PUNTA DE TENO, TENERIFE: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING!
If you’re visiting Tenerife and you love nature and gorgeous scenic views, you must include Punta de Teno in your itinerary.
Punta de Teno was just another attraction on our itinerary—one we didn’t expect much from. But it completely exceeded our expectations! Keep reading to discover more about this incredible Tenerife gem.
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WHERE IS PUNTA DE TENO?
You’ll find Punta de Teno on the island of Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands. It is the westernmost point of the island, close to the village of Buenavista del Norte.
Punta de Teno is part of the Teno Rural Park, a gorgeous natural reserve. It’s a perfect destination for nature lovers, hikers, and anyone who loves a breathtaking scenic view.
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IS PUNTA DE TENO WORTH VISITING?
Even before actually visiting, I could have told you it is, just from the photos. After visiting, I cannot recommend it enough. Punta de Teno is absolutely worth visiting! There isn’t much to do if you’re not hiking, but it offers stunning views of the Los Gigantes cliffs which in itself is enough to require a visit.
On top of that, there’s a charming lighthouse, and you get to enjoy pristine nature and incredible sunsets. It’s peaceful, and perhaps the least crowded attraction on the island. It definitely deserves a few hours of your itinerary.
HOW TO REACH PUNTA DE TENO?
Here are the best options to reach this stunning attraction –
BY CAR
If you have a car, you can easily get to Punta de Teno, or at least to Buenavista del Norte. There are two options for you if you’re coming with a car.
The first thing you need to know is that the final stretch of the road (TF-445) is restricted during certain hours of the day to protect the area. During winter that’s from 10 am until 7 pm. During summer, that’s from 9 am until 8 pm. That means that if you want to directly reach Punta de Teno by car, you’ll have to arrive before 9 or 10 am, depending on the season.
The second option is for you if you’re arriving after 9 or 10 am. In that case, you need to drive to Buenavista del Norte, village closest to Punta de Teno. Leave your car in town, and catch the bus to Punta de Teno.
BY BUS
If you don’t have a car, or you don’t want to go to Punta de Teno early in the morning, there’s a bus (line 369) that runs from Buenavista del Norte to Punta de Teno during restricted hours. You can catch the bus from the main bus station in Buenavista, or on 2 other bus stations in the town on the way to Punta de Teno.
The bus ticket costs 1 euro per way, and you can even pay by card in the bus. You’ll spend around 25-30 minutes on the bus, but the ride is exhilarating with incredible views, and it will pass super quickly.
BY BIKE OR FOOT
If you’re an active cyclist or hiker, you can hike or cycle along the TF-445 road. You’re free to do so even during restricted times, so you can arrive whenever you want. However, I would only recommend this to those really experienced. The road is quite challenging, with loads uphill and downhill hiking or cycling.
PUNTA DE TENO PARKING
If you’re going early in the morning and driving directly to Punta de Teno, you’ll find limited parking available. There is a small parking lot near the lighthouse, with a few parking spaces designated for early-bird visitors. Keep in mind that locals often go fishing there, so they take up a few of those parking spaces.
If you’re going later, you’ll need to park in Buenavista del Norte. There are plenty of free parking spaces throughout the village, and you’ll surely find a spot. After parking your car, find your way to the closest bus station from where the bus will take you to Punta de Teno.
PUNTA DE TENO THINGS TO DO
While Punta de Teno is not an attraction with a million things to do, the ones that are there are absolutely worth exploring. These are the best things to do at Punta de Teno!
MARVEL AT LOS GIGANTES
Punta de Teno is known for its rugged coastline, which means that you get quite a few incredible viewpoints with some of the best views of Tenerife’s most famous cliffs – Los Gigantes. The cliffs look even more magical if you’re there during sunset. However, seeing them at literally any time of day will leave you speechless anyway.
RELAX AT TENO BEACH
While there aren’t many opportunities for a swim at Punta de Teno, there’s a small beach called Playa de Teno fairly close to the famous lighthouse. The water is crystal-clear, the beach is made out of black sand, and you have the incredible Los Gigantes as your backdrop. I’m not sure you could find a more breathtaking setting than this!
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If you decide to go for a swim, make sure you bring everything you need. There are no facilities at Punta de Teno, not even toilets.
TAKE IN THE PUNTA DE TENO LIGHTHOUSE
The most famous attraction of Punta de Teno is the lighthouse. There are actually two of them, one older, built in 1897, and a newer lighthouse added in 1978. The original lighthouse features classic Canarian stonework, while the newer one is a tall, cylindrical tower with red and white stripes. The lighthouse is still operational, guiding ships navigating the western coast of Tenerife.
You can’t walk right up to the lighthouse because it’s closed off. However, you can see it from many different points of view, and my favorite was from the top of a cliff right next to the lighthouse. From the same spot you also get incredible views of Los Gigantes, and the cliffs are absolutely mesmerizing.
EXPLORE YOUR SURROUNDINGS
While you are there mainly to see the lighthouse and the stunning cliffs, Punta de Teno is situated in the Teno Rural Park, which means all of your surroundings are spectacular. There’s a wooden walkway which will take you closer to the ocean, and in between some magnificent rocks.
On the other hand, if you want to skip the man-made walkway, there are several different paths to take where you can enjoy gorgeous scenic views of nature, the ocean, and various unique-looking plants. Taking a walk through this rural park is something you definitely won’t forget.
EXPLORE BUENAVISTA DEL NORTE
While your main priority is Punta de Teno, make sure you at least stop for an hour at Buenavista del Norte. This lovely village has got its own charm and it’s absolutely worthy of a visit. Walk through the village, visit its main square and the church, and try and blend in with the locals.
