Day Trips from Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Tenerife day trips split into two categories: on-island excursions to places like Mount Teide, Masca Valley or Anaga, and ferry-based trips to neighbouring islands such as La Gomera. The deciding factor is whether you want volcanic landscapes, laurel forests, coastal villages or an island-hopping adventure.

On-island destinations are reachable in under 90 minutes by road, while La Gomera adds a 50-minute ferry crossing from Los Cristianos. A Teide tour is the most affordable starting point, while a full-day La Gomera excursion with ferry, guide and lunch included sits at the premium end.

Volcanic landscapes

Teide National Park is the most popular excursion in Tenerife, with 13 available tours. Full-day options combine the 3,718-metre volcano with the remote Masca Valley in the Teno Mountains, covering two of the island’s most dramatic landscapes in a single itinerary. Shorter half-day tours focus on the cable car and crater viewpoints.

Island hopping

La Gomera is the main island-hopping destination, reachable by ferry from Los Cristianos. Guided day trips visit Garajonay National Park — a UNESCO-protected laurel forest — and the colonial town of San Sebastián. Tours include the ferry ticket, transport across the island, a guide and lunch.

Nature and hiking

Anaga Rural Park in the northeast is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with prehistoric laurel forests and rugged coastal trails leading to villages like Taganana. The northwest route through Garachico and Icod de los Vinos covers the natural volcanic pools and the ancient Drago Milenario tree, with five different tour options available.

Wine and gastronomy

Tenerife’s volcanic soil produces distinctive wines across five designated origin regions. Wine day trips visit local bodegas for tastings paired with Canarian cuisine at a mid-range price. With seven products available and an average rating of 4.5 stars, these are among the highest-rated excursions on the island.

Budget-friendly options

Teide tours are the most affordable day trips from Tenerife, usually a half-day excursion. Wine and vineyard tours sit a little higher and include bodega visits with tastings. Garachico and Icod de los Vinos fall into the mid-range with transport and a guide included.

Full-day and premium trips

Masca Valley tours typically combine the valley with stops along the Teno coast. Anaga excursions cost more, reflecting the specialist guiding through the Biosphere Reserve trails. La Gomera is the most expensive option, with the ferry crossing, island transport, guide and lunch all bundled into the price.

What affects the price

Ferry tickets are the main cost driver for island-hopping trips like La Gomera. On-island, the difference comes down to whether lunch and hotel pickup are included — the full-day Teide and Masca combo bundles both, while shorter Teide-only tours leave meals out to keep the price lower.

Ratings and indicative data from the GuruWalk catalogue. Check the current price on each activity’s product card.

What the price covers

Most full-day excursions include return transport, a professional guide, lunch and hotel pickup. The Teide and Masca combo tour bundles all four, while the La Gomera trip adds a return ferry ticket to the package. Some Teide-only tours include a morning coffee stop at a local café.

What is not included

Shorter half-day tours and budget Teide options typically exclude lunch and hotel pickup. The whale-watching catamaran includes a food tasting on board but not return land transport — you make your own way to and from the port. Snorkel equipment and souvenir photos are available for an extra charge on boat tours.

Languages and group format

English is the primary language across all listed products. Four of the five top-rated tours also run in French, Dutch and German. The whale-watching catamaran is available in English and Spanish. Group sizes range from shared coach trips for island tours to smaller vehicles for Anaga and Masca routes.