9 Cool Tenerife Photography Locations – Best Instagram Spots & Scenic Gems
Sharing my favorite photography locations in Tenerife for photographers, instagrammers, nature lovers, and for anyone who wants breathtaking photos from this Canary Island.
Tenerife is one of those islands where everything looks photogenic, no matter if you are in the North or South. Quite literally, you can find gorgeous spots for photos at every turn. I remember when we first moved here – I wanted to capture everything because it all seemed so beautiful.
Even though I have dozens of favorite photography spots in Tenerife, in this article, I want to share the very best – my absolute favorites where photos turn out magical and truly impressive.
These are the kinds of spots that will help you capture breathtaking shots that look straight out of a postcard – unique, impressive, and almost unreal. But for a full list, you have to get my Tenerife map with many more excellent places around the island.
Excellent Photo Locations in Tenerife South
Lagos de Fañabe Resort in Costa Adeje
Let’s start our journey around beautiful Tenerife photo spots with one photogenic hotel which is one of the budget-friendly instagrammable hotels in the Costa Adeje area.
Situated directly along Fañabe Beach in the south of Tenerife, this particular resort looks straight out of a tropical postcard. Before visiting, when I saw some photos, I thought it was somewhere in the Caribbean.
With meandering lagoon-style pools, whitewashed colonial-style architecture, and direct access to one of Tenerife’s most popular beaches, it’s undeniably photogenic.
📸 Best Photo Spots:
- Capture the serpentine pools reflecting the sunset
- Palm-lined walkways and terraces around the resort
- Hotel’s private beach club with golden sand where loungers face the ocean
Lagos de Fañabe Beach Resort is perfect for luxury vibes and tropical aesthetics. However, a couple of things to keep in mind:
⚠️ Reality Check:
- Rooms here are quite outdated and service can be hit-or-miss.
- Food quality is alright, but nothing special. So if want to stay, better choose option with breakfast only and go for dinner outside.
- Pool areas get crowded during the day, so if you want to get that ‘exclusive’ photogenic shot, you need to go early in the morning or at sunset (where colors just explode) when the majority of people are getting ready for dinner. Or, just book your stay here when visiting Tenerife in May, when this hotel is half-empty.
If you are ready to pay more and want to get a more photogenic AND high-quality alternative, I suggest you better look at:
- Hotel Gran Tacande – similar beachfront vibes, but with luxury interiors and better reviews
- Iberostar Selection Sabila – sleek modern design, rooftop infinity pool, and gorgeous sea views
- H10 Atlantic Sunset Review – my personal review of this hotel where I stayed on a few occasions
Los Gigantes Viewpoints
One of Tenerife’s most iconic coastal views, Mirador Archipenque offers a sweeping panorama of the towering Los Gigantes cliffs, which drop dramatically into the Atlantic Ocean.
This is the best place to capture the scale of these massive volcanic walls, with the blue sea and colorful town of Los Gigantes below adding contrast.
📸 Best Photo Spots:
- There are a few viewpoints, capturing the full cliffside panorama. But my favorite location is here.
- Closer shots of the cliffs by the beach (I like the location at Los Gigantes Beach Club), showing the textures of the volcanic rock.
- Town-and-cliff compositions, adding urban contrast to the rugged nature (just walk around Los Gigantes and you’ll see that many streets offer a panoramic view).
⚠️ Things to Keep in Mind:
- Best at sunset, but expect crowds – arrive early for a prime spot.
- Not many people on the beach in winter, so you can get the best photo shots there
- Hazy days reduce visibility, so check the weather.
- Tripods may be tricky, as the area isn’t very spacious.
Want to stay in Los Gigantes? It’s a wonderfully romantic place, perfect for couples and those who enjoy a secluded getaway in a panoramic setting with luxurious touches.
Here are a couple of great accommodation options I’d recommend:
- Klayman Diamond Aparthotel – perfect for longer stays & winter sun
- Casa Sunset – private duplex for big families or groups of friends
- Great Sunset Views Flat – superior apartment with a private pool & Los Gigantes views
Amarilla Golf
a small town on the island’s south coast. I’m guessing most of you have never heard of it, but for me, it’s one of the top places with interesting things to do in Tenerife South.
It’s a truly pleasant place to be – few tourists, lovely oceanfront promenade, and perfect setting for a sunset walk or dinner by the water.
When it comes to photography, Amarilla Golf area doesn’t disappoint. The rugged, rocky coastline offers endless opportunities for creative shots.
Here, calm volcanic pools with mirror-like reflections sit right next to the crashing waves and swirling spray of the open ocean. The landscape is anything but static – it transforms with the tides, weather, and ever-changing light.
📸 Best Photo Spots:
- The boardwalk overlooking the ocean
- Marina area with sailboats
- Near the volcanic rock arch
⚠️ Things to Know Before You Go:
- Located near Marina San Miguel, accessible by car or a short walk from Golf del Sur. Free parking is available nearby.
- Visit in the morning or golden hour for the best lighting and fewer people. Midday can be harsh due to strong sunlight and lack of shade.
- This is a fantastic area for walks and photography, but not for swimming. The coastline is very rocky with sea urchins
Masca Gorge
Nestled in the mountains near Los Gigantes, Masca Gorge is one of Tenerife’s most breathtaking and legendary landscapes. Plunging over a kilometer deep, it is one of the deepest ravines on the island, carving a dramatic path from the tiny mountain village of Masca down to a secluded bay on the Atlantic coast once used by pirates.
For years, Masca’s challenging but rewarding hike was a favorite, leading through otherworldly rock formations, lush vegetation, and ancient lava flows. In 2018, a storm stranded hikers, prompting authorities to close the trail for safety, but since spring 2021, it has reopened with stricter regulations.
The best part? You don’t need to hike to experience Masca’s beauty. Just getting to the village is an adventure, with a winding mountain road often called one of Spain’s most thrilling drives.
But it’s worth it – the views from the village are breathtaking, especially in the soft glow of the late afternoon sun. If visiting in January or February, expect winds but fewer people.
📸 Best Photo Spots:
- Mirador de Masca, just before reaching the village, for an expansive view of the ravine.
- From the village itself, capturing the houses nestled between the cliffs.
- Along the road to Masca, stopping at viewpoints to photograph the dramatic switchbacks.
- Inside the gorge, for those doing the hike, where the towering rock walls create a beautiful sense of scale.
⚠️ Things to Know Before You Go:
- Accessible only by car or tour. The road is scenic but challenging, so if tight mountain roads make you nervous, consider taking a guided tour.
- Best time to visit for great photos – afternoon for the best lighting as golden light highlights the rugged textures of the gorge.
- Road to Masca is narrow and full of sharp turns, with limited places to pull over, so drive cautiously.
- Permits are required to go hiking, and trail now has stricter access rules for safety.
- No facilities in the gorge – if hiking, bring water with food or snacks, and good footwear – terrain is uneven and steep.
If you want to access Masca Gorge by hike, here are the BEST TOURS to join:
- Masca Gorge Trail Hike – where you need a permit which is included
- Buggy Tour in Masca Valley – photo trip with experienced guide
- Hiking Above Masca & Enchanted Forest – includes a package of 20-40 photos from the tour
- Masca Private Boat Trip From Los Gigantes – includes drinks, snacks & snorkeling equipment
Best Tenerife Photography Locations in the North
Playa de Castro
This wild and untouched black-sand beach on Tenerife’s northern coast is another pretty photo spot. It is a true hidden gem, surrounded by a big nature reserve with unique vegetation and even a small waterfall that cascades onto the sand (one waterfall is man-made and another one natural but gets full of water after the winter rains).
Unlike the island’s more popular beaches, this spot remains serene and uncrowded – not because it’s unknown, but because reaching it is physically demanding.
The steep descent with stairs winding through the cliffs makes the journey challenging, especially for small children or those who aren’t prepared for a tough climb back up. In hot weather, the return can be exhausting, discouraging casual beachgoers.
But if you are willing to make the effort, the reward is going to be an incredibly photogenic and peaceful setting.
📸 Best Photo Spots:
- From the cliffs above, capturing the entire beach and surrounding greenery.
- Near the small waterfall, where water meets the black sand.
- On the beach itself, using the surrounding rock formations for framing.
- Tide pools and reflective surfaces for close-up texture shots.
⚠️ Things to Keep in Mind:
- Reaching the beach requires a steep descent with stairs – this makes it inaccessible for people with mobility issues and challenging for small children (especially when climbing back up).
- The climb back up is physically demanding for everyone, particularly in hot weather, so be ready for it and have water with you.
- There are no facilities, meaning you have to bring everything you need.
- This area has very strong waves and currents here which is unsuitable for swimming. If you’re coming with children, do not let them go deep into the water. And be very careful yourself.
Playa de Benijo
This is a wild, untamed black-sand beach on Tenerife’s northern coast. It is definitely among the most beautiful beaches in northern Tenerife where dramatic volcanic cliffs meet powerful Atlantic waves.
Completely removed from the island’s tourist hotspots, this beach feels like a hidden world of its own – raw, moody, and intensely photogenic.
It is truly an instagrammable location due to the winding scenic descent to the beach that adds depth to your storytelling and massive rock formations that rise from the ocean (perfect for moody seascapes).
If you stay until the golden hour, you’ll witness some magic. Sunsets here cast an unreal glow over the black sand. although I personally prefer to visit in cloudy weather since waves get stronger and when crashing against the shore, they create dynamic, powerful shots.
📸 Best Photo Spots:
- From the clifftop viewpoint before descending to the beach
- At the water’s edge, where the reflections on wet black sand add depth.
- Between the volcanic rocks, capturing the waves crashing behind you.
⚠️ Things to Keep in Mind:
- No facilities – no toilets, sunbeds, or lifeguards. This is pure nature. Restaurants are just across the road from the beach.
- The ocean here is rough – great for photos, not always great for swimming.
- Getting here requires car hire because by bus it will take forever.
Punta de Teno Lighthouse
The westernmost tip of Tenerife, Punta de Teno is a place where jagged cliffs, deep-blue ocean, and an iconic red-and-white lighthouse create a setting that feels almost cinematic. It is truly an instagrammable location if you go in the first part of the day or for the sunset.
Isolated and wind-swept, this spot offers some of the most striking coastal views on the island.
📸 Best Photo Spots:
- From the lighthouse itself, with the ocean stretching endlessly behind it
- On the rocky coastline, capturing the waves smashing against the shore
- The viewpoint along the road before reaching Punta de Teno, showing the lighthouse framed by the cliffs
⚠️ Things to Keep in Mind:
- Restricted car access – private vehicles are not allowed from 10 AM to 7 PM, so you’ll need to take a shuttle bus from Buenavista del Norte.
- Strong winds – together with Bajamar village and Masca it’s the most winy place in Tenerife north. The area often receives gusty winds, so be prepared if shooting with a tripod.
- Few amenities – there’s no food or drink available nearby, so bring what you need. There are also no public restrooms (last time we were there, we saw only a couple of portable toilets, not very clean)
Playa de las Teresitas
Unlike most of Tenerife’s volcanic beaches, Playa de las Teresitas is a golden oasis framed by lush mountains, creating one of the most striking beach settings on the island.
This brilliant contrast between the soft golden sand, turquoise waters, and deep Anaga Mountains makes every shot feel vibrant and full of life.
Instead of a flat horizon, the rugged peaks serve as a dramatic backdrop, adding depth and making the beach feel even more exotic.
If you want to capture the most striking photos with great lighting, the best time to visit here is in the afternoon when the sun is still high but not too harsh, just before it starts to set.
📸 Best Photo Spots:
- Closer to the mountains, where the contrast between sand and mountains is strongest.
- By the palm trees, using them as foreground framing for a tropical feel.
- Shallow water reflections for mirror-like beach shots (but these are possible only in the end of spring, summer and early autumn since in winter this part of Tenerife often gets windy).
⚠️ Things to Keep in Mind:
- Come here during high tide if you want to take photos in the water
- Weekends get crowded, so visit during the week
- Water here is calm due to the breakwater – great for photography but not for dramatic wave shots.
- This is NOT a place for sunset photos, but soft evening light works perfectly for vivid pictures with good clarity
Minas de San José
Personally, this is my favorite photography location in Teide National Park. A surreal, Mars-like desert landscape is a photographer’s dream for otherworldly textures, vast open spaces, and dramatic lighting.
The volcanic formations and wind-sculpted terrain here create an illusion of being on another planet, making it one of the most unique spots on the island.
I am dropping the exact coordinates where you’ll find this otherworldly dreamscape. There is a parking lot here but for a limited number of cars.
In the early morning or late in the evening (if you want to combine a visit here with stargazing in the park), it will be easy to find a spot for a car.
📸 Best Photo Shots:
- Wide-angle shots across the open plains, capturing the vastness
- Close-ups of the sand formations, highlighting the unique textures
- Silhouettes against the golden ground, especially at sunrise or sunset
⚠️ Things to Keep in Mind:
- Midday light is harsh, so early morning or late afternoon is best, all my photos you see here from this location were taken exactly during the sunrise or sunset.
- Strong winds can kick up dust, so protect your camera gear.
- No shade or facilities, so bring water and sun protection.
More Locations in Tenerife That Can Be Great for Photos
- Panoramic restaurants & cafes – all in Tenerife North
- Pretty towns to visit – in different sides of the island
- Unique locations where to stay – instagram-worthy hotels and apartments
- All-inclusive hotels around Tenerife – all for low & mid budgets
- Loro Park – with its unique plants & wildlife
- Guimar village – with scenic coastal trail & views
- Tenerife museums – yes, some offer interesting settings for pretty images
However, you need to purchase my map with many more locations and interesting activities in Tenerife, all in one place and easily accessible from your phone:
