I’ve been to Tenerife twice and I want to share what I think is the perfect way to spend a day on the island.
Before getting into the daily plan, I strongly recommend renting a car. It gives you the freedom to explore wherever you want, and in my opinion, it’s the best way to experience Tenerife. Both times, we rented from Cicar, and I highly recommend them. They offer 100% full comprehensive insurance with no excess, which makes everything stress-free. They also have offices in cities, ports, and airports, so it’s very convenient.
How to Spend the Day
I suggest starting your day early so you can avoid the big crowds and make the most of your time.
Morning: Teide National Park
Head straight to Teide National Park, the most iconic place on the island.
The drive up is incredible. It starts with green forests, then slowly changes to bushes, and eventually becomes a landscape of only rocks. It honestly feels like you’re driving on another planet. If you enjoy music, this is the perfect time to put on a good playlist. Something Spanish or calm and nature-inspired fits really well with the scenery.
One important thing to keep in mind is that you’ll lose signal at some point. Don’t worry – the road is very straightforward, but it’s still a good idea to check the route in advance.
Your first stop should be Mirador de Chipeque. From there, you’ll get your first amazing view of Mount Teide.
Make sure to stop along the way whenever you see a good viewpoint – there are many small spots right next to the road. If you’re lucky, the clouds will be below you, and the views will be unforgettable.
Next, stop on Aparcamiento. This is one of the most impressive places in the park. The landscape truly feels like it’s not from Earth – almost like Mars. There’s parking, so no need to worry.
Finally, you can head to the cable car. I haven’t managed to go up yet – once it was closed due to strong winds, and the second time we didn’t have enough time – but it’s definitely on my bucket list. Just be prepared for queues, as it can get busy.
Also, bring a jacket – it’s much colder up here than on the coast.
Midday: Drive Down & Lunch
On the way down, there are two possible routes, but I recommend taking the route through TF-38 and TF-1. It’s the one I’ve used both times and really enjoyed. You’ll drive through areas with old lava flows, and the road goes right through them, which makes the experience even more unique.
Once you descend, head toward Playa de las Américas.
It’s a lively and beautiful area, perfect for lunch. Walk around, enjoy the atmosphere, and try some seafood with a glass of sangria. After that, you can relax on the beach or try some water activities if you’re feeling more active.
Afternoon: Monkey Park
After lunch, visit Monkey Park, which is only about 10 – 15 minutes away.
It’s a small, interactive animal park where you can feed and get very close to the animals, especially the monkeys. The visit takes about one hour, so it won’t take up too much of your time.
If you’re traveling with kids, they will definitely love it. When I visited in 2026, the ticket was around 10 euros.
Evening: Sunset & Dinner
To finish the day, head back toward the coast, find a nice spot by the beach, and enjoy the sunset.
Have dinner by the ocean, relax, and maybe enjoy a glass of wine. It’s the perfect way to end the day.
Final Thoughts
That’s how I’ve spent my days in Tenerife, and I truly loved every moment of it. I really like all of the Canary Islands, but Tenerife is definitely one of my favorites.
If you’d like to know more about Tenerife or how I spent my time on the other islands, feel free to message me – I’d be happy to share more!