A balanced week that covers beaches, culture, food, mountains and adventure — without rushing.
Your 7-day Tenerife loop
This itinerary splits the week between south (beach + resort comfort) and north (culture + nature) for the most complete experience of the island. It assumes you have a hire car from day 2 onwards — without one, north Tenerife is significantly harder to enjoy.
Day 1 — Arrival and Costa Adeje. Land at Tenerife South (TFS), drive 20 minutes to your Costa Adeje hotel, and decompress. An afternoon by the pool, sunset cocktails at El Mirador Beach Club, and dinner at La Vieja in La Caleta village.
Day 2 — South coast beaches and a sunset catamaran. Morning at Playa del Duque, lunch at Beach Club del Duque, afternoon catamaran cruise from Puerto Colón for whales and dolphins. Sunset on the boat, dinner at the Sushi Bar Bahía del Duque.
Day 3 — Mount Teide. An early start to the Teide cable car (book months ahead) for sunrise views over the lava plain. Drive home via Vilaflor — the highest village in Spain — for a long lunch at Sergio Restaurante. Afternoon spa back at the hotel.
Day 4 — Transfer day across the island. Drive via Masca village (slow road, dramatic views), stop at Garachico for lunch and a swim in the natural lava pools. Continue to Puerto de la Cruz, check in to your north-coast hotel, evening tapas around Plaza del Charco.
Day 5 — La Orotava and the wine country. Morning walking the colonial streets of La Orotava (visit Casa de los Balcones), lunch at Casa Lercaro, afternoon at a Tacoronte winery for tasting. Dinner at Brunelli's overlooking Puerto de la Cruz.
Day 6 — Anaga laurel forest. Drive 50 minutes to Cruz del Carmen, hike the laurel forest trails to Chinamada or down to Taganana for a seafood lunch. Continue to Las Teresitas beach for a swim. Dinner in La Laguna's old town.
Day 7 — Slow morning, departure. Final swim at Playa Jardín, lunch at El Limón in Puerto de la Cruz, drive 90 minutes back to Tenerife South for an afternoon flight. Total drive: ~280 km over the week, all paved and generally easy.
Modifications: families can swap day 2's catamaran for Siam Park; honeymooners should add a Teide stargazing dinner on day 3; foodies should swap the Anaga hike for a guachinche dinner on day 6.
