Centro de Visitantes El Portillo

Centro de Visitantes El Portillo

Centro de Visitantes El Portillo
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:15 PM

Top ways to experience Centro de Visitantes El Portillo and nearby attractions

Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

4.5
53 reviews
Excellent
30
Very good
17
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
1

alibatty🦇
Dundee, UK4,996 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
This is the place to go if you are interested in the geological history & connective aspects of Mount Teide and it’s volcanic origins. Information charts, photographs and a film on a fascinating subject - with helpful staff on hand for queries. The building itself is very sympathetic to the surroundings and seems almost submerged into the rock. Certainly worth a wander through the curated botanical gardens showing the plants endemic to the area. Neighbouring car park very busy due to this point being the beginning marker for many trails and walks.
Written December 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Emma A
Cheltenham, UK140 contributions
Apr 2016 • Family
You'll need to bring your own picnic and there isn't much parking, but once you are settled you can spend all day here. The exhibition is free and gives lots of information about how volcanic activity formed the Canary Islands. There's a small botanical garden and lots of walking trails of varying difficulty and length, with breathtaking views of El Teide in the background.

Don't try to hand feed the lizards. They bite. They are also very quick and when my daughter dropped her sandwich a lizard had a bite out of it within moments.
Written April 8, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

karingal
Helsinki, Finland161 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
We had a great time at the visitors centre! We actually already had ll the information we needed for our hike but called in there to kill a bit of time because there were very high winds that day and it was cold! So glad we did though. We arrived at the same time as a coach load of children on a class trip to the national park and were allowed to join in their tour of the centre which was an experience in itself:) We first watched a short film in the cinema about Teide and volcanoes and were given headphones to listen to the english soundtrack and then went around the centre looking at various exhibits on geology and vulcanology which were all very well executed and informative. The staff were also very helpful and knowledgable, answering all our questions and giving advice about the routes in the park. It's really worth a visit and costs nothing so don't be tempted just to drive past because you'll be missing out.
Written June 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

paul s
Colwyn Bay295 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
I have visited here several times and it just gets better! The tourist tour companies do not take visitors here because there is nowhere to spend any money. Information is available in Spanish, English, French and german. The film about Teide is very good and very good quality headsets provide the commentary in your chosen language. I am a retired geologist and was impressed with the explanations provided (all correct) often using analogies without dumbing down. Staff are available who are multiligual and can answer technical questions. I was particularly impressed on the information available about the walking restrictions during my visit connected with the routine culling of the Mouflon. There is free parking, garden with the local flora and fauna,toilets and it is very close to the bus stop at El Portillo.It is a MUST to visit. It is also a good place to park a car whilst doing one of the several local walks all above 2000m.
Written May 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bluebellplasnewydd
Cardiff, UK1,941 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
You can easily miss this place when driving as it is set low in the surroundings. Look out for a series of large doors resembling a fire station. The whole building is modern and sympathetic to the volcanic landscape. Inside there is a small cinema with the contents being more promotional than informative. There is the usual series of exhibits with giant models of lizards that children will enjoy. However the information is not detailed enough for you to end up with a comprehensive knowledge of volcanos. The jewel here is the outside desert garden which is extensive with easy walks. It presents a sanitised version of the rugged pathways elsewhere and should not be missed. Note also that the toilets are free but a few miles down the road cost €1 per visit!
Written March 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mout L
114 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
Completely free, this museum is particularly dedicated to volcanism and the origin of Tenerife (and other Canary islands). This center makes use of different communication means to explain the island genesis: videos, pictures, illustrations and games. Explanations are very comprehensive and available in all languages.

If you have the time, I recommend to watch a short film, in a small cinema theater, that narrates the island story with a mix of legends and scientific facts. Ask for headphones at the reception to listen to the story in your language.

If you have had enough of volcanism, you can go outside and have a walk in the arboretum... if the weather is correct of course 😉 ! When I was there, the weather was very cloudy and rainy. That's life!

So, don't forget to stop a while in this center! Apart from the visit, you can also ask for helpful information if you want to hike in the amazing Teide national park (for example, having an accurate forecast weather). The person at the reception was particularly helpful and speaks different languages.
Written May 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Trevor S
18 contributions
Jan 2016
We visited this centre by recommendation at our hotel, as a place to assist us in locating the high energy point in this area. The centre assistant was extremely helpful, giving us clear guidance in our quest,
Written February 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Michelle S
Derby, UK578 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
The centre is split into three sections. Hopefully something for everyone.

In the building in the lower floor there is a lot of information about volancos, including a short film about the creation of Tenerife. Everything is multilingual and designed for those with an enthusiasm for the subject.

On the upper floor of the building there are some stunning photos of the island with some explanation of the environment. To my mind there could be more going on upstairs.

Outside is the real gem. A set of paths takes visitors through 'gardens' designed to show the native flora and more than a few breath taking views of Teide and the Caldera.
Written November 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jo J
United Kingdom3 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Great FREE info stop. The staff were very knowledgeable of the national park and recommended a great trail.
Written October 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Miau M
4 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
We had the worst possible experience here! We arrived with the bus and had only 40 minutes to spend there, well we spend most of this time trying to use the toilets.
It was already 11 when we arrived and none of the toilets were open, although a few buses and small cars full of visitors were already there. My wife had a toilet emergency and she bumped into the cleaning lady who didn't speak any English, she managed to use the toilet only to be told off by the security person that she bumped and bothered the cleaner!
The guy at the reception wasn't very helful either, we tried to tell him that the toilets should be open and clean before the tourists arrive and like that it doesn't help the tourists and all he could say was "oh, really?"
Apart from the fact that their english was terrible (absolutely unacceptable for a park with so many visitors) the ones that spoke a little english instead of helping the people were plain rude.
Written June 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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