Getting there

By car, take the TF-5 towards Icod de los Vinos and then local roads; the last stretch is winding. The tourist board gives about 60 km (roughly 1 hour 15 minutes) from Tenerife North Airport and about 85 km (roughly 1 hour 30 minutes) from Tenerife South Airport. TITSA buses connect the area, but journeys are longer than from central Tenerife. A Buenavista del Norte tourist office (phone 922 12 80 80) is open Monday to Saturday, 09:00 to 14:00 in July and August. The Teno Country Park Visitors Centre (phone 922 44 79 70) is open daily 09:30 to 16:30, according to the tourist board's list of offices.

What to see

The historic centre has traditional Canarian architecture, with the Casa de la Viuda and the former San Francisco monastery. The Plaza de los Remedios and the church of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, restored after a fire in 1996, are the town's focus. The San Sebastián Chapel dates from the 16th century, and the haciendas of La Fuente and San Juan de Taco are listed. Nearby, the Triana ravine is a green area reached from the plaza. At the coast, the Buenavista lighthouse sits at Punta de Teno, the island's north-western tip.

Beaches

Playa de las Arenas has volcanic black sand and regular waves, so it is the place for a walk and a look more than for a calm swim. El Fraile is linked to Las Arenas by a promenade. When the sea is calm, the natural pools are popular with locals. Always follow the flags. For the other black-sand beaches, see Tenerife black sand beaches.

Walks

The easy coastal walk between Las Arenas and El Fraile is about 1.5 km and 45 minutes. The Las Cuevas ravine to Teno Bajo route is about 4.25 km from Los Bailaderos to the lighthouse. The Los Bailaderos trail is short, about 4 km, but suited only to experienced hikers and may be unsettling if you dislike heights. A historic-quarter walk of about 1.5 hours starts at the San Francisco convent and finishes at the Triana bridge. Masca, reached through its ravine, is a declared ethnographic area with access conditions and restrictions; read Masca, Tenerife before you go.

The cliffs from the sea

The Los Gigantes cliffs, 300 to 600 m tall, drop into the sea beside the Masca ravine. The best view is from the water; see the Los Gigantes boat trip and Los Gigantes. The offer in the box on this page is the whale-watching cruise by sailboat from Los Gigantes, the nearest departure point.

Weather, food and lodging

The tourist board says the climate is mild all year, with more cloud than in the south. Restaurants serve Canarian food and fresh fish. Lodging is mostly rural: small hotels and restored traditional houses. The patron-saint festival is usually in May, but the date varies, so check in advance. For a base nearby, see Garachico and boutique hotels in Tenerife.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Underestimating driving time: the roads are winding and distances are long.
  • Taking the Los Bailaderos trail if you dislike heights.
  • Planning a Masca descent without checking the access rules.
  • Counting on the sun: this side has more cloud than the south.

FAQ

Where is Buenavista del Norte?

At the north-western end of Tenerife, near Teno Rural Park and the Punta de Teno lighthouse.

How far is it from the airports?

About 60 km from Tenerife North and 85 km from Tenerife South, per the tourist board.

Is there a beach?

Yes, Playa de las Arenas, a black-sand beach with regular waves, and El Fraile beside it.

Can I get there by bus?

Yes, TITSA lines connect the area, though journeys are longer.

What is the Teno Rural Park?

A protected area of about 7,500 hectares, with mountains, ravines and sea.

Tenerife Authority editorial team, 12 November 2026.