Millions of Brits flocking to one of Spain’s most popular, and natural, attractions will soon be hit with fresh charges as its popularity soars and officials worry it’s at a “tipping point”
One of Europe’s most popular national parks is clamping down on crowds of tourists by introducing a new fee. Last year, around three million visitors flocked to the acclaimed Teide National Park in Tenerife, a 47,000 acre site that was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status back in 2007.
Famed for its Mars-like landscape and Spain’s highest peak (which makes it an incredible star gazing site) the national park is home to the eponymously named Teide-Pico Viejo stratovolcano. Tourists can scramble up some 4,718m to get to the peak – or take a cable car all the way to the top for some breathtaking views of the island.
But, as one of the most visited National Parks in Europe, concern has rapidly grown amongst environmentalists – who have accused tourists of parking their vehicles illegally, straying from marked trails, clambering up ‘fragile’ rock formations and even stealing volcanic stones from the protected area as a free souvenir. As previously reported, this has lead to experts warning the site is facing a ‘critical tipping point’.
Jaime Coello, director of the Telesforo Bravo–Juan Coello Foundation, reportedly branded the behaviour as ‘a disgrace’, adding: “This is the crown jewel of our protected areas, imagine the state of the rest. Most are just as bad, or worse. The problem is not just the number of visitors, but the absence of any real will to protect this place. There’s no one willing to enforce the rules or fix this disaster.”
After slamming the government for ‘favouring’ over-tourism over conservation, it appears Jaime’s wishes have finally been granted. According to Canarian Weekly, starting next year, visitors wanting to enter the acclaimed Teide National Park will have to pay.
The move was reportedly confirmed by President of the Tenerife Cabildo, Rosa Dávila during a regional debate this week, where proposals to limit private vehicle traffic into the national park where also announced. “Climbing to the peak should be an orderly privilege, not a risk to the environment,” Rosa said.
Local news states electric shuttle buses will eventually replace individual cars to ‘reduce emissions and congestion’, while the cabins of the Teide Cable Car will be ‘fully renovated and powered by solar energy’ by the end of the year. It is believed all profits made from the new entrance fees will be invested into conservation.
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“Additional environmental officers will be deployed, and a revised Park Management Plan will be implemented to cope with growing visitor numbers,” Canarian Weekly added. “The Cabildo is also planning legal reforms to introduce tougher penalties for damaging protected natural areas.”
It is not confirmed how much the entrance fee to Teide will be, or how much money it would raise. While the rule may seem unfair for some cash-strapped travellers, Tenerife isn’t the only destination that charges for its national parks. The stunning Timanfaya National Park in nearby Lanzarote charges €22 per adults and €11 per child, which includes a bus to the top of the volcano – while the United States charges around $20 for some single entries.
The Mirror has contacted the Tenerife Cabildo for comment – and asked how much entrance to Teide National Park will cost in 2026.
Would you pay to visit Mount Teide – or should the national park be free? Have your say in the comments section below