Discover what to do in Tenerife from people who have known the island for decades. In this ultimate guide, you will find everything you need to know to experience Tenerife to the fullest in 2026.

Before starting… a promise

This is not another generic internet guide. Here you will really find what to do in Tenerife:

• Updated and verified information for 2026
• Insider tips from people who have lived on the island forever
• Tours and activities that you can book now
• The authenticity missing in 99% of travel guides
• Experiences that go beyond common places

This is the guide we would have wanted to read when we visited Tenerife for the first time.

1. El Teide: More than a volcano

Pico del Teide is the highest peak in Spain at 3,718 meters. But statistics don’t capture what it means to see it at sunrise from the clouds. Visiting El Teide is not optional; it is one of those experiences that change your perspective of the trip.

How to visit it

You have two main options:

1. Hike up from the base: About 1,200 meters of elevation gain in 6-8 hours. Spectacular, but exhausting.
2. Cable car + short hike: You ascend the 1,200 meters in 8 minutes. From the upper station, short paths of 30-60 minutes to the crater.

Recommendation: Start early (6-7 in the morning). Sunsets are legendary, but sunrises compare to nothing else.

Book your experience

Practical information

• Best time: October-April (frequent closure in summer)
• Park entrance: Free for residents
• Cable car: Check prices
• Temperature: 20°C lower than on the coast
• What to bring: Warm clothing, plenty of water, sunscreen

2. Masca Gorge: Another World

Masca is the hike that all hiking blogs mention. We walked 4 hours down a canyon with 600-meter walls. It’s like Jurassic Park but almost real. Natural lianas and vertical ravines in the wild heart of Tenerife.

How to do it

• Difficulty: Medium-High (lots of descent, slippery sections)
• Duration: 4-5 hours of hiking
• Starting point: Masca Village (north of the island) – Arrival point: Masca Beach (only accessible by walking or by boat)

Many hire boat transport for the return. Perfectly logical: You end up exhausted.

Book your Masca experience

Local tips

• Wear a helmet or glasses: Loose stones can fall from above
• Start early: The heat is relentless after noon
• Footwear with good grip is crucial
• Carry 2-3 liters of water
• Best from October to May

3. Whale and Dolphin Watching

Tenerife is one of the best places in the Atlantic Ocean to see whales and dolphins. The experience of seeing a whale pod swim around your boat is something you don’t forget.

How to do it

• Port of Los Cristianos: 4-5 hour tours
• Best time: October-March

Book Your Tour Now

You don’t just see animals: You reconnect with nature. Most travelers say it was the best part of the trip.

4. Anaga: Nature by the ocean

Anaga is the true wild Tenerife. Laurel forests date back 20 million years. Paths that descend vertically to the ocean. Pre-Hispanic villages hidden in ravines.

What to do in Anaga

• Hiking: Magical routes through the forest mist
• Wild beaches: Benijo, Roque de Dentro beaches
• Villages with personality: San Andrés, Ifara
• Sunsets: Viewpoints in Afur and Chinamada

Anaga is for those who want to understand the soul of the Canaries beyond conventional tourism.

5. La Laguna and Santa Cruz: Cultural Destination

Santa Cruz is the capital of Tenerife. La Laguna is a UNESCO heritage site. Two cities that tell the modern and colonial story of the Canaries.

What to see

• La Laguna: Historic center perfect for walking
• Plaza de España: Monumental architecture
• Colonial churches: From the 16th century still standing
• Markets: Local food, authentic atmosphere

6. Tenerife Beaches: Beyond the Typical

In Tenerife there are beaches, but they are not all the same.

• Playa del Duque: Golden sand, calm waters
• Benijo (Anaga): Wild beaches, little tourism
• Los Gigantes: 600m cliffs
• Playa de las Teresitas: Golden sand in the capital

7. Loro Parque: More Than a Zoo

Main attractions

• Dolphin pool: Professional shows
• Parrot collection: The largest in the world
• Penguin pool: Antarctic habitat simulation
• Shows: Orcas, sea lions, birds of prey

Book Your Ticket

Tip: Go on a weekday. Weekends are usually crowded.

8. Siam Park: The Best Water Park

Main attractions

• Tower of Power: 28m free-fall slide
• The Giant: Longest 400m slide
• Lazy River: Relaxing floating rivers
• Wave pool: 2-meter waves

Book Your Ticket

Best time: April-May or September-October (better than in high summer)

9. Los Gigantes Cliffs

How to visit it

• From the town: Walks and restaurants facing cliffs – By sea: Boat tours from Puerto de Santiago
• Hiking: Route Los Gigantes to Teno Alto (advanced)

10. Canarian Gastronomy

Eating in Tenerife is a cultural act.

Essential Dishes

• Papas Arrugadas con Mojo: Potatoes with red/green sauces
• Gofio: Toasted wheat flour – Lapas: Sea snails with salt
• Salted Fish: Dense, simple, perfect
• Ropa Vieja: Shredded beef dish

11. Activities for 2026

• E-Bike Tours in Anaga: Technology-assisted cycling
• Yoga and Nature Retreats: Growing in Tenerife
• Stargazing: Unique experience from El Teide
• Stand-Up Paddle: On hidden beaches and coves

12. Activities Without Permits

• Walk among ravines and cliffs
• Dive in remote beaches and coves
• Stroll through less touristy villages

The best of Tenerife is what is not on the typical maps.

Still don’t know what to do in Tenerife?

Tenerife is an island of extraordinary contrasts. It has volcanoes, beaches, jungles, deserts, colonial cities, and world-class amusement parks. But what is really important is that you can experience all these worlds in a single week (or two so you don’t get tired). If you want to know what to do in Tenerife really, take advantage of all the diversity and authenticity that endures on the island beyond tourism.