Best Sunset Spots in Tenerife: Where to Watch and When
Where to watch the sunset in Tenerife
The best place to watch the sunset in Tenerife is the west coast, where the sun sets straight into the Atlantic. The standout spots are Los Gigantes, Punta de Teno, Costa Adeje and the high viewpoints around Teide, and on many evenings you can see the island of La Gomera as a dark silhouette on the horizon. The west-coast towns (Los Gigantes, Costa Adeje, Playa de San Juan, Alcalá) get a clean ocean horizon. The north and east coasts lose the sun behind hills and mountains earlier, so the light show there is shorter.
This guide covers the spots that are actually worth the trip, what time the sun sets in each month, and a few honest tips so you do not end up parked behind a cloud bank.
The best sunset spots in Tenerife
Los Gigantes and Puerto de Santiago
The cliffs of Los Gigantes rise up to 600 metres straight out of the sea on the west coast, and the sun sets right next to them behind La Gomera. Watch from the harbour, from Playa de la Arena, or from the viewpoint at Puerto de Santiago. It is one of the most photographed sunsets on the island. Arrive 30 minutes early in summer because the harbour-front bars fill up.
Punta de Teno
The westernmost point of Tenerife, past Buenavista del Norte, with a black-and-white lighthouse and uninterrupted views of Los Gigantes and La Gomera. Access is restricted to a shuttle bus during the day (private cars are limited at peak times), so check the current access rules before you go. It is one of the least built-up sunset spots on the island, with little between you and the horizon.
Teide National Park and the sea of clouds
This is a different kind of sunset. From the high roads around Teide (the TF-21 and the Izaña area), you are often above the clouds, watching the sun sink into a "mar de nubes" while El Teide glows behind you. It gets cold fast once the sun is down, so bring a jacket even in summer. Many visitors combine it with stargazing, since Teide National Park has some of the clearest night skies in Europe. See our guide to El Teide and stargazing in Teide National Park for the full picture.
Masca and the Mirador de Cherfe
The viewpoint at Mirador de Cherfe, on the road above the village of Masca, looks west across the Teno mountains toward La Gomera. The low sun lights up the Teno ridges and the valley below. The road up is narrow and winding, so drive it in daylight and allow extra time.
Costa Adeje, La Caleta and Playa del Duque
If you want a relaxed sunset with a drink in hand and no mountain driving, the south-west resort coast is the easy choice. La Caleta is a small fishing village turned dining spot with west-facing terraces, and Playa del Duque and the Costa Adeje promenade all face the sunset. It is walkable and works for families, with no driving involved.
El Médano and Montaña Roja
El Médano, on the south-east coast, is better known for wind and kitesurfing, but the walk around Montaña Roja at the end of the day gives you wide views over the bay as the light softens. It is the eastern alternative if you are staying near the airport or in the south-east.
Garachico
On the north-west coast, the old town of Garachico sits below the cliffs with its famous volcanic rock pools. Sunset here has the sun going down over the water with the town in the foreground. Pair it with a swim earlier in the day at the natural lava pools of Garachico.
What time is sunset in Tenerife?
Tenerife runs on western European time (the same as the UK and Portugal, one hour behind mainland Spain). Sunset times shift a lot across the year. These are approximate times for the south and west of the island; check an exact time for your date before heading out.
- January: around 18:25
- February: around 18:55
- March: around 19:20, then near 20:20 after the clocks change in late March
- April: around 20:45
- May: around 21:05
- June: around 21:25 (the latest sunsets of the year)
- July: around 21:20
- August: around 20:55
- September: around 20:10
- October: around 19:25, then near 18:25 after the clocks change in late October
- November: around 18:10
- December: around 18:05 (the earliest sunsets of the year)
The sky usually stays colourful for 20 to 30 minutes after the sun is down, so do not leave the moment it dips below the horizon.
Tips for watching the sunset in Tenerife
Go west for ocean sunsets. The south-west and west coasts give you the sun setting over the sea. The north and east lose it behind high ground.
Watch the clouds. A low cloud bank on the horizon can hide the final moments. The Teide viewpoints get you above that layer; on the coast, a clearer evening is the safer bet.
Arrive early in summer. The popular spots (Los Gigantes, La Caleta) get busy from late afternoon between June and September.
Bring a layer for the heights. Sunset in Teide National Park is cold and windy once the sun drops, even on a hot day at the coast.
Drive mountain roads in daylight. Masca, Cherfe and the Teide roads are winding. Get up there before the light goes and come down carefully.
Tenerife sunset questions
Where is the best place to watch the sunset in Tenerife? The west coast. Los Gigantes and Punta de Teno give you cliffs and open ocean, Costa Adeje and La Caleta are the easy resort-side options, and the Teide viewpoints put you above the clouds.
What time does the sun set in Tenerife? It ranges from around 18:05 in December to around 21:25 in June. Use the month-by-month list above for an approximate time, and check an exact time for your date before you head out.
Can you watch the sunset from Teide? Yes. The high roads in Teide National Park are often above the cloud layer, so you watch the sun sink into a sea of clouds. It gets cold and windy after dark, so bring a jacket.
Which side of Tenerife has the best sunset? The west and south-west. Those coasts face the Atlantic, so the sun sets over the sea. The north and east see it drop behind high ground instead.
See the sunset from the water
Some of the best views are from a boat, with the cliffs of Los Gigantes lit up and La Gomera on the horizon. A late-afternoon catamaran or sailing trip times the return for golden hour, and many include a swim stop along the way. Browse the options below, or see all Tenerife excursions.
