Amazing excursions in Tenerife, that you must do on your trip.
Tenerife is a truly amazing island with a variety of landscapes, including dramatic volcanic terrain, lush green valleys, and arid deserts. Because of its small size, it is easy to explore the island and its surrounding waters, and its diversity will surprise you at every turn. You will learn about Tenerife’s top excursions in this guide, along with how to organize them for a trip that will never be forgotten.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of the product links, we’ll receive a small commission at no cost to you. We only promote products and services we 100% believe in. Thank you so much for supporting us! Read more about it in our disclosure policy.
About Tenerife
Tenerife is the biggest island in the Spanish Canary Islands. The island group consists of 8 volcanic islands located only 100 kilometers from the coast of Morocco. This means that, like Morocco, the weather in the Canary Islands is very sunny and warm all year round.
Even though they’re so close to Africa, the Canary Islands are a part of Europe, Spain to be exact. With Spanish as the most common language and the Euro as currency, these islands are very popular with European tourists.
General tips for visiting Tenerife
Visit in the low season. Tenerife is one of the most popular summer AND winter destinations. The high season is from May to October and it has a busy period in December too. Weather-wise Tenerife is a good place to visit all year round, so go for any time outside the high season for cheaper prices and fewer tourists!
Bring hiking boots. Tenerife is a true hiker’s paradise. With surprisingly diverse landscapes, you’ll be able to explore lush green forests, hike through deserts, climb Spain’s highest mountain (Teide: 3715 m), and admire the most unique color contrasts in the volcanic landscapes!
Pack clothing for both warm and cool weather. In the south of Tenerife, it’s always warm. With less than 20 rainy days per year, the south side is a good place to base yourself. However, you might want to see the north too as it’s quite different and much greener. But this means more rain and cooler temperatures. Make sure to pack layers, so you’re prepared for every kind of weather.
Rent a car! In Tenerife, renting a car is very cheap. You can find good deals from 50 euros per week! I highly recommend renting a car as it’s good to have the freedom to drive anywhere!
Related: Where to Stay in Tenerife: Best Areas, Top Accommodations, and More!
The 11 best excursions in Tenerife
The excursions I will tell you about in this post, will be official excursions that you can book in one click on GetYourGuide. I only recommend GetYourGuide tours, because this is a trustworthy company that I believe in and I always book tours through this company myself. You’ll be able to see many places comfortably for great prices.
I personally did some of the excursions mentioned below, and it was incredible! Not only was everything taken care of, but the tour guides were also very kind and informative, and the groups were usually very sociable.
Now let’s get into the best excursions in Tenerife!
Whale and Dolphin tour (respectful and no-chase)
This first excursion is a real must when you’re in Tenerife. Because Tenerife is situated in the Canary Island group in the Atlantic Ocean, you will find lots of marine life, like dolphins, as well as whales. That is why going out on the water is a real must!
Unfortunately, a lot of tours chase after the animals in an excessively aggressive manner. Whales and dolphins may feel threatened and anxious as a result. These kinds of tours are frequently the least expensive and are frequently packed.
For this reason, I advise going with a no-chase whale and dolphin spotting tour. Respect for the animals is a top priority for this operator, who makes sure they stay at ease in their natural habitat. You’ll still have a great afternoon on the water with breathtaking views of the islands, even if the animals decide not to approach.
Remember that nature is unpredictable, so there’s always a chance you won’t see any animals. It’s important to book with this understanding so you can fully appreciate the experience, whether or not whales or dolphins appear.
Book this respectful whale and dolphin watching tour here!
Teide Sunset and Stargazing
A trip to the Teide volcano is an absolute must on your trip to Tenerife! But what if I told you, you can see this national park from a whole different perspective?
On this sunset and stargazing tour, you’ll be able to see the Teide like never before. This national park is one of the darkest places in Europe, at night, which allows you to check out the milky way in all its glory!
With this tour, you will be able to take some incredible sunset photos, enjoy a glass of Spanish sparkling wine, and go home with a beautiful photo of yourself under the starry sky.
Plus, there are several tour options. If you have a rental car, you can drive to the spots yourself and still get the tour, for a nice discount. Otherwise, I highly recommend booking the classic or the VIP tour.
Book this Teide sunset and stargazing tour here!
Kayaking and snorkeling with turtles
Let’s get back on the water! With this unique kayaking tours, where there’s turtles involved…
Wait… turtles…?
Yes, absolutely!
If you like active excursions, this one’s for you. On this tour, you will paddle out unto the ocean, to a spot where a huge group of turtles spend their time (respectfully, of course). Once there, you’ll get the unique chance to go snorkling and admire the turtles in their natural habitat. You might even see dolphins from close range!
You should know that there’s about 2 hours of kayaking involved, so only book this tour in good health (in my experience, it was never rushed and no one had any trouble paddling). The kayaks are quite comfortable and short wetsuits are involved in the price, as well as photos and videos.
I absolutely loved this tour, as it also gave beautiful views of the island, and the group was really nice!
Book this kayaking and snorkling with turtles tour here!
Related: 1 Week in Tenerife: The Perfect 7-day Itinerary for you!
Siam Park
Tenerife is actually quite famous for this one waterpark on the south of the island: Siam Park. Both popular amongst families, as couples, and other adults, Siam Park is a thrilling activity for everyone!
But what to expect?
Well, can you imagine a waterslide with a 30-meter drop? Or the biggest man-made wave in the world? What about a lazy river? And many different waterslides?
Well, this is everything you can expect and more! Set in a beautiful theme, based on the old kingdom of Siam, you will have the time of your life!
It’s best to book your tickets for this park in advance, as daily visitor numbers are limited to prevent overcrowding.
Book your tickets for Siam Park here!
Masca Valley
I guess it’s safe to say that Masca is the most beautiful valley on Tenerife. No exceptions.
The Masca Valley is a stunning natural wonder located on the northwest side of the island. The valley is renowned for its rugged beauty, dramatic cliffs, and lush vegetation, making it a popular destination for hikers, nature enthusiasts, and adventurers.
But… Entering the Masca Valley is incredibly difficult. Believe me, I tried.
You need a permit and although they are free, they never seem to be available. And then when you finally do get a permit, there are many rules you need to comply with.
Some friends of mine that did get a permit, were denied entry into the valley, because they were not wearing the right footwear… Apparently barefoot shoes and running shoes were not allowed, and there’s a shop where they could go to buy hiking shoes right around the corner.
I’d say, if it looks like a scam and it talks like a scam… It probably is a scam.
Luckily, when booking a tour, you will get the right information about the rules, and everything’s taken care of, from transportation to a permit to a safe hike and an interesting tour guide.
With this particular tour, it’s even more accessible for different people, as you will only hike the descent and take a boat back to town from Masca Bay. So you’ll get all the beautiful views, the experience, and a boat tour, without having to hike up a steep way. I would take that any day!
Book the Masca Valley tour here!
Related: 18 Surprising Hidden Gems in Tenerife That’ll Leave You Speechless!
Teide National Park on quads
Are you a thrill seeker? Somebody who needs a frequent dose of adrenaline?
Then you might want to explore Teide National Park on nothing less than quads!
This tour includes everything you need to explore the national park on quads, in a small group. With stops at amazing viewpoints and thrilling roads, you’ll have the time of your life!
Note: With this excursion, it’s extra important to check the information before booking, to make sure you can comply with the rules and regulations.
Book this Teide National Park quad tour here!
Beginners diving trip (with turtles sightings!)
Am I the only one who’s intrigued by the idea of diving, even if you’ve never done it before?
Because with this amazing excursion, you can! You’ll be able to explore the beautiful oceanic waters, filled with marine life, like moray eels, sting rays, and sea turtles. It is absolutely incredible seeing these wonderful animals in their natural habitat.
An experience like this will be absolutely unforgettable. These diving tours are only done in small groups, with a limit of 9 participants, to ensure a great and safe experience.
Paragliding Tandem flight
Are you a thrill seeker? Than you simply cannot pass up on this incredible excursion!
Doesn’t paragliding over the beautiful island of Tenerife sound like a dream to you? To me, it sure does! And the best thing is, you don’t need any experience for this! You’ll be flying with a very experienced paraglider, who will even take lots of pictures and videos during the flight (for an additional cost).
This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I know will make your trip to Tenerife so much more memorable! I highly recommend booking this tour!
Book this paragliding tandem flight here!
La Gomera island
As Tenerife is part of the Canary Island group, there are many more places to explore, beyond Tenerife. La Gomera, for example!
La Gomera is the second smallest archipelago in the Canary Island group. This small island is super green and interesting, making it a popular day trip from Tenerife. The best way to reach it from Tenerife is by boat.
Luckily, you don’t have to figure anything out, regarding the ferry trip, which places to visit, and so on. By booking this excursion to La Gomera, everything will be taken care of! From transportation, to the ferry ride, to the best places to visit, and at the end of the day, you’ll be dropped off at your hotel or car.
It’s absolutely incredible to visit La Gomera, because it’s not only a beautiful, unique island, but you also get to see Tenerife from a different perspective. I highly recommend taking a full day on your trip to explore La Gomera!
Book this La Gomera full-day tour here!
Horseback riding
Have you ever explored a place from the back of a horse? I can speak from experience when I say that it’s a serene and unforgettable experience that differs greatly from a typical hike! Riding allows you to feel more connected not only to nature but also to the incredible animal you’re sharing the journey with.
The greatest aspect? No prior riding experience is required. Because this tour is suitable for beginners, it’s an exceptional chance that doesn’t come around very often.
With this excursion, you’ll be able to explore the beautiful, green Lomo Forest and get incredible views of the Teide volcano! The group is limited to 6 participants, ensuring a safe and quiet experience.
Book this horseback riding tour here!
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Tenerife in Winter!
Winery tour + tasting
Tenerife is not exactly known for its wines… But that doesn’t mean they’re not good, on the contrary!
Tenerife is home to several wineries that produce some of the most delicious wines in the country! Visiting El Lomo winery is an easy activity with great rewards; you get to taste delicious wines accompanied by awesome Canarian delicacies. After the tour of the winery and tastings, you get the chance to bring home some of the limited edition wines.
I highly recommend visiting El Lomo winery on your trip to Tenerife!
Book this winery tour + tasting here!
Where to stay in Tenerife
If you want to explore the island of Tenerife, it is quite handy to stay in a practical place. But there are loads of practical places to stay. To prevent overwhelm, I wrote a guide on where to stay in Tenerife.
In this guide, you’ll find why certain locations are great, and you’ll know soon enough which places align with your interests. With great hotel recommendations, you’ll find the perfect place(s) for you!
Read this guide on where to stay in Tenerife!
Final thoughts on the best excursions in Tenerife
Now that you know the best excursions in Tenerife, it’s time to start planning your adventures! I recommend booking through GetYourGuide; they offer safe, high-quality tours at fair prices, so you can enjoy every experience without worries.
Which excursion excites you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below, I’d love to hear!
Related posts
- Where to Stay in Tenerife: Best Areas, Top Accommodations, and More!
- 1 Week in Tenerife: The Perfect 7-day Itinerary for you!
- 18 Surprising Hidden Gems in Tenerife That’ll Leave You Speechless!
- Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Tenerife in Winter!
- Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Punta de Teno, Tenerife
The 11 Best Excursions To Do in Tenerife in 2025!
