Tenerife holidays

With an average temperature of 22°C throughout the year, it's no wonder Tenerife has been nicknamed the ‘Island of Eternal Spring’. Even the off-season months are pleasantly warm, making it a great destination for couples looking for a quiet autumn break. Up to nine hours of sunshine and highs of 28°C make summer a great time to hit the beach, but the weather is still warm enough during the other seasons to enjoy a swim in the sea. 

When’s the best time to go?

Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands, and a hugely popular year-round holiday destination for couples, families and groups of friends. Known for its bustling nightlife, spectacular beaches and beautiful scenery, you’ll find everything from sleepy fishing villages and traditional Canarian towns to lively holiday resorts and cities here. Just follow our Tenerife travel advice to ensure you get the most out of your trip, and visit Tenerife at the best time of year.

The Canary Islands are known for their mild climate, with more days of sunshine here than almost anywhere else on the planet. The most popular time of year to visit is from May to July, when temperatures range from around 24°C to 28°C and a cooling sea breeze stops things from getting uncomfortably hot.

If you’re planning on spending your holiday on the beach, August is a great time of year to visit, when the sea temperature averages around 23°C, perfect for swimming, fishing and snorkelling.

Tenerife is a popular destination for a winter sun break too. Winters are cooler, with temperatures rarely dropping below 15°C and temperatures of around 22-24°C fairly common. The island is generally quieter during the winter months, so a winter break means you can visit tourist attractions and relax on the beach without the busy atmosphere of the summer months.

Scenery lovers: From mountains and sub-tropical rainforests, to azure waters filled with wildlife, you’re in heaven if you love scenery. Head out to sea on a luxury catamaran, and make sure your camera’s is ready to capture shots of animals in their natural environment.

Outdoor types: Grab some water, comfy walking boots, and a guidebook for a full day’s adventure exploring Mount Teide and the eco paradise of Masca, filled with colourful birds, beautiful butterflies, and fabulous flowers.

Beach lovers: Tenerife’s beaches are big, golden, and perfect for that lazy beach holiday in the sun. Head to the south coast for the best beaches that are family-friendly and a great spot for water sports lovers.

Language: The language spoken is Spanish, although English and other European languages are widely spoken.

Currency: The currency used is the Euro (€).

Local time: Tenerife is the same time as GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Tenerife South Airport. The transfer time to Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americas is 25 minutes, it's 1 hour to Costa Adeje and 1 hour 40 minutes to Puerto de la Cruz.

Flight time from UK: The flight time to Tenerife is 4.5 hours.

Tourist Information: Further tourist information can be found at https://www.webtenerife.co.uk/

Visa / Health: Before you travel, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain for recommendations and advice on visas and health. 

Holiday destinations related to Tenerife:

• Costa Adeje
• Los Cristianos
• Playa De Las Americas
• Puerto De La Cruz

By taxi: You can’t miss the white taxis, and they’re fully metered too, so you know how much your journey will cost. If you want to go exploring then you may want to negotiate a fixed price before you set off.

By car hire: You can pick up a hire car from the airport and use it to discover those hidden gems inland, or a secret cove on the coast.

By bus: Cheap, cheerful, and impossible to miss, the bright green buses nicknamed “guaguas” make getting around in Tenerife easy.

By tram: Sleek modern trams zoom between Santa Cruz in the south and La Laguna in the north of the island.

Carnival time: For two weeks in February, the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is carnival central. Leave the cold and the rain back in England; head to the sun and join in with the celebrations. Expect vibrant parades, fireworks, parties, and celebrations as the island throws off winter and welcomes spring with music, dancing, and plenty of drinking!

Easter celebrations: Easter sees the island celebrate again, with the festivities of “Semana Santa”, or Holy Week, marking the end of Lent in spirited style.

Patron saint: Join the party in August when Tenerife celebrates its patron saint, the Virgin of Candelaria, with two days of spectacles.

For wine lovers: Raise a glass and try out the latest vintage in November. The feast of St Andrew in Icod de los Vinos is a chance for the island’s winemakers showcase the year’s vintage.

Do I need a passport?

All visitors to the Canary Islands will need a passport. Your passport needs to be valid for the duration of your stay, but it doesn’t need to extend for any specific period of time beyond this.

For more information on Tenerife passports and details of the country’s entry requirements, head to: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/entry-requirements.

Do I need a visa?

British citizens do not need a visa to visit the Canary Islands as a tourist. If you’re in any doubt as to whether or not you will need a visa, it’s best to check with the Spanish Embassy.

For more Tenerife visa information as well as details of entry requirements to the country, head to: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/entry-requirements.
 

Should I get travel health insurance?

We always recommend that you take out comprehensive health and travel insurance before travelling abroad, particularly if you’re on a family holiday. Insurance will cover you in case you need emergency medical treatment while you’re abroad. It’s best to read through your policy documents before your holiday so that you know what is and what isn’t covered. You should also check you’ll be insured for any activities you’re planning on participating in during your trip to Tenerife.

Any other tips?

• It’s generally not a good idea to leave large sums of cash, credit cards or expensive electrical goods unattended while swimming or at the beach.
• The currency here is the Euro. You may be asked to show ID if paying for goods with a credit or debit card in the Canary Islands.
• Although the Canary Islands is a holiday destination, it’s recommended to save swimwear for the beach and cover up when you’re in town or visiting nearby cities, especially if you visit any religious or cultural sites.
• For more information and Tenerife travel advice, head to: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain.