One Week in Tenerife: The Perfect 7-Day Itinerary

A week in Tenerife: how to structure it

Tenerife is bigger than most first-time visitors expect — driving from the south coast to Anaga takes over an hour, and the north feels like a different island. A week is the sweet spot: enough time to see both sides without moving hotels every night. This day-by-day plan works for most visitors; if you have more or less time, the how many days guide helps you scale it.

Days 1–2: settle into the south

Base yourself in the south and pick your resort with care — the where to stay guide compares Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos. Spend day one recovering on a golden beach, and day two on a whale-watching catamaran trip off Los Cristianos or a lazy beach day.

Day 3: Teide National Park

Reserve your cable car tickets online in advance and spend the day in Teide National Park — the lunar landscape and summit views are the trip's highlight. The park visitor guide explains the routes and the free summit permit.

Day 4: the west — Masca and Los Gigantes

Drive the western coast to the cliffs of Los Gigantes, hike the Masca gorge or take a boat trip beneath the walls. A rental car makes this day easy; otherwise an organised tour from the south works just as well.

Day 5: Anaga and La Laguna

Cross to the far north-east for Anaga Rural Park — a morning hike through the laurel forest, then lunch and a stroll through the historic streets of La Laguna.

Day 6: Puerto de la Cruz and the north coast

Spend the day in Puerto de la Cruz: Loro Parque in the morning, the volcanic beach of Playa Jardín in the afternoon.

Day 7: pick your ending

Relax back on the south coast, visit the wine country around La Orotava, or take a day trip to La Gomera — the ferry leaves from Los Cristianos, right by most southern resorts. If three days is all you have, our three-day itinerary distils the island to its essentials.