I visited Tenerife twice during my stay in the Canary Islands: first briefly while visiting a friend in Los Cristianos, and later for a longer exploration of the island with Santa Cruz as my base. Together, these trips allowed me to experience Tenerife’s diverse landscapes, from historic colonial towns to dramatic volcanic scenery around Mount Teide.

Los Cristianos and the Southern Coast

My first short visit was centered around Los Cristianos, a lively resort town in the south. A morning hike up Montaña de Guaza provided excellent views over the coastline and the busy harbor below. Later, I explored the promenade and pedestrian streets along the waterfront.

At the end of that trip I had several hours in Santa Cruz, starting with the remarkable Palmetum, a botanical garden built on a former landfill overlooking the sea and dedicated to palm species from around the world. I also toured the striking Auditorio de Tenerife, an iconic modern building by architect Santiago Calatrava.

A walking tour through the city center included Mercado Nuestra Señora de África, the contemporary art space TEA (Tenerife Espacio de las Artes), Plaza de España with remains of the historic castle, Plaza del Príncipe, Parque García Sanabria, and the Museo de Bellas Artes before returning to Gran Canaria.

Historic Cities: La Laguna and Santa Cruz

On my later trip, I started in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a UNESCO-listed colonial city known for its colorful mansions, churches, and elegant grid layout. I visited the Cathedral, climbed a bell tower for city views, and wandered through the historic streets lined with traditional houses.

From there, the tram connects directly to Santa Cruz, where I completed my earlier sightseeing with a visit to the Museo de Naturaleza y Arqueología, which houses important collections related to the Canary Islands and the indigenous Guanche culture. I also spent some time exploring the city’s vibrant street art before attending a classical concert at the Auditorio de Tenerife.

Northern Towns and the Anaga Mountains

The following day I explored the north of the island by car.

In Puerto de la Cruz, I visited the Botanical Garden, the historic Sitio Litre Orchid Garden, and walked through the seaside town center up to Mirador La Paz for coastal views.

Nearby La Orotava turned out to be one of the most charming towns on the island, with beautifully preserved colonial architecture. Highlights included Casa de los Balcones, the Gofio Mill Museum, Victoria Garden, and Plaza de la Constitución.

A quick stop in Bajamar offered views of natural swimming pools along the rugged coast before heading into the Anaga Mountains, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for its ancient laurel forests. Unfortunately, the area around Cruz del Carmen was covered in fog and rain, so I only managed a short walk through the misty forest.

Teide National Park

One of the highlights of Tenerife is Teide National Park, dominated by Spain’s highest mountain. Driving the scenic TF-24 road from Santa Cruz, I climbed through dense clouds until the weather cleared above about 1800 meters, revealing spectacular volcanic landscapes.

Although the Teide cable car was cancelled that day, I still completed a rewarding hike around Roques de García, surrounded by surreal rock formations and lava fields. I also stopped at several viewpoints across the park before continuing to Vilaflor, the highest village on the island.

The Wild Northwest and Masca Valley

On my final day I explored the northwest.

The coastal town Garachico, rebuilt after an 18th-century volcanic eruption, features charming streets, natural lava pools, and impressive viewpoints above the town.

From Buenavista del Norte, I had hoped to visit Punta de Teno, but limited shuttle service prevented the trip. Instead I drove through the dramatic Masca mountain pass, one of the island’s most spectacular roads, before doing a hike near Santiago del Teide with views toward Mount Teide and the neighboring island La Gomera.

Returning south, I ended the trip with a walk from Costa Adeje through Playa de las Américas back to Los Cristianos, completing a loop across much of the island.

Overall Impression

Tenerife offers one of the most diverse landscapes in the Canary Islands: vibrant cities, colonial towns, laurel forests, volcanic deserts, and dramatic coastal scenery - all dominated by the towering presence of Mount Teide.