La Laguna
For staying in a city with university life, a historic centre and bars, a few minutes from Tenerife North airport and with a tram to Santa Cruz.
Itinerary · Tenerife
Tenerife in 3 days: day-by-day itinerary
3-day itinerary for Tenerife: Teide National Park, La Laguna, Santa Cruz, Garachico, Masca and the Los Gigantes cliffs.
- 3days
- 11stops
- 8Areas
This 3-day itinerary is designed for first-time visitors to Tenerife who want to see the best of the island by hire car or on organised excursions. Each day focuses on one area of the island: first Teide, then the capital and the historic city, and finally the northwest with Garachico, Masca and the cliffs.
Tenerife has two airports. At Tenerife North (TFN), TITSA bus 20 goes to La Laguna and Santa Cruz, and bus 30 to Puerto de la Cruz; both are express. At Tenerife South (TFS), bus 40 goes to Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje, and bus 10 heads to Santa Cruz. Line 343 links the two airports in about 50 minutes. A taxi is the direct option if you arrive late or with a lot of luggage.
Tips
- A hire car gives you freedom for Teide, Masca and Anaga; the roads are mountain roads with plenty of bends, so drive calmly and allow more time than the map suggests.
- The weather changes a lot from one side to the other: the south is usually sunny and the north cloudier and cooler. Bring layers and sun cream, especially on Teide.
- Book the Teide cable car in advance, along with the summit permit if you want to reach the top, and the Barranco del Infierno, which has limited capacity.
- If you don’t want to drive, guided excursions to Teide, Masca or La Gomera take care of transport and access.
- Eat late, as they do in the Canary Islands, and try papas arrugadas with mojo, grilled cheese and fresh fish in the coastal villages.
Day 1
Mount Teide and Las Cañadas
Parque Nacional del Teide
Las Cañadas
The island's great icon: a volcanic landscape of lava flows, craters and almost Martian colours, over 2,000 metres above sea level. The cable car climbs close to the summit of Teide, but access to the peak requires a permit, so book it well in advance. Bring a coat: it is cold up there even in summer.
Roques de García y Llano de Ucanca
Las Cañadas
A short and very photogenic walk among rock formations such as Roque Cinchado, with Teide in the background. A good place to stretch your legs without needing to be a hiker.
Vilaflor
South of the island
On the way down from the park along the southern road, this mountain village, surrounded by pine forests, is a quiet stop for lunch and fresh air before heading back to the coast.
Day 2
La Laguna and Santa Cruz
San Cristóbal de La Laguna
La Laguna
The historic centre, a World Heritage Site, is a grid of straight streets lined with manor houses and wooden balconies. Stroll unhurriedly along Calle San Agustín and the squares in the centre, and step into some of its churches and inner courtyards.
Catedral de La Laguna
La Laguna
A peaceful church right in the centre, and a good excuse to understand the past of the island's former capital. Nearby there are cafés and bars where you can have a drink before moving on.
Plaza de España y centro de Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The island's capital is a short tram ride from La Laguna. Its centre is open and easy to explore on foot, with squares, shopping streets and the port nearby.
Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
A food market with stalls selling fruit, cheese and fish, ideal for a light bite or for taking home Canarian produce. It is more authentic than many parts of the tourist coastline.
Day 3
Garachico, Masca and Los Gigantes
Icod de los Vinos y Drago Milenario
Icod de los Vinos
A northern town famous for its dragon tree, an unmistakably shaped tree that is a symbol of the Canary Islands. The visit to the dragon tree garden is short, and the town centre invites a stroll.
Garachico
Garachico
A coastal town rebuilt after the volcanic eruption of 1706, with a quiet square, a castle by the sea and natural pools in volcanic rock. A good place to eat fish.
Masca
Teno Massif
A hamlet hidden among ravines in the Teno massif, reached by a narrow mountain road with plenty of bends. Drive calmly and make stops at the viewpoints. If you want to walk down the ravine, check the conditions beforehand and whether you need to book.
Acantilados de Los Gigantes
Los Gigantes
The cliffs drop vertically into the sea on the west coast. They can be seen well from the village, and a boat trip lets you see them from below, with the chance of spotting whales and dolphins.
Tenerife
Where to stay in Tenerife
Puerto de la Cruz
A good base for the north: local atmosphere, a seafront promenade, and close to the La Orotava valley, Teide and Garachico. Cooler and greener than the south, with less guaranteed sun.
Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje
The comfortable choice for anyone who wants beaches, near-guaranteed sun and the ferry to La Gomera. This is the tourist south, with hotels of every kind and plenty of services.
Itinerary · Tenerife
More Tenerife itineraries
5 days
Tenerife in 5 days
- Day 1 Mount Teide and Las Cañadas
- Day 2 La Laguna and Santa Cruz
- Day 3 Puerto de la Cruz and La Orotava
- Day 4 Garachico, Masca and Los Gigantes
- + 1 day
7 days
Tenerife in 7 days
- Day 1 Mount Teide and Las Cañadas
- Day 2 La Laguna and Santa Cruz
- Day 3 Anaga: laurel forest and the north coast
- Day 4 Puerto de la Cruz and La Orotava
- + 3 days
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need to see Tenerife?
Three days are enough for the essentials: Teide, La Laguna and Santa Cruz, and the northwest with Masca. With more time you can add Anaga, the La Orotava valley and an excursion to La Gomera.
Do you need to hire a car in Tenerife?
It is the most convenient option for Teide, Masca and the northern villages. Without a car you can combine buses and guided excursions, but you will have less freedom with timings.
What should you book before travelling?
The Teide cable car and, if you want to climb to the summit, the access permit. In high season it is also best to book guided excursions and the boat trip from Los Gigantes.
Photo credits
- Parque Nacional del Teide: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- San Cristóbal de La Laguna: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Masca: H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Acantilados de Los Gigantes: Falk2, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons