Things to do in Tenerife

Why go to Tenerife

• Mount Teide National Park

  Hike or cable-car up Spain's highest peak through an alien volcanic moonscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that stops you cold.

• Loro Parque, Puerto de la Cruz

  World-class zoo and marine park famous for its orca shows, gorillas, and giant penguin habitat, easily a full day.

• Masca Village & Gorge

  A hair-raising mountain road leads to a photogenic pirate village perched in dramatic ravines above the Atlantic.

• Siam Park, Costa Adeje

  Repeatedly voted the world's best water park, with towering slides and a wave pool that genuinely thrills adults and kids alike.

• Anaga Rural Park

  Ancient laurel forest draped in mist hiding secret beaches and Guanche heritage, one of Europe's most biodiverse corners.

Good to know in Tenerife

• TITSA buses cover the entire island cheaply, a 10-trip Bono card cuts fares by ~30% and costs around $14; the 343 bus connects the airport to Santa Cruz for under $3.
• Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory in the Canaries, rounding up or leaving 5-10% at sit-down restaurants is generous by local standards; cafés expect nothing.
• Tap water in Tenerife is technically safe but heavily desalinated and tastes poor, locals buy bottled water; a 5-liter jug from a supermarket costs under $1, far cheaper than café bottles.
• The TEA (Tenerife Espacio de las Artes) museum in Santa Cruz is free every Sunday, and Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre (Guanche mummies) has free entry on Sunday afternoons.

Trip essentials