After landing at Tenerife South Airport, allow at least 45–60 minutes for baggage collection, finding the meeting point and arranging the onward journey. Travelling to Puerto de la Cruz by public transport at this hour is not dependable: the route normally requires a TITSA bus towards Santa Cruz followed by a northbound connection, and a late flight could leave you waiting overnight. For this arrival, pre-book a shared or private airport transfer, or use a taxi from the official rank; the drive is roughly 1½–2 hours depending on traffic, and a taxi will commonly cost about €120–160. Confirm the total fare before departure and give the driver the exact accommodation address.
Once checked in, walk to Plaza del Charco only if you arrive early enough and still have the energy. It is a convenient, central place for a brief first look at Puerto de la Cruz, but keep this to a gentle orientation rather than a full evening out after the airport transfer. If the flight is delayed or the transfer takes longer than expected, skip the walk and go straight to dinner or bed.
For a relaxed vegetarian-friendly meal, try Bambú Bar near Plaza del Charco, checking its current hours before travelling because late-evening service can vary. Allow roughly €15–25 per person for a casual dinner. If it has closed by the time you arrive, use a nearby central restaurant offering vegetarian tapas, salads or pasta rather than crossing town; the priority tonight is a simple meal and rest before tomorrow’s exploration.
Start in La Paz with the Jardín de Aclimatación de La Orotava, usually called the Botanical Garden. Give it about 1½ hours: the shaded paths, giant tropical leaves and palms make this one of Puerto de la Cruz’s most peaceful morning stops. It generally opens from around 09:00, but check the official hours before setting out; admission is usually only a few euros. From central Puerto, take a local TITSA bus toward La Paz or walk uphill in roughly 20–30 minutes, allowing extra time for the steep streets.
Continue on foot to Mirador de La Paz, about 10 minutes away, for a half-hour pause above the coast. The viewpoint is especially good for seeing the black volcanic shoreline and the town’s layered hills. Afterward, use the promenade and local buses downhill toward the western waterfront; allow roughly 25–35 minutes, depending on the connection.
Spend the early afternoon at Playa Jardín, allowing around 1½ hours to wander the landscaped paths, look across the dark volcanic sand and, if the sea is calm and conditions are suitable, sit near the beach. Swimming can be affected by surf and official warnings, so treat it as a coastal stop rather than relying on a swim. From here, walk or take a short local bus ride east along the waterfront to Lago Martiánez, usually 15–25 minutes. The César Manrique-designed seawater complex merits about two hours; bring a towel and sandals, and check the same-day weather and seasonal opening because pools may close or operate reduced hours in poor conditions. Entry is commonly in the low-teens per adult, with lockers or loungers sometimes extra.
Walk back toward the centre for dinner at El Limón, a relaxed vegetarian-friendly café/restaurant in central Puerto de la Cruz. Budget approximately €15–25 per person and check its current Saturday opening hours or reservation policy, as smaller restaurants sometimes adjust schedules outside peak season. This is a good evening to keep unhurried: stroll through the nearby old streets after dinner rather than adding another attraction, and return to your accommodation on foot or by a short TITSA ride.
After arriving in La Laguna, leave your bags at your accommodation or a luggage-storage service and head into the Historic Centre of San Cristóbal de La Laguna. Spend about two hours wandering the pedestrian streets around Calle Obispo Rey Redondo, Calle San Agustín and Plaza del Adelantado; the honey-coloured façades, wooden balconies and quiet courtyards are especially atmospheric before the town fills up. Churches may have services on Sunday, so treat entry as conditional and keep shoulders covered where appropriate.
Continue to the Mercado Municipal de La Laguna, allowing around 45 minutes for fruit, cheese, pastries and small local bites. Sunday opening can be limited or unavailable, so check the market’s current hours before relying on it for lunch; if closed, use a café around Calle Herradores instead. A vegetarian snack or light meal should cost roughly €5–12 per person. Then walk to the Museo de Historia y Antropología de Tenerife at Casa Lercaro, usually a 10-minute stroll through the old town. Allow an hour for its exhibits on Tenerife’s social history, rural life and colonial past, and verify Sunday opening and any admission restrictions before setting out.
Keep the afternoon for your pre-booked small-group Montes de Anaga guided excursion, lasting roughly four to five hours. Choose a tour with pickup in La Laguna or nearby Santa Cruz, and confirm the exact meeting point, pickup window, walking difficulty and return time in advance; public transport into the Anaga mountains is slow and Sunday services are less useful. Expect winding roads, cool damp air in the laurel forest and exposed viewpoints, so bring a light waterproof layer and sturdy shoes. On returning, have an easy dinner near Plaza de la Concepción—look for a menu with papas arrugadas, grilled vegetables, salads or vegetarian croquettes—and avoid planning anything time-critical after the excursion, as mountain traffic can delay the return.
Leave the La Laguna area around 08:00–09:00 for the TITSA 343 towards the south coast. Allow roughly 2–2½ hours on the bus, plus time to reach the stop, load luggage, walk from the arrival stop and deal with check-in. The journey can take longer in traffic, so do not book a fixed afternoon excursion for today. Check the TITSA app or website shortly before travelling, and keep a little cash or a charged travel card available for the fare, typically around €10–15.
On arrival, go first to your accommodation or arrange staffed luggage storage if the room is not ready. After the transfer, lunch is best kept simple at a café or casual restaurant near the accommodation; allow approximately €10–18 per person. The airport is not part of today’s route: with flights using Tenerife South at both ends, save the airport transfer for the final day and use this day to settle into the south.
Once your bags are secure, walk to the nearby harbour for an uncomplicated first look at the coast. Spend about 45 minutes watching the ferry traffic and checking the meeting point, boarding time and weather policy for any boat excursion later in the itinerary. Continue to the adjacent sheltered beach for around 1–1½ hours. Check the flags before swimming, and keep the rest of the afternoon flexible in case the bus is delayed.
If the local market area is operating, browse it before returning to your accommodation; opening days and hours can vary, so confirm locally rather than relying on the previous plan. The harbour, beach and promenade are close enough to link on foot, with no need for an additional bus journey. A short rest before dinner will make the following excursion days more comfortable.
Choose an informal harbour-side seafood restaurant for dinner, budgeting roughly €20–35 per person depending on drinks and seafood. Vegetarian options may be limited but usually include salads, potatoes, grilled vegetables or other side dishes; ask whether sauces, soups or broths contain fish or meat. Arriving early is sensible at popular casual restaurants, and a nearby café is a practical fallback if there is a wait.
Finish with a brief promenade walk and confirm tomorrow’s transport or excursion arrangements before turning in. Keep identification, booking confirmations and a light jacket ready, as coastal evenings can feel cool after sunset.
Start with the level seafront walk along the Playa de las Américas promenade, heading west from Los Cristianos toward Playa de las Américas. Allow about 1½ hours at an easy pace, with plenty of time for coffee and sea views; the route is straightforward on foot, though some sections become busier around the resort hotels. Continue to Playa del Camisón for a quieter late-morning pause. This sheltered beach has sun loungers, toilets and nearby cafés, and you can swim if the red flags are down—check the lifeguard signs rather than relying on the calm appearance of the water.
From Playa del Camisón, take a TITSA bus toward Costa Adeje—routes 40, 471 or another service shown in the TITSA app usually take around 15–25 minutes, depending on traffic. Get off near Siam Mall, allowing roughly 1½ hours for browsing and lunch. It is a useful stop for vegetarian food because the mall has several casual counters and international choices; budget about €10–20 per person. It can be especially busy at lunchtime, so eating slightly before or after the main rush makes finding a table easier.
Continue by bus or on foot downhill toward Playa del Duque; the walk takes around 20–30 minutes, while a short local bus ride is more comfortable in the afternoon heat. Spend about 1½ hours along the beach and polished promenade, with time for a swim or a shaded drink. For dinner, finish at El Mirador, where the ocean-facing setting suits sunset and the menu normally includes vegetarian dishes; expect approximately €25–40 per person. Reserve or arrive early if you want a terrace table, particularly during the December holiday period, and check the latest evening hours before setting out.
Start with the Costa Adeje whale-watching cruise from Puerto Colón. Arrive 20–30 minutes before departure for check-in; from Los Cristianos, allow around 30–45 minutes door to door by TITSA route 40 or 471, depending on your exact stop and traffic. Choose a responsible small-group operator that follows local wildlife guidelines, and book ahead for December. A three-hour cruise usually costs roughly €40–70 per person; sightings are never guaranteed, and bring a light layer even if the coast feels warm.
After returning, stay around Puerto Colón rather than rushing elsewhere. The marina is pleasant for a slow wander, with excursion boats, cafés and views across the water. For lunch, Delhi Darbar near the marina is a practical choice for vegetarian curries, dal and rice, while Harriet’s Tea Room and Restaurant offers lighter meat-free options and a quieter sit-down break. Allow about €15–25 per person. Check opening hours on the day, as restaurants can adjust service outside peak periods.
Walk a few minutes to Playa de Puerto Colón for an hour beside the sheltered water. It is one of the easier beaches in this area for a short, calm rest before your afternoon pickup; keep valuables with you and do not linger if your excursion company gives a tight meeting time. Your Teide National Park guided excursion will normally collect you from Costa Adeje and take 7–8 hours including viewpoints, mountain roads and return travel. Reserve it in advance with a licensed third-party operator, confirm the exact pickup point and bring warm layers, closed shoes, water and sun protection—the summit area can be dramatically colder than the coast. Cable-car access is not automatic and depends on a separate booking, weather and operations, so treat it as optional rather than essential. After returning, finish at Amorino Costa Adeje for gelato; there are several vegetarian-friendly flavours, with about €5–10 per person for a generous serving.
Keep the final morning unhurried. After checking out of your Costa Adeje accommodation, leave your luggage with the hotel if they offer storage, then take a short local TITSA bus ride towards La Caleta. Depending on your exact stop, allow roughly 15–25 minutes, plus walking time. The village is a pleasant place for a last coffee and a wander along the waterfront, with less resort bustle than the central coast.
Continue to Playa de la Enramada, where you can spend around 1½ hours by the sea. This is a beach for relaxing rather than a final packed sightseeing stop; check the flags before swimming, as the Atlantic can be rough. Keep some dry clothes and your valuables secure, and leave enough time to return for your bags and collect anything held at reception.
Have lunch at a La Caleta seafront restaurant, asking specifically for vegetarian options such as grilled vegetables, salads, cheese dishes or Canarian-style potatoes where available. Allow approximately €15–30 per person for a casual meal, more if choosing a full seafood-oriented restaurant. Menus and opening days vary, so check on the day rather than relying on a fixed reservation unless your accommodation or restaurant confirms it.
Return to Costa Adeje, collect your luggage and use a TITSA service towards Tenerife South Airport. The journey is commonly around 30–45 minutes from Costa Adeje, but allow at least an hour for traffic, waiting time and walking between the stop and terminal. For an international flight, aim to reach the terminal about three hours before departure; for a shorter-haul flight, two hours is a sensible minimum. Check the current TITSA route and timetable shortly before travelling, and keep a taxi as a backup if a delayed bus would jeopardise check-in.
No packing list attached yet.