Where to Stay in Tenerife: Best Resorts for Families, Couples, Nightlife and Sun

North or south Tenerife? Compare Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, Puerto de la Cruz, Los Gigantes and more, with tips on weather, beaches and hotel types.

Tenerife, the largest of Spain's Canary Islands, is one of the most popular holiday destinations for UK travellers and a growing favourite with Americans and Australians exploring Europe. But the island is varied, and where you stay changes your experience completely.

North vs south: the big decision

Most UK package holidays fly into Tenerife South, which is close to the main resorts.

Costa Adeje

Best for: families, couples, upscale stays.

Costa Adeje is the island's most polished resort area, with beaches such as Playa del Duque and Fañabé, many four- and five-star hotels and a long seafront promenade.

Pros: family-friendly hotels with kids' clubs, close to Siam Park, good restaurants. Cons: more expensive than other resorts; some areas can feel built-up.

Playa de las Américas

Best for: nightlife, younger groups, budget stays.

Pros: bars and clubs (especially around the Veronicas strip), plenty of budget hotels and apartments, surf spots. Cons: loud at night; less suitable for families wanting quiet.

Los Cristianos

Best for: couples, older travellers, value.

Pros: a former fishing town with a working harbour, calm beach, ferries to La Gomera, flatter promenades. Cons: busy in peak seasons; fewer luxury hotels.

Los Gigantes and Puerto de Santiago

Best for: couples, quieter stays, dramatic scenery.

Pros: spectacular cliffs, boat trips to see whales and dolphins, relaxed atmosphere. Cons: smaller beaches; hilly streets.

Golf del Sur and El Médano

Best for: golfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers.

Pros: close to Tenerife South airport, quieter, El Médano has a laid-back surf vibe. Cons: windy; fewer facilities.

Puerto de la Cruz

Best for: culture, older travellers, nature lovers.

Pros: historic town, Loro Parque, botanical gardens, base for Teide National Park. Cons: cloudier and cooler; beaches with black sand and rougher waves.

Santa Cruz and La Laguna

Best for: city breaks, culture, Carnival.

Pros: local life, the UNESCO-listed old town of La Laguna, Santa Cruz Carnival (one of the world's largest). Cons: not a beach-holiday base.

What kind of hotel?

• All-inclusive resorts: popular in Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas; check the drinks and restaurant details. See is all inclusive worth it?
• Aparthotels: great for families and longer stays.
• Adults-only hotels: common in Costa Adeje and Los Gigantes.
• Rural hotels (casas rurales): in the north and mountains.

Weather by season

The south coast is mild all year, which is why Tenerife is a top winter sun destination. Winter daytime highs are usually in the low 20s Celsius, while summer highs reach the high 20s, sometimes hotter during calima (dust-laden winds from Africa). Mount Teide can have snow in winter.

Money-saving tips

1. Avoid UK school holidays if you can; prices jump at Christmas, February half-term, Easter and summer.
2. Compare packages and separate bookings. Packages often win for Tenerife.
3. Self-catering apartments cut food costs.
4. Stay one street back from the seafront.

Which area suits which traveller?

Things to do in Tenerife

• Mount Teide National Park: Spain's highest peak, with a cable car near the summit (a permit is needed to walk to the very top). Stargazing tours are spectacular.
• Whale and dolphin watching from Los Cristianos and Los Gigantes.
• Siam Park and Aqualand water parks.
• Loro Parque in Puerto de la Cruz.
• Masca village and gorge: dramatic scenery; check current access rules.
• Anaga Rural Park: laurel forests and hiking trails in the north-east.
• La Laguna and La Orotava historic towns.

Getting around

Tenerife has two airports: Tenerife South (TFS), close to the main resorts, and Tenerife North (TFN). Buses (TITSA) connect most towns, but hiring a car is the best way to explore Teide and the north. Transfers from TFS to Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos usually take less than half an hour.

Hotel tips for Tenerife

1. Check the beach access: some hotels are on cliffs with steps.
2. Look for heated pools if travelling in winter; the Atlantic is cool.
3. Choose a sheltered resort if wind bothers you; some coastal areas are breezy.
4. Check walking distance to the seafront; some resorts are hilly.
5. Compare all inclusive and half board: Costa Adeje has many good restaurants within walking distance.

The bottom line

Pick Costa Adeje for families and comfort, Playa de las Américas for nightlife, Los Cristianos or Los Gigantes for a relaxed pace, and Puerto de la Cruz for culture and scenery. For guaranteed sunshine, stay in the south.

Prices, fees, taxes and booking rules change often and vary by hotel, date and country. Figures in this guide are typical ranges for planning, not quotes. Always confirm the total price and cancellation terms with the hotel or booking site before you pay.