Santiago del Teide, Tenerife: Teno, Chinyero and Views
Provincia de Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Canary Islands · Spain · 12,050 residents · on the coast
Santiago del Teide is a municipality of about 12,050 people in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Its town centre sits at 922 metres, a little over 3,000 feet, while the municipality also reaches the coast. Within a few miles you have two protected landscapes, the Parque Rural de Teno and the Reserva Natural Especial del Chinyero, as well as a handful of viewpoints and the Estación solar de Masca archaeological site. The climate is dry for most of the year, with August highs around 27°C and winter days still near 18°C. Tenerife South, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is roughly half an hour's drive away, which makes the town easy to reach for a holiday or a day out.
Why go
- The Parque Rural de Teno protected area begins just 2 miles from the town.
- Direct UK flights land at Tenerife South, only about 32 minutes' drive away.
- Barely any rain from April to November, with July and September recording none at all.
Top sights in Santiago del Teide
Protected Landscapes, Viewpoints and Ancient Sites
The most notable sight close to Santiago del Teide is the Parque Rural de Teno, a protected rural park about 2 miles from town. Slightly further, around 3 miles away, the Reserva Natural Especial del Chinyero is a second protected area, so nature lovers have two designated landscapes on the doorstep.
For something cultural, the Estación solar de Masca is an archaeological site roughly 2 miles away, in the neighbouring municipality of Buenavista del Norte. The area is also well supplied with viewpoints: Mirador Cruz de Hilda (about 2 miles), Mirador de los Poleos (about 3 miles, in Guía de Isora) and Mirador por Teide, the closest at around 1.5 miles.
Tours, activities and tickets in and around Santiago del Teide can be booked directly on this page.
1protected areaParque Rural de Teno
2 miles from the centre · Photo
2protected area
4viewpointMirador Cruz de Hilda
2 miles from the centre · Photo
Viewpoint, Buena Vista del Norte, Tenerife, Spain
5viewpoint
Estación solar de Masca
archaeological site · 2 miles from the centre
Mirador por Teide
viewpoint · 1 mile from the centre
Tours & tickets in Santiago del Teide
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Santiago del Teide can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Santiago del Teide
Hillside Town or Coastal Base
The main choice is between staying up in the town itself, at 922 metres, and basing yourself near the coast. The upper town is a modest place of around 12,000 residents spread across the municipality, so expect a quiet stay, cooler evenings and quick access to Teno and Chinyero.
If you would rather be by the sea, Los Gigantes lies about 4 miles away, and larger Adeje is around 13 miles off for a livelier base. This page shows live hotel prices so you can compare options across the area.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Santiago del Teide and the villages around it is a hire car from Tenerife South (TFS), about 32 min away.
Best time to visit Santiago del Teide
When to Visit Santiago del Teide
- 18°CJan2 mm
- 17°CFeb7 mm
- 19°CMar11 mm
- 21°CApr5 mm
- 20°CMay2 mm
- 22°CJun13 mm
- 26°CJul0 mm
- 27°CAug5 mm
- 23°CSept0 mm
- 24°COct10 mm
- 22°CNov6 mm
- 19°CDec15 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The most pleasant months are June to November. July and September record no rain at all, and August is the warmest month, with highs of around 27°C and lows near 18°C. October and November remain mild, at 24°C and 22°C respectively.
Winter is cooler at this altitude: February is the chilliest month, with highs of 17°C and nights down to about 9°C. December is the wettest month by rainfall at around 15 mm, while March has the most rainy days, roughly four. Even then, totals are very low by British standards.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18°C | 10°C | 2 mm | 10 h |
| Feb | 17°C | 9°C | 7 mm | 11 h |
| Mar | 19°C | 11°C | 11 mm | 11 h |
| Apr | 21°C | 12°C | 5 mm | 12 h |
| May | 20°C | 12°C | 2 mm | 13 h |
| Jun | 22°C | 14°C | 13 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 26°C | 16°C | 0 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 27°C | 18°C | 5 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 23°C | 14°C | 0 mm | 12 h |
| Oct | 24°C | 15°C | 10 mm | 11 h |
| Nov | 22°C | 13°C | 6 mm | 10 h |
| Dec | 19°C | 11°C | 15 mm | 10 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Ferries and the Drive In
Tenerife South (TFS) is the nearest airport and has direct flights from the United Kingdom. It is about 23 miles away, an estimated 32-minute drive. Tenerife North (TFN) is around 32 miles away, roughly 45 minutes by car, but has no direct flights from the UK, so it suits those connecting via another airport.
As Santiago del Teide is on an island, there is no drive from Calais. Ferries leave Los Cristianos, about 18 miles away, for San Sebastián de la Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro, while Santa Cruz de Tenerife, around 37 miles off, connects to Las Palmas, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has sailings to the Spanish mainland at Huelva and Cádiz.
By air
- Tenerife South (TFS)23 miles, about 32 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Tenerife North (TFN)32 miles, about 45 min by road
By car and ferry
Nearest ferry ports: Los Cristianos (18 miles), Santa Cruz de Tenerife (37 miles), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (86 miles).
Santiago del Teide is good for
Around Santiago del Teide
Day Trips Around Western Tenerife
Los Gigantes is the closest neighbour, about 4 miles away. A ring of towns lies at roughly 6 miles: Guía de Isora, Buenavista del Norte and Garachico, each an easy half-day out.
Further afield, Icod de los Vinos is around 8 miles away, La Guancha about 11 miles and San Juan de la Rambla about 12 miles. Adeje, the largest town on the list with over 43,000 residents, is roughly 13 miles away.
Tips from Robin
Practical Points Before You Go
Pack a warm layer. At 922 metres the town is noticeably cooler after dark, with winter lows around 9°C to 11°C even when daytime temperatures feel springlike.
Car hire makes sense. The protected areas, viewpoints and neighbouring towns are scattered within a few miles, and both airports are a drive of 30 to 45 minutes. With a population of around 12,000, this is a small municipality, so plan a trip to a larger town such as Adeje for a wider choice of services.
Questions people ask
Which airport is closest to Santiago del Teide?
Tenerife South (TFS) is the closest, about 23 miles away or roughly a 32-minute drive, and it has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Tenerife North (TFN) is around 32 miles away, about 45 minutes by car, but has no direct UK flights.
What is the weather like in Santiago del Teide in winter?
Mild and mostly dry. January highs reach about 18°C and February about 17°C, with nights around 9°C to 10°C because of the 922-metre altitude. December is the wettest month, yet sees only around 15 mm of rain over a couple of days.
When is the best time to visit Santiago del Teide?
June to November offers the most pleasant conditions. August is the warmest month at around 27°C, while July and September record no rain at all. October and November stay comfortable, with highs of 24°C and 22°C.
What is there to see near Santiago del Teide?
The Parque Rural de Teno is about 2 miles away and the Reserva Natural Especial del Chinyero about 3 miles. You will also find the Estación solar de Masca archaeological site and several viewpoints, including Mirador por Teide, Mirador Cruz de Hilda and Mirador de los Poleos.
How far is Santiago del Teide from Los Gigantes?
Los Gigantes is about 4 miles from Santiago del Teide, making it the nearest neighbouring town and an easy option for anyone who wants to combine a quiet hillside base with time near the coast.
Can I take a ferry to other islands from near Santiago del Teide?
Yes. Los Cristianos, about 18 miles away, has ferries to San Sebastián de la Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro. Santa Cruz de Tenerife, around 37 miles away, also serves Las Palmas, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro.