- The park is free; the cable car and summit permit are the only things to book
- The summit trail needs a free permit booked weeks ahead
- Take layers, as it can be near freezing at the top even in summer
- Stay after dark for some of Europe's clearest night skies
- Type
- Nature
- Where
- Tenerife
- Time needed
- half a day to a full day
- Admission
- free to enter; cable car from about €40 return (2026), book ahead
Mount Teide is the highest point in Spain at 3,715m, and the national park around it is one of the most visited in Europe. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007, it feels a world away from the beaches of Tenerife: a vast volcanic caldera of ochre, black and red rock, often sitting above a sea of cloud.
What you'll see
The drive in is part of the experience. From the coast you climb through pine forest before the trees give way to the Las Cañadas caldera, a crater floor about 16km across. Highlights include:
- Roques de García, a cluster of twisted rock towers near the Parador, with an easy circular walk of about 3.5km.
- Llano de Ucanca, a flat plain that makes a dramatic foreground for Teide.
- Mirador de La Ruleta and other roadside viewpoints across old lava flows.
- Endemic plants such as the tall red tajinaste, which flowers in late spring.
The cable car and the summit
The Teleférico del Teide climbs to about 3,555m in roughly eight minutes. Expect to pay from about €40 return in 2026, and book online, as slots sell out and high winds can close it at short notice. Check current prices on the operator's website.
From the upper station, short paths lead to viewpoints over Pico Viejo and the other Canary Islands. To walk the final stretch to the summit crater (Telesforo Bravo trail) you need a free permit from the national park authority, and these are often booked up weeks in advance. Early-morning access is possible if you stay overnight at the Altavista refuge.
Practical information
- Getting there: about an hour by car from the south-coast resorts, or take TITSA bus 342 from Playa de las Américas (one return trip a day).
- Best time to go: spring and autumn for mild weather. Winter can bring snow and road closures; summer days are hot in the caldera.
- Altitude: take it slowly if you have heart or breathing problems, and the cable car is not advised for pregnant women or very young children.
Go early to beat the coach tours, or stay for sunset and a stargazing tour. The park is a protected dark-sky area.
More on the island's other sides is in our Spain guide.
Where is Teide National Park?
Open in OpenStreetMap · 28.27236, -16.64251
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a ticket to enter Teide National Park?
No. Entry and parking at the main viewpoints are free. You only pay for the cable car or a guided tour.
Can I walk to the top of Teide without a permit?
You can take the cable car and walk the viewpoint trails at the top, but the last path to the summit crater requires a free permit booked online in advance.
How cold is it at the top?
Often 10-15°C colder than the coast, with strong wind. Bring a warm layer, sunscreen and water, whatever the season.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
More from ThomasOpening times and ticket prices change often; check the official website shortly before you visit.