The Most Breathtaking Places Near Tenerife Within a Short Drive
Despite only being slighter larger than London, the diversity of Tenerife is incredible. The island is famously popular with family holidaymakers but go beyond the southern strip and you’ll find a breath of fresh air. From the colourful colonial-era architecture in the capital city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife to the lush, mountainous landscapes of the north, Tenerife is full of surprises. It’s the largest of the Canary Islands, but with good roads and well-connected highways, its dramatic biodiversity can be explored in just one day. Take to the road and discover the most breathtaking places in Tenerife, within a short drive of Santa Cruz.
Planning on flying to Tenerife? There are two airports to consider – Tenerife South and Tenerife North. Tenerife North Airport is the closest to Santa Cruz while Tenerife South Airport has the best international flight links of the two.
Top Tips for Finding Beautiful Spots Near Tenerife
Tenerife’s volcanic and otherworldly terrain means there are tonnes of incredible places to discover. Here are our top tips for finding beautiful spots near Tenerife:
Hire a car
To reach those off-the-beaten-path places, you’ll often need to travel by car. And with scenery as beautiful as this, half the fun is in the journey itself. With so many mind-blowing roads passing by sparkling coastlines and through cinematic volcanic landscapes, you’ll thank past-you’s decision to hire a car – especially when you’re stopping every two minutes to try capture the dramatic beauty on camera. Find unbeatable car hire deals in Tenerife on HolidayCars.com.
Visit in the off-peak season
The weather in Tenerife is pleasant year-round, so visiting in the off-peak season doesn’t mean blistering cold or endless rain. The high season starts in June and really peaks in August, so we recommend visiting outside of these months. Avoid the crowds and the tour buses packed with visitors to have some of the best spots in Tenerife to yourself.
Get there bright and early
Sometimes visiting in the off-peak season just isn’t possible. And even if you visit in the quieter months, some of the more popular spots in Tenerife can get busy in the off-peak season, too. We suggest getting to where you want to go as early as possible – most of these spots will get busy at around 11am when the tourist buses arrive.
The 6 Most Breathtaking Spots Near Tenerife
Mount Teide National Park
Mount Teide is a sight to behold – the looming volcanic mountain feels impossibly big when you’re face-to-face with it. In fact, the tip of this active volcano is the highest point in Spain and it’s the third-highest volcano in the world. Mount Teide has the power to make you feel ant-like, and driving through Mount Teide National Park is nothing short of spectacular. If you’re visiting from Santa Cruz, take the TF-24 route to the park – we do recommend driving around different routes to change the perspective. Want to see the park from above? There are well-organised cable cars that take visitors to the peak for unforgettable scenery. You can do it on foot, but you’ll need to request a free permit in advance.
Anaga Rural Park
This lush, ethereal forest is a far cry from Tenerife’s arid, volcanic landscape. The views are wildly beautiful, the roads are a joy to drive down, and the hikes are breathtaking. The mountainous area in the northern tip of Tenerife is cooler than the rest of the island – it attracts hikers and adventurers all year round to its wildness, remote beaches, deep ravines, enchanting valleys, and soaring peaks. There are charming, traditional villages to discover, too. The park is within easy reach of Santa Cruz, or you can stay even closer to the park in the pretty village of Taganana. One day isn’t enough to explore the whole Anaga Park, but there are some viewpoints that can be visited as part of a Tenerife day trip – Mirador Risco Amogoje, Mirador Cruz del Carmen, and Mirador Pico del Ingles are just a few of the most breathtaking places in all of Tenerife. There are plenty of walking routes between viewpoints so you can see the magic of the laurisilva forest up close.
Masca Valley
Tucked away in the remote Los Gigantes Mountains, Masca Valley is like stepping into another world. The quaint village is surrounded by soaring cliffs and mountains – it’s truly one of the most beautiful spots in Tenerife. It has become a popular Tenerife day trip but get here early and you’ll manage to have some special quiet time in the valley. Like most places in Tenerife, the best way to see it is by hiring a car and driving yourself. It’s a stunning but winding road with hairpin turns, so it’s only suitable for confident drivers. The tour buses usually arrive at around 11am, and from then on it is very busy – particularly in the summer months. Don’t let its popularity put you off – it’s still unbelievably beautiful, and the drive is the cherry on top.
Charco de Los Chochos
If you want to visit a beautiful place in Tenerife relatively unknown to tourists, head to Charco de Los Chochos. This spot is a natural pool carved out by volcanic rocks and basalt columns, overlooking the wild Atlantic Ocean – the perfect place to cool off from the mid-day heat. Watch the shimmering waters begin to sparkle when the sun is high in the sky, with the ocean crashing into the rocks on one side of the pool and a view of characteristic Tenerife mountains on the other. Take a walk around the surrounding rock pools and look out for the sea life calling them home. Charco de Los Chochos is close to the more popular, bigger rock pool of Garachico, but much less touristy and much wilder. Keep an eye out for whales and dolphins, too.
Montaña Amarilla
If you’re looking for beautiful places to visit in Tenerife, add Montaña Amarilla to the list. The island’s volcanic landscape never fails to impress. Montaña Amarilla translates to the Yellow Mountain, describing the yellow-and-ochre-hued rock formations on Costa del Silencio. The coastal side of the mountain boasts a stunning volcanic crater showcasing some of the clearest water on the island. It’s not just the turquoise waters that makes this spot so breathtaking, though. The crater’s beautiful yellow hues were created by an underwater volcanic eruption – the lava reacted with the sea water resulting in the artistic formations. Serendipity at its finest.
Surprisingly underrated and unknown to tourists, the Arco de Tajao is an incredible natural phenomenon. The huge rock arch is 30 metres in length, and the surrounding arid landscape of the Tajao ravine has a Mars-like feel to it. While we don’t know exactly when the arch started to form, it’s believed that it started to erode around 200,000 years ago. Not only is it beautiful, but it’s so quiet that you might find you have the whole place to yourself – bring some snacks and enjoy the far-reaching coastline views from the arch. There is a short 150-metre walk to the arch from the car park, but if you want to visit the arch as part of a longer adventure, we recommend the Arco de Tajao Loop.
Now that your Tenerife itinerary is packed full of breathtaking spots to visit, the next step is hiring the right vehicle to take you on your journey. The roads in Tenerife can be narrow, windy, and rough in the more remote areas – speak to one of our experts at HolidayCars.com to find you the perfect car for your Tenerife adventure.