TEIDE NATIONAL PARK
Hiking | Stargazing | Visit | Cable Car | Sunset
Visit Teide National Park
Teide National Park is located in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. Visit the Teide National Park is an exceptional activity to do when you stay in the island, as it is 3715 metres high and the highest mountain in Spain. The park is home to Teide, the highest mountain in Spain and an active volcano.
Movies recorded in the Teide National Park
The unique landscapes of Teide National Park, have been used as the backdrop for many movies over the years. Here are a few examples of movies that were filmed at Teide National Park:
- “The Spy Who Loved Me” (1977).
- “Clash of the Titans” (1981).
- “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones” (2002).
- “The Impossible” (2012).
- “Exodus: Gods and Kings” (2014).
Teide National Park offers filmmakers a unique and diverse range of landscapes, from its lush forests to its towering volcano, making it a popular location for movie production. The park’s stunning landscapes have provided the perfect backdrop for many memorable movies, and it continues to be a popular destination for filmmakers today.
Teide Ice Cave
Teide ice cave, also known as the Cave of the Crystals, is a unique natural phenomenon located in the Teide National Park. The cave is located on the slopes of the Teide volcano, at an altitude of 3,500 meters above sea level, and is one of the highest altitude ice caves in the world.
The cave was formed as a result of volcanic activity, which created a network of underground tunnels and chambers. As the volcano cooled, water seeped into the tunnels and froze, creating the ice formations that can be seen today.
The cave is a popular destination for hikers and tourists, as it offers a unique opportunity to see ice formations in a volcanic environment. The cave is only accessible with authorized guide and with a permit and it is highly regulated to preserve the cave’s delicate ecosystem.
The ice formations inside the cave are truly spectacular, with crystal-clear ice sculptures and frozen waterfalls. The cave is also home to a number of unique microorganisms. Visitors should also be aware that the cave is a fragile ecosystem and should follow the guidelines provided by the National Park Service to protect the cave and its inhabitants.
NASA at Teide National Park
Teide National Park has played a significant role in the research and development of NASA’s space program. The park’s unique landscapes and clear skies make it an ideal location for testing and training for space exploration.
One of the ways NASA has used Teide National Park is for testing and training of its Mars rovers. The park’s landscapes, including its volcanic terrain, closely resemble the conditions on Mars. NASA has used the park to test the mobility and durability of its Mars rovers, as well as to train its engineers and scientists on how to operate the vehicles.
NASA has also used the Teide Observatory, located within the park, to support its space research and exploration. The observatory’s telescopes have been used to study celestial bodies, including stars, galaxies, and exoplanets, providing valuable data to support NASA’s space missions.
Teide National Park viewpoints
Teide National Park offers visitors a variety of viewpoints from which to admire the park’s beauty. these are some of the most popular viewpoints in Teide National Park:
- Mirador de la Fortaleza
- Pico Viejo
- Mirador del Roque Cinchado
- Mirador de los Roques de Garcia
- Cable Car
The Teide viewpoints provide visitors with an opportunity to experience the park’s beauty in all its glory. Whether you prefer to take in the views from the summit of the Teide volcano or from the slopes of the volcano, there is a viewpoint for everyone in Teide National Park.
Teide shadow
Teide Shadow is a natural phenomenon that occurs when the sun is at a low angle in the sky, casting a shadow of the volcano on the surrounding landscape. This shadow can be seen from many different locations on the island, but the best place to see it is from the Teide summit. From here, you can see the shadow stretch out across the island, covering the entire landscape in its dark embrace.
The shadow is created by the sun’s rays being blocked by the volcano, which allows scientists to study the volcano’s shape and structure in great detail. This information is used to understand the volcano’s past eruptions and to predict future eruptions. The shadow also provides a unique opportunity for photographers to capture the contrast between the dark shadow and the bright sunlit landscape.
An interesting curiosity to note is that Teide’s shadow is perfectly triangular, although the volcano is not a regular cone. The main feature of this phenomenon is that the shadow extends along the horizon.
Teide fauna and flora
At Teide National Park you can find a diverse range of fauna and flora. The park is home to over 1000 different species of plants, many of which are endemic to the island, meaning they are found nowhere else in the world.
One of the most iconic species of plants found in the park is The malpais flower, a small, delicate flower that is found on the slopes of the volcano. The malpais flower is an example of a plant species that has adapted to the harsh conditions of the volcano’s environment.
Some other flora species which can be found in Teide National Park are: Summit rosebushes, The Teide wallflower, Arnica, The red bugloss, among a long list of plants that inhabit this National Park.
The park is also home to a diverse range of fauna, including several species of lizards, such as the Canary Island lizard and the Teide lizard, as well as several species of birds, such as the Wild canary, Chiffchaff and the Teide finch. Besides lizards, a huge number of invertebrates can be found, including spiders, insects and butterflies. There are almost 1400 species of invertebrates and 40% of them are endemic.
It is important to note that while the park has unique characteristics and biodiversity, the National Park Service manages and preserves the area, making sure that the ecosystem is not affected by human activities, so it is important to follow the rules and regulations of the park while enjoying its beauty.
Teide National Park tour
Bus tours to Teide National Park
From 36€
- Tour duration 8 hours approx.
- Popular! Often booked up for 4 days
- Every day except Sunday
- Pick up is approx. at 08:00
- Duration 8 hours
- Dialy except Sunday
From 28€
- Tour duration 4 hours approx.
- Popular! Often booked up for 3 days
- Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
- Pick up is approx. at 8:00
- Duration 4 hours
- Tue, Thu, Fri and Sat
From 80€
- Tour duration 4.5 hours approx.
- Popular! Often booked up for 4 days
- Only: Thursdays & Saturdays
- Pick up is approx. at 19:00
- Duration 4.5 hours
- Thu & Sat
From 255€
- Tour duration 4 hours approx.
- Popular! Often fully booked for 7 days
- Every day
- Pick up is approx. at 19:00
- Duration 4 hours
- Every day
Teide National Park excursions
Best activities to do at Teide
From 110€
- Tour duration 3 hours approx.
- Popular! Often booked up for 5 days
- Wine tasting
- On-road & off-road
- Duration 3 hours
- Wine tasting
From 150€
- Tour duration 3.5 hours approx.
- Popular! Often booked up for 6 days
- 4 & 6 seater buggies
- On-road & off-road
- Duration 3.5 hours
- Tue, Thu, Fri & Sat
From 55€
- Tour duration 5 hours approx.
- Popular! Often booked up for 5 days
- Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays
- Departure is around 10:00
- Duration 5 hours
- Mon, Wed & Fri
From 94€
- Tour duration 15 up to 60 minutes
- Popular! Often booked up for 8 days
- Every day
- Teide flight 2250m
- Duration 15-60 min
- Every day
From 96€
- Tour duration 9 up to 50 minutes
- Popular! Often booked up for 7 days
- Every day
- Teide flight 120 km
- Duration 9-50 min
- Every day
From 39€
- Tour duration 8 hours approx.
- Every Thursday
- Hike duration 2 hours approx.
- Level easy
- Duration 2 hours
- Every Thursday
From 75€
- Tour duration 8 hours approx.
- Popular! Often booked up for 45 days
- Every Tuesday & Thursday
- Easy and difficult hike
- Duration 6 hours
- Tue & Thu
Teide National Park private tours
Teide exclusive tours
From 275€
- Tour duration 5 hours approx.
- Popular! Often booked up for 5 days
- Every day
- Pick up 9:30 or 16:00
- Duration 5 hours
- Every day
Teide National Park Tenerife
Teide National Park temperature
The temperature at Teide National Park can vary depending on the altitude and time of year. At the base of the mountain, temperatures can reach around 25°C in the summer months, and around 5°C in the winter. The weather at the summit of Teide is lower and it even snows in winter.
Teide National Park cable car
There is a cable car in the Teide National Park to reach the summit. It is possible to book a Teide trip with cable car. The cable car provides stunning views of the surrounding landscape and allows visitors to reach an elevation of 3,555 meters to see the Teide volcano. The journey up the cable car takes around 8 minutes.
Costa Adeje to Teide National Park
The distance from Costa Adeje to Teide National Park is around 60 km (37 miles) and the journey by car takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. The most common ways to visit Teide is by car or bus. It can be a guided tour that includes transportation and park tickets.
Teide observatory
Teide Observatory is one of the world's premier astronomical research centers. Tenerife stargazing is one of the most amazing things to do on the island.
Teide National Park tickets
Visit Teide National Park is free, but you can get tickets for a guided tour. If you want to take the cable car, you have to take another ticket.
Cañadas del Teide
Cañadas del Teide is an area in the Teide National Park. Cañadas del Teide is a big caldera of 17 km of diameter.
Tenerife Teide National Park
The Teide National Park is also known as a place of scientific interest and it is here where the Canarian Institude of Astrophysics is located.
Teide National Park parking
There are spacious areas to park at Teide National Park. There is a parking at the cable car station and in the Parador. These are the closest places to park.
FAQ
Teide National Park is located in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. The park is situated in the center part of the island, and it's easily accessible by car or by public transport.
Teide National Park is well connected to the North and South of Tenerife. Therefore, there are different roads depending on your location:
- TF-21. If you are staying in the south (Costa Adeje, Las Américas, Los Crirstianos...), this road is the best option for you.
- TF-38. This road starts in the south-west part of the island. So, it is the easies way to do to Teide National Park when you stay in Los Gigantes.
- TF-24. This road is for people departing from the East, for example in La Laguna or Santa Cruz.
- TF-21. This road crosses from the south to the north of Tenerife. Therefore, if you are staying in the North (Puerto de la Cruz, for example), you can take this road.
There are several ways to get to Teide National Park, depending on your mode of transportation:
By car: The park is easily accessible by car, and it's about an hour's drive on the road.
By bus: There are regular bus services from the main towns and resorts on Tenerife that run to the park (Lines 342 from Las Americas and 348 from Puerto de la Cruz).
By guided tour: There are many guided tours available that include transportation to and from the park. The tour can be on a bus, quad, buggy, hiking, or even by helicopter.
It's important to note that the park's altitude can affect some visitors, so it's best to be prepared for changes in weather and to bring appropriate clothing and footwear.
The main reason why everyone wants to visit Teide National Park is because of the Teide volcano, as it is the highest mountain in Spain. However, there are many thing to do in Teide National Park:
Hiking: There are several trails that lead to the summit of Mount Teide, the park's main attraction, as well as other trails that lead to other points of interest in the park.
Stargazing: The park is one of the best places in Spain for stargazing due to its clear skies and lack of light pollution.
Wildlife watching: The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including the Teide violet, the Teide whitebeam, and the Teide Canary.
Cable car ride: You can take a cable car to the summit of Mount Teide, which offers spectacular views of the park and the surrounding areas.
Admiring the landscape: Teide National Park has a landscape that will make you think you're not on Earth.
Tours: From the most traditional tours like on bus, to the more exciting like paragliding or helicopter rides.
When you visit the Teide National Park, you can easily get to Teide cable car. There is a big station which you will see from the road. In addition, there is a parking area just in front of the cable car station.