Tenerife does north and west in one go. This private half day style route strings together small town walking time and a couple of major sights, with private transportation and a friendly local guide like Florencio, who is attentive and good at pointing out what makes each stop feel truly Tenerife. My favorite part is the pacing, short stops that keep you moving without feeling rushed, plus the mix of Garachico and Icod de los Vinos. One thing to consider: it is mostly walking and there is no lunch included, so plan snacks if you get hungry.

You start around 9:30 am and the tour runs about 6 hours. It is sold as private, meaning only your group participates, and pickup is handled through the host link. The tour is offered in English, and you get a mobile ticket, which makes check in simpler.

The itinerary focuses on classic old town strolls. Los Gigantes has a paid admission ticket included for the stop (about 20 minutes), while Masca Valley, Garachico, and Icod de los Vinos list free admissions for their time blocks. If you want a long hike or a full day of deep countryside time, this may feel short, but it is a solid way to sample a lot of the island’s personality.

Key Highlights You Will Actually Care About

• Private group with pickup: you are not waiting on other tours, and the day starts with convenience
• Guide Florencio gets high marks: people loved how he paid attention and shared typical island spots
• Los Gigantes stop includes an admission ticket: about 20 minutes of planned time
• Millennial Dragon at Icod de los Vinos: a standout and it comes with old squares and town atmosphere
• Old port town vibes in Garachico: you get an easy walk through streets, houses, and church areas

Why This Tenerife Southwest and Northwest Route Works

This route makes sense because Tenerife’s best known sights are spread out. Trying to stitch them together yourself, with buses and multiple changes, is time consuming. Here, you get a single day plan with private transportation, so you spend your energy looking around instead of figuring out connections.

What I like about the “north and west” mix is that it gives you two very different tones. Los Gigantes starts the west side feeling, then you head north into towns with old town streets and a slower pace. By the time you reach Icod de los Vinos, you are ready for a real anchor moment, especially with the famous millennial dragon.

It also helps that each stop is built around walking time. This is not a tour where you sit and watch from a window the whole day. You get enough time to slow down, take photos, and actually see how locals move through their towns.

Pickup, Private Format, and What It Means for Your Day

This is a private tour, meaning only your group is on it. The minimum group size details are listed a bit differently in the information you get, with “minimum 3 person” shown up front, while the pickup details state a minimum of 2 persons. Either way, the important practical point is that it is not a giant shared coach situation.

Pickup is offered, and you are told to use your hosting link for pickup details. The start time is 9:30 am. It also uses a mobile ticket, which is usually smoother than printing papers and hunting for the right booth.

Because it is offered in English and “most travelers can participate,” it is generally approachable for a wide range of visitors. Still, remember that you will be getting out and walking through towns multiple times, so comfortable shoes matter.

One more small tip that pays off: treat pickup like a real appointment. Being ready a few minutes early makes the morning calmer, and you will start enjoying the day sooner.

Los Gigantes: A Short Town Walk and an Admission Ticket Included

Los Gigantes is your first stop, with about 20 minutes of scheduled time. The plan includes a walk through the town’s streets, so you get a quick feel for the area rather than a long sightseeing loop.

This stop also includes an admission ticket in the package. That matters because you are not hunting for what costs extra on the ground. If you like tours where the logistics stay handled, this is a point in the tour’s favor.

What to do with your limited time here: keep your expectations realistic. Use the short window for “orientation walking.” That means you stroll slowly, note the direction you want to go later for photos, and then focus on a couple of key views and street scenes. If you rush, you miss the best part, which is the town atmosphere.

Practical consideration: with only 20 minutes, you will want to be ready to move when the group meets back up. If you are the type who likes long coffee breaks in the first stop, you may want to save that for later.

Masca Valley: One Hour to Soak Up the Town Feel

Masca Valley is next, with about 1 hour allocated. The plan calls for a small town walk through the streets, which is a good match for this style of tour. You get enough time to wander, spot interesting corners, and take photos without feeling trapped in a rigid route.

Because the day is about several stops, this one-hour block is important. It is long enough to actually notice details like architecture and how people use the street, but short enough to keep the pacing manageable.

What I would do in an hour: start by walking the main street area, then pick one side lane and see where it leads. Small towns reward curiosity more than checklist behavior. If you have the guide with you, ask one simple question early, like what locals come here for or what the area is known for. Guides like Florencio tend to share context that makes the place click.

Consideration: because this is a walk based stop, weather and sun can affect how long you want to linger. If it is warm, plan to keep water close and choose shaded spots whenever you can.

Garachico: Old Port Streets and a Church Area Worth Slowing Down For

Garachico is your historic town stop, also about 1 hour. The description focuses on walking through old streets, houses, and a church area. It is a great stop for people who like architecture and street level details more than big-ticket museums.

Garachico is described as the first port of Tenerife in the 16th century, so you are getting more than a pretty walk. You are seeing a place shaped by trade and maritime history. Even without going deep into lectures, the layout of old towns tends to tell the story, especially when you can move at walking pace.

Here is how to make the most of the hour: do not try to see everything. Instead, pick a route that takes you past the oldest looking streets first, then circle back to find a spot with a good view of the church area and surrounding buildings. Old town photos look best when you frame them with street lines and doorways, not just wide angles.

The good news: you are not stuck in a long bus transfer with this stop. The tour format keeps you active, and Garachico’s walking time feels like the right size for most people.

Icod de los Vinos: The Millennial Dragon and a 17th Century Main Square

Icod de los Vinos rounds out the day, again about 1 hour. This is where the itinerary’s signature moment hits, with the famous millennial dragon, a tree reportedly more than 800 years old.

It is also the stop where you can enjoy the classic “wander and look up” kind of experience. The plan includes exploring the town’s streets and then seeing the old main square. The square is described as dating from the 17th century, which gives you a nice time anchor while you are walking.

What I love about ending here: it is a physical landmark that gives the whole day a clear highlight. When you finish with a place like this, the memories stick, even if earlier stops were quick.

Practical tip: take your time near the dragon, but also watch the clock. If you spend too long on the photo angle, you might miss the square and the last town walk. A simple tactic is to do the dragon first, then leave yourself the square for last. That way you end with an easy, scenic stroll.

Timing, Walking Levels, and What to Bring

This is a 6 hour day built from short walking segments: about 20 minutes in Los Gigantes, then about 1 hour each for Masca Valley, Garachico, and Icod de los Vinos. That adds up fast, especially if your day starts with pickup and you move at town pace in each location.

What to bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes (you are on streets and in town centers)
• Water and a small snack, since lunch is not included
• Sun protection if the morning is bright, since you will have multiple outdoor strolls

One more thing: because lunch is not part of the price, you will want to plan when you eat. The tour description simply does not list lunch, so do not count on a built in stop. If you need a meal, bring a light option and eat outside during a break before or after the tour, or ask your guide what nearby options typically work with the schedule.

Price and Value at $154.88 Per Person

At $154.88 per person, this is not an impulse buy. But the pricing looks more reasonable when you break it down the way the day is actually built.

You are paying for:

• Private transportation for a route that covers multiple towns
• A guided day in English
• Planned walking time in several locations, including one stop with an admission ticket included
• A private format where only your group participates

For families or small friend groups, the “per person” math can get easier because you are sharing the cost of the vehicle and driver. The minimum group size also matters. If your group is right at the minimum, the value still exists, but it is less spread out.

I also noticed that this experience is booked on average about 102 days in advance. That is usually a sign that people plan ahead for reliable timing and good availability. If you want a specific date, it is smart to book sooner rather than later.

Balanced view: if you are traveling solo and you end up paying near the minimum for a private vehicle, you might feel it more. In that case, you would want to be extra confident you will enjoy the walking style and the mix of old towns and one key sight.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Prefer Another Option)

This tour is a good fit if you:

• Want a guided sampler of Tenerife’s west and north towns without heavy logistics
• Enjoy old streets, town atmosphere, and street level sights
• Like a manageable day length, about 6 hours, instead of a full day or all day hike
• Prefer a private group and a guide who can respond to questions

It may be less ideal if you:

• Want long stays at each stop or lots of museum time
• Are looking for a strenuous hike, since the plan is mainly walking through town areas
• Need a guaranteed lunch stop inside the tour, because lunch is not included

A family can do this well too. One of the standout themes from a top review was that the guide helped a family find typical places on the island and kept everyone comfortable with the pacing.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of a 9:30 Start

A 9:30 am start is practical. It gets you into town before the day gets too hot or crowded, and it leaves afternoon free after the tour ends. Still, you can make it smoother with a few habits.

First, have your mobile ticket ready on your phone before pickup. It saves small stress moments. Second, wear shoes you can walk in for several hours total, since the stops add up. Third, if you care about photos, decide what matters most to you before you go, like the dragon at Icod de los Vinos or the old port vibe in Garachico, and then give yourself enough time for those moments.

Finally, lean on your guide. The feedback around Florencio specifically highlighted how attentive he was and how he helped people discover places that felt typical of the island. If you ask one clear question at the right moment, you often get the best advice for what to look at next.

Should You Book This Tenerife Southwest and Northwest Tour?

I think you should book this tour if you want a well paced private day that hits multiple Tenerife highlights without the hassle of driving or complex transfers. The big win is the combination of convenient pickup, private transportation, and the mix of walking stops that feel real, not staged.

You should probably skip it if you need lots of downtime, a longer meal plan inside the tour, or a deep nature hike. This one is built for people who enjoy wandering and seeing old town details, then ending on a signature sight at Icod de los Vinos.

Given the consistently strong rating and the praise for guide Florencio, I would treat this as a dependable “first taste” tour for your Tenerife trip, especially if you are short on time.

FAQ

What time does the tour start, and how long is it?

The tour starts at 9:30 am and lasts about 6 hours (approx.).

Is pickup included?

Yes, pickup is offered. Pickup details are provided in your hosting link.

Is this tour really private?

Yes. It is a private tour, and only your group participates.

How many people are required to run the private tour?

There is a stated minimum group size. The listing shows a minimum of 3 people, while the pickup details mention a minimum of 2 people, and availability depends on the required minimum being met.

What is included in the price, and what is not?

Included: private transportation. Not included: lunch.

Are admission tickets included for the sights?

Admission ticket info is listed per stop. Los Gigantes includes an admission ticket (about 20 minutes). The other listed stops (Masca Valley, Garachico, and Icod de los Vinos) are shown as free admission for their time blocks.

FAQ

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.

Can I change my booking close to the start time?

Changes made less than 24 hours before the experience start time are not accepted.