The 7 Best Day Trips in Tenerife by Rental Car

Tenerife is incredibly diverse. The island features dry volcanic badlands in the south and lush, damp laurel forests in the north. Exploring this varied landscape by bus limits you to strict timetables and crowded tourist stops. To see the island on your own terms, you need a car. Booking a reliable car rental in Tenerife gives you complete freedom. You can pull over at cliffside viewpoints, change your plans when you spot a hidden beach, and stay out late for stargazing.

We have put together a guide to the seven best tenerife day trips. These routes cover the most spectacular scenery the island has to offer. We have included practical details like parking, realistic driving times, and up-to-date 2026 prices. Most visitors land in the south. Picking up your vehicle at Tenerife South Airport (TFS) is the most efficient way to start your holiday. Grab your keys, load the boot, and let us get on the road.

1. Teide National Park via the TF-21

The drive to Teide National Park is the undisputed highlight of any Tenerife holiday. At 3,718 metres, Mount Teide is the highest peak in Spain. The journey there is just as impressive as the volcano itself. If you are starting from the southern resorts, take the TF-21 road up through Vilaflor. This is the highest village on the island. The road winds through dense forests of Canarian pine trees. These trees are uniquely adapted to survive local forest fires. As you climb past the 2,000-metre mark, the trees abruptly vanish. The landscape changes into a vast expanse of pumice, obsidian, and twisted lava rock.

Drive slowly along this stretch. The road surface is excellent, but the views are highly distracting. Pull into the parking area at the Mirador de los Roques de Garcia. This spot offers the classic view of the bizarre rock formations with the volcano looming behind them. If you want to ride the cable car to the upper station, book your tickets online at least two weeks in advance. A standard adult return ticket costs 40 euros in 2026. The base station sits at an altitude of 2,356 metres. Parking here is free but usually fills up by 10 AM.

For an alternative descent, follow the TF-38 road down towards Chio on the west coast. This route takes you past the dark, jagged lava flows from the 1798 eruption of Pico Viejo. The road is wide and features long sweeping curves. If you want to make this mountain drive truly memorable, consider a luxury car hire in Tenerife. Taking a sporty convertible up above the clouds is an incredible experience. Bring a warm jacket, as temperatures at the summit can be near freezing even in August.

2. The Hairpin Turns of Masca Valley

The Masca Valley sits tucked away in the Teno Mountains on the western edge of the island. Getting there requires navigating one of the most famous roads in the Canary Islands. The TF-436 from Santiago del Teide drops steeply into a deep ravine. The tarmac is smooth, but the road is barely wide enough for two cars to pass in some sections. You will encounter dozens of tight hairpin turns. Drive defensively. Sound your horn lightly before blind corners. Yield to the local green public buses, as they need the entire width of the road to make the turns.

The village of Masca is a tiny settlement of stone houses clinging to a steep ridge. It feels entirely cut off from the rest of the island. Parking in Masca is heavily restricted to ease congestion. A barrier system limits stays to two hours. Your best strategy is to arrive before 9 AM. Alternatively, park your rental car in Santiago del Teide and take a short taxi ride down to the village for about 15 euros.

Grab a coffee at one of the small terraces overlooking the gorge. The hike down the Masca ravine to the ocean operates under a strict permit system. If you do not have a permit, simply enjoy the viewpoints. Continue driving on the TF-436 north towards Buenavista del Norte. The road weaves through terraced farmland and palm groves before reaching the coast. From there, you can loop back south on the TF-82 to see the massive cliffs of Los Gigantes. These sheer rock walls drop 600 metres straight into the Atlantic Ocean.

3. Anaga Rural Park and Taganana

Leave the dry southern resorts behind and drive to the Anaga Rural Park in the far northeast. This mountainous peninsula catches the moist trade winds. The resulting climate sustains a dense laurel forest that has existed since the Tertiary period. The contrast with the rest of Tenerife is startling. Start your drive in the university city of La Laguna. Pick up the TF-12 road, which runs right along the jagged spine of the mountain range.

Fog often rolls heavily over the road here. Turn on your low beams and take your time. Stop at the Cruz del Carmen visitor centre. You can walk the short Sendero de los Sentidos right from the car park. The wooden walkways wind through trees covered in thick green moss. After stretching your legs, continue on the TF-12 and take the steep turn onto the TF-134 down towards Taganana.

The descent to the northern coast is dramatic. The road clings to the edge of deep green valleys. Eventually, you will hit the coastline at Roque de las Bodegas. The beaches here feature coarse black volcanic sand and fierce waves. Swimming is dangerous, but the scenery is spectacular. Eat lunch at one of the rustic fish restaurants facing the water. Order a plate of grilled octopus and wrinkled potatoes with red mojo sauce. A generous meal for two will cost around 35 euros.

4. Natural Pools of Garachico and Icod

The northern coastline offers a completely different atmosphere from the purpose-built tourist resorts of the south. Take the TF-5 motorway north, then merge onto the TF-42 coastal road. Your primary destination is Garachico. This town was the main commercial port of Tenerife until 1706. In that year, the Trevejo volcano erupted and sent a massive river of lava straight through the town and into the harbour.

The lava destroyed the port but created a series of beautiful natural rock pools called El Caleton. Concrete walkways and metal ladders have been added to make accessing the water easier. You can swim safely here on calm days. Parking in the centre of Garachico is notoriously difficult. Look for the large dirt parking lot near the municipal football pitch on the eastern edge of town. It costs 2 euros for the whole day.

Spend a few hours wandering the cobbled streets of the old town. Stop by the Castillo de San Miguel, a small fortress that survived the lava flow. Just a 10-minute drive east on the TF-42 brings you to Icod de los Vinos. Follow the signs for the underground parking beneath the main plaza. Walk up the hill to the Parque del Drago to see the Drago Milenario. This enormous dragon tree is the symbol of the island. Entry to the botanical garden surrounding the tree is 5 euros.

5. Santa Cruz to Playa de las Teresitas

A trip to the capital city of Santa Cruz provides a welcome dose of urban culture. The drive up the TF-1 motorway from the south takes about 45 minutes. Try to avoid arriving between 7 AM and 9 AM on weekdays to skip the morning commuter traffic. Park your car in the massive underground lot beneath the Plaza de Espana. The daily maximum rate here is 18 euros.

Walk to the Mercado de Nuestra Senora de Africa. This bustling market is the best place to buy local cheeses, spices, and fresh fruit. Next, drive five minutes south to see the Auditorio de Tenerife. This striking white concrete building looks like a crashing wave. After a morning in the city, you will likely want to relax.

Drive north out of Santa Cruz on the TF-11 road. After 15 minutes, you will reach Playa de las Teresitas. This is the most photographed beach on the island. The local government imported thousands of tonnes of golden sand from the Sahara Desert in the 1970s to cover the original black volcanic rocks. A large artificial breakwater protects the bay. The water is perfectly flat and ideal for swimming. Parking along the back of the beach is plentiful and free. Grab a sunbed for 4 euros and a cold drink from one of the small beach kiosks.

6. The Historic La Orotava Valley

The Orotava Valley is a massive depression sloping down from Mount Teide to the Atlantic. The soil here is incredibly fertile. The area is famous for its banana plantations and historic estates. Start your day in the town of La Orotava. The streets are exceptionally steep. Use the free municipal parking garage on Calle San Isidro to save your clutch.

Walk up to the Casa de los Balcones. This historic mansion features an impressive inner courtyard and elaborate balconies carved from local pine. Entry costs 6 euros. The town is also famous for its botanical gardens, particularly the Hijuela del Botanico, which is free to enter and filled with exotic plant species.

After exploring La Orotava, take the short drive down the TF-31 to Puerto de la Cruz. This town retains a strong local identity despite its popularity with tourists. Park near the harbour and walk along the coastal promenade. The highlight here is Lago Martianez. Designed by the famous Canarian artist Cesar Manrique, this is a vast complex of saltwater swimming pools built into the volcanic rock. Admission is 6 euros for adults. It is the perfect place to spend a warm afternoon before driving back south.

7. El Medano and the Southeast Coast

For your final day trip, keep the driving to a minimum. El Medano is a relaxed coastal town located just a few kilometres from the southern airport. Take the TF-1 motorway and exit at junction 55. The town is famous for its constant winds. It is the premier destination for windsurfing and kitesurfing in the Canary Islands.

Park in the large dirt lot near the central plaza. The beach here is divided into different zones for swimmers and water sports enthusiasts. Walk south along the wooden boardwalks towards Montana Roja. This distinct red volcanic cone marks the southern end of the bay. The hike to the summit takes about 45 minutes. The path is rocky but straightforward. From the top, you get sweeping views of the airport runway and the entire southern coastline.

After the hike, head back into El Medano for lunch. The town has a bohemian atmosphere with plenty of vegan cafes and tapas bars. Find a table on the pedestrianised square facing the ocean. If you want a more traditional seafood dinner, drive 15 minutes further up the coast to the tiny fishing village of Tajao. The restaurants here do not have menus. You simply point to the fresh fish you want from the ice display, and they grill it for you on the spot.

Tenerife Day Trip Route Summary

Use this quick reference guide to plan your driving schedule. Drive times are estimates based on starting from the southern resort areas near the airport.

Frequently Asked Questions About Driving in Tenerife

Do I need a special licence for a car hire in Tenerife?

If you hold a valid driving licence from the UK, the European Union, or the EEA, you do not need an International Driving Permit. Drivers from the United States, Canada, and Australia will need to present an International Driving Permit alongside their standard national licence.

Are the mountain roads dangerous?

The roads in Tenerife are generally well maintained and clearly marked. Mountain routes like the TF-436 to Masca are very narrow and feature blind corners. They are not inherently dangerous if you drive slowly, stay in your lane, and yield to larger vehicles.

Is parking difficult on the island?

Rural areas and national parks have dedicated free parking areas. These spots fill up rapidly by mid-morning. In cities like Santa Cruz and Puerto de la Cruz, street parking is scarce. Your best option is to use the paid underground municipal parking garages. They usually cap out at 15-20 euros for a full day.

Are there toll roads in Tenerife?

No. All roads in Tenerife are currently free to use. This includes the major TF-1 southern motorway and the TF-5 northern motorway.

What side of the road do I drive on?

Traffic flows on the right side of the road in Tenerife. Roundabouts operate in an anti-clockwise direction, and vehicles already on the roundabout always have the right of way.

Start Your Tenerife Road Trip

Having your own vehicle completely transforms your holiday experience. You get to dictate the schedule, escape the crowds, and find the hidden corners of the island. When you are ready to book your vehicle, organising a pick-up at Tenerife South Airport ensures you can hit the road as soon as you clear arrivals. Browse our full range of vehicles and secure your car rental in Tenerife today for the best 2026 rates.