Destinations · Canary Islands
Tenerife holidays for UK travellers
A practical guide to the Canary Islands: where to stay, what winter feels like and how to plan an easy escape from the UK.
Introduction
Why Tenerife?
Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands and one of Europe's most reliable winter-sun destinations. Warm temperatures last most of the year, with golden beaches in the south and dramatic volcanic landscapes around Mount Teide.
The island suits every kind of traveller — family resorts with shallow pools, couples' retreats with sunset views, and active holidays for hikers and divers. Flights from UK airports take around four hours, making it an easy escape for a week or a long weekend.
The south coast holds the big beach resorts of Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos, while the north offers Puerto de la Cruz, the historic capital Santa Cruz and the forested hills around La Orotava. Mount Teide, at the island's heart, is Spain's highest peak and the centrepiece of a national park you shouldn't miss.
Where to stay
Best areas to stay
The south for sun and beaches, the north for scenery and local life.
Costa Adeje
The island's most polished resort strip — smart hotels, calm sandy coves like Playa del Duque, and a long seafront promenade lined with restaurants. Best for couples and families who want a comfortable, upmarket base.
Playa de las Américas
Lively and central, with a long sandy beach, buzzing bars and easy access to nightlife. A great pick for groups and anyone who likes everything within walking distance.
Los Cristianos
A friendly harbour town with sheltered beaches, a working port and a relaxed pace. Popular with older travellers and families, and a handy base for boat trips and day excursions.
Puerto de la Cruz
The north's original resort — botanic gardens, volcanic lido pools and an atmospheric old town. Cooler and greener than the south, with a proper local feel year-round.
Los Gigantes
Dramatic cliffs drop straight into the sea at this quieter western resort. Small beaches, boat trips along the cliffs and a slower, scenic pace.
Coast
Best beaches
Playa del Duque
Gold sand, calm water and an upmarket seafront in Costa Adeje — one of the south's most comfortable beaches.
Playa de las Américas
A long, lively stretch of dark sand with everything from sunbeds to watersports along the promenade.
Playa de la Arena
A sheltered black-sand cove west of Los Gigantes, often calm and popular with swimmers.
Las Teresitas
A golden artificial bay near Santa Cruz backed by mountains — the north's best option for a classic beach day.
Things to do
Top things to do
- Ride the cable car up Mount Teide, Spain's highest peak
- Swim and snorkel at Playa del Duque and El Duque
- Watch whales and dolphins on a boat trip from Costa Adeje
- Visit Siam Park and Loro Parque with the family
- Explore the black-sand coves of the north coast
- Hike the lunar landscapes of Teide National Park
- Wander the old town of La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Family holidays
Tenerife with kids
Shallow seas, water parks and boat trips — Tenerife is built for family weeks.
Siam Park
Consistently rated one of the world's best water parks, with a lazy river, wave pool and slides for all ages in Costa Adeje.
Loro Parque
Animal park and conservation centre in Puerto de la Cruz — orcas, penguins, dolphins and a huge parrot collection.
Beach days with shade
Sandy coves like Playa del Duque and La Pinta have calm, shallow water and plenty of nearby cafés for ice-cream breaks.
Boat trips
Dolphin- and whale-watching cruises leave from Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos and suit most ages — morning sailings are calmest.
Couples holidays
Tenerife for two
Adults-only hotels, cliffside sunsets and long seafront dinners.
Sunset at Los Gigantes
The western cliffs catch the last light beautifully — dinner with a sea view is the classic way to end a day.
Masca viewpoint
The famous drive to the mountain village of Masca winds through the Teno hills with jaw-dropping views over the coast.
Spa and adults-only resorts
Costa Adeje is home to several adults-only hotels with spas, infinity pools and seafront dining.
Dine by the seafront
From seafood in Los Cristianos to tapas along the Adeje promenade, the south's restaurant scene is made for long evenings.
Easy-going stays
All-inclusive holidays in Tenerife
A useful option when you want meals and day-to-day resort time to feel more predictable.
All-inclusive hotels are most common around the southern resorts, particularly Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas. They can suit families who value pool time and straightforward meal planning, as well as couples who want a relaxed base between beach days and excursions.
What is included varies by hotel, so check meal times, drinks, activities, transfers and luggage before committing. Compare current holiday options through our deals page, and treat example prices as inspiration rather than live availability.
Weather
Tenerife weather by season
Mild winter days, warmer summers. The south is usually the best bet for sunshine between November and March, while conditions vary by resort, altitude and day.
Sea temperature ~19–24°C. The south coast is sunnier and warmer than the north, which is greener and more dramatic.
Winter: December to February
The south is often mild enough for outdoor lunches, walks and time by the pool, but cloud, wind and cooler evenings are part of the picture. It is the season to choose a south-coast base if sunshine is your priority.
Spring: March to May
A comfortable period for sightseeing and walking, with longer days and fewer of the summer crowds. Conditions still vary across the island, particularly away from the coast.
Summer: June to September
The driest, hottest part of the year for many resorts. Beaches and family attractions are busiest, so it is worth planning popular activities in advance.
Autumn: October and November
Warm sea days can linger, while the landscape starts to feel less dry. It is a useful shoulder-season choice for a beach break with space for exploring.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit
Tenerife is a year-round destination. Summer (June–September) is hottest and busiest; spring and autumn offer perfect balance; and winter is the island's most popular season for UK travellers chasing the sun. February's carnival in Santa Cruz is one of the biggest in the world if you can time a visit around it.
On the island
Getting around
Hire a car
A car is the easiest way to explore — Teide, Masca, the north coast and the quieter beaches are all much simpler with your own wheels. See our car hire section below for search options.
Buses (TITSA)
An inexpensive network links the main resorts, Santa Cruz and key sights. Useful for resort-to-resort hops, though journeys can be slow.
Taxis and rideshares
Plentiful in the resorts and reasonably priced for short hops. Agree the fare or use the meter — most drivers are happy to help with recommendations.
Organised excursions
For Teide, Masca and the east coast, a guided day trip removes the driving and parking hassle entirely.
Good to know
Useful travel tips
- South for sun, north for scenery — the south coast is noticeably sunnier and warmer through winter.
- Book Teide cable-car tickets in advance online; the summit access permit has its own quota.
- Take layers — evenings on the coast can turn breezy, and the island's highlands are much cooler than the resorts.
- English is widely spoken in tourist areas, and most restaurants and shops accept cards.
- Driving is on the right with UK licences valid for short stays — just remember the hire car's fuel policy.
Inspiration
Example Tenerife deals
Example pricing to give you an idea of cost — live availability comes from our travel partners.