Tenerife

Volcanoes, Beaches and Endless Sun

Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands sits between mountain peaks and ocean cliffs. The island features volcanic soil that supports citrus groves and banana plantations. Coastal towns like Playa de las Américas attract visitors with sandy beaches and mild weather year round. Hiking trails lead up to Mount Teide, an active volcano visible from many parts of the island. Local markets sell fresh fish, paprika-seasoned meats and handmade crafts. Public buses connect villages without cars, making travel simple for those who prefer not to drive.

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Island in Spain

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.9

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	8

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants, especially in the south and main resorts. In rural villages or local markets, basic Spanish is helpful but not essential.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Tenerife Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
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Read how our scores work

Excellent for volcanic landscapes and beaches. Hike Mount Teide trails, relax on Atlantic beaches, explore coastal towns and enjoy water sports.

Place score

8.4

Best at:

Islands

Sea

Natural sites

Hiking

Van travel

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

❤️ 8

Couples

Spain – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payment is widely accepted in Spain, particularly in urban areas and tourist destinations. Credit and debit cards are commonly used, and mobile payment options are available in many establishments. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not mandatory in Spain but appreciated for good service. In restaurants, rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is customary. Taxi drivers and hotel staff may also be tipped, though it is less common.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is restricted in some regions, particularly in tourist-heavy cities. Local laws may vary.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned indoors in public places but allowed in designated outdoor areas.

La Tomatina (August)	A famous tomato-throwing festival, expect large crowds in Buñol.
Semana Santa (March/April)	Religious parades and events make this a busy time in major cities.
Christmas (December)	Markets and festive celebrations, with tourist areas becoming busier.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Cabify, Bolt, Uber
Other:	Spain is known for its diverse culture, stunning architecture, and vibrant festivals. Public transport is reliable and efficient, making it easy to explore.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Tenerife, Spain

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Mar

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Dec

High season:	Jan. - April, July - Oct., Dec.
Shoulder season:	May - June, Nov.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Climate differs by coast: south is sunny and dry year-round, north is cloudier, greener and wetter, especially November to March

Santa Cruz Carnival in February or early March, second largest carnival in the world after Rio

Teide summit can be snow-covered December to March, cable car and hiking permits needed, book ahead

Don't miss

🗻 Climb Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak and volcano
🏖️ Relax on the golden sands of Playa de Las Teresitas
🌿 Explore the lush landscapes of Anaga Rural Park
🐬 Take a boat tour to see dolphins near Los Gigantes cliffs
🏘️ Discover the historic streets of La Laguna, a UNESCO site

You've been here?

Why travel to Tenerife?

Tenerife is a dream for anyone who loves variety: you’ll find golden and black-sand beaches, dramatic cliffs, lush laurel forests and the otherworldly landscapes of Teide National Park. The island’s microclimates mean you can chase sunshine or cool misty trails, all in one day. Whale and dolphin watching is world-class and the local food and wine scene is full of surprises. Whether you’re after lively nightlife in the south, authentic villages in the north or family fun at waterparks, Tenerife delivers. But it’s not all paradise – crowds can be intense in tourist hotspots, especially in summer and around Playa de las Américas. The weather, while famously mild, can change quickly in the mountains and occasional high winds or rough seas may disrupt plans. Always check local alerts and be mindful of the island’s wild side, especially when hiking or swimming.

🏙️Cities & Regions

1 Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Capital of Tenerife offers a blend of historic architecture and modern amenities. The city hosts vibrant markets, museums and coastal promenades, while nearby beaches provide sun and sea. Its mild climate supports year‑round outdoor activities.
2 Teide National Park
Mountains rise above volcanic plains, offering panoramic views and unique flora. The park hosts Spain's highest peak, Pico del Teide, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Trails range from easy walks to challenging climbs, attracting hikers and stargazers alike.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Loro Parque
A world‑class zoo and marine park in Tenerife, featuring giant pandas, killer whales and a diverse collection of parrots. Interactive shows, conservation projects and lush botanical gardens attract visitors year round.
2 Basilica Nuestra Señora de Candelaria
3 Puerto de la Cruz
4 Icod de los Vinos
5 Garachico
6 San Cristóbal de La Laguna

🎡Places for activities

1 Jungle Park
2 Lago Martianez
3 Siam Park
4 Aqualand Costa Adeje
5 Puerto Colón
6 Masca valley
7 Barranco del Infierno

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Cueva del viento
2 Malpaís de Güímar
3 Playa de Benijo

🛍️Shopping

1 Siam Mall
2 El Corte Inglés
3 Mercado Nuestra Señora de África

🎈Events

Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Fiestas de la Virgen de Candelaria
Corpus Christi flower carpets (La Orotava)
San Andrés Wine Festival
Romería de San Benito
Semana Santa (Holy Week)
Fiesta de San Juan
Fiestas de Mayo
Tenerife Walking Festival
Festival Internacional de Música de Canarias

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Pack layers; Teide is chilly even on sunny days.
Base-split your stay north and south; climates differ and drives take longer than expected.
Reserve Teide cable car and summit permit ahead; last-minute availability can be very limited.
For stargazing, drive above the cloud layer near Teide after sunset; bring warm clothes and snacks.

How to travel to Tenerife

Tenerife has two airports: Tenerife South (Reina Sofía) and Tenerife North (Los Rodeos), with direct flights from mainland Spain and many European cities. Ferries connect Tenerife to other Canary Islands. Airport buses, shuttles and taxis provide easy transfers to major resorts and towns.

Access summary

From Tenerife South (TFS): Resort buses, taxis or car, about 20–45 minutes.
From Tenerife North (TFN): Intercity bus or car to resorts, usually 45–75 minutes.
From Gran Canaria: Inter-island flight or ferry to Santa Cruz or Los Cristianos.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Tenerife

Accommodation ranges from luxury resorts in Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas to boutique hotels in La Laguna and rural guesthouses in Anaga. Families love the south for beaches and waterparks; the north is quieter and more authentic. Book early in high season and Carnival.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Santa Barbara Golf and Ocean Club

8.9

Hotel Vincci Seleccion La Plantacion del Sur

9.2

HC Hotel Magec

8.2

Hotel Zentral Center - Adults only

8.3

Sunset Bay Club

8.8

Iberostar Heritage Grand Mencey

9.0

Hilton Vacation Club Sunset Harbour Club Tenerife

9.0

Puerto Palace

8.8

Hilton Vacation Club Royal Sunset Beach Club Tenerife

9.1

Jardin Tropical Hotel

8.9

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Tenerife

Tenerife’s main towns and resorts are well connected by buses (TITSA) and car rentals make it easy to reach remote beaches or mountain villages. The island is larger than it looks, so allow time for winding mountain roads. Taxis are widely available and private transfers are an option for airport runs. In tourist centers, walking is easy, but for exploring national parks or rural areas, a car is best.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-28 %

Daily expenses in Tenerife are around 28% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£53	£138	£331
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£24	£79	£162
🍝 Food per day	£23	£51	£137
🚕 Transportation per day	£6	£8	£31

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£23
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£10.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£8
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£8
☕ Cappuccino	£1.90
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£2.20

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.30
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£19
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.20

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£7
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£65
🤧 Cold medication	£6
💇 Basic haircut	£10.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Tenerife is generally very safe, with low crime. Petty theft can occur in crowded tourist areas — keep an eye on valuables. Watch for high surf, rip currents and heed weather warnings, especially for wind and mountain hikes.

Health & Medical

Medical care is excellent and widely available, with clinics and pharmacies in all main towns. No special vaccinations are needed. Sunburn and dehydration are common for visitors — use sunscreen and drink plenty of water.

Accessibility

Most resorts, beaches and attractions are accessible, but some mountain trails and historic towns have steep or uneven paths. Buses and many hotels are wheelchair-friendly; check ahead for specific access needs.

Tap water

Tap water is safe to drink but may taste different due to desalination. Bottled water is widely available and preferred by many visitors. Bring a refillable bottle for excursions.