The west (your patch)
Masca village and gorge, the Teno lighthouse road, Santiago del Teide's almond valley (blossoming late Jan–Feb), and Garachico 40 minutes north — a 1706 lava flow buried its harbour and the town rebuilt itself into the island's most charming plaza-and-pools stop.
The heights and the north
Teide NP: Roques de García loop, the cable car, and the otherworldly Llano de Ucanca. La Orotava's old town drips with carved balconies; La Laguna is the island's university soul. Anaga, at the far end, hides misty ridge paths and hamlets clinging to green cliffs.
- Pair Garachico + Icod + El Tanque viewpoints as one northern loop.
- Teide is 10–15 °C colder than the coast — bring layers, always.
- Villages die 14:00–17:00 (siesta is real) — plan lunch stops then.
FAQ
Can I see the whole island in a week?
You can taste it. West + Teide + one north day is the perfect first week; Anaga and the south-east reward a return visit.
Which is better, north or south?
Different islands: south for sun and beaches, north for greenery and towns. Staying west, you're 40 minutes from both.
Related guides
Things to do in Tenerife — the honest shortlist
Best beaches in Tenerife
Tenerife's natural pools (charcos) — where lava meets the sea
Stay at Gigantes View Studio
Ocean-view studio in Puerto de Santiago — 8.5/10 on Booking.com, location rated 9.7. Book direct for the best rate.
Check availabilityLast updated: 2026-08-07 · Written by your hosts Jan & Lucie · Sources: local experience, official tourism data. Prices & hours drift — verify big-ticket details before you build a day around them.