Driving Around Tenerife: A Travel Guide for Car Renters

October, 2018

Tenerife also has the ideal blend of glorious landscapes and historical heritage. And travelling by car is the quickest and easiest way to see the beauty of the island. With a road perimeter of 359 km, you can easily drive around the whole island in around 3-4 hours.

Take the scenic route

As well as having both location and weather on side, Tenerife is packed with history and culture. Hiring a car is the best way to get to know the island, with the journeys often as breathtaking as the final destination. We’ve put together a list of the top 5 scenic routes around the island, from coastal journeys to mountain peaks.

1. Santiago del Teide – Masca

The TF436 road is not one for the faint hearted. With twists, turns and near-vertical cliff drops, this route is for the experienced and adventurous. But those brave enough to tackle the 15-minute drive will be rewarded with peaks, valleys and the white-washed village of Masca.

Image by karel291, Calle Poblado Marinero, 1A, 38683 Santiago del Teide, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain - panoramio, CC BY 3.0

2. La Laguna – El Portillo

Known as the spinal route, this inland drive forms the backbone of Tenerife. The route offers the only chance to glimpse both sides of the island while driving along the Teide mountains. Enjoy views of both the lush pines forests and the volcano rock formations, with plenty of places to pull over for a photo.

Image by Marc Ryckaert, Tenerife TF-21 R01, CC BY-SA 4.0

3. Costa Adeje – Los Gigantes

If you’re looking for a scenic coastal drive around Tenerife, the TF47 road heading north from Adeje offers beautiful views, ending at the dramatic cliffs of Los Gigantes. This route takes you through the coastal resorts of Playa Santiago, Playa San Juan and Alcala, providing plenty of places to stop and relax along the way.

Image by Bgabel at wikivoyage shared, SP-teneriffa-costa-adeje-blowhole, CC BY-SA 3.0

4. La Orotava – Icod de los Vinos

Punctured with picturesque villages and towns, the TF342 route across the island is perfect for a relaxing drive. This drive is the best way to see the hidden gems of the island, particularly the historical town of [Los Realejos](http://www.realtenerifeislanddrives.com/Off the beaten track.html). Reminiscent of an Italian mountain village, the traditional nature of this town is sure to give you a taste of the island.

Image by Quartl, Valle de La Orotava qtl1, CC BY-SA 3.0

5. Los Cristianos – Vilaflor

For a shorter drive, perfect for quiet afternoons, try taking the TF28 and TF51 up to Vilaflor, the highest Spanish village. This idyllic route takes just under an hour, passing through La Camella and Valle San Lorenzo. This drive is perfect for seeing the different landscapes Tenerife offers.

Image by Bgabel at wikivoyage shared, SP-teneriffa-vilaflor-teide, CC BY-SA 3.0

Top attractions worth a visit

Driving around the beautiful island of Tenerife can be a scenic day out in itself. But, when you want to get out of the car into the glorious sunshine, there are plenty of place worth your while. Here are some of the best destinations Tenerife has to offer.

Teide National Park

There is no better way to see the true beauty of the island than from the top of Mount Teide. Standing at an impressive 3781m above sea level, the Mount Teide volcano is Spain’s highest peak.

The drive up the mountain alone is enough to leave you awe-struck, with many referring to it as ‘the roadway to heaven’. But, if you’re feeling more adventurous, taking a trip in the cable car up to the very top of the volcano will no doubt provide you with the best views and photos.

Teide National Park is home to beautiful plants and wildlife, that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. This, combined with the breathtaking surrounding landscapes, makes the National Park an unmissable destination for all visitors.

Image by Camrade obscura, Teide National Park 2, CC BY-SA 3.0

Siam Park

Voted as the world’s best water park for five years running, Siam Park is definitely worth a trip out. Located just off the South Highway, the park is just a 6-minute drive from the popular resort of Playa de las Americas or a 50-minute coastal drive from Santa Cruz.

Relax in a rubber ring as you float along the lazy river or boost your adrenaline with the 90ft vertical drop of the Tower of Power slide. There is something for everyone to enjoy with over 18 different attractions and slides for the whole family.

Image by Stephen Jones, Siam Park (29), CC BY 2.0

Garachico

To the north of the island lies the coastal town of Garachico, rich with culture and history. Once the wealthiest town in Tenerife, Garachico was hit by a volcano eruption in 1706, destroying the island’s main port.

The drive over to the picturesque town is sure to be a holiday highlight, taking in the variety of Tenerife’s landscapes.

The tranquil town has retained its Canarian identity, with traditional shops and restaurants dotted along the coast. Indulge in a once-in-a-lifetime experience, swimming in the natural, volcanic coves around the village.

Image by Diego Delso, Vista de Garachico, Tenerife, España, 2012-12-13, DD 05, CC BY-SA 3.0

Getting around Tenerife

There are many hidden gems on the island of Tenerife, just waiting to be found and explored. From visiting a volcano to discovering pretty coastal towns, there is something for everyone on this small island.

Car hire is the easiest way to get around, granting you complete freedom to go and see whatever you wish. Holiday Autos makes easy to hire a car in Tenerife. We do the hard work of comparing car hire for you.

Our car hire experts negotiate exclusive rates with top car hire brands to bring you the best deals. You can even filter by customer rating price and car type. Search and compare car hire brands at HolidayAutos.com to get the best car hire deal today!