Destination Spain - Canary Islands - 1-week itinerary in Tenerife - What to do? What to see?
- Fanny HARDY
- 7 days ago
- 7 min read
Tenerife, the pearl of the Canary Islands, captivates with its contrasting landscapes and ideal year-round climate. From golden sandy beaches to picturesque villages and impressive volcanic peaks, such as Mount Teide.
Discover this island that offers a multitude of experiences, adventures but also the 1 samine route in Tenerife...
I. The Geography of Tenerife: An Island of Contrasts
Tenerife, the largest island in the Canary Islands, is a true geographical gem. Located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa, it boasts an impressive diversity of landscapes shaped by its volcanic origins. Its relief is dominated by Mount Teide , a majestic volcano rising to 3,715 meters , making it the highest peak in Spain and one of the most iconic in Europe.
The island is divided into several distinct climatic zones: the green north , influenced by the trade winds, is covered in lush forests such as those of the Anaga Rural Park, while the arid and sunny south reveals vast beaches and semi-desert landscapes. Tenerife is also lined with spectacular cliffs, such as those of Los Gigantes , and surrounded by a varied coastline alternating between black volcanic sand beaches and secret coves. An island with a thousand faces, perfect for lovers of nature and adventure!
II. Formalities and when to leave?
Formalities
Passport vs. Identity Card
If you are Canadian, a European citizen , or a national of one of the Schengen Area countries, you do not need a visa. For European citizens with direct flights from a European country to the Canary Islands, i.e., Spain, you only need your identity card or passport.
For minor children , identity cards must be valid. However, if the child is traveling without parents, he or she must have a travel authorization signed by one of the parents with parental authority as well as a copy of the identity document of the parent in question.
Visas are required for all other travelers, including those from outside the European Union, the Schengen Area, and Canada. For a trip exceeding three months, a residence permit is required. Whether for long or short stays, it must be issued by the Spanish consulate.
For the driving license.
Citizens of the European Union only need their valid driving license . For all other countries, an International Driving Permit is required.
When to leave?
Regarding the weather in Tenerife , the climate is subtropical. The whole year is ideal for traveling to the island. In summer, it is hot and sunny, while in winter, it is mild and sunny.
Temperatures range from 16 to 29 degrees, but it gets much cooler as you climb higher. In winter, the volcano often turns white.
As for the wind and clouds, the volcano holds them back, which is why the southwest part of the island is more protected from the clouds, hence this more arid dryness.
Tenerife has a very low level of precipitation . You will almost never encounter rain there, except sometimes in the northwest where the vegetation is much more flourishing than in the south.
III. 1-week itinerary in Tenerife
Now, discover the 1-week itinerary in Tenerife . The itinerary is not exhaustive; it's simply the route I took. You can easily adapt the days and locations, add and/or remove some, too.
Day 1 - Arrival
For this trip, we decided to leave from Lyon airport and not from Geneva, as is our usual practice.
ATTENTION Good deal: If you're coming by car and your trip is relatively long, you can park in the P5 parking lot. For a week, it cost us around 70 euros (excluding school holidays). It's located on the other side of the airport and is connected to the various terminals by a free shuttle. A tip: remember to book it in advance, and upon arrival, you'll simply have to scan the QR code.
So we left in the middle of the afternoon and landed at the southern airport at the end of the day.
I'll skip the car rental part because the rental company's friendliness means I don't need to talk about it...
PLEASE NOTE: There are 2 airports on the island.
...and we headed back towards Puerto del Cruz: the " HOTEL PUERTO PALACE ". We took the half-board option, with breakfast and dinner, which was simpler for this trip.
Day 2 - The beginning of the adventure
For our second day on the island of Tenerife, we decided to climb to discover the volcano, Mount Teide. Along the road, there are various viewpoints , and you can stop to enjoy the view.
I recommend the following viewpoints:
Lookout of the Poleos
Samara Lookout
Mirador de las Narices del Teide
Boca Tauce Teide
Juan Evora Lookout
Queen's Shoe
Azulejos Viewpoint II
La Ruleta Lookout
El Tabonal Negro Lookout
Viewpoint of the Alto de Guamaso
Mirador del Roque de Caramujo
Mirador de El Corral del Niño
La Tarta Lookout
La Crucita Lookout
Ayosa Lookout
Chipeque Lookout
I recommend the following hikes (some of which will be detailed later in the post):
Chinyero Trail
Roques de Garcia Trail
White Mountain Trail
As I mentioned above, we booked a half-board hotel. So we headed back to the hotel to enjoy our evening. I recommend hotels with a pool or jacuzzi, which will allow you to relax after a long day of exploring.
Day 3
On this 3rd day, we set off to explore the south and a small part of the west of the island.
We started with:
Candelaria and its basilica passing by the Gruta de los camellos
Los Barrancos and its rock houses
Arco de Tajao, the invisible arch when passing over it (or a small area of the American West)
El Medano , kitesurfing paradise
Reserva Natural Especial Montaña Roja
Piscinas Naturales Los Abrigos
Masca
Hilda's Cross Lookout
Montaña de El Palmar (Montaña Zahorra)
Tourist Info: We chose not to visit the beaches and hyper-touristy places, with large hotel complexes, multi-activity centers, or other places. I recommend you visit Los Christianos, Costa Adeje, and Playa de las Américas. This is where you'll find the island's famous amusement parks.
Day 4
This day was dedicated to hiking on Mount Teide. We wanted to take the cable car to the summit, but there are several things you should know about Mount Teide (meet at the end of day 4 for a "Mt Teide Info Point").
It's a loop of about 6km for 1h30 . You can combine it (which was planned for us...) with Arenas Negras (Black Sands) - Montaña Negra (Black Mountain) for a total of 12km, or about 3 hours of walking.
Then we continued on the road to take the cable car to Mt Teide, but having had too much wind, we fell back on: Roques de Garcia . 4km loop which crosses the rock formations bordered by lava fields from different eruptions.
Mount Teide Information Point :
The Cable Car: You'll need to book several weeks in advance. You should also be aware that despite your reservation, it could be canceled due to wind strength and not just the weather in general. It's important to know that at the summit, it's extremely windy, which is why it doesn't always run even if the weather is nice.
Weather: If you are lucky enough to be able to do so, dress warmly.
Alternatives: For those who are more courageous, you can always climb to the summit of the volcano by various hikes. The most famous is Trail No. 7: Montaña Blanca (White Mountain) - Pico del Teide.
Access to the summit: If you have all the ideal conditions to reach the top of the cable car and you want to go to the summit of the mountain, you should know that you will need a permit to hike to the "Pico del Teide". You can book this several months in advance, as it is limited, or you can go with a guide, who have access to the summit with less delays.
Access to the cable car, but without the summit access pass: You still have the option of doing 2 walks: Belvedere of La Fortaleza & Belvedere of Pico Viejo
You will find all the information about Mount Teide below:
Day 5
On this 5th day, we went to Los Gigantes for a cruise to see the dolphins but also to discover the famous lava cliffs.
Then we went back up through Masca to reach the Carrizales viewpoint
You can also go to Punta de Teno but be aware that you cannot get there on your own, but by taking the shuttle at CoGer autobús para visitar parque de TENO.
Day 6
Destination the east of the island for this last day of discovery.
La Laguna or San Cristóbal de La Laguna
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, San Cristóbal de La Laguna , often referred to as La Laguna , is the former capital of Tenerife and one of the archipelago's most charming towns. With its cobbled streets, colorful buildings, and preserved colonial architecture, it offers a true journey back in time.
A lively, cultural city, La Laguna is also home to a renowned university and a bohemian atmosphere, where cafes, artisan shops, and local markets blend harmoniously. Located a few kilometers from Santa Cruz de Tenerife , it seduces with its rich heritage and authentic atmosphere. A must-see stopover for history and discovery lovers!
Mirador Playa de las Teresitas
The only white sand beach on the island... but white sand doesn't necessarily mean a dream beach...
It's up to you to discover it for yourself with the photos.
Bailadero Lookout
Lookout Cabezo del Tejo
Small part of the Anaga Costal hike to reach the Mirador.
Benijo Beach
Fuente del Lomo Lookout
Jardina Lookout
Pico del Inglés Lookout
Cruz del Carmen Lookout
Day 7
Return to France.
IV. Price estimates for 1 week in Tenerife*
(*prices are given purely for information purposes only, for 2 people, off-season - in 2024)
Plane | 450€ |
Lyon airport parking | 70€ |
Car | 120€ |
Half-board hotel | 850€ |
Mount Teide - Cable Car | 82€ |
Dolphin Cruise | 50€ |
Essence | 80€ |
TOTAL | 1,702€ |
For just under €2,000 (for 2) you can complete this course in 1 week.
A Week in Tenerife: An Unforgettable Trip 🌋✨
In one week, Tenerife offers us a condensed version of nature, adventure and a change of scenery .
From the peaks of Mount Teide to secret coves, charming historic towns and breathtaking panoramas, the island surprises and amazes at every moment.
And that's just a taste of everything it has to offer!
Tenerife is still full of treasures to explore , so why not already dream about your next getaway? 🌿🌊☀️
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