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Driving in Tenerife for the first time is far less stressful than many people fear. If you are used to driving in the UK and wondering how it will feel on unfamiliar roads, we found the motorways easy and most of the island fine to drive.
The parts that needed more concentration were the steep roads in some villages, tighter mountain bends, and parking in busy spots where everyone seemed to be circling for the same few spaces.
We’ve driven basically every route and type of road, and we had a great time.
The only reason that driving around Tenerife can be nerve-wracking, is because some first-time travellers get so unerved that they just panic, and don’t use common sense.
But as long as you’re mentally prepared that there are going to be some steep roads and villages, tight mountain bends, and some busy parking, then you’ll be fine.
Just take deep breaths, make sure you use your GPS ahead of time, and take your time.
What Matters Most
If you only remember 4 things before driving in Tenerife:
- Book an automatic if you can, especially if you are nervous about steep roads.
We’d choose an automatic again because constantly changing gears on steep roads and tight bends adds more stress when you are already driving on unfamiliar roads. - Start early for Masca and popular viewpoints.
Parking is easier, and you are less likely to meet heavy traffic or tour buses in the tightest road sections. - Do not assume parking in villages, near beaches, or at busy sights will be easy.
Even when the roads feel fine, parking can be the bit that wastes time and starts to wear you down. - The motorways are straightforward. It is the mountain roads where you need to slow down and pay more attention.
Do You Need A Car In Tenerife?
If you’re staying in one resort, planning to spend most of your time by the pool, and only doing the odd day trip, then no, you probably do not need one.
But if you want to see more of the island, especially if you’re planning a Tenerife road trip, we think hiring a car makes a big difference. Tenerife is not just beach resorts. The scenery changes constantly, from dry volcanic landscapes to pine forests, cloud-covered mountain roads, and little villages tucked into the hills.
We did not stay in one place for the whole trip, so for the way we travelled, having a car made things much easier. We could head out early, stop where we liked, and link different parts of the island together without the day feeling over planned.
For us, that was the real benefit.
Even with the occasional parking frustration, we still thought having a car was worth it.
Even on a shorter trip, we would still hire a car if we wanted to see more than one part of the island. We would just be more selective and not try to cram too much in.
That matters even more if you want the freedom to move between beach areas, mountain drives, and places like the island’s old towns without shaping the whole day around transport.
What Is The Best Car For Tenerife
For Tenerife, we would hire a car that is small, fairly powerful, and automatic if the budget allows.
A bigger SUV might sound roomier on paper, but for us it would have made narrow roads, village streets, and parking more awkward than they needed to be.
Why We Would Choose A Smaller Car
The smaller size matters more than you might think. Apart from the motorways, many roads in Tenerife feel narrower than they look online, especially in smaller towns, villages, and on winding mountain routes.
A smaller car is simply easier to manoeuvre, easier to park, and less stressful when the road tightens or another vehicle appears around a bend.
Why A Bit Of Power Matters In Tenerife
We also would not go too basic on engine power. Some roads in Tenerife are steep enough that a less powerful car would feel like hard work, particularly if you are driving uphill through villages or tackling longer mountain stretches. You do not need anything huge, but we do think it helps to have a car that can cope without struggling.
Why We Would Pay Extra For An Automatic
If we did it again, we would also choose an automatic. We did not this time because we were trying to save money, but we really wished we had.
We drive automatics at home, and constantly changing gears on unfamiliar roads just added another layer of effort that we did not need.
When you are already driving on the right, dealing with steeper roads, and paying attention to tighter corners and bends, the last thing you want is to be thinking about gear changes as well. For us, that is where an automatic would have made the whole experience feel easier.
What We Would Check Before Booking
We would make sure the car is small enough for narrow roads, powerful enough for steeper climbs, and automatic if the budget allows. We would also check the pickup setup carefully, because an easy collection after your flight makes a difference when you are about to drive somewhere unfamiliar.
We usually compare options carefully rather than just picking the cheapest car, and we always pay close attention to the cover, excess, and supplier rating. Saving a bit upfront is not always worth it if the booking adds more stress later.
What The Roads In Tenerife Are Really Like
The roads in Tenerife vary a lot. Some felt easy from the start, while others needed more concentration, especially once we left the main roads and headed into villages, mountain areas, or busier towns.
For us, the motorways and the main roads through Teide were the least stressful. The roads that needed more care were usually the steeper village streets, narrower mountain routes, and places where parking and traffic made everything feel tighter.
Once we had done the first day and got used to the pace of the roads, most of Tenerife felt much easier than it had at the start.
Motorways And Main Roads Are The Easy Part
We found the motorways and main roads the easiest roads to drive in Tenerife. The TF-1 and TF-5 were straightforward, toll-free, and in good condition, with clear road markings and smooth surfaces. These made it easy to move between the south, north, and Santa Cruz without the driving feeling stressful.
The only time they felt more annoying was around rush hour. We found some exits from the TF-1 more congested after 5 PM, especially towards Santa Cruz in the evening and towards Los Cristianos earlier in the day. Outside those busier periods, they were easy to drive.
If you are using Santa Cruz as a stop, it is worth deciding in advance whether you actually want to drive in or park outside and explore from there.
Mountain Roads And Switchbacks Need More Concentration
The mountain roads are where Tenerife starts to ask more of you, but they are not all equally difficult.
One extra thing to be aware of is that as you climb higher, the weather can change quickly. We hit mist and low cloud at altitude, and that made visibility much worse than it had been lower down.
We found the roads through Teide National Park, especially the TF-21 and TF-38, much easier than expected. They were winding and incredibly scenic, but also wide enough to feel comfortable, with plenty of places to pull over and enjoy the views. They were a pleasure to drive and never felt especially intimidating.
The TF-134 and TF-121 in Anaga were narrower and more winding, but still perfectly okay. The part that felt tighter was around Benijo, where the roads felt smaller, closer in, and less forgiving.
The road up to Masca on the TF-436 was the one that felt most demanding. It is narrow, steep, and full of twists and hairpin bends. It is still manageable if you take your time, but it is the sort of road that could feel stressful for a nervous driver, especially if you meet a coach on a bend. Starting early helps a lot.
Village Streets, Steep Access Roads, And Town Driving Can Feel Tighter Than Expected
Some of the least enjoyable driving was not on the scenic roads at all. It was in towns and villages where the streets felt steeper, busier, or more hemmed in than expected.
We found Icod de los Vinos one of the less pleasant places to drive because of the steep roads and tourist buses. It was not impossible, but it did feel more awkward than most places.
La Orotava and San Cristóbal de La Laguna also felt busier and harder work, mainly because of the parking and the stop-start driving.
In La Orotava especially, we found ourselves circling looking for a space while also trying to avoid tourists wandering into the narrow streets to take photos. It’s lovely once you are there, but it is one of the places where we were happiest to park up and explore on foot.
In smaller villages, we would usually park outside and walk in if possible. That often felt easier than trying to thread the car through narrow streets and then work out where to leave it.
The Roads That Felt Easier Than We Expected
The biggest surprise for us was how many of Tenerife’s roads felt easier than we had built them up to be in our heads.
The best example was Teide. We expected the drive through the national park to feel harder, but the TF-21 and TF-38 were wide, scenic, and very manageable. They were winding, but not difficult in the way we had imagined.
If Teide is high on your list, it is worth knowing where to stop and what to see once you are up there.
That is worth saying because not every road in Tenerife is narrow, dramatic, or stressful. A lot of the island felt completely fine to drive once we were actually on the road.
The Roads That Needed More Patience
The roads that needed the most patience were the ones where everything felt a bit tighter, steeper, or busier than expected.
For us, that meant places like Masca, Benijo, Icod de los Vinos, La Orotava, and San Cristóbal de La Laguna. None of them were impossible, but they were the places where it helped to slow down, stay calm, and accept that you were not going to get anywhere quickly.
That was especially true where narrow roads, buses, oncoming traffic, and parking all started to stack up at once. Tenerife felt much easier when we accepted that some parts of the drive were simply going to be slower and more awkward than others.
Parking In Tenerife: What To Expect
Parking in Tenerife was often more frustrating than the driving itself.
While we never regretted having a rental car, there were moments such as near beaches, when finding parking spaces were a hassle.
We found the roads mostly fine, but parking could be a real drain on time and patience, especially in towns, near beaches, and around busy sights. More than once, we ended up circling looking for a space, only to give up and move on after wasting time and fuel. That was one of the least enjoyable parts of driving on the island.
If you are staying in a resort town or built-up area, it is worth checking the parking situation before you book.
Why Parking Was Often More Annoying Than The Driving
For us, parking was where Tenerife felt most tiring. It was not usually dramatic. It was just the repeated stop-start hassle of hunting for a space in places where everyone else seemed to be doing the same thing.
That was especially true near beaches, in resort areas, and in towns where the roads already felt a bit tighter. Add in drivers stopping where they wanted or squeezing into awkward spaces, and parking could quickly become the part of the day that wore us down.
Where Parking Felt Hardest For Us
We found parking hardest in some towns, tourist spots, and anywhere close to popular beaches. Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje could be frustrating if you wanted to park close to the coast.
Parking could also be awkward in older towns where the streets were narrower and busier. In places like La Orotava, it was less about the road itself and more about circling for a space while watching for pedestrians and other cars in tight streets.
La Orotava is lovely once you are there, but it is one of the places where we were happiest to park up and explore on foot.
At attractions and viewpoints, the main problem was often size. Car parks could be smaller than expected and filled up quickly, especially later in the day.
What Helped Us Find Parking With Less Stress
The biggest thing that helped was starting early. That made a difference near beaches, viewpoints, and popular tourist spots, where spaces disappeared quickly once the day got going.
We also found it easier not to insist on parking right in the middle of everything. In smaller towns and villages, it often made more sense to park outside the centre and walk in rather than trying to force the car through narrow streets and then find somewhere to leave it.
In busier places, underground car parks were often worth looking for. They were usually clearly signed and reasonably priced, and they saved us time compared with endlessly circling on the street.
When It Made Sense To Pay For Parking
For us, paying for parking often made sense when the alternative was wasting time, fuel, and patience looking for a free space.
We found paid car parks much less stressful than circling for a free space, especially in busier towns and resort areas.
That was especially true in towns and busier resort areas, where on-street spaces filled quickly. If we wanted to keep the day moving, paying for a car park was often the easier option.
As a rough guide, white-lined spaces are usually free, yellow lines mean no parking, and blue-lined spaces usually mean paid parking. It is always worth checking local signs as well.
What To Know About Hotel And Apartment Parking
If you are staying in a resort town or built-up area, it is worth checking the parking situation before you book. Having somewhere straightforward to leave the car at night makes a bigger difference than it might seem when you are planning the trip at home.
For us, accommodation with parking was a real plus. It removed one layer of hassle at the end of the day and meant we were not finishing a long drive by hunting for a space in the dark.
If parking is not included, we would want to know in advance whether there is nearby street parking, a paid car park, or any restrictions that might make things more awkward.
The Parts Of Driving In Tenerife That Caught Us Out
The roads themselves were not usually the hardest part. What caught us out more was how unpredictable some of the driving around us felt, especially in busier areas or on roads where there was not much room to spare.
Some Drivers Were Harder To Read Than We Expected
One thing we noticed quite quickly was that not everyone used indicators in a way that made their next move obvious.
Some drivers changed direction or switched lanes without signalling at all. Others seemed to leave an indicator on for far too long, which made it harder to tell whether they were actually about to move or had simply forgotten it was still flashing.
It was not a huge issue, but it did mean staying more alert than we expected and not assuming another driver was definitely doing what their indicator suggested.
Pedestrians And Crossings Kept Us More Alert Than Expected
In towns, villages, and busy sightseeing areas, we found ourselves watching as much for people as for cars.
Pedestrian crossings are common, and the tricky part was not just the crossings themselves but the unpredictability around them. Some pedestrians stepped out without much warning, while drivers did not always react in the same way. That meant you had to stay switched on, especially in busier places where there was already a lot going on.
We also came across people stopping suddenly for photos or slowing down because they were unsure where they were going. None of that was difficult, but it all added to the mental hassle.
Cyclists, Coaches, And Slower Vehicles Can Slow You Down Unexpectedly
We also found that other road users could slow you down more than expected.
Cyclists were something to be aware of, especially near blind bends and at weekends, when you need to give them plenty of space. Coaches mattered most for us where the road already felt tighter, because they could slow everything down and make certain stretches feel more hemmed in.
Even when that did not make the driving difficult, it could make it slower and more stop-start than expected.
What Made Driving Feel More Tiring Than Scary
The thing that stood out most to us was that driving in Tenerife was not especially scary, but it could be more tiring than expected.
That was mostly down to the constant small decisions. Watching what other drivers were doing, staying alert for pedestrians, reacting to people stopping unexpectedly, and dealing with that slightly unpredictable rhythm all added up over the course of a day.
Searching for parking was also a pain and a real time waster. So was dealing with drivers who did not indicate, stopped where they felt like it, or parked wherever they could squeeze in.
For us, that was the real difference. The driving itself was mostly fine. It was just not always as relaxing as the scenery made it look.
Driving Rules And Practical Things Worth Knowing Before You Go
A few practical basics are worth knowing before you pick up the car, but Tenerife is not the kind of place where the rules feel especially hard to get your head around once you are on the road.
Which Side Of The Road Do You Drive On In Tenerife?
In Tenerife, you drive on the right-hand side of the road and overtake on the left.
If you are used to driving in the UK, that will probably feel like the biggest mental adjustment at first. We found the main roads and motorways the easiest places to settle into it.
Speed Limits In Tenerife
Speed limits are shown in kilometres per hour, and it is worth keeping an eye on signs because they can change quite quickly once you pass into a town or village.
As a general guide:
- Motorways: 120 km/h
- Dual carriageways: 100 km/h
- Country roads: 90 km/h
- Built-up areas: 50 km/h
- Some residential streets: 20 km/h
Are There Toll Roads In Tenerife?
No. Tenerife’s main roads are toll-free, which makes driving around the island much simpler.
That is one less thing to think about when you are already adjusting to unfamiliar roads.
What The Main Road Signs And Parking Lines Mean
We found the roads well signposted, which helped a lot.
Most road signs are straightforward, and places of interest are often shown on brown signs. For parking, yellow lines usually mean no parking, while blue lines usually mean a restricted or paid parking zone. It is always worth checking the nearby signs as well.
What Documents Do You Need To Carry?
Before you drive away, it is worth checking you have the basics with you, including your driving licence, passport, and the hire car paperwork.
If you are collecting a rental car, we would also make sure everything for the vehicle is actually in the car before leaving the car park. It is one of those boring little checks that feels worth doing upfront rather than discovering later that something is missing.
Fuel And Petrol Stations In Tenerife
Fuel is generally cheaper than in much of Europe, and we found petrol stations easy enough to find on the main roads.
Stations are less frequent once you head away from the bigger routes, so it is sensible not to let the tank get too low if you are planning a longer drive. If you are used to calling it petrol, you will usually see gasolina or gasolina sin plomo for unleaded, and gasoil for diesel.
If you are driving an electric car, we would check charging points in advance rather than assume they will be easy to find once you are out exploring.
We also found it helpful to have our usual navigation and planning tools sorted before setting off, especially for longer days around the island.
What To Do If Something Goes Wrong
If you have an accident or need emergency help, the emergency number is 112.
If you are in a hire car, contact the rental company as soon as you can as well. It is also worth taking photos and making a note of what happened if there is any damage or another driver involved.
Which Drives Are Worth It?
One of the best things about driving in Tenerife is how quickly the island changes. You can go from dry volcanic landscapes to pine forests, dramatic viewpoints, and greener mountain roads in the same trip.
Not every drive feels the same behind the wheel, though, so we think it helps to look at them not just by how beautiful they are, but by how they actually feel to drive.
A car makes a big difference if you want to mix the south with some of the quieter and greener places in the north.
If your plans are mostly beaches, resort towns, and shorter day trips in the south, you may not need a car every day.
Best Drives If You Want Easy Scenery
For us, the best easy scenic drives were the roads through Teide National Park, especially the TF-21 and TF-38.
These gave us the biggest wow factor for the least stress. The roads were scenic, wide enough to feel comfortable, and easy to drive, with plenty of places to pull over for the views or stop for a short walk. If you want a drive that feels dramatic without feeling difficult, this is where we would start.
The Teide routes also worked well because you could enjoy the scenery properly without feeling like all your attention had to stay glued to the road.
Best Drives If You Are Comfortable With Mountain Roads
If you are comfortable with more winding roads, Anaga is a really rewarding part of Tenerife to explore by car.
It feels like a different world compared with the drier south of the island. The roads through this area are greener, more enclosed, and more winding, but they also take you into one of the most beautiful and distinctive parts of Tenerife.
We found the TF-121 and TF-134 narrower and more winding than the Teide roads, but still perfectly okay. If you like mountain driving and do not mind taking things more slowly, Anaga is well worth it.
If Anaga appeals, it helps to know which stops are worth making once you are in the park.
A lovely route is to drive towards Mirador del Carmen, where you can stop for the Sendero de Los Sentidos, then continue on towards El Bailadero, Taganana, Benijo, and one of the beaches for lunch.
Beautiful Drives That Need A Bit More Confidence
The road to Masca on the TF-436 is the clearest example here.
It is undeniably scenic, but it is also the sort of drive where you are concentrating on the road more than admiring the view. It is narrow, steep, winding, and full of hairpin bends, so this is not the route we would suggest for a nervous first timer who is already unsure about mountain roads.
That does not mean it is impossible. It just asks more of you than Teide does, and the beauty of the route can be harder to enjoy when most of your attention is on what is coming round the next bend.
The Drives We Think Are Most Worth The Effort
If we had to choose just one area to drive for scenery and ease, it would be Teide National Park.
The roads through Teide gave us the best balance of dramatic landscapes, easy driving, and plenty of places to stop. For us, that combination made them the most rewarding routes on the island.
Anaga would come next if you are happy with narrower and more winding roads. It feels very different from the rest of Tenerife and is one of the most atmospheric parts of the island to explore by car.
Which Drives Nervous First-Timers May Want To Skip
If you are a nervous first-timer, Masca is the drive we would think twice about.
It is beautiful, but it is also the route most likely to feel stressful if you are already uneasy about steep roads, tight bends, or meeting larger vehicles on narrow sections. Starting early helps, but we still think this is the drive most likely to push people outside their comfort zone.
For us, Masca is the one area we would leave until later in the trip, or skip altogether if you already know narrow mountain roads are not your thing.
We still think Teide and Anaga give you some of the best driving on the island without Masca needing to be part of the trip at all.
If your main aim is to enjoy driving in Tenerife without making the road the hardest part of the day, we would focus first on Teide and then see how you feel about taking on somewhere more winding like Anaga.
FAQs About Driving In Tenerife For The First Time
Is driving in Tenerife safe?
Yes, overall we found driving in Tenerife safe. The main roads were easy, the island was well signposted, and most of the stress came from narrow sections, parking, and other road users rather than anything genuinely dangerous.
Is driving in Tenerife hard for UK visitors?
We do not think it is hard in the way many UK visitors fear. The biggest adjustment is driving on the right, but we found the motorways and main roads the easiest places to settle into it.
Do you need an automatic car in Tenerife?
No, but we do think it helps. If you are used to driving an automatic at home or you are nervous about steep roads, it can make the whole experience feel easier and less tiring.
Is parking in Tenerife difficult?
It can be, especially near beaches, in towns, and around busy sights. For us, parking was often more frustrating than the driving itself.
Are there toll roads in Tenerife?
No. Tenerife’s main roads are toll-free.
Should nervous drivers do the Masca road?
Probably not first. If you are already nervous about steep roads and hairpin bends, we would start with Teide instead and leave Masca unless you feel comfortable taking on something more demanding.
Does driving in Tenerife get easier after the first day?
Yes, for us it did. Once we had adjusted to driving on the right and got a feel for the roads, most of Tenerife felt much easier than it had at the start.
Is north Tenerife harder to drive than the south?
Not for us. We found the traffic thinner once we drove north of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Do you need a car in Tenerife?
Not always. If you are staying in one resort and mostly planning beach days, you may not need one. But if you want to see more of the island, we think hiring a car makes a big difference.
If You Are Deciding Whether To Drive In Tenerife
Now you feel more confident driving, the next step is to choose your rental car. It helps to know what to look for before booking, especially when it comes to size, power, pickup, and cover.
Meet Angela
Angela is the founder and writer of GlobalGadding, a travel resource for road-trip lovers and independent travellers.
She’s explored 40+ countries, and road tripped across New Zealand, Alaska, Australia, Canada, UK, Sri Lanka, USA, Namibia, and Europe.
She creates detailed, easy-to-follow itineraries that take the stress out of planning. Her mission is to help readers craft their own self-drive trips.