Things to Do in Tenerife

The unmissable one. A cable car carries you to 3,555m in eight minutes, and the lunar landscape on the way up is unreal. Go early — afternoons cloud over and the wind shuts the cable car down. To stand on the very summit you need a free permit booked weeks ahead; most people skip that and the views are still extraordinary. After dark, Teide is one of the best stargazing spots on earth.

Honest tip Buy cable-car tickets online in advance — the on-site queue can eat an hour. A guided sunset-and-stars tour is the move if you don’t want to drive the mountain road in the dark.

The waters off the southwest coast hold resident pilot whales and dolphins all year — this isn’t a “if you’re lucky” thing, sightings are the norm. Boats leave from Los Gigantes, Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos.

Honest tip Pick a small, eco-certified boat (look for the blue “Barco Azul” flag) over the big party catamarans — you get closer, calmer encounters and it’s kinder to the animals.

A tiny village clinging to a ridge, and below it a gorge that drops all the way to the sea. The village itself is free to wander and the views are jaw-dropping. The famous hike down the ravine reopened with a strict booking system — you must reserve a slot, and most people get a boat back rather than climbing out.

Honest tip Parking in Masca is a nightmare — arrive early or take a guided trip. If you only want the views, the roadside miradores on the way are spectacular and cost nothing.

Yes, it’s a water park, and yes, it genuinely lives up to the “world’s best” hype. The Thai-themed setting is gorgeous, the rides are properly thrilling, and there’s a calm wave-pool-and-beach end for younger kids. A full, easy day out for families based in the south.

Honest tip Buy tickets online to skip the gate queue, and go on a clear, warm day — it’s far less fun under cloud. Pair it with neighbouring Loro Parque on a combined ticket if you want both.

The northeast tip of the island is a different world: the Anaga mountains are draped in laurisilva — a prehistoric laurel forest that feels like walking through a cloud — and the road ends at Benijo, a wild black-sand beach guarded by sea stacks. No ticket, no tour, just you and a hire car.

Honest tip The roads are gloriously twisty and slow — don’t rush them. Time it for late afternoon and stay for sunset at Benijo; it’s one of the best on the island. Bring cash for the little seafood shacks.

One of the island’s biggest attractions, near Puerto de la Cruz — beautifully kept gardens, penguins, parrots and big animal shows. Worth knowing honestly: it’s a zoo with dolphins and orcas, and some travellers now prefer to spend their money on wild whale watching instead. Both are valid — I’m just laying it out so you choose with eyes open.

Honest tip If you do go, the combined Siam Park + Loro Parque ticket saves money. Allow a full day; it’s bigger than it looks.

Step away from the resorts and Tenerife shows its real face. La Laguna is a UNESCO old town of pastel mansions and student-bar energy; La Orotava, just above Puerto de la Cruz, has the prettiest historic streets and balconies on the island. Both are free to wander and full of proper local cafés.

Honest tip Go late afternoon when the light is gold and the day-trip crowds have gone. Skip the tourist-menu restaurants on the main squares — the good food is one street back.