What to do in Tenerife in 3 days
With 3 days you can fit the northwest on the first, Teide on the second and Anaga with La Laguna on the third. The plan assumes you travel by car or on tours with pickup. Keep the Teide day flexible: the cable car depends on wind and temperature.
Booking options
Teide, Icod, Masca and Garachico
Paid separately · Meal
Anaga Rural Park hike
Optional transport · Tuesdays and Fridays only
Civitatis prices, ratings and conditions checked on . Check the price for your date on the listing.
Day by day
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Day 1 · Day 1: northwest with Icod, Masca and Garachico
Book the 8 to 9 h tour with pickup in the north. It passes through the Cañadas del Teide, Masca, Garachico and Icod de los Vinos, with free time for lunch (lunch is not included). If you prefer to go on your own, Icod has the Drago Milenario, and Garachico has its old town and the El Caletón natural pools.
Teide, Icod, Masca and Garachico What to See in Garachico -
Day 2 · Day 2: Teide by day and by night
In the morning, the cable car climbs from 2,356 to 3,555 m in about 8 minutes. The ticket is only sold online and it is best to book ahead. From Puerto de la Cruz, the base station is about 45 km away. On that day, check the cable car status before you leave. In the evening, the 2 h 30 min night walk starts at the Parador: the start time changes by month. Between the two, leave some free time in the Cañadas.
Which Teide Excursion to Choose Teide Cable Car -
Day 3 · Day 3: Anaga and La Laguna
In the morning, the route of about 3 h through the Anaga Rural Park starts near the Cruz del Carmen, and the listing asks for warm clothing and a rain jacket. Transport from Puerto de la Cruz and Garachico only runs on Tuesdays and Fridays. In the afternoon, the La Laguna free tour lasts 2 h and starts at Plaza del Adelantado.
Hiking in Anaga Rural Park La Laguna, Tenerife: UNESCO old town
What changes from one option to another
A long day around the northwest
The tour with pickup in the north lasts 8 to 9 h. It covers Cañadas del Teide, Masca, Garachico and Icod in a single day.
The night at Teide
The 2 h 30 min walk starts at the Parador de Las Cañadas. Check at booking which days have spots before you fix the plan.
Anaga on foot
The route of about 3 h starts near the Cruz del Carmen chapel. You can complete the day with La Laguna.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see the essentials of Tenerife in 3 days?
Yes, if you group things by area: northwest, Teide, and Anaga with La Laguna. It does not cover the south or the other islands.
Do I need a car for this 3-day itinerary?
Not necessarily: the day 1 tour, the night walk and the Anaga route offer options with pickup. Some only run on certain days, so compare with your calendar.
Where is the best place to set off for Teide?
The distances to the cable car base station are about 45 km from Puerto de la Cruz, 55 from La Laguna and 64 from Santa Cruz.
What do I do if the cable car is not running on day 2?
Check the day's status on the official website. If there is no service, the cable car booking follows its official conditions; you can walk in the Cañadas, for example on the 2 h free tour from the Roques de García.