Tenerife Road Trip – Scenic Drives & Places to Visit By Car

Tenerife is one of those places where staying in one corner of the island never feels like enough. You can start the day on a dry sunny coast, drive through pine forests and lava fields, cross high mountain roads with views that barely look real, and end it in one of these towns that feels nothing like the resort areas people usually associate with Tenerife.

That is exactly why road trips make so much sense here.

After driving around the island again and again, in different seasons and for different reasons, I stopped seeing Tenerife as a place of separate attractions and started seeing it as a collection of routes.

In this guide, I put together must-do Tenerife road trips that I think are actually worth doing. They show how different and contrasting Tenerife really is. Some can be done in one day, others are better taken slowly with extra stops along the way.

Аlso note: If you are driving in Tenerife in winter, keep in mind that the weather changes fast with altitude. Even when the coast feels warm, Teide and higher mountain areas can be cold, so bring an extra layer.

Tenerife Road Trip Ideas – 4 Scenic Routes Not to Miss

Northern Tenerife Road Trip From La Laguna to Chamorga Through Anaga Rural Park

Suggested Route: La Laguna – Anaga Visitor Center – Playa de Benijo – Chamorga – Playa de las Teresitas – Santa Cruz de Tenerife

• Distance: ~ 90km (56 miles)
• Driving Time: ~ 3 hours (without stops)
• Best Time to Go: year-round but cloudy weather advised
• Navigation Link: Google Maps

This road trip in Tenerife seems to be short when in reality, every place on this drive has a ton of things to do. Most of the activities are tied to nature, and in one day you can go hiking, swim on one of the most beautiful beaches in northern Tenerife, explore one of the ancient villages, or just enjoy beautiful views everywhere. 

Since the drive goes through Anaga Rural Park, which is in northern Tenerife, you either have to stay overnight not far from La Laguna or Santa Cruz (where you start), or be ready to come early to the starting point (early, if you want to see everything). 

It is better to start this road trip from La Laguna, where you can have a hearty breakfast at first (and the route is more scenic there when you drive into the forest, not backward, with a few vista points), and exit the park on the TF-12 road towards Playa de las Teresitas which also opens up views when you drive down.

When taking this road trip, you’ll have a chance to visit one of the most unusual parks in the entire Canary Islands archipelago Anaga Rural Park with its own ecosystem and climate.

Within the park, besides hiking trails, go to at least one village like Chinamada (with cave homes like in Cappadocia), Tachero, or/and Chamorga.

Nest, drive to a unique and beautiful Benije Beach (with rocks that descend straight into the sea and have already become a symbol of this beach) next to a remote and village Almaciga with sharp mountains on different sides.

The road that leads to the beach through the village and park is a separate attraction. It amazes with its landscapes of laurel forest, impressive views of the Atlantic Ocean, and sharp mountains.

Everything around is worth stopping by on each turn and taking photos!

In the second part of the day (if you are a fan of hiking) if you drive to Chamorga, you can go on a hike to Rock Bermejo, which is the northernmost point of Tenerife.

I plan to add a guide soon about the Chamorga to Roque Bermejo hike through an atypical and uncrowded part of Anaga National Park. If interested in knowing when it’s on the blog, subscribe to my newsletter to read it and add to this road trip through Anaga.

Planning to spend some time in Santa Cruz? I think you’ll enjoy a quick visit to the Historical Military Museum of the Canary Islands.

Scenic Drive From Santiago Del Teide to Garachico Through Teno Mountains

Suggested Route: Santiago del Teide – Masca – El Palmar – Buenavista del Norte – Puertito de los Silos – Garachico – Icod de los Vinos – San Juan del Reparo – Ruigomez – Erjos – Santiago del Tedie 

• Distance: ~ 60km (38 miles without side trips)
• Driving Time: ~ 2 hours (without stops)
• Best Time to Go: year-round
• Navigation Link: Google Maps

This road trip goes through the northwest of Tenerife and is a loop (besides a few detours), which means you won’t need extra time just to drive back to the starting point.

It is among the best scenic drives on the island that can be done in a day and you can start it from both, south and north of Tenerife. But ideally, it is best to go on this road trip if you stay in the area of Purto de La Cruz or Los Gigantes (Puerto de Santiago), Playa Paraiso, Adeje, or Los Cristianos.

While the driving time here is only two hours, don’t let it fool you. You can spend a whole day In Garachico and Icod de los Vinos alone. These two are beautiful and famous towns that are well worth visiting.

But before you get to them, there are also small villages on this route like Masca and Las Lagunetas as well as Buenavista del Norte with its Punta de Teno Nature Preserve, which are also worth a detour. On the way to Buenavista, make a quick stop by Montaña la Saorra, which looks like a cut pie and is a unique attraction to see in Tenerife.

In Punta de Teno in particular, there is a unique chance to go to an old lighthouse Mirador Punta del Frailete situated in a scenic area surrounded by volcanic cliffs on one side and Los Gigantos mountains on the other.

Puertito de los Silos has a few trails, great for coastal walks, and a volcanic rock pool, mostly used by locals.

Visiting every stop along this route can be time-consuming, so it helps to decide in advance how much time you want to spend in each place. Still, this drive is mainly about the magnificent views and curvy mountain roads.

In fact, if you prefer to stay in different parts of the island on your trip, there is a beautiful 4-star hotel in Garachico – Hotel LIVVO La Quinta Roja, а restored 16th-century house.

Tenerife By Car From Arona to Puerto de la Cruz Through Teide National Park

Suggested Route: Arona – Vilaflor – Cañada Blanca Visitor Center – Teide Cable Car – El Portillo Visitor Center – La Orotava – Puerto de la Cruz

• Distance: ~ 83km (50 miles)
• Driving Time: ~ 2 hours (without stops)
• Best Time to Go: year-round but in winter, road closures are possible due to strong winds and snow
• Navigation Link: Google Maps

This is definitely a must-do type of drive for anyone who comes to Tenerife for at least five days. Teide National Park is the main highlight of the island, featuring the famous Teide Volcano and views of magma formation fields that look like something out of this world.

But before you get to Teide, make a stop in Arona village, followed by Vilaflor. 

Arona in particular has one interesting place, which is the aloe farm Finca Canarias, where you can stop by to see the cultivation and processing of aloe vera, purchase their beautiful products, and even taste a freshly made aloe vera drink. It is one of the unique things to do in Tenerife that the majority don’t know about. So don’t miss it when using this Tenerife road trip itinerary.

Vilaflor is a rural town with vineyards, where the scenery changes compared to Arona. The streets and squares there retain numerous architectural features from the 17th and 18th centuries.

There are two visitor centers at the Southern and Northern park entrances (which I highly recommend you check out), where you can learn a lot about Tenerife’s geological history, Teide and other volcanoes, and scientific work on the island. 

You don’t need to necessarily make a stop at each Visitor Center, but pop into at least one because they are worth it.

Cañada Blanca Visitor Center is a newer, modern museum with exhibitions about the life around Teide throughout the centuries. Inside, there is also a cafe with a view of Teide and Roques de Garcia in the distance, bathrooms, and little shops for souvenirs and small things.

El Portillo Visitor Center is an older museum with interactive exhibits that tell the story of Teide’s influence on the surrounding flora and fauna.

The whole Teide National Park area is especially worth visiting in May on a road trip when red tajinaste flowers bloom and light up parts of the landscape with bright red color.

Note: If you decide you want to take the cable car to the top of Teide, you need to pre-book tickets in advance because they sell out fast.

As you head toward La Laguna, you will pass Teide Observatory. General public is not allowed to enter its grounds on its own, but I recommend you book a guided tour to learn about Astronomy and the Observatory’s life and purpose.

When I took it with Mark and my mom, our guide Adrian was so amazing that he answered a dozen of my questions about the cosmos which made our tour last longer than it originally had to be. Sharing some photos below.

But if you want to go even further, then better take a Universe in Your Hands stargazing tour for the evening to learn more about the sky and stars. Before going, read my essential tips on Tenerife stargazing to know when to go and how to prepare.

For the rest of the drive, start heading towards La Orotava. This road will take you through a spectacular forest with lots of Canarian Pine Trees giving it a more northern type of look, very different from what you see by the coast. If you get lucky, you might get some mist to enhance your road trip with a mysterious atmosphere.

With more time left in a day, I would strongly recommend spending some time in La Orotava as it is one of the prettiest and liveliest towns in Tenerife. And then for the sunset, drive down to Puerto de la Cruz to Playa del Castillo (beach) or Playa Maria Jimenez.

If you are staying in the south, it would only take about an hour to drive on the TF-1 motorway back there.

But, if you have an opportunity, spend a night in Puerto de la Cruz city. There are a lot of things to do in and around its historical center, including Loro Park, a few scenic coastal trails, and fine black sand beaches.

Also, this city is home to some nice restaurants and cafes and old streets to walk around. No wonder Agatha Christie loved having a holiday there, where she wrote some of her novels.

For a night’s stay, check out Atlantic Mirage Suites & Spa, a hotel where budget meets quality and the location is just stunning.

Quick Scenic Road Trip Through Northern Tenerife

Suggested Route: Puerto de la Cruz – Playa Los Patos – La Quinta – El Sauzal – Bajamar – Punta del Hidalgo – La Laguna (through Tegueste)

• Distance: ~60 km (37 miles)
• Driving Time: ~2 hours (without stops)
• Best Time to go: year-round
• Navigation Link: Google Maps

Here is one of my favorite roads in Tenerife with a bunch of scenic locations (I am living in the area and know every single street and corner and can tell with confidence this drive is worth taking).

It is more of a short but still full-day road trip for those who stay up north. The drive will take you through a small portion of the northern part of the island and will work especially well for those who are already staying in Puerto de la Cruz or within a reasonable distance from the city. 

If you are staying in Puerto, start your day with breakfast in one of these breakfast and brunch cafes (or at your hotel if you have it included). Take a quick stroll through an old town, have a cup of coffee, and then head out to Playa Los Patos.

There are two things you can do at Playa Los Patos. One is to actually enjoy the beach for some time (if you brought your swimsuits), as this is one of the nicest beaches in the area.

However, if you are not up for a beach, follow a trail that goes above it right on top of the cliffs, offering impressive views and serenity. The trail is not very long, so you won’t lose much time out of your trip.

The next stop – La Quinta, will take you to another nicer trail farther up the hills. The path is part of a pristine neighborhood and is not long at all. But totally worth stopping by. There is also a unique park in the neighborhood with an interesting sculpture (La Giganta), which depicts a woman sitting and taking a break.

Another stop, just a short drive away – El Sauzal, not popular among tourists town but with its own charm and unique things to do.

I suggest you drive to the Parish of St. Peter the Apostle Church, as it is the very center where you can have a lunch break. My favorite places to eat there are Gustossa Lounge Bar (and nearby Bar Pizzeria L’Appetitosa), and Terrazas del Sauzal. Аll have excellent food, nice outdoor seating, and reasonable prices.

For the rest of the day, I recommend you drive towards Bajamar and Punta del Hidalgo, two lesser-visited fishing towns with an authentic feel where locals live and not many people visit.

They are famous for huge waves, migrating routes for whales and dolphins, hidden natural pools, and just stunning landscapes (very different from what you saw earlier!)

End your day in La Laguna, a former capital of Tenerife, full of life and historic gems. It would be ideal to stay here overnight as the town really has a lot to offer. Plus, if you want, you can continue from there towards Anaga Rural Park and follow my road trip itinerary for that area.

NOTE: If you need some inspiration for where to stay in La Laguna, check out La Laguna Gran Hotel and Hotel Boutique San Diego. I have been to them personally and would recommend to anyone!

Other Places That You Can Add to Your Tenerife Road Trip

• Guimar Town & Municipality – interesting stop on the way from southern Tenerife to Santa Cruz
• Cheapest All-Inclusive Hotels – all-in-one budget places to stay when you have a car
• Quiet Аreas in Tenerife South – very calm locations for different tastes and budgets
• H10 Atlantic Sunset – my review & what to know before booking this hotel
• Unique Places to Stay – different corners of the island
• Unique Locations in South Tenerife – top things to do on any occasion

Similar Posts in the Canary Islands

• Guia to Las Palmas Road Trip – the most underrated drive you didn’t know about
• Scenic Drives in Gran Canaria – my 3 favorite routes full of surprises