Twelve ideas for the west coast
The list starts on the coast, moves inland to the villages and ends with the day trips to Masca, Punta de Teno and Mount Teide. It is an editorial selection, not an official ranking. Not everything is open or reachable at the same time, so each entry says what to check.
Masca, the Masca Gorge and Punta de Teno belong to Buenavista del Norte, and the Teide summit belongs to La Orotava. They are listed here as trips from Santiago del Teide.
On the coast
Cliffs, harbor and black sand, all within a few kilometers.
1. Look up at the Los Gigantes cliffs
The Acantilados de los Gigantes belong to the Teno Rural Park and rise up to 600 m above the sea in places. The seabed at their foot is about 30 m deep. Archipenque is named by the Tenerife tourism board as a viewpoint over the cliffs.
Los Gigantes →2. Walk around the harbor of Los Gigantes
The marina is the departure point for the whale watching and sightseeing boats. In the evening the cliffs catch the late light. Parking prices at the harbor are not confirmed, so plan to arrive on foot or by bus.
Boat trips →3. Swim or sit at Playa de los Guíos
Black sand beneath the cliffs, next to the marina. People also call it Los Gigantes Beach, but it is the same beach. A rockfall closure was recorded in autumn 2023, so follow signs and flags and do not sit right at the foot of the rock face.
Beaches →4. Spend an afternoon at Playa de la Arena
An urban beach of black sand, about 140 by 40 m, with toilets, showers, a lifeguard post and sunbed rental. La Arena and Los Guíos were confirmed with the Q de Calidad quality mark in July 2025.
Playa de la Arena →5. Stroll the seafront of Puerto de Santiago
A fishing harbor, a promenade and a small black sand beach of 50 by 20 m, with showers and places to eat and drink. TITSA line 477 runs through the town and on to Los Gigantes.
Puerto de Santiago →Our picks: things to do
On the water, in the mountains above Masca and on a kayak.
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.
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 →
Kayak, snorkel and boat tour to Masca Bay
A support boat with a skipper, kayak, paddle, life jacket, mask, one drink, a briefing, shower, towel and a locker are included, plus insurance.
Check availability →
Los Gigantes cliffs cruise with whale and dolphin search
A two-hour boat trip along the cliffs with a swim stop and one drink. Whale and dolphin sightings depend on the weather.
Check availability →Tours and boat trips from Los Gigantes
Whale watching, boat trips and day tours to Masca and Mount Teide, with live prices and availability.
Villages and short walks
Quiet options away from the shore.
6. Visit the pottery museum in Arguayo
The Centro Alfarero y Museo Etnográfico Cha Domitila is built in traditional Canarian style and shows traditional pottery and historic vessels. The address is Carretera General de Arguayo 35. Check the current opening hours and entry fee before you go.
7. Walk the Chinyero circular route
Chinyero is the volcano of the last historic eruption on Tenerife, in November 1909. The municipal tourism site describes a circular route of 6.44 km, about 2 hours 30 minutes, easy, starting at kilometer 15 of the TF-38. Climbing the cone is forbidden. The trails around Chinyero are subject to dated hunting closures from 07:00 to 16:00, for example on 28 October 2026 and on set days from 4 to 18 November.
Chinyero →8. Walk the valley path through Tamaimo
The marked trail PR-TF 65 runs from Santiago del Teide through Tamaimo to Puerto de Santiago. It is 7.3 km one way, about 3 hours, of medium difficulty. The official trail page lists no individual permit. Check the trail condition on the day.
Hiking →Day trips
Outside the municipality, but easy to reach from Los Gigantes.
9. Visit the village of Masca
Terraces, old houses and a protected village on a ridge in the Teno mountains. A visit to the village is free and needs no reservation. Parking in the village is limited to 2 hours between 08:00 and 14:00, with few spaces, and the municipality recommends the bus or a taxi (lines 355 and 365).
Masca →10. Hike down the Masca Gorge
This needs an online reservation and a personal ticket with a date and start time. In 2026 the ticket costs €40.66 for adults without Canary residency and €20.33 for children. The route is about 5 km one way, roughly 4 hours downhill, and the difficulty is high. Children under 8 are not admitted. The compulsory bus to Masca and the boat to Los Gigantes are separate items.
Masca Gorge →11. See the Teno Rural Park and Punta de Teno
The road to the lighthouse is closed to private cars, pedestrians and cyclists because of works that began on 19 January 2026. Do not plan to drive there. Bus 369 from Buenavista costs €1 per person and direction. Check the current timetable before you go.
Teno Rural Park →12. Take a day to Mount Teide
From Los Gigantes the way goes via Chío on the TF-38 and then the TF-21. The cable car station is at kilometer 43 of the TF-21, about 52 km from Los Gigantes. A return ticket was listed from €43 in 2026, and the ride takes about 8 minutes. The walk from the top station to the summit needs a separate permit.
Mount Teide →Plan the rest of your trip
Pages that help with the details.
Things to do: frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do in Los Gigantes?
Most visitors start with the cliffs, the harbor and a boat trip or whale watching tour. Playa de los Guíos is the beach below the cliffs. This list is an editorial selection, not an official ranking.
Are Masca and Mount Teide part of Santiago del Teide?
No. Masca belongs to Buenavista del Norte and the Teide summit to La Orotava. Both are day trips from Los Gigantes.
What can I do without a car?
The coast is walkable between Puerto de Santiago and Los Gigantes, and TITSA line 477 connects the towns. Boat trips leave from the harbor of Los Gigantes. Masca has bus lines 355 and 365.
Which sights need a reservation?
The Masca Gorge needs an online reservation. The Teide summit trail needs a permit, booked through Tenerife ON. The cable car sells timed slots online. The village of Masca, the beaches and the promenades need no booking.
Is there a rainy-day option?
The pottery museum in Arguayo is a cultural alternative. Check its opening hours before you go. The almond blossom route is a seasonal option, roughly from late January to March, but the exact bloom varies.