# Sunday on the Teide from Santa Cruz: El Portillo, the cable car to 3,555 m, lunch at the Parador and the Roques de García The climb via La Esperanza, the El Portillo centre, the cable car up to La Rambleta and its viewpoints, lunch at the Parador and the return to the Roques de García. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/canary-islands/teide-national-park/itineraries/cable-car-roques-and-parador · Revisado: 2026-11-13 ## El día - 08:15 · Salida: 1 h 15 by car (via La Laguna and the TF-24, the La Esperanza road) - 09:10 · El Portillo Visitor Centre and botanical garden (Opens at 9:00; the botanical garden next door) - 12 min by car, 10,8 km - 10:10 · Teide cable car, from 2,356 to 3,555 m (Volcano Teide · from €43 · book the 10:30 slot) · Volcano Teide, From €43 per non-resident adult - 8 min by cable car - 10:40 · La Fortaleza and Pico Viejo viewpoints, at La Rambleta (One hour at La Rambleta with the ticket) - 6 min by car, 3,7 km - 13:30 · Restaurant of the Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide (Canarian cooking; lunch 13:30 to 15:00, booking) · Restaurant of the Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide, €€€ - 5 min on foot - 15:00 · Roques de García trail (From the La Ruleta viewpoint, opposite) - 3 min by car, 2,3 km - 17:15 · Llano de Ucanca viewpoint and walk (The photo of the Teide over the plain) - 17:30 · Vuelta (In Santa Cruz around 18:45) The Teide fits into a Sunday from Santa Cruz if you order the day by the road: you enter from the north, go up by cable car in the morning, have lunch at the Parador and walk the Roques trail in the afternoon light. Book the cable car beforehand at volcanoteide.com, for the 10:30 slot, and the Parador table for 13:30. ## The day, hour by hour 8:15 · Set off. From Santa Cruz, via La Laguna and the TF-24, the La Esperanza road, which climbs along the island's spine. About 50 minutes to El Portillo. 9:10 · El Portillo. The visitor centre opens at 9:00: the exhibition on the volcano and the high-mountain flora garden are the best introduction. An hour is enough. 10:10 · Cable car. Twelve minutes on the TF-21 to the base station. You must be there 20 minutes before your slot. The ride up takes 8 minutes, to the 3,555 m of La Rambleta. 10:40 · The viewpoints. With your ticket you have an hour at the top: enough for the La Fortaleza and Pico Viejo viewpoints, of 25 and 30 minutes. The summit needs a separate permit. Then you queue to go down, in order of arrival. 13:30 · Lunch at the Parador. Five minutes from the base station. Canarian puchero, goat stew or rabbit in salmorejo, with the Teide in the window. 15:00 · Roques de García. You cross to the La Ruleta viewpoint and do the 3.6 km circuit around the rocks, about two hours. 17:15 · Llano de Ucanca. Three minutes by car to the viewpoint. 17:30 · Head home. You retrace your route along the TF-21 and La Esperanza; in Santa Cruz around 18:45. ## Where and what to eat The Parador restaurant is open every day, Sundays too, with lunch from 13:30 to 15:00. If you do not want a sit-down meal, the base station cafeteria serves dishes and sandwiches with views. ## With children The cable car admits children from 3 years old, with a €21.50 ticket up to age 13. The Roques de García are long for the youngest: do one stretch and turn back. Pushchairs are not allowed on the cable car. ## Cómo llegar ### By car From Santa Cruz, about 50 minutes to El Portillo and an hour and ten minutes to the cable car via the TF-24. Free car park at the base station, with 220 spaces. ### Without a car With the 102 to Puerto de la Cruz and the 9:30 348, which stops at the cable car and at the Parador and returns at 16:00. See the Teide by bus. ## Consejos ### Book the cable car Only the ride up has a time; without a booking you may be left without a slot. ### Bring a coat and sun cream At 3,555 m it is cold and the sun burns. ### Check the wind the day before If they close it, they announce it around 8:30. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### How much does the day cost? Between €80 and €110 per person: cable car from €43 and lunch at the Parador. ### Is the cable car open on Sundays? Yes, every day of the year except 25 December. ### Can you climb to the peak in this plan? Only with the Telesforo Bravo trail permit, which is requested on Tenerife ON. ### How long does it take from Santa Cruz to the Teide? About 50 minutes to El Portillo and an hour and ten minutes to the cable car.