Tenerife is undoubtedly the best destination for those who want it all. The "Island of Eternal Spring" offers such diverse landscapes, weather, ocean, beaches, and cities that it feels as though they were gathered from all corners of the world. But the island is rich in more than just natural and historical attractions; every traveler will find the bucket list activity they've always dreamed of.
In different parts of Tenerife, you can experience unique activities, from gastronomic tours and park visits to boat excursions and mind-blowing experiences like paragliding or surfing lessons. In our article, we've compiled the 17 best things to do in Tenerife in 2026. Choose from options for an active and adventurous holiday, a family trip, or a relaxing getaway.
Discover the wildest and most amazing activities for risk-takers. Our list of unique outdoor experiences in Tenerife starts with paragliding, followed by exciting safaris and other mind-blowing adventures.
Want to feel like a bird soaring over the Atlantic? You can! There are three locations where you can fly with stunning views of the ocean and mountains. In the south, Adeje is usually sunnier, while Puerto de la Cruz offers more incredible green landscapes. Beholding Tenerife from the sky presents the unique opportunity to take photos. An experienced, licensed instructor with hundreds of hours of flight time will accompany you on your tandem flight.
Service highlights:
The service is suitable for beginners and experienced pilots.
Quad Adventure Tour (Teide National Park)
Adventure lovers will also appreciate a quad bike tour on Mount Teide. Licensed guides will ensure your safety. Along the route, you'll see various volcanic landscapes, canyons, and the best viewpoints with panoramic views of the island. There are different routes, so you can choose the one that best caters to your preferences. Photographing from the quad is easy, and the guide will make sure to stop so you can take the best shots. Groups are usually small, ensuring personalized attention.
Service highlights:
Be sure to wear comfortable clothing and closed-toed shoes for quad biking.
On this tour, you can explore the Masca Valley by buggy. The winding roads are perfect for this mode of transport, and the open sides of the vehicle allow for the best shots. During the tour, you'll pass the highest point of Masca, see the famous pirate village, and you’re sure to take tons of amazing photos.
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Visiting the village of Masca is a must-see for travelers to Tenerife, and with this tour, you can do it in comfort.
The tour route starts in Puerto de la Cruz. You can choose between two options: Teide National Park or the La Orotava Valley. No experience is required, as instructions are provided before each trip. Tours to Teide Park typically run in the morning at 9:00 AM and in the evening at 5:30 PM, when the trails are less crowded. The group departs for La Orotava Valley at 1:30 PM.
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Have you always wanted to try your hand at surfing? Tenerife is called the European Hawaii for a reason. Playa de las Américas offers a surf school with instructors who speak Italian, English, Spanish, German, French, and several other languages.
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Groups are limited to a maximum of six people, and private lessons are available, so you’ll receive detailed instructions to conquer your first wave.
Our Tenerife travel guide for adventure seekers will delight families with children. The island boasts incredible theme parks and each promises an unforgettable day out for the whole family.
Siam Park is a world-class water park with excellent reviews across all platforms. It's home to the famous "Tower of Power", which stands nearly 100 feet tall, and the Wave Palace. You can relax on a white sand beach, visit recreational areas, and find slides for all ages.
Service highlights:
Children under three can enter for free, and discounts for Canarian residents are available on site. Remember to bring your swimsuit and SPF. You can also purchase a Twin Ticket to visit Siam Park and Loro Parque at a reduced price.
👉 Buy a basic ticket, a ticket with lunch included, or a VIP ticket.
At Jungle Park, you can admire tropical flora and fauna. Visitors can enjoy bird shows, various fire shows, and a zoo. The park features caves, suspended bridges, cliffs, and an alpine slide. It is perfect for a fun-filled day with the whole family.
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Loro Parque is one of the gems of Puerto de la Cruz and one of the most famous zoos in the world. It was ranked number one on TripAdvisor. It features aquariums, animal shows, and an aviary. The park is very large, and you can easily spend a whole day there. Explore the world's largest indoor penguinarium and meet over 350 species of parrots. Watch as sharks and rays glide directly overhead in the Shark Tunnel.
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👉 Purchase a standard Loro Parque ticket or a ticket with a transfer.
Tenerife's beauty is as captivating below the surface as it is above. Explore dolphin and whale watching excursions, or dive into vibrant snorkeling spots.
Boat tours along Los Gigantes are a great choice for a family activity in Tenerife. The water is crystal clear, and the famous sheer cliffs surround you. You can take stunning photos throughout the trip, and excursions depart from a beautiful marina where yachts and boats are moored.
There are many excursion options, and we've highlighted three of the most interesting:
All three tours have good ratings on Google Maps, so choose the one that best suits your needs in terms of price and services.
Los Cristianos also offers whale and dolphin watching tours. These are typically small-group excursions, and an experienced guide will provide fascinating information about the local marine life. The chances of seeing dolphins and whales up close are very high in this area. It's a perfect choice for your first experience at sea.
👉 Book an eco whale watching tour in Los Cristianos (€11).
Abades is a protected marine reserve and the perfect spot for your first snorkeling experience. The bay has no strong currents and usually offers great visibility. Professional instructors will help make your dive safe and easy. Here you can see colorful fish, rays, and unique volcanic landscapes.
Service highlights:
The service includes a 2-hour snorkeling tour, instructions, and all necessary equipment.
👉 Book a guided snorkeling trip in Abades.
Sea Trek in Los Cristianos is ideal for beginners who want to explore underwater in complete comfort. Using a high-tech helmet with a constant air supply, you can literally walk on the seabed. Best of all, your hair stays dry, and you can even wear your glasses and makeup without a worry. The depth is approximately 3–5 meters, and no swimming or diving certification is required.
Service highlights:
You will meet your group and instructors at the Los Cristianos port before heading directly to the dive site.
👉 Book your Sea Trek adventure.
Another unforgettable experience in Tenerife is diving to the seabed in a real submarine. This isn't an imitation or just a glass-bottom boat, but the 100-ton Sub Fun Cinco. Each person gets their own large porthole to admire the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean. The submarine is accompanied by a diver who attracts marine life right to the windows
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This is a great opportunity to explore the underwater world near Tenerife in comfort.
👉 Discover the 50-Minute Submarine Dive.
We've also prepared unforgettable activities for mountain and nature lovers. Visiting Tenerife without taking a cable car ride or seeing the enormous lava tubes would be a missed opportunity.
If you want to go higher up without spending hours climbing, this activity is for you. Teide National Park's landscapes are reminiscent of Mars, which is why lunar rovers were tested here. The cable car will take you above rivers of lava in just 8 minutes. The top offers breathtaking views. If the weather is clear, you can see the "sea of clouds" and even the neighboring islands.
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At the volcano's upper station, La Rambleta, you'll have plenty of free time to walk to various viewpoints. Also, check out our selection of 15 easy hikes in Tenerife that offer stunning vistas without requiring professional climbing gear.
👉 Explore the Mount Teide Tour
Cueva del Viento was formed 27,000 years ago by the eruption of the Pico Viejo volcano. There are no artificial lights or paved paths, so this is an excellent option for adventurous hikers. You'll see unique lava formations, stone lakes created by molten magma, and a labyrinth crafted by nature itself.
Service highlights:
Be sure to wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes and long trousers.
👉 Book your journey inside the Earth.
Los Arcos Gorge is one of the most photogenic spots in Tenerife. On this tour, you can rappel through narrow gorges and vibrant orange-hued walls. The route leads from a pine forest into deep stone corridors, where the play of light creates a mind-blowing effect.
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If you want to see a completely different side of Tenerife, this excursion is definitely worth it.
Did you know that Tenerife is home to one of the world's largest observatories and that Teide National Park is considered one of the best places for stargazing? Or that the island thrived for centuries thanks to the wine produced here? These traditions continue today.
Tenerife is stunning during the day, but it is truly transformative at sunset and at night. How about watching the sunset at an altitude of over 2,000 meters, followed by stargazing in a Starlight Reserve? Far from the city lights, the Milky Way seems so close you can almost touch it. This is the perfect activity for couples looking for a romantic evening.
Service highlights:
Bring warm clothes, jackets, and closed-toed shoes, as temperatures at the summit can be much cooler.
Wines made in Tenerife have unique qualities. Thanks to the volcanic soil and ocean breezes, they are rich in minerals and have a slightly smoky flavor. Interestingly, phylloxera, which destroyed 80% of European vineyards, spared this region, so you can taste wine in its purest form.
We've compiled three different tours that allow you to immerse yourself in the culinary atmosphere of Tenerife.
👉 Book a winery tour in Bodegas Monje (€35).
The first tour takes you to one of the island's most beautiful wineries, Bodegas Monje, which has been in operation since 1750. You will learn about the winemaking process and taste the finest varieties paired with a selection of local Canarian cheeses. The view of the ocean and Mount Teide from the terrace is absolutely unmissable.
The next tour takes you to an organic vineyard located nearly 1,000 meters above sea level. You'll see how grapes are grown on steep slopes surrounded by pine forests and lava. This tour features more of the island's natural beauty, a tasting of four organic wines, and delicious tapas.
👉Book a full-day gastronomic tour (€82).
This diverse tour covers not only traditional wine but also beautiful sites rich in colonial architecture. The price includes stops in La Laguna, a cheese tasting at the Casa del Vino museum, and a four-course lunch with wine. The tour lasts 8 hours. After the tour, you can visit the capital as well.
📌Here are the top 14 places to see in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Depending on your travel preferences, you can choose from a wide range of active and leisure options in Tenerife. The island is so diverse that it is sure to satisfy any traveler. From paragliding and surfing to stargazing, theme parks, and culinary experiences, you will easily find something that suits you within our complete list of the most exciting things to do in Tenerife.
If you're looking for an even more comprehensive travel guide to Tenerife with maps, be sure to explore our full list of the island's 31 must-visit locations.