Five-Day Tenerife Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

This five-day Tenerife itinerary is based on our own winter trip to the island. We came for the sun, escaping mud season back in France, but as we’re not lounge-by-the-pool people, we knew we wanted adventure, too.

We split our time between volcanic hikes, Michelin-starred meals, and freezing our faces off while stargazing in Teide National Park.

Tenerife is beautiful, but it’s also humbling. Unless you are the pool party type, it does require some planning to make the most efficient use of your time.

If you’re ready for laurel forests, potential whale sightings, and an excellent local food scene, Tenerife delivers. Steal my guide to five days in Tenerife to help you plan your trip!

How many days do you need in Tenerife?

Five days is enough to see Tenerife highlights like Barranco del Infierno, Teide, Los Gigantes, and Anaga Rural Park, with a mix of hiking, beaches, and local cuisine. You can see quite a bit with less time, but it’d be best to focus on one major area per day. 

Renting a car is essential to maximize your time either way. Tenerife isn’t huge, but it is the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, with inefficient public transit.

When is the best month to go to Tenerife?

Tenerife enjoys mild, spring-like weather almost year-round, but your experience will vary depending on your priorities:

• Winter (December–February): Expect mild temperatures (18-22°C/65-72°F), ideal for hiking and whale watching. This isn’t really a low season, as you get lots of Europeans escaping the cold. 
• Spring (March–May): Warming temperatures and blooming landscapes make spring a nice time for outdoor activities.
• Summer (June–August): It’s much hotter (up to 30°C/86°F in the south) and busier, but ideal for beach days. Be prepared for crowded resorts and high prices.
• Autumn (September–November): Warm seas, slightly fewer crowds than summer, and great sunsets make fall a nice time to visit Tenerife. Hurricane season isn’t a concern.

The Ideal 5-Day Tenerife Itinerary

You can spend five days in Tenerife like this:

• Hike a dramatic ravine.
• Hang out on the island’s black beaches.
• Go whale-watching.
• Eat traditional Tenerife cuisine.
• Explore Mount Teide. 
• See a very old “tree” in Icod de los Vinos.
• Visit the Los Gigantes cliffs.
• Wander the laurel forests of Anaga.

If you can, fly in the night before your itinerary officially starts.

We landed midday at Tenerife South Airport, grabbed our rental car, and drove straight to our accommodations. We stayed at the Aparthotel Perla Gris in the Callao Salvaje area of Costa Adeje, about a five‑minute walk from Playa de Ajabo. 

I wouldn’t plan anything ambitious upon arrival. If you’re following our lead and staying on this side of the island, traffic around Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas can be chaotic, especially in the evenings.

Pick up a few groceries if you’d like, hit the pool if it’s early enough, or enjoy a sunset stroll to reserve enough energy for your first full day.

Day 1: Barranco del Infierno and Costa Adeje

I’m assuming a full first day, and that you have a buffer day set aside for arriving on the island and getting yourself settled. Feel free to move things around in this guide based on your plans.

If you’re visiting in the summer, you may want to kick things off with a beach day. Have at it!

We were visiting in the winter, so our trip wasn’t spent poolside. Winter is a great time to adventure around the island, though. I get into all of that in my guide to visiting Tenerife in the winter. 

As such, our first day kicked things off with adventure. Staying in Costa Adeje meant easy access to Barranco del Infierno, just a 15-minute drive from our resort. 

Try to book a time slot before 9:30am — ours was at 9am — to give yourself plenty of time for the hike. The trails shut down by midday.

Note: We parked where they told us to in a cheap lot a few minutes’ walk away, but the walk from the lot was the steepest part of the whole day. There is some free street parking along the way, but I wouldn’t count on this, especially if you’re on a later tour time.

The hike itself is nearly four miles (6.4 km) and moderately challenging. There’s some climbing, but nothing too extreme. The waterfall at the end is more of a trickle and reminded me of “waterfalls” in San Diego, but the scenery along the ravine is stunning.

Afterward, we decided to unwind back at the hotel. We had every intention of eating our packed lunch on the trail, but you’re not allowed to eat near the waterfall, and there aren’t many spots to stop on the way back.

Instead, we parked ourselves on the loungers of the resort and ate there.

Brian doesn’t love relaxing for too long, so he tested out our hotel pool while I read and did some work. I wasn’t brave enough. Again, we were here in winter, and the temperatures just weren’t warm enough for me to bother with swimming!

After a relaxing afternoon, we decided to work up an appetite for our blowout dinner with a stroll along Playa de la Enramada.

Tenerife is known for its black sand beaches, and I can appreciate the dramatic vistas they offer. We walked all the way up to the Mirador de las Palomas to see the town all lit up.

For dinner, we had a meal booked at Restaurante El Rincón de Juan Carlos, one of the best restaurants on the island. Two Michelin stars meant we weren’t eating cheap, but we were celebrating my name day, essentially another birthday for Poles.

It was incredible, with one of the best first courses we’ve ever had. The meal ended with a cotton candy tree and so many sweets. We learned after that you could box up your sweets, which would’ve been smart considering how full we were when we forced them. 

READ MORE: Foodies, Crete is another island that offers up some delicious eats. Check out my guide for why you should go!

My only complaint was the bread service. Two pieces of regular type bread cost an extra €9 per person, which, once you’ve lived in France for a while, you question. 

Otherwise, the service and food were great, and I loved that it was in a hotel that looked like a cruise ship. Book tables in advance. There are two other Michelin-starred restaurants inside, too!

For a more low-key option, we liked going out for Indian food near our resort. Masala was cheap, with plentiful naan. Ganges Tandoori was our preferred spot, even though they lost power while we were seated. The flavors were fantastic!

Day 2: Whale Watching

Tenerife is a great whale-watching destination year-round, so if you’re at all into marine life, you’ll want to book a tour ahead of your trip to meet the local friends here. Time your tour for the morning for the best chance at calmer seas, especially in winter.

Our tour left from Puerto Colón, but you may see others from Los Gigantes. We took a catamaran, which is great for a leisurely tour, as you’re mostly idling along the coast, but it’s not great for seasickness. 

READ MORE: Despite how I felt when that boat was rockin’, I’d still recommend a tour. Check out my full review!

Winter is a good time to spot migrating whales, but our trip was limited to dolphins and chonky pilot whales. It was still pretty magical to see!

Our tour included sandwiches, but I wasn’t ready to eat on the boat. Instead, after docking, we walked from Puerto Colón to Ocean’s Restaurant.

It’s a touristy spot, but the food was reliable. I had a nice salad, and Brian got fish and chips. The prices were fair, and it was a convenient stop after the catamaran.

After lunch, you can continue walking to Playa de las Américas, one of Tenerife’s most touristy spots. We didn’t spend much time here, but I’m not going to pretend like the people-watching wasn’t excellent. It just wasn’t our scene.

If you want to linger, you can grab a coffee, cold drink, or snack along the promenade while taking in views of the ocean and watching said people. 

If you have more time, there are small beaches where you can relax, or you can wander through the streets to see some of the busier bars and cafes. Alternatively, if you’re feeling seasick and need some downtime, you can do so back at the resort. 

After people-watching, we relaxed for a bit before freshening up for dinner in Adeje.

Restaurante La Rambla was our pick as an introduction to Tenerife cuisine. They’re known for garlic fried chicken, which did not disappoint, but the Canarian rabbit was a highlight, too. 

The service was friendly, and the vibe felt local. If this spot is too busy, there are two others on the same street that were buzzing and also serve fried chicken. It was a fun night away from the regular tourist strip.

Day 3: Teide National Park

Today is all about Teide, where the landscapes resemble moonscapes more than beachy panoramas. 

From Costa Adeje, it takes about an hour to reach Teide National Park. The drive itself is part of the experience, so stop wherever you feel like. We paused at the Queen’s Shoe rock formation to admire a rock formation that I suppose did, in fact, resemble a shoe.

You’ll wind through pine forests before the terrain shifts into lava fields and otherworldly rock formations.

Note: If you’re visiting in winter, as we did, bring layers. It can be significantly colder at altitude!

We started with the Roques de García trail, a relatively easy loop of about two miles (3.5 km) with big payoff views.

The rock formations here are surreal, especially Roques de García, with the iconic Roque Cinchado leaning dramatically against the backdrop of Mount Teide.

It’s an easy trail overall, but the terrain is rocky and uneven in spots. Wear proper shoes! You’ll want to get there early, too. The parking lot was awful by the time we got back from hiking.

If you want to go higher, you can take the cable car to the summit of Mount Teide. You’ll need to book in advance, especially in peak season. In the winter months, trips up are frequently canceled due to high winds, so we didn’t bother planning for it.

For those who want to hike all the way to the summit crater, you need a permit, and those sell out weeks (sometimes months) in advance.

We skipped the summit hike because it’s only open to expert hikers in the winter months with proper gear, like ice picks and whatnot.

After the Roques de García trail, we continued on our scenic drive, stopping at several spots:

• La Ruleta Vista Point: This is an easy stop near Roques de García with sweeping views of Teide and the surrounding formations.
• Mirador El Tabonal Negro: See views of dark volcanic rock fields that show off the island’s raw geology.
• Minas de San José: This one was SO windy. There’s a hike here, but it wasn’t super well marked, and between the cold and the gusts, we didn’t linger long. The landscape is beautiful, though, almost desert-like. 
• Mirador de los Poleos: This is another worthwhile pull-off for expansive views across the caldera.

There aren’t many dining options inside the park. We packed snacks and water to have throughout the day. If you’d rather sit down somewhere more substantial, you could head back down toward Vilaflor or return to Costa Adeje for a late lunch.

If you have the energy, consider returning to Teide for stargazing after dark.

Fun fact: Teide is one of the best stargazing spots in the world thanks to low light pollution and high elevation.

You can either book a guided stargazing tour or drive up independently and park at one of the designated viewpoints. We booked a tour, and since we saw a group stranded up there, unable to turn their electric car back on, I’d recommend you do the same!

Just note that it gets REALLY cold up there. Bring a coat, even in summer, unless you want to rely on the gear provided by your tour.

Most of the stargazing tours include dinner. Here’s the tour we booked. If you’d like to shop around, here are a few more options:

If you want a more relaxed night, head back for a walk along Playa de Abajo and sunset drinks at L’Osteria Sea. It’s an Italian restaurant, but we were there for their cheap wine. For dinner, El Ancla is casual, with fresh catches of the day. I liked their tuna tartare!

Day 4: Icod de los Vinos and Los Gigantes

Today takes you west and slightly north along the coast. From Costa Adeje, it’s about an hour to Icod de los Vinos and roughly 35-40 minutes from there to Los Gigantes. The drive is scenic, with dramatic stretches of ocean views along the TF-46 and TF-42.

To minimize backtracking, start in Icod in the morning and end in Los Gigantes for sunset.

Following this Tenerife itinerary that way, your first stop is Icod de los Vinos, a quieter town in the north known for wine, traditional architecture, and its famous dragon tree.

The plaza near Drago Milenario, the thousand-year-old-ish dragon tree, is the best way to see the tree for free.

Fun fact: Dragon trees don’t have growth rings like other trees, so their age is hard to determine precisely. Even more interesting? It’s not technically a tree at all, but a giant succulent. Its red sap, known as “dragon’s blood,” was once used as medicine, dye, and even varnish.

You can also pay to enter the botanical park for closer views, but it was rainy up there when we visited, so we opted for a museum nearby. Casa del Plátano, also known as the Banana Museum, is a quick but informative stop. 

Tenerife’s banana industry is a huge part of the island’s economy. The exhibits explain how cultivation works, why Canarian bananas are smaller and sweeter, and how volcanic soil shapes flavor. 

You get a banana with your ticket, too, along with tastings of banana liqueur and wine if you’d like. Don’t leave without tasting their old-fashioned donuts, banana-flavored, naturally. I think we ate four of them apiece.

That banana was just an appetizer. We walked to Pizzeria Family next for pies with unique toppings and flavors. Their Mexican pizza topped with tortilla chips was my jam. We were STUFFED after, so there may have been some waddling back to the car. 

From Icod, you can drive down to Los Gigantes, one of the most visually dramatic spots on the island. The town sits beneath the towering Acantilados de Los Gigantes, massive cliffs that rise 600 meters from the sea. 

Before heading into town, stop at Mirador Archipenque for one of the best panoramic views of the cliffs and coastline. We parked just past the mirador on the side of the road, but there isn’t much parking here.

After the viewpoints, we walked down toward Puerto de Santiago and made our way to Playa de los Guíos, the black sand beach beneath the cliffs.

It was super wavy the day we visited. A few kids were wading, but no one was swimming. The cliffs towering behind the beach are the real draw here.

Next door, you’ll see Los Gigantes Beach Club, which was a little pricey for us after that Michelin splurge. We didn’t stop in, but it could be a good option if you want a longer, loungier afternoon.

If you didn’t have pizza, La Sangria in town is cheap and solid for casual eats. We had tall burgers and salads (I went for salad, Brian went burger) on a return trip to Los Gigantes later that week.

From here, we headed toward a coastal trail that passed near Piscina Natural Acantilado de Los Gigantes. I wouldn’t recommend swimming in the natural pools here at all. 

There was an accident that resulted in several drownings there in December 2025, and the spot has been sealed off to swimmers since. Avoid advice online, particularly on Google Maps reviews, that tells you otherwise. The promenade is lovely, though.

After Los Gigantes, it’s about 40-45 minutes back to Costa Adeje. If you time it right, sunset near the cliffs or along the drive back can be spectacular. 

We weren’t hungry after our enormous late pizza lunch. You can either hang out in Los Gigantes — Tas-K was on our list for tapas — or find somewhere casual back in Costa Adeje.

Day 5: Anaga Rural Park

On your last day, head north into the lush, mountainous corner of the island. From Costa Adeje, it’s about an hour and 15 minutes to reach Anaga Rural Park. 

This is one of the most dramatic drives of the trip. The road winds through sharp ridges and misty forest, with constant switchbacks. If there are any passenger princesses in your group who get carsick, sit them up front.

Anaga feels like a completely different island, with dense laurel forests, mossy trees, and sharp green peaks plunging into the ocean.

Start with a scenic stop at Mirador Cruz del Carmen, one of the easiest-access viewpoints in the park. From here, you can access a few short walking trails if you don’t want a full hike.

We liked the Sendero de los Sentidos (Path of the Senses). There are several loops you can choose from here that take you through a thick, almost prehistoric forest.

Path of the Senses 3 is the longest, and the one we chose, but none of these trails are that difficult.

There’s a reason why it’s so lush here. It rains a lot. Like, every time we traveled north during our time in Tenerife, it rained on us. I’m not trying to dissuade you at all. Just hike prepared with the right gear.

If you’re planning to spend most of your day hiking in Anaga, pack a lunch. There aren’t many reliable dining options deep in the park, and having sandwiches or snacks lets you eat at a viewpoint without worrying about timing. 

If you’re up for something more adventurous, continue to Roque de Taborno, often called the “Matterhorn of Anaga.”

I have a detailed guide to the hike for you to peruse, but briefly, parking is in the tiny village of Taborno, and there isn’t much of it.

The views on this hike are awesome, but as you’ll read in my guide, it can get harrowing up there if you arrive with a chance of inclement weather.  

After your hike, you can head down toward Santa Cruz de Tenerife, about 45 minutes away, or you can head back to your accommodations. We were covered in mud and slick with the rain we got stuck in up there, so we were in no shape to do any more this day.

If you do want to check out the city, you can check out the Plaza de España, the area near the Auditorio de Tenerife, and the waterfront promenade. Afterward, you can wander the pedestrian shopping streets or grab a coffee before the drive back south.

This is your last night in Tenerife! Relax back at the resort with a final casual meal nearby or head into Adeje for dinner at La Torre del Mirador. They offer seafood with a view, which is a perfect way to say goodbye to this place.

With More Time in Tenerife

If you have a week in Tenerife, there’s plenty more to explore beyond this five-day loop. You could dive deeper into the island’s volcanic landscapes, explore more traditional towns, or lean into food and wine experiences in the north.

Here are a few ideas to extend your trip:

• Cueva del Viento: This lava tube system is one of the longest in Europe. Visits are by guided tour only, and reservations are required in advance.
• Masca: This tiny mountain village is one of Tenerife’s most photographed spots. We were too nervous to DIY the drive after encountering some truly chaotic drivers elsewhere on the island, but it’s extremely popular. 
• Mirador La Cruz de Hilda: For classic views of the Masca valley, you can visit this lookout, but you’ll still need to tackle a winding road.
• Bodegas Monje: If you’re interested in Tenerife’s volcanic wines, plan an afternoon of winery hopping in the north. Bodegas Monje is one of the better-known producers and offers tastings with sweeping ocean views.
• Garachico: This colorful coastal town was largely rebuilt after a volcanic eruption in the early 1700s reshaped the coastline.
• Castillo de San Felipe: This preserved 17th-century stone fortress was built to defend the coast from pirate attacks. It’s now a cultural site and a popular sunset spot along the waterfront in Puerto de la Cruz.
• Casa de los Balcones: Built in 1632, this historic home in La Orotava showcases traditional Canarian wooden balconies and architecture. Inside, you’ll find artisan crafts and folk art from local makers.
• Siam Park: Frequently ranked among the best water parks in the world, this Thai-themed park in Costa Adeje has high-thrill slides, a lazy river, and a massive wave pool.
• San Cristóbal de La Laguna: This is a UNESCO-listed historic city known for its colorful colonial buildings, pedestrian streets, and university-town vibe. It’s a great place to wander without a strict plan.

What should I pack for Tenerife?

When you visit Tenerife can change your packing list a bit. If you’re here in the summer, it’s much warmer, and winter means layers, for example. Here’s a broad list that can offer you a good start for your Tenerife packing list:

• Light, breathable clothing: T-shirts, blouses, dresses, shorts, or skirts all work for warm days, especially in the south. This is a casual place.
• Swimsuit: The ocean can be cool in winter and warm in summer, but you’ll want a swimsuit anyway for hotel pools. I’ve had this one for years.
• Layers for cooler evenings: Bring a light sweater, jacket, or fleece for evenings and higher-altitude areas like Teide.
• Rain gear: Pack a light waterproof jacket or windbreaker, especially if exploring northern or mountainous areas.
• Hiking shoes: Sturdy, well-gripped shoes are a must for trails in Teide, Anaga, or other hiking spots.
• Sun protection: Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are important if you’re spending long periods outside.
• Warm gear for high altitudes or winter: You won’t regret a scarf, hat, gloves, or fleece-lined tights if visiting Teide or hiking in colder months.
• Reusable water bottle: Stay hydrated during hikes or long drives. The tap water is safe to drink.
• Daypack or backpack: Carry layers, snacks, water, and essentials while exploring. Did I mention snacks?
• Casual evening wear: Bring along something comfortable for dinners or strolling in towns like Costa Adeje or Santa Cruz.
• Portable charger: You’ll be using your phone a lot, from navigating to destinations in the car to taking all the photos. Bring along a fully-charged portable charger.

Do you need a car in Tenerife?

You may not need a car if you’re planning a resort-style vacation in Tenerife, but this itinerary involves quite a bit of adventure around the island. Renting a car will mean a much more efficient trip, and you’ll be able to be more flexible with your time.

Can you drink the water in Tenerife?

Tenerife’s tap water is safe to drink but has a strong mineral taste due to volcanic sources. Many travelers opt for bottled or filtered water, but we had no issue drinking tap water.

Is Tenerife safe?

Travelers generally find Tenerife safe. Violent crime is rare. Standard precautions, like watching your stuff in tourist areas and not leaving valuables in parked cars, apply.

On hikes, respect trail conditions and weather. Hiking around Anaga, especially, can get slick, no matter how breezy other travel guides make it seem.

Where to Stay in Tenerife

We stayed at the Perla Gris Aparthotel, or the Pearly Grey Ocean Club. (It shows up as both online.) The property is apartment-style, but still offers the kinds of amenities you’d expect out of an island resort.

We liked the price, but they did charge us for extras like pool towels. There was an older clientele there during our visit, but that seemed to be the case for much of the island in winter.

Use the map below to browse more accommodations in Tenerife:

Tenerife is a great sunny escape, no matter the season.

Tenerife is an island of contrasts. Sure, it can be touristy as heck, but when you’ve been stomping through snow or, in our case, mud for a few months, I forgive a place as soon as I see those palm trees.

This island has something for every traveler, from stargazing for space nerds to tasty local cuisine for the foodies to excellent hiking from coast to coast for the adventurers.

Pack and plan for the adventure you want to have on Tenerife, or just steal this five-day itinerary to replicate the good time we had. Either way, I know you’ll have a fun Canary Island escape!

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