If you only know Tenerife for its beaches and resort towns, then you have not truly discovered Anaga. In the far north of the island you will find a completely different world that is green, wild, and wonderfully peaceful. Narrow roads curve through misty forests, past steep cliffs and small villages that seem to cling to the mountainsides as if they have always belonged there.
The Anaga Rural Park is one of the oldest parts of Tenerife and still feels untouched in many places. While driving through the area, you move from clouds and drifting fog into bright sunshine and wide open sea views. Every bend in the road reveals a new lookout point that is even more impressive than the last. Hikers, nature lovers, and road-trip fans all find exactly what they hope for here. There are mountains to explore, forests filled with atmosphere, and endless green views that make you pause and take it all in. This is the Tenerife where the landscape steals the spotlight.
In this blog we guide you through the most beautiful places in Anaga, including helpful tips on viewpoints, walking trails, and stops worth making along the way. With this guide you can enjoy your day in this lush and extraordinary corner of Tenerife to the fullest.
Why Anaga is Worth a Visit
Anaga is one of those places on Tenerife that you truly should not miss. The region brings together wild nature, dramatic viewpoints, and small mountain villages that feel wonderfully authentic. Anyone who drives or hikes through this area discovers a side of the island that feels more genuine and more connected to local life.
The nature in Anaga is remarkable. In its humid microclimate you will find ancient laurel forests that no longer exist anywhere else in Europe. Moss covers the trunks and branches, the air feels cool and fresh, and gentle sunlight slips through the leaves above you. At times you walk through a mysterious mist or stand inside the clouds themselves, and moments later the sky opens up again. It feels as if you have stepped onto a completely different island, far away from the beaches and the busy towns in the south.
The mountain landscape is another reason Anaga is so unforgettable. The steep peaks rise straight up from the ocean, cut by deep ravines and connected by narrow mountain roads that wind through dense green slopes. As you travel through the area, one viewpoint after another appears before you, sometimes with the sea visible on both sides of the ridge and other times hidden by thick drifting clouds.
What also makes Anaga special are the small villages scattered across the mountains. In places such as Taganana and Almáciga you get to see a completely different version of Tenerife than the one most visitors know. White houses, narrow winding streets, and modest family-run restaurants create a calm and welcoming atmosphere. Here you can enjoy fresh seafood, local wine, and a taste of the real island without beach bars or tourist crowds.
Anaga is far more than a nature reserve. It is a place where you experience Tenerife in its most natural and authentic form, surrounded by mountains, greenery, and landscapes that feel pure and untouched.
How to Get to Anaga Park
Anaga is located in the northeast of Tenerife and is easiest to reach with a rental car. Santa Cruz de Tenerife and La Laguna are both ideal starting points, and from either city you can reach the mountains in around half an hour. From Santa Cruz you follow the TF-11 toward San Andrés and then continue on the TF-12, which winds deeper into the mountain landscape. From La Laguna you take the same TF-12, only from the opposite direction. The road is narrow, sometimes steep, and full of hairpin bends, yet it is well maintained and clearly signposted.
A rental car is almost essential, not only for visiting Anaga but for exploring Tenerife as a whole. Many of the island’s most beautiful places are spread out and not easy to reach by public transport. Buses run at irregular times, do not stop in every area, and often operate only a few times a day. With your own car you can decide where to pause, enjoy every viewpoint, and adjust your route to the weather or to your schedule. It helps you make the most of your time in Anaga and lets you explore the island at your own rhythm.
If you plan to rent a car, Tenerife offers a wide range of options. Sunny Cars is ideal for travellers who want everything taken care of with as little stress as possible. Their all-in formula includes insurance, damage coverage, and local fees, all already counted in the total price. This avoids unexpected costs and ensures quick support if something happens. Discover Car Hire is another great choice and a personal favourite. The site compares different rental companies so you can pick the one that suits you best, often at a very good price, although it is important to check what is included in each offer.
Travellers who prefer everything arranged clearly and easily will feel most comfortable with Sunny Cars. Those who focus mainly on finding the lowest price will likely prefer Discover Cars.
Practical Map of Anaga
Best Things to Do in Anaga Rural Park
#1 Road Trip Through the Anaga Rural Park
The drive through the Anaga Mountains in the north of Tenerife is one of the most memorable routes on the island. The winding TF-12 leads you through misty forests and past deep valleys, with the scenery shifting every few minutes. On one side you can see the Atlantic Ocean stretching into the distance, while on the other side steep green slopes rise sharply, covered with ferns and ancient laurel trees. Along the way you pass scenic lookouts, quiet mountain villages, and sections of road where low clouds drift over the treetops.
The road surface is smooth and well maintained, although it can be quite narrow in several places. It calls for a bit of focus, especially when you need to pass a bus on one of the tighter bends. In the early morning the route feels especially magical, as sunlight breaks through the mist and lights up the forest. This is not a drive to hurry through. It is one to take slowly, with plenty of stops for photos and moments to enjoy the ever-changing landscape of Anaga.
#2 Mirador de Jardina
Mirador de Jardina is a wonderful place to start your visit to Anaga. From this viewpoint you can look across the wide valley of La Laguna, where white houses and green fields spread out toward the base of the mountains. On clear days Mount Teide rises in the distance, often surrounded by a soft ring of clouds that makes the view even more impressive.
The viewpoint is located along the TF-12 just outside La Laguna and is very easy to reach by car. There is a small parking area, and two of the spaces are usually taken by locals who sell souvenirs and homemade treats to passing visitors. Many travellers stop here to get their first look at the mountain landscape, and it is easy to see why. The view gives you an immediate sense of what lies ahead as you head deeper into Anaga.
#3 Sendero de los Sentidos
Sendero de los Sentidos sits right in the heart of Anaga’s cloud forest and offers a short, well kept trail that is ideal for getting a first taste of the park and its unique woodland.
The route begins at the Cruz del Carmen visitor centre and is divided into three sections, each with its own length and level of difficulty. You follow wooden walkways and gentle stairways through a landscape filled with ferns, soft moss, and ancient laurel trees. The trail leads down to a beautiful viewpoint before looping back up to the starting point along a different path. After rainfall you often find a mist drifting through the trees, which gives the forest a calm and almost magical atmosphere.
The walk is not long and is suitable for nearly everyone. We even completed the trail with children aged 2 and 4.
#4 Mirador Cruz del Carmen
Cruz del Carmen stands at more than 900 metres above sea level and is the main starting point for exploring the Anaga Mountains. From the viewpoint you can look out across the city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna and, on clear days, even see the summit of Mount Teide rising in the distance.
Centuries ago the old trading paths between the villages of Anaga and La Laguna met at this very spot, which made it an important crossroads in local life. Today there is a visitor centre with information about walking trails and the surrounding flora, along with a restaurant and a spacious parking area. We did not find the visitor centre particularly exciting, although it is helpful if you want to take a close look at the trail map. The area can become quite crowded, especially in the afternoon, and parking can be a bit difficult during busy hours.
Tip: next to the visitor centre you will find an eye catching piece of art on the wall, the Escarabajo Gigante. This large, colourful beetle was created by the Portuguese artist Bordalo II and is made completely from recycled materials such as car parts, road signs, and old metal containers.
#5 Túnel de las Hadas
Túnel de las Hadas feels as if you are stepping into a different world. It is easily one of the most magical sights on Tenerife. A wide road cuts straight through the mountain, bordered by tall walls covered in moss, ferns, and twisting tree roots. Gentle, filtered light shines through the branches that form a canopy above, turning the whole place into a quiet and almost mysterious passage. When a touch of mist drifts through, the scene becomes even more dreamlike and looks as if it belongs in a fairy tale.
The tunnel is located close to Mirador Pico del Inglés along the mountain road. You can pull over for a moment and take a short walk through it, although during our visit it was quite busy and cars were lined up along the roadside. If that happens you can also park at the mirador and walk back from there. It is only a quick stop, but it is exactly the kind of spot that makes a road trip through Anaga truly unforgettable.
#6 Mirador Pico del Inglés
Mirador Pico del Inglés is, in our view, one of the most striking viewpoints in the Anaga Rural Park. Instead of looking down on towns or small villages, you are met with rugged peaks and sweeping green scenery. From this spot you can see how the Anaga mountain range stretches across the island like a long green spine, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the city of La Laguna on the other. On clear days Mount Teide even appears in the distance, rising above the cloud layer.
The road leading to the viewpoint curves away from the main route, moving through the forest and past Túnel de las Hadas before reaching a small parking area. From there it is less than a minute’s walk to the viewing platform. Clouds often move through the area, just as they did during our first visit, sometimes covering the entire landscape and then, moments later, revealing the view all over again.
#7 The Black Sand Beaches Playa de Benijo and Playa Almáciga
Playa de Benijo and Playa Almáciga are two of the most striking beaches in Tenerife. They sit hidden along the northern coast of Anaga, where steep mountains fall straight into the sea. The black volcanic sand creates a beautiful contrast with the white waves and the deep green cliffs in the background. Surfers head out to face the strong swell, while photographers wait patiently for the warm golden light at sunset.
The ocean in this area can be fierce, so swimming is not always safe. During our visit the red flag was raised when the tide came in and the waves grew stronger. It is important to pay attention to these warnings, as the waters around Tenerife sadly see too many serious accidents each year. From the road above the shoreline you can enjoy a wide view of the beach, and this is also where you will find most of the parking spaces.
#8 Roque de las Bodegas
Roque de las Bodegas sits on the northern coast of Anaga, close to the black sand beaches mentioned earlier, and is easy to recognise thanks to the large rock that rises out of the sea right beside the shore. At low tide you can walk all the way around it using a marked path, which gives you a real feeling for how powerful the ocean is here. At high tide the path becomes unsafe and is closed with a gate. The black lava sand, the crashing waves, and the green slopes behind the beach make this a striking place to stop for a while.
The road down to the coast winds steeply from the top of the Anaga Mountains, and once you reach the bottom the sound of the ocean is the only thing you hear. A few simple restaurants sit along the shoreline, serving fresh fish with a clear view of the rock. Parking is limited, so it is worth arriving early if you can.
Be sure to check the tide times if you hope to walk around the rock. The path is also closed when the sea is rough. If the gate is shut, as it was during our own visit, it really is not safe to continue. Sadly, just one day after we were there, a fatal accident took place at this location and at several others along the coast.
#9 Miradors Along the Route
All along the mountain roads of Anaga you will find viewpoints that make you want to stop for a moment. Many of them are nothing more than a small parking area with a low wall, yet each one gives you a completely different scene. Sometimes you look out over a thick laurel forest, other times over a valley dotted with small white houses, or straight toward the ocean pounding against the cliffs.
Well known viewpoints include Mirador Cruz del Carmen, Mirador Risco Amogoje, and Mirador Cabezo del Tejo, although it truly does not matter where you choose to pause. The clouds move fast and keep changing the colours and the mood of the landscape. Take your time to step out of the car now and then, take a photo, or simply enjoy the view. These miradors make the drive through Anaga not only beautiful but also varied and full of small surprises around every corner.
#10 Playa de las Teresitas
After a day filled with winding roads, forests, and sweeping views, Playa de las Teresitas is the perfect place to end your journey through Anaga. This wide sandy beach sits just north of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and is less than half an hour from the mountains.
Unlike the wild shores of Benijo and Almáciga, Las Teresitas is calm and sheltered, shaped like a soft half-moon at the edge of a mountain bay. The golden sand was originally brought over from the Sahara and stands out beautifully against the blue sea and the green hills behind it. Along the promenade you will find palm trees and small beach bars where you can stop for a drink or a simple lunch. The water here is surprisingly gentle thanks to the breakwaters, which makes it one of the best places for swimming. Even during our visit, when many coastal spots were closed because of stormy weather, a green flag was still flying here and the sea remained perfectly safe.
After the twisting mountain roads of Anaga, Playa de las Teresitas feels like a relaxing way to end the day, with sun, clear water, and a hint of tropical charm.
