Tenerife is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Its year-round mild temperatures and spectacular volcanic scenery, as well as its beaches, water sports and nightlife, grant it fame and status as a favourite destination among holidaymakers.
The island is dominated by the large, dormant volcano Teide, which is part of the National Park of the same name. Puerto de la Cruz, La Orotava and Garachico are excellent holiday destinations in the north of Tenerife, while the south of the island is warmer and more crowded with tourists. Here, Los Cristianos is one of the best known locations, as are Costa del Silencio and Las Galletas.
For those looking for nightclubs and a party atmosphere, Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos itself are the must-see destinations.
Tenerife is an ideal holiday destination for 365 days of the year. The Canaries boast a subtropical climate, making it an ideal holiday destination at any time. Winters are extremely mild, and visiting Tenerife in December and January is a very good choice. In general, May, June and July are good months to travel, with temperatures rising. In August, of course, you can expect the greatest influx of tourists.
Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, offers a rich variety of interesting places to visit, from attractions to beautiful towns and villages. From the beautiful sandy beaches of the south to the lunar landscape of Teide, this sun-kissed island is full of natural and cultural attractions that make it a must-see destination.
Teide National Park, with its 3,718-metre volcano, is one of the island’s main wonders, perfect for hiking and admiring breathtaking lunar landscapes. In the island’s capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, visitors can explore city life, visit the Auditorio de Tenerife, an icon of modern architecture, or relax on the beautiful Playa de Las Teresitas, one of the island’s few golden sand beaches.
In the north, don’t miss the UNESCO World Heritage city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, which offers a charming old town with cobbled streets and colonial buildings, and a lively nightlife. Then there is Puerto de la Cruz, which is home to the famous Loro Parque, an attraction that attracts families and animal lovers with its exhibitions and rich exotic fauna.
The south of the island, the most touristic part, is home to resorts such as Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas, famous beach resorts with golden beaches, luxury resorts and a vibrant nightlife. Tenerife is an island that combines natural beauty, culture and entertainment, offering unforgettable experiences for every type of traveller.
Tenerife has many beaches, ranging from those with golden sands to volcanic ones. There is often easy access to the beaches, most of which are equipped with showers, parasols, deckchairs and more.
Starting from the south coast, Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos are the two most popular resorts, with beautiful stretches of sand and easy access to the ocean. If you love kite-surfing, don’t miss El Médano, home of the World Championships in this sport.
How could we not mention the beaches of Costa Adeje? For example, Playa del Duque is sophisticated, well-kept, has beautiful blue waters and golden sand.
But it is not only in the south that one can find fantastic beaches. Heading north, the beautiful Playa de Las Teresitas, in the Santa Cruz area, is a must-see. Playa Jardín, in Puerto de la Cruz, is surrounded by colourful gardens with palm trees while the contemporary Lago Martianez, designed by the famous artist and architect César Manrique, is a wonderful water park.
In general, Tenerife has excellent beaches with calm waters ideal for swimming that meet strict European cleanliness standards.
Visiting Tenerife means enjoying a holiday of a thousand opportunities. From north to south, the island offers wonderful beaches of golden sand, pebbles or volcanic origin, with calm, crystal-clear waters that create the ideal setting for a perfect day by the sea.
It is an island that is easy to explore, even in the less popular locations. During the tours, it is impossible not to stop and taste the local cuisine, to have the opportunity to discover the culture of this people.
Let’s not forget all the recreational and cultural options to alternate with beach life. If you want to further explore the culture of the Tenerife people, visit the museums and art galleries in the capital Santa Cruz and enjoy the traditional festivals that will tell you a little more about the traditions of these people who love to welcome their visitors.
The waters surrounding the Canaries are rich in marine animals, but among the many, dolphins and whales stand out for their interest. In this part of the Atlantic Ocean it is possible to spot them easily and in large numbers. Pilot whales roam in groups that swim right under the boat, while dolphins often jump out of the water. A wonderful spectacle.
There are tours of different durations, with departures from several locations and with different types of boats.
In Tenerife you can admire these beautiful marine animals up close by approaching them in a canoe, gently accompanying them as they swim. On the same excursion, with a bit of luck, you can often also spot groups of dolphins.
Tenerife is a beautiful island with beautiful mountains. If you love hiking and walking, this will be your paradise: consider that there are no fewer than 21 marked trails in the Parque Nacional de las Cañadas del Teide alone. On Teide we have already said a little above, it is the most popular place for trekking enthusiasts.
Alternatively, or in addition, the trek to the Barranco del Infierno is a medium-easy trail in a canyon that ends in a beautiful waterfall. Consider about 6.5 km outward and return for a total duration of about three hours.
Finally, Masca is one of the most picturesque areas on the island and is located in the northwest, at the foot of the Teno Mountains. This beautiful village can be difficult to reach but is well worth the effort, passing through deep ravines intertwined with lush green flora and winding roads with hairpin bends. The scenery on the road is breathtaking and, once you reach Masca, the natural beauty of this beautiful location is overwhelming. From here, a variety of paths lead into the green countryside.
Every week thousands of people pass through the doors of one of Tenerife’s most popular attractions: Loro Parque. This is an ecopark, where you can watch acrobatic displays of dolphins, sea lions, orcas and whales.
There are more than 300 species of birds, gorillas, chimpanzees, tigers, jaguars, giant tortoises and much more. Regardless of your age you will be fascinated by this park located in Puerto de la Cruz. Don’t miss the Planet Penguin attraction, home to dozens of cute Antarctic creatures.
Siam Park, on the other hand, is a water park, operated by the same owners as Loro Parque, near Costa Adeje. Siam Park has a Thai theme on all its attractions, areas and restaurants, so much so that the park’s 25 buildings are the largest collection of Thai buildings in the world outside Thailand.
The park’s designer, Christoph Kiessling, received permission from the Thai royal family in person to use the name and theme for the park.
Like all the Canary Islands, water sports are all the rage. They range from deep-sea fishing and diving to water-skiing and the ubiquitous surfing, which is all the rage here.
If you are an experienced surfer, the sea waves and winds will undoubtedly bring your competitive spirit to the highest level; if you are a beginner, you can approach these sports at one of the many surfing schools on the island. They will provide you with a wetsuit and shoes and after an initial lesson on the basics, your instructor will take you into the water teaching you how to balance. It’s not easy or straightforward, so don’t give up!
Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands, located off the north-west coast of Africa and, thanks to its constant good climate, excellent beaches (12 blue flags) and spectacular natural beauty, attracts more than 3 million visitors every year.
It can be difficult for travellers to decide where to stay if they are not familiar with the island. Generally, the most tourist resorts are concentrated along the south coast, which are mainly highly developed resorts, where the services and amenities for tourists are maximum. There is no shortage of luxury hotels, such as flat accommodation or genuine holiday villages.
But Tenerife, like the other Canary Islands, offers tourist itineraries that go beyond the beaches and the sea. This is why those looking for an alternative holiday, away from the common routes, might consider staying in the interior areas.
Both around the Teide Park and the Anaga Mountains, for example, one can find independent holiday homes, which are rented out even for a few days. These are often typical houses, called ‘casas rural‘, well furnished and equipped with everything you need for a holiday: you can enjoy trekking, hiking, mountain biking and more.
Santa Cruz is the capital of Tenerife and certainly its most economically developed city. It enjoys a good location for exploring some of the island’s most famous beaches, one of which is Playa de las Teresitas.
Choose Santa Cruz if you want to breathe city spirit: cruise ships travelling through the Canarian archipelago dock here. When visiting Tenerife in February, don’t miss the world-famous Santa Cruz Carnival. All types of accommodation can be found in the city, from B&Bs and budget accommodation to luxury hotels and flats.
If you are looking for a cooler location away from the south coast, choose Puerto de la Cruz. The north of the island in general is less overrun by tourists, resulting in more relaxed areas and more privacy. In particular, Puerto de la Cruz was Tenerife’s first tourist centre and offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.
There are many luxury hotels throughout the area. If comfort and excellent services are what you are looking for, Puerto de la Cruz will not disappoint. The resort is also well connected to the Orotava and La Laguna areas, while a must-see in the area is the beautiful Loro Parque.
These resorts are so close to each other that today they are practically part of a single urban agglomeration.
Los Cristianos was once a fishing village, and the charming harbour still remains from this past. Many people originally from the island live here. Tourism is the main source of the economy, and it is a popular location for those travelling with children, as there are two well-equipped beaches with calm waters. Accommodation can be found in hotels as well as in flats and independent houses.
Playa de las Americas is perhaps the most famous resort in Tenerife. Here you will find plenty of bars, restaurants and shops. It is the perfect location for those who seek a lively nightlife and like to be among people.
To the west of Tenerife is the small town of Puerto de Santiago, a very charismatic and lively area. Puerto de Santiago has managed to maintain a certain level of tradition while providing a fair level of services to its visitors.
It is certainly not an area known for its nightlife: apart from a few bars, there is not much more, but it is the classic seaside resort, where one can enjoy a quiet atmosphere. You will find here many hotels offering all-inclusive packages, very popular with those travelling with children. Nearby, the beautiful Cliffs of the Giants, or Acantilados de los Gigantes in Spanish, are definitely worth a close visit with a dinghy or boat trip
Finding a direct flight to Tenerife is quite easy thanks to the many airlines that connect Europe with Tenerife South international airport (Tenerife North airport is used for domestic flights).
If you do not choose a direct flight, you can also fly to Barcelona or Madrid and take a flight to Tenerife from there.
There are also regular ferry and hydrofoil services to and from Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. Passengers arriving from these destinations, and also from mainland Spain (from Cádiz), arrive in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the north of the island, while connections to La Gomera and El Hierro are provided from Los Cristianos in the south of the island. Tenerife is also frequently included in many cruises that stop over in the Canary Islands archipelago.
What's the weather at Tenerife? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Tenerife for the next few days.
Tenerife is the fourth of the Canary Islands to be encountered coming from Europe. It is centrally located in the archipelago, very close to the island of La Gomera and about 60 kilometres from the coast of Gran Canaria.