Top 15 Tenerife Attractions Including Map

The Canary Island of Tenerife attracts its visitors not only with around 3,000 hours of sunshine a year but also with countless attractive sights and exciting activities. What these are and why you shouldn't miss them, you can read now.

The largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is one of the most popular destinations for a successful and varied vacation. This is partly due to the incredibly fascinating landscape, but also to the many exciting sights on Tenerife. The famous Teide National Park, the black volcanic beaches, and several other attractions make the island a true vacation paradise that entices active holidaymakers with great diversity. To give you an overview of what you can see and experience here, we present the top 15 sights on Tenerife in more detail.

Let's start with the landmark of Tenerife: the 3,718-meter-high volcano Teide and its eponymous national park, which forms the center of the island. Pico del Teide is the highest mountain in Spain and one of the most popular attractions on Tenerife. With the Teide cable car, you can reach the mountain station at an altitude of 3,555 meters. From there, you can enjoy a fantastic view. The overwhelming landscape, which has served as a backdrop for science fiction films such as "Planet of the Apes" and "Star Wars," can also be explored on a large network of trails. In the Teide National Park, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2007, there are a total of 38 routes of varying difficulties, which can take between two hours and a whole day.

Siam Park is especially popular with families and is one of the top attractions in Tenerife. The famous water park in Costa Adeje has been awarded the best water park in the world for the sixth consecutive year, and for a good reason. Here, you can expect a total of 17 different attractions, including giant slides such as the Tower of Power with a 28-meter free fall and a nearly vertical drop, as well as a water jungle, a water roller coaster, and much more. If you prefer, you can also relax at Siam Beach or in a cozy wooden hut. The entire park is designed in a Thai style, and with its lush vegetation, you will feel as if you have been transported to a completely different place. There really is something for everyone!

Haven't had enough of the parks in Tenerife? Then you should definitely pay a visit to Loro Parque. This massive zoo spans a total area of 13.5 hectares, located in the northern part of the island in the popular tourist destination of Puerto de la Cruz. It is home to more than 10,000 exotic and, in some cases, endangered animals.

What makes Loro Parque special is not only the many tours and shows offered here but also its mission, which the popular zoo and amusement park has set for itself. It aims to protect and preserve animals and their natural habitats for future generations. Admire the more than 500 animal species that live here on a guided discovery tour, which lasts about two hours, or with a day ticket for as long as you want - both options are definitely worthwhile.

The dragon tree in Icod de los Vinos, also known as Drago Milenario, is another landmark of the island of Tenerife. With its height of 16 meters, nearly 20 meters in circumference at the base, and its extraordinary shape, it is a true tourist attraction.

The dragon tree is located in the midst of a green park, Parque del Drago, right next to the parish church of San Marcos, and is one of the most significant natural, cultural, and historical sights in the entire Canary Islands. It is even believed that the approximately 800-year-old tree is the oldest in the archipelago. If you plan to visit here, be sure to check the opening hours, which vary between summer and winter.

Not far from the Drago Milenario, you'll find another sight in Tenerife that you should not miss. We're talking about the Cueva del Viento, which, with its 17 kilometers, is the longest lava cave in Europe. The volcanic tube is located in the same-named district of Icod de los Vinos and is estimated to have formed more than 27,000 years ago.

Exciting tours take place here daily, where you can dive into the cave system and be impressed by amazing formations. To protect the sensitive ecosystem of the cave, these are limited to a maximum of four tours of 16 people per day. The tours begin directly at the information center of Cueva del Viento, from where you will hike about 20 minutes to the cave entrance with a guide. However, persons with claustrophobia and children under five years are not allowed to join the tour, as it can get quite adventurous at times.

The island of Tenerife boasts more than 40 dreamy beaches. Choosing one of the most beautiful is nearly impossible. However, some of the beaches have made it onto the list of top sights in Tenerife, including the famous Playa de Las Teresitas. At this nearly two-kilometer-long, palm-lined sandy beach in the northeast of Tenerife, you can truly relax.

The comfortable sun loungers are perfect for sunbathing, various beach bars invite you to snack and sip cocktails, and the restaurants entice you with fresh seafood. And how about a round of stand-up paddling in between? Due to its sheltered location and excellent facilities, Playa de Las Teresitas is also well-suited for families. Additionally, the beach offers barrier-free access.

If you decide to do some sightseeing on your vacation, then you are in the right place in Tenerife, as the island awaits you with several other noteworthy places, such as Puerto de la Cruz, the tourist center of the north. The centerpiece of Puerto de la Cruz is the Plaza del Charco, a lovely square adorned with a fountain and old laurel trees, surrounded by numerous restaurants and cafés.

Equally worth seeing is the little church Nuestra Señora, which is located directly at the square and not far from the beach promenade. So, it is best to combine your beach visit with a relaxed stroll through the city, which awaits you with green parks, a large cultural offer, and plenty of shopping opportunities. Don't forget to visit the old town of Puerto de la Cruz - it features colorful alleys, historic colonial houses, and a lot of great typical Canarian restaurants.

If you're in the popular resort of Puerto de la Cruz, you must also visit the seawater pool Lago Martiánez. This unique outdoor pool, located between San Telmo and Playa Martiánez, was built in the 1970s by the famous artist César Manrique and has since become indispensable to many locals and tourists.

The Lago Martiánez covers a total area of about 33,000 square meters, making it the largest seawater pool in Europe. Visitors can look forward to an artificially created lake, seven pools, sun loungers under palm trees, and a lot of water fun. The huge offer is also perfectly complemented by the many facilities, which include bars, restaurants, and a casino where you can try your luck at blackjack or poker in the evenings.

The Auditorio de Tenerife in the island's capital, Santa Cruz, is primarily known for its extraordinary architecture. However, if you're already there, you shouldn't just admire the exterior. The modern concert and congress hall has much more to offer.

It consists of a main hall of 1,200 m², which is accessible from both sides of the auditorium, a symphony hall, a chamber music hall, and a cafeteria. Regularly, concerts, theater performances, dance shows, and other events take place here. If you want to take a look inside, you can either book a guided tour, which is offered from Monday to Saturday between 10 AM and 4 PM, except on public holidays, or you can buy tickets for one of the events offered here.

Located in the municipality of Santiago del Teide, in the west of Tenerife, you will find the fascinating cliffs of Los Gigantes, which are part of the Teno Landscape Park. The best view of these giants is from the water, so a boat tour is one of the most popular excursions in Tenerife.

However, the steep cliffs, which rise up to 600 meters high, are not the only highlight. On a boat trip, you might even spot whales and dolphins in their natural habitat, as they are usually just a few meters away from you and can be seen here almost all year round. Passionate divers also love to come here to dive up to 30 meters deep and admire the impressive underwater world with their own eyes.

If you can't get enough of the rugged volcanic landscape of Tenerife, then you should definitely take a detour to the Anaga Mountains, where the biosphere park Parque Rural de Anaga is located. Here, in the far east of Tenerife, you can undertake hiking or climbing tours, discover idyllic villages along the paths, and admire the diverse flora and fauna, including a giant laurel forest from the Tertiary period, which is considered one of the most important natural treasures in Europe.

By the way, the nature park is just about 25 kilometers from the island's capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife, making it perfect to combine with a beach visit or a hike through the interior of the island.

The university town of La Laguna, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999 and officially bears the name San Cristóbal de La Laguna, is one of the most significant cities on the island of Tenerife. Once there, you should definitely take a look at the historic old town or even participate in one of the free guided tours that start directly here. You can admire old villas, traditional courtyards, and exciting sights, such as the beautiful city cathedral, the Church of Concepción, and the Plaza del Adelantado. If you want to stay here for more than just a day, it's worth diving into the nightlife of this popular student town. Numerous bars invite you to relax and enjoy delicious cocktails. Let yourself drift through the streets of La Laguna and enjoy your time!

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the capital of the Canary Islands and a must-visit when you're in the northeastern part of Tenerife. In addition to the Auditorio de Tenerife, which we introduced you to earlier, there are several other sights here that you should not miss.

Be sure to visit the colorful market hall Nuestra Señora de Africa, which is designed in Moorish pastry style, and sample the delicious regional products. A visit to the beautiful old town and the harbor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is also worthwhile, although you should be prepared to stop at one of the cafes or restaurants, as the delicious smells from every corner are sure to tempt you. If you feel like a little stroll afterward, we recommend the idyllic Parque García Sanabria, where you can escape the hustle and bustle for a moment.

Did you know? Tenerife's capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is home to the second-largest carnival in the world. The next celebration will take place from February 23 to March 9, 2025, featuring fireworks, colorful costumes, and exciting dance shows.

The small mountain village of Masca, which has only about 100 inhabitants, is one of the most beautiful places and thus one of the top attractions in Tenerife. It is located above a gorge, in the mountains of Teno in the northwest of the island, and is only accessible via a very narrow road. So, bring plenty of time if you're planning a trip here, so you can experience the picturesque village in all its glory without having to rush. Here, you can still experience the authentic Canarian village life and connect with many friendly locals. How about a stop during your island road trip and a delicious typical Canarian lunch? That sounds delightful!

La Orotava is the largest and most forested municipality in Tenerife. That alone is reason enough for nature lovers among you to take a little detour to the north of the island. Furthermore, the historic center, located at an altitude of nearly 400 meters, was declared a historical artistic monument over 40 years ago.

So, you have another exciting place on your list of sights in Tenerife, where you can perfectly combine sightseeing and nature experiences. First, explore the historic old town of the municipality, where the typical Canarian architecture will enchant you, before setting off on a hike through the lush Orotava Valley, which awaits you with dramatic rock formations and tropical vegetation.

Did you think the Canary Island could be so incredibly diverse and exotic? A look at the many different sights in Tenerife should quickly make it clear that much more awaits you here than just a beach holiday. Countless sports and natural experiences, as well as cool theme parks and historic places, make Tenerife a true vacation paradise. Whether you are traveling alone, as a couple, with friends, or with family - Tenerife is an attractive destination year-round for every demographic. If you've caught the travel bug now, quickly browse through our offers and book your Tenerife vacation!