Canary Islands, Spain, Spain · Trip plan
5 days in Tenerife
Winter sun, black-sand beaches and Spain's highest volcano.
- Best time
- Oct – Apr
- Ideal length
- 5 days
- A day, mid-range
- $160 per person
- Trip for two
- about $1,600
Planning a 5-day trip to Tenerife? Here's a day-by-day Tenerife itinerary with what it costs, where to stay and how to get there, ready to follow or make your own.
Why go now
The Canaries are Europe's guaranteed winter sun: 22–25°C from November to March, just four hours from northern Europe.
Tenerife is the largest Canary Island, off the coast of Africa. The sunny south has beaches and resorts; the greener north has old towns and banana plantations; and Teide rises above everything.
- Jan: a good time to go
- Feb: a good time to go
- Mar: a good time to go
- Apr: a good time to go
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct: a good time to go
- Nov: a good time to go
- Dec: a good time to go
November to March: 20–24°C on the coast, cold at Teide's summit.
Don't miss
Best things to do in Tenerife
- 01
Mount Teide
A volcano and national park with a cable car to 3,555 m.
- 02
Los Gigantes
Sheer sea cliffs with whale and dolphin boat trips.
- 03
Masca
A hamlet in a dramatic gorge.
- 04
La Laguna
A UNESCO colonial town of coloured houses.
Day by day
Tenerife itinerary for 5 days
- D1
Day 1: Arrive on the south coast
- Morning
- Land at Tenerife South and pick up a rental car; base yourself in Costa Adeje or Los Cristianos for the sunniest weather.
- Afternoon
- Spend the afternoon on the golden sand of Playa del Duque, or swim in the calm water at Playa de las Vistas.
- Evening
- Seafood dinner at a harbour restaurant in Los Cristianos, with papas arrugadas and mojo sauces.
Even in winter the sun is strong here; pack high-factor sunscreen.
- D2
Day 2: Mount Teide
- Morning
- Drive up through pine forest into Teide National Park, a moonscape of lava fields and colourful rock at 2,000 m.
- Afternoon
- Take the cable car to 3,555 m for views across the Canaries; walk the short Roques de García trail on the way down.
- Evening
- Join a guided stargazing tour: Teide has some of the clearest skies in Europe.
The summit path above the cable car needs a free permit booked weeks ahead.
- D3
Day 3: Los Gigantes and Masca
- Morning
- Board a boat from Los Gigantes under 600-metre sea cliffs to watch pilot whales and dolphins, which live here year round.
- Afternoon
- Drive the hairpin road to Masca, a hamlet clinging to the side of a deep gorge, for lunch with a view.
- Evening
- Sunset over the island of La Gomera from the Mirador de Cherfe.
Masca's road is narrow and winding; take it slowly.
- D4
Day 4: The green north
- Morning
- Explore San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a UNESCO town of colourful colonial houses and Spain's first unfortified city.
- Afternoon
- Hike in the Anaga mountains' laurel forest, among the oldest forests in Europe.
- Evening
- Dinner in Puerto de la Cruz by the Lago Martiánez seawater pools.
The north is cooler and cloudier; bring a layer.
- D5
Day 5: Last swim and home
- Morning
- A final swim at El Médano or a coffee overlooking the sea.
- Afternoon
- Lunch of grilled fish and pick up local wine and mojo sauces.
- Evening
- Return the car and fly home from Tenerife South.
Allow time; the airport is busy in winter.
Shorter or longer
Tenerife in 4, 5 or 7 days
4 days in Tenerife
Follow days 1 to 4 above and leave out “Last swim and home”. Start early each day and book the main sights ahead.
7 days in Tenerife
Slow down with a free day for a spa, a cooking class or simply wandering, then add 1 day in Barcelona.
What it costs
Tenerife trip budget
| Style | Per person, a day | 5 days for two |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $80 | $800 |
| Mid-range | $160 | $1,600 |
| Luxury | $380+ | $3,800 |
Stay, food, local transport and entry fees; travel to Tenerife is extra. Rough guides from recent prices, so check before you book.
Where to stay
Best hotels in Tenerife for every budget
What to eat
Food to try in Tenerife
Papas arrugadas with mojo
Wrinkled salty potatoes with red and green sauces.
Fresh fish
Grilled vieja and cherne.
Gofio
Toasted grain flour, a Canarian staple.
Getting there
How to reach Tenerife
- Travel
- Two airports (TFS in the south, TFN in the north) with flights from across Europe.
- Getting around
- Rent a car; TITSA buses for budget travel.
- Rent a car; buses don't reach the best views.
- Book the Teide summit permit weeks ahead.
Before you go
What to pack for Tenerife
- Power bank and charging cables
- Passport and visa printouts
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Swimwear and flip-flops
- A forex card or some local cash
- Travel insurance
Good questions
Tenerife trip FAQs
How many days are enough for Tenerife?
5 days are enough to see the highlights: Mount Teide, Los Gigantes, Masca. Add a day or two if you like a slower pace.
How much does a 5-day Tenerife trip cost?
Roughly $80 a day per person on a budget, $160 mid-range and $380+ for luxury, not counting travel to get there. For two people mid-range, that's about $1,600 for 5 days.
What is the best time to visit Tenerife?
Oct – Apr. The Canaries are Europe's guaranteed winter sun: 22–25°C from November to March, just four hours from northern Europe.
Where should I stay in Tenerife?
Budget: Apartments in Los Cristianos (South coast), from about $80 a night. Mid-range: Hotel Botánico (Puerto de la Cruz), from about $200 a night. Luxury: The Ritz-Carlton, Abama (Guía de Isora), from about $450 a night.
How do I reach Tenerife?
Two airports (TFS in the south, TFN in the north) with flights from across Europe.
Is 4 days enough for Tenerife?
Yes, if you focus: follow days 1 to 4 of the itinerary above and skip "Last swim and home". 5 days is the comfortable length.
What is the weather like in Tenerife?
November to March: 20–24°C on the coast, cold at Teide's summit.
What food should I try in Tenerife?
Papas arrugadas with mojo: Wrinkled salty potatoes with red and green sauces. Fresh fish: Grilled vieja and cherne. Gofio: Toasted grain flour, a Canarian staple.
How do I get around Tenerife?
Rent a car; TITSA buses for budget travel.
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