Ancient laurel forests, cave villages, panoramic viewpoints and the wild beach of Benijo — all in one relaxed day, without traffic, without stress, and without the risk of missing your ship.
If you arrive in Tenerife on a cruise ship and dock in Santa Cruz, you have one clear advantage and one common trap.
The advantage is that Anaga is very close to the port.
The trap is that most large group excursions take everyone to Teide or to the south of the island. These trips involve long transfers, possible traffic delays, and often leave too little time buffer before the ship sails.
Anaga solves this problem perfectly. It is one of the oldest and greenest corners of the Canary Islands — a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with relict Tertiary-era laurel forests, narrow mountain roads, villages where people still live in houses carved into the cliffs, and dramatic wild beaches such as Benijo.
Is It Realistic to Explore Anaga Independently?
In theory — yes.
In practice — it is often complicated and stressful.
TITSA buses do reach some key points (Cruz del Carmen, Taganana), but:
• there are few daily departures;
• the last buses leave relatively early;
• public transport to Benijo is very limited on weekdays;
• after heavy rain, roads and trails are frequently closed due to landslides;
• fog in Anaga can descend in 10–15 minutes and completely hide all landmarks.
Even the easy trails (such as the Sendero de los Sentidos) become slippery after rain, and the more interesting routes require experience and proper preparation. Many visitors end up spending half the day waiting for buses or worrying about the schedule.
This is why more and more travellers — especially cruise passengers — choose a private relaxed format.
How the Anaga Hidden Gems Private Relaxed Tour Works
This is not a classic “tick-the-boxes” excursion. The format is deliberately calm and flexible:
• You are picked up directly from your hotel or from the Santa Cruz cruise port.
• You travel in a comfortable private vehicle with a local guide.
• You visit several of the best viewpoints (including Pico del Inglés and Jardina).
• You drive through the ancient laurel forest.
• You stop at a cave village where houses are carved into the rock.
• Optionally, you can do an easy 2 km walk (about 40 minutes) through El Bosque de los Enigmas — one of the most atmospheric parts of the forest.
• The highlight of the day is the village of Benijo: authentic Canarian cuisine and one of the most beautiful wild beaches on the island.
• Plenty of photo stops and live stories from your guide.
Duration is approximately 8 hours. The pace is relaxed, with no rushing. The guide adapts to the group and to the weather conditions (and weather in Anaga changes quickly).
Why This Tour Is Especially Convenient for Cruise Passengers
• Very close to the Santa Cruz port — minimal transfer time.
• No dependence on large tourist coaches or traffic jams on the way to Teide.
• Flexible start time that can be coordinated with your ship’s schedule.
• Private format means you don’t wait for other people and don’t risk being late.
• The guide knows the current trail and road closures and always has a backup plan.
This private Anaga tour works especially well for passengers from ships that regularly call at Santa Cruz, including MSC, Costa, P&O Cruises (Azura, Iona, Ventura), AIDA, Mein Schiff, Princess Cruises and other vessels docking in the capital. Because the starting point is so close to the port, we can easily adjust the schedule to your ship’s arrival and departure times.
Who This Format Suits Best
• Cruise passengers with limited time in port
• People who prefer not to drive on narrow mountain roads
• Couples and families who enjoy a calm pace
• Travellers who have already visited Teide and want to see a completely different side of the island
• Those who value real stories and hidden places rather than just checklist attractions
Would you like to experience Anaga this way — calmly, deeply, and without unnecessary stress?
You can book the private Anaga Hidden Gems Private Relaxed Tour right here:
If you are on a cruise, simply mention the name of your ship and the port times when booking. We will adjust the schedule accordingly.
Anaga is worth it. Especially when it is shown the right way.
