Before you choose
What you need to know about this experience
A tailor-made private tour of Tenerife is a sightseeing day with a vehicle and driver-guide for your group only, with the route decided around your interests, your pace and where you are staying. It can focus on Teide, the historic north, Anaga or food and drink, or combine several areas.
The key is to plan a realistic route. Tenerife looks small on the map, but its mountain roads make driving times longer. This page helps you choose what to combine and what to ask for.
At a glance
| Aspect | What to expect |
|---|---|
| What it is | Private sightseeing day with a vehicle and driver-guide |
| Duration | Half day (about 4–6 hours) or full day (about 8 hours). Depends on the provider |
| Pick-up | At your accommodation or the cruise port |
| Vehicle | Car or van with up to 8 seats; minibus for large groups |
| Route | Agreed in advance; many offers allow changes along the way |
| Not usually included | Meals, tickets, the cable car or permits |
| Accessibility | Few offers have an adapted vehicle. Ask |
| Price | Per group. Depends on the provider, the duration and the vehicle |
How to build a realistic itinerary
Three factors decide what fits into a day:
- Where you are staying. From the south, going to the north or to Anaga means a lot of time on the road; from the north, Teide is closer.
- The mountain roads. The roads up to Teide, the Masca road and the Anaga roads have many bends. Distance in kilometres does not reflect the real time.
- How often you want to stop. A day with four or five well-used stops is usually better than eight rushed ones.
Combinations that usually work in a day
| Combination | Who it suits | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Teide + towns of the north (La Orotava, Puerto de la Cruz, Icod) | First visit | Volcanic scenery and heritage in the same day |
| Teide + Masca | Landscape lovers | Many bends; consider whether anyone gets carsick |
| Anaga + La Laguna | Nature and a World Heritage city | Best from the north or the metropolitan area |
| Historic north + winery | Culture and wine | Avoid driving after the tasting |
| Relaxed south + mid-altitude villages (Vilaflor, Arona, the coast) | Those staying in the south who want little time in the car | Fewer kilometres |
| Cruise stopover | Arrivals at the port of Santa Cruz | See the page for cruise passengers |
If you are only interested in Teide, see the private Teide tour.
What is usually included
- Vehicle and fuel.
- Driver-guide who explains history, landscape and culture.
- Pick-up and return at the same point or wherever you agree along the route.
- Flexibility to adjust stops and timings.
Usually not included: meals, drinks, museum tickets, the cable car, permits and tastings.
Who it suits
- Families with children or older people who need their own pace.
- Groups of friends who can share the cost.
- Travellers with specific interests: history, wine, photography, geology.
- People who do not want to drive on mountain roads.
- Cruise passengers with limited time.
Who it may not suit, and what to weigh up
- One or two people on a tight budget: a shared excursion costs less per person.
- Anyone who wants to walk a lot: a vehicle tour only includes short walks; for hiking routes, look for guided hiking.
- Wheelchair users: check that the vehicle is adapted and that each stop is accessible.
- Anyone prone to motion sickness: avoid putting several mountain roads into the same day.
How to choose the right provider
- Is the driver also a licensed tourist guide? In the Canary Islands, working as a tourist guide requires authorisation from the Gobierno de Canarias. A transfer without commentary does not require it, but then it is not a guided tour.
- Is the vehicle licensed to carry passengers? In the Canary Islands, carrying people for payment requires an operating licence under the regional road transport law. Ask which licence they operate under.
- How many seats does the vehicle have, and what type is it?
- Does the duration start from pick-up?
- Is the price per group, and does it include taxes?
- Is there a supplement for pick-up outside the base area?
- Which language does the guide speak?
- What is the cancellation policy? In the private offers reviewed, notice periods ranged from 48 to 96 hours.
What is usually included and what to check
| Item | Usual practice | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle and fuel | Included | Seats and air conditioning |
| Driver-guide | Included | Licence and language |
| Pick-up | Included within a base area | Supplements |
| Route | Agreed in advance | Whether it can be adjusted on the day |
| Meals | Not included | Whether the guide recommends where to stop |
| Tickets and cable car | Not included | Whether the provider arranges them |
| Child seats | In some offers | Request them in advance |
Safety and requirements
- Children: check that the vehicle has a restraint system suited to their age and weight.
- Altitudee: if the route includes Teide, you go above 2,000 metres.
- Alcohol: if there is a wine tasting, the driver must not drink; confirm this.
- Natural areas: some areas may have regulated access or temporary closures, such as Masca during periods of wildfire risk. The provider should adapt the route.
Weather and time of year
- The north can have cloud or rain while the south is clear, and the other way round.
- It can be cold on Teide and, in winter, it can snow.
- In summer, restrictions may be activated in natural areas because of wildfire risk.
A good guide adapts the order of the route to the weather on the day. Ask whether they do.
Price: what it depends on
We do not give a reference figure: the private offers reviewed are not comparable because duration, vehicle size, pick-up area and sales channel all vary.
The price of a private tour depends on:
- Duration: half day or full day.
- The vehicle and the number of people.
- The pick-up area and the length of the route.
- The guide’s language.
- Extras: tickets, tastings, meals.
What to bring
- Layers of clothing: you can go from the beach to over 2,000 metres in the same day.
- Comfortable shoes.
- Sun protection.
- Water.
- ID if there are tickets with special rates.
Alternatives and how to compare them
| If you are looking for… | Best option |
|---|---|
| Teide only, privately | Private Teide tour |
| Several areas on a shared excursion | Full-day Tenerife tour |
| Making the most of a cruise stopover | Private excursion for cruise passengers |
| Anaga and La Laguna | Anaga and La Laguna excursion |
| Masca and the north-west | Masca, Teno and Garachico excursion |
Frequently asked questions
What can you see in a day in Tenerife?
Usually two well-combined areas, for example Teide and the historic north, or Anaga and La Laguna. Trying to see the whole island in a day means many hours on the road.
How long does a private tour last?
Between about 4–6 hours for a half day and about 8 hours for a full day, depending on the provider.
Is the price per person or per group?
On private tours, usually per group, with price bands according to the size of the vehicle.
Can I change the route on the day?
Many providers allow this within the booked duration. Confirm beforehand.
Is the driver a guide?
Not always. Ask whether they are licensed as a tourist guide in the Canary Islands.
Is lunch included?
Usually not. The guide can stop wherever you prefer and recommend places.
Are there wheelchair-accessible vehicles?
Few. Ask specifically and check the accessibility of each stop.
Do they pick up at the cruise port?
Yes, several providers do. See the dedicated page for cruise passengers, because of the time margin for getting back.
