Tenerife Without a Car: 5-Day Itinerary

Destination: Santa Cruz de Tenerife, SpainCreated by: Moo_The_TrotterLast updated: 28th September 2026
Base yourself in Costa Adeje for five days, with time for the coast, whale watching, Teide and a trip into the island. You can do it without a hire car by using local transport and organised pickups for the longer excursions
BeachesNatureCar-freeWinter SunStargazingTenerife5 Days
2
Day 1 — Costa Adeje beaches and La Caleta

Playa de Fañabe

Beach
Use Fañabé as the café-and-lunch end of your coastal wander. For a route without backtracking, visit here first, then walk past Playa del Duque towards La Caleta. There is no need to book an activity to enjoy this stretch of the seafront.
Image of Playa del Duque

Playa del Duque

Beach
Walk here from Fañabé, then continue towards La Caleta for lunch. Pause on the sand if conditions suit, or stay on the promenade for the coastal views. Bring a layer for the breeze and follow the swimming flags; a coffee facing the Atlantic is a good winter alternative.

La Caleta

Restaurant
Finish the walk among the restaurants around the small fishing harbour. Take time over lunch or an early dinner, with the return journey by local bus or taxi if you have walked enough. Book directly with a restaurant if a particular table matters; no tour is needed.
Image of Siam Park

Siam Park

Park, Water Park
Day 2 — Puerto Colón and Torviscas
Image of Puerto Colon

Puerto Colon

Marina
Allow three hours for a whale-and-dolphin cruise, plus check-in. The linked trip leaves from Puerto Colón; follow your voucher for the exact pontoon and choose pickup only if useful for your accommodation. Sightings are never guaranteed. Keep the afternoon free for a relaxed lunch and a walk to Torviscas.

Playa de Torviscas

Beach
After the boat trip, stay close to the water for lunch and a quiet afternoon. This is a deliberately flexible stop: stretch your legs on the promenade, sit on the beach or head back to your hotel. Respect the swimming flags even when the weather on shore feels mild.
Day 3 — Teide sunset and stars

Roques de García

Attraction, Core Attraction
Keep the morning free before a guided afternoon and evening in Teide National Park. These rock formations mark the landscape to look for, but the tour’s exact viewpoints depend on its route and conditions. Choose return transport from southern Tenerife; do not travel to this pin as a meeting point. Bring warm layers, closed shoes and expect a late return.

Teleférico del Teide

Station, Transport
Pair with Roques de García on the same excursion.
Day 4 — Icod, Garachico and Masca by coach
Image of Drago Milenario

Drago Milenario

Attraction, Core Attraction
See Icod’s famous dragon tree as part of the island coach day. Check whether your excursion includes garden admission or only time to view the tree; pay locally if you decide to go inside. Today’s Icod and Masca pins belong to one excursion, with the operator setting the order and dwell times.
Image of Casa del Plátano

Casa del Plátano

Historic Site
An optional small museum stop during free time in Icod, rather than a second booked excursion. Visit only if the coach timetable leaves enough time after the dragon tree; otherwise use the break for lunch. Check opening hours and admission locally, and keep the meeting point in mind.
Image of El Caletón

El Caletón

Attraction, Core Attraction
In Garachico, walk out to the lava-rock pools if your coach’s free time permits. Come for the shape of the coast and the sound of the Atlantic; winter swell can make bathing impossible and access may close. This is part of the same island day, not a separate swimming excursion.
Image of Conjunto Histórico El Caserío de Masca

Conjunto Histórico El Caserío de Masca

Protected Area, Park Nature
The village is the scenic finale to the inland coach day, surrounded by steep ridges and winding roads. Stay with the scheduled village visit; this plan does not include the gorge hike. The linked full-day tour includes other stops, including Teide, so expect some overlap with the stargazing day and book just one island excursion.
Day 5 — Los Cristianos and Las Américas
Image of Playa de Los Cristianos

Playa de Los Cristianos

Beach, Park Nature
Take a local bus or taxi from Costa Adeje and start by the harbour. Watch the ferries, find breakfast nearby and walk west towards Las Vistas. This is an easy final day to shorten around your flight, rather than a reason to cross the island before departure.

Los Cristianos Market

Marketplace, Market Shopping
Treat the market as an optional detour: it is not open every day, so check the current trading days before setting out. Browse if it coincides with your visit, then return to the coast. If it is closed, spend the time over breakfast rather than making a special journey.
Image of Playa de Las Vistas

Playa de Las Vistas

Beach, Park Nature
Follow the seafront from Los Cristianos to this broad beach and pause for lunch. There is room here for a proper beach afternoon when conditions suit; you do not have to keep moving to complete the day. Carry sun protection even in winter and swim only where permitted.
Image of Playa de las Américas

Playa de las Américas

Suburb, Core Attraction
Continue along the coast only if you want a longer walk, then return to Costa Adeje by bus or taxi. Finish with a drink overlooking the sea. The exposed stretches can have surf, so this is a walking-and-sunset stop rather than a promised swimming beach.