A Tenerife road trip itinerary: 25 must-see places, mountain villages, winding roads, viewpoints and the Atlantic Ocean. A perfect 7-day plan for independent travelers.
Entry Rules for Spain in 2026
All the lockdown stories of 2020–2021 are long gone.
In 2026, entering Spain is exactly the same as before the pandemic.
For Ukrainian citizens:
- No visa is required
- A biometric passport is enough
- Travel insurance is mandatory (as required by the Schengen Code)
We always buy insurance online and keep the policy on our phone. You only show it at the border if asked.
If you want to double-check entry rules for any country, use IATA Timatic – this is the system airlines themselves rely on.
What to See in Tenerife (and Actually Enjoy It)
Tenerife is not an island for “checklist tourism.”
On the map it looks small, but in reality it’s dangerously rich in:
- mountain roads
- scenic viewpoints
- and spontaneous “let’s stop here for five minutes” moments that easily turn into an hour
A car in Tenerife is not a luxury – it’s the key to the island.
Only with a car can you:
- reach mountain villages,
- leave tourist highways,
- stop above cliffs with ocean views,
- and understand why people keep coming back.
This route includes 25 places that can realistically be visited in one week – without stress, racing, or the feeling you’re sitting an exam in geography.
You’ll see both north and south, mountains and ocean, viewpoints and towns where time seems to slow down a little.
Important note about Teide
Mount Teide is not included in this route.
Not because it’s unimportant – quite the opposite. It deserves a full separate day. There’s a dedicated, detailed guide for Teide, and that’s the fair way to do it.
Yes, you can technically drive around Tenerife in under 5 hours.
No, you absolutely shouldn’t.
The roads don’t scare you – they hypnotize you. And the number of places where you want to stop “just to look” doubles any schedule. This is one of those rare cases where slow really is the right speed.
Where the Route Starts
The route starts in the south:
- Las Americas
- Los Cristianos
- Costa Adeje
This is one long resort zone with beaches, hotels and all the infrastructure you need for a comfortable road trip base.
Where to stay, how to divide nights and why changing hotels every day is a bad idea – I’ll explain below, based on experience.
The route includes only the highlights. If you want, it’s easy to stretch it to 10–14 days by adding beach time, hiking and lazy sunsets with wine. Beaches are not covered in detail here – there’s a separate guide for that.
Route for Navigation Apps
Short version for your navigator:
Las Americas (Costa Adeje) – Los Gigantes – Masca – Garachico – Icod de los Vinos – La Orotava – Puerto de la Cruz – Taganana – Almaciga – San Andrés – Santa Cruz de Tenerife – Candelaria – El Médano – Los Cristianos
We used Maps.me – free, offline and perfectly adequate.
Tenerife has lots of roads and junctions, so a navigator is essential.
Day 1 – Los Gigantes, Masca, Garachico & Puerto de la Cruz
Los Gigantes ★★
High, dramatic black cliffs rising straight from the ocean.
There’s a small black-sand beach – Playa de los Guios.
Before reaching it, stop at the Cueva la Vaca viewpoint.
Coordinates: 28.230294, -16.842734
Between Las Americas and Los Gigantes, don’t miss:
- Playa Abama – very photogenic, next to the Ritz hotel
- Playa La Arena – black sand and great views of Los Gigantes
Masca ★★★
One of the most beautiful mountain villages on the island.
Pirate legends are heavily marketed here, but even without the stories, the views and the road are worth it.
The road to Masca is a serious mountain serpentine:
- fully paved,
- sometimes only one car wide,
- buses will test your nerves.
Arrive early in the morning if possible – traffic later in the day can be stressful.
Note: There’s a hiking trail from Masca down to Masca Beach (about 3 hours), with a boat return to Los Gigantes. That’s a different adventure and not part of this driving route.
Garachico ★★★
A small coastal town with colonial architecture, natural ocean pools, a central square with a basilica and massive ficus and dragon trees providing shade.
The drive here is still mountainous and winding, slightly tiring, but ocean views make up for it.
After this point, the route becomes easier.
If earlier stops took longer than planned – no worries.
Garachico is perfect for:
- dinner by the ocean,
- a relaxed evening walk,
- spending the night locally.
Swimming here and along the northern coast is best in summer and early autumn. Winter water temperatures rarely exceed +18°C – though Northern Europeans tend to ignore this fact completely.
Optional stop: Icod de los Vinos ★
Home to the oldest dragon tree in Tenerife and caves of ancient aborigines.
Honestly? A bit of a checkbox sight. If you’re short on time, you can skip it.
Puerto de la Cruz ★★★
The main resort town of northern Tenerife and one of the nicest cities on the island.
Spend at least one full day here:
- walk the promenade
- enjoy cafes
- stay overnight
-
soak in the northern atmosphere
There’s a long seafront, fresh fish sold in the harbor in the morning, and plenty to discover away from tourist routes.
Nearby is Loro Parque – ticket around €37, plan half a day if you go.
Day 2 – La Orotava, Anaga Park & Northern Villages
La Orotava ★★
A colonial town famous for its traditional Canarian balconies and facades.
Many people stay overnight here, but we head straight into the mountains.
Don’t miss Humboldt Viewpoint above the town – great views over the Orotava Valley and the ocean.
After that, take the TF-5 highway briefly, then turn toward Anaga Rural Park, the far north of Tenerife.
Anaga Rural Park – Taganana & Almaciga
Anaga offers:
- hiking trails,
- fairy-tale laurel forests,
- authentic villages,
- rugged coastline.
You could easily spend days here. We focused on two villages and several beaches.
Taganana ★★
A classic Canarian village tucked into a rocky gorge.
Free parking either in the center (narrow streets) or at the entrance.
There are cafes, restaurants and walking paths. Watch your timing – more stops ahead.
Playa de Benijo ★★★
One of the most famous and dramatic beaches in Tenerife.
Located between Taganana and Almaciga.
Coordinates: 28°34′33.65″ N, 16°11′11.48″ W
Spectacular views of the Roques de Anaga cliffs. Restaurants and viewpoints line the road.
Plan at least 1.5 hours here. Sunset is magical – but then it’s best to stay nearby.
Day 3 – Almaciga, San Andres, Santa Cruz & Radazul
Almaciga ★★★
The most beautiful village in Anaga – that alone is reason enough to visit.
Everything here feels untouched: streets, houses, church, layout. Built on a hillside, it offers dozens of viewpoints over mountains and the ocean.
Accommodation options are limited – book 2–3 months ahead if staying overnight.
San Andres ★ & Las Teresitas Beach ★★★
After about an hour of mountain driving, you reach the eastern side of the island.
Las Teresitas is the star:
- Start at the viewpoint above the beach
- Then park for free right next to it
- Swim, relax, do nothing
The sand here is yellow, brought by wind from the Sahara – at least according to locals. A beautiful legend, especially believable with a glass of wine nearby.
San Andrés village itself looks best from a distance – colorful houses on the hillside, but nothing special inside.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife ★
The capital of Tenerife.
No need to stay long – but worth a stop.
Park near the port, walk the promenade and see the Auditorium, often compared to Sydney Opera House (in miniature).
There’s also a viewpoint inside the port building on the second floor.
Radazul ★ & Bocacangrejo ★★★
End the day near Radazul.
Next to it lies Bocacangrejo, a small fishing village most tourists never hear about.
Bring a bottle of wine, sit on the rocks and watch the ocean.
Houses literally touch the water, and a narrow street runs along the coast.
Stay overnight in Radazul – just a few hundred meters away.
There’s also Nea Beach nearby: clean, quiet, mostly locals.
Day 4 – Candelaria & El Médano
Candelaria ★★
A spiritual center of Tenerife. Walk the promenade, visit the church, climb the hill behind it for views.
Large statues of Guanche tribal leaders stand along the waterfront – a reminder of the island’s original inhabitants.
El Médano ★★★
El Médano has two main attractions:
- Wind – making it a paradise for kitesurfers and windsurfers
- Natural sandy beach with a relaxed, sporty vibe
The southern end of the beach is dominated by Montaña Roja, a volcanic hill (172 m) that rose from the ocean and connected to land by lava flows.
We loved El Médano so much we came back and spent a full day here doing absolutely nothing.
Mount Teide – a Separate Day
Teide deserves a full day of its own.
The road through the national park is beautiful, and the volcano is the island’s top attraction.
Driving time:
- with stops: 2–3 hours
- without stops: about 1 hour
Where to Book Hotels
We use Booking.com – reliable, transparent and easy.
Cheap Flights
I search flights on Aviasales – often cheaper than alternatives and great for low-cost airlines.
I also check airline websites directly (Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet).
Car Rental in Tenerife
I rent cars via LocalRent – used dozens of times in Europe and Asia.
Why:
- clear conditions
- often no deposit
- full insurance options
-
prices around €22–25 per day for a new car
That’s the full Tenerife road trip loop.
7 days, 25 locations, ocean, mountains and zero rushing.
