Tenerife is the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, a volcanic paradise where black-sand beaches and banana groves sit under the shadow of Mount Teide. Ancient Guanche roots, Spanish colonial heritage, and Atlantic trade routes shaped its ports and plazas. Today, you’ll find Michelin-starred dining beside surfy coves and UNESCO-listed landscapes a short drive from beach promenades.

This two-week itinerary bases you in three distinct hubs for easy exploring: Costa Adeje in the sunny south, Puerto de la Cruz in the lush north, and Santa Cruz for urban culture and Anaga’s laurel forests. You’ll chase sunsets above a sea of clouds, sip barraquito coffee after morning swims, and boat alongside pilot whales in some of Europe’s richest marine corridors.

Practical notes: book a rental car early in peak seasons, and reserve permits for Barranco del Infierno in Adeje. UV is strong year-round; pack reef-safe sunscreen, a light jacket for high-elevation Teide nights, and comfortable footwear for cobbled old towns and coastal paths.

Costa Adeje (South Tenerife)

Base yourself in Costa Adeje for golden beaches, calm coves, and Tenerife’s most polished promenade. It’s minutes from Puerto Colón for whale watching, a short hop to Siam Park, and close to cliffy secret spots like Playa Diego Hernández. Evenings glow in La Caleta, a fishing hamlet turned foodie enclave with sunset terraces.

Top sights nearby: Playa del Duque and Fñabé for easy swims, the clifftop hike to Playa Diego Hernández at low tide, Siam Park’s record-breaking water rides, Barranco del Infierno’s permitted gorge trail, and the sheer Los Gigantes cliffs by scenic drive.

Getting to Tenerife & Arrival Logistics (Day 1)

• Fly into Tenerife South (TFS): From major European hubs, nonstop flights typically run 3–4.5 hours; fares often range $60–$180 one-way off-peak. Search and compare on Omio (flights) or, if flying from outside Europe, on Kiwi.com.
• Airport to Costa Adeje: Taxi 20–25 minutes (~€35–€45). Public bus (TITSA 40/111) about 35–50 minutes (~€4–€6). If renting a car, parking is easier around La Caleta and residential streets behind Fñabé.

Where to Stay in Costa Adeje

• Vacation homes and apartments: Browse beachfront condos and villas near La Caleta or El Duque on VRBO Costa Adeje.
• Resorts and boutique hotels: Compare pools, family options, and adult-only stays on Hotels.com Costa Adeje.

Days 1–5: Beaches, Whale Watching, Paragliding, and Coastal Dining

• Slow beach mornings: Start at Playa del Duque (calm entry, amenities), then stroll the promenade to Playa Fñabé for a chiringuito lunch—grilled sardines, papas arrugadas with mojo, and cold Dorada beer.
• Whale and dolphin watching (small-group catamaran from Puerto Colón; ~3 hours; typically €65–€85).
  Whale and Dolphin Watching Catamaran with Transfer and Buffet

  

  Expect resident short-finned pilot whales year-round; winter sometimes brings migrating dolphins and turtles. Bring a light layer—the breeze is cool offshore.
• Kayak & snorkel with turtles (guided; ~2.5–3 hours; usually €40–€55).
  Tenerife : Kayak and Snorkel Tour with Dolphins & Turtles

  

  Guides provide wetsuits and photos. Mornings tend to be calmer; seas can get choppy by afternoon.
• Soar above the coast (10–25 min tandem flight; pickup included; typically €90–€120).
  Tandem Paragliding Flight in South Tenerife

  

  Launch points vary with wind; you’ll glide over ravines and the Atlantic before landing near La Enramada beach.
• Hike Barranco del Infierno: A permitted, well-managed out-and-back gorge (3–4 hours). Go early for shade and ravens’ calls echoing off volcanic walls.
• Optional: Siam Park (reserve skip-the-line in peak months); sunset at Coqueluche Beach Bar above La Enramada; a scenic drive to Los Gigantes for bluff-top photos.

Eat & drink in and around Adeje

• La Vieja (La Caleta): Old-school fishmonger vibes—grilled vieja (parrotfish), octopus “a la gallega,” and limpets with mojo verde at the water’s edge.
• El Rincón de Juan Carlos (Royal Hideaway Corales Beach; 2 Michelin stars): Inventive Canarian tasting menus—gofio, goat’s milk, and Atlantic seafood reimagined. Book far ahead.
• Lagarto Brasserie by Lucas Maes: Charcoal-grilled meats and market fish with a leafy terrace—a stylish but relaxed La Caleta staple.
• El Cine (Los Cristianos): Plastic chairs, perfect fried squid and grilled sardines—no-frills local favorite, cash advisable.
• Coffee & breakfast: Zebra Coffee & Cake for flat whites and banana bread; La Palmera Sur for a polished brunch; evening cocktails at Kaluna Beach Club or the rooftop at GF Victoria.

Transfer to the North (Morning of Day 6)

• Costa Adeje → Puerto de la Cruz: Drive via TF-1/TF-5 in ~1h15 (allow more if it rains in the north). Taxi ~€110–€130. Bus (e.g., 110 or 111 + 343/325) 1.5–2 hours (~€10–€12). Check options on Omio (buses) and plan an early start to maximize your day.

Puerto de la Cruz (North Tenerife)

In the green north, Puerto de la Cruz pairs saltwater pools designed by César Manrique with old-town lanes, Atlantic swells, and a buzzing tapas scene. It’s a perfect base for the Orotava Valley’s historic mansions and Teide’s otherworldly lava fields.

Musts: Lago Martiánez pools, Playa Jardín’s black sand, the 18th-century Jardín Botánico, and a half-day in La Orotava wandering Casa de los Balcones and the church squares.

Where to Stay in Puerto de la Cruz

• Apartment stays: Ocean-view condos near Lago Martiánez on VRBO Puerto de la Cruz.
• Hotels: Compare historic hotels and modern boutiques on Hotels.com Puerto de la Cruz.

Days 6–9: Teide, Masca, Old Towns, and Saltwater Pools

• Teide + Masca full-day (coach + photo stops; typically €45–€70).
  Mt. Teide and Masca Valley Tour in Tenerife

  

  You’ll traverse pine belts into the caldera, then snake down to Masca’s photogenic ravine village. Bring layers; it’s 15–20°C cooler at altitude.
• Sunset above the clouds + stargazing (cava toast, dinner stop, telescopes; usually €80–€120).
  Teide National Park Sunset & Stargazing with Dinner (Star Safari)

  

  Teide’s Starlight Reserve skies reveal the Milky Way and constellations with laser-guided storytelling—an unforgettable night.
• Old-town wander + pools day: Spend a morning at Jardín Botánico (centuries-old ficus and palm collections), lunch in La Orotava, then a lazy afternoon at Lago Martiánez’s volcanic-rock pools where Atlantic waves theatrically crash beyond the seawall.
• Optional Grand Tour if you prefer a coach sampler with north highlights:
  Tenerife Grand Tour: including Teide National Park and Masca

  

Eat & drink in Puerto de la Cruz and La Orotava

• El Taller de Seve Díaz: Modern Canarian small plates—think local tuna with mojo emulsions and textural surprises. Reserve.
• La Cofradía de Pescadores (harbor): Fishermen’s guild spot serving grilled moray, prawns, and hearty rice stews with sea views.
• Bambi Gourmet: A long-loved bistro mixing Mediterranean and Central European recipes—order the duck with berry reduction.
• Guachinche Paraíso (La Orotava hills): Rustic, seasonal roadhouse for braised rabbit in salmorejo sauce, local potatoes, and house wine by the jarra.
• Coffee & sweets: Try a layered barraquito (espresso–condensed milk–licor 43–foam–zest) at cafés around Plaza del Charco; gelato break at the Lago Martiánez kiosks.

Transfer to the Capital (Morning of Day 10)

• Puerto de la Cruz → Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Drive ~35–45 minutes on TF-5. Bus 102 or 103 about 40–55 minutes (~€5–€7). Check routes and tickets on Omio (buses). Aim for a morning arrival to stroll museums and the market.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Capital & Anaga)

Santa Cruz is Tenerife’s cultural heartbeat: Calatrava’s wave-like Auditorio, the TEA art space, the lush Palmetum, and a vibrant market scene. A quick hop north puts you in Anaga Rural Park—a fairytale of misty laurel forests, knife-edge ridges, and hidden hamlets.

Day trips abound: San Cristóbal de La Laguna (UNESCO old town and student energy), Anaga hikes down to wild Taganana coves, and Las Teresitas—golden Saharan sands backed by palms.

Where to Stay in Santa Cruz

• City apartments: Central stays near Plaza de España on VRBO Santa Cruz.
• Hotels: From design-forward boutiques to business-friendly towers on Hotels.com Santa Cruz.

Days 10–14: Markets, Anaga Hikes, La Laguna, and a Ferry Day Trip

• Santa Cruz essentials: Visit the Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África early for fruit, cheese, and gofio; stroll the Palmetum (botanical hill of palms with ocean vistas); photograph the Auditorio at golden hour.
• La Laguna half-day: Tram or drive 15–20 minutes to this UNESCO-listed university town—pastel mansions, leafy patios, and cafés tucked behind wooden balconies.
• Anaga Rural Park: Hike from Cruz del Carmen through laurel forest tunnels to Mirador de Chinamada; continue to Taganana for a seafood lunch before waves at Almáciga or Benijo. Take layers; microclimates shift quickly.
• Full-day La Gomera from Tenerife (passport required; typically €90–€130, ferry included).
  Full Day Guided Tour to La Gomera from Tenerife

  

  Expect rainforest vibes in Garajonay National Park, miradors above cloud forests, and a taste of silbo gomero, the island’s whistled language.
• Optional extra stargazing night if skies were cloudy earlier:
  Sunset & Stargazing Experience From Teide

  

Eat & drink in Santa Cruz, La Laguna, and Anaga

• Bodeguita Canaria: Classic mojo tastings, ropa vieja, and wrinkled potatoes in a cozy wood-beamed spot—ideal first-night sampler.
• La Hierbita: Traditional Canarian plates in an 1890s house; try grilled cheese with mojo and slow-cooked goat.
• San Sebastián 57: Contemporary Spanish cooking with Canarian produce—excellent wine list and refined takes on seafood rice.
• La Noria street: Tapas crawl on a pedestrian lane lined with bars—perfect for late-night bites.
• Coffee & breakfast: 100% Pan y Pastelería for fresh rosquillas and cortados; weekend brunch at Strasse Park near García Sanabria park.

Getting Around & Departure

• Within and between hubs: Buses are frequent along the TF-5/TF-1 corridors; expect €4–€12 per intercity ride. For schedules and bookings, check Omio (buses). A rental car gives maximum flexibility for Anaga trailheads and sunset stops.
• Ferries: For La Gomera ferries (Los Cristianos–San Sebastián de La Gomera), browse Omio (ferries) if going DIY rather than a guided tour.
• Flying out: Santa Cruz is ~45 minutes to TFS by car, ~1 hour by bus. Search flights on Omio (flights) or globally via Kiwi.com.

Local gems and practical tips

• Guachinches: Family-run, seasonal spots in the north serving house wine and set menus—perfect after hikes.
• Weather: South stays sunnier; north enjoys a soft marine mist. Pack a light rain jacket for Anaga and a warm layer for Teide evenings.
• Safety & sustainability: Respect no-chase guidelines on wildlife tours; use reef-safe sunscreen; carry water on hikes—springs are scarce.

Two weeks in Tenerife lets you sink into three different rhythms: Costa Adeje’s beachy ease, Puerto de la Cruz’s gardened Atlantic, and Santa Cruz’s culture and forested backcountry. You’ll return with salt on your skin, volcanic dust on your shoes, and a new taste for mojo sauces and starry skies.