The 10 best things to do in Tenerife

Yes, there are a million and one beaches (well, 72 listed on the tourist board website at least) on which to stretch out, switch off and toast into a nice shade of bronze. But to do just that is nothing short of a crime on such a multi-faceted island. Up, down, inside, outside: everywhere you look there are man-made and natural attractions to be had, from stargazing in Europe’s clearest skies to conquering the planet’s third-largest volcano, and from splashing around in the world’s most popular water park, to getting within touching distance of dolphins in the wild.

For more Tenerife inspiration, see our guides for hotels, restaurants and bars and nightlife.

Ride to the top of the island

You can’t get to the very top of Tenerife’s omnipresent volcano, Teide, without a prearranged pass, but you can get to within 600 ft by cable car. It goes without saying, the views are spectacular, but it’s the sheer sense of scale that will really take your breath away. What you see above ground is only the tip of what is one of the three largest volcanoes on the planet.

Insider tip: It doesn’t take much by way of adverse weather for the cable car to stop running, so always check in advance before you set off. To avoid the ticket box queues in situ, you can also buy a pass online.

Contact: 00 34 922 010 440; volcanoteide.com
Price: £

Mingle with marine mammals in the wild

There are plenty of excursions that depart from the harbours of Los Cristianos, Puerto Colon and Las Galletas. All will take you out to see the island’s resident pods of pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins. Also keep your eye out for other breeds that have been seen passing through these waters, such as minke, sperm and killer whales too.

Insider tip: If you want to up the ante, you can charter your own boat and crew for anything from a couple of hours to a full day with Boat Hire Tenerife. Most trips include food and drink, plus additional time for snorkelling in a bay.

Contact: 00 34 620 253 957; Facebook page 
Price: £££

Dive to the depths… and still keep dry

Batten down the hatches of the bright yellow sub in Las Galletas harbour for a one-hour trip to a depth of 30 metres with Submarine Safaris. Within this specially designed, three-million-euro tourist submarine, there are 22 large viewing portholes through which you’ll see huge stingrays and a whole circus of colourful marine life feeding around a sunken fishing boat and the harbour wall.

Insider tip: Try and sit near the front of the submarine and you’ll get an extra view over the pilots-shoulder through the front cockpit window. Book online for a 10 per cent discount, and ask about the free bus transfers from the resort areas.

Contact: 00 34 922 736 629; submarinesafaris.com
Price: ££

Have a picnic in a forest

Forest, you might ask? In Tenerife? Those who only know the island as a beach destination are missing out on the glorious greenery just a short drive away. The mountain pine forests above 3000 ft are dotted with recreational areas where stone barbecues and timber picnic tables have been built for day-trippers to just turn up and use. Try Chio or Las Lajas.

Insider tip: Buy a bag of charcoal or two to take up. The forestry department used to provide firewood but this service seems to have stopped, and there’s never much in the way of fallen deadwood near these popular spots.

Price: £

Get acoustically awed

The Adan Martin Tenerife Auditorium is worth a visit just for its photogenic qualities alone, but the acoustics are incredible. This cultural icon with extraordinary, gravity-defying architecture hosts a plethora of spectacles inside its gleaming white shell. It’s home to the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra, but rock, opera and folk also regularly resonate inside its acoustically perfect confines.

Insider tip: Even if you can’t make a show, the guided tours are well worth your time to discover the unique design that has created one of the best acoustic environments in the world. Daily tours take place between 10am and 4pm.

Contact: 00 34 922 568 600; auditoriodetenerife.com
Price: ££

Get your culture fix

Like London’s South Bank Centre, the Tenerife Espacio de las Artes has become a one-stop-shop for art and culture lovers. This uber-modern venue exhibits a broad stroke of genres from abstract to ancient, but with a leaning towards the contemporary. It also has a small cinema that screens original language films, along with an airy café where you can stop for a cup of its namesake.

Insider tip: If you’re looking for something beyond lace tablecloths, Mount Teide fridge magnets and other typical tourist souvenirs, the museum shop offers interesting, locally designed products from the island’s artists.

Contact: 00 34 922 849 090; teatenerife.es
Price: £

Visit an award-winning conservation centre and animal park

What began as a personal collection of parrots has evolved into an award-winning conservation centre and animal park that draws coachloads of visitors to its sub-tropical parkland. Hundreds of exotic animals are housed in many a high-tech atrium at Loro Parque, including gorillas, lions, penguins and dolphins. A full day should be set aside to do the park justice.

Insider tip: The two-hour Discovery Tour is a must; a guided tour behind the scenes sharing insider secrets about the animals, their peculiar habits and their park homes. Tickets for this tour have to be booked in advance.

Contact: 00 34 922 378 841; loroparque.com
Price: ££

Splash around in a huge water park

Siam Park isn’t just for children. Yes there are 12 creative and cleverly designed scream-inducers in this Thai-themed playground, but there’s also a long, lazy river, two white sand beaches, a spectacular wave pool and kids’ splash areas, plus VIP cabanas to retreat to for moments of calm sanctuary away from the aquatic melee.

Insider tip: Siam Park and Loro Parque are part of the same group. Buy Twin Tickets for both parks at the same time (online or at either venue) and you’ll save money, especially if you’re part of a big group or family.

Contact: 00 34 922 691 429; siampark.net
Price: ££

Plan a beach day

Dozens of sandy stretches around the coastline have natural, black volcanic sand. If you prefer the more familiar golden version there are two iconic beaches - the Blue Flag Playa del Duque in Costa Adeje, and the palm-dotted Las Teresitas just north of Santa Cruz. If you prefer lounging with the locals however, try low-key La Jaquita in Alcalá, or the sheltered cove of Playa San Marcos in Icod de los Vinos.

Insider tip: Although fine on the tourist sands, females going topless can still be frowned upon on some of the more off-the-beaten-path beaches, so make a cultural judgement call based on those around you.

Stroll through a historic quarter

The historic quarter in La Orotava shows Tenerife’s noble past where well-heeled Europeans showed off their wealth with fancy carved balconies bolted onto their grand mansions. A prime example is the aptly named Casa de los Balcones (House of the Balconies). Dating from the 17th-century, it’s part heritage site, part living museum and part souvenir shop.

Insider tip: The Casa de los Balcones actually consists of three separate buildings so don’t forget to visit them all. Also remember to pick up your audio-guide headset, try a local glass of wine and sample the various mojo sauces – they’re all included in the ticket price.

Contact: 00 34 922 330 629; casa-balcones.com
Price: £

How we choose

Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations.