Things To Do In South Tenerife: Best Beaches, Scenic Drives And Easy Day Trips

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If you are looking for the best things to do in South Tenerife, it helps to know which places are worth your time and which ones are easier to skip.

We visited South Tenerife on our Tenerife road trip, mostly as days out rather than using it as our main base.

And honestly, we preferred the north of the island overall.

But that does not mean the south is not worth exploring.

South Tenerife has some of the island’s easiest beaches, lively resort areas, dramatic coastal scenery, whale watching trips, family attractions, old inland towns and good access to bigger places like Teide, Masca, Los Gigantes and La Gomera.

The trick is choosing the right mix.

Some stops work well if you want an easy few hours by the coast, like Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas or El Médano.

Others need more time, especially if you are driving to Masca, heading into Teide National Park, taking a boat trip, or catching the ferry to La Gomera.

For us, the best South Tenerife days were the ones where we did not try to make the area something it is not.

Use the south for sunshine, beaches, boat trips, coastal walks and easy resort facilities, but leave space for the scenic drives, cliffs, volcanic landscapes and quieter inland towns that make this part of Tenerife more interesting.

Here’s how we would choose what to do in South Tenerife, based on what is actually worth your time and what kind of day you want.

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Things To Do In South Tenerife: Quick Answer

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Is South Tenerife Worth Visiting?

Yes, South Tenerife is worth visiting, but it depends what kind of Tenerife trip you want.

We would choose South Tenerife if you want sandy beaches, reliable sunshine, boat trips, family attractions, plenty of restaurants and a simple base for day trips.

It is the easiest part of the island if you want your holiday to feel straightforward.

You have Costa Adeje for a more polished resort feel, Los Cristianos for ferries and a practical base, Playa de las Américas for nightlife, and El Médano if you want somewhere breezier and less resort-heavy.

South Tenerife also works well if you are planning to visit Teide, Los Gigantes, Masca or La Gomera without changing base every few nights.

But if your dream Tenerife trip is old towns, greener landscapes, local-feeling streets and misty mountain roads, you may prefer spending more time in the north.

La Laguna is a good example of the kind of historic, more local-feeling stop you do not really get in the main south coast resorts.

It is worth comparing the south with the greener towns, viewpoints and coastlines in the north before choosing where to spend most of your time.

If you want forest roads, laurel trees and a wilder mountain-and-coast day, the north-east gives you a completely different side of Tenerife.

For us, South Tenerife is at its best when you use it for what it does well: beaches, boat trips, coastal walks, sunshine and access to bigger scenic days.

It is not where we would go for the most characterful version of Tenerife, but it is still useful, enjoyable and very easy to plan around.

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Best Things To Do In South Tenerife

The best things to do in South Tenerife depend on how much of your trip you want to spend by the coast and how much you want to explore beyond the resort areas.

Some places are easy to add into a relaxed day, especially if you are staying around Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas or Los Cristianos.

Others need more space in the day because they involve mountain roads, ferries, boat trips or longer drives.

If your wish list includes Teide, Masca, Los Gigantes and La Gomera, how long you have in Tenerife will make a big difference to how realistic the trip feels.

We would not plan South Tenerife as one long list of attractions to tick off.

It works better if you mix a few simple coastal stops with 1 or 2 bigger scenic days.

This works best when you build the south into your overall route rather than treating each day as a separate list of attractions.

For most first-time visitors, we would choose a mix of:

• beaches and coastal walks
• a boat trip or whale watching tour
• one scenic drive, such as Masca or Los Gigantes
• one volcanic landscape day, such as Teide or Chinyero
• one quieter inland town, such as Arona or Adeje
• one family attraction, if Siam Park suits your trip

That gives you a better feel for South Tenerife without spending the whole holiday rushing between places.

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1. Spend Time On The South Tenerife Beaches

Beaches are one of the easiest things to do in South Tenerife, especially if you are staying around Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas or Los Cristianos.

But the beaches do not all feel the same.

Some are polished and resort-friendly, with sunbeds, restaurants and easy access. Others feel a little wilder, especially as you move away from the main hotel areas.

For a first South Tenerife trip, we would choose your beach based on the kind of day you want, not just the nearest patch of sand.

Playa del Duque is the one to look at if you want a more polished Costa Adeje beach with a smarter feel, nearby restaurants and easy resort facilities.

Playa de las Vistas works well if you are staying around Los Cristianos or Playa de las Américas and want a wide, easy beach with plenty close by.

Playa de la Enramada feels a little less polished than the main resort beaches, which is part of the appeal. We liked that it sits towards the edge of Costa Adeje, so it feels like the coastline is starting to change as you head further west.

 

If you want something more natural, La Tejita near Montaña Roja is a better choice. It feels much less built-up than the Costa Adeje beaches, but it is also more exposed, so we would check the wind before planning a long stop there.

For a simple first beach day, we would choose Costa Adeje or Playa de las Vistas.

For a beach stop that feels less resort-heavy, we would look at Playa de la Enramada or La Tejita.

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Which South Tenerife Beach Should You Choose?

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2. Walk The Costa Adeje, Playa De Las Américas And Los Cristianos Promenade

One of the easiest ways to enjoy South Tenerife is to walk part of the seafront promenade.

This is a good option if you want a low-effort day, especially on your first or last day when you do not want to drive far or commit to a big excursion.

The promenade links several of the main resort areas, including Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos, so you can make the walk as short or as long as you want.

We would not treat it like a serious hike.

It is more of a wander, with sea views, beaches, cafés, restaurants, shops and plenty of places to stop when you feel like it.

If you are staying nearby, it is also a useful way to get your bearings and decide which beach or area you prefer.

Costa Adeje feels more polished in places, Playa de las Américas is livelier, and Los Cristianos has a more practical town-and-ferry-port feel.

For a simple South Tenerife day, we would pick one stretch of the promenade, walk in one direction, stop for food or a drink, then either walk back or take a taxi if you have had enough.

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Quick Promenade Tips

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3. Go Whale Watching From The South Coast

Whale watching is one of the most popular things to do in South Tenerife if you want a boat trip rather than another beach or resort day.

We did not do a whale watching trip on this Tenerife visit, so we would not pretend it was one of our personal highlights.

But if you are staying in South Tenerife and want to get out on the water, it is one of the most obvious activities to consider.

The waters between Tenerife and La Gomera are known for marine life, and many trips leave from the south and west coast, including Los Cristianos, Puerto Colón and Los Gigantes.

For a first trip, we would choose the departure point based on where you are staying and how much of a day you want to make of it.

Puerto Colón works well if you are staying around Costa Adeje.

Los Cristianos is useful if you are staying nearby or want a practical harbour departure.

Los Gigantes is the one we would look at if you also want the drama of the cliffs and a more scenic west coast feel.

Before booking, we would check the boat size, trip length, departure point, reviews and whether the operator follows responsible whale watching guidelines.

We would also think about sea conditions. A smaller boat can feel more personal, but it may not be the best choice if you are prone to seasickness.

For most visitors, whale watching makes sense as a half-day activity rather than something you squeeze in between too many other plans.

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Whale Watching Tips

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4. Visit Los Gigantes For Cliffs And Boat Trips

Los Gigantes is one of the most dramatic places to visit from South Tenerife if you want cliffs, sea views and a slower west coast feel.

The cliffs are the reason to go.

They rise straight from the sea, and they look much bigger in real life than they do in photos. For us, this was one of the places where the west coast felt completely different from the busier resort areas around Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos.

 

We would visit Los Gigantes if you want a scenic coastal stop, a boat trip, kayaking, sunset views or a quieter base for part of your trip.

It is not the place we would choose as a quick “nip in and out” stop from the south coast.

The drive takes longer than moving between the main resort areas, and parking can be awkward in busy periods. We found parking especially difficult around the marina and bay area, so we would give it time rather than treating it as something to squeeze in between other plans.

For us, Los Gigantes works best when you slow the day down.

Have a wander around the harbour area, look back at the cliffs from the coast, or use it as part of a west coast route with Santiago del Teide or Masca.

We did not take a boat trip from Los Gigantes, but if this is one of your main South Tenerife days, seeing the cliffs from the water would probably make the trip feel more complete.

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Quick Los Gigantes Tips

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5. Drive To Masca For Mountain Views

Masca is one of the most dramatic places you can visit from South Tenerife, but we would not treat it like a casual quick stop.

The village itself is tiny, but the drive there is the main event.

 

The road into Masca twists through the Teno Mountains, with steep drops, tight bends and big views that make the whole journey feel far more adventurous than the distance suggests.

 

We drove to Masca as part of our Tenerife road trip, and it was one of those places where the scenery was brilliant, but the logistics mattered.

The views are incredible, but the road needs patience. Parking is limited, the village gets busy, and this is not where we would want to arrive late in the day with no plan.

If you are a nervous driver, we would think carefully before adding Masca, especially if you are already doing a full west coast day.

If you are confident on mountain roads, it can be one of the most memorable drives from South Tenerife.

For us, Masca works best when you give it its own space in the day. Pair it with Santiago del Teide or Los Gigantes if you want a bigger scenic route, but do not try to squeeze it in between too many other stops.

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Quick Masca Tips

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6. Visit Teide National Park And Roques De García

Teide National Park is one of the best places to visit from South Tenerife if you want a day that feels completely different from the coast.

We drove all the way through the park, and the change in scenery is the reason we would make time for it.

You leave the resort areas behind and climb into pine forest, lava fields, wide volcanic plains and huge open views around Mount Teide.

For a South Tenerife trip, we would keep Teide simple unless the cable car or summit is the main reason you are going.

Roques de García is the stop we would prioritise first because it gives you classic Teide scenery without needing a difficult hike, summit permit or cable car booking.

If you want to walk the Roques de García route, check the official trail information before you go.

 

You can still have a brilliant Teide day by driving through the park, stopping at viewpoints, walking a short section around Roques de García and giving the landscape time to sink in.

The mistake would be trying to squeeze Teide in as a quick extra between other South Tenerife plans.

The altitude, weather and drive all make the day feel bigger than it looks on a map.

If you want the cable car, summit trail, walking routes or a full route plan, it is worth planning that separately before you go.

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Quick Teide Tips From South Tenerife

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7. Spend A Day At Siam Park

Siam Park is one of the biggest family attractions in South Tenerife, especially if you are staying around Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas or Los Cristianos.

 

We did not visit Siam Park ourselves because it was not the kind of Tenerife day we were looking for.

But it is such a major South Tenerife attraction that it is still worth mentioning, especially if you are travelling with children, teenagers, or anyone who wants a break from sightseeing.

This is not the place to go for a quiet Tenerife day.

Siam Park is for water slides, wave pools, lazy river time and a full-on fun day where you do not have to think about driving routes, viewpoints or mountain weather.

We would treat Siam Park as its own day rather than trying to squeeze it in after a morning elsewhere.

It is popular, it gets busy, and you will enjoy it more if you arrive with time, tickets sorted and realistic expectations.

If you only have a few days in Tenerife and your priority is scenery, hiking or road trips, Siam Park may not be essential.

But if you are staying in the south and want an easy, high-energy day without much planning, it is one of the most obvious things to do.

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Quick Siam Park Tips

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8. Visit El Médano And Montaña Roja

El Médano is one of the best places to visit in South Tenerife if you want somewhere that feels different from Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos.

It has a breezier, more laid-back feel, with a long beach, windsurfing, kitesurfing and views towards Montaña Roja.

 

This is the stop we would choose if you want the south coast, but not the polished resort version of it.

The beach is wide and open, but it is also exposed, so we would check the wind before planning a long beach stop here. On a calmer day, it can be lovely. On a windy day, it may be better for a walk, a coffee or watching the watersports rather than sitting on the sand for hours.

Montaña Roja is the big natural landmark here.

If you want a more active stop, you can walk around the area and enjoy views back along the coast. It gives you a more open, volcanic South Tenerife landscape without needing to head all the way into Teide National Park.

For us, El Médano works best as a slower coastal stop, especially if you want to see a less resorty side of the south.

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Quick El Médano Tips

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9. Wander Around Arona Or Adeje Old Town

Arona and Adeje old town are worth considering if you want to see a quieter, more local-feeling side of South Tenerife.

They are not big headline attractions, and that is partly why they work.

We stopped in Arona while exploring inland from the coast, and it was a really pleasant surprise. It felt calm, traditional and much quieter than the resort areas, with a pretty historic centre, mountain views and the San Antonio Abad church at its heart.

 

It is the kind of place we would add if you have a car and want a short break from the busier coastal strip.

Arona works well if you are already driving inland towards Vilaflor, Teide or the southern mountain roads. You do not need hours here, but it is a useful reminder that South Tenerife is not only beaches and resorts.

If you have time, you can also look for Casa La Bodega, which is linked to Arona’s local heritage and cultural exhibitions. We would check current opening times before planning around it.

Adeje old town is another good option if you are staying nearby but want something quieter than the coast.

It has historic streets, local cafés, the church of Santa Úrsula and access to Barranco del Infierno if you want a more active walk.

We did not walk Barranco del Infierno ourselves, so we would check the permit rules, trail conditions and booking details before planning your day around it.

We would not build a whole South Tenerife day around Arona or Adeje old town unless you are deliberately looking for a slow inland day.

But as a short stop, both make sense.

They are best for a wander, a coffee, a look around the old streets, and a pause between bigger sights.

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Quick Inland Town Tips

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10. Take A Day Trip To La Gomera From Los Cristianos

La Gomera is one of the easiest bigger trips from South Tenerife because ferries leave from Los Cristianos.

We spent 3 or 4 days on La Gomera rather than visiting on a day trip, and we really enjoyed it.

It felt much quieter than Tenerife, more local, less touristy and slower in a way that made it feel like a proper change of pace.

 

That is why we think it is worth considering from South Tenerife, especially if you like the idea of seeing another Canary Island without a huge amount of travel.

But we would not treat La Gomera as a casual quick add-on.

Once you include the ferry, timings, transport on La Gomera and the places you want to see, it becomes a full day.

La Gomera has dramatic valleys, old villages, black-sand beaches and the ancient laurel forest of Garajonay National Park.

If you only have 1 day, the easiest option is usually an organised day tour from South Tenerife, or a carefully planned ferry day from Los Cristianos.

We would not book the ferry and hope the rest sorts itself out, especially if you want to see more than San Sebastián.

Think about whether you want a simple guided overview or whether you are happy planning transport once you arrive.

If you have more time, we think La Gomera deserves longer than a day.

But if you are based in South Tenerife and want 1 bigger adventure, it is one of the most interesting options.

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Quick La Gomera Tips

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11. Walk Around Chinyero Volcano

Chinyero Volcano is worth considering if you want a quieter volcanic walk without heading into the busiest parts of Teide National Park.

It is not the most obvious thing to do from South Tenerife, but that is partly why we liked it.

The walk takes you through pine forest, black lava, volcanic rock and open views around the youngest volcano in Tenerife. It feels very different from the beaches and resort areas on the south coast.

 

We found it a really good “in-between” walk. It is more active than a viewpoint stop, but it does not feel like a huge mountain hike.

The route is fairly easy to follow, but we would still wear proper shoes, take water and allow more time than you think if you like stopping for photos.

This is the kind of place we would add if you have a car and want to see more of Tenerife’s volcanic side without making the whole day revolve around Mount Teide.

It also works well if you enjoy quieter trails and do not need cafés, shops or facilities nearby.

We would not choose Chinyero if you only have 1 short day in South Tenerife and mainly want beaches, boat trips or easy resort activities.

But if you like road trips, walking and volcanic landscapes, it is a lovely alternative to the busier headline stops.

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Quick Chinyero Tips

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Best Things To Do In South Tenerife With A Car

A car is most useful in South Tenerife when you want to get beyond the main resort areas without relying on tours or awkward transport links.

If you have not booked a car yet, choose one that suits the routes you want to drive, not just the cheapest option on the page.

If you are staying around Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas or Los Cristianos, you can still enjoy beaches, restaurants, boat trips and the promenade without driving.

But if you want mountain roads, quieter towns, volcanic landscapes and more flexibility, hiring a car makes the trip much easier.

If you are unsure about the roads, it helps to understand the kind of driving you’ll actually face before planning mountain routes.

The mistake is trying to do too much just because places look close on a map.

South Tenerife works better by car when you choose one main focus for the day, then add smaller stops around it.

If you want dramatic roads, choose Masca and Los Gigantes.

If you want volcanic scenery, choose Teide National Park or Chinyero.

If you want a calmer coastal day, choose El Médano, La Tejita and Montaña Roja.

If you want a quieter inland route, choose Arona, Vilaflor and Teide.

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Best South Tenerife Road Trip Ideas

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Best Things To Do In South Tenerife Without A Car

You can still enjoy South Tenerife without a car, especially if you are staying around Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas or Los Cristianos.

This is the easiest part of Tenerife for beaches, restaurants, boat trips, resort facilities and organised tours.

If you do not want to drive, organised excursions can make the longer South Tenerife day trips much easier to plan.

The main thing is to plan around where you are staying.

Without a car, we would keep most days local, then use tours, taxis or ferries for anything further away.

If you are staying in Costa Adeje, focus on beaches, the promenade, Puerto Colón boat trips, Siam Park and restaurants.

If you are staying in Los Cristianos, use the harbour for ferry trips, boat trips and easy access to the promenade.

If you are staying in Playa de las Américas, it works best for nightlife, beaches, restaurants and being between Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos.

For Teide, Masca or La Gomera, we would book an organised tour or plan the ferry carefully rather than trying to piece everything together last-minute.

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Best No-Car Options In South Tenerife

 

If you want a city day without hiring a car, Santa Cruz is worth considering once you have had enough beach and resort time.

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Free Things To Do In South Tenerife

You do not need to pay for every good South Tenerife day.

Some of the best things to do are simple: walk by the coast, visit a beach, stop in an inland town, or take a short drive somewhere scenic.

This is useful if you want to balance paid activities, like Siam Park, whale watching or a La Gomera trip, with easier low-cost days.

The best free things to do in South Tenerife include:

– walking the seafront promenade between Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos
– spending time on Playa de la Enramada, Playa de las Vistas or La Tejita
– wandering around Arona old town
– visiting Adeje old town
– stopping at Los Gigantes for cliff views
– walking around El Médano and Montaña Roja
– driving towards Masca for viewpoints
– walking the Chinyero Volcano trail if you have a car
– enjoying sunset from the coast

The main thing is to plan free days around parking, heat and distance.

A beach or promenade day is easy without much planning.

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Best Free South Tenerife Ideas

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Where To Stay For South Tenerife Activities

Where you stay in South Tenerife makes a big difference to how easy your days feel.

If you mainly want beaches, restaurants and resort facilities, you may not need to move around much.

If you want to visit Masca, Teide, Los Gigantes, El Médano, Chinyero or La Gomera, your base matters more.

Costa Adeje works well if you want a more polished resort feel, good beaches, restaurants and easy access to Siam Park and Puerto Colón boat trips.

Los Cristianos is practical if you want ferries, boat trips, a more town-like feel and easy access to the promenade.

Playa de las Américas is better if you want nightlife, restaurants and a busier south coast base.

El Médano is a good choice if you want somewhere breezier, less resort-heavy and closer to Montaña Roja and La Tejita.

Los Gigantes can work if you want a slower west coast feel, cliff views and easier access to boat trips or Masca, but it is less central for the main south coast resorts.

For us, the best base depends on how much driving you want to do.

If you are planning several scenic days, choose somewhere with easy road access and parking.

If you mainly want beaches and restaurants, stay close to the area you think you will use most.

If you are still choosing your base, it helps to match where you stay with the type of Tenerife trip you want.

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Quick South Tenerife Base Guide

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FAQs About Things To Do In South Tenerife

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Planning Your South Tenerife Trip

South Tenerife is easiest to enjoy when you choose the right kind of day.

Use it for beaches, coastal walks, boat trips, resort facilities and access to Teide, Masca, Los Gigantes and La Gomera.

But do not try to squeeze every scenic drive, beach and day trip into the same few days.

For us, the best South Tenerife plans mix a few easy coastal stops with 1 or 2 bigger days that show you more of the island.

If you are hiring a car, choose 1 main focus for each driving day.

If you are not hiring a car, stay somewhere that makes the easy things genuinely easy, like Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos or Playa de las Américas.

South Tenerife may not have been our favourite part of the island overall, but it still has plenty worth doing if you choose the bits that suit your trip.

If you are still planning your route, it is worth deciding whether you want a mostly south-coast holiday or a wider Tenerife road trip before you book your base.

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