Choose Tenerife as your next vacation

Tenerife is the largest island in the Canary Islands, boasting almost a million residents as of January 2025. Each year, over 6 million people choose to visit this magnificent island. Why? The answer is easy: It has everything you want for a vacation spot. This includes sun, beaches, good food, cheap drinks, and plenty of hikes all year.

I visited Tenerife in March 2025, and I had a blast. Visiting in February was perfect for somebody coming from Scotland, where we don’t get that much sun. The weather was hot enough for sunbathing! Whether you’re planning a relaxing beach getaway or an action-packed holiday, there are countless reasons to visit Tenerife.

Here are a few tips for making the most out of your Tenerife vacation.

Best month to visit Tenerife

The best time to visit Tenerife is during autum to winter months because of the great weather and less summer crowds. However, Tenerife has excellent weather, so you can be very flexible with your planning. This island has a subtropical climate, which means it has hot summers and mild winters.

The coldest month is February, with a low of 15 C (59 F). My visit was in March, and the hottest day was 22 C (71.6 C). We were able to sunbathe and swim as well. Winter months usually have an average of 22 C.

Summer months are pretty hot and dry with the most sun, up to 28 C (82.4). Since it’s dry, that means it will also feel hotter than that. Also, the summer months, from June until September, are the most crowded.

From Autumn, the weather cools down just a bit. October and November’s maximum is between 25 and 27 C (77 and 80 F). You can also go during December and January and still be in a T-shirt.

Overall, most months are amazing to visit. If you want to make sure you get the most sun, the summer months are fantastic but fully packed. The rest of the seasons are also great because you can still sunbathe without a problem, and they are less crowded.

Which part of Tenerife is best to stay in

Now this depends on what you plan to do while on the island as the South and North side are very different.

The south, with its iconic destinations like Los Cristianos, Playa de las Americas, and Costa Adeje, is a haven for beach lovers. These beautiful white sandy beaches are always bustling with activity and crowded. The climate here is warmer than the north, with an abundance of sunny days and fewer chances of rain. The south is arid, so there is little vegetation and few hiking opportunities.

If you’re someone who enjoys the leisurely pace of resort life and the simple pleasure of lounging at the beach, the south is the perfect place for you.

The North side of Tenerife is home to popular destinations like Puerto de la Cruz, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and the National Teide Park. The primary difference between the North and the South is the climate. The North being cooler and more prone to rain. However, what truly sets the North apart is its lush, green vegetation, teeming with a variety of plants, vines and ferns. This side of the island is a haven for hikers, with an abundance of trails to explore.

If you’re looking for an active vacation, the North is the place to be.

Getting around

Rental Car

If you want to explore the island, I recommend renting a car. This way, you can plan your days exactly how you want to. Also, if you want to travel from the north to the south, it’s best to rent your own car, as the trip takes around an hour and a half. We rented a car from Sixt car rental at the south airport. For around 8 days with insurance, it was approximately 400 euros.

Public transport

For those who prefer to let someone else do the driving, the island has a reliable bus system. If you’re planning to rely on public transport extensively, consider investing in a 7-day travel card, which offers unlimited bus travel for just 50 euros. You can easily purchase tickets through the Ten+ Móvil mobile app.

How many days to visit

Our seven-day stay in Tenerife left us craving more adventure. There are many things to do in Tenerife, so I would recommend a two-week stay to truly immerse yourself in the Tenerife experience. If you’re seeking adventure, Tenerife has plenty to offer.

There are numerous activities to enjoy on the island, ranging from whale and dolphin watching in Costa Adeje to paragliding over the coastline. However, even a week or less is enough to bask in the sun and relax on the beach. It feels like Tenerife is one of those places where you should visit repeatedly to enjoy everything. Especially if you live in Europe and seek a cheap winter sun escape.

Fun facts about Tenerife

Tenerife’s flag resembles Scotland’s. Both have a white saltire over a blue field.
Almost half of the entire Canary Islands population lives in Tenerife.
Teide National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the world’s second-most-visited park.
Most of Tenerife’s beaches are man-made because the island’s vulcanic nature.

Overall, Tenerife is a wonderful island worth exploring. If you plan to stay in Puerto de la Cruz, here are some of the best things to see in this city.

Until then, unwind and explore.