Tenerife is best known for its sandy beaches, volcanic national park, forest and charming historic towns. But if you want to find out a little more about its geological, archaeological, artistic and cultural history, we recommend adding a few museum visits to the mix.
In this article, we share our favorites of Tenerife’s best museums, to help you choose according to your interests.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Content
Tenerife’s best museums
In Tenerife, most museums are in Santa Cruz, apart from a few.
If you only have to do 4, we recommend the following for a varied overview of the island:
- TEA Museum – art museum in Santa Cruz
- Casa de los Balcones in La Orotava
- Canary Islands Military History Museum
- El Portillo Museum in Teide
1. TEA Tenerife Espace des Arts (Santa Cruz)
Why visit it? Our review
TEA is a dynamic cultural center that has established itself as an essential reference point in the Canary Islands’ artistic landscape. We were won over by its bold contemporary architecture, which blends harmoniously with the historic district. Inside, you’ll discover temporary exhibitions of contemporary art on a variety of subjects. Between film screenings, creative stagings and live performances, art takes many forms. It also houses a photography center dedicated to the archipelago’s visual heritage, and a library frequented by local students.
Useful tips
- Santa Cruz
- Located in the city center, opposite the Nuestra Señora de Africa Market
- Tour duration: 1h to 1h30
- Accessible to people with reduced mobility (elevators, smooth floor, large exhibition areas)
- Price: free (€4 for cinema screenings)
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10am – 8pm, closed on Mondays
- Cafetería del TEA on site
- Link to the official museum website here
OUR TIPS TO RENT A CAR IN Tenerife
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- If you’re planning to explore the mountains, don ‘t take the smallest cars. A more powerful engine will be more comfortable.
- But don’t take too big a car either, as some roads are narrow.
- There’s a lot of demand and it’s an island, so book early.
2. Casa de los Balcones (La Orotava)
Why visit it? Our review
Built in 1632, Casa de los Balcones is the architectural jewel of La Orotava. You can already admire its magnificent facade, but we highly recommend a visit to see its carved wooden balconies from the patio adorned with exotic plants.
We were impressed by its magnificent balconies, a testament to Canarian craftsmanship. Inside, you’ll discover a museum featuring art objects, traditional textiles and period tools that tell the story of daily life in the Canaries in the 17th century.
Useful tips
- La Orotava
- Opening hours: open daily from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Price: €6 (free for children under 12)
- Online booking recommended in the middle of the day in summer
- Staircases to explore the museum
- Allow 30 minutes
- Buy a combined ticket with the Gofio Museum
- Latest news on the official website here
WHERE TO STAY IN Tenerife
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
- Where to stay in Tenerife
- Our favorite: Hotel Corales Beach
Select by hotel type:
- 5-star hotels
- Best boutique-hotels
- Best hotels for families
- Best hotels in Seaside
- Best adults-only hotels
- Best all-inclusive hotels (coming soon)
Select by city:
3. Canary Islands Military History Museum (Santa Cruz)
Why visit it? Our review
This museum offers a fascinating insight into the archipelago’s military history. Housed in the Fuerte de Almeyda, a remarkable fortification completed in 1884, it traces the evolution of island defense over the centuries. We were particularly impressed by the many armored vehicles on display in the inner courtyard. We also appreciated the richness of the collection, which includes flags, weapons, military decorations, radios, maps, models and other historical artifacts. Some of the casemates have been converted to accommodate visitors, making the experience all the more immersive!
Useful tips
- Santa Cruz
- Located to the north of the city center next to the Rambla de Santa Cruz
- Tour duration: 1h to 1h30
- Accessible to the disabled for the most part (ramps, toilets), but some areas are difficult to reach (casemates).
- A number of games and models make the visit even more fun for children.
- Price: free of charge
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 9am – 3pm, weekends and public holidays 10am – 2pm
- Cafetería La Pérgola on site
- Link to the official museum website here
HAVE FUN IN TENERIFE: activities
4. Visitor Center El Portillo (Teide National Park)
Why visit it? Our review
At El Portillo, you’ll discover an interpretation center on the park’s unique ecosystem. Start at the museum, with interactive exhibits that explain the island’s geological formation and the remarkable adaptation of its vegetation to extreme conditions. The museum is great fun.
There’s also a small botanical garden next door.
Useful tips
- In Teide National Park
- Duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Parking: Large (80 spaces)
- Facilities: Interpretation center, toilets, store, botanical garden
- Wear closed-toe shoes for greater comfort
A LITTLE MORE patience
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5. Tenerife Museum of History and Anthropology (La Laguna)
Why visit it? Our review
Still in the historic center, the Museum of History and Anthropology of Tenerife gave us a fascinating insight into the island’s past. It is located in Casa Lercaro, a typical Canarian house with wooden galleries and pretty patios. Inside, archaeological finds and ethnographic objects trace the cultural evolution of Tenerife.
Useful tips
- San Cristobal de la Laguna
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 9am to 7pm, Sundays and public holidays 10am to 5pm
- Price: €5
- See the latest news on the official website here
6. MAIT crafts museum (La Orotava)
Why visit it? Our review
The Museo Artesanía Iberoamericana de Tenerife (MAIT) is a little-known treasure housed in the former convent of San Benito Abad. We really enjoyed her collection of handicrafts, which perfectly illustrate the creative traditions of Tenerife and the Canary Islands. The museum presents exhibitions dedicated to pottery, weaving, basketry and woodcarving, testifying to the ancestral skills of local craftsmen. V
You’ll also discover contemporary works that show how these traditional techniques are evolving.
What’s more, the building itself, with its typically Canarian architecture, adds to the interest of the visit.
Useful tips
- La Orotava
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Saturday: 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Price: 2 euros
- Sloping access road
- Allow 1 hour
- See the latest news on his Facebook page here
7. MUNA Museum of Nature and Archaeology (Santa Cruz)
Why visit it? Our review
Located along the Barranco de Santos, this museum immerses you in the natural sciences and archaeology of the Canary Islands. We were particularly fascinated by its collection of remarkably well-preserved mummies, some of which still show traces of their scalps. You’ll also discover the archipelago’s geological evolution, as well as the local flora and fauna. Although the direction of the visit is not always easy to follow, we appreciated the museum’s interactive approach, with its playful devices and explanatory models.
Useful tips
- Santa Cruz
- Located in the heart of downtown along the Barranco de Santos
- Tour duration: 1h30 to 2h
- Accessible to people with reduced mobility (wheelchair loan, toilets, access ramps)
- Child-friendly, with interactive games, screens and models (strollers available on loan)
- Full adult admission: €5, free for children under 8 (free on Fridays and Saturdays from 4pm to closing time).
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 9am – 7pm, Sunday and public holidays 10am – 5pm
- Cafetería El Gastro de MUNA on site
- Link to the official museum website here
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8. Carnival Museum (Santa Cruz)
Why visit it? Our review
The Carnival Museum is an original venue celebrating one of the island’s most emblematic festivals. Whimsical costumes and cheerful videos transported us to the heart of the celebrations. Immerse yourself in local history and traditions through a fun, interactive scenography. Your kids can even try on costumes and masks to slip into the shoes of the event’s participants.
Useful tips
- Santa Cruz
- Located west of downtown near Puente Galcerán
- San Sebastián” bus stop 8 minutes’ walk away
- Tour duration: 30min to 1h
- Accessible to people with reduced mobility (first floor, smooth floor)
- Ideal for children (costumes and small stage show)
- Price: free of charge
- Opening hours: daily 9am – 7pm
- Link to the official museum website here
- Read our full article on the Carnival Museum
9. Museum of Illusion (Santa Cruz)
Why visit it? Our review
This amazing place invites you to explore the mysteries of visual perception. Thanks to optical illusions, you’ll discover a distorted, multi-faceted reality. We recommend that you visit the Musée de l’Illusion with your family or friends. With its original scenography, fantastic staging and playful games, it’s sure to surprise you! You’ll take funny, wacky shots in highly original settings. Enthusiastic, attentive staff make the visit even more rewarding.
Useful tips
- Santa Cruz
Located in the city center near Plaza del Príncipe de Asturias - Tour duration: 1h to 1h30
- Accessible to people with reduced mobility (toilets, elevator, 50% discount on admission tickets and free admission for accompanying adult).
- Perfect for a family outing with children
- Full adult price: €17, free for children under 3
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10am – 6pm, weekends 10am – 8pm
- Link to the official museum website here
10. Science and Cosmos Museum (La Laguna)
Why visit it? Our review
This museum is an interactive space dedicated to the popularization of science. We saw a planetarium, but there are also permanent and temporary exhibitions, educational workshops and lectures on a variety of scientific subjects. The approach to science is playful and suitable for all ages. It’s an ideal place for families and science enthusiasts who want to learn more.
Useful tips
- San Critobal de la Laguna
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 9am to 7pm, Sundays and public holidays 10am to 5pm
- Price: €5
- See the latest news on the official website here
Other museums
Other museums in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- San Cristóbal Castle (underground remains)
- Municipal Museum of Fine Arts
See our article on the best museums in Santa Cruz.
And in other Tenerife towns
- Puerto de la Cruz Archaeological Museum
- Gofio Museum in La Orotava
- Visitor Center Cañada Blanca in Teide National Park
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO tenerife
- Best of
What to do in Tenerife
Most beautiful towns and villages
Most beautiful beaches
Best natural pools
Most beautiful landscapes
Most beautiful roads
Amusement parks
Best boat tours (coming soon)
Secret places, off the beaten track (coming soon)
- Practical advice
25 tips for a successful trip to Tenerife
How to get around
How to rent a car in Tenerife
Driving tips
Best excursions (coming soon)
Where to stay in Tenerife
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 6 days – 1 week – 10 days
- The must-dos
Dolphin watching in Tenerife
Teide National Park
Anaga Rural Park (coming soon)
La Orotava
Garachico
Village of Masca
Pyramids of Güimar
