Coastal Canary Life
7-Day Tenerife Itinerary
The full picture of Spain’s biggest island — volcanic peaks, ancient forests, whale-rich seas and white villages. Not just the beach.
Seven days in Tenerife sounds like plenty — and it is, if you plan it right. Go in without a plan and you’ll lose half your trip to south-coast resort traffic. Follow this route and you’ll see why Tenerife is one of the most remarkable places in Europe.
Before You Go: Essential Planning
- Best time: year-round. Beach weather June–Sep; quieter and ideal Apr–May or Oct–Nov.
- Getting around: rent a car — public transport is slow, a car unlocks everything here.
- Where to stay: base yourself in Costa Adeje (south). See our Best Hotels in Tenerife guide.
Arrive & Settle into the South
Costa Adeje / Los Cristianos
Check in and head straight to Playa del Duque — the finest beach in the south, with golden sand, calm water and a good restaurant promenade. A perfect soft landing.
In the evening, walk the seafront to Los Cristianos and have grilled fish and a glass of local white wine at a harbourside restaurant.
Find hotels in Costa Adeje on Expedia →Conquer Mount Teide
Teide National Park
The centrepiece of your week. Mount Teide is Spain’s highest peak (3,715m), a UNESCO site, surrounded by vast lava fields and multicoloured rock.
Morning:
Drive up early (before 9am) to beat the coaches. Stop at Roques de García for unforgettable photos.
Midday:
Take the Teide Cable Car to 3,555m (book online in advance — it sells out). On clear days you see all four western Canary Islands.
Tip:
Bring a warm layer — the summit is cold and windy even in summer.
Find hotels near Teide on Expedia →The Wild Southwest — Los Gigantes & Masca
Los Gigantes / Santiago del TeideMorning: drive to Los Gigantes — cliffs 600m high dropping sheer into the sea. Take a boat trip from the harbour for the full effect.
Afternoon: head up to Masca, a tiny village perched in a ravine; the drive (TF-436) is one of the island’s most spectacular roads.
Evening: return via Santiago del Teide, a peaceful traditional village.
Find hotels in the southwest on Expedia →Whale Watching & Beach Day
Los Cristianos / South coastThe channel between Tenerife and La Gomera has resident pilot whales and dolphins year-round — one of the most reliable whale-watching spots on Earth.
Morning: book a boat trip from Los Cristianos harbour (catamarans with marine biologists, ~10am). 3 hours, close encounters virtually guaranteed.
Afternoon: relax on Playa de Fañabé or Playa del Camison — quieter than Playa del Duque.
Find hotels in Los Cristianos on Expedia →Santa Cruz & La Laguna — Culture Day
Santa Cruz / San Cristóbal de La Laguna
Morning: drive to Santa Cruz, a proper Spanish city — great shopping, the Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre (superb Guanche collection) and Calatrava’s wave-shaped Auditorio.
Afternoon: 10 minutes inland to La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage old town — cobbled streets, colonial colour, student-town energy.
Evening: dinner in La Laguna — far more local than the resort south.
Find hotels near Santa Cruz on Expedia →The Anaga Mountains & Hidden Beaches
Anaga Rural Park / Taganana / Benijo
Morning: drive into the Parque Rural de Anaga, a UNESCO Biosphere of ancient laurisilva cloud forest. Stop at the Cruz del Carmen viewpoint and take a short forest trail.
Afternoon: descend to Taganana, then Playa de Benijo — a wild black-sand beach with dramatic rock stacks. Lunch of fresh fish and papas arrugadas with mojo.
Find hotels for north Tenerife on Expedia →Puerto de la Cruz & Farewell
Puerto de la Cruz / La Orotava
Morning: explore Puerto de la Cruz — the most authentically Canarian town on the island. Plaza del Charco and the Manrique-designed Lago Martianez sea pools.
Midday: drive up to La Orotava for the finest colonial architecture (Casa de los Balcones) and valley views with Teide behind.
Afternoon: back south for one last swim and sunset. Tenerife will make you want to come back.
Find hotels in Puerto de la Cruz on Expedia →7-Day Itinerary: Quick Reference
| Day | Focus | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive, beach, settle in | Costa Adeje / Los Cristianos |
| Day 2 | Mount Teide & Cable Car | Teide National Park |
| Day 3 | Cliffs, Masca village | Los Gigantes / Southwest |
| Day 4 | Whale watching & beaches | Los Cristianos / South |
| Day 5 | Capital city & historic town | Santa Cruz / La Laguna |
| Day 6 | Ancient forest & hidden beach | Anaga / Taganana |
| Day 7 | Charming north coast town | Puerto de la Cruz / La Orotava |
Take it with you
Full Tenerife PDF Guide — coming soon
A downloadable version of this itinerary with detailed maps, restaurant picks, booking tips and hidden gems. Perfect offline once saved to your phone.
Coming soonDriving times on Tenerife vary a lot on winding mountain roads — allow extra time, especially Days 3 and 6. Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them it costs you nothing extra and helps keep Coastal Canary Life independent.
