Excursions in Tenerife
1. Round Trips (approx.60 km, 4 hours)
Cruise ships usually offer different tours, which cover the sights of the island perfectly well however you may belong to the group of individual travelers who prefer to organize their excursions independently.
1. Las Montañas de Anaga / Parque Natural de Anaga (Google Maps)
about 55 km, calculate roughly 5 hours for the trip, (Trip with nice weather only).
- Drive to the beach Las Teresitas to see the only sandy beach in TF (TF11 & TF121);
- Drive back to San Andrés, take the TF12 to El Bailadero. From there you could go to the
other side of the island (Taganana), at least to the Mirador "Risco Mogote". However, your
restricted time-frame may not allow it as it is a winding road.
- Follow the TF12 through the Parque Natural de Anaga; passing the Ermita de Nuestra Señora
de Guadalupe and, further on, the Iglesia Casas De La Cumbre. Turn in to TF114 to
the Mirador Pico Del Inglés.
WARNING: Always lock your car and hide your valuables in the trunk, otherwise they may grow some legs, especially if you stop at viewpoints.
- Back to TF12, drive to the Mirador Cruz Del Carmen Observation Deck.
- In Las Mercedes you can turn into the TF13 and drive to Bajamar and Punta del Hidalgo. But
we suggest that you drive into San Cristóbal de La Laguna and walk through the old town with its little streets and shops, (the former capital of Tenerife). Visit some of the churches, and find a nice restaurant, to try the local food.
Helpful Tip: at the Plaza de la Concepción next to the Church of the Immaculate Conception
you will find many restaurants.
One of our favorites is the Bodegón Tocuyo (Calle Juan de Vera, 16, 38201 San Cristóbal de La
Laguna), near the Cathedral of La Laguna, which is a very rustic and wonderful bar.
- Drive back to the port using the motorway, turn right at the Auditorio de Tenerife.
2. Pico de Teide, Masca, Garachico, Icod de los Vinos (1000 year old Dragon tree), Puerto de la Cruz, Ship (8 - 10 hours, approx. 250 km)
Teide National Park a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Video)
Google Maps Part 1
Features the Teide and Pico Vieja stratovolcano. It is the highest peak (3718 m) in Spain
(rising 7500 m from the ocean floor and is the world's third-tallest volcano structure). The National Park, the Teide, the Caldera de las Cañadas is 17 km in diameter. There is a sunken Caldera (or sinkhole) at 2000 m above sea level and the area is bordered to the south by a 500 m high steep cliff face and to the north by Pico del Teide. The area is breathtaking and the experience memorable
- Start from the Port, pass the Auditorium and take the TF5 Túnel Juan Amigó de Lara, direction Aeropuerto Norde until exit Carr. de la Esperanza/TF-24, take the fifth exit.
- Follow the TF 24 (Carr. de la Esperanza) until the cafe El Portillo, Restaurantes / Cafes are nearby), turn left into the TF 21;
Before you drive through the Bosque (Forest) de la Esperanza with its Canarian Pine trees, along the road you will pass by some Miradores (lookouts) like Mirador de Ortuño , Mirador de Chimague, Mirador La Tarta, after the Miradores you will pass by the Teide Observatory. At some points along the road you can see both sides of the island. Not far from
the Teide Observatory there is a crossing where you can take a left which will bring you to the Visitor Center El Portillo.
- Carry on the TF 21 and enjoy the landscape, stop at different parking areas and take pictures. Soon you will see the Teide Cable Car, Tickets for the Cable Car will need to be purchased online, well in advance.
- not far from the Cable Car station you will see the Parador de Cañadas del Teide , take a right turn opposite the hotel and find the Mirador Llano de Ucanca and Rouques de Garcia , enjoy the breathtaking landscape before you carry on.
WARNING: Always lock your car and hide your valuables in the trunk, otherwise they may grow some legs, especially if you stop at viewpoints.
Google Maps Part 2
- Folllow TF 21 until a right turn into TF38 (Mirador Boca Tauce), follow the road and see this
wonderful area, first with lava fields and than changing into a forest setting.
- In Chio turn into the TF375 or take the TF1 to dive to Santiago del Teide,
have your lunch in the village
Helpful Tip: Restaurante Santiago del Teide, with home cooked food.
- Opposite the Church take the TF 436 direction Masca and follow the small, winding road (be aware of the traffic on the small road). The upcoming view will blow your mind looking down into the valley.
- Carry on until Buenavista del Norte on TF436, turn right into TF42 and follow the road until Garachico. Find a parking place (beginning or end of the little town) and walk up Calle Francisco Montesdeoca y Garcia until the Church of Santa Ana and to the Plaza la Libertad, have a drink, and enjoy the atmosphere of this charming little town.
- Drive along the coast on the TF42 until Icod de los Vinos
By Marc Ryckaert (MJJR) - Eigenes Werk CC BY 3.0 Wikipedia
Visit Iglesia Mayor de San Marcos and/or Parque del Drago. The old Dragon tree, about 1000 years old, is one of the famous landmarks of Tenerife like the Teide or the Basilica in Candelaria.
- Carry on to Puerto del la Cruz on the TF42 turning into the motorway TF5
Jens Steckert - Eigenes Werk CC BY-SA 3.0
What to do in Puerto: This website link brings you to the city and it will give you a good idea about Puerto de la Cruz.
- Go back to the Motorway TF5, and drive back to Santa Cruz.
One thing is for sure, you will have a fantastic day with many lasting memories and extraordinary pictures/films.
