Where you stay in Tenerife makes a big difference to your holiday. The sunny south is home to the big beach resorts, while the greener north has historic towns and a more local feel.
This guide explains the best areas to stay in Tenerife for families, couples, nightlife and quieter breaks, with hotel picks and links to compare prices in each area.
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The best areas to stay in Tenerife at a glance
| If you want… | Stay in | Why | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Families | Costa Adeje | Calm beaches, family resorts and Siam Park nearby | See hotels |
| Couples & luxury | Costa Adeje | Many of the island's best hotels and beach clubs | See hotels |
| Nightlife | Playa de las Americas | The island's busiest bar and club scene | See hotels |
| A relaxed beach base | Los Cristianos | Sheltered beaches and a laid-back harbour town | See hotels |
| Peace, quiet and sunsets | Los Gigantes | Small resort beneath dramatic sea cliffs | See hotels |
| Watersports | El Médano | Windsurfing and kitesurfing on natural beaches | See hotels |
| Golf | Golf del Sur | Courses, apartments and villas near the airport | See hotels |
| Culture and greenery | Puerto de la Cruz | Old town, black-sand beaches and Loro Parque | See hotels |
| A city break | Santa Cruz de Tenerife | Shopping, museums and the famous carnival | See hotels |
North or south Tenerife?
The south of Tenerife is drier and sunnier, with most of the big resorts, beaches and hotels, and it's only 15 to 20 minutes from Tenerife South airport. The north is greener, cooler and cloudier, with traditional towns, banana plantations and a more Canarian feel. Most first-time visitors stay in the south and visit the north on a day trip.
Where to stay in south Tenerife
Costa Adeje
Tenerife's most upmarket resort area, with calm, well-kept beaches such as Playa del Duque and Fañabé, a long seafront promenade and many of the island's best hotels. Siam Park water park is on the doorstep.
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Playa de las Americas
Lively and good value, with the island's busiest bar and club scene, plenty of restaurants and surf breaks along the seafront. It sits between Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos, so you can walk to both.
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Los Cristianos
A former fishing town with a working harbour, sheltered sandy beaches such as Playa de Las Vistas and a calmer feel than its neighbours. Whale-watching boats and ferries to La Gomera leave from the port.
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Los Gigantes
A small resort on the west coast beneath towering sea cliffs, with a marina, a black-sand beach and some of the best sunsets on the island. It's around 45 minutes' drive from Tenerife South airport.
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El Médano
A laid-back town known for windsurfing and kitesurfing, with long natural beaches and the Montaña Roja nature reserve. It's close to Tenerife South airport and often breezy.
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Golf del Sur
Built around golf courses near Tenerife South airport, with plenty of apartments and villas and a small marina.
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Callao Salvaje
A small, quiet resort a short drive north of Costa Adeje, with rocky coves and a more local feel. A good choice if you want the big resorts within reach without the crowds.
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Costa del Silencio
A low-rise, low-key resort on the south coast near Las Galletas, with a rocky shoreline rather than big beaches and easy access to the airport.
Compare pricesWhere to stay in north Tenerife
Puerto de la Cruz
The north coast's main resort: an old town with real Canarian character, black-sand beaches, the Lago Martiánez seawater pools designed by César Manrique, and Loro Parque. Greener, and a little cooler and cloudier than the south.
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Garachico
A pretty historic town on the north-west coast, known for the natural volcanic rock pools at El Caletón. Small and quiet, with a handful of boutique hotels.
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Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The island's capital, with shopping streets, museums, the striking Auditorio de Tenerife and one of the world's biggest carnivals each February or March. The golden sands of Playa de las Teresitas are a short drive away.
Compare pricesHotels in Tenerife worth a look
Gran Hotel Bahía del Duque
A colonial-style five-star resort on the beach, with five pools and botanical gardens.
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The Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, Abama
Moorish-inspired five-star resort with a funicular down to its own beach and Michelin-starred dining.
Check pricesHard Rock Hotel Tenerife
Contemporary five-star hotel with three outdoor pools, the Rock Spa and regular live music.
Check pricesH10 Atlantic Sunset
Modern five-star hotel with minimalist design, ocean views and themed restaurants.
Check pricesDomes Baobab Suites
Apartment-style five-star suites, many with private pools and large terraces.
Check pricesIberostar Heritage Grand Mencey
Historic luxury hotel in the capital with a peaceful courtyard and a large wellness centre.
Check pricesTenerife holiday packages
Booking your flight and hotel together can work out cheaper, especially in the school holidays, and flight-inclusive package holidays from UK travel companies are ATOL protected.
Arriving in Tenerife and getting around
Most UK flights land at Tenerife South (TFS), 15 to 20 minutes from Los Cristianos, Playa de las Americas and Costa Adeje. Tenerife North (TFN), near La Laguna, mainly handles flights from mainland Spain and the other Canary Islands. Flights from the UK take around four to four and a half hours.
A hire car is the easiest way to explore beyond your resort. Teide National Park, Masca and the north coast all make easy day trips.
Car hire in Tenerife
When to visit Tenerife
Tenerife is warm all year. Expect daytime highs of around 20°C in winter and 28 to 30°C in July and August, with the south drier and sunnier than the north. For a season-by-season guide, see Winter Sun Breaks Tenerife.
Things to do in Tenerife
- Mount Teide cable car: ride up Spain's highest mountain, with hotel pick-up.
- Siam Park: Tenerife's famous Thai-themed water park in Costa Adeje.
- Whale and dolphin cruise: a no-chase sailing trip from Los Cristianos.
- Teide sunset and stargazing: watch the sun set above the clouds, then look through telescopes.
- Masca Ravine hike: a guided hike through the gorge, finishing with a boat ride.
- Loro Parque: the island's big animal park in Puerto de la Cruz.
Travel insurance for Tenerife
Book your cover as soon as you've paid for your trip, so you're protected if you need to cancel. Tenerife is part of Spain, so take your GHIC too, but it isn't a substitute for travel insurance.
Tenerife FAQs
Which part of Tenerife is best to stay in?
Is north or south Tenerife better?
Where should families stay in Tenerife?
Which airport is closest to the main resorts?
Is Tenerife warm in winter?
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