8 Best Day Trips from Tenerife

Tenerife is an endless source of experiences and adventures thanks to its beautiful landscapes and perfect weather all year round. While it may be tempting to swim in the crystal clear waters of its beaches every day until you catch your flight home, here's a guide to 8 incredible excursions from Tenerife to discover all that this island and the rest of the archipelago has to offer.

Climbing Mount Teide is a must on any trip to Tenerife, and with this guided excursion to Teide National Park you'll explore the volcano with the incredible views of Tenerife at your feet.

What you'll do on this tour

You'll start the day by heading into Teide National Park, passing through deep pine forests on a mountain road. Once you arrive at your destination, your guide will take you to discover the volcanic earth landscapes formed by the erosion of lava.

You will visit the Roques de García, a group of curious rock formations that seem to have been sculpted by hand, the most famous of which are 'La Catedral' and 'La Cascada'.

On the trail to the Roques de García you will have the sensation of having been transported to the surface of a distant planet, and you will see volcanic rock twisted and sharpened into impossible shapes, the flora that has grown in this hostile landscape such as broom or wallflower and a varied fauna of lizards, centipedes, praying mantises, dragonflies and beetles.

You'll then climb the volcano on foot or by cable car (if you've bought your tickets in advance, as they are not included in the tour and tend to sell out very quickly) and from a point near the top you'll look out over the incredible views of Tenerife that can be seen from the top.

Why I recommend this tour

Whether on an organised tour or on your own, visiting the Teide National Park is a must on your trip to Tenerife. The advantages of this activity are several: you won't have to plan the route on your own and you make sure you don't miss the most impressive places in the reserve, and you will be picked up at your hotel and provided with transport to and from the Park. Also, considering the price of the tour, it's totally worth the extra effort of organising it yourself.

Also, something quite relevant is that you need to ask for a permit to climb Teide (it's done with an online application), but you won't need it if you go on an organised tour.

Different options for Teide excursions

• Excursion to Teide and Masca Valley in Tenerife - from £44
• Quad biking to Teide - from £64.
• Astronomical excursion to Teide by night - from £75.

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If you want to explore some of Tenerife's most iconic spots in a single day, this tour is perfect for you. From stunning volcanic scenery to picturesque coastal villages, you'll enjoy a day full of contrasts and unforgettable views.

What you will do on this tour

You'll start the day with a visit to Icod de los Vinos, home to the famous Drago Milenario, an iconic tree with over 800 years of history. Afterwards, you will continue to Los Gigantes, where you can marvel at its imposing cliffs over 600 metres high.

The route continues to Puerto de la Cruz, one of the island's most charming towns, ideal for strolling through its old town and enjoying the coastal atmosphere. Finally, you will visit Candelaria, a place of great cultural and religious importance, where you will find the Basilica of the Virgin of Candelaria, patron saint of the Canary Islands.

Why I recommend this tour

Touring Tenerife in a single day and discovering its most emblematic landscapes is a unique experience. From the majesty of the ancient dragon tree to the immensity of the cliffs of Los Gigantes, this excursion combines nature, culture and tradition in a very complete itinerary. In addition, visiting Puerto de la Cruz and Candelaria will allow you to get to know the soul of the island, with its history, its gastronomy and its most picturesque corners.

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If you want to discover another of the jewels of the Canary Islands, this excursion takes you to La Palma, known as "La Isla Bonita" for its spectacular scenery, lush vegetation and volcanic history.

What you'll do on this trip

From Tenerife, you'll travel by ferry to Santa Cruz de La Palma, where you'll begin your visit by exploring its picturesque old town. Then you'll head to the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, an impressive natural area with deep ravines and panoramic viewpoints.

You will also visit the famous salt flats of Fuencaliente, where the contrast of sea, salt and volcanic soil create a unique landscape. In addition, you will visit some of the areas affected by the last volcanic eruption in 2021, an impressive experience that will allow you to see the force of nature.

Why I recommend this tour

If you want to get to know one of the most impressive islands of the Canary Islands, this excursion to La Palma is a perfect opportunity. Its combination of volcanic landscapes, lush forests and charming villages makes it a unique destination. A visit to the Caldera de Taburiente National Park and the areas affected by the eruption of 2021 will give you an insight into the power of nature and the beauty of this island.

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If you are looking for a thrilling activity on the sea, a jet ski tour is the ideal choice. Cruise along the coast of Tenerife at full speed, discover hidden coves and feel the adrenaline as you ride the waves of the Atlantic.

What you will do on this excursion

After a brief introduction and safety briefing, you will start your jet ski and begin your adventure through the crystal clear waters of Tenerife. Along the way, you'll enjoy spectacular views of the cliffs and, with a bit of luck, you may spot dolphins and other marine life.

You can choose between different routes and durations, from short trips to longer excursions that take you to discover secret corners of the coast. You don't need any previous experience, as the guide will give you all the instructions you need to enjoy the tour in complete safety.

Why I recommend this tour

If you are looking for an experience full of excitement, touring the coast of Tenerife on a jet ski is a perfect option. Feeling the speed over the waves, discovering hidden coves and hopefully spotting dolphins in their natural habitat makes this activity unforgettable. It is ideal both for those who want a dose of adrenaline and for those who want to explore the sea in a different way.

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The best way to discover the whole island of Tenerife and all its enchanting corners: on this complete tour of the island of Tenerife you will visit the incredible landscapes of the Teide, villages lost in time and rural communities with ancient trees.

What you will do on this tour

Your adventure begins with a pick-up from your hotel and a drive through Vilaflor to the Cañadas del Teide, a stunning national park crowned by the majestic Teide, declared a World Heritage Site in 2007. Here, the volcanic landscapes seem to be from another planet, with rock formations sculpted by lava. You will then cross the Orotava Valley to reach Icod de los Vinos, where you can admire the famous ancient dragon tree, the symbol of Tenerife, and enjoy a typical Canarian lunch in a local restaurant.

The route continues to the north of the island with a stop in Garachico, a charming village with cobbled streets and views of the Roque de Garachico. Then, you'll head into the Teno Massif to visit Masca, a historic pirate refuge nestled between towering ravines at an altitude of 750 metres. Along the way, you'll make several stops at strategic viewpoints to capture the beauty of the scenery before returning to your hotel.

Why I recommend this tour

This is a very popular experience and very good value for money, showing you the main sites of the island and some of its most charming villages in a perfectly organised route.

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La Gomera keeps your attention focused on the inland landscapes and the impressive Garajonay National Park, a place that is worth a day trip to La Gomera from Tenerife.

What you'll do on this trip

Departing by ferry from Puerto Colón in the south of Tenerife, you will arrive in San Sebastián de La Gomera, the capital of the island.

There you will head for the Garajonay National Park, where you will find a laurel forest, unique in the Canary Islands and protected by UNESCO, which at the dawn of human civilisation was the most common type of vegetation in Europe.

A short hike through this beautiful park will take you to the viewpoint of Degollada de Peraza to enjoy wonderful views of the Barranco de la Laja ravine and the Chejelipes water dams.

You will continue to the villages of Las Rosas and Agulo in the north of La Gomera, where you will stop at a restaurant to enjoy the typical food of the island while you are shown the silbo gomero, a method of communication used by the island's aborigines and which has been adapted to Spanish over the centuries.

After lunch, you will return to San Sebastián de la Gomera, passing by important places in the life of Christopher Columbus, such as the Torre del Conde and the Casa de Colón, and the villages of Chipude and El Cercado. Once back, you will take the ferry to Tenerife and you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Why I recommend this excursion

Visiting La Gomera is a perfect activity for a trip of a week or more to Tenerife, so if you have time to spare I recommend you not to miss this complete organised excursion for its good value for money and its great guides.

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Anaga Peak is in the northwest corner of Tenerife, and can be reached via San Cristóbal de La Laguna. It is one of my favourite places on the island, as it is not only a very beautiful area, but also one of the least touristic and least visited, so a trip to Anaga Peak always promises an unforgettable day.

What you will do on this excursion

Departing from your hotel in Tenerife, you'll take the road to San Cristóbal de La Laguna (or, as the locals know it, simply La Laguna) where you'll take a short walk to visit the city's main market and learn about the different varieties of potatoes used in Canarian cuisine.

You'll head for the Mercedes laurel forest, one of the most beautiful on the island, and begin the ascent route to Anaga Peak and continue to the northern tip of Tenerife. There, you'll rest and have a picnic on the beach of Roque de las Bodegas, the perfect setting for a photo for Instagram.

You'll head back to Anaga Peak and visit another beach, Las Teresitas, special because it was built with sand from the Sahara, and where the scenery with palm trees transports you for a moment to a faraway place.

To finish the tour, you will pass through Santa Cruz de Tenerife and visit its impressive harbour and make a last stop in Candelaria, famous for the Black Virgin that houses its basilica. Afterwards, you'll head back to your hotel with the fullness of having enjoyed a day you'll always remember.

Why I recommend this excursion

As I said before, this area of Tenerife is one of the least visited by tourists, so it always promises a very enjoyable experience. What's more, the beauty of the beaches and the viewpoints you'll be looking out over are perfect places to capture in a photograph that will always remain in your memory.

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Take the ferry for a trip to El Hierro and explore its viewpoints: at every one of them, an unforgettable view of land and sea awaits you, so beautiful you'll find it hard to believe it's not hand-painted.

What you will do on this excursion

A local guide will accompany you on a tour of El Hierro's most stunning sites, starting at the Peña viewpoint in the north of the island, where you'll have beautiful views of the El Golfo valley and its endless fields of grapes and other local fruits.

The second stop is the viewpoint of Jinama, which will offer you quite a contrast in its views of the bay of El Golfo and its steep cliffs of volcanic rock, on which you can see lost constructions and remote hermitages giving you the sensation of being lost on an almost deserted island.

Afterwards, it is time to take a route through the Rural Park of Frontera and walk, literally, on history: there you will see the laurel forest, a unique ecosystem of the Canary Islands and protected by UNESCO. You will arrive at a local restaurant and taste a menu of typical food such as potatoes with mojo, grilled cheese, rabbit or escaldón de gofio.

In the evening you will visit the Candelaria Church, a small church with white walls and a beautiful bell tower on top of a mountain and visit the natural swimming pool of La Maceta, formed on the seashore and one of the most popular swimming spots for locals and tourists.

Before catching the ferry back to Tenerife you will visit the Hotel Punta Grande, a tiny black stone hotel on the edge of a cliff.

Why I recommend this excursion

Although neither the ferry ticket nor lunch is included in the price, organising this excursion on your own would be even more expensive than paying for the activity and those two extras. Therefore, this is the best option since the route of the excursion seems ideal and the price is one of the cheapest you can find for an excursion to El Hierro from Tenerife.

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