5 Places to Discover Off the Beaten Track in Tenerife

Tenerife is the largest of the Spanish Canary Islands, situated off the west coast of Morocco. It’s a well-loved tourist destination, promising warm weather, sandy beaches, rocky mountains, and amazing Spanish cuisine.

But even though Tenerife is a popular tourist hotspot, there’s still plenty to discover on the island that’s relatively unknown by visitors. Below are the best places to discover off the beaten path in Tenerife.

The Semaphore of Igueste de San Andrés

Igueste de San Andres is a small town on the north-eastern coast of Tenerife. It has around 550 inhabitants and can be reached by car or bus. The town features some charming attractions, like the Church of San Pedro, but the real draw is the hiking.

The trails aren’t for the faint-hearted and include some steep inclines up the nearby mountains. However, the views at the top are well worth the effort, with panoramic vistas of the sea and coastline. You’ll also find the ruins of the ‘traffic light’ of San Andrés, the building that acted as a lighthouse to announce the arrival of ships. After you’ve done the hike yourself, you’ll be able to truly appreciate what a feat it would have been to construct the building at the 400m elevation.

Hiking Masca Valley

There was a time when getting to the Maca village in north-west Tenerife was only possible on foot or by donkey – now it is connected by roads so can be accessed by public transport – travel by car is restricted to reduce the environmental impact. The village is located in the Teno mountains, 650m above sea level, and has proved popular with experienced hikers looking for an adventure.

The trail begins in the village and ends five miles later on the beach, which takes around six hours in total to hike. Tours are available for people who may be less experienced but still want to take in the beautiful surroundings and challenge of the Masca Gorge.

Playa de Almáciga

Almáciga beach is located on the northern coast of Tenerife and with its wild Atlantic waters has proved popular with surfers. It’s one of three beaches in the village of Taganana, which itself is well worth a visit for its quaint architecture nestled in the mountains.

Visitors to Almáciga beach will be treated to incredible views even as they approach on the winding road. The sand is the typical black rock of the Canary Islands and whilst the waves are perfect for experienced surfers, it won’t be suitable for those looking for a relaxing swim. If water sports aren’t your thing, you can still enjoy the wild nature of the surroundings, followed by a fresh fish meal at a local restaurant.

Poris de Abona

For a true taste of Tenerife, away from the tourists, visitors will enjoy the charming fishing village of Poris de Abona, on the south east coast of the island. There are no hotels or bars in the village, but plenty of restaurants where you can sample fresh fish and seafood.

The local beach is great for surfing and scuba diving, with a fantastic ocean floor virtually untouched by people. You could also visit the local windfarm for an educational experience, or just sit and relax in the tranquil surroundings of the village.

Punta de Teno

Punta de Teno is a rocky headland on the westernmost point of Tenerife and is part of the protected Teno Rural Park. Access has recently been restricted to the area, so people can only visit via public transport.

From Punta de Teno, visitors can enjoy fantastic views of the coastline, Los Gigantes cliffs and even the neighbouring islands, as well as the lighthouse which is still in service. Tourists aren’t permitted to visit the lighthouse, but it makes for a great photo feature.

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