Mt. Teide and Masca Valley Tour Review (Tenerife)

LAST UPDATED April 30, 2026 BY Katarina Komazec

During my stay in Playa de las Américas, I booked the Mt Teide and Masca Valley tour to see more of the island without renting a car.

I had already visited Mount Teide before, but this time I wanted a broader look at Tenerife in one day.

Masca was high on my list, but the road there is narrow and winding, so I preferred going with a tour.

The route included Teide National Park, Icod de los Vinos, Garachico, and Masca Valley — some of the island’s best-known spots.

We booked our tour through Viator and paid about $60 per person (June 2025).

Here’s how the day went and whether the Mt Teide and Masca Valley tour is worth it.

Mt. Teide and Masca Valley Tour Overview

The Mount Teide and Masca Valley Tour is a full-day tour (around 9 hours) covering the north and the interior of Tenerife.

Pick-up from Playa de las Américas was included.

From there, we drove up into the mountains, crossed Teide National Park, then continued down to the coast and into the northwest.

Main stops:

• Short break near Vilaflor
• Mirador Juan Évora (Mt. Teide)
• Roque de García (Mt. Teide)
• Icod de los Vinos (lunch break, not included)
• Garachico
• Masca Valley

The tour runs on a large coach.

It’s not a small-group experience, but everything was organized and on time.

Our guide spoke Spanish and English.

His English wasn’t perfect, but it was clear enough, and the schedule ran smoothly with no waiting around.

What stood out most was the contrast.

The south is all beaches and resorts, but this route takes you through forests, volcanic landscapes, historic towns, and mountain valleys.

It really shows how diverse Tenerife is.

Stop 1: Coffee Break Near Vilaflor

The first stop was a short break near Vilaflor, not in the village itself.

We stopped at a roadside restaurant for about 20 minutes.

It’s mainly for coffee and toilets, not sightseeing.

Instead of sitting down, we walked a bit.

The air was cooler and fresher than in the south, and the surroundings already felt different — pine trees, cacti, and small lizards on the rocks.

Vilaflor is the highest village in Spain (around 1,400 m), known for its forests and clean air.

We didn’t visit it directly, but you still get a sense of the mountain setting.

Stop 2: Teide National Park Viewpoint (Mirador Juan Évora)

At Mirador Juan Évora, the landscape changed completely.

The greenery disappeared, replaced by volcanic terrain — dark rocks, wide open views, and Mount Teide in the distance.

At 3,718 m, Teide is Spain’s highest peak, and the whole area is part of a UNESCO-listed national park.

The stop is short, just enough for photos and a quick look around.

There’s also a small exhibit showing how people once lived in this harsh environment.

It was our first real look at the park, and it already felt like a different planet.

Stop 3: Roque de García (Teide National Park)

Roque de García is one of the busiest spots in the park.

The volcanic rock formations stand out against the landscape, with Teide behind them.

The most famous one is Roque Cinchado.

We had about 30 minutes here.

That’s enough for photos, but not much more.

Reaching the main viewpoint takes time, and there’s also a visitor center we didn’t manage to visit.

Even with the crowds and limited time, this was one of the most impressive stops.

Stop 4: Icod de los Vinos (Lunch Stop)

On the way down, the scenery changed again — from dry volcanic terrain to clouds and greenery.

In Icod de los Vinos, we had the longest stop of the day.

It’s meant for lunch (not included), but you can use the time as you like.

The town is known for the Drago Milenario, but we didn’t focus on that. Instead, we explored the center.

We visited a small church, then a local market with handmade products.

After that, we walked through a street with cafés and shops and stopped for coffee — one of the best we had on the trip.

It felt local and relaxed, very different from the touristy south.

Stop 5: Garachico

Garachico was a guided stop.

The town was once Tenerife’s main port until a volcanic eruption in the 18th century destroyed much of it.

Today, it’s known for its lava pools and historic streets.

We walked through the town with the guide, from one side to the other, passing churches, squares, and coastal viewpoints.

It didn’t feel rushed.

The atmosphere is calm, with cobbled streets and traditional houses.

Compared to the south, it feels much more authentic.

Stop 6: Masca Valley

By the time we reached Masca Valley, we were already tired — it’s a long day.

But the drive itself wakes you up.

The road is narrow, full of sharp turns, and surrounded by steep cliffs.

Definitely not something I’d want to drive myself.

At the viewpoint above Masca, the scenery was incredible.

The small village sits between deep ravines and mountains.

We had around 20–30 minutes here, and most of it went on photos.

We didn’t go down into the village.

To really explore Masca, you’d need more time than this tour allows.

Still, this was the most memorable stop of the day.

Tour Impressions & Tips

We chose this tour mainly because it combines Mount Teide and Masca Valley in one day.

That’s hard to do on your own, especially with the drive to Masca.

After seeing the road, I’m glad we didn’t rent a car.

Inside Teide National Park, you get a good overview, but there’s no time for the cable car or longer walks.

What stood out most was how often the scenery and climate changed in one day — beach, forest, volcanic desert, and mountains.

It’s a long day, but good value for what you see.

Tips:

• Bring snacks and water
• Wear comfortable shoes
• Take a light jacket (it’s cooler in Teide)
• Expect a full, tiring day
• If you want the cable car or more time in Masca, choose a different tour

Is the Mt. Teide and Masca Valley Tour Worth It?

Yes — if you want to see a lot in one day without driving.

It’s not a deep experience at each stop, but it gives you a solid overview of Tenerife, from volcanic landscapes to mountain villages.

For us, Masca and Teide alone made it worth it.

If you’re short on time or don’t want to deal with the roads, this tour is a very practical choice.

👉 Click here to book the Mt Teide & Masca Valley Tour on Viator

👉 Explore other Tenerife tours and activities

Planning more cruises? You can browse all my regional cruise port guides here: Mediterranean • Caribbean • Northern Europe • USA & Canada • Australia & New Zealand • Middle East