If you have 7 days to spend in Tenerife, then here’s the perfect itinerary for you!
The ideal way to get a flavour of this gorgeous Spanish island, these 7 days will have you seeing, experiencing and enjoying the best Tenerife has to offer.
From wine tastings and UNESCO cities, to active volcano hikes and black sand beaches, it might be small, but Tenerife sure does excel when it comes to diversity!
So here’s how to enjoy the best of it in just 1 week…
Related Posts
- Where is Tenerife + 10 Useful Island Tips
- 11 Best Things to Do in South Tenerife
- Complete Tenerife Packing Guide
My trip to Tenerife was sponsored by Visit Tenerife but, as always, all views are my own.
This page contains affiliate links meaning Big World Small Pockets may receive a small commission on any purchases at no extra cost to you.
When to Visit Tenerife?
I think a winning point of this Tenerife itinerary is that you can enjoy it across all 12 months!
Yes, a year-round affair, Tenerife is an ideal destination to visit during all 365 days!
With fairly consistent temperatures and rainfall across the year, and boasting great hours of sunshine whatever the month, this 7 day superb adventure is great to enjoy just about any time of the year – hoorah!
How to Travel to Tenerife?
Now that we’ve ascertained that the best time to visit Tenerife is pretty much any time!, the next thing to tackle when it comes to enjoying this itinerary is how to get to the island.
Despite being part of Spain politically, Tenerife is actually one of the Canary Islands, situated off the west coast of northern Africa, which is why almost all travellers fly here.
The island has 2 airports – one in the north of the island and one in the south.
The southern airport (Tenerife Sur) hosts by far the most international flights, so it’s likely you’ll arrive here.
Find the best flight prices to Tenerife Sur using Skyscanner, as they include budget flights in their searches.
Day 1: Arrive & La Laguna
Now that we’ve discussed how to travel to Tenerife, you’re ready to arrive on this island and enjoy your 7 day itinerary!
Because you have a week in Tenerife, my recommendation is to explore both the north and south of this island, as you’ll be amazed by the diversity between them.
Yes, to gain a 360 degree sense of this Canary Island, I really feel you have to explore both ends!
And this is why, from the airport in the south of Tenerife, I suggest you first head to the north of the island and the UNESCO city of La Laguna.
The former capital of Tenerife, this beautiful historic town is a lovely spot to ease into island life and to base yourself when exploring the north.
When it comes to getting to La Laguna from Tenerife Sur, you can either grab a taxi, hire a car, or catch the public bus.
Sadly Uber doesn’t exist in Tenerife, but local taxis are easily available from outside the airport and fairly reasonable.
Alternatively, check public bus timetables in Tenerife here (there’s a great service island-wide) or grab a great rental car deal from the airport here.
Once in La Laguna, I highly recommend you check in to the Laguna Nivaria Hotel and base yourself here for the next 3 nights while you enjoy the north of Tenerife.
Located in La Laguna’s central square (or plaza as it’s known in Spanish), Laguna Nivaria Hotel is also the perfect place to explore this city from – something I recommend you do on your first night here.
Learn about all the top things to do in La Laguna, as well as a bit about the history of this fascinating place, in this travel guide I wrote to this city.
Day 2: Anaga Rural Park & Puerto de la Cruz
Once you’ve driven to the north of the island and enjoyed a lovely evening in La Laguna, it’s then time to get out and about and enjoy the north of the island beyond this city.
And first up, it has to be the amazing Anaga Rural Park.
Encompassing a huge area in the northern tip of Tenerife, this is a must-visit on your 7 day island itinerary, especially if you like hiking!
A UNESCO biosphere, filled with beautiful forest trails, this natural space is wonderfully accessible – meaning you can either get a bus or drive here.
Then all you have to do is pick from the numerous trails network and start walking!
With flat, short boardwalks ideal for families, through to epic day long challenging hikes, clear signs at every trailhead give you lots of instructions about the duration, ascent and difficulty of the walks.
Otherwise, you can always check out my list of the 7 best hikes in Tenerife for more ideas!
There’s a good car park in the centre of Anaga Rural Park at the Visitor Centre (you can find it on Google Maps), which is a good place to head for, as it has a lot of trailheads, plus a café and some toilets too.
On the way there, don’t miss the many stunning viewpoints you can enjoy as you ascend up to this beautiful natural reserve, including Pico del Ingles.
Afterwards, why not finish up the afternoon and grab a drink and dinner in the coastal resort of Puerto de la Cruz?
Stroll the waterfront here, take a dip in the sea or saltwater pools and then head to the old part of town to enjoy the street art as well as many eateries and bars.
Day 3: Tegueste & Bodega El Loma
For your last day in the north of Tenerife, it’s time to take a break after all the hiking and activities yesterday.
So why not head from La Laguna to explore the quaint town of Tegueste, where you can enjoy a relaxed coffee, the cute coloured houses and a real sense of local village life.
From here, I then suggest heading for an afternoon of wine tasting and vineyards touring.
And what better place to do just that than the beautiful family-owned spot of Bodega El Loma, which is just a short drive from Tegueste.
Independent, authentic and situated in a stunning spot with sweeping vineyards and coastal views, Bodega El Loma is an incredible place to taste some of Tenerife’s unique grapes and wines.
Because if you didn’t know this beautiful island makes its own fantastic wines, then you’re in for a treat!
Bodega El Loma also have an onsite restaurant, if you want to stay for food, otherwise, explore the cellars and winery with a guide and enjoy the marvellous tastings.
Of course, buying a bottle or 2 is all part of the fun!
Book a taxi to take you back to Laguna Nivaria Hotel for your final night in north Tenerife.
Day 4: Costa Adeje & Kayaking
On day 4 of your Tenerife itinerary, it’s time to head down to the south of the island and I recommend bee-lining for the upmarket coastal resort of Costa Adeje.
Very quickly, you’ll realise that the south of Tenerife is much drier and low-lying than the north.
It’s also much more barren and volcanic, not to mention warmer… so the perfect place on this island to enjoy the sun!
From La Laguna, you can drive to Costa Adeje in just over an hour, or take the bus to make it in 2 hours.
Once there, if you’re looking for a splurge, then the amazing 5* GF Victoria Hotel is hard to beat.
Ideal for couples, families, friends and solo travellers looking for an exceptional experience, read my review of why I loved this hotel so much here.
Otherwise, check out these other options for top accommodations picks.
Once you’ve arrived and checked in, why not make the best of the afternoon with a great guided kayaking experience?
The best spot to enjoy this in my opinion is along the amazing sea cliffs of Los Gigantes.
Ivan at the wonderful Teno Activo offers these trips daily, where double kayaking adventures take you along the bottom of the cliffs to learn more about the marine wildlife and geological features of these impressive giants.
Running from the cute harbour of Puerto de los Gigantes, this is just a short distance from Costa Adeje and trips include a swim, a beer and plenty of active fun!
Day 5: Mount Teide National Park
Why not chill and enjoy the morning at your hotel or at the beach in Costa Adeje, because you’re going to have a busy afternoon on day 5 of this Tenerife itinerary!
Yes today is the day I recommend heading to the island’s second UNESCO site – the amazing Mount Teide National Park.
Little did I know before I headed here, that Mount Teide is not only Tenerife’s highest peak, but Spain’s highest peak too!
And at over 3700m, she’s a whopper!
Not to mention, she’s an active volcano too!
And, quite amazingly, you can still climb her!
I’ve written all about hiking Mount Teide in this post about my top walks in Tenerife, but the short hand is that you can either trek this soaring landscape at night without a permit, or apply months in advance to get your permit for a day time hike.
If you hike in the day, you also have the option to trek the whole thing, or take the cable car up to very near the top of the volcano and then just walk the last stretch.
Book your Mount Teide cable car and hiking tour here.
Alternatively, if you don’t feel like walking, there’s plenty of other ways to enjoy Mount Teide National Park too.
From scenic tours to quad bike adventures that don’t take you to the summit, but do whizz you around the striking volcanic landscape, this breathtaking place is very accessible to all ages.
It takes about an hour to get to Mount Teide from Costa Adeje, along paved roads, so driving here in your own car is also totally possible.
If you just want to enjoy the park and grab some stunning shots, then visiting in the late afternoon for golden hour or sunset is the key.
Don’t forget to bring covered shoes, warm layers and a windproof jacket, as you’ll find the temperature quickly drops when you get up above 1500m!
Day 6: El Medano & Watersports
Hopefully you had an amazing day at Mount Teide National Park yesterday, because now it’s time to enjoy the warmth and sun of the island’s south again on day 6 of this Tenerife itinerary.
Enjoy a leisurely start in Costa Adeje and then hop in your car, or on the bus, to the nearby beachy spot of El Medano.
There’s a lovely sandy beach here, as well as a cute town and some great restaurants, including my favourite El Ancla – I recommend booking for either lunch or dinner.
Before that though, make sure you hit the sand, relax in the sun, swim in the sea, or else enjoy some watersports.
From SUP-ing to windsurfing, eFoiling to kitesurfing, it’s all up for grabs from several local outfits that line the top of the beach here.
And then, in the evening of day 6, why not head to the nightlife centre of Tenerife for a few drinks and dinner?
While Playa de las Americas has a bad rep, there are some classier restaurants here and Besame Mucho, along the waterfront, is a stunning seafront spot that makes an awesome place for your last dinner.
Day 7: Whale Watching
And with the final day on your Tenerife itinerary now here, how about you celebrate the end of an amazing week with an extraordinary wildlife experience?
After all, did you know Tenerife’s waters were home to pilot whales, dolphins and turtles?
Well neither did I until I got to experience a stunning afternoon cruise aboard the Big Smile charter boat.
A glorious catamaran experience with opportunities to relax on deck in the shade or sun, or under deck, the fantastic onboard guide will explain all you need to know about these magnificent creatures, which largely feed and live in the deep underwater canyon between Tenerife and its neighbouring island of La Gomera.
And with a 90% chance of seeing Pilot Whales and a 75% chance of seeing dolphins, we also spotted giant turtles and had a fabulous time drinking wine in the sunshine!
Our catamaran headed out from the mini harbour at Puerto Colon but, if Big Smiles are busy, then there are plenty of other charter companies that make the trip from this port too.
And after your time wildlife spotting on the high seas, it’s time to return to dry land and get ready to fly home – boo hoo!
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Top Travel Tips for Tenerife
How to Get Around?
It’s easy to get around Tenerife using public buses.
Check out timetables on the island-wide network here.
You can also use taxis to get around Tenerife of course, or rent a car.
Check out these great hire car deals if you’re opting for the latter.
Where to Stay?
I highly recommend the GF Victoria for a top hotel stay in south Tenerife – read my review of this amazing place here.
In the north of the island, my pick goes to Laguna Nivaria Hotel.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for an apartment, guesthouse, hostel or more affordable hotel across the island, check out this great selection.
Travel Insurance for Tenerife
World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while travelling and claim online from anywhere in the world.
Alternatively, if you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent remote worker seeking travel health cover, check out Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance policies.
5 Key Tenerife Packing Items
#1 Camera – Don’t miss snapping all the action across this beautiful island
#2 Dry Bag – Ideal if you plan to enjoy any water-based activities in Tenerife
#3 Arizona Birkenstocks – The best sandals for travel in my opinion!
#4 Osprey Day Pack – Ideal for carrying your sunscreen, towel, sarong, book, snacks and water
#5 Sunglasses – Ensure they have UV protection to keep your eyes safe from the strong rays
Learn more in this complete Tenerife packing guide I wrote.
Travel Money for Tenerife
When it comes to paying for things in Tenerife, you want to be certain you’re not being charged overseas transaction fees, or getting poor exchange rates, when using your card abroad.
This is why I always take my Wise card away with me wherever I travel.
The easy way to spend abroad with real exchange rates, no markups, no sneaky transaction fees and a free Euros account, you can use your Wise card just like a debit card and it links easily with Google and Apple pay. Grab yours here!
PIN IT TO PINTEREST!
And that’s my 7 day perfect Tenerife itinerary wrapped up!
Showing you the diversity of this amazing island in just 1 week, this itinerary will have you experiencing all the highlights Tenerife has to offer from active volcano hiking to whale watching, wine tasting to watersports.
Honestly, there’s no better way to enjoy your time here!
Are you planning to visit Tenerife?
Have any questions?
Then don’t hesitate to drop them into the comments box below and I’ll get back to you…
