Tenerife Full Island Tour

Los Gigantes makes a dramatic start: sheer rock walls rise above the Atlantic, and a lookout gives you time for photos before the island road turns inland. In one long day, this tour links the west coast, Icod de los Vinos, Puerto de la Cruz and Candelaria, with glimpses of the banana-growing La Orotava Valley along the way.

I like two things here: you see several very different parts of Tenerife without arranging your own transport, and the guide can add context to the places between stops, not just point out the view. Past guides named Christopher, Chris, Thomas and Ivan have been singled out for their humor, clear explanations and island knowledge, though the guide varies.

The main consideration is the pace. Pickup routes can add a lot of time, stops are brief, and the advertised small-minivan feel is not guaranteed: the vehicle may be a larger coach, with up to 55 people.

• Los Gigantes viewpoint: A quick 15-minute stop for photos of Tenerife’s towering west-coast cliffs.
• Icod’s dragon tree: Spend about 30 minutes at the celebrated old tree in Parque del Drago.
• Puerto de la Cruz lunch break: An hour of free time, with lunch at your own expense.
• Candelaria’s basilica and statues: See the oceanfront church and the Guanche kings in the plaza.
• Southern hotel-area pickup: Available in a range of southern resorts, but your exact meeting point may be nearby rather than at your hotel.
• A full day on the road: The route covers a lot, but long collection and drop-off runs can reduce time at the sights.

A cross-island day, not a slow village stroll

This is a practical introduction to Tenerife’s varied character. From the south, you head toward the island’s rugged west coast, pass through the north’s greener growing country, then finish at Candelaria on the eastern side. That variety is the tour’s real appeal: cliffs, cultivated valleys, a historic town and a major religious site all fit into one outing.

It is also a day built around a vehicle. The advertised duration is about eight hours, but the actual day can stretch longer, especially when pickup and drop-off involve several resorts. Some outings have run closer to nine hours, with a substantial share of the time spent on the road or collecting passengers. If you enjoy scenic drives, that is part of the experience. If you want long, unhurried visits at every stop, this format may feel rushed.

The price is $65.17 per person. For that, you get a guide, air-conditioned transport and pickup and drop-off at selected hotels or nearby points. Lunch is not included, and the Candelaria admission is listed as not included, so keep some spending money available. The value is strongest if you want an island overview and would otherwise need to arrange several journeys yourself.

Los Gigantes: a brief stop with a big view

The tour starts from Los Cristianos and heads toward Los Gigantes, where a viewpoint offers a look at the enormous cliffs above the sea. The stop is about 15 minutes, and there is no admission charge. That gives you enough time to take photos and take in the scale of the rock face, but not to linger or explore the area at length.

This is a useful first stop because the cliffs make an immediate impression and set the tone for the day’s changing scenery. Keep your camera ready, and don’t assume the group will have time for a long walk. The schedule is tight, so listen for the guide’s return-time instructions before stepping away from the vehicle.

The road itself is part of the outing. Tenerife’s route between the southern resorts and the west coast involves bends, and the island’s roads can feel winding if you are prone to motion sickness. If that is a concern, consider asking about seating when you board and bring whatever helps you manage car sickness. Seats may not be held for you, particularly if you are among the last people picked up.

Icod de los Vinos and the old dragon tree

Next comes Icod de los Vinos and Parque del Drago, where you get about 30 minutes to see the famous dragon tree. It is reputed to be the oldest of its kind in the world, and its unusual form makes it a memorable contrast to the cliffs and coastal views. The stop gives you a chance to stretch your legs and see one of Tenerife’s best-known natural symbols.

Thirty minutes is a short visit, so use it well. You may want to head directly toward the tree rather than spend time browsing elsewhere. The admission ticket is listed as free, but the schedule is not designed for a leisurely visit to every corner of the park or town.

The stop also marks a change in the day’s feel. Icod is part of the island’s northern side, where the route takes you through a more cultivated and green setting than the dry southern resorts. From the vehicle, look for banana plantations, vineyards and pine-covered slopes as you travel through the wider La Orotava Valley area. The tour highlights the valley’s scenery, but the listed itinerary does not promise a separate, extended stop there.

Puerto de la Cruz: your hour to eat and wander

The longest scheduled break is in Puerto de la Cruz, where you have about an hour of free time for lunch. The stop is near the historic fishing harbor area, giving you a chance to eat, walk around and get a feel for a northern Tenerife town rather than simply view it through a bus window.

Lunch is on you, so plan to buy a meal or bring something along. An hour is enough for a simple lunch and a short wander, but it is not a long visit. If you want to explore at ease, choose food promptly and keep track of the meeting point and return time. A late return can hold up a large group.

This break is valuable because it gives the day a pause between sightseeing stops. It is also the best chance to do something at your own pace. Still, do not mistake the free hour for a full town visit. The tour is a sampler, and the schedule has to keep moving.

Candelaria: the basilica and the Guanche kings

The final cultural stop is Candelaria, a coastal town associated with the patron saint of the Canary Islands. The 30-minute visit centers on the Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Candelaria and the oceanfront plaza, where nine large statues represent Guanche kings, the islands’ first inhabitants. The church’s domed profile and seaside setting make this a different kind of stop from the natural viewpoints earlier in the day.

The basilica is the main draw, and the square gives you a quick chance to connect the island’s present-day religious life with its pre-Spanish past. The famous Black Madonna is associated with the basilica. With only half an hour, you will need to keep your visit focused; this is not enough time for an extended look at every detail.

The stop is listed with admission not included, so check what you may want to pay for before you go inside. Even if you keep to the plaza and exterior, the statues and sea-facing setting make the visit worthwhile as a closing note to the route.

The guide can shape the day

A good guide matters on a full-island outing, especially when several stops are short and much of the day passes on the road. Guides on different departures have included Christopher or Christophe, Chris, Thomas, Ivan and Martin. Their names are not a promise of who will lead your trip, but past outings have been praised for guides who shared local history, kept the group entertained and made the drive feel more meaningful.

The tour may be operated with a multilingual guide. That can help a mixed group, but explanations in several languages take time and can mean less commentary in each language. Some people have found it hard to hear or follow every part, especially when the guide is speaking to different sections of the vehicle. If commentary is important to you, ask which languages are planned before booking.

The driver also has an important role on Tenerife’s winding roads. Past passengers have praised drivers including Jose and Miguel for smooth, capable driving. That cannot be guaranteed on your departure, but it is worth remembering that a skilled driver makes a long route more comfortable.

Group size, vehicle and pickup: check the fine print

The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle and lists a maximum of 55 participants. The experience is sometimes described as a minivan or small-group outing, but the actual vehicle and group size can differ. Some departures have used a coach with far more than 15 people, so don’t book on the assumption that you will get a small van or an intimate group.

A larger vehicle has trade-offs. It may feel less personal, and boarding at several hotels can add time to the day. On the other hand, the air conditioning and organized transport spare you from planning the route and driving yourself. If you are sensitive to motion or need extra legroom, the vehicle type and your seat position matter. Contact the operator before departure if you have a particular concern, but do not assume a specific seat or vehicle can be secured.

Pickup is offered across a broad stretch of southern Tenerife, including El Médano, Golf del Sur, Costa del Silencio, Los Cristianos, Las Américas, Callao Salvaje, Playa Paraíso, Playa San Juan, Alcalá, Playa de la Arena, Puerto Santiago and Los Gigantes. Pickup may be at a nearby meeting point rather than at your hotel. The operator is meant to confirm the exact place and time by email, so check your inbox and spam folder. If you are staying outside the listed area, contact the supplier to arrange a pickup.

The advertised start time is 8:30 a.m., but your confirmed pickup time may differ. One practical lesson from this route is to verify the final time and meeting point rather than relying only on the initial start time. A small mismatch can become a long wait when the group is spread across several resorts.

Is the $65.17 fare good value?

For a full day of transport, a guide and several distinct stops, the price is reasonable if your priority is seeing more of Tenerife without hiring a car. Hotel-area pickup adds convenience, and the route gives first-time visitors a useful sense of the island’s geography. You pay for coverage and ease, not for long visits or a private experience.

The weak point is the balance between driving and time on foot. The 15-minute viewpoint stop, 30 minutes at the dragon tree and 30 minutes in Candelaria are short. Puerto de la Cruz gives you an hour, but lunch comes out of your own pocket. If pickup runs are long or the group is large, the day can feel like a race between stops.

This tour does not include Teide or Santa Cruz as scheduled sightseeing stops. If either is a priority, plan a separate outing rather than expecting this route to cover every famous part of Tenerife. The same goes for anyone who wants a deep visit to one town or a slower day with plenty of free time.

Who should book this Tenerife island tour?

I’d consider booking if you have limited time, are staying in the south and want a broad look at the island without handling the driving. It suits people who enjoy guided context, scenic roads and a day with several short stops. It can also work well if you want to decide which parts of Tenerife deserve a return visit.

Think twice if you dislike winding roads, need a small group, or want long stretches to explore independently. The vehicle may be a coach, the group may be large, and multilingual commentary can make explanations less direct. The route’s best feature, its wide coverage, is also why it moves quickly.

Book it for the overview, not for a slow, in-depth visit. Before you pay, confirm your pickup details, ask about the vehicle and group size, and be realistic about how much time you will spend off the bus. If those trade-offs suit you, this is a practical way to see the cliffs, northern growing country and Candelaria in one long day.

FAQ

How long is the Tenerife Full Island Tour?

The tour is listed as approximately eight hours. The day may take longer depending on pickup and drop-off routes.

Where does the tour start?

It starts from Los Cristianos, with pickup offered in selected areas in the south of Tenerife.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels and areas. The meeting point may be close to your hotel rather than at its entrance, and you should check the confirmed details by email.

Is lunch included?

No. The Puerto de la Cruz stop includes about one hour of free time for lunch, which you pay for yourself.

What places are included in the route?

The listed stops are the Los Gigantes viewpoint, Parque del Drago in Icod de los Vinos, Puerto de la Cruz and Candelaria. The drive also offers views of the La Orotava Valley area.

How large is the tour group?

The stated maximum is 55 participants. The vehicle may be a larger coach rather than a small minivan.