Punta de Teno is a narrow rocky headland in the municipality of Buenavista del Norte and the most westerly point of Tenerife. It lies within the protected Teno Rural Park (Parque Rural de Teno) on the island's north-west coast. The headland carries two lighthouses: a whitewashed single-storey building of 1897 with dark volcanic stone detailing and an eight-metre tower, and the 20-metre tower, white with red bands, that replaced it in 1978. The modern light shows three white flashes every twenty seconds.
Punta de Teno
Rocky headland at Tenerife's western tip, with a red-banded lighthouse and views down the coast to Los Gigantes
- Accessibility
- The flat paths around the headland are manageable in a wheelchair; the volcanic ground beyond them is not. The lighthouse cannot be entered, and there are no toilets.
- Parking
- None for daytime visitors: the road is closed to private cars during the day. It opens to cars from 6 pm in winter and 7 pm in summer, and a parking area near the lighthouse usually has space then. No parking along the road.
- Difficulty
- Easy: flat paths from the bus stop, about 317 m away in a straight line, to the lighthouse and viewpoints. Wind and sun are the only exposure.
- Transport
- Titsa bus from Buenavista del Norte to the Punta de Teno stop, about 15 minutes; around €1 each way. More frequent at weekends and on public holidays.
- Hours
- Daily 8:00–20:00.
- Address
- 38480 Buenavista del Nte., Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
What makes it special
From the lighthouse the view runs south down the coast to Los Gigantes and beyond, a line of dark cliffs dropping into the Atlantic. Around you the land is bare volcanic rock, laid out with paths and viewing points, and the wind rarely lets up.
The ride in is half the point. The road hangs on the cliffs above the sea, and where it climbs high the whole coast opens up below.
At the tip the two lighthouses stand side by side: the low whitewashed house of 1897, trimmed in black volcanic stone, and the 1978 tower in white and red, about as tall as a six-storey building. You can swim off the rocks on a calm day.
Good to know
- The lighthouse is closed to visitors, and signs keep you off the ground around it.
- There are no restaurants or shops, and no toilets or drinking water nearby. Bring food and water.
- Wind is the norm and shelter is scarce. Bring a warm layer even on a sunny day.
- Buses run more often at weekends and on public holidays. Check the timetable in the Titsa app; it is more reliable than the screens at bus stations.
Getting there
During the day the road out to the headland is closed to private cars. A staffed gate stands at the entrance to the reserve, and drivers are turned back partway along.
The bus from Buenavista del Norte takes about 15 minutes along the coast road, which runs high above the sea past sheer drops. Taxis also make the run. The Punta de Teno stop sits about 317 m in a straight line from the headland, and flat paths lead on to the lighthouse and the viewpoints.
In the evening the road opens to cars, and a parking area near the lighthouse usually has space. Do not pull over along the road on the way.
Best time to visit
Best: a weekend or public holiday, arriving late in the afternoon.
Avoid: the middle of the day in strong sun.
Buses from Buenavista del Norte run more often at weekends and on holidays, the headland faces west over open sea so the evening light comes off the water, and the bare rock offers very little shade or shelter at midday.
Access & restrictions
Punta de Teno lies inside a protected nature reserve, and visitor numbers are controlled to protect it. During the day private cars are not allowed on the road to the headland: a staffed gate at the reserve entrance turns them back, and the way in is by bus or taxi. Stopping or parking along the road is not allowed. The lighthouse and its grounds are closed to visitors, and signs mark the ground to stay off.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you drive to Punta de Teno?
Not during the day. The road is closed to private cars, with a staffed gate at the reserve entrance. Take the bus from Buenavista del Norte or a taxi. Cars are let through in the evening, when a parking area near the lighthouse usually has space.Can you go inside the Punta de Teno lighthouse?
No. The lighthouse is closed to visitors, and signs keep people off its grounds. The views from the paths around it are the reason to come.Can you swim at Punta de Teno?
Yes, off the rocks. There are no facilities, and the shore faces the open Atlantic, so go in only when the sea is calm.Is there anywhere to eat or a toilet?
No. There are no restaurants or shops at the headland, and no toilets or drinking water nearby. Bring what you need from Buenavista del Norte.How long should you spend at Punta de Teno?
An hour or two covers the paths and viewpoints, longer if you plan to swim. Check the return bus times before you set out.