieter, less-touristy feel)
Güímar is not flashy. That’s the point. It feels like everyday Tenerife, and it’s a nice stop if you want to get away from the main resort rhythm.
23) Teno Rural Park (wild western Tenerife)
Teno is the rugged cousin of Anaga. It is drier, sharper, and full of deep ravines and big views.
Bring patience for the roads, and reward yourself with slow viewpoint stops.
24) Punta de Teno (check access rules)
Punta de Teno is one of those places people describe as “the end of the world” in the best way. Access rules can change because of traffic management and works.
Local tourism information notes changes to access and bus arrangements during works, so check before you go. 
My practical plan: build it as a half-day and accept that the journey is part of the experience.
25) A proper “guachinche” meal in the north
This is not a single landmark, but it is absolutely a “must-see” Tenerife experience. Guachinches are simple, local places where the food is honest and the vibe is more important than presentation.
Order papas arrugadas with mojo, something hearty, and whatever locals are eating at the next table.
Mini Tenerife Itineraries (built around “what to see in Tenerife”)
3 days in Tenerife (first-timer, big hits)
- Day 1: Teide National Park (Roques de García, sunset)
- Day 2: Anaga Rural Park (Taganana, Benijo)
- Day 3: La Laguna + Las Teresitas
5 days in Tenerife (balanced north and south)
- Day 1: South coast beach day, easy start
- Day 2: Teide full day
- Day 3: La Laguna + Santa Cruz
- Day 4: Anaga full day
- Day 5: Garachico + El Caletón + La Orotava
7 days in Tenerife (fall-in-love pace)
Add:
- Masca village (and gorge if you book it properly)
- Los Gigantes cliffs and whale watching with Blue Boat operators
- Teno and Punta de Teno (after checking access)
Quick planning notes people always ask
Do you need a car in Tenerife?
If your goal is “best places to visit in Tenerife”, a car makes the island ten times easier. Anaga, Teide viewpoints, Garachico, Masca, and Teno all shine when you can stop freely.
North or south?
- South: sunnier, easier, resort-friendly
- North: greener, more local, better road-trip variety
Is Teide really worth it?
Yes. It’s UNESCO-listed and it feels like another planet.
