The 15 best things to do in Tenerife

16.12.2024 - 10:21 / lonelyplanet.com / El Teide

Dec 15, 2024 • 11 min read

A vision of eerie volcanic peaks, misty laurel forests and Atlantic-whipped shorelines, soulful Tenerife tempts with much more than its balmy weather and beach-vacation buzz. 

On the largest island in Spain’s Canary Islands, you can meander around neighborhood markets and linger at low-key terrace cafes before diving into cutting-edge art, local crafts and regional architecture, or head out hiking, cycling, surfing and more. And it's all set against a spectacular natural backdrop that feels unlike anywhere else on earth. So it is no surprise that while Tenerife remains a top destination for vacationing families and anyone looking for a coastal break, it is also increasingly popular among adventure-loving travellers. 

From the cultural thrills of the dynamic capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife to otherworldly hikes and visits to high-altitude vineyards, here’s are the best things to do in Tenerife.

Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron – in collaboration with Canarian Virgilio Gutiérrez – are behind the boundary-pushing design of Tenerife Espacio de las Artes. On the edge of Santa Cruz’s historic center, the island’s unmissable art gallery is housed in a bold concrete-clad building inspired by the surrounding volcanic landscapes. Free guided tours offer a detailed introduction to the TEA’s wonders (including a dramatic glass-walled library) and topical exhibitions, which often showcase works by emerging Spanish artists.

Opposite the TEA, the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción is one of Tenerife’s oldest churches (built in the 1490s), while a 10-minute stroll south takes you to the wave-shaped Auditorio de Tenerife, designed by Santiago Calatrava. Santa Cruz also has one of the liveliest street-art scenes in the Canaries, particularly around the old town. 

Detour: Puerto de la Cruz’s Museo de Arte Contemporáneo is another treat for art fiends, set in a 17th-century customs house.

Few visitors can resist the pull of Spain’s highest peak, 3718m (12,198ft) El Teide, which rises at the core of the eerily beautiful, UNESCO-protected Parque Nacional del Teide. This is the country’s most-visited national park, so it pays to arrive early or linger later into the afternoon. And you can still sidestep the bulk of the crowds by hiking out along rewarding trails that plunge across a silent lava-shaped valley or track up near-deserted volcanic cones.

Anyone planning to hike to El Teide’s summit will need to book permits and (if needed) cable car tickets as far ahead as possible. It's around 40 minutes to the top from the upper cable car station at 3555m (11,663ft) along the Sendero Telesforo Bravo path, or five hours (9km/5.5 miles) if you hike all the way up from the foot of