Dear Reader, GlobalGadding has no sponsored content, just genuine advice. Some links may be affiliate links at no extra cost to you. See our Disclosure Policy for more information.
If you’re planning scenic drives in Tenerife, we’d start with Teide before tackling anything more dramatic.
It gave us the biggest views with the least stress. The roads through Teide National Park were wider and easier than we expected, with volcanic scenery, proper viewpoints and plenty of places to stop.
Anaga was still worth driving, but it felt slower, greener and more winding. Masca was the road we’d think twice about if you’re nervous, because it is narrow, steep and full of hairpin bends.
So yes, Tenerife is brilliant by car, but not every scenic route feels the same behind the wheel.
The best Tenerife scenic drive is not just the one with the biggest views. It is the one that suits your confidence, your car, the weather, and the kind of day you actually want to have.
Scenic Drives In Tenerife: Quick Answer
- Best scenic drive for first-timers: Teide National Park, especially via TF-21 or TF-38
- Best for green mountain scenery: Anaga Rural Park
- Most dramatic but more demanding road: Masca
- Best shorter drive from the south: Los Gigantes and Santiago del Teide
- Best for towns and north-coast scenery: Icod, Garachico and Buenavista del Norte
- Best tip: start early, use a small or mid-size car, and leave time for viewpoints
1. Teide National Park Scenic Drive: Best For First-Timers
If we had to choose one scenic drive in Tenerife for a first road trip, it would be the drive through Teide National Park.
This was the Tenerife scenic route that surprised us most, mainly because we expected it to feel more difficult than it did.
The roads through Teide, especially the TF-21, TF-24 and TF-38, were wide enough to feel comfortable, well surfaced, and much easier to drive than some of the narrower village and mountain roads elsewhere on the island.
As you climb higher, Tenerife starts to feel completely different. The greener lower slopes give way to pine forest, volcanic rock, lava fields and huge open views around Mount Teide.
For us, this was the best balance of big scenery and manageable driving.
Teide Scenic Drive Snapshot
- Best for: first-time drivers who want big volcanic scenery without starting with Tenerife’s most demanding roads
- Main roads: TF-24, TF-21 and TF-38
- Good starting point: La Esperanza if you are coming from the north or east
- Best southern access: Vilaflor or Chío
- Allow: half a day to a full day
- Road feel: winding and scenic, but wider and easier than expected
- Best time: early morning for quieter viewpoints and easier parking
- Watch for: mist, low cloud, cooler temperatures and changing visibility
Suggested Route For The Teide Scenic Drive
A good route is to drive from La Esperanza along the TF-24 towards Teide National Park, then continue on the TF-21 through the park.
From there, you can head down towards Vilaflor, take the TF-38 towards Chío, or loop back depending on where you are staying.
If you are staying in the south, you can drive up through Vilaflor on the TF-21 or use the TF-38 from the Chío side, depending on which part of the island you are based in.
We would not rush it.
This is the kind of drive where the stops are part of the day, not just breaks between places. The viewpoints, pull-ins and changing landscape are what make it memorable.
If you only do one big scenic drive, the road into Teide gives you the classic volcanic landscape.
We would also fill up before heading into the national park and take water and snacks with us. There are places to stop, but this is not the sort of drive where we would want to be hunting for fuel, toilets or food at the last minute.
Main Roads
The main roads to look out for are:
- TF-24
- TF-21
- TF-38
The TF-21 is one of the main scenic roads through Teide National Park, while the TF-24 is useful if you are coming from La Esperanza or the north-east side of the island.
The TF-38 is another excellent road if you are heading towards the west or south-west side of Tenerife.
Teide Scenic Drive Map
Use the Teide scenic drive map below to get your bearings before you choose your stops.
This route gives you the rough shape of the drive through Teide National Park, with the option to continue towards Vilaflor, Chío or back towards your base depending on where you are staying.
What The Drive Feels Like
The Teide scenic drive is winding, but not intimidating in the way we had imagined.
Before we drove it, we expected Teide to be one of the more stressful parts of driving in Tenerife. In reality, it was one of the easiest big-scenery drives we did.
The roads were wide enough to feel comfortable, and the proper viewpoints meant we could stop safely instead of trying to admire everything from behind the wheel.
That is what makes this such a good first scenic drive in Tenerife.
You still need to pay attention, especially as the road climbs and bends through the national park, but it did not feel like the sort of drive where every corner needed a deep breath.
The main thing to watch is the weather.
Once you climb higher, mist and low cloud can roll in quickly. We had sections where visibility changed much faster than it had down by the coast, and that made the road feel very different.
If the weather is clear, the views are huge. If cloud comes in, slow down and give yourself more time.
We’d also use proper viewpoints and pull-ins rather than stopping suddenly on the roadside. Some views appear quickly, but it is not worth making the road more awkward for everyone else just to grab a photo.
Main Places To Look Out For On The Teide Scenic Drive
The Teide scenic drive is not really about one single stop.
It is the way the whole landscape keeps changing as you climb higher.
The lower slopes feel greener and more wooded, then the road opens out into pine forest, lava fields, volcanic rock and huge views across the national park.
These are the places we’d look out for as you drive through the park.
Mirador La Tarta
Mirador La Tarta is one of the most unusual viewpoints on the route, with layered volcanic rock that looks completely different from the greener scenery lower down.
It is an easy stop if you are driving through Teide from the north, and it gives you that first proper sense that the island has changed completely.
The name means “cake viewpoint”, and once you see the striped layers of rock, it makes sense.
It is not a long stop, but it is worth pulling over for.
Corral del Niño Viewpoint
Corral del Niño is another good viewpoint on the TF-24, with wide views across the volcanic landscape and towards Mount Teide if the weather is clear.
This is the kind of stop we liked because you can pull in, stretch your legs, take in the scenery and carry on without turning the day into a full hike.
It is also a useful reminder that Teide is not just about the summit. The whole national park is part of the experience.
Teide Observatory
You may also pass the Teide Observatory area on the TF-24.
Even if you do not stop for a tour, it is worth looking out for because the white domes against the volcanic landscape make this part of the drive feel even more otherworldly.
It is one of those places where the scenery suddenly feels much bigger and stranger than you expected from Tenerife.
Roques de García
Roques de García is one of the most popular stops in Teide National Park, and for good reason.
The rock formations are dramatic, easy to reach, and give you some of the classic views people associate with Mount Teide.
This is a good place to stop if you want a short walk, photos and a proper look at the volcanic landscape without committing to a long hike.
It is also one of the places where parking can fill up, so we’d try to arrive earlier rather than leave it until the busiest part of the day.
Teide Cable Car Area
The cable car area is another key stop if you want to get closer to Mount Teide itself.
Even if you do not take the cable car, this part of the route gives you a strong sense of the scale of the volcano and the surrounding landscape.
If the cable car is part of your plan, check the latest Teide cable car status and weather conditions before you build the whole day around it.
Conditions can change, and it is not something we’d leave to chance if it is a big part of your plan.
Viewpoints Along TF-21 And TF-38
Some of our favourite moments on the Teide drive were not big-name stops at all.
They were the random pull-ins, open views and stretches of road where the scenery suddenly changed again.
That is why we would not rush this route.
Give yourself time to stop when the view catches you, not just when a viewpoint name appears on the map.
How Long To Allow For The Teide Scenic Drive
You could drive through Teide National Park in a few hours if you only wanted to get from one side to the other.
But that is not how we would do it.
For a proper scenic drive, we’d allow at least half a day. If you want to stop at viewpoints, visit Roques de García, take the cable car, do a short walk or build in time for photos, it can easily become a full-day route.
That does not mean it needs to feel rushed or exhausting.
It just means Teide deserves more than being squeezed between breakfast and a beach afternoon.
Best Time To Drive Through Teide National Park
We would drive this route early if we were doing it again.
Starting early helps with parking, viewpoints and the general feel of the day. It also gives you more room to adjust if the weather changes as you climb higher.
Sunrise or early morning can be especially beautiful if you are happy with an early start.
Sunset would also be a lovely time for the light, but we’d be more careful about timing because mountain roads, changing weather and driving back in the dark are not everyone’s idea of fun.
For a first-time Tenerife scenic drive, morning feels like the easier choice.
It is also worth keeping an extra layer in the car. Teide can feel much cooler than the coast, especially early or late in the day, and the weather can change quickly once you are higher up.
The mountain weather was one of the things that made Tenerife’s roads feel different from the coast, so it is worth understanding the driving conditions before you go.
Who This Drive Suits
The Teide scenic drive is the route we’d suggest first if you want dramatic Tenerife scenery without taking on the most demanding road on the island.
It suits first-time visitors, nervous drivers who want to build confidence, and anyone who wants a big scenic day without starting with Masca’s narrow hairpin bends.
It is still a mountain drive, so you need to pay attention. But compared with Masca or the tighter parts of Anaga, it felt like the most sensible place to start.
For a first Tenerife scenic drive, Teide is the one we’d choose before anything more demanding.
2. Anaga Rural Park Drive: Best For Forests, Mountains And Wild Coast
If Teide is the Tenerife scenic drive we’d suggest first, Anaga is the one we’d choose when you’re ready for something greener, slower and more winding.
This part of north-east Tenerife feels completely different from the drier south and the open volcanic landscapes around Teide.
The roads take you through forested mountains, tiny settlements, viewpoints, deep ravines and down towards wild coastal places like Taganana and Benijo.
We loved Anaga, but it did need more concentration than Teide.
The roads were narrower, the bends came more often, and the whole drive felt slower. Not scary, but definitely not a route we’d rush or squeeze into the end of a busy day.
For us, Anaga was one of the most atmospheric scenic drives in Tenerife, but it worked best when we treated it as a proper road trip day rather than a quick detour.
For greener views, Anaga gives you the island’s wilder mountain-road feel.
Anaga Scenic Drive Snapshot
- Best for: green mountain scenery, forest roads and wild coastal views
- Main roads: TF-12, TF-134 and local roads towards Taganana and Benijo
- Good starting point: Santa Cruz de Tenerife or San Cristóbal de La Laguna
- Best coastal stops: San Andrés, Playa de las Teresitas, Taganana and Benijo
- Allow: half a day to a full day
- Road feel: greener, narrower and slower than Teide
- Best time: early morning for quieter roads, easier parking and clearer viewpoints
- Watch for: mist, tighter bends, cyclists, buses and slower mountain sections
Suggested Route For The Anaga Scenic Drive
A good Anaga route is to start in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, head towards San Andrés and Playa de las Teresitas, then climb into Anaga Rural Park before continuing towards Taganana and Benijo.
From there, you can loop back through Cruz del Carmen and Mirador Jardina towards San Cristóbal de La Laguna.
You can also start from La Laguna if that works better with your base.
Anaga looks compact on a map, but the roads are slower than they appear, and you will probably want to stop at viewpoints, beaches, villages and forested areas along the way.
This is the kind of drive where the pace matters. If you rush it, you lose a lot of what makes Anaga special.
Main Roads
The main roads to look out for are:
- TF-12
- TF-134
- Local roads towards Taganana and Benijo
The TF-12 is one of the main scenic roads through Anaga Rural Park and works well if you are coming from La Laguna, Cruz del Carmen or Santa Cruz.
The TF-134 takes you down towards Taganana and the coast, where the road starts to feel narrower, greener and more tucked into the mountains.
This was the part where we slowed down and gave the drive more attention.
Anaga Scenic Drive Map
Use the Anaga scenic drive map below to see how the route loops through north-east Tenerife before you plan your stops.
This Anaga scenic drive map gives you the rough shape of the route, from Santa Cruz and San Andrés into the Anaga mountains, then towards Taganana, Benijo, Cruz del Carmen and Mirador Jardina.
What The Drive Feels Like
The Anaga scenic drive feels very different from Teide.
Teide felt open, wide and easier than expected. Anaga felt greener, tighter and more enclosed, especially once we started heading deeper into the mountains and down towards the coast.
The roads were manageable, but they needed more patience.
There are narrow sections, bends, changes in visibility and places where you need to be ready for slower vehicles, cyclists or someone coming the other way around a corner.
This is not a drive we’d call difficult in a dramatic way, but it is one where you need to stay switched on.
We found it easier once we stopped expecting to move quickly. Anaga is much more enjoyable when you accept that the drive is going to be slow, scenic and a little bit twisty.
The weather can also change quickly here. Mist and low cloud can sit in the mountains, and the whole place can feel much moodier than the coast.
That is part of the appeal, but it does mean you should give yourself extra time.
Main Places To Look Out For On The Anaga Scenic Drive
The Anaga drive is not just about one viewpoint or one beach.
It is the mix of green mountains, forested roads, small villages and wild coastline that makes this part of Tenerife feel so different.
These are the places we’d look out for as you drive through Anaga.
San Andrés
San Andrés is the small coastal village just before the road begins to climb properly into Anaga.
It makes sense as a quick stop if you want a coffee, a leg stretch or a moment before the drive becomes more mountainous.
We would not treat it as the main reason to do the route, but it is a useful marker on the way into the park.
Playa de las Teresitas
Playa de las Teresitas is an easy stop if you are starting from Santa Cruz and heading towards Anaga.
It is one of the best-known beaches in this part of Tenerife, with a long sweep of golden sand and mountain scenery behind it.
For us, this works well as a gentle start before the roads become more winding.
It is also useful if you want a beach stop without heading straight into the wilder, narrower parts of Anaga.
Viewpoints Along The TF-12 And TF-134
Some of the best moments in Anaga are not always the named stops.
There are stretches where the road opens up to mountain views, then closes back into forest or curves down towards the coast.
We’d use proper viewpoints and pull-ins rather than stopping suddenly on the roadside. The roads are too narrow in places for random photo stops to feel sensible.
Mirador Bailadero
Mirador Bailadero is a useful viewpoint to look out for as you drive deeper into Anaga.
If the weather is clear, this is the kind of stop that helps you see why the route feels so different from the rest of Tenerife. The roads, ridges and green mountain scenery all start to feel much more remote here.
As always in Anaga, cloud can change the view quickly, so we would treat it as a good stop if conditions are on your side rather than something to build the whole day around.
Taganana
Taganana is one of the places that makes the Anaga drive feel properly tucked away.
The road down towards it is more winding, and the village sits in a dramatic mountain setting that feels far removed from the resort side of Tenerife.
This is where we’d slow the day right down.
It is not a place to rush in, take one photo and leave. The appeal is the setting, the road, the coast nearby and the sense that you have reached a very different corner of the island.
Playa de Benijo
Benijo is one of the wildest and most dramatic coastal stops in Anaga.
This is not a soft, easy resort beach. It feels rugged, exposed and much more natural, with dark sand, Atlantic waves and dramatic rock formations offshore.
The road towards Benijo is one of the tighter parts of the drive, so we would only add it if you are comfortable with narrower roads and have enough time.
If you do make it there, it is one of the most memorable stops in north-east Tenerife.
Cruz del Carmen
Cruz del Carmen is one of the key stops in Anaga Rural Park, especially if you want to experience the forested side of the area.
This is where the scenery starts to feel cooler, greener and more enclosed, with forest trails, viewpoints and that misty mountain feel Anaga is known for.
If you want a short walk rather than a full hike, this is a good area to look at before you go.
Mirador Jardina
Mirador Jardina is a useful viewpoint if the weather is clear.
You can get wide views back towards La Laguna and across the surrounding hills, which helps you understand just how different this part of Tenerife feels from the south.
As with all Anaga viewpoints, cloud can change everything, so we would not build the whole day around one viewpoint being clear.
How Long To Allow For The Anaga Scenic Drive
You could technically drive through parts of Anaga in a few hours, but that would miss the point.
For this route, we’d allow at least half a day. If you want to include Playa de las Teresitas, Cruz del Carmen, Taganana, Benijo, viewpoints and a slower lunch stop, it can easily become a full-day drive.
That is how we’d treat it.
Anaga is not the drive we’d squeeze between 2 other big plans. The roads, viewpoints and weather all make it better when you have room to slow down.
Best Time To Drive Through Anaga Rural Park
We would start early for Anaga.
That gives you a better chance of easier parking, quieter roads and more time to work around any cloud or mist in the mountains.
It also helps if you want to continue towards Taganana or Benijo, because those roads feel better when you are not rushing.
The light can be beautiful later in the day, especially near the coast, but we would not want to be tackling the narrowest sections for the first time when we were tired or racing daylight.
For a first Anaga scenic drive, morning feels like the safer and calmer choice.
It is also worth keeping a layer in the car. Anaga can feel cooler and damper than the south, especially around the forested higher sections.
Who This Drive Suits
The Anaga scenic drive suits you if you want a wilder, greener side of Tenerife and you are comfortable with slower mountain roads.
It is a brilliant route if you like forest scenery, viewpoints, quieter villages and wild coastal stops rather than polished resort towns.
It is not the first scenic drive we’d suggest for a nervous driver. We’d start with Teide, get used to the roads, then come to Anaga once you feel more settled behind the wheel.
Anaga is the drive we’d save for the day when you want Tenerife to feel greener, wilder and much less obvious.
3. Masca Road Tenerife: Dramatic, But Not For Nervous Drivers
The Masca road is one of the most famous scenic drives in Tenerife, but it is also the one we would think twice about if you are a nervous driver.
It is beautiful, no question.
The road twists through steep mountain scenery, with hairpin bends, narrow sections and huge views. But this is not the kind of drive where you can completely relax and admire the scenery while you go.
You need to concentrate.
For confident drivers, Masca can be a brilliant part of a Tenerife road trip. For nervous first-timers, it could easily feel like too much, especially if you meet coaches, cyclists or other vehicles on the tighter bends.
That does not mean we would avoid it altogether.
We would just save it until you have a feel for driving in Tenerife, rather than making it your first big mountain road.
Masca Road Snapshot
- Best for: dramatic mountain scenery and one of Tenerife’s most famous drives
- Main roads: TF-436
- Good starting point: Santiago del Teide
- Possible onward route: Buenavista del Norte if you are comfortable continuing
- Allow: half a day if you want to stop, take photos and explore Masca village
- Road feel: narrow, steep, twisty and much more demanding than Teide
- Best time: early morning for quieter roads and easier parking
- Watch for: hairpin bends, cyclists, coaches, limited parking and slower traffic
Suggested Route For The Masca Road
The classic Masca drive starts around Santiago del Teide and follows the TF-436 towards Masca village.
From there, you can either turn back the same way or continue towards Buenavista del Norte, depending on your confidence, timing and route for the day.
We would not add Masca casually to an already full itinerary.
This is a drive where the road itself is part of the experience, but it also takes more attention than Teide or an easier coastal route. If you are already tired, short on time or feeling unsure about Tenerife’s mountain roads, this is not the drive we would squeeze in just because it looks close on the map.
Masca deserves a calmer day and an early start.
Main Road
The main road to look out for is:
- TF-436
The TF-436 is the road most people mean when they talk about the Masca road in Tenerife.
It is scenic and memorable, but it is also narrow, steep and full of bends. There are sections where you need to slow right down, stay patient and be ready for traffic coming the other way, especially coaches.
Masca Road Map
Use the Masca road map below to see the basic route from Santiago del Teide towards Masca, with the option to continue towards Buenavista del Norte, if you feel comfortable with the drive.
This Masca road map gives you the rough shape of the route through Tenerife’s north-west mountains. You can either turn back from Masca or continue towards Buenavista del Norte, depending on your confidence, timing and plans for the day.
What The Drive Feels Like
The Masca road feels very different from Teide.
Teide gave us big scenery on roads that felt wider and easier than expected. Masca is more intense. The scenery is dramatic, but the road asks much more of you behind the wheel.
The bends come often, the road narrows in places, and you are much more aware of oncoming traffic, cyclists and anything larger coming around the corner.
It is not impossible. Plenty of people drive it.
But it is not the route we would choose as a first confidence-building drive in Tenerife.
This is the sort of road where you need to slow down, ignore anyone behind you who wants to go faster, and focus on driving smoothly rather than trying to take in every view as you move.
If you want photos, use proper pull-ins or viewpoints. Do not stop suddenly on the road, even if the view is doing its absolute best to tempt you.
Main Places To Look Out For On The Masca Road
The Masca road is not packed with lots of easy stops in the same way Teide is.
Part of the appeal is the drive itself: the bends, the steep mountain views, the glimpses down into the valley and the feeling that you have reached one of Tenerife’s more dramatic corners.
These are the places we’d look out for along the route.
Santiago del Teide
Santiago del Teide is a useful place to start the Masca drive.
It gives you a chance to get settled before the road becomes more demanding, and it is a sensible place to pause if you want coffee, fuel or a quick check of your route before heading into the mountains.
If you are feeling nervous before you even leave Santiago del Teide, that is probably a sign to take the day slowly or choose an easier scenic drive first.
Mirador de Cherfe
Mirador de Cherfe is one of the best-known viewpoints on the Masca road.
If conditions are clear, this is a good place to stop for mountain views before continuing towards the village. It also gives you a proper sense of how steep and dramatic this part of Tenerife is.
As with other Tenerife viewpoints, parking can be limited, so we would not rely on being able to stop easily if you arrive at a busy time.
Masca Village
Masca village is the main reason many people drive this route.
It sits in a dramatic mountain setting, surrounded by steep ridges and deep ravines. It is one of Tenerife’s most striking villages, but it can also feel busy because it is such a well-known stop.
Parking is the thing we would plan around.
Spaces can be limited, and the last thing you want after a demanding mountain drive is to arrive tired and start circling for somewhere to leave the car.
This is another reason we would go early.
Viewpoints Along The TF-436
Some of the best views on the Masca road are not necessarily at big formal stops.
You will get glimpses of the mountains, ravines and village from different angles as the road twists through the landscape.
We would use proper viewpoints and pull-ins rather than trying to stop wherever the view appears. The road is too narrow and bendy in places for random stopping to feel sensible.
Buenavista del Norte
If you continue beyond Masca, Buenavista del Norte can work as a useful end point or onward stop.
This part of the route depends on how comfortable you feel with the drive and how much time you have.
If Masca has already taken a lot out of you, there is nothing wrong with keeping the day simpler rather than pushing on just because the map says you can.
How Long To Allow For The Masca Road
We would allow at least half a day for the Masca road if you want to drive it properly, stop safely, spend a little time in the village and avoid feeling rushed.
The distance is not the issue.
The road is slower than it looks on a map, and parking or traffic can easily add time. Coaches, cyclists and other drivers can also make the journey feel more stop-start than expected.
If you are linking Masca with other stops, keep the rest of the day light.
This is not the drive we would squeeze between several town visits, a beach stop and a dinner reservation. It needs a bit of breathing room.
Best Time To Drive The Masca Road
We would drive the Masca road early.
Starting early gives you a better chance of quieter roads, easier parking and fewer awkward moments on the narrowest sections.
It also means you are tackling the drive while you are fresh, not at the end of a long sightseeing day when your patience has already been used up.
Late afternoon might be lovely for the light, but for a first Masca drive, we would choose calm over golden hour.
Morning feels like the better option, especially if you are even slightly nervous.
Who This Drive Suits
The Masca road suits confident drivers who are comfortable with narrow mountain roads, tight bends and slower sections.
It is a memorable drive, but we would not put it first if you are still getting used to driving on the right or feeling unsure about Tenerife’s steeper roads.
If you want dramatic mountain scenery without the same level of road stress, Teide is the better first choice.
If you have already driven Teide, feel settled in the car and do not mind taking your time, Masca may be worth adding.
But if the idea of hairpin bends and meeting larger vehicles on a narrow road makes your stomach sink, there is no shame in skipping it. Tenerife has plenty of scenic drives that do not ask quite so much of you.
4. North Tenerife Road Trip: Old Towns, Coast And Greener Scenery
A north Tenerife road trip is the one we’d choose when you want a scenic drive that mixes old towns, greener landscapes and coastal stops without every section feeling like a big mountain road.
This route feels very different from the south of Tenerife.
Instead of resort towns and dry coastal scenery, you get historic streets, hillside towns, banana plantations, sea views and a more lived-in side of the island.
For us, the north was not necessarily harder to drive than the south, but it did feel more stop-start in places.
The main roads were manageable, but the older towns could feel tighter once we were looking for parking or trying to edge closer to the centre.
This is a good route if you want variety without taking on something as demanding as Masca.
North Tenerife Road Trip Snapshot
- Best for: old towns, greener scenery, coastal stops and a more local-feeling side of Tenerife
- Main roads: TF-5, TF-42 and local town roads
- Good starting point: San Cristóbal de La Laguna or Puerto de la Cruz
- Best stops: La Laguna, La Orotava, Icod de los Vinos, Garachico and Buenavista del Norte
- Allow: half a day to a full day
- Road feel: mostly manageable, but busier and tighter in older towns
- Best time: morning, especially if you want easier parking
- Watch for: town traffic, narrow streets, parking, pedestrians and slower sections near popular stops
Suggested Route For A North Tenerife Road Trip
A good north Tenerife route is to start in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, then continue towards La Orotava, Icod de los Vinos, Garachico and Buenavista del Norte.
You can also start from Puerto de la Cruz if that works better with your base.
This is one of those Tenerife scenic routes where the drive is not about one dramatic road. It is about linking together towns, coast, viewpoints and greener scenery without having to cross the whole island.
We would give this route enough time for parking and wandering, especially in La Laguna, La Orotava and Garachico.
The mistake would be trying to do every town properly in one rushed day. It works better if you choose your main stops, then treat anything extra as a bonus.
Main Roads
The main roads to look out for are:
- TF-5
- TF-42
- Local town roads
The TF-5 is the main road across the north of Tenerife and makes it easy to link places like La Laguna, Puerto de la Cruz and La Orotava.
The TF-42 takes you further west towards Icod de los Vinos, Garachico and Buenavista del Norte.
The main roads are straightforward enough, but the town centres are where the drive can need more patience, especially around parking, pedestrians and narrower streets.
North Tenerife Road Trip Map
Use the north Tenerife road trip map below to see how the route links La Laguna, La Orotava, Icod de los Vinos, Garachico and Buenavista del Norte.
This north Tenerife road trip map gives you the rough shape of the route across the greener side of the island, with historic towns, coastal stops and scenic places to break up the drive.
What The Drive Feels Like
This drive feels more varied than dramatic.
You are not spending the whole day on one famous scenic road. Instead, you are moving between towns, coast and greener landscapes, with some easy main-road sections and some slower town driving.
The main roads felt manageable to us, but parking and old town streets were the parts that needed more patience.
La Orotava and La Laguna are both lovely, but they are not places where we’d want to drive right into the middle without knowing where we planned to park.
Garachico also gets busy, especially if you are visiting later in the day or during a popular time.
So this is not a scary drive. It is more of a “plan your stops properly so the day does not become annoying” kind of drive.
Main Places To Look Out For On This North Tenerife Route
This north Tenerife road trip works best if you choose the stops that actually interest you rather than trying to tick off every town.
These are the places we’d look out for along the way.
San Cristóbal de La Laguna
La Laguna is one of the best places to start if you want history, colour and a proper old-town feel.
The streets are lovely to wander, but we would think about parking before arriving rather than trying to improvise right in the centre.
It is a good first stop if you want the day to feel more cultural than beachy.
La Orotava
La Orotava is beautiful, but it was one of the places where the driving and parking felt more awkward to us.
The streets can be steep and narrow, and it is easy to spend longer than expected trying to work out where to leave the car.
Once you are parked, though, it is a lovely place to explore on foot, with old buildings, views and a very different feel from the resort side of Tenerife.
La Orotava is one of those places where it helps to know where you are heading before you start dealing with the steeper streets and parking.
Icod de los Vinos
Icod de los Vinos is a useful stop if you want to see another northern town and break up the drive towards Garachico.
It is best known for the famous dragon tree, but for this route, we’d treat it as one of several possible stops rather than something you must force into the day.
If parking looks awkward or you are short on time, this is one of the places where we’d be realistic rather than stubborn.
Garachico
Garachico is one of the most appealing stops on this north Tenerife route.
It has that coastal town feel, with sea views, historic streets and natural pools nearby.
This is the stop where we’d want a bit of time rather than rushing through. It works well as a slower lunch stop or a place to stretch the day out if you are not trying to cram in too much.
Buenavista del Norte
Buenavista del Norte works well as an end point if you want to continue west and see a quieter side of Tenerife.
It is also useful if you are combining this route with other north-west scenery, but we would only do that if the day still feels relaxed.
If the towns have already taken longer than expected, there is nothing wrong with turning this into a shorter north coast day instead.
How Long To Allow For This North Tenerife Road Trip
We would allow at least half a day for a shorter version of this route, especially if you only choose 2 or 3 stops.
If you want to visit La Laguna, La Orotava, Icod, Garachico and Buenavista del Norte properly, it can easily become a full-day drive.
The distances are not huge, but town driving, parking, wandering and food stops all add time.
For us, this is the kind of route that works best when you choose your priorities before setting off.
Best Time To Drive This Route
We would start in the morning, especially if you want to visit La Laguna, La Orotava or Garachico.
Parking is usually easier earlier, and the day feels calmer if you are not arriving everywhere at the busiest time.
This route is less about dramatic sunrise or sunset light and more about giving yourself time to enjoy the towns without feeling rushed.
If you are planning several stops, we’d avoid starting too late.
Who This Drive Suits
This north Tenerife road trip suits you if you want old towns, greener scenery and coastal stops without committing to a more demanding mountain route.
It is a good choice if you like variety and want to see a more local-feeling side of Tenerife.
It is not the most dramatic scenic drive on the island, but it is one of the most useful if you want to connect several interesting places in one day.
This is the route we’d pick for a gentler road trip day, especially if you want towns, coast and plenty of places to stop without making the road the main event.
5. Los Gigantes Scenic Drive: Easy South Tenerife Route
If you are staying in the south and want a scenic drive that does not turn into a full island-crossing day, Los Gigantes and Santiago del Teide are a good place to start.
This route gives you coastal views, dramatic cliffs and a taste of Tenerife’s hillier west without committing to the full Masca road.
It is not the most dramatic drive on the island, but that is partly why it works.
If you are based around Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos or the south-west coast, this is a useful shorter route when you want scenery without making the road the whole day.
For us, this is the kind of drive we’d choose when we wanted a gentler road trip day, especially if we were still getting used to the car or did not want to tackle the more demanding mountain routes yet.
Los Gigantes Scenic Drive Snapshot
- Best for: an easier scenic drive from the south with coastal views and cliffs
- Main roads: TF-1, TF-47 and TF-82
- Good starting point: Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos or Playa de las Américas
- Best stops: Playa de la Arena, Puerto de Santiago, Los Gigantes and Santiago del Teide
- Allow: half a day
- Road feel: mostly manageable, with coastal roads and hillier sections inland
- Best time: morning or late afternoon for quieter stops and softer light
- Watch for: resort traffic, parking near Los Gigantes and tighter roads as you head inland
Suggested Route For The Los Gigantes Scenic Drive
A good Los Gigantes scenic drive is to start from Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos or Playa de las Américas, then head north-west towards Playa de la Arena, Puerto de Santiago and Los Gigantes.
From there, you can continue inland towards Santiago del Teide if you want a little more mountain scenery without taking on the full Masca road.
This route works well as a shorter south Tenerife scenic drive because it does not need to take over the whole day.
You can keep it simple with a few coastal stops, or stretch it slightly by heading inland towards Santiago del Teide and linking it with viewpoints on the west side of the island.
We would not treat this as a high-drama, white-knuckle drive.
It is more useful than that. It gives you a scenic road trip option from the south that feels achievable, especially if you want cliffs, sea views and a bit of variety without going too far.
This route also works well if you are planning a south Tenerife base and want a few easy day trips nearby.
Main Roads
The main roads to look out for are:
- TF-1
- TF-47
- TF-82
The TF-1 is the main road that helps you move easily from the south towards the west coast.
The TF-47 takes you closer to the coast around Playa de la Arena, Puerto de Santiago and Los Gigantes.
The TF-82 is useful if you continue inland towards Santiago del Teide.
The driving is generally manageable, but parking and resort traffic can still slow things down, especially around busier coastal areas.
Los Gigantes Scenic Drive Map
Use the Los Gigantes scenic drive map below to see how the route links the south-west coast with Los Gigantes and Santiago del Teide.
This Los Gigantes scenic drive map gives you the rough shape of the route from the southern resorts towards the west coast, with the option to continue inland towards Santiago del Teide if you want a slightly longer drive.
What The Drive Feels Like
The Los Gigantes scenic drive feels easier than Masca and less remote than Anaga.
It is a more straightforward route, especially if you are already staying in the south. You get sea views, cliff scenery and coastal towns without needing to spend hours on narrow mountain roads.
That said, it is not completely hassle-free.
The main roads are fine, but the busier resort areas can feel more built-up, and parking near popular coastal stops may take patience.
Once you head inland towards Santiago del Teide, the road starts to feel more hilly and scenic, but it still does not ask as much of you as the full Masca route.
For us, this is the kind of drive that works well when you want something scenic but not exhausting.
Main Places To Look Out For On The Los Gigantes Scenic Drive
This route is less about one famous mountain road and more about linking coastal stops, cliff views and a gentler taste of west Tenerife.
These are the places we’d look out for along the way.
Playa de la Arena
Playa de la Arena is a useful coastal stop if you want black sand, sea views and somewhere easy to build into a west coast drive.
It is more developed than somewhere like Benijo, but it works well if you want a proper beach stop without heading into the wilder north-east.
Parking can still be the annoying bit, so we’d avoid assuming you can always pull up right where you want to be.
Puerto de Santiago
Puerto de Santiago is another easy stop on this route, especially if you want a coastal pause before heading towards Los Gigantes.
It is not somewhere we’d necessarily build a whole day around, but it works well as part of a shorter scenic drive from the south.
This is where the route starts to feel more west-coast than resort-strip, especially if you take your time and do not rush straight through.
Los Gigantes
Los Gigantes is the main reason most people do this drive.
The cliffs are the big draw, and they are genuinely impressive when you see them rising above the coast.
This is the stop where we’d allow a bit of time, especially if you want to wander, take photos or sit somewhere with a view.
Parking can be awkward, so we would not leave it too late in the day if this is your main stop.
Santiago del Teide
Santiago del Teide is a useful inland stop if you want to add a bit more mountain scenery to the route.
It also works well as a decision point.
From here, confident drivers may choose to continue towards Masca. But if you are keeping this as an easier scenic drive, Santiago del Teide can simply be your turnaround point before heading back towards the south or west coast.
That is the nice thing about this route. You can make it as gentle or as ambitious as you want.
Viewpoints Towards The West Coast
Some of the best moments on this drive are the glimpses back towards the coast, especially as the road climbs inland.
We’d use proper viewpoints and safe pull-ins rather than stopping suddenly on the roadside.
This is not the wildest drive in Tenerife, but the mix of sea, cliffs and hills gives it enough variety to make it worth doing, especially if you are based nearby.
How Long To Allow For The Los Gigantes Scenic Drive
We would allow half a day for this route.
You can do it more quickly if you only want to drive to Los Gigantes and back, but it feels more worthwhile if you leave time for a few stops.
If you add Santiago del Teide, a beach stop, lunch or a walk around Los Gigantes, it becomes a relaxed half-day drive rather than a quick out-and-back.
This is not the route we would overcomplicate.
Its biggest strength is that it gives you a scenic drive from the south without needing a full day or a lot of mountain-road confidence.
Best Time To Drive This Route
Morning is a good choice if you want easier parking and a calmer start.
Late afternoon can also be lovely for the light around the coast and cliffs, as long as you are comfortable with the drive back and do not leave everything too tight.
If you are visiting in a busier season, we would avoid arriving at Los Gigantes at peak time and expecting parking to be simple.
For this route, timing is less about road difficulty and more about making the stops feel easier.
Who This Drive Suits
The Los Gigantes scenic drive suits you if you are staying in the south or south-west and want an easier route with coastal views, cliffs and a bit of inland scenery.
It is a good choice if you want something more scenic than a short resort hop, but do not want to spend the day tackling Teide, Anaga or Masca.
It also works well as a confidence-building drive before taking on more demanding routes.
For an easier half-day from the south, Los Gigantes is the scenic drive we’d choose before committing to a longer mountain route.
Tips For Driving Tenerife’s Scenic Routes
Tenerife’s scenic routes are absolutely worth doing, but a few small decisions can make them much easier.
These are the road trip tips we’d keep in mind before choosing the best roads to drive in Tenerife.
Start Early For Popular Routes
Starting early helps with parking, traffic and the tighter mountain sections.
It also gives you more time to stop without feeling rushed, which matters because the best scenic drives in Tenerife are not just about getting from A to B.
This is especially useful for Masca, Anaga, Teide viewpoints and busy coastal stops like Los Gigantes.
Choose The Right Car For Tenerife Mountain Roads
We’d choose a small or mid-size car with enough power for steep roads.
A large car can make narrow roads and parking more stressful, while a very basic car may feel underpowered on climbs.
If you are used to driving an automatic at home, we would seriously consider booking one in Tenerife too. The scenic routes are much easier to enjoy when you are not also thinking about gears, hill starts and tight bends.
If you are still comparing options, car size, engine power, insurance and pickup setup are the details we would check before booking.
Fill Up Before Longer Driving Routes In Tenerife
Some mountain and rural routes have fewer petrol stations than the main resort areas.
We would fill up before longer scenic drives, especially if you are heading into Teide, Anaga or the north-west of the island.
It is also worth taking water and snacks, because scenic drives are much less enjoyable when everyone in the car is hungry and pretending not to be.
Download Offline Maps
Mobile signal can be patchy in mountain areas, so downloaded maps are useful.
We would not rely on signal alone, especially in Anaga, Teide or anywhere more remote.
Google Maps is useful, but we would still look at the route before setting off so the day does not become a series of last-minute decisions at junctions.
Watch The Weather At Altitude
The weather can change quickly once you climb higher.
We had mist and low cloud at altitude, and it made the road feel very different from the sunny coast below.
That does not mean you should avoid mountain drives. It just means you should give yourself more time, keep an extra layer in the car and avoid assuming the weather will be the same across the island.
If you want more comfortable driving days, match your scenic routes to the season.
Do Not Try To Cram Too Much Into One Day
This is the big one.
Tenerife looks compact on a map, but scenic roads, viewpoints, parking and weather can slow everything down.
The best drives are much more enjoyable when you give them space.
We would rather do one scenic route properly than spend the day rushing between 4 places and getting annoyed every time parking takes longer than expected.
If you are trying to work out how many drives can realistically fit into your trip, [LINK: Tenerife itinerary ideas] can help you group the days without turning the whole holiday into a race.
Which Tenerife Scenic Drive Should You Choose First?
If this is your first time driving in Tenerife, we’d start with Teide National Park.
It gives you huge scenery, good roads and plenty of places to stop, without feeling as demanding as Masca or some of the tighter parts of Anaga.
Once you’ve got a feel for the island, Anaga is a brilliant next step if you want greener, wilder scenery and do not mind slower mountain roads.
Masca is the one we’d save for later, or skip if you already know narrow hairpin roads are not your thing.
The north Tenerife road trip is a good choice when you want towns, coast and greener scenery without making the road itself the main challenge.
Los Gigantes works well if you are based in the south and want a gentler half-day drive with coastal views and cliffs.
The best Tenerife scenic drive is not just the one with the biggest views. It is the one that suits your confidence, your route and the kind of day you actually want to have.
Planning Your Tenerife Road Trip
Once you know which scenic drives appeal most, the next step is working out where they fit into your actual Tenerife itinerary.
Teide is the one we’d build around first. Anaga deserves enough time to feel slow and atmospheric. Masca needs a calmer day if you decide to tackle it. The north coast and Los Gigantes work well when you want scenery without making the road the hardest part of the day.
This is where it helps to be realistic rather than ambitious.
Tenerife looks small, but once you add viewpoints, parking, weather changes, lunch stops and slower mountain roads, the days can fill up quickly.
Instead of adding every drive, choose the scenic roads that fit your itinerary.
And if you are still choosing a hire car, it is worth getting clear on car size, insurance, pickup and whether an automatic would make the roads feel easier before you book.
More Tenerife Road Trip Guides
Still planning your Tenerife route? These guides will help you choose the right car, understand the roads and build a trip that feels realistic.
- Driving In Tenerife: Honest Tips For First Timers
- Renting A Car In Tenerife: What To Know Before You Book
- Tenerife Itinerary Ideas: For 4 To 7 Days
- How To Visit Mount Teide: Tenerife’s 5 Star Attraction
- Anaga Rural Park: How To Enjoy Tenerife’s Lush Forests
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.