Buenavista del Norte certainly lives up to its name – albeit with a few caveats. This is because the town on the north-western tip of Tenerife mainly features a small historic centre, which is more suited to a short break. Golfers also love Buenavista for its immaculately maintained golf course. But the town’s real gem lies a few kilometres outside the town limits.
Punta de Teno: Tenerife’s most beautiful view
Punta de Teno, with its breathtaking view across the Atlantic Ocean as far as La Gomera and La Palma, is a real highlight of Tenerife. But the journey there was, at times, life-threatening.
For years, the arduous journey to one of Tenerife’s most beautiful spots took you along a road riddled with potholes, past loose boulders and fallen rocks.
Large warning signs were intended to protect the local council from any claims for damages. In strong winds, use of the road was even prohibited. Since then, however, most of the problems have been resolved and the path is more or less usable again.
So, anyone setting off towards the western tip of Tenerife will first leave the town centre and the new-build area behind them. Passing the warning signs, the bumpy track winds its way through narrow, dark tunnels, running right alongside the cliffs of the Teno Mountains towards Punta de Teno.
Punta de Teno: A romantic path to the sea
After a few kilometres, visitors reach a small, secluded world. Old plantations mingle with active ones. Moreover, dilapidated factory buildings serve as a reminder of better times.
Finally, the Punta de Teno rises out of the Atlantic. There is a small, free car park right next to the short footpath leading to the Buenavista del Norte lighthouse.
The final few metres to the lighthouse are closed to visitors. The adjacent research facility is not to be besieged. However, the local authority has created a footpath. The route follows a picturesque wooden path past the small fishing harbour to the north-western tip of Tenerife.
Amateur photographers love Punta de Teno
The volcanic rock on one side and the roaring Atlantic with its play of light blue hues on the other captivate visitors and make them forget the passage of time within seconds. Above all, however, it is the view across to La Gomera, just a few kilometres away, and La Palma, a little further afield, that regularly takes visitors‘ breath away.
At its highest point, the viewpoint even features a jetty from which amateur photographers can take the best shots of the neighbouring islands. Alternatively to the wooden walkway, climbing enthusiasts can make their way there via the volcanic rocks, some five metres high, which flank the closed road leading to the lighthouse on either side.
Punta de Teno: Opening times and how to get there
The journey to the remote Punta de Teno, the lighthouse at Buenavista del Norte, is well worth the effort. Word of this has spread increasingly amongst visitors in recent years. As a result, access has been restricted on several occasions. The site can now be reached as follows:
The barrier on the TF-445, just before the turn-off to Punta de Teno, will be closed to private vehicles from Monday to Thursday between 9.00 and 20.00. Furthermore, vehicles are not permitted to pass between 9.00 on Friday and 9.00 on Monday.
Private vehicles with special permits, those carrying people with reduced mobility, boats, as well as taxis and bicycles, are permitted to pass through.
When does the bus to Punta de Teno on Tenerife run?
For everyone else, there is a shuttle bus operated by Titsa, Tenerife’s public transport provider, during the times mentioned above. Route 369 runs at the following times:
On weekdays from Buenavista del Norte coach station at 10.10, 11.05, 12.00, 13.10, 14.05, 15.00, 16.10, 17.05 and 18.05. Return from Teno at 10.35, 11.25, 12.25, 13.35, 14.25, 15.25, 16.35, 17.25 and 18.25.
At weekends and on public holidays, the bus leaves Buenavista at 10.10, 11.05, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00, 15.00, 16.10, 17.05 and 18.05. The return journey from Teno departs at 10.35, 11.25, 12.25, 13.25, 14.25, 15.25, 16.35, 17.25 and 18.25.
How much does the shuttle to Punta de Teno cost?
To encourage as many visitors as possible to use the bus service to Punta de Teno, the price has been kept deliberately low: the fare is one euro each way.
More photos of Punta de Teno
You can see more lovely pictures of Punta de Teno below:
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