Tenerife Travel Guide: Is Tenerife Right for Your Next Holiday?
Tenerife: sunshine, scenery and far more than a beach holiday
Tenerife has been a favourite with British holidaymakers for decades, but there’s much more to the island than reliable sunshine and a convenient flight from the UK.
The largest of Spain’s Canary Islands combines lively resorts, quieter coastal towns, dramatic volcanic landscapes, excellent restaurants, beaches and traditional Canarian communities. That variety is one of Tenerife’s biggest strengths: two people can visit the same island and have completely different holidays.
Whether you’re looking for winter sunshine, a relaxing week by the pool, somewhere special for two, a family break or a base for exploring, Tenerife deserves a place on the shortlist.
The trick is choosing the right part of Tenerife for you.
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Is Tenerife right for you?
Tenerife is particularly worth considering if you want:
- ☀️ Sunshine without travelling long haul
- 🏖️ Beaches and resort facilities
- ❤️ A relaxing couples’ holiday
- 👨👩👧👦 Plenty of family-friendly options
- 🍷 Restaurants, bars and evening entertainment
- 🥾 Walking, scenery and outdoor activities
- 🌋 Something more interesting than simply sitting beside a pool
- ✈️ Direct flights from numerous UK airports
It can work equally well for a straightforward fly-and-flop holiday or a much more independent trip.
When is the best time to visit Tenerife?
One of Tenerife’s biggest advantages is its year-round appeal.
Unlike many Mediterranean destinations, Tenerife remains a realistic sunshine destination during the British winter.
Winter: December to February
Winter is one of the reasons Tenerife is so popular with UK travellers. While Britain is firmly in coat-and-umbrella territory, the Canary Islands generally enjoy much milder conditions.
It’s particularly attractive for couples, retirees and anyone looking for some winter sunshine without flying long haul.
Spring: March to May
Spring can be an excellent time to explore Tenerife.
Temperatures are comfortable, the island is well suited to sightseeing and walking, and you avoid some of the peak summer demand.
Summer: June to August
Summer brings hotter weather and strong demand, particularly during the UK school holidays.
Families are well catered for, although couples looking for a quieter break may prefer travelling outside the main July and August period.
Autumn: September to November
Another particularly attractive period.
The sea has benefited from the summer warmth, temperatures remain appealing and Tenerife becomes an excellent option as many traditional Mediterranean destinations move towards the end of their season.
North Tenerife or South Tenerife?
This is probably the most important decision you’ll make.
South Tenerife
The south is sunnier, drier and home to many of the island’s best-known holiday resorts.
Areas including Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos offer extensive accommodation, restaurants, beaches, shopping and entertainment.
For a first visit to Tenerife, the south is often the easiest choice.
North Tenerife
Head north and the atmosphere changes.
It’s greener, more traditional and generally feels less like a purpose-built holiday destination.
Puerto de la Cruz is one of the best-known northern bases, while exploring further reveals historic towns, dramatic countryside and a different side of Canarian life.
If authenticity, scenery and exploring matter more than guaranteed pool time, don’t automatically rule out the north.
Where should you stay in Tenerife?
Costa Adeje
One of our strongest all-round choices.
Costa Adeje generally has a more polished feel than some of Tenerife’s livelier resorts and offers excellent hotels, restaurants and beaches.
Best for: couples, families, higher-quality hotels and relaxed resort holidays.
Los Cristianos
A well-established resort centred around its harbour and beaches.
There are plenty of restaurants and facilities, while its location makes it convenient for exploring the south.
Best for: couples, mature travellers, families and people who like having plenty within walking distance.
Playa de las Américas
If nightlife and entertainment are important, Playa de las Américas deserves consideration.
There are quieter sections, but this is generally the place for travellers wanting plenty happening around them.
Best for: nightlife, younger travellers and lively holidays.
Puerto de la Cruz
For something different, look north.
Puerto de la Cruz combines tourism with a more established Canarian town atmosphere and provides a good base for discovering northern Tenerife.
Best for: couples, independent travellers, sightseeing and longer stays.
Tenerife isn’t just about beaches
This is where the island can surprise first-time visitors.
Dominating Tenerife is Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak, sitting within an extraordinary volcanic landscape.
A journey into Teide National Park can feel like travelling to another planet.
Then there’s the spectacular Anaga Rural Park, traditional towns such as La Orotava, coastal villages, viewpoints, walking routes and dramatic stretches of coastline.
Hiring a car can therefore transform a Tenerife holiday, although it certainly isn’t essential if you’re planning to stay primarily around one of the main southern resorts.
Things to do in Tenerife
There’s enough variety to make Tenerife work for people who get restless after three days beside a swimming pool.
Popular possibilities include whale and dolphin watching, Mount Teide excursions, water parks, boat trips, hiking, sightseeing tours, coastal walks and visits to traditional towns.
Families are particularly well served, but there’s also plenty for couples wanting something more sophisticated than theme parks and organised entertainment.
And this is precisely where Make Me A Booking is intended to help: use our guides to decide what appeals to you first, then compare booking options rather than starting with whichever deal happens to be shouting the loudest.
Food and eating out
Don’t assume Tenerife dining means endless international resort menus.
You’ll certainly find British favourites, Italian restaurants, steakhouses and familiar international choices in the main resorts, but it’s worth seeking out Canarian food as well.
Look for local fish, grilled meats, Canarian potatoes served with mojo sauces, cheeses and regional dishes.
Venture away from the most tourist-heavy streets and you’ll often find smaller restaurants offering a considerably more local experience.
For many travellers, having a good selection of restaurants within walking distance is an important part of choosing where to stay — particularly if you’re not planning to hire a car.
Do you need a car in Tenerife?
No — but having one changes what you can see.
If you’re staying in Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos or Playa de las Américas and mainly want beaches, restaurants, organised excursions and relaxation, you can comfortably holiday without one.
Airport transfers, buses, taxis and organised trips provide plenty of alternatives.
However, if you’d like to discover mountain scenery, villages and less-touristy parts of Tenerife at your own pace, hiring a car becomes much more attractive.
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How long should you spend in Tenerife?
For most holidaymakers, seven nights works extremely well.
It gives you enough time to relax while still allowing a couple of days for exploring.
Ten or fourteen nights become attractive if you’re travelling during winter, want a slower pace or intend to see substantially more of the island.
A shorter four or five-night Tenerife break is possible, but with the flight time involved we’d generally favour Tenerife for a proper holiday rather than a conventional weekend city break.
Who is Tenerife best for?
Couples
Excellent.
Choose your resort carefully and Tenerife can provide sunshine, quality hotels, good restaurants and plenty to explore.
Families
Also excellent.
Beaches, pools, attractions, family accommodation and direct UK flights make Tenerife one of the easier European family-holiday choices.
Mature travellers
Tenerife is particularly strong here.
The year-round climate, extensive hotel choice, established infrastructure and ability to enjoy the island without needing a car all work in its favour.
Solo travellers
Certainly possible, particularly if you choose an established resort or Puerto de la Cruz where restaurants, transport and activities are readily accessible.
Groups looking for nightlife
The southern resorts — particularly around Playa de las Américas — provide plenty of options.
Tenerife FAQs
How long is the flight from the UK to Tenerife?
Direct flights from the UK typically take roughly four to five hours, depending on departure airport, routing and conditions.
Which Tenerife airport do holidaymakers use?
Tenerife has two airports. Tenerife South (TFS) handles much of the international holiday traffic serving the major southern resorts, while Tenerife North (TFN) serves the north and a range of domestic and inter-island routes.
Is Tenerife good for winter sun?
Yes. Year-round mild weather is one of the main reasons Tenerife is such an established winter destination for British travellers. Conditions vary, however, and sunshine or particular temperatures can never be guaranteed.
Which part of Tenerife is best for couples?
Costa Adeje is an excellent starting point, particularly for couples looking for good hotels, restaurants and a more relaxed resort atmosphere.
Which part is best for nightlife?
Playa de las Américas is Tenerife’s best-known choice for travellers who want bars and nightlife close at hand.
Can I visit Tenerife without hiring a car?
Absolutely. Choose a well-connected resort and use transfers, taxis, buses and organised excursions. A car becomes more useful if independent exploration is a major part of your holiday.
Is Tenerife expensive?
It can suit a fairly broad range of budgets. Accommodation ranges from relatively inexpensive apartments to premium five-star resorts. Travelling outside peak school-holiday periods can make a considerable difference.
Our view
Tenerife’s greatest strength is choice.
You can spend a week doing very little beyond enjoying sunshine, restaurants and the pool — and have a perfectly good holiday.
But you can also hire a car, head into extraordinary volcanic landscapes, discover traditional towns, walk through spectacular countryside and experience an island that feels very different from its resort reputation.
For British travellers wanting accessible sunshine without going long haul, Tenerife remains extremely difficult to ignore.
The key isn’t simply deciding to visit Tenerife.
It’s finding your Tenerife.