Self-Launched Walking Tenerife & La Gomera

Fly into Tenerife North Airport (TFN) — the closer airport to Puerto de la Cruz. Take the public bus (TITSA line 343/102, ~£2.50) directly into Puerto de la Cruz. Check into your guesthouse or budget hotel in the old town, then explore the volcanic-sand Playa Jardín beach, the colonial Plaza de la Iglesia and the famous Lago Martianez lido. Head out for a welcome dinner at a local tapas bar — try papas arrugadas with mojo sauce and fresh fish. The town is compact and very walkable.

🚌TITSA public bus from Tenerife North Airport (TFN) to Puerto de la Cruz, Line 343 — ~£2.50pp

🛏Hotel Rural Régulo or Pension Mónaco, Puerto de la Cruz (budget ~£45/night twin share)

• →Arrive at Tenerife North Airport (TFN) and take TITSA public bus to Puerto de la Cruz (~£2.50)
• →Check into Hotel Rural Régulo, Pension Mónaco or similar budget hotel in the old town (from ~£45/night)
• →Walk the volcanic Playa Jardín beach and colonial old town
• →Dinner at a local guachinche (traditional Canarian tavern) — budget ~£12-15pp

The Rambla de Castro trail (9 km / 5.6 miles) starts directly from Puerto de la Cruz — no transfer needed. Head west along the coast toward El Burgado viewpoint, where you'll see Los Roques beach and the dramatic mortalón rock formation. Continue through Hacienda de Castro to the San Pedro viewpoint, passing the ruins of Tenerife's first steam-powered water pumping station, the 18th-century San Fernando fort, La Casona and the 16th-century San Pedro chapel. The trail is well-marked and follows a mix of cobbled paths, dirt tracks and traditional footpaths. Return to Puerto de la Cruz by local bus (TITSA, ~£1.50) or taxi (~£8). Spend the afternoon at leisure.

🚌Walk from hotel; return by TITSA bus (~£1.50) or local taxi (~£8)

🛏Hotel Rural Régulo or Pension Mónaco, Puerto de la Cruz

• →Self-guided hike: Rambla de Castro coastal trail, 9 km, ~3-4 hours
• →Visit El Burgado viewpoint and Los Roques beach
• →Explore Hacienda de Castro, San Fernando fort and 16th-century San Pedro chapel
• →Return by TITSA public bus or taxi to Puerto de la Cruz

Take the TITSA public bus (Line 348 or 342, ~£5-7 each way) up to Teide National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk the self-guided trail to the iconic Roque Cinchado (Finger of God) rock formation, then stroll across the vast Llano de Ucanca plain to the Ucanca viewpoint with sweeping views of Mount Teide (Spain's highest peak at 3,715m). Take a second bus further into the park to the foot of Sámara volcano and walk the Sámara loop trail through Canary Island pine forest, keeping an eye out for kestrels and Tenerife lizards. On your way back, stop in Garachico — the most beautiful town on Tenerife — with its 16th-century convent, natural volcanic lava pools (free to swim) and charming old quarter. Return to Puerto de la Cruz by bus.

🚌TITSA public bus Puerto de la Cruz–Teide National Park–Garachico–Puerto de la Cruz (~£12-15 total)

🛏Hotel Rural Régulo or Pension Mónaco, Puerto de la Cruz

• →TITSA public bus to Teide National Park (~£5-7 each way)
• →Self-guided walk to Roque Cinchado and Llano de Ucanca viewpoint
• →Sámara volcano loop trail through Canary Island pine forest (~9 km total)
• →Afternoon stop in historic Garachico — explore old quarter and swim in natural lava pools (free)
• →Return by TITSA bus to Puerto de la Cruz

Enjoy a relaxed morning — visit the Lago Martianez lido, browse the local market or have a long coffee in the old town. In the early afternoon, take the TITSA bus (Line 111/343, ~£5) south to Los Cristianos ferry port (journey ~1h 30min). Book your ferry ticket in advance with Fred Olsen Express or Naviera Armas — the crossing to San Sebastián de la Gomera takes around 50 minutes and costs ~£20-25 each way. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins in the strait. Check into your hotel in San Sebastián (La Villa) and explore the historic town — don't miss the Torre del Conde, the Columbus memorial chapel and the waterfront promenade.

🚌TITSA bus Puerto de la Cruz to Los Cristianos (~£5); Fred Olsen/Naviera Armas ferry to La Gomera (~£22pp)

🛏Hotel Villa Gomera or Pension Colón, San Sebastián de la Gomera (~£45-55/night twin share)

• →Free morning in Puerto de la Cruz
• →TITSA public bus to Los Cristianos ferry port (~£5, 1h 30min)
• →Book ferry in advance: Fred Olsen Express or Naviera Armas, Los Cristianos–San Sebastián de la Gomera (~£20-25pp, 50 min) — watch for dolphins
• →Check into Hotel Villa Gomera or similar in San Sebastián
• →Evening walk: Torre del Conde, Columbus memorial chapel and waterfront

Take the public bus (Guaguas de La Gomera, Line 1 or 3, ~£3) to Mirador de Agando in the south of the island. Begin the Barranco de Santiago trail with a steep descent through pine forest towards the abandoned hamlet of Benchijigua — once an important centre for tomato farming and palm honey production. The trail eases as you follow the dry riverbed through Lo del Gato and Pastrana, eventually arriving at the coastal town of Playa de Santiago. Relax on the black-sand beach and take a swim before catching the public bus back to San Sebastián (~£3, 45 min). The trail is 12 km / 7.5 miles and well-marked with GR signage.

🚌Public bus (Guaguas de La Gomera) to trailhead and return (~£6 total)

🛏Hotel Villa Gomera or Pension Colón, San Sebastián de la Gomera

• →Public bus (Guaguas de La Gomera) to Mirador de Agando (~£3)
• →Self-guided hike: Barranco de Santiago trail to Playa de Santiago, 12 km, ~4 hours
• →Visit the abandoned hamlet of Benchijigua
• →Swim and relax at Playa de Santiago beach
• →Public bus back to San Sebastián (~£3, 45 min)

Take the public bus to El Contadero (~£3) and hike up to Alto de Garajonay — the highest point on La Gomera at 1,487m (4,879ft). On a clear day, you can see Tenerife, El Hierro, La Palma and Gran Canaria from the 360-degree summit viewpoint. Descend into Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site — a primeval laurel forest (laurisilva) dating back 20 million years, draped in mist and moss. Follow the trail down to the hamlet of El Cedro, then walk 3 km uphill to Reventón Oscuro before catching the bus back to San Sebastián (~£3). The full day covers 13 km / 8.1 miles on well-marked trails.

🚌Public bus (Guaguas de La Gomera) to El Contadero and return from Reventón Oscuro (~£6 total)

🛏Hotel Villa Gomera or Pension Colón, San Sebastián de la Gomera

• →Public bus to El Contadero (~£3)
• →Self-guided hike: El Contadero to Alto de Garajonay summit (1,487m), 360° views
• →Descend through UNESCO-listed laurel forest (laurisilva) to El Cedro hamlet
• →Walk 3 km uphill to Reventón Oscuro
• →Public bus back to San Sebastián (~£3)

Take the public bus north to the Chorros de Epina (1 hour, ~£4) — the legendary seven wooden-pipe spring water fountain on the edge of Garajonay National Park. Local legend says those who drink the waters will find luck in love. From here, follow the GR132 long-distance footpath with beautiful ocean views along the ridge, passing the Ermita de Santa Clara viewpoint and picnic area. Continue downhill for 4.5 km through bush forest into the valley, arriving at the picturesque village of Vallehermoso at the foot of the striking Roque Cano volcanic plug. Browse the local cafés and restaurants for lunch before the public bus back to San Sebastián (~£4, 1 hour). Distance: 11 km / 6.8 miles.

🚌Public bus (Guaguas de La Gomera) to Chorros de Epina and return from Vallehermoso (~£8 total)

🛏Hotel Villa Gomera or Pension Colón, San Sebastián de la Gomera

• →Public bus north to Chorros de Epina (~£4, 1 hour)
• →Self-guided GR132 trail hike: Chorros de Epina → Ermita de Santa Clara viewpoint → Vallehermoso, 11 km
• →Drink from the seven-pipe spring fountain (legendary luck in love!)
• →Lunch in Vallehermoso village with views of Roque Cano
• →Public bus back to San Sebastián (~£4)

After breakfast, check out and walk down to the ferry port in San Sebastián. Take the Fred Olsen Express or Naviera Armas ferry back to Los Cristianos, Tenerife (~£22pp, 50 min). From Los Cristianos, take the TITSA public bus (Line 111, ~£2.50) or a taxi (~£10-12) to Tenerife South Airport (TFS) — a 15-20 minute journey. If your flight departs before 7pm, allow extra time and consider a taxi (~£10-12) directly from the ferry port. Note: book return flights from Tenerife South (TFS) rather than North for convenience. If time allows before your flight, Los Cristianos has plenty of cafés and a pleasant beach for a final Canarian coffee.

🚌Ferry San Sebastián–Los Cristianos (~£22pp); TITSA bus or taxi to Tenerife South Airport (~£3-12)

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Breakfast and check out from hotel in San Sebastián
• →Fred Olsen/Naviera Armas ferry: San Sebastián → Los Cristianos (~£22pp, 50 min)
• →TITSA public bus or taxi from Los Cristianos to Tenerife South Airport (~£2.50 bus / £10-12 taxi)
• →Optional: coffee and final swim at Los Cristianos beach before departure