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Tenerife

Mount Teide, Black Beaches and Winter Sun

Plan this trip
4 daysIdeal stay₹8,520From / night₹2,880Food / day₹4,790Entry

The largest Canary Island, off the coast of Africa, about 2h55 by air from Madrid and with no road or rail link to the mainland: Mount Teide (3,715 m), Spain's highest peak, in a lunar national park with a cable car near the summit (the last stretch needs a free permit booked weeks ahead), the resorts of Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos in the sunny south, whale-watching boats, the cliffs of Los Gigantes and the old town of La Laguna in the north. Warm all year, so winter is high season. Indian restaurants and shops in the southern resorts, from a long-settled Indian community.

Highlights

  • Teide cable car and the lunar national park
  • Sunset and stargazing on Teide
  • Whale and dolphin boat trip
  • Los Gigantes cliffs
  • Masca village and gorge
  • La Laguna's colonial streets
  • Black-sand beaches

Things to do

  • Teide National Park and the cable carMorning · 6h
  • Hike to the Teide summit (permit needed)Morning · 7h
  • Whale and dolphin watching boatMorning · 3h
  • Los Gigantes cliffs and MascaAfternoon · 5h
  • La Laguna old townAfternoon · 3h
  • Beach afternoon in Costa AdejeAfternoon · 3h

Tours & tickets

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When to go

Best time: All year (warmest May – October, busiest November – March)

Heads up

Teide in Winter: Cold, Wind and Cable Car Closures

Even when the coast is 22 °C, the top of Teide can be below freezing with snow and ice from November to March. The cable car closes in high wind or ice, sometimes for days: check its status the morning you go, bring warm layers, and keep a spare day. The summit trail needs a free permit from the national park, booked weeks ahead.

  • Carnival in Cádiz and Santa Cruz de Tenerife — Spain's two great carnivals: Cádiz's is satire and song, with choirs and comparsas in the streets; Santa Cruz de Tenerife's is costumes and Rio-style parades, among the biggest in the world. Both run over about ten days around Shrove Tuesday. Rooms sell out: book early.