Tenerife Travel Guide

Some facts about Tenerife

Tenerife is an island that really has it all. Its diverse landscape lends itself to a range of activities and its favourable climate makes for a great holiday destination all year round.

It's not just the stunning, sandy beaches that will leave you mesmerised but also the lush forests and impressive volcanic scenery that underscore Tenerife's natural beauty and make it a hiker's paradise.

With its unique location in the Atlantic Ocean and warm waters surrounding the island, Tenerife is one of the best places to spot whales and dolphins. So, why not take a boat trip to catch a glimpse of these elusive creatures in their natural habitat? Or if you're happier on land among colourfully painted architecture, meander through quaint villages and markets and get a taste of Canarian cuisine.

There's so much to enjoy, so sip on your sangria and soak up this wonderful island.

Practical Info

What is the best month to go to Tenerife?

The busiest times to visit Tenerife are July, August and Easter, as these coincide with the school holidays. If you're willing to take your holiday outside of the summer season, you'll be able to save money. The cheapest months include March, April, May (excluding the Easter period), October and November.

What's the weather like in Tenerife?

If you're looking for winter sun, then December, January and February still reach a comfortable high of 15°C. For those searching for a break with a little more heat, temperatures throughout the summer season (July and August) peak at 29°C.

Getting to Tenerife

As a top destination among UK travellers, it's easy to find affordable flights to the island. Tenerife has two airports, North and South - with South being the bigger of the two and where you're more likely to arrive.

The easiest way to get from the airport to your hotel or resort is to book an airport transfer. Prices vary depending on how far it is to your destination and whether you choose a shared or private transfer.

Drop Off Destination	Transfer time	Price (per person)
Costa Adeje	45 minutes	£3.62 (Shared Shuttle Bus)
Playa Las Americas	50 minutes	£3.90 (Shared shuttle bus)
Los Gigantes	1 hour, 20 minutes	£15.48 (Speedy shuttle bus)
Los Cristianos	15 minutes	£8.25 (Private transfer for 4 people)
Puerto Santiago	60 minutes	£10.63 (Private minibus for 8 people)

_{Note: The prices above are accurate at the time of writing but are subject to change according to supplier availability}

If you haven't booked an airport transfer, you can either grab an airport taxi or hop on a public bus. A taxi from Tenerife South to Playa de las Americas will set you back around €30 for 4 people. There are a number of bus routes which run from the airport and depending on whether you're staying in the south or need to go north, prices range from €3 to €15 per person.

Getting around Tenerife

There are great options for public transport in Tenerife - with buses that serve the whole island and trams that run between certain locations. Our top tip is to buy a Ten+ card - available for €10 a day or €50 for 7 days. With this you can make unlimited trips on buses and trams across the island. There's also an app you can use which makes it even easier.

If you want real freedom though, we recommend hiring a car for your stay. They're available for as little as £11.99 a day, allowing you to go where you like, when you like, and not having to worry about crowding or waiting for public transport.

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Tenerife For Families

Tenerife is a wonderful destination for families. Whether you want an all-inclusive resort holiday, or to get out exploring nature there are some great options for your family.

The most popular resorts are in the south of Tenerife - a nice short hop from the airport. Playa Las Americas, Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje are all firm favourites, with white sand beaches and some excellent family activities nearby. Each have their own quirks, so do your research before you go.

Playa las Americas is a great choice if your kids are slightly older as it has more of an energetic scene - there's water sports, karaoke and a great beach.

Los Cristianos is a bit quieter and calmer, and is really popular among families. The beach boasts plenty of activities for kids and lots of restaurants to choose from at night.

Costa Adeje is a newer resort and the best choice if you're looking for exciting days out - it's near the famous Siam Park which the whole family will love.

Accessibility in Tenerife

Tenerife is excellent when it comes to accessibility. The island's government has made a lot of effort to make sure there are no barriers to society, and they classify areas of the island as to whether they are accessible, practicable or inaccessible.

Getting around Tenerife is easy, with fully accessible public transport - the trams in particular are set up to be accessible throughout the whole journey. There are also kneeling buses with continuous flooring and plenty of reserved spaces for wheelchairs. As always, if you prefer to get around at your own pace, then you can hire a car for your stay.

If you want to head to the beach, the number one choice is Los Cristianos as the entire 7km stretch of beach has an accessible promenade with accessible toilets and changing rooms, as well as aquatic chairs and support for getting into the water. Most of the popular beaches throughout Tenerife are accessible, so don't worry about getting bored of the same bit of sand!

Mount Tiede and the outdoor areas of Tenerife are accessible too so you won't miss out on the full Tenerife experience. At Mount Tiede, the Roque de Caramujo Path is completely accessible for wheelchair users. There are other areas that are accessible but you may require a little extra assistance.

LGBTQ+ Travellers

Although Gran Canaria may be the more famous Canary Island among the LGBTQ+ community, Tenerife is equally friendly and laid back in its attitudes. There's a big nightlife scene in Playa de las Américas, so you'll find a number of bars and nightclubs to check out there. Even if a venue isn't exclusively for LGBTQ+ people, you'll find yourself welcome wherever you choose to party.

If you're heading to the beach, there's a section of the Los Cristianos that's a popular spot with gay men.But if you're just looking for a laidback place to spend time with your partner, rest assured Tenerife is an excellent choice and as laidback as the rest of Spain.

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