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If you are looking for the best things to do in North Tenerife, the first thing to know is that the north is not just “the quieter side” of the island.
It is greener, older, more varied and, for us, much more rewarding to explore by car.
We stayed in La Laguna and used the north as a base for Anaga Rural Park, Santa Cruz, Teide, La Orotava, Garachico, Puerto de la Cruz and smaller coastal stops.
That worked well because the best places in North Tenerife are not all lined up neatly along one road.
You have historic towns, misty forest, volcanic landscapes, black-sand beaches, natural pools, city sights and mountain roads, often within the same trip.
But you do need to plan the north properly.
The roads can be slower than they look, the weather can change quickly, and it is easy to underestimate how long you will want in places like Anaga, La Laguna or Teide.
For a first visit, we would choose 2 or 3 main areas rather than trying to cover the whole north in one go.
Start with La Laguna, Anaga Rural Park and Teide if you want the biggest contrast.
Add Santa Cruz, La Orotava, Garachico, Puerto de la Cruz or Icod de los Vinos depending on whether you want city time, old streets, sea pools, beaches or shorter scenic stops.
Here’s how we would choose what to do in North Tenerife, based on the places we actually visited and what makes sense for a scenic road trip.
Things To Do In North Tenerife: Quick Answer
- Best bases to consider: La Laguna or Puerto de la Cruz
- Best old town: La Laguna
- Best scenic drive: Anaga Rural Park
- Best volcanic day out: Teide National Park
- Best city stop: Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- Best easy beach stop: Playa de las Teresitas
- Best historic town: La Orotava
- Best coastal town: Garachico
- Best natural pools: El Caletón in Garachico
- Best quick stop: Icod de los Vinos for the dragon tree
- Best quieter east coast stop: Candelaria
- Best tip: choose areas that fit together rather than trying to see the whole north in 1 day
Is North Tenerife Worth Visiting?
Yes, North Tenerife is worth visiting if you want more than beaches and resort facilities.
This is where Tenerife felt more interesting to us because the days had more variety. You can go from old streets in La Laguna to forest roads in Anaga, volcanic scenery around Teide, city sights in Santa Cruz, or natural pools and historic towns along the north coast.
But the north works best when you plan it by area.
It is not the part of the island where we would randomly pick 5 places on a map and expect the day to run smoothly.
The roads can be slower, parking can take time, and the weather can feel different from one area to the next. You might have sunshine on the coast, cloud in the mountains and mist in Anaga on the same day.
We would choose North Tenerife if you like old towns, scenic drives, greener landscapes, volcanic views, black-sand beaches, natural pools and places that feel less resort-focused.
We would think twice if your main priority is guaranteed sunshine, easy resort beaches, nightlife and everything within walking distance of your hotel.
For a first visit, the easiest mistake is trying to cover La Laguna, Anaga, Santa Cruz, Teide, Garachico, La Orotava and Puerto de la Cruz in one rushed loop.
We would not do that.
Choose 2 or 3 areas that fit together, then leave space for slow roads, parking, weather changes, photos, coffee stops and the odd place that takes longer than expected.
That is when North Tenerife works best.
Best Things To Do In North Tenerife
Use this list as a planning menu, not a challenge to complete.
North Tenerife works best when you build days around areas that make sense together, rather than jumping between every town, beach and viewpoint.
La Laguna and Anaga work well together.
Santa Cruz and Playa de las Teresitas make an easy city-and-beach day.
Garachico, Icod de los Vinos and La Orotava can work as a slower north coast route.
Teide needs more of its own day, especially if you want to drive through the park, stop at viewpoints or spend time around Roques de García.
As you go through the list, think about what kind of day you want first: old town, scenic drive, beach stop, volcanic landscape, city wander or slower coastal town.
That makes the north much easier to plan.
1. Visit Teide National Park From The North
Teide National Park is one of the best things to do in North Tenerife if you want a scenic driving day that feels completely different from the coast.
We drove through the park on our Tenerife road trip, and the landscape change was one of the best parts of the day.
From the north, one of the easiest ways to visit is from La Orotava.
The TF-21 climbs up from the Orotava Valley into pine forest, then opens out into the volcanic landscapes around Mount Teide.
That drive alone is worth making time for.
What To Do First
For a first visit, we would prioritise Roques de García.
It is one of the easiest places to stop because you get classic Teide scenery without needing the cable car, summit permit or a long hike.
You can park, walk a short section, see the rock formations and get those big views across the volcanic plain.
You can also check the official Roques de García trail information before you go if you want route details.
If you want more than a simple scenic drive, there are a few ways to build the day.
What To Add If You Have More Time
You could:
- book the cable car if you want to get higher up Mount Teide
- choose one of the marked trails before you arrive
- stop at more viewpoints along the TF-21
- look into Teide Observatory tours if astronomy or stargazing interests you
We would not leave the cable car or summit plans to chance because weather, tickets and permits can affect what is possible.
The cable car, summit rules and walking options are the bits we would sort out before the day itself.
How To Make The Day Work
We would treat Teide as the main focus of the day, not something to squeeze between too many other North Tenerife stops.
If you are staying in Puerto de la Cruz, La Orotava or La Laguna, Teide is very doable as a North Tenerife day out.
Just allow more time than the map suggests.
The climb, viewpoints, parking and photos all slow the day down, and that is part of why it is worth doing.
It also helps to know how Tenerife’s mountain roads feel before you start linking several scenic routes together.
Quick Choice: How To Visit Teide From North Tenerife
- Drive the TF-21 from La Orotava if you want a scenic northern route into the park
- Prioritise Roques de García if it is your first visit
- Add the cable car only if you are happy to book and plan around conditions
- Choose a marked trail before you arrive if you want a proper walk
- Look into Teide Observatory tours if astronomy interests you
- Treat Teide as the main focus of the day, not a quick stop between towns
2. Explore Anaga Rural Park
Anaga Rural Park is one of the best things to do in North Tenerife if you want forest roads, mountain views, tiny villages and a wilder coastline.
We drove through Anaga, walked the Path of the Senses, and also did part of the coastal walk from Benijo towards El Draguillo. It was one of the places where North Tenerife felt most dramatic to us.
This is not somewhere we would treat as a quick drive-through.
The roads are slower than they look, the weather can change quickly, and the best stops depend on whether you want forest, coast, viewpoints or walking.
Where To Start
For the easiest forest route, start from La Laguna and head towards Cruz del Carmen.
This gives you quick access to the visitor centre, parking, viewpoints and the Path of the Senses.
If you are staying in Santa Cruz, you can also approach Anaga from the San Andrés side. This works better if you want Playa de las Teresitas, the coast road, Taganana, Almáciga or Benijo.
What To Do First
For a first visit, we would start with Cruz del Carmen and the Path of the Senses.
It is an easy way to experience Anaga’s laurel forest without committing to a long hike.
You still get that damp, green, forested feel that makes Anaga so different from the drier parts of Tenerife, but it does not take over the whole day.
What To Add If You Have More Time
If the weather is good and you still have time, continue towards Taganana, Almáciga or Benijo.
This is where Anaga starts to feel wilder, with narrow roads, steep green mountains, black-sand beaches and a coastline that feels much more remote.
We especially liked the Benijo side because it felt so different from Cruz del Carmen and the forest.
If you want a bigger walking day, check whether your chosen trail needs a permit before you go. El Pijaral, for example, needs advance permission.
For a fuller route, it is worth planning the forest, coast and walking stops together before you set off.
How To Make The Day Work
Choose either a forest-focused Anaga day or a bigger mountain-and-coast route.
Trying to fit every viewpoint, beach and trail into 1 visit is where the day starts to feel rushed.
For a simple first visit, do Cruz del Carmen and the Path of the Senses.
Quick Choice: How To Visit Anaga Rural Park
- Start from La Laguna if you want Cruz del Carmen and the laurel forest
- Start from San Andrés if you want Playa de las Teresitas and the coast road
- Choose the Path of the Senses for an easy first forest walk
- Continue towards Taganana, Almáciga or Benijo for a bigger scenic day
- Check permit rules if you want to walk El Pijaral
- Do not try to cover every viewpoint, beach and trail in 1 visit
3. Wander Around La Laguna
La Laguna is one of the best things to do in North Tenerife if you want old streets, colourful buildings and a base that feels more local than the south coast resorts.
We stayed in La Laguna and found it a really useful place for exploring the north.
It worked well because we could wander the old town, drive into Anaga Rural Park, visit Santa Cruz, and still come back to somewhere with character at the end of the day.
Where To Start
Start in the historic centre and keep your visit simple.
La Laguna is not the kind of place where you need to map out every stop before you arrive.
We would start around Calle San Agustín, then let yourself wander through the surrounding streets.
This is where you will see many of the colourful buildings, traditional wooden balconies, old mansions and elegant shutters that give La Laguna its character.
What To Do First
For a first visit, spend time walking the old streets before adding museums or indoor sights.
You can look for Teatro Leal, the cathedral, Casa de Alvarado Bracamonte and the Museo de Historia y Antropología de Tenerife if you want more structure.
It is one of those places where having a few landmarks in mind makes the wander feel easier.
But we would not rush from building to building just to tick them off.
La Laguna is better when you leave time for coffee, photos, a slow wander and a look inside places that happen to be open.
What To Add If You Have More Time
If you are staying nearby, La Laguna works well as more than a quick daytime stop.
It is a good place to come back to after a bigger driving day, especially if you prefer old-town evenings over resort promenades.
You can also pair La Laguna with Anaga Rural Park because Cruz del Carmen and the laurel forest are easy to reach from here.
That makes it one of the most useful bases in North Tenerife if your trip is more about scenic drives, old towns and forests than beaches.
How To Make The Visit Work
Do not treat La Laguna as a 20-minute photo stop.
Give yourself time to park, walk slowly and enjoy the old centre properly.
If you are visiting as a day stop, allow time for lunch or coffee rather than trying to squeeze it between too many other places.
If you are choosing a base for North Tenerife, La Laguna is one of the places we would seriously consider, especially if you want character and good access to Anaga, Santa Cruz and the northern roads.
Quick Choice: How To Visit La Laguna
- Start around Calle San Agustín for old streets, balconies and colourful buildings
- Add Teatro Leal or the cathedral if you want easy landmarks to aim for
- Visit the Museo de Historia y Antropología if you want more background
- Pair La Laguna with Anaga if you want a town-and-forest day
- Stay here if you want an old-town base with good access to the north
- Do not rush it as a quick photo stop
4. Spend Time In Santa Cruz De Tenerife
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is one of the easiest city stops to add to a North Tenerife trip.
It works well when you want a break from mountain roads, forest drives and old-town wandering, without spending the whole day getting between places.
If you are staying in La Laguna, Santa Cruz is simple to include because the 2 are close together.
It also pairs well with Playa de las Teresitas if you want a city-and-beach day that does not feel too complicated.
Where To Start
For a simple first visit, start around the centre or the market.
The Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África is a good place to begin if you want food, local produce and a bit of everyday city life before walking further into Santa Cruz.
A loose city route helps if you want to see the market, centre and seafront without overfilling the day.
From there, you can head towards Plaza de España, the seafront, or the Auditorio de Tenerife, depending on what kind of day you want.
What To Do First
We would choose one main focus rather than trying to see every museum, church, plaza and park.
If you want food and a wander, start with the market and nearby streets.
If you want architecture and the seafront, head towards the Auditorio de Tenerife and Castillo de San Juan Bautista.
If you want somewhere green without driving back into the mountains, add the Palmetum.
You can also look inside Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción if you enjoy historic churches and want a quieter stop in the city.
What To Add If You Have More Time
If you have longer, Santa Cruz works well with Playa de las Teresitas.
We would do the city first, then head towards San Andrés and the beach afterwards.
That gives you a relaxed route: market or city wander, seafront or Auditorio, then an easier beach stop before driving back to your base.
You could also use Santa Cruz as the starting point for Anaga, but we would only do that if you are keeping the city part short.
Anaga is better when you leave enough time for the roads, viewpoints and weather changes.
How To Make The Visit Work
Santa Cruz does not need to be a huge sightseeing day unless you want it to be.
For most North Tenerife road trips, we would use it as a half-day city stop or pair it with Playa de las Teresitas.
That keeps the day useful without turning it into another long list of sights.
If you are staying in La Laguna, Santa Cruz is one of the easiest places to add when you want a lower-effort day between bigger drives.
Quick Choice: How To Visit Santa Cruz
- Start at the market if you want food, local produce and an easy wander
- Head to Plaza de España if you want a central city stop
- Choose the Auditorio and seafront if you want architecture and water views
- Add the Palmetum if you want a greener city break
- Pair Santa Cruz with Playa de las Teresitas for an easy city-and-beach day
- Keep Santa Cruz short if you also want to drive into Anaga
5. Visit Playa De Las Teresitas And The Anaga Coast
Playa de las Teresitas is one of the easiest beach stops to add to a North Tenerife road trip.
It works especially well if you are already visiting Santa Cruz, staying nearby, or heading towards Anaga from the San Andrés side.
This is not the wild, black-sand version of North Tenerife.
Teresitas is wider, calmer and much easier to use, with golden sand, parking, facilities and mountains behind the bay.
We liked it because it gives you a softer beach stop before or after the more dramatic Anaga roads.
Where To Start
Start with Playa de las Teresitas if you want the easiest version of a North Tenerife beach day.
It is close to Santa Cruz, simple to reach by car, and works well as a relaxed stop before heading further into Anaga.
With a car, it is worth driving a little further up the road for the view back over the beach.
From above, you can really see the arc of sand, the sea and the mountains behind it.
What To Do First
If you want a simple day, pair Santa Cruz with Playa de las Teresitas.
Spend a few hours in the city, then head towards San Andrés and finish with the beach or the viewpoint above it.
That gives you an easy city-and-coast day without getting pulled too far into the mountain roads.
What To Add If You Have More Time
If you want something wilder, continue past San Andrés and follow the road towards Taganana, Almáciga or Benijo.
This is where the day changes.
The beaches become darker, the coastline feels more remote, and the road starts to feel like part of the experience rather than just a way to get there.
Benijo is the most dramatic beach stop, but we would treat it as a scenic stop rather than an easy beach day.
The waves, currents, access and parking make it very different from Teresitas.
How To Make The Day Work
Decide early whether you want an easy beach stop or a slower Anaga coast route.
Teresitas works well with Santa Cruz.
Taganana, Almáciga and Benijo work better when you have more time and are happy with slower roads, viewpoints and a less predictable day.
Trying to treat the whole Anaga coast as a quick add-on is where the day can start to feel squeezed.
Quick Choice: Teresitas Or The Anaga Coast?
- Choose Playa de las Teresitas if you want easy parking, facilities and calmer water
- Choose the viewpoint above Teresitas if you want the best photo stop
- Choose Taganana, Almáciga or Benijo if you want a wilder coastal drive
- Keep Teresitas and Santa Cruz together if you want an easier day
- Save the Anaga coast for a slower route with more time
6. Explore Garachico And El Caletón Natural Pools
Garachico is one of the best places to visit in North Tenerife if you want a coastal town with history, sea views and a slower feel than the bigger resorts.
It is not a huge place, but that is part of why it works.
We would treat Garachico as a wander-and-pause stop, not somewhere to rush through between bigger sights.
The town has cobbled streets, old churches, colonial buildings, a seafront, volcanic rock pools and a history shaped by the 1706 volcanic eruption that changed Garachico completely.
Where To Start
Start around Plaza de la Libertad.
This is the easiest place to get a feel for Garachico before wandering through the old streets, churches and seafront area.
From there, you can walk towards Castillo de San Miguel and the coast.
That gives you a simple route through the town without needing to plan every street before you arrive.
What To Do First
If you only have a short stop, focus on the old town and the seafront.
Walk around Plaza de la Libertad, look for the old churches and colonial buildings, then head down towards the coast and Castillo de San Miguel.
This gives you the best mix of Garachico’s history and sea views without turning it into a long sightseeing list.
The town is small enough to enjoy slowly, which is exactly how we would approach it.
What To Add If You Have More Time
If the sea conditions are safe, add El Caletón natural pools.
These volcanic sea pools are one of the most distinctive things to see in Garachico, and they make the town feel very different from a standard beach stop.
They were formed from volcanic rock, so the whole area feels tied to Garachico’s history rather than just being another place to swim.
If you want a longer stop, you could also add lunch, coffee or a drink around Plaza de la Libertad before continuing along the north coast.
How To Make The Visit Work
Garachico works well as part of a slower north coast day.
You could pair it with Icod de los Vinos, La Orotava or Puerto de la Cruz, depending on where you are staying and how much driving you want.
We would not squeeze Garachico into a day that already includes Anaga or Teide.
It sits better with other north coast stops, where you can park, wander, look around properly and still have time for the sea pools if conditions are good.
Quick Choice: How To Visit Garachico
- Start around Plaza de la Libertad if you want an easy town wander
- Walk towards Castillo de San Miguel and the seafront
- Add El Caletón natural pools if sea conditions are safe
- Pair Garachico with Icod de los Vinos or La Orotava for a north coast day
- Allow time for coffee, lunch or a slow wander
- Do not treat it as a quick drive-through stop
7. Explore Puerto De La Cruz
Puerto de la Cruz is one of the easiest places to add to a North Tenerife trip if you want a north coast town with beaches, gardens, restaurants and resort facilities.
It feels more built-up than places like Garachico or La Orotava, but it still has a different feel from the south coast resorts.
We would treat Puerto de la Cruz as either a relaxed day stop or a possible base, depending on how much time you want on the north coast.
Where To Start
Start around the old town and seafront rather than trying to see everything at once.
Plaza del Charco is a useful place to aim for first because it puts you close to cafés, restaurants, old streets and the La Ranilla area.
From there, you can wander towards the seafront, look for street art around La Ranilla, or continue towards Lago Martiánez if you want the more resort-style side of town.
What To Do First
If you only have a few hours, we would focus on the old town, La Ranilla and the seafront.
That gives you a feel for Puerto de la Cruz without turning the visit into a rushed list.
La Ranilla is the part we would prioritise if you like colourful streets, restaurants and a more characterful wander.
If you want something more relaxing, Lago Martiánez is the obvious add-on. It is a saltwater pool complex by the sea, so it works well if you want a swim without dealing with rougher Atlantic beach conditions.
What To Add If You Have More Time
If you have longer, add the Botanic Garden.
It is a good option if you want a quieter break from streets, driving and coastal wind. The garden has palms, tropical plants and shaded paths, so it works well as a slower stop rather than another viewpoint or beach.
You could also look for the Iglesia de San Francisco and nearby historic streets if you want a little more of the older town.
We would not try to cram every sight into one short stop, though.
Puerto de la Cruz works better when you decide whether you want old town, pools, gardens or coast, then plan around that.
How To Make The Visit Work
Puerto de la Cruz makes most sense if you are already exploring the north coast or considering a base outside La Laguna.
It pairs well with La Orotava because the two are close enough to combine without making the day feel too stretched.
It can also work with Icod de los Vinos or Garachico, but we would keep the route gentle rather than trying to tick off every town along the coast.
If you want a North Tenerife base with restaurants, facilities and a livelier feel, Puerto de la Cruz is worth considering.
If you want somewhere quieter and more historic, La Laguna, La Orotava or Garachico may suit you better.
Quick Choice: How To Visit Puerto De La Cruz
- Start around Plaza del Charco for cafés, restaurants and old streets
- Choose La Ranilla if you want colour, street art and a more characterful wander
- Add Lago Martiánez if you want swimming pools by the sea
- Visit the Botanic Garden if you want a quieter, greener stop
- Pair Puerto de la Cruz with La Orotava for an easier north coast day
- Consider staying here if you want a north coast base with more facilities
8. Visit La Orotava
La Orotava is one of the best places to visit in North Tenerife if you like old streets, traditional architecture and towns that feel made for wandering.
It sits above Puerto de la Cruz in the green Orotava Valley, so it works well if you are already exploring the north coast or driving towards Teide.
This is not a place we would rush.
The streets are steep in places, the buildings have lots of small details, and La Orotava is much better when you give yourself time to wander rather than treating it as a quick tick-box stop.
Where To Start
Start around the historic centre and work your way through the old streets on foot.
Calle San Francisco is a good area to aim for because it gives you a strong feel for the town’s preserved mansions, balconies and traditional architecture.
From there, you can visit Casa de los Balcones, one of La Orotava’s best-known historic houses.
It is the kind of stop that helps you understand why the town is so known for its carved wooden balconies and old Canarian buildings.
What To Do First
If you only have a short visit, focus on Casa de los Balcones, the old streets and Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción.
A short walking route around the historic centre makes the town much easier to enjoy.
That gives you the best mix of architecture, history and atmosphere without trying to see every building.
We would also leave time to wander without a strict route.
La Orotava is one of those places where part of the enjoyment is looking up at balconies, courtyards, shutters and old facades as you walk.
What To Add If You Have More Time
If you have longer, add Casa Lercaro, with its courtyard and traditional wooden gallery.
You could also spend time around Plaza de la Constitución or visit the Victoria Gardens if you want a quieter stop with views.
If food is part of your plan, La Orotava can also be a good place to look for a guachinche nearby, especially if you want something more local than a standard tourist restaurant.
How To Make The Visit Work
La Orotava pairs well with Puerto de la Cruz because the 2 are close together and give you very different versions of North Tenerife.
You could visit Puerto de la Cruz for the coast, La Ranilla or Lago Martiánez, then head up to La Orotava for old streets and architecture.
It can also work as part of a Teide day if you are driving the TF-21, but we would only do that if you are keeping the town stop simple.
If you want to enjoy La Orotava properly, give it its own slower slot rather than squeezing it in when you are already tired from the mountain roads.
Quick Choice: How To Visit La Orotava
- Start around Calle San Francisco for old streets and historic buildings
- Visit Casa de los Balcones if you want the classic La Orotava stop
- Add Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción if you like historic churches
- Pair La Orotava with Puerto de la Cruz for an easier north coast day
- Keep it short if you are adding it to a Teide drive
- Allow time to wander because the details are part of the appeal
9. See The Dragon Tree In Icod De Los Vinos
Icod de los Vinos is worth adding to a North Tenerife route if you want a short, easy stop with one of Tenerife’s most famous natural landmarks.
The main reason to go is the dragon tree, known as El Drago Milenario.
It is huge, unusual and very much the star of the town, but we would not build a whole day around it unless you also want to add wine tasting, plazas or the butterfly park.
Where To Start
Start with the dragon tree.
You can visit the paid park if you want more time around the tree and the gardens, but you do not have to do that to see it.
If you are short on time, you can get a good view from outside the park and still understand why it is such a well-known stop.
That is what makes Icod de los Vinos useful on a North Tenerife road trip.
It can be a proper short stop rather than another full sightseeing commitment.
What To Do First
For a quick visit, see the dragon tree first, then wander into the nearby streets and plazas.
Plaza de la Constitución and Plaza Andrés de Lorenzo Cáceres are good places to slow down for a few minutes, especially if you want shade, a coffee or a break from driving.
We would treat Icod as a pause between bigger places, not somewhere to rush around trying to tick off every attraction.
What To Add If You Have More Time
If you have longer, you could add Mariposario del Drago, the butterfly park near the dragon tree.
You could also look at Museo de Malvasía if you are interested in local wine tasting.
Both are good options if you want to turn Icod into more than a quick photo stop, but we would choose them based on your interests rather than assuming you need to do everything.
How To Make The Visit Work
Icod de los Vinos fits best with Garachico, La Orotava or Puerto de la Cruz.
It makes sense as part of a slower north coast day because it does not need hours unless you add extra attractions.
We would not go far out of the way only for the dragon tree, but if your route already passes nearby, it is an easy and worthwhile stop.
If your day is already full, see the tree from outside the park, have a quick wander, then keep moving.
Quick Choice: How To Visit Icod De Los Vinos
- Stop here for the dragon tree, not a full sightseeing day
- View the tree from outside the park if you only want a quick stop
- Pay to enter the park if you want more time around the gardens
- Add the butterfly park if it suits your trip
- Look at wine tasting if you want a slower stop
- Pair Icod with Garachico, La Orotava or Puerto de la Cruz
10. Stop In Candelaria
Candelaria is worth adding to a North Tenerife route if you want a short coastal stop with history, sea views and one of the island’s most important religious sites.
It sits on Tenerife’s east coast, so it works best if your route naturally takes you that way.
We would not go wildly out of our way for Candelaria if your day is already full, but it makes a good slower stop if you are travelling between the north and south, or exploring the east side of the island.
The main reason to visit is the Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, which dominates the seafront square.
Where To Start
Start at the basilica and the main square.
This is the easiest way to get a feel for Candelaria without overcomplicating the visit.
The basilica is free to enter, and even if you only spend a short time inside, it gives the town a stronger sense of place than a standard coastal stop.
Outside, walk across the square towards the seafront and the statues of the Guanche menceys.
These statues make the waterfront feel distinctive and give you a quick link to Tenerife’s pre-Spanish history.
What To Do First
For a short visit, look inside the basilica first, then spend a little time around the square and seafront.
You do not need a long checklist here.
The best part is the combination of the large basilica, the open square, the sea and the Guanche statues lined up along the waterfront.
If you like slower town stops, allow time for a drink, a wander or a look at the nearby streets before moving on.
What To Add If You Have More Time
If you have longer, you could look for the small museum or time your visit with one of the local markets or festivals.
But we would treat these as extras rather than the main reason to go.
Candelaria works best as a short cultural stop, especially if you want something different from beaches, mountain roads and old colonial towns.
How To Make The Visit Work
Candelaria fits best when it makes sense with your route.
It can work if you are driving between North Tenerife and South Tenerife, or if you want an easier east coast stop that does not involve mountain roads.
We would not pair it with a full Anaga or Teide day unless you are deliberately keeping the rest of the plan light.
Use it as a pause, not the main event.
Quick Choice: How To Visit Candelaria
- Stop here if your route already takes you along the east coast
- Start with the basilica and main square
- Walk to the Guanche statues along the seafront
- Treat it as a short cultural stop rather than a full day
- Add a drink, wander or market visit if you have time
- Skip it if your day is already packed with bigger North Tenerife sights
Best Things To Do In North Tenerife With A Car
A car makes North Tenerife much easier to explore because the best places are spread across old towns, mountain roads, coastlines and volcanic landscapes.
Before you book, it is worth thinking about the size, power and comfort of the car rather than only comparing the daily price.
This is not the part of Tenerife where we would rely on one long list of bus stops and hope for the best.
With a car, you can build much better days by grouping places that sit naturally together.
The trick is not to do too much.
North Tenerife roads can be slower than they look, especially around Anaga, Teide and the old towns where parking and wandering take time.
For us, the best driving days were the ones where we chose one main area, then added 1 or 2 smaller stops nearby.
Best North Tenerife Road Trip Routes
For an easy town-and-forest day, pair La Laguna with Cruz del Carmen and the Path of the Senses in Anaga.
For a city-and-beach day, pair Santa Cruz with Playa de las Teresitas and the viewpoint above the beach.
For a volcanic scenery day, drive from La Orotava towards Teide National Park on the TF-21 and prioritise Roques de García.
For a slower north coast day, pair Garachico with Icod de los Vinos and La Orotava.
For a wilder Anaga coast day, start from San Andrés, then continue towards Taganana, Almáciga or Benijo.
What To Avoid
Do not try to combine Teide, Anaga, Santa Cruz and the north coast towns in one day.
It looks tempting on a map, but it would turn the north into a blur of roads, parking and rushed stops.
We would rather do fewer places properly.
Quick Choice: North Tenerife By Car
- Choose La Laguna and Anaga for old streets, forest and mountain roads
- Choose Santa Cruz and Playa de las Teresitas for an easier city-and-beach day
- Choose La Orotava and Teide for volcanic scenery and a mountain drive
- Choose Garachico, Icod de los Vinos and La Orotava for a slower north coast route
- Choose San Andrés, Taganana, Almáciga and Benijo for a wilder Anaga coast day
- Do not try to cover the whole north in 1 driving day
Best Things To Do In North Tenerife Without A Car
You can visit parts of North Tenerife without a car, but you need to choose your base carefully.
This is not the easiest part of Tenerife for hopping between remote beaches, mountain roads and viewpoints without your own transport.
If you are relying on buses, taxis or tours, how long you have in Tenerife matters even more.
For us, a car made the north much easier.
But if you do not want to drive every day, the best approach is to stay somewhere with good transport links, then use buses, taxis or organised tours for the harder-to-reach places.
La Laguna, Santa Cruz and Puerto de la Cruz are the easiest bases to consider if you want some car-free days.
Best No-Car Bases In North Tenerife
La Laguna works well if you want an old-town base with tram access to Santa Cruz and easier access to organised trips.
Santa Cruz works well if you want city sights, shops, restaurants, the seafront and a simple trip to Playa de las Teresitas.
Puerto de la Cruz works well if you want a north coast base with restaurants, beaches, Lago Martiánez, the Botanic Garden and trips to nearby towns.
What You Can Do Without A Car
Without a car, we would focus on places that are easier to reach and do not need complicated mountain-road planning.
Good options include:
- wandering around La Laguna
- spending time in Santa Cruz
- visiting Playa de las Teresitas from Santa Cruz
- exploring Puerto de la Cruz
- visiting La Orotava from Puerto de la Cruz
- booking an organised Teide trip
- booking an organised Anaga trip if you do not want to drive the mountain roads
What Is Harder Without A Car
Anaga, Teide, Garachico, Icod de los Vinos and some of the wilder beaches are easier with a car.
You may still be able to reach some of them by bus or tour, but you will have less flexibility for viewpoints, photo stops, weather changes and slow exploring.
That is the main trade-off.
If you only want towns, beaches and easy city stops, you can manage without a car.
If you want a proper North Tenerife road trip, we would hire one for at least part of your stay.
Quick Choice: North Tenerife Without A Car
- Choose La Laguna if you want old-town character and tram access to Santa Cruz
- Choose Santa Cruz if you want city sights and easy access to Playa de las Teresitas
- Choose Puerto de la Cruz if you want a north coast base with more facilities
- Use organised tours for Teide or Anaga if you do not want to drive
- Hire a car for at least part of the trip if you want viewpoints, mountain roads and flexible stops
North Tenerife Or South Tenerife: Which Is Better?
North Tenerife and South Tenerife suit different trips.
We preferred North Tenerife overall because it felt more varied, more local and better for the kind of road trip we enjoy.
But that does not mean the north is automatically better for everyone.
If you want easy beaches, reliable sunshine, resort facilities, nightlife, family attractions and lots of restaurants close together, South Tenerife may suit you better.
If you want old towns, greener scenery, mountain roads, black-sand beaches, natural pools, volcanic landscapes and places that feel less resort-focused, North Tenerife is probably the better fit.
If your trip is more about warm beaches, boat trips and resort-style days, the south side of Tenerife may suit you better.
Choose North Tenerife If You Want
- old towns like La Laguna and La Orotava
- scenic drives through Anaga or Teide
- greener landscapes and more varied days
- black-sand beaches and natural pools
- a base that feels less like a classic resort holiday
- a road trip with towns, coast, mountains and forests
Choose South Tenerife If You Want
- easier beach days
- warmer, drier weather overall
- bigger resort areas
- nightlife and family attractions
- whale watching trips and boat tours
- a simpler holiday base with less driving
How We Would Choose
For a first Tenerife road trip, we would not choose only one side and ignore the other.
North Tenerife gives you more character, scenery and variety.
South Tenerife gives you easier sunshine, beaches and trip logistics.
The south is still worth understanding properly if you want beaches, boat trips and easier resort-style days.
If you have enough time, we would split your trip so you can experience both.
If you only have a few days and care most about road trips, old towns and scenery, we would lean north.
If you mainly want an easy warm-weather break, we would lean south.
Where To Stay For North Tenerife Activities
Where you stay in North Tenerife makes a big difference because the best places are spread out.
If you are still deciding between areas, it helps to choose the right Tenerife base before you build your route.
If you want old towns, Anaga, Santa Cruz and easy road access, La Laguna is one of the best bases to consider.
That is where we stayed, and it worked well for the kind of Tenerife trip we wanted.
We could explore the old town in the evening, drive into Anaga, visit Santa Cruz, and still feel like we were staying somewhere with character rather than just somewhere convenient.
Choose La Laguna If You Want
- an old-town base with character
- easy access to Anaga Rural Park
- a good base for Santa Cruz
- restaurants and historic streets nearby
- somewhere that feels less resort-focused
Choose Puerto De La Cruz If You Want
Puerto de la Cruz works better if you want a north coast base with more facilities.
It gives you restaurants, beaches, Lago Martiánez, the Botanic Garden and easier access to places like La Orotava, Icod de los Vinos and Garachico.
We would choose Puerto de la Cruz if you want the north, but still like having a livelier town and more holiday facilities around you.
Choose Santa Cruz If You Want
Santa Cruz works well if you want a city base.
It is useful for markets, shops, restaurants, the seafront, Playa de las Teresitas and access towards Anaga.
We would choose Santa Cruz if you want city convenience more than old-town charm or coastal resort facilities.
Choose La Orotava Or Garachico If You Want
La Orotava and Garachico are better if you want somewhere smaller and more atmospheric.
La Orotava works well if you like historic streets and want access towards Teide or Puerto de la Cruz.
Garachico works well if you want a quieter coastal stay, sea views and a slower north coast feel.
We would not choose either if you want the easiest transport links or lots of evening choice.
Quick Choice: Best Bases In North Tenerife
- Choose La Laguna for Anaga, Santa Cruz, old streets and road-trip access
- Choose Puerto de la Cruz for a livelier north coast base with more facilities
- Choose Santa Cruz for city convenience and Playa de las Teresitas
- Choose La Orotava for historic streets and access towards Teide
- Choose Garachico for a quieter coastal stay
- Choose your base around your route, not just the prettiest hotel
FAQs About Things To Do In North Tenerife
Is North Tenerife worth visiting?
Yes, North Tenerife is worth visiting if you want old towns, greener scenery, volcanic landscapes, black-sand beaches, natural pools and more varied road trip days.
We preferred the north because it felt less resort-focused and more interesting to explore by car.
What is North Tenerife best known for?
North Tenerife is best known for La Laguna, Anaga Rural Park, Teide National Park, Santa Cruz, Puerto de la Cruz, La Orotava, Garachico, Icod de los Vinos and greener, more varied landscapes.
It is the side of Tenerife we would choose for old towns, scenic drives and more local-feeling stops.
Do you need a car in North Tenerife?
You do not need a car for every place in North Tenerife, especially if you stay in La Laguna, Santa Cruz or Puerto de la Cruz.
But a car makes Anaga, Teide, Garachico, Icod de los Vinos, viewpoints and slower coastal stops much easier to plan.
Where is the best place to stay in North Tenerife?
La Laguna is one of the best places to stay in North Tenerife if you want old-town character and good access to Anaga and Santa Cruz.
Puerto de la Cruz is better for a north coast base with more facilities, while Santa Cruz works well if you prefer city convenience.
Is North Tenerife better than South Tenerife?
North Tenerife is better if you want old towns, greener landscapes, scenic drives, natural pools and places that feel less resort-focused.
South Tenerife is better if you want easier sunshine, bigger beach resorts, nightlife, family attractions and simpler holiday logistics.
What is the best day trip in North Tenerife?
Anaga Rural Park and Teide National Park are 2 of the best day trips in North Tenerife.
Choose Anaga for laurel forest, mountain roads and wild coastline. Choose Teide for volcanic scenery, viewpoints and a completely different landscape.
How many days do you need in North Tenerife?
You could see a few North Tenerife highlights in 2 or 3 days.
For a road trip, allow longer if you want La Laguna, Anaga, Teide, Santa Cruz, Playa de las Teresitas and a north coast route with Garachico, Icod de los Vinos, La Orotava or Puerto de la Cruz.
Planning Your North Tenerife Trip
North Tenerife is easiest to enjoy when you stop trying to see everything in one go.
There is a lot packed into this side of the island, but the best days are the ones that make sense on the map and still leave room to wander.
For a first visit, we would build your time around 2 or 3 strong areas.
Choose La Laguna and Anaga if you want old streets, forest roads and mountain views.
Choose Teide if you want a bigger volcanic driving day.
Choose Garachico, Icod de los Vinos, La Orotava or Puerto de la Cruz if you want a slower north coast route.
We preferred North Tenerife overall because it gave us more of the Tenerife we enjoy most: scenic roads, old towns, green landscapes, volcanic views and places that felt worth stopping for.
Just do not rush it.
Pick the places that suit your trip, give the driving days enough breathing room, and let the north feel different from the busier resort side of the island.
If you are still working out how to pull the island together, it helps to plan your Tenerife days in a sensible order rather than treating each stop as a separate day out.
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.