10 Free Things To Do In Tenerife

One of the things I love most about living in Tenerife is that some of my favourite days out have cost absolutely nothing.

Before moving here, I assumed I'd need to spend loads of money to explore the island properly, but that's really not the case. In fact, once you're officially a resident and have your TIE, you're entitled to free public transport throughout Tenerife.

That means I no longer pay for the bus at all.

Honestly, it's one of the best perks of living here. If I decide I want to spend the day in Santa Cruz, head down to El Médano, visit La Laguna or explore somewhere I've never been before, I can just jump on a bus and go. And even before you become a resident, public transport is incredibly affordable compared to many other places.

So if you're moving to Tenerife and trying to save money, here are some of my favourite things to do that won't cost you a euro.

One of the most obvious has to be watching the sunset in Teide National Park. I've lost count of how many times I've driven up there and it still doesn't get old. Watching the clouds below you while the sun disappears behind the mountains genuinely feels like being on another planet.

If you're into hiking, Tenerife is basically paradise. My personal favourite area is Anaga. The trails there feel completely different from the rest of the island, with dense forests, incredible viewpoints and little villages hidden away in the mountains. Even if you're not a serious hiker, there are plenty of easy routes with amazing scenery.

Another thing I love is visiting the natural swimming pools around the island. There are loads of them, and they're perfect during the warmer months. One of my favourite areas to spend the day is around Los Abrigos. It's a beautiful fishing village and a great place to walk around, sit by the sea and enjoy the atmosphere.

La Laguna is another place I never get tired of visiting. It's one of the prettiest towns on the island and has a completely different feel from the coastal areas. I love wandering through the old streets, looking at the colourful buildings and stopping for a coffee while people-watching in the squares.

If you haven't been to El Médano yet, put it on your list immediately. Even if you don't surf, it's one of the best places on the island to spend an afternoon. You can walk along the beach, watch the kitesurfers flying across the water and enjoy one of the most relaxed atmospheres you'll find anywhere in Tenerife.

Speaking of stars, stargazing in Tenerife is completely free and absolutely incredible. Because of the island's location and low light pollution, the night sky here is unbelievable. Some evenings you can see more stars than you ever thought possible.

Los Gigantes is another must-see. The cliffs are honestly one of those places that look even better in real life than they do in photos. There are several viewpoints where you can admire them completely free of charge.

If you're spending a day in Santa Cruz, there are actually loads of free things to do. One of my favourites is visiting TEA (Tenerife Espacio de las Artes), which is a modern art museum right in the city centre. Even if you're not usually into art, it's worth visiting just to see the building itself.

While you're there, I'd also recommend visiting Mercado Nuestra Señora de África. It's one of the most famous markets on the island and a great place to wander around, especially if you want to see local produce and get a feel for everyday life in Tenerife.

And if you're in Santa Cruz on a Sunday, definitely check out El Rastro. It's a huge flea market where people sell everything from clothes and books to antiques and random treasures. Even if you don't buy anything, it's a fun way to spend a morning.

Finally, one of my favourite free activities isn't really an activity at all…it's going to language exchanges. Not only are they a great way to practise Spanish, but they're also how I met some of my closest friends here. You get to meet people from all over the world, improve your language skills and build a social life at the same time.

One thing I've realised since moving to Tenerife is that you don't need a huge budget to enjoy life here. Some of my best memories have been hiking through the mountains, watching sunsets, wandering around villages or sitting by the ocean with friends.

The island has a way of making simple things feel special.

And honestly, that's one of the reasons I love living here so much.