Discovery Volcán, a Discovery Tenerife campervan, with Mount Teide in the background

Local guide · updated October 2026

Tenerife campervan guide

The places we recommend to our guests, how long it takes from our base in San Miguel de Abona, how to get around in a campervan and where you can sleep legally. Don't have a vehicle yet? Check out our campervan hire in Tenerife and, if you're torn between vehicle types, campervan, caravan or motorhome.

See the 15 places Where to sleep? 3 · 5 · 7-day routes

✅ = checked against an official source (October 2026) · ⚠️ = to be confirmed or may change. Approximate drive times from the base without traffic (calculated with OpenStreetMap and rounded); allow extra in the camper on mountain roads. Rules and access change: always check the official links before setting off.

Before you go: important notices

🌋 Teide

Summit (trail PNT-10) only with a Tenerife ON permit. Without one you can be fined.

🔥 Masca

During wildfire alerts the TF-436 can be closed to rental cars and tourist traffic.

🗼 Teno

Closed to private vehicles since January 2026: take bus 369.

🏖️ Benijo

Beach and coastal trail closed due to rockfalls (check status).

Don't miss

15 places we recommend

01🌋

Teide National Park

Las Cañadas · centre of the island

🚐 45 km · ≈ 1 h
Why go
A unique volcanic landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe's best skies for stargazing. From our base you drive up via Vilaflor, the highest village in the Canaries.
Best time
Early morning (before 10:00) or late afternoon. It is much colder up there than on the coast: bring a warm layer all year. In winter there can be ice, snow and road closures.
With the camper
The TF-21 from Vilaflor is paved but winding with a long climb: go up in 2nd/3rd gear and use engine braking on the way down. Park only in marked car parks; viewpoints fill up by mid-morning.

✅ Reaching the summit (trail PNT-10 Telesforo Bravo, La Rambleta to the crater) requires a prior permit on Tenerife ON. Slots open on Mondays at 07:00 (Canary time) for the next 56 days; the permit does not include the cable-car ticket and may carry a fee depending on time slot and residence. ⚠️ The island government is preparing parking quotas and shuttle buses for non-residents; check whether they are in force before you go.

02🪨

Roques de García

Teide National Park

🚐 43 km · ≈ 1 h
Why go
The park's most photographed rock formations, with Teide behind. An easy circular trail loops around them (about 3.5 km, 1.5–2 h).
Best time
Sunrise and sunset: fewer people and the best light.
With the camper
Car park at the La Ruleta viewpoint, opposite the Parador. It fills early; if full, do not park on the verge.

⚠️ As of October 2026 the circular trail needs no booking; check with the park in case parking rules change.

03🏞️

Masca

Teno Rural Park

🚐 48 km · ≈ 1 h
Why go
A hamlet perched above a spectacular ravine, reached by one of the island's most beautiful (and demanding) roads.
Best time
Weekdays, early. Avoid midday and weekends.
With the camper
The TF-436 (from Santiago del Teide) is very narrow, with tight hairpins and buses. Our campers are small enough, but only for calm, confident drivers; otherwise park in Santiago del Teide and take the TITSA bus. Parking in Masca is very limited.

✅ Hiking down the ravine requires booking at caminobarrancodemasca.com (Wednesday to Saturday, ages 8+; €40.66 per non-resident adult) plus mandatory transport and the boat back, paid separately. ✅ During wildfire alerts the island government can close the TF-436 to rental vehicles and tourist traffic (activated in summer 2026). Check before you go.

💬 My tip for Masca: park in Santiago del Teide and take the guagua up

I'm telling you from experience: the road to Masca (TF-436) is beautiful, but very narrow and full of bends, and when you meet a guagua (that's what we call buses in the Canaries) or a large vehicle you have to squeeze right up to the edge of the ravine. In a campervan that can be pretty stressful. On top of that, there's very little parking in Masca (barely 30 spaces) and it fills up fast. That's why I usually recommend leaving the van in Santiago del Teide and going up to Masca on the TITSA guagua (line 355, about 15 minutes). From Wednesday to Saturday mornings it runs roughly every 20 minutes; on other days there are far fewer departures, so check the timetable at titsa.com before you go. You enjoy the scenery and forget about the bends.

04🌿

Anaga · Cruz del Carmen

Anaga Rural Park · north-east

🚐 80 km · ≈ 1 h 10
Why go
A Biosphere Reserve: laurel forest, misty trails and viewpoints over two coasts. The Sendero de los Sentidos at Cruz del Carmen is short and easy for everyone.
Best time
All year. Mornings tend to be clearer; bring a jacket, the forest is cool and damp.
With the camper
The TF-12 is a narrow, winding mountain road; there is parking at the Cruz del Carmen visitor centre. Drive slowly, visibility drops a lot in cloud.

✅ Anaga is a protected natural area: camping only in authorised zones with a permit.

05🏖️

Taganana · Roque de las Bodegas · Benijo

Anaga · north coast

🚐 90 km · ≈ 1 h 30
Why go
Wild black-sand beaches, the village of Taganana and fresh fish at Roque de las Bodegas.
Best time
Calm-sea days. Waves and currents are strong: swim only with a green flag and lifeguards.
With the camper
The TF-134 drops to Taganana with steep gradients and tight bends. The Roque de las Bodegas car park is small and full at weekends: go early on a weekday.

⚠️ Benijo beach has been closed due to rockfalls (press reports, October 2026) and the PR-TF 6.2 trail Roque de las Bodegas–Benijo–El Draguillo is listed as closed on Tenerife ON. Check status before you go.

06🏛️

La Orotava

Orotava Valley · north

🚐 95 km · ≈ 1 h 10
Why go
Historic town centre with mansions and wooden Canarian balconies, churches and gardens, the valley sloping to the sea with Teide behind.
Best time
Weekday mornings. The Corpus Christi flower carpets (June, date varies) are famous.
With the camper
Old-town streets are very steep and narrow: don't drive the camper in. Park on the outskirts or in a public car park and walk up.
07🌊

Garachico

North-west coast

🚐 55 km · ≈ 1 h 10
Why go
Historic town rebuilt after the 1706 eruption, with the lava rock pools of El Caletón.
Best time
Summer and calm-sea days; swimming closes when waves are high.
With the camper
Parking along the seafront and at the town entrance; it fills by midday. From the base, the route via Santiago del Teide and Erjos is a mountain road.
08⛰️

Los Gigantes

West coast · Santiago del Teide

🚐 40 km · ≈ 40 min
Why go
Huge vertical cliffs plunging into the sea. Boats leave the harbour for whale and dolphin watching along the Teno coast.
Best time
Afternoon: the sun lights up the cliffs and sunsets are lovely.
With the camper
The town is steep with little parking; leave the camper higher up or in public car parks and walk down.
09🏄

El Médano · Montaña Roja

Granadilla de Abona · south

🚐 11 km · ≈ 15 min
Why go
The island's windsurf and kite capital, long sandy beaches and Montaña Roja, a nature reserve with a short trail to the top and views over La Tejita beach.
Best time
Wind is usually strongest in summer; for walking, early or at sunset. It's next to our base: perfect for your first or last day.
With the camper
Park only in marked areas. Montaña Roja is a nature reserve: no camping and no driving off the tracks.
10🐟

Los Abrigos

Granadilla de Abona · south

🚐 5 km · ≈ 10 min
Why go
Fishing village with fresh-fish restaurants right on the sea.
Best time
Sunset, for the first or last dinner of your trip.
With the camper
Narrow streets near the harbour: park at the village entrance and walk.
11🗼

Punta de Teno

Buenavista del Norte · north-west tip

🚐 61 km · ≈ 1 h 10 (to Buenavista)
Why go
The lighthouse at the north-west tip, with views of the Los Gigantes cliffs and very clear water.
Best time
Clear mornings.
With the camper
Leave the camper in Buenavista del Norte: private vehicles can't reach the point (see notice).

✅ Due to works on the TF-445, since 19 January 2026 private vehicles, walkers and cyclists are banned every day, with no end date announced. Take TITSA bus 369 from Buenavista bus station (≈ 20 min, €1 per trip). The road may close during weather alerts.

12🌴

Las Teresitas beach

San Andrés · Santa Cruz

🚐 74 km · ≈ 1 h
Why go
Golden-sand beach with calm water protected by a breakwater, next to the fishing village of San Andrés. A good stop before or after Anaga.
Best time
Weekdays; at weekends it's busy with people from Santa Cruz.
With the camper
Large car park behind the beach; full at weekends.
13💧

Charco de la Laja

San Juan de la Rambla · north

🚐 70 km · ≈ 1 h 10
Why go
A natural pool among volcanic rocks at the foot of the cliff, reached by a staircase.
Best time
Summer, calm sea and suitable tide. Lifeguards in the summer season; swimming closes when waves are high.
With the camper
The car park by the viewpoint is tiny: park in the village and walk down.
14🏊

Bajamar and Punta del Hidalgo

La Laguna · north coast

🚐 85 km · ≈ 1 h 10
Why go
Seawater pools beside the Atlantic and the road's end at Punta del Hidalgo, with views of Anaga.
Best time
Calm-sea days; in big swell waves break into the pools.
With the camper
Street parking along the promenade; follow posted restrictions.
15⛪

San Cristóbal de La Laguna

North · near TFN airport

🚐 70 km · ≈ 50 min
Why go
A UNESCO World Heritage old town, largely pedestrian, with cafés, churches and student life.
Best time
Any day; afternoons and evenings are lively. Usually cooler than the south.
With the camper
Don't drive into the old town: use public car parks on the edge and walk.

Honest and sourced

Where can you legally sleep in a camper?

✅ Parking and sleeping inside

✅ According to Spain's traffic authority (DGT), a correctly parked camper may have its occupants inside: it is parking, not camping, as long as only the wheels touch the ground (chocks allowed), it takes no more space than when closed and it emits no liquids or noise. Respect signs, time limits and each town's bylaws.

🚫 Camping on the street

✅ Putting out an awning, table or chairs, using levelling legs or emptying water outside an authorised place counts as camping, which most town councils ban on public roads. Example: in Guía de Isora the limit is 24 h per week on urban streets and 72 h in designated areas, and camping outside authorised zones is banned.

💶 Fines

⚠️ Amounts depend on each town's bylaws and, in protected natural areas, on environmental law. We could not verify a single island-wide figure, so we don't quote one. Camping without authorisation in a protected area can be fined.

Cabildo camping zones for campers (free, with permit)

✅ The island government (Cabildo) runs 5 zones for motorhomes and campers. They are free, but you need prior authorisation on Tenerife ON (register, open the zone's page → "Availability and permits"). Places open every Monday at 07:00 (Canary time) for the following two weeks, up to 21 days ahead. Maximum stay 7 days (across all zones), from 12:00 to 12:00; even for one night, the exit date is the next day. Carry the permit on paper or on your phone with everyone's ID or passport.

ZonePlacesFrom the baseNote
Las Lajas
Adeje · TF-21 km 58.2 (Teide road via Vilaflor)		11≈ 30 minClosest to the base. A few metres of dirt track. Toilets only at weekends and holidays, 10:00–17:30.
Chío
Guía de Isora · west		15≈ 35 minPine forest on the western road up to Teide.
Arenas Negras
Garachico · TF-373, km 9.2		6≈ 1 h 20At 1,240 m. Reached by a dirt forest track: ask us first, Discovery Atlántico (our Nissan Vanette) is not suitable for rough tracks.
El Lagar
Icod de los Vinos · TF-344 km 8.8		3≈ 1 h 30About 9 km of dirt track: not recommended with our campers.
Las Raíces
El Rosario · north-east ridge, near La Laguna		3≈ 1 hGood base for La Laguna and Anaga.

✅ The zones have no waste-water dump, electricity or water filling; you use the facilities of the adjoining recreation area (tables, daytime fire pits, toilets with opening hours). Fountain water is not drinkable: leave with a full tank. Small folding furniture is allowed inside the zone; portable barbecues are banned; gas up to 3 kg; pets on a lead. Drive times from the base are approximate ⚠️.

Campsites

✅ Camping Nauta (Cañada Blanca, Arona; TF-653 km 1.5), open all year, about 20 minutes from the base. Tel. +34 922 785 118. ⚠️ There are few campsites on the island; confirm prices and services directly with them.

Our golden rules

  • Nothing outside the camper on the street: no awning, table or chairs.
  • Never empty waste water or leave rubbish; take it with you.
  • Respect “no motorhomes” signs and time limits.
  • In natural areas, only in authorised zones with a permit.
  • Not sure where to stop? Message us on WhatsApp and we'll help.

From the base and back

Suggested 3, 5 and 7-day routes

3days

South & Teide

  1. Day 1 Base → El Médano & Montaña Roja → Teide National Park via Vilaflor; sunset at Roques de García. Night: Las Lajas zone (permit).
  2. Day 2 Las Lajas → Los Gigantes (morning boat) → Masca if there's no wildfire alert. Night: Chío zone (permit) or a campsite.
  3. Day 3 Chío → beach in the south → dinner in Los Abrigos → return to base.
5days

Round the island

  1. Day 1 Base → Teide & Roques de García. Night: Las Lajas (permit).
  2. Day 2 Down to the north via La Orotava → Charco de la Laja. Night: Las Raíces (permit).
  3. Day 3 La Laguna → Anaga: Cruz del Carmen, Taganana, Roque de las Bodegas → Las Teresitas. Night: Las Raíces.
  4. Day 4 Bajamar → Garachico → Buenavista and bus 369 to Punta de Teno. Night: Chío (permit).
  5. Day 5 Masca (if open) → Los Gigantes → Los Abrigos → base.
7days

All of Tenerife, slowly

  1. Day 1 Base → El Médano & Montaña Roja → dinner in Los Abrigos. Night: campsite.
  2. Day 2 Teide via Vilaflor, Roques de García and stars. Night: Las Lajas (permit).
  3. Day 3 Teide summit if you have a permit (or the cable car) → La Orotava. Night: Las Raíces (permit).
  4. Day 4 Full day in Anaga + Las Teresitas. Night: Las Raíces.
  5. Day 5 La Laguna → Bajamar → Charco de la Laja → Garachico. Night: campsite or authorised zone (ask us).
  6. Day 6 Buenavista + bus to Punta de Teno → Masca → sunset at Los Gigantes. Night: Chío (permit).
  7. Day 7 Chío → last swim in the south → base.

Nights in Cabildo zones need a permit and places are limited: book on the right Monday at 07:00. If there's no space, we'll suggest alternatives.

Official sources

Information checked on 25 October 2026. If you spot something out of date, let us know.

Fancy doing this route?

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