Mt. Teide

The dormant volcano of El Teide, Spain's highest peak, looms large on the horizon no matter where you are on the island, and its (often snowcapped) peak is visible from the neighboring islands of Gran Canaria and La Palma on clear days. You need a special permit (approximate processing time: two months; apply at www.reservasparquesnacionales.es) to reach the highest point, but most hikers and tourists will be content with hitching a ride up most of the way on the cable car.