Curator’s statement
Tenerife is one of the beautiful Canary Islands. You can find several cheap flights from mainland Spain to this dream destination. I wanted to visit while also being respectful of a lot of the changes the island is experiencing due to the massive growth of tourism here. I personally had 24 hours to stop over and see some famous sights for the first time, and I chose to make the most of it. Allow me to share my itinerary of what to do for 24 hours in Tenerife.
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Arrival
Arrive at the airport and pick up your rental car. Tenerife has two airports, one in the North closer to Santa Cruz, and one in the South. Make sure you check where your flight is landing before you book anything. If you want to make the most of your time, I highly recommend getting a car. This also allows you to do my next activity.
Teide National Park
There are several beaches on this island, but the massive volcano at the center is one-of-a-kind. If you get to Teide early, you will avoid the crowds and be able to find parking at several hiking spots or lookout points that may interest you. The best spot to do an easy hike around is Roques de García. There is an information center as you drive up above the clouds, closer to the top of the mountain. The staff here can provide you with a map and any additional information that can help you find what you are looking for in the park.
Lunch at a guachinche
These are locally owned restaurants with the best food on the island and an authentic experience of Canarian cooking. The prices also reflect the local nature and are much less expensive than the more tourist-friendly restaurants. These restaurants can also be an excellent spot to eat if you want something more familiar to eat.
Afternoon coffee
No matter where you travel, you need a coffee to keep you going. In my case, I wanted to keep up my energy to finish my 24-hour quick stop on this gorgeous island. At any café you stop at in Tenerife, you can get a Barraquito Coffee. It’s a liqueur coffee with condensed milk, Licor 43, espresso, foamed milk and a little bit of lemon. This coffee stop will allow you to finish out your day.
Visit Bollulo Beach
After you ascent and descent from the Volcano Teide, you can go down to one of the gorgeous black sand beaches, hidden away from the noise of the bigger cities on the island. Drive to the nearby hotel to park and then walk down to your resting place for a few hours. Be sure to enjoy the stunning views as you walk down the stairs to the beach.
Finish with a sunset above the clouds
To conclude your wonderful day in Tenerife, pack back up in your rental car and head back to Teide, specifically to the lookout Chipeque (Mirador Chipeque). From here you can watch the sunset while also enjoying one last view of this marvelous volcano for the day.
Need to know
For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Spain page.
Travel Advisor
Rebekah Smith
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