Things to Do in Tenerife: The Guide to the Must-Sees
Between Mount Teide, the perched villages of the Teno, the forests of Anaga and the big theme parks, working out things to do in Tenerife can quickly feel overwhelming, the island is so varied. The largest of the Canaries blends spectacular nature, listed heritage and top-tier family attractions. We haven't visited Tenerife ourselves yet; this guide gathers verified, up-to-date information to help you spot the must-sees, plan your days around the weather and miss nothing, from the summit of Teide to the lanes of La Laguna.
The essentials at a glance
- Mount Teide (3,715 m): the number-one sight, reached by car on the TF-21; cable car and a free permit to book for the peak.
- Big parks: Siam Park (voted the world's best water park) in Costa Adeje, Loro Parque (animal park) in Puerto de la Cruz.
- Nature and villages: the road and village of Masca, the forests of Anaga, best explored by car.
- Heritage: La Laguna, a UNESCO-listed historic centre, and the capital Santa Cruz.
Our approach: verified research, not first-hand experience (yet)
- We haven't visited Tenerife ourselves yet. This guide is built from thorough research — official sources, attraction websites and up-to-date data — to help you plan your trip transparently.
- We'll enrich it with our own on-the-ground experience after our next visit. Until then, the prices, hours and terms quoted are indicative: confirm them before you go.
The must-sees of Tenerife
A first visit revolves around a few major sights. The very first is Mount Teide, Spain's highest peak at 3,715 m and the heart of a UNESCO-listed national park: you drive up on the TF-21, then take the cable car, and reaching the peak requires a permit to book. See our dedicated page on Mount Teide.
For fun, two parks vie for the spotlight: Siam Park, regularly voted the world's best water park, in Costa Adeje, and Loro Parque, a large animal park in Puerto de la Cruz. A combined ticket often links the two.
For nature and villages, the winding road to Masca in the Teno massif and the laurel forests of Anaga offer the island's most spectacular scenery. For heritage, don't miss La Laguna, a UNESCO-listed historic centre.
What to do in Tenerife with kids?
For things to do in Tenerife with children, the big parks are safe bets. Siam Park delights thrill- and wave-pool fans, while Loro Parque appeals to younger ones with its animals and shows.
Beyond the parks, whale and dolphin watching from the south, family beaches and a cable-car trip up Teide round off a great family stay. Many of these outings need booking ahead in high season.
What to do in Tenerife when it rains or at night?
Tenerife's climate is mild, but the north can be cloudy. On an overcast day, head for the museums of Santa Cruz, the Loro Parque aquarium or a stroll through the covered lanes of La Laguna, often spared the afternoon rain.
At night, the buzz is in the south, in Playa de las Américas and Costa Adeje, with their bars and restaurants. Santa Cruz and La Laguna offer a more local night out, between tapas and lively squares.
How to plan your sightseeing on the island?
Most of Tenerife's sights are reached by car: car hire in Tenerife remains the best way to string together Teide, Masca and Anaga at your own pace, where organised tours impose a fixed programme.
Plan to book quota sites ahead (the Teide peak, the Masca gorge hike) and the big parks in high season. Also split your days between north and south to limit long drives.
In short
From climbing Teide to the lanes of La Laguna, by way of the Costa Adeje parks and the forests of Anaga, Tenerife has enough to fill one or two weeks of varied sightseeing. Target the must-sees first, then adapt to the weather and your mood.
To plan the rest of your trip, see our Tenerife guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are the must-sees in Tenerife?
Teide National Park (and its 3,715 m summit), Siam Park in Costa Adeje, Loro Parque in Puerto de la Cruz, the village and road of Masca, the forests of Anaga and the historic centre of La Laguna.
What to do in Tenerife with kids?
Siam Park and Loro Parque first, whale and dolphin watching from the south, a cable-car trip up Teide and the family beaches of the south.
How many days do you need for Tenerife?
At least 5-7 days for the must-sees (Teide, a park, Masca or Anaga, La Laguna), and one to two weeks to explore north and south at leisure.
What to do in Tenerife when it rains?
Head for the museums of Santa Cruz, the Loro Parque aquarium or the lanes of La Laguna. The south often stays sunny even when the north is cloudy.
Do you need to book sights in advance?
Yes for quota sites — the Teide peak (permit and eco-fee) and the Masca gorge hike — and for the big parks in high season.
Can you visit Tenerife without a car?
Partly, via buses and organised tours, but a car remains the best way to reach Teide, Masca and Anaga freely.