Tenerife Travel Guide — Everything You Need to Know Before You Visit
Here is a complete travel guide to Tenerife and the Canary Islands, with everything you need to know to plan a perfect holiday.
When to Visit Tenerife?
Tenerife has one of the great advantages that few destinations can boast: it can be visited all year round thanks to its exceptional climate. However, each season offers a different experience.
🌞 Summer (June – August)
The warmest months of the year. Ideal for families with children who want to enjoy beaches, water parks, water sports, dolphin and whale watching, diving and snorkelling. It is also a great time to combine visits to the different islands. Prices are higher and hotel occupancy is high, so it is worth booking in advance.
The warmest months of the year. Ideal for families with children who want to enjoy beaches, water parks, water sports, dolphin and whale watching, diving and snorkelling. It is also a great time to combine visits to the different islands. Prices are higher and hotel occupancy is high, so it is worth booking in advance.
🍂 Autumn (September – November)
The weather remains warm and pleasant, perfect for enjoying the sea and outdoor excursions. Tourist numbers decrease, prices are more affordable and hotels have more availability. One of the best times to visit the island.
The weather remains warm and pleasant, perfect for enjoying the sea and outdoor excursions. Tourist numbers decrease, prices are more affordable and hotels have more availability. One of the best times to visit the island.
❄️ Winter (December – February)
While all of Europe shivers in the cold, Tenerife maintains a mild and spring-like climate that attracts thousands of visitors. It is the perfect season for hiking, cycling and nature routes. In February, the famous Tenerife Carnival takes place — one of the most spectacular in the world. Prices rise at Christmas and Carnival, but in January you can find very good deals.
While all of Europe shivers in the cold, Tenerife maintains a mild and spring-like climate that attracts thousands of visitors. It is the perfect season for hiking, cycling and nature routes. In February, the famous Tenerife Carnival takes place — one of the most spectacular in the world. Prices rise at Christmas and Carnival, but in January you can find very good deals.
🌸 Spring (March – May)
The quietest and most affordable time of the year. Low crowds, low prices and ideal weather for outdoor excursions, hiking and cycling. Highly recommended for those looking for peace and contact with nature.
The quietest and most affordable time of the year. Low crowds, low prices and ideal weather for outdoor excursions, hiking and cycling. Highly recommended for those looking for peace and contact with nature.
How to Get to Tenerife?
Tenerife has two airports: Tenerife South Airport (TFS), the most used for international flights, and Tenerife North Airport (TFN), more focused on domestic and inter-island flights.
From most European cities there are direct or short-stopover flights. The flight time from mainland Spain is approximately 2.5 hours. From northern Europe, between 4 and 5 hours. It is recommended to come for a minimum of 7 to 10 days to fully enjoy the island. If you want to combine with other Canary Islands, add 2 or 3 days per island.
Where to Stay in Tenerife?
Tenerife is divided into two main accommodation areas, each with its own character:
🌿 North Tenerife
More authentic, green and fresh. Ideal for those looking for culture, nature, local gastronomy and more affordable prices. Puerto de la Cruz is the most popular tourist centre in the north.
More authentic, green and fresh. Ideal for those looking for culture, nature, local gastronomy and more affordable prices. Puerto de la Cruz is the most popular tourist centre in the north.
☀️ South Tenerife
Drier, warmer and sunny practically all year round. Perfect for the sea, water sports and beach holidays. Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas are the most popular areas.
Drier, warmer and sunny practically all year round. Perfect for the sea, water sports and beach holidays. Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas are the most popular areas.
A highly recommended idea is to combine both areas — for example, a few days in a luxury hotel in the south and a few days in a rural house or apartment in the north. To find the best accommodation we recommend searching on Booking.com, where you can filter by area, type of accommodation and budget, and in most cases book with free cancellation.
Recommended Hotels in North Tenerife
Hotel Botánico y Oriental Spa Garden — Luxury 5-star hotel with spectacular tropical gardens and a reference spa in Puerto de la Cruz
Hotel Vallemar — 4-star hotel on the seafront overlooking the promenade and Martínez pools
Hotel Atlantic Mirage Suites & SPA — Adults only. Front row with incredible sea views
Hotel Tigaiga — 4-star hotel with an especially high rating among travellers
Hotel Best Sémíramis — Good value for money with sea views
Sol Costa Atlantis Tenerife — Recommended hotel in a convenient location
TRH Jardín Taoro — Adults only. 4 stars at a competitive price
Iberostar Heritage Gran Mencey — Hotel in Santa Cruz, perfect for Carnival season
Hotel Colón Rambla — Central in Santa Cruz, ideal for Carnival
Hotel Taburiente SC Tenerife — Good option in Santa Cruz to combine city and nature
Recommended Hotels in South Tenerife
Royal Hideaway Corales Suites — Luxurious modern 5-star hotel. Great location close to the sea. Ideal suites for families
GF Victoria — 5-star hotel with excellent facilities and spa
Hotel Jardín Tropical — Classic hotel surrounded by tropical gardens in Costa Adeje
Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife — Ideal for families and music lovers. Top-level entertainment
Hotel Bahía del Duque — One of the most iconic and luxurious hotels in South Tenerife
Final Tips for Your Tenerife Travel Guide
✅ Rent a car to move freely around the island — it is the best way to discover it
✅ Book in advance during high season (summer, Christmas and Carnival)
✅ Don’t limit yourself to the area around your hotel — Tenerife has incredible corners everywhere
✅ Consult a local guide to make the most of your visit
