Breathtaking sights, warm weather all year long, and endless activities for couples, families, or solo travelers: Tenerife south has something for everyone.
If you are looking for what to do in Tenerife south, we got you covered. In this article, we’ll list 10 activities to do in Tenerife south that are perfect for adventurers of all types and ages.
Explore the sea and the land of the larger Canary island. Keep reading to discover the top 10 things to do in Tenerife for nature lovers!
#1 Sign up for whale-watching in Tenerife
Have you ever dreamed of seeing whales up close? In Tenerife, you can live this incredible moment.
Whale watching is one of the top 10 things to do in Tenerife south and a perfect activity for nature lovers and adventurers.
The stretch of water between Tenerife and La Gomera (a smaller island which is right in front) has diverse sea life including whales, dolphins, turtles, rays, and countless fish.
Freebird offers 3 different tours, and also private tours upon request:
If you are looking for a 2×1 kind of deal, you can hop on
our whale-watching tour to Masca and Los
Gigantes. One of the best 10 things to see in Tenerife, Los Gigantes cliffs
is a natural phenomenon that you can’t miss.
The best views from these cliffs are from the water: our tour navigates besides the 600-meter-tall lava walls that create this exceptional landscape. At the end of the tour, you can keep enjoying Los Gigantes cliffs from Masca beach, while sunbathing or swimming.
Book a whale-watching boat trip with us and discover why these animals attract hundreds of visitors each season. Enjoy ethical whale watching in a comfortable catamaran with a specialized guide, and drinks and food onboard.
#2 Explore Teide Park
Like all the Canary Islands, Tenerife is volcanic land, making for wonderful and unique landscapes. And one of the best things to do in Tenerife is to explore the incredible nature and sights through hiking.
Teide Park is located in the center of the island, just a short car ride away from the south. Is one of the most famous hiking sites, and one of the 10 things to see in Tenerife if you love adventures. Here you can find Teide volcano, the highest peak in Spain declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
1798 was the year of the last eruption of this volcano, a natural monument that created a lunar-like scenery made with lava. The sights from the Teide will leave you in awe. From the top, you can see all of the Canary islands on a clear day!
If you want to visit this landmark and feel as if you were in a sci-fi movie you have 2 options: hiking your way up or riding the cable car.
Of course, hiking is one of the things to do in Tenerife for young adults that want a little adventure for their trip. You can explore the park and hike to the top on your own or with a guide, an adventure that can take about 9 hours.
If you prefer a shorter adventure, you can visit Teide volcano via a cable car that lifts you 3,555 meters and lets you enjoy the sights of this national park. Although, if you want to reach the highest point, you’ll still have to hike a little.
#3 Enjoy the sea with watersports
If you are an adventure-seeking traveler, one of the best things to do in Tenerife south is to enjoy the vast array of watersports that its beaches offer.
Explore Tenerife’s coastline through watersports and discover hidden caves, secret calas, and its rich marine life. You will likely get to see a great array of fish, turtles, and even dolphins if you are lucky!
Are you looking for romantic things to do in Tenerife? A sunset kayak or paddle tour could do the trick. If you are traveling with kids, paddle, snorkel, surfing and kayaking are great for the whole family.
Another activity that you can enjoy in Tenerife’s wonderful beaches is catching waves, or learning how to!
Learn how to ride the waves on the spectacular beaches of Tenerife, a sport that can be enjoyed throughout the year thanks to the great island’s climate.
You can do this in Playa de Las Américas, El Conquistador, Las Palmeras, and Las Galletas. All of these beaches offer surfing classes and different areas with waves for every level.
#4 Cycling in Tenerife
Are you feeling sporty? Hop on a bike and enjoy the tranquility of Tenerife.
Cycling is one of the best ways to discover new sights, and definitely is one of the best things to do in Tenerife for young adults.
You can rent a bike or bring your own bike, to explore at your own pace and enjoy the island’s epic roads and mountains.
You can’t miss one of the most famous roads: from Arona to Boca Tauce, in Teide Park. A high-intensity route, but so worth it.
Feeling more adventurous? You can also opt for a mountain bike and cycle through Tenerife’s most beautiful landscapes.
#5 Discover a hidden waterfall in Barranco del Infierno
Do you love challenges? Then a hike through Barranco del Infierno (or Hell’s Gorge) is the perfect activity for you.
One of the best things to do in Tenerife south: discover the incredible beauty of this 2,000-acre natural reserve with a 3-hour hike. At the end of the trail, a spectacular waterfall of 200 meters altitude will be waiting for you.
#6 The best views from Chayofita mountain
One of the best things to do in Tenerife south: climbing Chayofita mountain and soak in 360 views of the island.
It is not a high peak, so it is one of the most visited Tenerife family attractions but offers some adventure-like feeling if you travel with kids. Chayofita mountain is a fun hike that takes under an hour. But remember to take water and protection, as there is no shade on the way up.
Once you reach the top, you will be welcomed by a bird’s eye view of the island including the main beaches (Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas), some towns, the port, the sea, and the mountains. The best spot for landscape photos!
#7 Plan a day trip to La Gomera
From the coasts of Tenerife, you can see La Gomera, a smaller island that has impressive raw and natural beauty.
Just a 45-minute ferry ride will take you to La Gomera, one of the best things to do in Tenerife south. The main attractions there are Garajonay National Park, Vallehermoso, and Mirador Abrante (an Instagram-famous spot), but La Gomera has so much more to offer.
Green forests, volcanic formations, small hillside villages, and modern architecture create incredible scenery just some minutes away from Tenerife.
#8 A night of stargazing in Tenerife
If you are looking for romantic things to do in Tenerife south, stargazing is a great option. In the daytime, the island offers spectacular sights, but by night the stars become the main character.
A visit to the Teide Astrophysical Observatory will let you experience an evening of celestial discovery and spot stars that you probably have never seen before.
Stargazing and enjoying a night below a million stars is perfect for young couples and hopeless romantics.
#9 Fly like a bird with paragliding in Tenerife
Are you looking for fun things to do in Tenerife south?
The perfect activity for adventure-seekers that want to take in the incredible nature of Tenerife: paragliding. One of the most popular paragliding routes is from Pico del Teide to Puerto de la Cruz, where you can take in the diverse beauty of the island.
#10 Pay a visit to Vilaflor de Chasna
If you want to see the incredible Teide volcano from far away… Vilaflor de Chasna is the best spot!
Located at 1,500 meters above sea level, Vilaflor de Chasna is a beautiful and peaceful village with landscapes that you can’t miss, and definitely one of the best-kept secrets in the island.
Besides walking through its cute streets, you can take on different hikes, the perfect activity for adventurers. From Vilaflor de Chasna we recommend taking the Pino Enano trail and the Paisaje Lunar trail, which takes you into a Canarian pine forest with volcanic landscapes.
The best things to do in Tenerife south for adventure travelers
If you are planning a trip to Tenerife south and you’d love to explore the spectacular landscapes of the island, this list of 10 things to do in Tenerife south will be handy.
After reading this list, we can agree that one of the best things to do in Tenerife south is searching for the best scenery, from water or the land.
We hope to have given you some ideas for your next adventure trip to Tenerife!
