| Option | Stops | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guided tour (Tiqets) | Teide, Icod de los Vinos, Garachico, Masca | 4.5 (25 reviews) | One booking, no driving |
| Teide and Masca VIP tour (GetYourGuide) | Teide, Masca | 4.7 (762 reviews) | See the offer page |
| Self-drive | Same, in your own order | Choosing your own stops |
Ratings and reviews were read on 7 and 6 November 2026.
What each stop gives you
- Teide National Park. The park covers about 19,000 hectares at around 2,000 m. The cable car rises from 2,356 m to 3,555 m, and the official return fare is 43 euros for a non-resident adult (read 6 November 2026). See Teide National Park and Teide cable car.
- Icod de los Vinos. The Drago Milenario, a dragon tree declared a national monument in 1917, stands in a park where adult entry is 5 euros; allow 30 to 45 minutes. The Cueva del Viento lava tube is a separate guided visit of about two and a half hours that must be booked. See Icod de los Vinos.
- Garachico. The main port of Tenerife until the 1706 eruption, with an old town, a castle and the El Caletón natural pools. See Garachico.
- Masca. A village in a gorge on the west side; the tour stops there for 30 minutes. See Masca, Tenerife.
Distances to plan with
Garachico is about 61 km from Santa Cruz de Tenerife (45 to 55 minutes by car) and about 65 km from Tenerife South airport (roughly 1 hour 20 minutes), according to the tourist board. Teide is reached by TITSA bus 342 from Costa Adeje and 348 from Puerto de la Cruz. An island tour therefore covers the north-west and the centre in one long day; the other days of the island are in 4 days in Tenerife and Tenerife excursions. With one more day, see the 5-day Tenerife itinerary.
Tour or car?
- Tour: choose it if you do not want to drive the mountain roads or park at the cable car. The cable car's base car park has 220 spaces and fills up, which is a reason to arrive with a tour.
- Car: choose it if you want to stay at a stop longer, add the Cueva del Viento or walk the El Caletón pools at your own pace.
- Split it: if you have more than one day, put Teide on one day and the north-west on another, as in Tenerife north or south.
What to check before you book a tour
- Whether the cable car ticket and the summit permit are included. The cable car fare (43 euros return) and the crater-rim permit are separate products on the official sites.
- The length of each stop. Check on the GetYourGuide offer page how long the tour stays in Masca; a short stop is a photo stop rather than time for the gorge walk.
Mistakes to avoid
- Expecting the summit. The crater rim path needs its own permit.
- Packing summer clothes for Teide, which is far colder than the coast.
- Trying to add Santa Cruz to the same day: the capital is 45 to 55 minutes from Garachico.
- Counting on the Cueva del Viento during a coach tour: it is a booked slot of about two and a half hours at its own meeting point.
FAQ
How long is an island tour of Tenerife?
Check the duration of the GetYourGuide Teide and Masca VIP tour on its offer page. A full-circle day by car is similar.
Is Teide included in an island tour?
The Tiqets guided tour lists Teide National Park among its stops. Cable car and permit inclusions are set by each listing.
Can I do the island tour without a car?
Yes, with a guided tour. Buses 342 and 348 reach Teide, but not the whole circuit.
The Tenerife Authority editorial team, 7 November 2026.
