If you plan on spending around one week in Tenerife and want to make the most of it, here’s the best itinerary in Tenerife.
Located in the Canary Islands, Tenerife is a true gem of the Atlantic, offering a mix of breathtaking volcanic landscapes, turquoise waters and impressive viewpoints.
So, here’s a list of the best things to do in Lanzarote, from the Teide National Park to the stunning Las Teresitas beach and the unique natural swimming pools.
If you need a longer itinerary, I’ll also suggest additional activities to make the most of your trip.
Now, let’s dive into this itinerary !
- Day One : Playa de Las Teresitas – Playa de Las Graviotas – Playa de Benijo – Almáciga beach
- Day Two : Roque path Taborno – Parque rural de Anaga – Mirador Punta del Hidalgo – Natural swimming pool – San Cristobal de La Laguna
- Day Three : La Otorava – Paisaje Protegido de Rambla de Castro – Charco de la Laja – Secret Charco (coordinates written below !) – Drago de Icod de Los Vinos – Garachico
- Day Four : Teide National Park (Tarta viewpoint) – Los Gigantes – Playa de la Arena – Charco del Diablo
- Day Five : Playa Amarilla – Piscinas Los Abrigos – Playa de la Tejita – Playa del medano – Arco de Tajao
- Looking for more recommendations ? I’ll list some other places to visit if you have more time on the island
Note : This itinerary is planned as a Tenerife road trip, offering the freedom to explore at your own pace while making the most of your time on the island.
If you are looking to rent a van, I strongly recommend booking with ArenalCampers, they have great campers, perfect for exploring the island !
There is a sink, an outdoor shower, tinted windows and even a big fridge for all of your snacks !
Big plus for all the secured storage, nothing will move while you’re driving, and it is nicely decorated, you will feel like it’s home.
Here is their number in case you need to contact them :
Day One
We’ll start this itinerary after picking up a van in Santa Cruz, then we’ll head up the northeast coast, following the coastline as we make our way around the island over the week.
Begin your first day with the some of the best beaches in Tenerife to get a taste of the island diversity : black sand beach, palm tree and turquoise waters or even mountains at the feet of the ocean.
Circuit : 4 stops, 1h drive
Note : If you land in Tenerife South Airport, you can take the Titsa Bus line 10 to Santa Cruz. It costs 9,35€ and you can pay with card directly in the bus.
We arrived in the evening and spent our first night in the van at Playa Las Teresitas — and what a view to wake up to !
With its golden sand, turquoise waters, and a red mountain rising right at the ocean’s edge, it looks like one of those iconic beaches in Rio de Janeiro. It’s the perfect place for a stroll under the palm trees and a refreshing swim.
14 minutes from Las Teresitas is Playa Las Gaviotas, a small black sand beach popular with locals (clothing-optional !). This is an authentic and secluded little piece of paradise :
Now let’s take the road to the North coast. In about 40 minutes of beautiful landscapes along the way, you will reach the wild black sand Playa de Almáciga.
Now let’s hit the road toward the north coast. After about 40 minutes of winding through beautiful landscapes, you’ll arrive at the wild black-sand beach of Playa de Almáciga : a dramatic stretch of coastline where mountains meet the Atlantic :
Day Two
Circuit : 4 stops, 2 hours total including the drive from Playa de Almáciga the night before.
Roque de Taborno is a gem of a hike in the Anaga Mountains. This 2-hour circular hike offers stunning views of the lush green cliffs and the Atlantic Ocean.
Try to go there early as there are not many parking spots and they fill up pretty quick.
Well this one I didn’t count as a stop because you will drive in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve on your way from Roque Path Taborno to Punta de Hidalgo. The Anaga Rural Park is a lush mountainous region with many hike available in its forest.
After 45 minutes of driving in the Rural Park of Anaga, you will arrive at your next stop : Mirador de Punta Del Hidalgo.
This is the perfect place for a break or even for a lunch stop in front of the Atlantic Ocean, watching the waves crash on the coast :
Now onto some swimming and tanning after a well deserved lunch break, plus it is only 4 minutes away from the Mirador.
The Natural Swimming Pool of Punta del Hidalgo has been one of our favorite spots in Tenerife.
Carved out by lava and shaped by the sea, this natural pool is perfect to swim safely in the clear and refreshing waters of the ocean. How do I know it’s an authentic spot? It’s full of locals — and barely a tourist in sight!
Note that it is completely free to access, and there are indoors showers and toilets available nearby !
Last stop of the day, located 25 minutes from the natural pool, is the charming town of San Cristóbal De La Laguna. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is perfect to wander before dinner, discover the colorful colonial buildings and the island’s oldest university.
Day Three
Circuit : 6 stops, 1h20 drive
Perfect for a morning coffee, La Orotava is a charming town full of Canarian character. You will encounter wooden balconies, cobbled streets, and lush gardens. Don’t miss the Marquesado de la Quinta Roja Garden, offering great views over the ocean.
A 10-minute drive will take you to Paisaje Protegido de Rambla de Castro. This trail, winding through palm groves, has been one of our favourite !
This coastal walk offers breathtaking ocean views, plus you’ll get to see the ruins of the old Castro estate. Can you spot the waterfall in the picture below ?
Less than 10 minutes from the trail is a beautiful natural pool : Charco de la Laja. Google Maps will say it is closed, but you can still access it (at your own risk as said on the sign at the entrance), and we saw some people swimming but I wouldn’t recommend it if there are big waves/high tide.
Ok this one is a bit of an adventure !
First I’d suggest parking your car here 28°23’49.0″N 16°39’22.2″W (it is less than 3 minutes from the other Charco).
Then, follow the dirt road until you see a barrier/guardrail. Keep going on the road WITH the barrier. From there, the path will be easy to spot and will lead you directly to the natural pool.
Take some good walking shoes as it is a bit steep and rocky, but you will be rewarded by a secret pool surrounded by volcanic rocks only known by locals.
On your way to Garachico, around 10 minutes from the previous stop, stop at Drago De Icod De Los Vinos. This is where stands the legendary Drago Milenario (called that because it is estimated to be over 800 years old). This dragon tree is a symbol of the Tenerife’s natural heritage.
Note that this is the ONLY paid attraction of this itinerary, everything else is free !
Entrance fee : 5€ for adults, 3€ for students
Opening hours : Everyday from 8am to 6pm.
Lest stop of the day is Garachico, 13 minutes away from the secret natural pool. This town was once Tenerife’s most important port, and rose from the ashes—literally—after a volcanic eruption in 1706. Today, it is a cute seaside town with colourful houses and lava-rock pools.
Day Four
Circuit : 3 stops, 2h25min drive
Note: If you’re not planning to drive on a steep, narrow, and winding mountain road, it’s best to avoid taking the route through the southern tip of the island (you won’t see Punta de Teno lighthouse, or the little mountain village of Masca). Instead, use the main roads that loop around the island for a faster, safer and more comfortable drive to reach Teide National Park.
For this fourth day, let’s spend the day at the Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to Spain’s highest peak and some of the most surreal landscapes in the Canary Islands.
First mandatory stop : Roques de García that you can see in the second picture below. Many paths are available to discover the area, but be warned, it is very windy !
Another spot very much worth the detour is La Tarta Viewpoint, you literally be ABOVE THE CLOUDS :
Last but not least, I would recommend making a stop (maybe even a lunch break?) at Minas de San José. With its greenish ground and dark volcanic rocks, it looks like you landed on Mars.
Even driving in the park is incredible:
Tip : Bring enough water for a day and picnic in your car as there is nothing really once you entre the National Park.
To end this active day spent at the Teide National Park, head south to enjoy a beautiful sunset. Los Gigantes are located 35 minutes from the entrance of the National Park. These dramatic cliffs towering up to 600 meters above the ocean are impressive natural wonders.
A nice spot to see the cliffs is at the Mirador Archipenque (plus the surroundings are amazing, as you can see in the pictures below), but they can also be admired from a boat or kayak tour.
Located just 5 minutes from the mirador, Playa de la Arena is a small black-sand beach, perfect for enjoying the sunset and the view of Los Gigantes.
5 minutes from the mirador and you will arrive to Charco del Diablo, another volcanic pool, and another great spot to admire Los Gigantes.
Day Five
Circuit : 4 stops, 23min drive
Perfect place for a morning view ? Playa Amarilla. A unique spot where yellow lava cliffs meet the sea. It is not a sand beach, but there are some flat rock platforms, perfect for sunbathing or reading a book.
15 minutes of driving will take you to Piscinas Naturales de Los Abrigos, natural pools surrounded by volcanic rock that you can find after a short walk.
4 minuted from the previous stop and you will get to the beautiful beach of Playa de la Tejita, stretching alongside the red volcanic mountain, Montaña Roja.This is one of the longest natural beaches in Tenerife and with golden sand this time !
Right nearby, you can enjoy some hikes in sandy paths behind Montaña Roja. You just have to park at Parking Montaña Roja and follow the trails.
Seconds from Playa de la Tejita is Playa Del Médano, a favorite among wind lovers because of its consistent breeze.
It is such a nice beach to observe windsurfers, kiteboarders while at a café located between two surf shops.
If you are looking for more places to visit in Tenerife, consider spending a day in the south to visit Masca, a beautiful village perched high in the Teno Mountains and surrounded by cliffs and deep ravines. While you are in the south, you can head to Punta de Teno, the island’s westernmost tip, with its lighthouse and coastal views (opening hours are from 9am to 5pm).
In the north, you can do the beautiful trail of El Pijaral. You will need a permit for this protected area that you can request here. The path winds through dense greenery and ends at a breathtaking viewpoint over the cliffs and sea.
Finally, on the west coast, you can stop by the Arco de Tajao, a stone arch carved by the wind and erosion. It is just a few minutes of walking from the main road and you can park all along.
That’s it for my one week itinerary in Tenerife ! Between the volcanic landscapes, the stunning beaches and lush nature, the island has a lot of things to see and do, you won’t be bored a second ! If you need more information about what to know before going to the Canarias, you can check out this article.
I have also made a post about the best one week itinerary in Lanzarote, click here to check it out !
If you need a custom itinerary, you can fill this form and I’ll make your own personalised itinerary.
