8 Best Day Trips from Tenerife

Tenerife is an inexhaustible source of experiences and adventures thanks to its beautiful landscapes and perfect weather all year round. Although it may be tempting to swim in the crystal clear waters of its beaches every day until you catch your flight home, here is a guide to 8 incredible excursions from Tenerife to discover all that this island and the rest of the archipelago has to offer.

Climbing Teide is a must-do activity on any trip to Tenerife, and with this guided excursion to Teide National Park you will explore the volcano with the incredible views of Tenerife at your feet.

What you will do on this excursion

You'll start the day by heading to Teide National Park, passing through deep pine forests on a mountain road. Once you arrive at your destination, your guide will take you to discover the volcanic earth landscapes formed by the erosion of lava.

You will visit the Roques de García, a set of curious rock formations that seem to be sculpted by hand, the most famous of which are 'La Catedral' or 'La Cascada'.

On the trail to the Roques de García you will have the sensation of having been transported to the surface of a distant planet, and you will see volcanic rock twisted and sharpened into impossible shapes, the flora that has grown in this hostile landscape such as broom or wallflower and a varied fauna of lizards, centipedes, praying mantises, dragonflies and beetles.

Then you will climb the volcano on foot or by cable car (in case you have bought the tickets in advance, as they are not included in the tour and are usually sold out very quickly) and from a point near the top you will look out over the incredible views of Tenerife that you can see from the top.

Why I recommend this excursion

Whether on an organized excursion or on your own, visiting the Teide National Park is a must on your trip to Tenerife. The advantages of this activity are several: you will not have to plan the route on your own and you make sure not to miss the most impressive places of the reserve, and you will be picked up at your hotel and provided with transportation to and from the Park. Also, considering the price of the excursion it is totally worth saving the extra effort of organizing it yourself.

Also, something quite relevant is that you need to ask for a permit to climb Teide (it is done with an online application), but you won't need it if you go on an organized excursion.

Different options of Teide excursions

• Excursion to Teide and Masca Valley in Tenerife - from $57
• Quad excursion to Teide - from $83.
• Astronomical excursion to Teide by night - from $96.

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If you want to explore some of the most emblematic corners of Tenerife in a single day, this excursion is perfect for you. From stunning volcanic scenery to picturesque coastal villages, you will enjoy a day full of contrasts and unforgettable views.

What you will do on this excursion

You will start the day with a visit to Icod de los Vinos, home of the famous Drago Milenario, an iconic tree with more than 800 years of history. Afterwards, you will continue to Los Gigantes, where you can marvel at its imposing cliffs over 600 meters high.

The route continues to Puerto de la Cruz, one of the most charming towns on the island, ideal for strolling through its old town and enjoying the coastal atmosphere. Finally, you will visit Candelaria, a place of great cultural and religious importance, where the Basilica of the Virgin of Candelaria, patron saint of the Canary Islands, is located.

Why I recommend this tour

Touring Tenerife in a single day and discovering its most emblematic landscapes is a unique experience. From the majesty of the ancient dragon tree to the immensity of the cliffs of Los Gigantes, this excursion combines nature, culture and tradition in a very complete itinerary. In addition, visiting Puerto de la Cruz and Candelaria will allow you to get to know the soul of the island, with its history, its gastronomy and its most picturesque corners.

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If you want to discover another of the jewels of the Canary archipelago, this excursion takes you to La Palma, known as "La Isla Bonita" for its spectacular scenery, lush vegetation and volcanic history.

What you will do on this excursion

From Tenerife, you will travel by ferry to Santa Cruz de La Palma, where you will begin your visit by exploring its picturesque old town. Then, you will head to the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, an impressive natural area with deep ravines and panoramic viewpoints.

You will also visit the famous salt flats of Fuencaliente, where the contrast of sea, salt and volcanic soil create a unique landscape. In addition, you will visit some of the areas affected by the last volcanic eruption of 2021, an impressive experience that will allow you to see the force of nature.

Why I recommend this excursion

If you want to get to know one of the most impressive islands of the Canary Islands, this excursion to La Palma is a perfect opportunity. Its combination of volcanic landscapes, lush forests and charming villages makes it a unique destination. The visit to the Caldera de Taburiente National Park and the areas affected by the eruption of 2021 will allow you to understand the power of nature and the beauty of this island.

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If you are looking for an exciting activity at sea, a jet ski tour is the ideal choice. Sail along the coast of Tenerife at full speed, discover hidden coves and feel the adrenaline as you ride the waves of the Atlantic.

What you will do on this excursion

After a brief introduction and safety briefing, you will start your jet ski and begin your adventure through the crystal clear waters of Tenerife. During the tour, you will enjoy spectacular views of the cliffs and, with a little luck, you may spot dolphins and other marine species.

You can choose between different routes and durations, from short rides to longer excursions that take you to discover secret corners of the coast. No previous experience is necessary, as the guide will give you all the necessary instructions to enjoy the tour in complete safety.

Why I recommend this excursion

If you are looking for an experience full of excitement, touring the coast of Tenerife on a jet ski is a perfect option. Feeling the speed over the waves, discovering hidden coves and, with luck, spotting dolphins in their natural habitat makes this activity unforgettable. It is ideal both for those who want a dose of adrenaline and for those who want to explore the sea in a different way.

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The best way to discover the whole island of Tenerife and all its charming corners: in this complete tour of the island of Tenerife you will visit the incredible landscapes of the Teide, villages lost in time and rural communities with ancient trees.

What you will do on this tour

Your adventure begins with a pick-up at your hotel and a drive through Vilaflor to the Cañadas del Teide, a stunning national park crowned by the majestic Teide, declared a World Heritage Site in 2007. Here, the volcanic landscapes seem from another planet, with rock formations sculpted by lava. Afterwards, you will cross the Orotava Valley until you reach Icod de los Vinos, where you can admire the famous ancient dragon tree, symbol of Tenerife, and enjoy a typical Canarian lunch in a local restaurant.

The route continues to the north of the island with a stop in Garachico, a charming village with cobblestone streets and views of the Roque de Garachico. Then, you will enter the Teno Massif to visit Masca, a historic pirate refuge located between towering ravines at an altitude of 750 meters. During the tour, you will make several stops at strategic viewpoints to capture the beauty of the scenery before returning to your hotel.

Why I recommend this excursion

This is a very popular experience with very good value for money, showing you the main sites of the island and some of its most charming villages in a perfectly organized route.

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La Gomera keeps all your attention on the inland landscapes and its impressive Garajonay National Park, a place that is already worth a trip to La Gomera from Tenerife.

What you will do on this excursion

Departing by ferry from Puerto Colón in the south of Tenerife, with a previous pick-up at your hotel, you will arrive in San Sebastián de La Gomera, capital of this island.

There you will head for the Garajonay National Park, in whose interior you will find the laurel forest, unique in the Canary Islands and protected by UNESCO, which at the dawn of human civilization was the most common type of vegetation in Europe.

Making a short route through this beautiful park you will ascend to the viewpoint of Degollada de Peraza to enjoy wonderful views of the Barranco de la Laja and the water dams of Chejelipes.

You will continue to the villages of Las Rosas and Agulo in the north of La Gomera, where you will stop at a restaurant to enjoy the typical food of the island while they show you the silbo gomero, a method of communication used by the aborigines of the island and that has been adapted to Castilian over the centuries.

After lunch, you will return to San Sebastián de la Gomera passing by important places in the life of Christopher Columbus such as the Torre del Conde or the Casa de Colón, and the villages of Chipude and El Cercado. Once back, you will take the ferry to Tenerife and you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Why I recommend this excursion

Visiting La Gomera is a perfect activity for a trip of a week or more days to Tenerife, so if you have time to spare I recommend you not to miss this complete organized excursion for its good value for money and its great guides.

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The Anaga peak is in the northwest corner of Tenerife, and is accessed through San Cristobal de La Laguna. It is one of my favorite places on the island, because besides being a very beautiful area it is one of the least touristy and less visited, so an excursion to Anaga Peak always promises an unforgettable day.

What you will do on this excursion

Departing from your hotel in Tenerife, you will take the road to San Cristobal de La Laguna (or, as the locals know it, simply La Laguna) where you will take a short walk to visit the city's main market and learn about the different varieties of potatoes used in Canarian gastronomy.

You will head to the laurel forest of Mercedes, one of the most beautiful on the island, and begin the ascent route to Anaga Peak and continue to the northern tip of Tenerife. There, you will rest and have a picnic on the beach of Roque de las Bodegas, the perfect setting to take a picture for Instagram.

You will head back to the Anaga peak and visit another beach, Las Teresitas, special for having been built with sand from the Sahara, and where the scenery with palm trees transports you for a moment to a faraway place.

To end the excursion, you will pass through Santa Cruz de Tenerife and visit its impressive harbor and make a last stop in Candelaria, famous for the Black Virgin that houses its basilica. Afterwards, you will return to your hotel with the fullness of having enjoyed a day you will always remember.

Why I recommend this excursion

As I said before, this area of Tenerife is one of the least visited by tourists, so it always promises a very easy experience to enjoy. In addition, the beauty of the beaches and the viewpoints to which you will look out are perfect places to capture in a photograph that will always remain in your memory.

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Take the ferry for an excursion to El Hierro and tour its viewpoints: at each of them an unforgettable view of the land and the sea awaits you, so beautiful that you will find it hard to believe that it is not hand-painted.

What you will do on this excursion

A local guide will accompany you on a tour of El Hierro's most amazing sites, starting at the La Peña viewpoint in the north of the island, from where you have beautiful views of the El Golfo valley and its endless fields of grapes and other local fruits.

The second stop is the viewpoint of Jinama, which will offer you quite a contrast in its views of the bay of El Golfo and its steep cliffs of volcanic rock, on which you can see lost buildings and remote hermitages giving you the feeling of being lost on an almost deserted island.

Then it's time to make a route through the Rural Park of Frontera and walk, literally, on history: there you will see the laurel forest, a unique ecosystem of the Canary Islands and protected by UNESCO. You will arrive at a local restaurant and taste a menu of typical food such as potatoes with mojo, grilled cheese, rabbit or escaldón de gofio.

In the evening you will visit the Candelaria Church, a small church of white walls with a beautiful bell tower on a mountain and visit the natural pool of La Maceta, formed by the sea and one of the most popular places for swimming among locals and tourists.

Before catching the ferry back to Tenerife you will visit the Hotel Punta Grande, a tiny black stone hotel on the edge of a cliff.

Why I recommend this excursion

Although neither the ferry ticket nor lunch are included in the price, organizing this excursion on your own would be even more expensive than paying for the activity and those two extras. Therefore, this is the best option since the route of the excursion seems ideal and the price is one of the cheapest you can find for an excursion to El Hierro from Tenerife.

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