Stick with me and I will share with you how to spend the most perfect 3 days in Tenerife without breaking the bank. Tenerife is known to be a luxurious location with five-star resorts and beautiful beaches. Don’t let that deter you. I ensure you, it can definitely be enjoyed while maintaining a budget!
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Where is Tenerife?
Tenerife is an island located within the Canary Islands archipelago. This group of volcanic islands is found off the coast of Northern Africa.
Although it belongs to the country of Spain it is actually closer to Morocco. The most famous of these Islands is Gran Canaria with surrounding islands that have something unique to offer.
What can you do in Tenerife in 3 days?
Tenerife offers just about any activity you can imagine. Whether you enjoy water sports, hiking volcanoes, relaxing on the beach, wine tasting, or anything in between, Tenerife can provide. The perk of Tenerife being a relatively small and well-connected Island is that you have time for it all.
What to see in Tenerife in 3 days
When I visited Tenerife, my friends and I stuck primarily to the southern part of the Island. The places we saw include: Puerto de La Cruz, Parque Nacional de Tiede, Masca, Los Gigantes, and El Médano. We packed quite a bit into our long weekend, which was perfect and unforgettable.
Where to Stay in Tenerife
We stayed in a different city every night while in Tenerife and utilized hostels and Airbnb along the way. All of which cost us about 15 euros a night. The cities we chose to stay in were: Puerto de La Cruz, Puerto de Santiago, and El Médano.
The individual accommodations will be linked in the Itinerary.
How to get around Tenerife
Titsa Bus
There is an efficient bus system that connects all the main cities and towns of Tenerife. The buses only cost around 3 to 4 euro per ride depending on your destination. Unfortunately, to get from place to place you could have to travel a little out of your way.
For more about routes and fares check out the Titsa website.
Car
In my opinion, the absolute BEST way to travel around the island is by car. If you only have 3 days in Tenerife, a car allows you to see so much in a short period of time.
We highly debated renting a car for this trip, but ultimately we are so glad that we did. With the car, we were able to venture off the beaten path and move at our own pace.
Car Rental:
Choosing a reputable car rental company is always tricky, especially in a foreign country. I highly recommend using SIXT. I’ve rented from them several times while in Spain and everything always went smoothly.
Tip: If you book through rentalcars.com and purchase their insurance policy, it is a bit cheaper and has great coverage. Never pay the daily insurance rate with SIXT.
Itinerary for 3 days in Tenerife
Travel
We found cheap flights out of Madrid on a Thursday night and we booked a one-way ticket to Tenerife North Airport (TFN). From here we were shuttled to the rental car pick-up location.
Once we picked up the car we drove to Puerto de la Cruz for the night. It was about a 30 minute drive.
Where to stay in Puerto de la Cruz
Calle Marques 24,E-38300 La Orotava, Tenerife, Spain
Hostel Tenerife is a 100-year-old traditional Canarian home that has been transformed into a hostel. They offer the option of 4-bed mixed dorms, single rooms, and double rooms. The dorms averaged 15 euros a night.
They also have an adorable rooftop patio. It is located in La Orotava, the cutest little town at the base of Mt. Teide. I loved my stay here.
Tenerife: Night 1 – Puerto de la Cruz
As we arrived later in the evening, we didn’t have time for much. We did, however, enjoy the boardwalk area of Puerto de la Cruz called the Explanada del Muelle.
Along this ocean-side path, there are several ice cream shops. I highly recommend enjoying a cone while you walk. Continue to the Batería de Santa Barbara and admire the historic defense and old canons.
Afterward we headed back to the hostel and prepared for an early morning.
Tenerife: Day 2
Morning: Playa del Castillo
Prior to heading to the beach, we stopped at Motart café just across the street for a café con leche and a quick breakfast.
Afterward, we enjoyed our coffee on the stunning black sand beach. Playa del Castillo is a great place to watch the waves roll in and admire stunning views of not only the ocean, but also Mt. Teide in the backdrop.
Morning: Playa Jardín
Near the entrance and exit to the beach, you can find the Jardines de Playa Chica. These gardens are exquisite and full of all types of plants. It is almost as if it is a free botanical garden.
We often found ourselves stopping to admire the interesting plants and vibrant colors of the garden!
If you are in Puerto de la Cruz, you should not miss these gardens!
The next stop is the Parque Nacional de Teide. Before you head into the park, I recommend buying food for lunch. We purchased a packaged tortilla, a loaf of bread, at a local grocery store to make our own bocadillos de tortilla!
This photo was also taken by my lovely travel partner, Rachel Earley.
Afternoon : Parque Nacional de Teide
Parque Nacional del Teide is the most famous destination on the Island of Tenerife. Mt. Teide is an active volcano, UNESCO World Heritage site, and also the tallest peak in Spain.
You must have a permit to go to the peak of Teide, which can only be reserved in advance.
The reservations are typically booked months out so if you are planning on this hike, book early. For more information, click here.
Afternoon: Sendero Roques de Garcia
If you do not have a coveted reservation to summit the peak, don’t skip the park altogether. There are still plenty of hikes and many things to see.
We drove through the main area of the park and found a short hiking trail: Sendero Roques de Garcia. The trail is a circular trail that is about 3.6 km or 2.24 miles.
It is a sunny path through the crazy lava fields. Between the sun and the wind, make sure you come prepared for the elements.
Once we finished our hike, we ate our bocadillos and headed down the mountain towards Puerto de Santiago. This drive was absolutely mesmerizing. As you drive towards the coast, you descend from the volcano through the clouds.
Just as you pass through the clouds you are greeted with the most magnificent views of the ocean. It is easy to see where Ed Sheeran found his inspiration for the song “Tenerife Sea.”
Evening : Puerto de Santiago
Where to stay in Puerto de Santiago
AirBnb: Puerto de Santiago 38683
Calle los Ángeles, 24, 38683 Santiago del Teide
This Airbnb was excellent. It was affordable, large, and had everything you could possibly need. Including this stunning view from the balcony!
Additionally, the host was extremely friendly, helpful, and offered up many local tips!
Evening: Puerto de Santiago
Puerto de Santiago sits at the foot of Los Gigantes, incredible towering ocean cliffs. Walking through the town you can see sneak peeks of Los Gigantes. These unexpected views made me pause in the middle of the road out of pure amazement.
If you choose to walk through the town and towards the cliffs you will be rewarded with unbeatable views and a hidden gem that will make your time here unforgettable.
Evening: Los Gigantes
In my opinion, Los Gigantes are the unsung superstars of Tenerife. The giant rock formations rising from the ocean are absolutely a sight to be seen.
Continue downward towards the water and past resorts to find the most spectacular views.
Sunset: Piscina Natural Acantilado De Los Gigantes
La Piscina Natural Acantilado De Los Gigantes is undoubtedly my favorite place in Tenerife; and possibly all of Spain.
The natural pools were are located directly on the coastline. From the pools, you have the best views of not only the ocean but also Los Gigantes. It is the best place in Tenerife to catch a sunset!
Separating the natural pools from the ocean is a singular sea wall. Which was naturally formed, but reenforced by humans.
The sea wall is low enough that crashing high waves fill and naturally recycle the water within the pool. Sometimes little sea creatures can be brought in along with the incoming waves.
At the beginning of April, the pool was on the chilly side. However, once in the water it was comfortable.
I had the time of my life swimming in this incredible pool. Between the ocean, and the views of Los Gigantes, it all seemed so surreal. Don’t pass on this opportunity if you have it!
From the pool, we walked back to our Airbnb. Along the way, we stopped at the local grocery store and bought ingredients for dinner and a bottle of wine to enjoy back at our Airbnb.
Tenerife: Day 3
Morning: Puerto de Santiago
Our morning began in the colorful city of Puerto de Santiago where we went to find breakfast. Just down the street from our Airbnb, we found the cutest cafe and restaurant.
Macaronesia Coffee Shop and Bakery offered different types of cuisine with influences from around the world. For breakfast, they offer Spanish tortillas, french omelets, crepes, waffles, and so much more.
After breakfast, we headed towards the main beach area that surrounds Playa de la Arena. Surrounding the beach is a cute boardwalk area complete with souvenir stores and ice cream shops.
Morning: Playa de la Arena
Playa de la Arena is a gorgeous black sand beach and the perfect place to spend a sunny morning.
Since it was early April, the water was still cold, but the sun was hot. I wished that I had worn a swimsuit to layout in!
Snack: Gelato
Given that it was on the way back to our car, we stopped at Black Sand Gelato & Lounge
Of course, we had to stop for gelato after warming up in the sunshine! You can never go wrong with a cone of gelato!
From here we ventured to possibly the cutest town I have ever encountered
Afternoon: Road to Masca
The road from Puerto de Santiago to Masca is winding and extremely narrow. It is quite an extreme 35-minute drive.
If you do not have access to a car there is a public bus that also services this route.
Be sure to stop at the pull-offs. Not only will you want a quick break from the intense drive, but the pull-offs have unbeatable views that should not be missed!
Afternoon: Masca
Masca Is an idyllic village perched in the coastal mountains of Tenerife. Until Spain took control, it was originally a settlement of the aboriginal Guanche people.
It sits at an altitude of 650m and currently is home to about 90 residents.
In order to enter the village, you must park in the designated parking just above the village. Once parked, you must take a trail that leads to the village.
Lunch: El Guanche
Restaurante “El Guanche” Alte Schule is one of the few restaurants within the village of Masca. It offers a fully vegetarian menu which is outstanding.
The Tenerife-style tortilla, fried eggplant, soups, and Sangria were all delicious. It is one of my favorite meals I have had throughout the country of Spain.
Not only does El Guanche serve incredible food, but it also has a beautiful Terraza with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
If you decide to make the trip to Masca, you MUST enjoy a memorable meal here!
Evening: Drive from Masca to El Médano
Once you have entirely explored the village of Masca, you could stay and venture on one of the several challenging but jaw-dropping hikes in the region of Masca.
However, if you are tight on time like we were, you can then drive towards the Tenerife South Airport.
The drive from Masca to El Medáno takes roughly 50 minutes and is incredibly scenic.
Along the route, you will see more of the Teno mountains and the famous Terraza farms that produce most of Tenerife’s produce. They grow platanos, bananas, aloe vera and so much more in these terrace farms.
Where to Stay in El Médano
Paseo Galo Ponte n7, El Medano, Tenerife, Spain
Casa Grande Surf Hostel was a great hostel with a great community vibe. They offered all sorts of deals on water sports lessons and equipment rental. The staff was very welcoming and the hostel was just a couple of minutes walk to the beach!
Evening: Playa del Médano
El Médano is the closest city to Tenerife South Airport and is a well-known surf town. The town gets its name from the distinctive sand dune that distinguishes its long coastline.
Also unique to this particular beach is the contrasting black and tan striped sand. I had never seen anything quite like it.
Luckily, we arrived just in time to catch a stunning sunset on the beach with a bottle of Cava!
Dinner: MalaVida
There are several enticing restaurants near the beach, however, MalaVida really stood out to us! We were drawn in by the colorful decor and fun atmosphere!
MalaVida is an excellent Mexican Restaurant that offers phenomenal margaritas, taco samplers, and crunchy, cheesy nachos! Not only was the food delicious, but the location was perfect!
Located right on the beach and in the main plaza, you get full access to live performers and live music at this stunning restaurant.
Early the following morning, we took a taxi to the Tenerife South Airport. I may have cried a little on the way home because I truly did not want to leave this incredible island.
What should I book ahead of time?
The main attraction that I would recommend booking in advance is summiting Mt. Teide. The reservations to go to the tallest peak in Spain fill up months in advance. Otherwise, most things can be done the same day!
Which is the nicest part of Tenerife?
Personally, I fell in love with the Los Gigantes and the surrounding area. If I had to pick one part of the Island to recommend, it would definitely be here.
Is Tenerife better than Gran Canaria?
It entirely depends on what you are looking for in a vacation. The Islands both offer similar activities, nightlife, and cuisine. Both islands are extremely diverse and the decision of what is better depends on your preference of landscape.
Tenerife the more popular of the two is volcanic, with drastic cliffs, towering volcanoes, and black sand beaches. Meanwhile, Gran Canaria offers drastic landscapes, such as steep mountains which are contrasted by sandy beaches and Sahara-like dunes. Several of my friends went ATVing on Grand Canaria and had the times of their lives!
Both Islands have so much to offer and are absolutely stunning! Either way you will have an unforgettable trip.
Which is the cloudy side of Tenerife?
The Northern part of the Island is the cloudier side of the Island. That being said the Northern part of the island still sees plenty of sunshine and never gets much cooler than 68F (20c) even in the winter.
What is the warmest part of Tenerife?
Southern Tenerife certainly has the warmest weather and most sunshine on the Island. The western part of the Island also sees beautiful warm and sunny weather!
This means that if you are looking to soak up the sun the cities of Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje will offer the best weather.
What’s the coldest month in Tenerife?
On average the coldest month is March. The average temperature in the month of March is 68 F (20 C).
In contrast, August is typically the warmest month with an average temperature of 82 F (28 C).
What’s the best month to go to Tenerife?
For the warmest weather and best chance of sunshine, the months to visit are between June and September!
If you are planning on hiking Teide, the cooler months may provide better conditions!
Can you sunbathe in Tenerife in February?
Temperatures in February are about 70 F during the sunny days, while the temperature falls to the mid-50s at night. If you are used to cold weather like me, you absolutely can sunbathe in February and probably get a sunburn.
On the other hand if 70 F sounds chilly to you, you might want to wait for the warmer months.
Is Tenerife hotter than Lanzarote?
Southern Tenerife tends to be warmer than Lanzarote during the winter months (December – February)
However, due to Lanzarote’s proximity to the Sahara desert, it tends to be warmer and drier than Tenerife in the year’s remaining months.
Which is the hottest Canary Island?
Lanzarote is considered the warmest of the Canary Islands on average. Especially during the summer months, the island sees little to no rainfall.
Keep in mind, that the more western Islands tend to be warmer in the winter months.
Is it safe to drink tap water in Tenerife?
Yes! Tenerife is held to the same standards of water purification as the rest of Europe. That being said, it is safe but it may not taste the best. Due to the fact that most of Tenerife’s water is desalinized seawater.
Why should I go to Tenerife?
Tenerife is one of the most awe-inspiring places I have had the privilege to visit. I am almost jealous of everyone who gets to experience this place for the first time!
Just ask my friends and family, I cannot stop gushing about how enchanting this Island is!
Looking to explore more?
If you are a fan of beach vacations check out one of the other incredible coastal cities of Spain!
I would love to hear from you about your previous or upcoming trips to Tenerife! Comment below!
Thanks for your blog, nice to read. Do not stop.