Itineraries for Your Trip to Tenerife
2 Days in Tenerife for First Timers
Tenerife is the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, home to incredible natural landscapes and year-round perfect weather. From the island’s northerly lush and green climate to the south’s arid, sunny beaches, you can experience volcanoes, misty forests, and golden-sand beaches all in a single day. The island is always famous for whale watching, wine tasting, hiking, and stargazing, so no matter your interests, there’s lots to discover in Tenerife. Plus, with endless sunny, pleasant weather, you can visit any month of the year (though February and March’s famed Carnaval celebrations are particularly rambunctious if you love a good party).
You could spend months here exploring and enjoying (I do!), but if you have just two days in Tenerife, here are the top things you should plan to see and do.
If you only have time for one thing, make it whale watching on a boat.
Although the weather is generally mild in Tenerife, it can get breezy, so bring layers. If you're hiking Teide, it gets very cold at the top, so take a coat.
Get the lay of the land by heading to the highest point on the island: Teide National Park. You can drive, hike, and walk around the park and its Mt. Teide peak, but one of the most interesting ways to see it is via the Teide Cable Car, which takes you much closer to the Teide volcano summit. Plan to start early, as it takes a bit of driving to get to the cable car starting point.
After a morning of hiking and exploring outdoors, it’s time to taste some of Tenerife’s best wine. My favorite of the island’s 70+ wineries is Bodegas Monje for its tasting terrace with sea views, but as the island features five different wine regions, there are many options for tours and tasting.
Mount Teide has numerous miradores, or viewpoints, where you can admire the day and the night sky. Teide’s peaks are part of a certified Starlight Reserve, and Tenerife has one of the largest telescopes in Europe. It’s best to tackle this adventure as a guided tour to gain insider info on the best vantage points for stargazing.
Although more whale species are migrating through the Atlantic waters of the Canary Islands in November through February, you can still spot whales year-round in Tenerife, making a boat tour the ideal activity to encounter pilot whales, sperm whales, and various dolphin species. Morning is the perfect time to get out in the water to observe these gentle giants.
If you love the beach, Tenerife is your spot. And while you can simply enjoy the sunshine as you lounge on black or white sands, the island’s varied beaches are ideal for water sports—gentle to strong breezes offer the perfect conditions for kitesurfing, surfing, and windsurfing. There are plenty of options for snorkeling and jet-skiing, too.
After an adventure-filled day, it’s time to sample all of Tenerife's best food. Taste potatoes con mojo picon sauce, Canarian cheeses, and sancocho, a savory stew made from the island’s local seafood. And don’t forget to try both types of mojo picon sauce: red (made from red peppers) and green (made with cilantro).
