Visit Mount Teide with children and have fun with your family

Mount Teide for kids: when you visit, you’ll...

• Strengthen family bonds: There’s nothing like a different experience that’s fun for everyone to make you feel closer to each other than ever before.
• Earn their gratitude: Because when you visit Mount Teide with children and they discover what the National Park has to offer, they’ll feel very lucky.
• Surprise them: After riding the cable car and reaching the upper station at an altitude of 3,555 m, they’ll be thrilled to learn that they’re at one of the highest points in Europe. And there are plenty more surprises for them! 
• Experience a family adventure: You can easily drive your car up to the cable car base station and enjoy the route and viewpoints. A totally private family excursion before reaching the highest part of the National Park.
• You’ll all learn something: Mount Teide is a genuine treasure trove. Its skies, the cable car, landscapes, trails, the observatory... The natural and scientific heritage of this volcano is an amazing learning experience for everyone. And now, you can also visit the “Science and Legend” exhibition, a unique way for the whole family to learn about the science behind volcanology, without forgetting the Guanche legend that grew up around Mount Teide.

Mount Teide for kids—it really is for all the family! And yes, it’s very easy to visit Mount Teide with children, thanks to the experiences that we’re going to describe below.

We’ve divided them into two groups: day experiences and night experiences, but first we’d like to share some tips and a recommendation before you ascend Mount Teide with children.

Two tips and a recommendation before ascending Mount Teide with children

Let’s start with the recommendation: if you can, leave your car behind when you ascend Mount Teide with children and choose group transport!

It prevents unnecessary emissions and over-crowding in the parking areas. Do it for a sustainable Teide and to avoid being at the wheel so you can enjoy the experience with your children to the full.

Not possible? Then here are our tips.

Make stops along the way

Making stops as you ascend Mount Teide with children will give you the chance to rest, and to enjoy the views you’ll discover along your journey. If you choose one of our excursions, we’ll make the stops for you.

View excursions with Teide Cable Car

Plan to visit Mount Teide with children after midday

To help ensure your visit has the smallest environmental impact possible, we encourage you to arrive at Mount Teide with children from 1.00pm onwards. If you can travel by group transport, even better.

In fact, have you thought about visiting Mount Teide with children at sunset and enjoying the stars? If so, please remember that under 8s aren’t permitted to join night activities and excursions.

View activities and excursions with Teide Cable Car at sunset

Things to do on Mount Teide with children: daytime experiences

Teide Tour and cable car (3 years old and above)

An excellent way to enjoy a totally care-free visit to Mount Teide with children because it includes transport in a comfortable vehicle.

Definitely an option to consider, and we’ll explain why:

We know that travelling in your own car can be very comfortable too, but the National Park is a protected natural space and there are a limited number of places to park in the area. If you go by car, you’re contributing to vehicle congestion and it could be hard to find a parking space, but if you choose our comfortable transport, you’ll be spared all the hassle.

Also, you’ll be joined by a guide in the vehicle who will accompany you throughout the experience, so if you’re not driving you can pay attention throughout the journey and ask him or her whatever you want.

When you reach the base station, you’ll ride the cable car and then be able to enjoy the viewpoint from La Rambleta with its views of the Siete Cañadas del Teide, before following one of the trails that leave from this point: the trail that leads to the Pico Viejo viewpoint and the La Fortaleza trail.

The first trail ends with a panorama of the Atlantic Ocean and the islands of La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma; on the second you’ll see the spectacular mountains of Anaga and the north side of the island. Which do you think the kids would like most?

Family—we’re going on a tour to Mount Teide using the cable car in a sustainable way!

The audio-guided Teide Legend Tour with access to the “Science and Legend” exhibition (open to all)

Teide Legend Tour is the most innovative experience we offer, and it is designed so that you can enjoy a visit to Mount Teide with children independently, using the most comprehensive audio-guided tour to guide you along any of the access roads leading to the National Park. 

All you need to set out on this adventure is a mobile device.

In addition, with the purchase of just one audio-guided tour, you and everyone travelling with you in the same vehicle will benefit from free admission to the “Science and Legend” exhibition, which you will find at the Teide Cable Car Teide Visitors’ Centre.

Along the entire route, which begins from the moment you leave your holiday accommodation to set off for Mount Teide along any of the main access roads, you will hear about the best viewing points, walking trails and points of interest. At the same time, you will learn about the volcanology, geology, anthropology and history of the Park in the company of the characters from the Legend of Guayota (both gods and humans). Of course, the audio guide will leave you at the foot of Mount Teide, at the Cable Car Visitors’ Centre, where the whole family can enjoy the fun and educational “Science and Legend” exhibition. While at the Visitors’ Centre, you can, if you wish, enjoy a well-earned, reviving snack in Spain’s highest café-restaurant.  

On your visit to the “Science and Legend” exhibition, you will meet Guayota, the demon of Mount Teide, and the other mythological beings and Guanches who have populated the legends of the island of Tenerife for centuries. Join the young Guanche shepherdess, Tassat, in her adventures while you learn about the science behind the Guanche legend about Mount Teide’s last great eruption about a thousand years ago, which resulted in the peak we see today. 

A look around this exhibition will fascinate young children, who will also see a faithful replica of a Guanche mummy lent by the Tenerife Museum of Nature and Archaeology (MUNA).

Adults will be captivated by the amazing views from the large windows in the Visitors’ Centre café-restaurant. Recharge your batteries with a snack to round off your excursion in your own style. 

And if you’d like a memento to remind you of your Teide Legend Tour experience when you return home, we have the perfect souvenir or gift for you: the “Volcano Teide Legend” comic, which recounts the legend of Guayota, and which you can buy in our official souvenir shop, at the exhibition’s exit. Here, you will also find t-shirts, bracelets, notebooks and lots more, all based on Mount Teide’s most epic legend. 

Live Tenerife’s most legendary experience!

Family—we’re going on the audio-guided Teide Legend Tour + ‘Science and Legend’ Exhibition!

Cable Car + Guided tour to the Pico Viejo viewpoint with children (5 years old and above)

This experience takes you from the base station to the upper station, La Rambleta, by cable car on an 8-minute journey that will drive kids wild with excitement.

How does it feel to soar over the slopes of a National Park that’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

When you try it for yourselves you’ll reach the upper station at an altitude of 3,555 m and set off with an official National Park guide to the viewpoint of the Pico Viejo volcano.

You’ll have a fantastic time along the way: In addition to the guide’s explanations, children can warm their hands over the fumaroles on either side of the path, a reminder that Mount Teide is still active.

At the end of the trail, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the colourful crater of the old Pico Viejo volcano and the islands of La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma.

Here’s an example of this experience:

Did you like it? And more importantly, can’t you just picture your kids loving it?! We’re waiting for you!

Family, we’re going to Teide Cable Car with a guided tour!

Cable car tickets with audio guide (3 years old and above)

This option is perfect for independently exploring one of the trails that start from the upper station with information about the route, even if it isn’t provided by a guide in person.

Discover the marvels of the trail at your own pace as you head towards the Pico Viejo viewpoint or to La Fortaleza. Both are free access trails and if you have a permit to access the crater, you’ll also be able to take the audio guide with you to the highest point in Spain. All you have to do is book cable car tickets + audio guide.

It’s that easy!

Here’s a sample of the audio guide.

Find out more about how to upgrade your cable car tickets to premium.

If you’ve made your decision and want to do one of these trails independently, book your tickets here and don’t forget to choose tickets with audio guide:

Purchase tickets + audio guide

Visit the Teide Observatory with children (8 years old and above)

Teide Solar Observatory is the largest of its kind in the world.

You might think... So what? Well: did you know that Teide has one of the best skies on the planet for stargazing, along with Chile and Hawaii?

That’s right: and that’s why the observatory carries out all kinds of research and astrophysics projects. On this experience you can learn about it all first-hand.

Your guide will tell you about the projects of the Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics, the Observatory’s telescopes and how they work, you’ll go inside a nocturnal telescope with a fascinating history, take part in an astrophysics workshop and do a day observation with portable solar telescopes.

Science, science and more science: The scientific heritage of the volcano is in your hands with an activity that will delight children—and is free for under 16s.

If you’d like the whole family to be enticed by the science behind this important solar observatory, click below and take a look:

Family—we’re going to discover the Observatory!

Climbing to Mount Teide crater with the help of the Cable Car (6 years old and above)

This excursion on Mount Teide for children is very special because it’s the only excursion that takes you all the way to the peak of Mount Teide, the highest point in Spain, accompanied by an official guide.

The high altitude of Mount Teide is the reason why this Mount Teide family excursion is only suitable for children who are 6 years old and above. There is far less oxygen at the volcano’s peak and this can be a big challenge for younger children.

This excursion to Mount Teide for kids includes transportation to the cable car base station from your accommodation, cable car tickets at a time that perfectly matches the time of your permit, and also saves you the hassle of having to obtain a permit yourself.

In case you didn’t know, to visit Mount Teide’s crater you need a special permit issued by the National Parks website.

If you don’t request a permit several months in advance, there probably won’t be one available. Instead, on this excursion to Mount Teide with children we’ll take charge of getting the permits for you, for both children and adults, because part of the permits that are issued each day are reserved for official guides and we work with these guides.

And what will you get up to on your Mount Teide family excursion to the National Park? You’ll be joined by one of our guides who will share fascinating information with you about the surprising and unusual Telesforo Bravo trail that runs from La Rambleta to the crater. And at the top, one of the best views on the planet will be waiting for you with the endless expanse of the Atlantic Ocean at your feet.

If you’d like further information, don’t miss this article about ascending to the peak of Teide with children.

And if you’re already sure:

We’re up for it, we want to ascend to the peak of Mount Teide with children!

Visit Mount Teide with children in the afternoon / at nightfall

There are plenty of activities on Mount Teide for kids—loads! There are even sunset activities on Mount Teide for kids.

Read on to find out more.

Astronomical observation on Mount Teide for kids (8 years old and above)

Sky fans big and small, step this way!

Gazing at the skies of Mount Teide with long-range telescopes at nightfall is always a pleasure, but doing it with children and seeing them have fun raising their eyes to the stars and pointing their telescope upwards makes it better yet.

On this experience you’ll be taken to the cable car base station after sunset, where you’ll go stargazing as a family and admire the never-ending firmament.

You’ll be helped by Starlight guides who won’t let you leave with any questions unanswered.

Constellations, planets, myths, science... There’s time for it all on this excursion to Mount Teide for kids to enjoy the stars.

Astronomical observation on Mount Teide for kids

Cable car and sunset from a spectacular viewpoint (8 years old and above)

Another family activity to ascend Mount Teide with children, this time at sunset.

You’ll ascend to the upper station by cable car and follow the trail that leads to one of our favourite Teide viewpoints: the crater of the Pico Viejo volcano.

But wait—that’s not all: This cable car journey will be like no other. This time you’ll ride it outside of its normal operating hours with a maximum of 90 people. An exclusive excursion to Mount Teide for kids.

Picture the scene:

You and your children at an altitude of 3,555 m, all watching the sunset with the shadow of Mount Teide stretching out towards the horizon, Gran Canaria as a backdrop and, at the end of the trail, a huge multicoloured crater that is 800 m in diameter. Pico Viejo offers visitors one of the most beautiful and surreal images of the National Park.

And the best lies off in the distance: The sun setting over the horizon, illuminating the islands of El Hierro, La Palma and La Gomera, adding a touch of magic to views that will astonish even the smallest family members.

If you’d like to be here and ascend Mount Teide with your children to enjoy this exclusive sunset up high, click here:

Cable car at sunset, here we go!

Astronomic Tour with children (8 years old and above)

On this excursion to Mount Teide for kids you’ll visit Teide Observatory in the afternoon, so when you leave the observatory after an engrossing tour with our official guides and a jaw-dropping sunset, we’ll take you to the cable car base station. This point in the park is at an altitude of 2,300 m so when you go stargazing, you’ll be able to admire the far depths of the firmament.

The stargazing session included on this excursion to Mount Teide with children uses long-range telescopes and you’ll be assisted by Starlight guides who will tell you all about one of the three best skies in the world for stargazing. Did you know that from Mount Teide you can see 83 of the 88 known constellations?

Younger family members will love the guide’s explanations and the scientific world within the walls of Teide Observatory, and then the stargazing experience on the Astronomic Tour will blow their minds like never before!

We want the Astronomic Tour!

Sunset & Stars, the most complete night excursion (8 years old and above)

The most complete excursion to Mount Teide for kids. Young and old will enjoy the journey up to the volcano, watching the sunset over the Atlantic and a guided stargazing activity.

It includes transport to the cable car base station where you’ll ascend to an altitude of 3,555 m to enjoy the spectacular sights of Mount Teide’s shadow and the highest sunset in Spain, as seen from the trail to the Pico Viejo Viewpoint. With the Pico Viejo crater at your feet, you can look out at the neighbouring islands of La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma in the distance, weather permitting. An unforgettable experience on Mount Teide for your kids!

During the astronomical observation, our Starlight guides will reveal the secrets of the skies above Mount Teide as you stargaze using the naked eye and our professional telescopes. A unique experience is guaranteed!

Looks good, doesn’t it?

Sunset and stars on Teide, here we go!

Summary table

Below is a table that includes the different activities and excursions to Mount Teide for kids:

What do you think about our recommendations of things to do on Mount Teide with kids? Can’t you just see yourself discovering one of world’s greatest natural treasures with your children?

Can you think of anything better?

If you need a hand answering this question, take a look at our weekly activities calendar.

You can view everything that is available to do in this spectacular national park:

And that’s all from us for now!

As you’ve seen, visiting Mount Teide with children can be one of the best things you do during your holidays: A real chance to strengthen bonds, have fun, and discover and learn as a family surrounded by nature and science.

We’re waiting for you!