A week in Tenerife is the perfect length of time to get to know this beautiful Canary Island, from the main sights in the north to the top attractions in the south. It’ll also give you plenty of time to visit one of my favorite places in Tenerife, the majestic Mount Teide.
To help you organize your 7-day Tenerife itinerary, I’m sharing the best route around the island. My top recommendation is to rent a car at Tenerife airport so you can maximize your time and take advantage of all the wonderful places in Tenerife. We always use DiscoverCars since they offer the best deals and cheapest options.
While Tenerife has a good public transportation system, I still think that having a rental car is the easiest and most convenient way to get around. Plus, it’ll help you make the most of your 7 days in Tenerife.
Best Tenerife one-week itinerary
If you aren’t familiar with this Canary Island, then 7 days in Tenerife is the perfect amount of time to explore the best attractions and landmarks. Given my experience, this is the particular route that I recommend:
- Day 1: Vilaflor and Cañadas del Teide
- Day 2: Climb Mount Teide
- Day 3: Santa Cruz de Tenerife, San Cristóbal de la Laguna & Las Teresitas
- Day 4: Anaga Rural Park and Benijo Beach
- Day 5: Puerto de la Cruz & La Orotava
- Day 6: Icod de los Vinos, Cueva del Viento & Garachico
- Day 7: Masca, Los Gigantes & Playa de Las Américas
If you follow this 7-day Tenerife itinerary, you’ll be able to see both the northern and southern parts of the island, as well as Mount Teide.
Day 1: Vilaflor & Cañadas del Teide, the start of your 7-day Tenerife itinerary
♦ 123 km (2 hrs by car) – from Tenerife North Airport
♦ 57 km (1 hr, 20 mins by car) – from Tenerife South Airport
To make the most of your first day in Tenerife, I suggest picking up a rental car at the airport. Personally, we reserve the car before our trip on the DiscoverCars website so that when we land at the airport in Tenerife, it’s ready to go. Just be sure to book it for all your 7 days in Tenerife.
For day one of this 7-day Tenerife itinerary, I suggest going to Vilaflor, and enjoying the beautiful viewpoints of the Cañadas del Teide. If you’re flying into Tenerife North Airport, it’s about a 1 hour and 15-minute drive to Vilaflor (87 km). Alternatively, Vilaflor is just 30 minutes from Tenerife South Airport (20 km).
Day 1: Vilaflor & Cañadas del Teide, the start of your 7-day Tenerife itinerary
Hike through the lunar landscapes of Vilaflor in the morning, then make the 30-minute drive over to Los Roques de García. There are lovely places to stop and admire the panoramic views of the island along the way.
For example, on the TF-21 road just outside Vilaflor, you’ll find the Mirador de Vilaflor viewpoint. Then, if you follow the road toward Teide, you’ll run into the Boca Tauce, Zapato de la Reina, Llano de Ucanca, and Roques de García viewpoints. The latter is very close to the La Roulette viewpoint, which is also worth visiting.
This area is known as the Cañadas del Teide, and it offers the best views thanks to its peculiarly shaped rocks. You can enjoy a nice picnic here and wait until nightfall when you can photograph the Milky Way. That said, if it’s your first time here and you want to see all the stars, I suggest booking this stargazing tour.
Finally, I recommend spending the night at the Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide so you can take advantage of day two of this 7-day itinerary in Tenerife.
Day 2: Climb Mount Teide, the best part of your week in Tenerife
♦ 67 km (1 hr, 30 mins by car)
Your week in Tenerife wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Mount Teide. For day two, I recommend getting up early so you have enough time to climb to the top.
From the Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide, it’s only about a five-minute drive to the Teide cable car, which is 2,356 meters above sea level. The cable car drops you off at La Rambleta, at 3,555 meters, and the last 200 meters to the summit must be done on foot.
Day 2: Climb Mount Teide, the best part of your week in Tenerife
Keep in mind that you’ll need a permit to access the summit, which you can request through this link. Be sure to do this well before your trip since during the tourist season, permits run out up to three months in advance.
If you can’t get a permit or you prefer hiking with a guide, you can book this excursion, which includes your cable car ticket and your summit permit.
Mount Teide is one of my favorite places on the island, so you must take advantage of your 7 days in Tenerife to visit it. During our trips to Tenerife, we dedicate an entire day to touring Mount Teide and admiring its unique landscapes and scenery. On one occasion, we booked one of the guided tours, while on another, we decided to walk up Sendero 7 (Montaña Blanca) and spend the night at the Altavista Refuge. Then, we rose early to see the sunrise from the summit. You can learn more about climbing Mount Teide in our guide.
Climb Mount Teide, the best thing to do in Tenerife in 7 days
After visiting Teide, I recommend driving to Santa Cruz de Tenerife and spending the night there. This town is about an hour and 20 minutes from the Teide cable car station. If you have time, you can stop at some interesting viewpoints along the way, like Tabonal Negro, Minas de San José, and Portillo Alto.
These are my favorite hotels in Santa Cruz de Tenerife:
- Luxury: Iberostar Heritage Grand Mencey, one of the best 5-star hotels in Tenerife
- Mid-price: Silken Atlántida Santa Cruz, which is where we stayed and one of the best hotels in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- Budget: Hotel Principe Paz, one of the best cheap hotels in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Day 3: Santa Cruz de Tenerife, San Cristóbal de la Laguna & Las Teresitas
♦ 42 km (1 hr, 10 mins by car)
On day three, you can explore Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the island’s capital city. You should also have enough time to visit San Cristóbal de La Laguna and Las Teresitas, two more places you can’t miss during your week in Tenerife.
If you spent the night in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, you can start your day with a nice breakfast and this free tour. Your guide will take you to some of the top attractions in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, like the Castillo de San Cristóbal, Our Lady of Africa Market, and Plaza de España.
Day 3: Santa Cruz de Tenerife, San Cristóbal de la Laguna & Las Teresitas
At lunchtime, take a short 15-minute drive to San Cristóbal de La Laguna, which is about 10 km away. This town was the first city in the Canary Islands and, in addition to being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s one of the best attractions in northern Tenerife. Despite its small size, there are several beautiful places to see in La Laguna, like the Plaza del Adelantado and the Palacio de Nava.
And before getting back to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, I suggest going to Las Teresitas, one of Tenerife’s best beaches. This is one of the few white sand beaches in the northern part of the island, and it’s great for swimming since the breakwater keeps the waves quite calm.
From Las Teresitas, it’s about a 20-minute drive back to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, so I recommend returning to the city and spending the night in the same hotel. This way, you’ll be able to make the most of your week in Tenerife.
Day 4: Anaga Rural Park and Benijo Beach, two must-sees during your week in Tenerife
♦ 67 km (1 hr, 55 mins by car)
Day four of this 7-day Tenerife itinerary is dedicated to visiting Anaga Rural Park, one of the most beautiful parks on the island.
This laurel forest is a declared Biosphere Reserve that spans about 15,000 hectares and numerous hiking trails through fairytale-like scenery. The most famous hike is the Trail of the Senses, which has three paths to choose from. We did trail 3, which is the most spectacular since it includes trails 1 and 2 and takes you deep into the laurel forest.
Day 4: Anaga Rural Park and Benijo Beach, two must-sees during your week in Tenerife
If you want to visit the forest on your own, I recommend reading our guide to Anaga Rural Park first to learn about all the hiking routes and other visitor info. On the other hand, if you prefer going with a guide, this excursion is a great option, although you should keep in mind that it departs from San Cristóbal de La Laguna.
In the afternoon, you can visit Benijo Beach, which is about a 35-minute drive from Anaga Rural Park. I highly recommend adding this beach to your Tenerife week-long itinerary since it’s one of the most pristine, wild beaches on the island. However, if you plan to go swimming, be extra careful not to go too far from the shore since the waves and currents here are quite strong.
After your time at Benijo Beach, you can return to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which is about 45 minutes away (26 km). This way, you can sleep at the same accommodation before embarking on your next adventure.
Day 5: Puerto de la Cruz & La Orotava, two more places to visit in Tenerife in 7 days
♦ 67 km (1 hr, 15 mins by car)
Next, it’s time to visit two more places that you must see during your 7 days in Tenerife: Puerto de la Cruz and La Orotava. Ideally, you’ll get up early and drive to Puerto de la Cruz, which is about 35 minutes (35 km) from Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Once you arrive, begin your visit with this free tour (in Spanish) so you can familiarize yourself with the city’s most important landmarks. You’ll see some main Puerto de la Cruz attractions, including the Plaza del Charco, Plaza Europa, the port, and the Church of Our Lady of Peña de Francia.
Day 5: Puerto de la Cruz & La Orotava, two more places to visit in Tenerife in 7 days
Afterward, grab some lunch, then head over to La Orotava, one of the most beautiful towns on the island. It’s less than 7 km from Puerto de la Cruz, so it’ll only take about 15 minutes to drive there.
La Orotava is worth adding to your week in Tenerife since it’s full of charming and historical landmarks like the Plaza de la Constitución and the Church of Our Lady of the Conception. You also can’t miss the Casa de los Balcones, one of the best sites in La Orotava.
At dusk, hop in the car and travel to Icod de los Vinos, which is about a 30-minute drive away (24 km). I recommend spending the night in one of these Icod de los Vinos hotels:
- Mid-price luxury: Hotel Emblemático San Agustín, one of the best hotels in North Tenerife
- Mid-price budget: Casa Rural Montiel, one of the best rural hotels in Tenerife
Day 6: Icod de los Vinos, Cueva del Viento & Garachico, essential stops for your 7 days in Tenerife
♦ 58 km (1 hr, 40 mins by car)
Icod de los Vinos is another place that should be included on your route through Tenerife in one week. If you spent the night here, get an early start at the Cueva del Viento, an iconic site in Icod de los Vinos.
The Cueva del Viento is a volcanic cavity made of basaltic lava that formed over 27,000 years ago due to the activity of Pico Viejo. Today, it’s the fifth-longest lava tube in the world and is known for its unique geomorphological characteristics. Without a doubt, it’s something you must visit during your 7 days in Tenerife, although you must reserve a ticket in advance here.
Another place to visit in Icod de los Vinos is the Drago Milenario, the oldest living dragon tree in the world. It’s over 800 years old and remains one of the most recognizable symbols of Tenerife. If you plan on visiting, be sure to book a ticket in advance.
Day 6: Icod de los Vinos, Cueva del Viento & Garachico, essential stops for your 7 days in Tenerife
After seeing the Drago Milenario, you can walk around town and eat some lunch before traveling to Garachico, which is about a 15-minute drive away (7 km). Among the attractions in Garachico, one of the best is El Caletón, a gorgeous natural pool where you can go for a swim.
If you have enough time, head to the Teno Punta Lighthouse to watch the sunset. Keep in mind that it’s about a 30-minute drive from Garachico and the roads aren’t in the best condition.
Finally, I recommend spending the night in Masca, specifically Sweet Home Masca, which is where we stayed. It’s 25 km from the Teno Punta Lighthouse, so you can drive there and rest up for the last day of your 7-day Tenerife itinerary.
Day 7: Masca, Los Gigantes & Playa de Las Américas, the best way to end your 7 days in Tenerife
♦ 47 km (1 hr, 10 mins by car)
For the final day of your week in Tenerife, I suggest visiting the most important areas of the south, particularly the Masca gorge.
During our trip, we hiked the descent and took the boat from the pier to Los Gigantes. However, the jetty there has been closed for quite some time now, so the entire round-trip journey must be done on foot. You should be in good physical shape to do both the descent and the ascent since it takes about 7 hours total. Also, you must request a free permit in advance here.
Day 7: Masca, Los Gigantes & Playa de Las Américas, the best way to end your 7 days in Tenerife
Remember, if you decide to do the entire hiking route, you’ll need the whole day. Alternatively, you can view the ravine from above, which is just as beautiful and also includes views of the nearby village. Then, you can drive to see the impressive cliffs at Los Gigantes, which is about 40 minutes (20 km) from Masca.
Moreover, Los Gigantes is the departure point for several tours to see whales and dolphins in Tenerife, so if you’re visiting during whale season, it’s a must-do. We did this excursion, and I guarantee it’ll be one of the most magical experiences during your 7 days in Tenerife.
Masca, Los Gigantes, and Playa Las Américas, the best way to end your 7 days in Tenerife
Depending on whether your flight home leaves today or the next day, you’ll have to keep in mind how far Los Gigantes is from the airports. It’s about an hour and 20 minutes to Tenerife North Airport and about 45 minutes to Tenerife South Airport.
However, if you have the time, consider visiting Playa de Las Américas before you leave. This is one of the liveliest areas on the island, with great nightlife and some of the most popular beaches. You won’t regret visiting this place, and you can stay overnight if your flight doesn’t leave until the next day.
Below are the best hotels in Playa de Las Américas, although you can also stay in one of the hotels in Los Cristianos, another popular area in southern Tenerife.
- Luxury: Sir Anthony, one of the best luxury hotels in Tenerife
- Mid-price: Olé Tropical Tenerife, one of the best all-inclusive hotels in southern Tenerife
- Budget: Catalonia Oro Negro, one of the best cheap hotels in Tenerife
How to get around Tenerife in 7 days
The best way to get around the island is by car, especially if you want to do a personalized route around Tenerife in a week. We always use DiscoverCars to reserve a rental vehicle since they offer many options and the best prices. Plus, we can make the reservation before our trip, so the car is ready to go once we land at the airport.
How to get around Tenerife in 7 days
Tenerife has a good public transportation system, but if you rely on this, it’ll take longer to get to each place, so you probably won’t be able to include everything in this 7-day Tenerife itinerary. In this case, I recommend booking a transfer from the airport to Los Cristianos or Playa de Las Américas. Both of these towns serve as departure points for some of the best one-day tours in Tenerife, so you can maximize your sightseeing time.
Map for a 7-day Tenerife itinerary
Finally, to give you a better idea of where to go during your week in Tenerife, here is a map with all the attractions and hotels I mentioned:
With that, you have everything you need to plan your trip to Tenerife. If you have any questions or you’d like to share your recommendations for seeing Tenerife in 7 days, leave me a comment below. I hope you have an amazing time on Tenerife and that you have a safe trip!
