Where To Stay in Tenerife : North Vs South

Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands and it often tops the lists of the best island in Canary Islands. This beautiful Canary Island in Spain impresses with its beaches, cultural, excellent hotels as well as natural beauty. While, the entire island is absolutely extraordinary north and south feel like two entirely different countries.

It is a destination striking contracts, which is why where you stay in Tenerife sets the tone for your entire holiday. North Tenerife and South Tenerife are two entirely different worlds. The decision of where to base yourself is one of the most important you’ll make when planning your trip, and the right answer depends entirely on who you are as a traveller. Keeping reading to decide where to stay in Tenerife and which side of Tenerife is best suited for you.

Quick Guide • South Tenerife: The south is generally warmer, sunnier, and drier and better suited if you are seeking luxury resorts, beautiful beaches and nightlife. It is Tenerife’s hotspot for tourists and easy access, as it’s close to the airport. ( Sun & sand + convenience → South Tenerife) • North Tenerife: The north offers a quieter, more authentic side of the island. The north is cooler, greener environment with lush forests, smaller charming towns, offering a more traditional experience. ( Culture, greenery, hiking → North Tenerife )

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6 Reasons To Stay South Of Tenerife

South of Tenerife is popular mainly among families and first timer. It’s full of life, everything is easily accessible and polished, from airport transfers to boat trips and theme parks. Where it lack in tradition and authenticity, it makes up for being a low stress option with everything catered for tourists. Here are 5 reasons to stay in the South Tenerife.

1. Guaranteed Sunshine

The south almost always has sunshine, it receives approximately 300 days of sunshine per year. Perfect if you are looking for a sunny getaway. The south of Tenerife is especially a popular winter sun destination (November and March) in Europe, where the average temperature is pleasant enough to go outside in a T-shirt, swim in the ocean, and sit at a beachfront café without a jacket.

2. The Finest Beaches in the Canary Islands:

South of Tenerife has some of the most beautiful golden sand beaches in the entire Canary Islands. Many of them also hold the hold Blue Flag status adding to the appeal. Different beaches are suitable for different types of travel style. For example, Playa de las Vistas in Los Cristianos is great for a relaxed beach day especially for families. The water is calm due to the sheltered bay which makes it a great beach of swimming Tenerife, paired with the soft sand, palm-lined promenade, and nearby restaurants make it a great option.

On the other hand, you have Playa de Troya in Playa de las Américas which is fun, full of live, think DJ’s, beach bars and crowd looking to party. While, Playa del Duque in Costa Adeje falls somewhere in between the two, and offers more of an upscale vibe. It’s frequently ranks as one of the best beaches in Spain due to its soft golden sand, turquoise water, and a chic promenade lined with beach clubs and restaurants.

3. Unbeatable Nightlife and Entertainment

Playa de las Américas has a reputation for being the fun one, it is the capital of nightlife on the island. It offers a mix of everything from streets packed with bars, clubs, restaurants, all playing music till early hours of the morning to more chilled activities like mini golf or go-karting, live music, relaxed walk along the lively seafront promenade after dinner. The entire southern strip from Los Cristianos to Costa Adeje is lined with restaurants, cocktails bars. However, if you are after a hardcore night out Veronicas Strip is the place to be.

4. World-Class Theme Parks and Family Attractions & Water Sports

South is home to the best water park in the world, the famous Siam Park in Costa Adeje. The waterpark itself is a good enough reason to base yourself in the south, especially if you are travelling with kids. Nearby, Aqualand Costa Adeje is a great option for younger kids. Boat trips from Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje give you the chance to spot dolphins and whales in their natural habitat. Nearby, Jungle Park and Monkey Park are home to some impressive wildlife to keep the little ones entertained.

Warm water and favorable conditions means there is plenty on offer when it comes to water sports including, water sports like surfing, jet-skiing, and parasailing and more.

5. Exceptional Resort Infrastructure and Luxury Hotels

South is developed, with all the facilities and amenities you can imagine. There is everything from restaurants offering all different types of cuisine, high end luxury shopping in Costa Adeje and plenty of excursions. It’s also easily accessible from the airport. There is no shortage of luxury hotels in south Tenerife, in Costa Adeje in particular. Bahía del Duque, is a standout, this luxury hotel is designed to resemble a traditional Canarian village set right by Playa del Duque in Costa Adeje. Ritz‑Carlton near Guia de Isora is also highly recommended, set on a sprawling clifftop estate with sea views.

6. Spain’s Highest Point Mount Teide Is More Easily Accessible from the South

Tenerife is home to the highest point in Spain, Mount Teide. Taking a cable car up to the top is one of the most popular and iconic experience on the whole of the island, if not Europe. This is where accessibility offers in the south comes in handy. Majority of the tours depart from south.

Mount Teide is also popular during the night for stargazing. Clear skies, dry conditions and low pollution make Mount Teide one of the best places to see stars in Europe, just like with the cable car, majority of the night star gazing tours depart from the south.

Can’t Decide between south Tenerife vs north Tenerife ? Split Your Stay. Many visitors split their time between North and South, perhaps four nights in Costa Adeje for beach and sun, then two or three nights in Puerto de la Cruz for culture and scenery. With a hire car, the drive between the two takes around an hour.

5 Reasons To Stay North Of Tenerife

The north feels like a completely different country compared to the south. The climate is considerably cooler than south with less tourists, offering a more peaceful, lush vibe. Tenerife’s soul lives in the North, if you are looking for a more authentic laid back experience and seeing how the locals go about their daily life – north Tenerife is best suited over south.

1. Authentic Canarian Culture and Charming Towns With History

The north is home to plenty of charming colourful towns. La Laguna, for example is a UNESCO World Heritage Site lined with cobble streets, colourful colonial buildings that are beautifully preserved and cute artisanal cafes.

There are some hidden gems such as Puerto de la Cruz where you can see people going about their daily life, explore the harbour, the historic square and botanical gardens. Similarly, La Orotava showcase traditional Canarian architecture with traditional wooden balconies, explore the quaint plazas that are lined with ‘guachinches’ – which are family run rustic restaurants serving homemade food.

2. Natural pools & Unspoiled Natural Landscapes

If you are after something a little different than beaches, north Tenerife offers dramatic natural lava pools. Natural pools in Garachico and Puerto de la Cruz are especially well known, they are filled with water from the Atlantic, perfect for a refreshing swim and a unique experience in general.

The north is far greener than south, there are with lush forests and parks. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, The Anaga Rural Park is a whole world of ancient laurel forests, covered in mist, here you will come across remote village that have been untouched. Sendero de los Sentidos trail runs through the forest and offers a unique hiking experience on the island. Similarly, Teno Rural Park offers a dramatic experience, it is also home to what is known as “Europe’s Machu Picchu” – the Masca Valley.

3. Stunning Black Sand Beaches

While the south offers soft golden sand beaches, the north is known for its volcanic black sand beaches. Explore beaches like Playa Jardín in Puerto de la Cruz which combine dark sand with beautiful landscaped promenades, gardens, and calm swimming areas.

4.The Best Base for Hiking and Teide

If hiking is what you are after, north Tenerife will be best suited, based yourself in Puerto de la Cruz or La Laguna which will avoid the long transfer prior to the hikes. The north’s landscape is green, lush, misty with dramatic coastal cliffs. Hikes here are suitable for all, from families, beginners to avid hikers, as the trails run through charming untouched villages, cloud forests and viewpoints.

Some of the most popular hikes include Anaga Rural Park’s Sendero de los Sentidos mentioned earlier, the Masca Gorge which which runs from the mountain village of Masca to a secluded beach. Although, the Mount Teide is most accessible from touristic point of view from the south due to plenty of tours departing from there to the cable car. If you are looking to hike Mount Teide, the northern approach through La Orotava Valley offers some of the most spectacular scenery on the entire island.

5. Winery & Wine Tasting in Orotava Valley

The fertile volcanic soils, cooler climate, and historic wine-making traditions around the Orotava Valley region make north the heart of wineries and vineyards. Many wineries are family owned and offer guided tours giving you the chance to see how the wine is made, taste local wines, some even offer pairing with Canarian cheeses and tapas. Some of the well known wineries in the region include Casa del Vino, Bodegas Monje, and El Lomo

Where To Stay in Tenerife by Travel Type

For Families

Best Town For Families in Tenerife: Costa Adeje or Los Cristianos

South is best suited for families due to amenities and accessibility. The beaches are shallow and calm, paired with luxury hotels and family attractions, make south Tenerife the best for families.

• Siam Park (Costa Adeje) — arguably the world’s best water park
• Jungle Park near Los Cristianos — bird shows, animals, zip-lines
• Playa de las Vistas has a children’s playground right on the beach
• Los Cristianos bus terminal connects to the whole island without a car
• Los Gigantes is a quieter family option with dramatic cliff scenery

For Nightlife

Best Town: Playa de las Américas

There is only one town for nightlife and that is Playa de las Américas. Streets are packed with bars, pubs, lively restaurants. The Veronicas Strip is the heart of it all.

• Veronicas Strip — the ultimate bar-hopping destination in the Canaries
• Costa Adeje for a slightly more upmarket cocktail bar scene
• Monkey Beach Bar on the Costa Adeje waterfront is legendary
• Puerto de la Cruz has nightlife too — just more local and low-key
• Pre-book transfers — taxis fill up quickly after 2am

For Hiking

Best Towns: Puerto de la Cruz or La Laguna

The north green, lush and offers hiking trails. Base yourself in towns like Puerto de la Cruz or La Laguna to avoid long transfer before the hikes.

• Anaga Rural Park — UNESCO biosphere reserve, ancient laurel forest
• Masca Valley trail — one of the island’s most spectacular routes
• Mount Teide via the northern approach (La Orotava Valley views)
• La Laguna makes an excellent base for Anaga day hikes
• A hire car is essential — many trailheads are not on bus routes

For Couples

Best Towns: Costa Adeje or Garachico

As a couple you can opt for any part of the island depending on your interest and type of holiday you are after. For a relaxed vibe, luxury, fine dining and beautiful beaches choose Costa Adeje. For more intimate, authentic vibe opt for Garachico or Puerto de la Cruz.

• Royal Hideaway Corales Beach (Costa Adeje) — adults-only, stunning infinity pool
• Playa del Duque for a romantic sunset beach walk
• Garachico’s natural volcano pools for a magical evening swim
• La Orotava for cobbled streets, hidden plazas and Canarian architecture
• Whale and dolphin watching tours — a genuinely magical shared experience

For First-Timers

Best Town: Costa Adeje

Costa Adeje strikes the ideal balance, for your first visit to Tenerife. You have the guaranteed sunshine, beaches, lively restaurants and you can rent a car to explore the north of the island.

• Close to Tenerife South Airport — easy arrival and departure
• Best selection of hotels for every budget, style and group size
• Excellent base for day trips: Teide, Masca, La Laguna, whale watching
• Playa del Duque is one of the finest beaches in Spain
• Walking promenade connects to Los Cristianos — great evening strolls

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