Whether and how to drive a car in Tenerife?

Let’s start first with why after Tenerife? First of all, because it is Tenerife (but like the other Canary Islands) that raises the greatest doubts among tourists whether they can make it.

In this post, I’ll try to give you some insight into why you should bet on a car and that it’s not so scary at all :)

Table of contents

By car around Tenerife and the Canary Islands

In general, I see only advantages of renting a car in Tenerife (and other Canary Islands). I will try to put it in a few points:

By renting a car you are able to see much more than by traveling with organized tours, public/suburban transportation or even cabs. But this is a general point about most places in the World. Although here actually, driving especially on mountain roads, a person would like to stop literally every now and then to admire the amazing views.
Car rental in the Canary Islands is one of the cheapest in Europe. That, at least, is our experience. Of course, in the more people we rent a car and the earlier before the trip we do it, the better (cheaper).
Driving on the mountainous and winding roads of Tenerife (such as the Anaga or Masca Mountains ), Fuerteventura or Gran Canaria is not at all that difficult! Also between the fairy tales can be put stories about the fact that you need to pay attention to the car’s engine to make it powerful enough. We in two people drove a small VW Up and the little one climbed like a shot up every hill. Of course, if there were five of you it might already be harder, but who takes such a small car for such a number of people. Just take a car tailored to you and don’t worry about its power, it can definitely handle it! Driving on mountain roads, we saw such cars that we would never expect to find at high altitudes ;)
However, if you have doubts you can always try your hand at some short distances. A good test in Tenerife might be to drive up to a viewpoint near the Playa de las Teresitas beach near Tenerife’s capital Santa Cruz. At first we wondered (reading reviews that you have to have a good car, etc.) that we wouldn’t make it. Driving we didn’t even “feel” anything :)
Going anywhere on the Island you can have a beach kit in your luggage. When you find that there is a nice beach on the way (or simply change your plans), you do not have to fly to the hotel to get your luggage changed.
You can more easily get to a larger/cheaper store and stock up on food (if, for example, you prepare the food yourself, which was the case for us in Tenerife).
Drivers in Tenerife and the Canary Islands are friendly and understanding. The roads are of very good quality and well marked and protected. All you need is a map and a good orientation in the area :)

Some tips on how to drive in Tenerife

…and other Canary Islands:

…and other similar places ;)

It is worth making sure how much gasoline you have in your tank. Gasoline goes down faster on mountainous stretches. There are quite a few gas stations in Tenerife, but maybe not necessarily in the mountains. Remember that instead of, say, 5l/100km you burn 15l/100km going up a sharp hill. In addition, there is more braking, and the ride itself is not as smooth as on the highway.
When going downhill, do not brake all the time with the foot brake (or hand brake ;)). Well, unless you want to burn them and ultimately not be able to brake. It is best not to accelerate and go down in 1st or 2nd gear, braking with the engine. Just don’t exceed the allowed turnover. Although this is unlikely to be a threat, as there are unlikely to be such long stretches. The roads are winding and narrow :)
At the tightest turns (such as on the road to Masci) when you can’t see what’s around the bend it’s sometimes worth honking. It worked for us sometimes, the locals did it too. This helps prepare for a newcomer from the opposite side on the curve.
Although the views are tempting, stop only at viewpoints. There are quite a few of them, and stops on a road, especially a winding one, can pose quite a danger (and certainly a hindrance).
If you are going slower and are stressed by drivers following you, stop or slow down where others can safely overtake you. The same is done by drivers of vans or buses. Although sometimes it is just impossible unfortunately for a long stretch.
Throughout Tenerife, but also especially in the mountains, the weather likes to change quickly. More than once, driving in full transparency, we drove into thick clouds. Just be careful, drive carefully and calmly. After all, it is your vacation, there is no rush :)

Finally, I would like to emphasize that we know many people who have been to the Canary Islands and had a great time, sightseeing and relaxing without a rental car. I just wanted to show that it’s not as scary as it may seem :)