Tenerife holidays

Tenerife holidays give you the most reliable winter and summer sun in Europe, a different coastline at almost every resort, and Spain's tallest mountain in the middle of it all. The largest of the Canary Islands sits off the coast of Africa, so it stays warm when the rest of Europe cools down — which is exactly why holidays to Tenerife work in February as well as they do in August.

Every type of break is covered here. There are easy beach days on the volcanic-black sands of the north and the golden, Sahara-imported sand of the south, lively resorts built for families and groups, quieter towns for couples, and All Inclusive holidays where meals, drinks and entertainment are sorted before you land. Thomas Cook packages to Tenerife are ATOL and ABTA protected (ATOL 11806), with flights from the UK and 7-night deals from £149pp.

Types of Tenerife holiday

All Inclusive — The most popular way to book Tenerife. Buffet and à la carte dining, poolside bars and daily entertainment are all built into the price, so families and couples can switch off completely. The south coast around Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas has the densest choice of resorts. See all Tenerife All Inclusive holidays.

Family — Year-round warmth, short transfers from Tenerife South Airport and big-hitter attractions make this an easy family pick. Siam Park — regularly rated the best waterpark in the world — has the Mai Tai lazy river and the near-vertical Tower of Power, and Forestal Park adds zip lines and treetop courses. The shallow, calm beaches at Costa Adeje suit younger children. Browse Tenerife family holidays.

Adults-only & couples — Costa Adeje pairs fine dining and spa hotels with sunset strolls along the promenade, while Puerto de la Cruz in the north offers a slower, more traditional Canarian pace. For grown-up stays look at Tenerife luxury holidays or our wider adults-only collection.

Last minute — Frequent UK flights and a deep hotel base mean Tenerife is one of the best islands for a late deal, in winter as well as summer. Check live Tenerife last-minute holidays.

Luxury — Five Michelin-starred restaurants, beachfront five-stars and golf resorts cluster around Costa Adeje and Golf del Sur. The Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife in Playa Paraíso and Bahía del Duque in Costa Adeje sit at the top end. See Tenerife luxury holidays.

Cheap & shoulder-season — Travelling in late spring or autumn means warm weather, quieter beaches and lower hotel rates. Self-catering keeps costs down further — browse Tenerife self-catering and package holidays.

Summer & winter sun — Summer highs reach 28°C; winter rarely drops below 20°C on the coast, so a winter sun break here needs no long-haul flight. See Tenerife summer holidays.

Best areas and resorts in Tenerife

Tenerife splits neatly into a sunnier, busier south and a greener, more traditional north. Where you stay matters more here than on most islands.

Costa Adeje — The island's premium resort. Blue Flag beaches, golden Sahara sand, calm shallow water for snorkelling and sailing, and the widest spread of family, luxury and adults-only hotels. Best all-rounder.

Playa de las Américas — Tenerife's nightlife capital, with bars, clubs and summer guest DJs. By day it's still a proper beach resort with watersports and family-friendly hotels along the south coast.

Los Cristianos — A former fishing village turned relaxed seaside town. Two golden beaches, a working marina, boat trips and dolphin-spotting. Good for easy-going and first-time visitors.

Puerto de la Cruz — The pick of the north. Black-sand Playa Jardín, the Lago Martiánez seawater pools, tapas bars and a more authentic, culture-led feel. Ideal for couples and travellers who want the real Canaries.

Puerto de Santiago — A quiet, whitewashed village beneath the dramatic Los Gigantes cliffs. The calmest option, and the base for some of the island's best whale and dolphin watching.

When to book Tenerife holidays

Tenerife is a year-round destination, which is rare in Europe. Peak season runs May to July with highs of 24–28°C. Spring and autumn are the value sweet spot — warm weather, fewer crowds and lower prices, with September and October often the cheapest months to fly while the sea is still warm. Winter holds steady around 20–22°C on the coast, making December to March prime winter-sun territory.

Things to do

Beyond the beaches, Teide National Park and Spain's highest peak dominate any things to do in Tenerife list — the cable car climbs close to the 3,718m summit. Add Siam Park, whale and dolphin trips off the south-west coast, the historic streets of La Laguna, and a food scene that runs from Michelin tasting menus to fresh-off-the-boat seafood in the fishing villages.

Getting there and around

Flights from the UK take around 4 hours 30 minutes. Tenerife South Airport (TFS) serves most resorts and is the one you'll usually land at; Tenerife North (TFN) is closer to the capital, Santa Cruz. On the island, pre-booked airport transfers or car hire make reaching the inland and northern spots easy, and the green guagua buses and the Santa Cruz tram cover the rest. We'd recommend travel insurance that covers any watersports or hiking you've got planned.

Similar Canary Islands

If Tenerife isn't quite the fit, its neighbours each have a different character: Gran Canaria for variety and dunes, Lanzarote for volcanic landscapes and relaxed family resorts, Fuerteventura for its enormous beaches, and Portugal's Madeira for greenery and hiking.