Tenerife: Motorcycle Guided Tour with sightseeing and lunch

Tenerife is made for two wheels, and this tour uses the island’s best trick: climb from the coast into the high country, cross the slopes of Teide, then descend toward the north coast for lunch and possibly a sea swim. I especially like the private format, which allows the guide to adjust the pace, and the chance to eat at a traditional guachinche rather than a standard tourist restaurant.

I also like that fuel, insurance, motorcycle gear, coffee or soda, and lunch are included. The main caution is simple: this is not a motorcycle lesson. You must already ride confidently, hold an A or A2 motorcycle license, and be comfortable spending much of the day in the saddle. The hotel pickup fee and the stated timing should also be confirmed before booking.

Key points at a glance

• A 150-kilometer route to Teide: Ride from Santa Cruz or your hotel toward the national park, with mountain roads, pine forest, and high viewpoints.
• Chipeque and Roques de García: Two of the day’s strongest photo stops, with broad views toward Mount Teide.
• A real Canarian lunch: Eat at a traditional guachinche and choose from regional dishes included in the price.
• A flexible finish by the sea: Stop at San Pedro, then possibly swim at El Socorro beach or a natural pool if conditions allow.
• Private guiding with Álvaro: The experience is designed around personal service rather than a large convoy.
• Bring proper riding clothes: Long trousers, closed shoes, sunscreen, identification, and a motorcycle license are required.

From Santa Cruz to the high slopes of Teide

The day begins at 9:00 a.m. at Feel it, Canary Islands Motorcycles, in Santa Cruz, or at your hotel if you arrange delivery. The route changes slightly depending on where you are staying. From the capital, the ride heads toward La Esperanza for northern hotel locations or Vilaflor for southern ones, using one of the best access roads toward Teide National Park.

That flexibility matters. Tenerife is a compact island on a map, but the roads rise sharply from the coast. A route that works well from the north may not make sense from the south. Starting from the right side helps reduce unnecessary backtracking and gives you more time on the interesting roads.

You ride the motorcycle yourself. A local guide leads the way, but this is not a chauffeured sightseeing trip. You need an A or A2 license, previous motorcycle experience, and a passenger who is used to riding if you bring a companion.

The provided riding kit includes a helmet, gloves, and jacket for both driver and passenger. You still need long trousers and closed-toe shoes. Sandals and shorts are not allowed, which is sensible on a full-day motorcycle route with changing temperatures.

Chipeque viewpoint and the first mountain views

The first planned stop is Chipeque viewpoint. This is a short pause for photographs and a chance to take in the view before the ride continues higher. The stop is useful early in the day because you can settle into the motorcycle, check your clothing, and get a feel for the pace.

The appeal of Tenerife’s mountain roads is the quick change in scenery. You begin near the coast and soon move into cooler, higher country. The road itself becomes part of the experience, with bends and changing views rather than a simple transfer from one attraction to the next.

A second brief stop takes place among Canarian pines. It is described as a quick photo stop, so do not expect a long forest walk or a major viewpoint facility. The value is in the setting and the contrast between the dark pine trees and the open volcanic country ahead.

I would bring sunscreen even if the morning begins cloudy. Tenerife’s mountain sun can be strong, and the day includes time outside at several exposed viewpoints. A light layer is also sensible because the temperature can change as you gain altitude.

Coffee with Mount Teide around 10:30

At about 10:30 a.m., you stop at a restaurant with views toward Mount Teide. Coffee or a soft drink is included, giving you a proper break from the motorcycle rather than another quick roadside photo.

This pause helps break up the morning riding. It also lets you enjoy the view without trying to photograph everything from the saddle. You might find the stop especially useful if you are riding two-up, since passengers often appreciate a chance to stretch before the longer section through the national park.

The tour is not built around a long list of formal attractions. Instead, the rhythm is ride, stop, photograph, eat, and ride again. That suits riders who want the road to be the main event. If your ideal day involves lengthy museum visits or guided walks, this will feel too motorcycle-focused.

Roques de García and the great Teide photo stop

The stop at Roques de García is one of the day’s main highlights. These striking rock formations sit in one of the most recognizable areas of Teide National Park, with Mount Teide forming the dramatic backdrop.

You will have time to appreciate the view and take photographs, but the schedule does not promise a long hike. Treat this as a scenic stop, not a walking excursion. Comfortable clothing and closed shoes are still important, but you do not need to prepare for a full trail day.

This is also where the route’s variety becomes clear. The ride is not only about fast bends or motorcycle performance. It links several different parts of Tenerife, from pine forest to volcanic rock and then down toward the greener north. You get a sense of how sharply the island changes over a relatively short distance.

The guide’s role is important here. Álvaro is specifically named as one of the guides, and the experience is set up as a private group. That gives you someone to help with the route, the stops, and the practical flow of the day. It also means you can ask questions as you go instead of following a large group with little personal contact.

Descending through Portillo toward La Orotava

After Roques de García, the route descends through Portillo toward La Orotava. This section offers a different kind of pleasure from the viewpoint stops. The road becomes the attraction, and you can watch the surroundings change as the elevation drops.

The tour provider describes the day as an experience of feeling the ride, not simply checking off sights. That idea makes sense here. You are moving through Tenerife under your own control, with the changing air and road surface adding something a bus tour cannot provide.

Still, you should be honest about your riding ability. A mountain route with several stops is not automatically easy. The information supplied does not give a detailed road-by-road difficulty rating, so ask the provider about the motorcycle model, road conditions, and expected pace if you are not fully comfortable on mountain roads.

The route covers about 150 kilometers. That is a reasonable distance for a six-hour outing, but the day may run six to eight hours depending on stops, weather, lunch, and the optional sea visit. The schedule gives both an approximate 3:00 p.m. return and a later arrival around 5:00 p.m. in Santa Cruz, so confirm the expected finish time when you book.

A traditional guachinche lunch around 1:00

Lunch is planned for about 1:00 p.m. at a typical guachinche. These are informal Canarian eating places known for regional food and a local atmosphere. You choose from several Canarian dishes, and the meal is included.

This is one of the strongest parts of the package. The meal is not an extra expense waiting at the end of the day, and it gives you a taste of Tenerife beyond hotel dining and international menus. The food is described as delicious in the available feedback, with the regional character of the meal adding to the appeal.

Do not expect a formal fine-dining setting. A guachinche is valued for straightforward local food and a relaxed setting. That is exactly the right match for a motorcycle day. You can sit down, eat properly, and take a break before the final section.

Lunch also helps justify the price. At $389 per person, this is not a budget sightseeing trip. But the cost includes a private guide, motorcycle fuel, riding equipment, full insurance with excess, the meal, coffee or soda, taxes, and the riding itself. If you would otherwise rent a motorcycle, buy gear, pay for fuel, arrange insurance, and organize a route, the package becomes easier to defend.

The key question is how much you value the private guiding. If you only want a motorcycle rental, this will cost more than arranging one yourself. If you want a prepared route, local guidance, included food, and less planning, the price is more reasonable.

San Pedro and the option of a sea swim

After lunch, the route offers a stop at San Pedro, a viewpoint in the north of Tenerife. You may have the option of coffee, tea, or a soft drink here. The stop provides another chance to enjoy the north coast after spending the morning at high elevation.

If weather and conditions allow, you can choose to swim at nearby El Socorro beach or in a natural pool. Bring a swimsuit and towel if that possibility appeals to you. The wording matters: the swim is an option, not a guarantee. Weather, sea conditions, and the timing of the day can affect whether it happens.

This is a nice touch because it gives the afternoon a change of pace. You are no longer only looking at Tenerife from a viewpoint. You may be able to cool off in the sea before returning to the motorcycle and Santa Cruz.

Do not book this tour solely for the swim. The core experience is the motorcycle route through Teide and the north. The water stop is a bonus that depends on conditions and available time.

How personal is the private tour?

The group is private, and the experience is offered in Spanish or English. That makes it a good choice if you want direct contact with the guide rather than a large organized ride.

Álvaro receives particularly strong praise in the available feedback. His role is described as more than simply leading the route, with good conversation, careful attention to comfort, and a friendly manner. Another account describes the guide as taking care of everything needed for a comfortable day. Those details point to a personal style, which fits the company’s focus on client well-being.

The private setup can also help couples or friends who have different needs. You can discuss the pace, stops, photographs, and possible swim more easily than in a large group. The supplied information does not promise that every request can be accommodated, so treat flexibility as part of the design rather than an unlimited guarantee.

The special Feel it gift is included as a small extra. It is not described in detail, so do not choose the tour for the gift itself. The real value is the route, the guide, and the included practical costs.

What to bring and what to confirm

You should arrive with a motorcycle license, passport or identity card, comfortable clothes, long trousers, closed shoes, and sunscreen. Sandals, flip-flops, shorts, and riding while intoxicated are not permitted.

Before booking, I would confirm four points:

• Pickup cost: Hotel delivery is not included in the base price. It costs an additional 35 euros for a north Tenerife hotel and 45 euros for a south Tenerife hotel.
• Starting location: The listed starting point is Feel it, Canary Islands Motorcycles, in Santa Cruz.
• Return time: The information gives both an approximate 3:00 p.m. return and a Santa Cruz arrival around 5:00 p.m.
• Motorcycle requirements: You need an A or A2 license and real riding experience.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Tenerife plans are still shifting, but they do not remove the need to check the weather and your own riding confidence.

Who should book this Tenerife ride?

I would recommend it to an experienced rider who wants to see several sides of Tenerife in one day without planning every turn. It suits couples, friends, and solo riders who value a private experience, local food, and a guide who stays involved throughout the route.

It is also a strong choice if you have already seen the island’s main coastal sights and want a more active day. The combination of Teide, Canarian pine forest, Roques de García, La Orotava, a guachinche, and the north coast gives the route real variety.

I would not recommend it to a first-time motorcycle rider, anyone without the required license, or anyone hoping for a relaxed passenger-only excursion. Children under 18 are not permitted, and the driver must handle the motorcycle for the entire outing.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you see the motorcycle as the main attraction, not just as transport between photo stops. The best reasons to go are the private guide, the 150-kilometer route, and the included Canarian lunch, with fuel, gear, insurance, and drinks already covered.

At $389 per person, it is a premium day out. The value improves if you would otherwise rent a bike and organize the route yourself. Ask about the motorcycle, the exact return time, and hotel delivery before paying. If those details work for you and mountain riding is already part of your comfort zone, this offers one of Tenerife’s most satisfying ways to connect the high country with the north coast.

FAQ

Where does the motorcycle tour start?

The listed starting point is Feel it, Canary Islands Motorcycles, Tenerife Rental & Tours, in Santa Cruz. Hotel delivery is also available for an extra fee.

How long does the tour last?

The activity is listed as lasting 6 to 8 hours. The route covers about 150 kilometers. Departure is at 9:00 a.m., while the expected return time should be confirmed because the supplied schedule gives approximate afternoon times.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel delivery costs an additional 35 euros for hotels in northern Tenerife and 45 euros for hotels in southern Tenerife.

What motorcycle license do I need?

You need a motorcycle license A or A2, along with experience riding motorcycles. The customer drives the motorcycle.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at a traditional guachinche is included, with several Canarian dishes available to choose from. Coffee or a soft drink is also included.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour is available in Spanish and English.