Masca, Tenerife: Must-See Mountain Village & Gorge Hike

Masca, Tenerife

Masca is one of Tenerife’s oldest and most popular sights — and rightly so! The village (that gave us flashbacks to Machu Picchu in Peru) is nestled in a valley among the Teno Mountains on the island’s northwest side.

Note: Although there’s not much to do in the town itself, it’s lovely to wander around for an hour or two, snapping beautiful photos and soaking up the incredible scenery. 

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How to Get to Masca in Tenerife?

The journey to Masca is an adventure itself! The two villages of Santiago del Teide and Buenavista del Norte are the connection points, where you’ll drive on the infamous TF-436 road to Masca, Tenerife.

The windy mountain road is often pretty hair-raising; expect sheer drops, no railings, tight corners, and narrow openings. For this reason, you really need to be a confident driver to attempt this! That being said, while nerve-wracking, it’s so worth it! We saw some of the most incredible views along the way — Mirador de Cherfe and Mirador de Masca being some of the must-visit stops. (Find all locations on our Google Maps)

Tip: Always take the bends slowly, as the roads are narrow and sometimes there isn’t enough room for two cars to pass. We highly recommend renting a car with full insurance, as car damage can happen on this road to Masca.

Masca Village

Masca village is situated in one of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful areas in the world. Although there aren’t many ‘things to do’, it’s all about wandering the cobbled streets, taking in the magical views of the surrounding mountains, volcanic rocks, and valleys.

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There are a couple of cute spots in the village to see:

• The Chapel of the Immaculate Conception: A pretty church made of volcanic stone, looking out onto a beautiful tree with twisted roots.
• Ethnographic Museum: Check out this small museum nearby. It’s a great place to learn about the history of Tenerife! The building used to be a school for the Guanches, the indigenous people of the Canary Islands. (Open Monday – Saturday from 11 AM – 5 PM)

Note: If you’re just visiting Masca to see the village and maybe have a bite to eat, 1-2 hours is plenty of time. It’s good to know that parking is capped at 2 hours between 8 AM and 2 PM to prevent overcrowding. 

Viewpoints and Restaurants

We probably had one of our most scenic drinks here! Masca is home to a few charming restaurants serving delicious traditional food, but most importantly, they have terraces with the best views in Tenerife.

Some of the restaurants with the best valley views are:

• Restaurante El Guanche Altaschule (secluded garden vibes overlooking the valley)
• Bar Fidel (best for seeing Roque de Catana)
• Mirador la Cruz de Hilda (situated about 2 km out of Masca on the way to Buenavista del Norte. The view from this terrace is sensational!)
• Casa Riquelme (great ocean views and the cutest place in town! However, the reviews are not great, so we recommend just ordering a drink here)

Tip: Most restaurants in Masca have odd opening times, so it’s best to check before planning a visit.

Masca Gorge Hike

One of the activities Masca is most famous for is the Masca Gorge Hike, a one-way trail that leaves from the village, taking you through a deep ravine to the dramatic coast’s edge. While this route is a little challenging, it allows you to see the Barranco de Masca firsthand, the deep gorge formed here many moons ago from the flow of volcanic lava. 

Nowadays, there’s no lava in sight, but what’s left behind are unique volcanic rock formations, diverse flora and fauna, and endless mountain peak views in the distance. Moreover, you’re rewarded with beautiful ocean views when you emerge onto Masca Beach at the end of your hike.

Key Information

• Distance: 5-6 KM downhill/approx 3-4 hours. 
• Terrain: Rocky, uneven route that can be challenging. 
• Permit required? Yes! Only a few people can do the Masca Gorge hike each day. You must book a permit in advance, which costs 40.66 EUR/46 USD. This includes your descent and transfer from Santiago del Teide. Note: This does not include your return trip; you must book this yourself.
• Opening Times: The hike is only open Friday – Sunday from 8 AM to 6 PM.
• Equipment: Hiking shoes are required (your footwear will be checked on entry). Additionally, you will be provided with a helmet, which you must wear for the entirety of the hike.
• Tours: For the most ease, we recommend booking an organized tour to Masca Gorge. This includes your permit and return transport. You’ll also have a guide for the hike, which feels safer—plus, you’ll learn way more about the incredible nature in Masca, Tenerife!

Getting to Masca Gorge

1. Park your car in Santaigo del Teide and take the transfer (included in your permit) to Masca, Tenerife.
2. Follow the trail from the village to the beach, where your hike ends.
3. At the beach, take a boat to Los Gigantes. Remember to book your own boat transfer (see the official list of partners here). Your boat must be scheduled within 4 hours after your reserved hiking slot.
4. Once in Los Gigantes, take the 325 bus or 462 bus back to Santiago del Teide, where your car is parked.

Favorite Restaurants in Masca, Tenerife

Eating on one of the breathtaking terraces is an absolute must-do in Masca! Most restaurants have charming outdoor spaces with incredible views of the gorge, the Atlantic, and surrounding mountains and rock formations. It’s also an excellent opportunity to try some Tenerife traditional favorites, like papas arrugadas, salsa mojo, or local wines. Here’s some of our favorites:

• Bar Fidel: Views and traditional plates
• Restaurante El Guanche Altaschule: Views and delicious food
• Casa Riquelme: The cutest place in town! However, the reviews aren’t great, so you might want to order only a drink
• La Fuente: Cosy, plant-filled terrace with views

Remember: Most restaurants in Masca have varied opening times, so always check/book ahead of your visit to avoid disappointment.

Our Tenerife tips in your Google Maps? We made it easier for you! All our tips: favourite to do's, restaurants, hikes, secret spots & more in Google Maps!

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Where to stay in Masca

Masca is a beautiful place to stay for the night, particularly if you want to experience this incredible spot without the daytime crowds. Walking the village streets once the sun has gone down, with magical stars lighting up the valley, is a fantastic experience. However, as it’s a small place, there aren’t any hotels, although there are a few apartment rental options (make sure to book ahead). 

Otherwise, stay in Puerto de la Cruz (our choice), which made the perfect base for our Tenerife itinerary. A day trip to Masca from here is easy—just 1 hour and 15 minutes by car. You can also book this day tour from Puerto de la Cruz, including a visit to Mount Teide.

How to Visit Masca, Tenerife

The road to Masca is incredible. Expect jaw-dropping views of the mountains, valleys, and the Atlantic. You can stop off at multiple beautiful viewpoints along the way, making the journey one of the most memorable things to do in Tenerife.

By Car

Traveling by car to Masca gives you the most freedom to explore, and if you love driving, the TF-436 road is unmissable!

On the other hand, if you’re not a confident driver, we wouldn’t recommend doing this in a hire car. While the road conditions are excellent, these narrow roads with hair-raising drops require careful driving. It’s good to take it slow, particularly on the tight bends, as there’s often not enough room for two cars to pass, especially with the buses. 

Parking: Parking is very limited in Masca, Tenerife, making arrival in peak hours quite stressful. To avoid this, we recommend arriving early (before 9 AM) or late afternoon (after 4.30 PM). Additionally, parking is capped at 2 hours between 8 AM and 2 PM.

By Bus

The buses in Tenerife are amazing! You’ll see the green TITSA buses moving all around the island, so if you don’t have a car, don’t worry. Moreover, the tickets are cheap, and you can easily travel more with the chargeable card.

Which route you take will depend on where you’re staying. We stayed in a hotel in Puerto de la Cruz, and saw that you can take bus line 325 to Santiago del Teide in 1 hour and 10 minutes. From here, you can get onto bus 355 to Masca, Tenerife (20 minutes). The only downside about taking the bus is that you can’t stop for the views! 

Organized Tour

If you’d like to hike Masca Gorge, booking a tour is a great idea! The tours include all your transfers and permits, taking the hassle out of booking everything yourself.

If you’re more interested in seeing the village, plenty of great tours are on offer, leaving from different departure points across the island. They usually include other stops along the way, making it a great option to see more of the best things to do in Tenerife.

Best Time to Visit Masca, Tenerife

We visited in the spring (March), and we loved it! Temperatures were mild, days were sunny, and it was quieter—perfect for exploring and hiking. Even so, it’s best to check the weather forecast and/or the live webcams before, particularly in a high-altitude town like Masca, where clouds and mist can roll in and affect the views. This tends to worsen in the morning and usually clears in the afternoon.

Due to crowds and limited parking, we recommend visiting before 9 AM or after 4:30 PM. We visited in the late afternoon, and seeing the village as the sun was starting to go down was stunning. It definitely made our evening visit extra special!