3-day break? Here’s what to do in Tenerife
The Canary Islands are all about fun, fine temperatures and fantastic hospitality. There’s a huge variety of plans to choose from when you come – which is why we just know you’ll find the best activity for you.
In this post, you’ll discover the top things to do in Tenerife on your three-day adventure. Get ready to take it all in, and you’re all set enjoy the full spectrum of emotions the island offers.
But first of all we’ve got some top tips for you, to make sure you have the perfect trip:
- Bring sunscreen. The Canary Islands in general – and Tenerife in particular – boast the most sunshine hours per day in the whole of Europe. Whichever time of year you come, you’ll need to protect your skin from UV rays. Even in winter.
- Pack your walking boots. Lots of the beaches on the island are rocky.
- Make sure you’ve got plenty of spare memory on your phone or camera. You’ll want to take a ton of photos and videos to make sure your Tenerife trip stays with you forever. And – of course – to show off to your friends!
- Hire a vehicle. As island’s go, Tenerife is a big one; so your best bet is to travel around by car. You could book excursions, and there’s a good public transport network that’ll get you to almost all the top sights, but nothing beats the freedom you get from having your own vehicle to get around in – and it’s faster too.
- Stay at a Princess hotel. The newly refurbished Princess Inspire Tenerife and Guayarmina Princess are fabulous options for your island holiday. Both these adults-only hotels are located in Costa Adeje, and boast top-notch facilities and services. Simply perfect.
Day 1: A sea and mountain adventure in the south
Your first day on the island puts nature front and centre. Set sail on the Atlantic Ocean in the morning, and discover one of the most biodiverse seabeds in the country. These rich ecosystems alone justify a trip to Tenerife. And in the afternoon, you could take a hike through the scenic rugged landscapes.
Water sports in Puerto Colón
Just a short 15-minute walk from the Guayarmina Princess and Princess Inspire Tenerife hotels you’ll find Puerto Colón. This modern marina is home to all types of water activities.
And there’s something for everyone: luxurious cruises and catamarans serving up fantastic food and music, dolphin and whale watching boat trips, kayaking, scuba diving tours, snorkelling… Take your pick, and go for it!
Revel in the southern sunshine
After a morning basking in the secrets of the Atlantic Ocean, it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the eternal sunshine of the south of Tenerife. And Fañabé beach is the perfect place to do it. Tranquil waters, dark sand, and easy to get to on foot from our hotels. Alternatively, you could hop in the car and drive 10 minutes to one of the island’s most famous beaches: Las Américas, known for its golden sand (brought all the way from the Sahara) and lively seafront promenade.
Barranco del Infierno (or Hell’s Ravine in English)
To finish off your first day, you could take a walk through the Barranco del Infierno ravine in Adeje. It’s a 15-minute drive away, and you need to reserve a space. It’s a designated special nature reserve, so access is only permitted to groups of up to 20 people.
The full tour of Barranco del Infierno ravine takes around three hours, and it’s absolutely worth it.
The rugged, vertiginous rock formations and abundant flora will take your breath away. And if you’re an archaeology fan, there’s more. Caves, engravings and pieces dating back more than 1,000 years have been discovered there.
Day 2: Forests, volcanoes and sea
On the second day it’s time to take in the forests, volcanoes and sea. This rugged island is home to spectacularly diverse landscapes. Our tip? Make sure you pack your hiking boots, comfy clothing, swimwear and towel – as well as a decent coat. This is a place where you could be swimming at the beach, and seeing snowy mountains just a few kilometres away!
Anaga Rural Park
Start your second day with a trip to Anaga Rural Park, where you’ll get the chance to immerse yourself deeper and deeper into the depths of Tenerife. It’s one of the few places in the Canary Islands where laurel forests still exist. More specifically, the Cruz del Carmen zone is the most biodiverse in Europe.
It stands out for its sheer vastness and geological formations, as well as the cliffs, ravines and volcanic dikes. Plus, you can see visit hamlets and see first-hand how humans adapted to the natural surroundings to harness resources, always doing it sustainably.
Benijo beach
Its proximity to the coastline and the summits of Tenerife are enough to make visitors fall head-over-heels in love. Which is precisely why we recommend a trip here after Anaga Rural Park. Benijo is an almost untouched black sand beach, ideal for a run, game of bat and ball, or just lying back and sunbathing if that’s your thing. It takes half an hour by car.
Benijo is a great beach for anyone looking for an adventure. To get there, you need to walk for about 15 minutes along a path with steps. Warning: bear in mind that if you go at high tide, you could be unlucky enough to find all the sand is submerged in water.
Teide National Park
After the beach, it’s time to head back to the mountains. Specifically, Teide National Park. This is where you’ll find Spain’s highest peak, along with one of the most impressive volcanoes in the archipelago.
Over 3,700 metres high, Teide is surrounded by an arid landscape that transports you to another planet. Plus, along the way, you get the chance to see numerous striking plant species – most of them endemic – such as red bugloss, codesos (adenocarpus viscosus) and wallflowers.
And as the day fades to evening you can contemplate a unique sunset, offering unbeatable panoramic views over the Atlantic. When the sun finally sets and the night sky takes over, you’ll get an incredible window to the stars.
Day 3: Road trip through iconic locations
On the last day, finish off your trip in style and hit the road to discover some of Tenerife’s most famous and historic enclaves. Get up early, enjoy a hearty breakfast, and get ready to tour the island.
Garachico
If you’re looking for peace, the sea and streets brimming with architectural treasures, a trip to Garachico – an hour’s drive from Costa Adeje – is going to be one of your favourite things to do in Tenerife.
Originally home to the island’s main commercial port, it was once the island’s capital. It was the point of departure for trading goods with Europe and America in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
But when Trevejo volcano erupted in 1706, most of the town was buried.
Today, its charm lies in the historic quarter and its proximity to the sea. You can get around the town on foot. Immerse yourself in history as you walk along the seafront, and see how the town was reconstructed after the eruption.
Take a dip in the natural pools of El Caletón, carved out by the volcanic remains of Trevejo, or visit other historic sights such as the Castillo de San Miguel. Built in the sixteenth century to protect the town from pirates, it’s now been converted into a museum. Make sure you bring your swimming gear, as well as your thirst for knowledge of the past.
The Drago Milenario tree, in Icod de los Vinos
The next town on your tour is Icod de los Vinos, just 15 minutes by car from Garachico.
The Drago Milenario will be ready and waiting for you at Icod de los Vinos. It’s the oldest and largest living specimen of the dragon tree species. Measuring 17 metres high, this abundant tree served as an inspiration for the archipelago’s ancient inhabitants, who even linked it with their legends. Would you like to know why?
The Canary Island’s forebears called the sap of the plant ‘dragon’s blood’ (it is red after all), and they believed it had magical, healing properties. In strong flowering years, it can also produce up to 1,500 clusters of flowers (known as inflorescences). If you want to see it up close, it’s a good idea to buy a ticket for the Parque del Drago, where you can also discover more of the island’s endemic species.
Puerto de la Cruz
The next stop on your road trip is Puerto de la Cruz, which is half an hour by car from Icod de Los Vinos. It’s one of the Canary Islands’ most important cities, it being one of the first tourist destinations.
In the nineteenth century, the warm temperatures of Puerto de la Cruz attracted visitors from the coldest parts of Europe. This was when the first international travellers started to come to the islands. Puerto de la Cruz also played a prominent role in the tourism boom of the mid-twentieth century, welcoming celebrities like The Beatles and Agatha Christie, among many others.
In Puerto de las Cruz, you can take a lovely walk along the coast with an ice-cream and snap some photos in pretty enclaves like San Telmo hermitage by the sea. And if you come to the town in December or early January, you can have some fun at the attractions at the annual fair.
San Cristóbal de La Laguna
For your final stop, head for La Laguna. Walking through the streets of this city centre is a walk through the history of Tenerife.
It stands out for its rich heritage and influence. La Laguna was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. As you take in the iconic buildings such as the Canary Islands’ very first university, La Laguna Cathedral, and the Nava Palace, you’ll see why it’s so unique.
And here’s another interesting fact. Did you know it was used as an example for the linear city layout of Latin American cities like Cartagena de Indias and Havana?
There’s no better way to enjoy La Laguna than taking a stroll through its streets. Admire the architecture. Have a drink at one of the restaurants in the historic quarter. And, of course, simply breathe in the utterly contagious, fabulous atmosphere of the city. The perfect end to your holiday in Tenerife!
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