Skip to content

Discover flights, hotels and unforgettable escapes worldwide

Destinations · Canary Islands

Tenerife holidays

Year-round sunshine, volcanic scenery and family-friendly resorts — Tenerife has it all.

Browse holiday ideas and example deals — live package search joins soon.

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.

Weather

Weather overview

20–29°C all year. Summers are hot and dry; winters stay mild and sunny — ideal for escaping UK chill from November to March.

Sea temperature ~19–24°C. The south coast is sunnier and warmer than the north, which is greener and more dramatic.

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.

Tenerife, Canary Islands holidayGreat Value

Tenerife, Canary Islands

Costa Adeje Palm Resort

  • London Gatwick
  • 7 nights
  • All Inclusive

Example price from

£429 pp

View Deal