Tenerife is the largest island in the Canary archipelago and is a popular travel destination for many reasons. With its beaches, warm, sunny climate all year round and fascinating volcanic landscape, the island offers a multitude of activities to suit all tastes. In this article, I’d like to take a look at the 5 must-do activities in Tenerife, so that you can make the most of your stay.
👉 See also : My itinerary for a week in Tenerife and Where to stay in Tenerife: My selection of hotels
Discover the Teide volcano
Located in the centre of the island, the Teide is the highest volcano in Spain and a visit to its summit offers spectacular views of the island. You can take a cable car to the summit or take a hike if you feel adventurous. The cable car easily takes you to an altitude of 3,555 metres (at a point called La Rambleta). To get there by foot, I recommend you follow the Montana Blanca trail (9km).
Whichever option you choose, once you reach La Rambleta, if you wish to continue climbing to the summit, you will need to request permission via this link (free of charge).
If you prefer to be accompanied to discover the volcano, I recommend booking this excursion in advance, which combines both a cable and car ride. What’s more, it’s interesting because it also includes a bus transfer from several places on the island. Driving up to the Teide Natural Park can be a bit tricky if you’re not used to driving in the mountains. Finally, it also includes the Teide Cable, so you won’t need to apply for one.
Price: €85/adult – €42.50/child
Paragliding above the Teide
We’re staying close to Mount Teide, but this time … to fly over it! Paragliding is a very popular activity on Tenerife. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see paragliders in the air from the south and from Puerto de la Cruz.
Personally, it’s an activity I haven’t yet had the chance to try (but it’s on my wish list!!).
Book your paragliding flight
Although I haven’t tried this activity yet, I know I’ll book it when the time comes: a 30-35 minute outing with Enminube Parapente. The meeting point is in La Laguna and the landing is in the La Orotava valley. Transfers are, of course, included.
Price: €175/person
Whale and dolphin watching
FAVORITE ❤
The Canaries are a great place to see cetaceans in their natural habitat. You can enjoy this magnificent spectacle all year round. How can you see them? By taking a boat trip, of course!
You’ll find plenty of service providers offering them. When choosing your excursion, I advise you make sure that the company has signed the “Barco Azul” charter, which imposes certain animal welfare regulations, such as not getting too close or staying for too long.
Book your boat trip
Don’t forget to book your outing in advance! I recommend the 3-hour sailing trip from the port of Los Gigantes. The programme includes whale watching, snorkelling and a picnic on the boat.
Price: €65/person
Other boat trips are available on GetYourGuide. I haven’t tried any of these, so I can’t give you any advice, as is the case with the cruise from Los Gigantes mentioned above.
Visit a banana plantation
Tenerife is one of the Canary Islands that produces top-quality bananas. Banana plantations are an important part of the island’s agriculture. You can learn more about the history of banana growing in the Canaries and how the industry has evolved over the years. Very often, there’s also a tasting session – yum!
Discover historic towns and villages
Tenerife has several historic towns to visit, such as La Laguna, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its Spanish colonial architecture, as is Icod de los Vinos. The capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife is also an interesting city to explore, with museums, parks and historic monuments. Finally, the small (but not so easily accessible) village of Masca is well worth a visit.
Observing the stars
FAVORITE ❤
Tenerife is an ideal place for stargazing, as the island has one of the clearest skies in Europe! A unique and memorable activity that lets you discover the beauty of the universe while enjoying the enchanting surroundings of Tenerife.
You can go through an excursion company that offers this type of outing and.or install a stargazing application on your smartphone such as SkySafari (Google – Apple).
Kayaking on the ocean
Let’s finish this selection with a sporting activity: kayaking. Less technical than surfing but sportier than a boat trip, I think it’s a pretty cool idea for an activity! Kayaking in Tenerife also allows you to discover the ocean and coastal landscapes from a different point of view.
Book your kayak trip
I particularly recommend the Teno Activo kayak trip, which starts from Los Gigantes and follows the cliffs. It makes you feel so small! The outing lasts 2 hours and is done in small groups. A boat also follows the kayak group throughout the activity. There will be a swim stop and a small drink (provided by the boat).
Price: €35/person
I hope these 7 must-do activities will inspire you to discover this fantastic island in Spain.
