Visiting Masca: what to know first
Masca sits on a ridge in the Teno range. It belongs to the municipality of Buenavista del Norte, not to Santiago del Teide, so this page treats it as a day trip from Los Gigantes and Puerto de Santiago. The village is listed as a site of cultural interest, with traditional houses and farm terraces on the slopes.
Walking through the village is free and needs no reservation. Do not confuse that with the gorge hike down to the sea, which costs money and needs an online booking. The Masca Gorge guide covers that walk.
The TF-436 road to Masca
The TF-436 is the access road to Masca. It is a mountain road, so leave extra time on the way out and on the way back.
The road can be controlled at times. On 30 July 2026 the island government (Cabildo) brought in a temporary access control for Masca because of forest fire risk. On 6 August 2026 it explained that small authorized tourist buses under 7.5 m could be regulated during such alert phases, while tourist private and rental cars stayed excluded for as long as the measure applied.
On 8 August 2026 the Cabildo announced that this Masca control was lifted from 9 August at 8 a.m. The same notice kept fire alert measures for the south of the island, so a new control in a dry spell is possible. Look for current notices before you set out, especially in summer.
Our picks: Masca
The gorge on foot with a guide, a hike above the village and a day trip with a stop in Masca.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Guided Masca Gorge hike with boat and transport
A walking guide, helmet, gorge entry, the boat back and transport to Masca and back to the start are included, plus accident and liability insurance. Food and drinks are not.
Check availability →
Hike above Masca through the laurel forest
Hotel transfer from south Tenerife, a walking guide, a picnic and poles are included. It walks above Masca, not through the gorge. Water is extra.
Check availability →
Teide, Masca and Los Gigantes cliffs in one day
Stops in Teide National Park, in Masca and at the Los Gigantes cliffs, with drinks, snacks and an optional swim in a natural pool. A cable car ticket is not listed, and there is no gorge hike.
Check availability →Masca tours and day trips
Guided Masca visits, gorge descents with a boat and combined trips from the west coast, with live prices and availability.
Parking and buses
The municipality recommends the bus or a taxi over driving.
| Option | What the municipality says |
|---|---|
| Parking in the village | Up to 2 hours between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., with few spaces |
| Bus 355 | Buenavista, Masca and Santiago del Teide |
| Bus 365 | Buenavista and Masca |
| Taxi | Recommended alongside the bus |
From Santiago del Teide, bus 355 takes about 20 minutes to reach Masca. Check the current timetable before you go. A few spaces fill early, so a late start on a busy day can mean circling the village. Whether a bus or a taxi runs on your date, and what it costs, is something to check locally.
If you plan the gorge walk, leave your car at the cemetery in Santiago del Teide. The walk to the bus point takes about 10 minutes. Details are on the gorge page.
What you see in Masca
A village, its terraces and the mountains around it.
The village stretches along a narrow ridge, with houses on the slopes and terraced fields below. The village is protected as a historic site, and terrace farming is part of its character. Peaks and steep slopes frame the view in every direction.
Masca is a village to walk through, not a list of sights. Plan a short walk and a pause rather than a full day, unless you add the gorge or a boat.
Masca Bay and the sea
The gorge ends at the sea, and a boat takes walkers on to Los Gigantes. Do not expect a swim stop. The gorge operator lists a full public closure of the beach. See the boat trips guide.
The Teno range
The Masca Gorge lies inside the Teno Rural Park, part of the Natura 2000 network, a landscape of ravines, cliffs and woods. The Teno guide explains Punta de Teno, where the access road is closed to private cars at present.
A simple plan for a Masca visit
Three choices decide how the day goes.
Decide how you get there
By bus 355 from Santiago del Teide, by taxi, by tour or by car. If you drive, remember that village parking is limited to 2 hours between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. and that the road can be controlled during fire alerts.
Decide how much you want to walk
The village visit is a short walk and free. The gorge is a long, booked descent of about 4 hours that ends at the sea. Do not mix the two up on the day.
Decide what comes next
Many visitors continue to the coast at Los Gigantes. A boat trip from the marina shows the cliffs from the water, and the whale watching guide covers the resident dolphins and pilot whales.
Plan the rest of your day
Combine Masca with the coast.
Masca: frequently asked questions
Is Masca part of Santiago del Teide?
No. Masca belongs to the municipality of Buenavista del Norte. It is a day trip from Santiago del Teide, Los Gigantes and Puerto de Santiago.
Do I have to pay to visit Masca village?
No. A village visit is free and needs no reservation. The gorge hike to the sea is separate, with an online booking and a fee.
How long can I park in Masca?
The municipality sets a maximum of 2 hours between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., and there are few spaces. It recommends the bus or a taxi instead.
Which buses go to Masca?
Line 355 runs Buenavista, Masca and Santiago del Teide, and line 365 runs Buenavista and Masca. Check the current timetable before you travel.
Can the road to Masca be closed?
It can be controlled at times. In summer 2026 the Cabildo ran a temporary access control for forest fire risk from 30 July and lifted it from 9 August at 8 a.m. Fire alerts can bring new measures, so check notices before you drive.