Tenerife
Tenerife is a Canary Islands island where Mount Teide rises above sunny beaches, with a dry south and a greener north to choose between.
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Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago in the Atlantic off the coast of northwest Africa. Mount Teide, the highest point in Spain, rises from the center of the island, and Teide National Park around it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The coast has black-sand and golden beaches, and the Anaga hills in the northeast hold laurel forest.
The island has two halves that feel different. The south is drier, with resorts and sunny beaches such as Playa de las Américas. The north is greener, with Puerto de la Cruz as its main resort town. Santa Cruz, the capital, sits on the northeast coast. Plan at least a week to see the volcano, a beach and a forest without rushing. Teide summit visits need a permit, so book before you travel.
Tenerife in five
- Book the Teide summit permit before the cable carThe cable car stops at 3,555 m; the last stretch needs a personal permit booked on Tenerife ON. The Cabildo lists €15 for non-residents since 19 January 2026.Teide cable car and summit permit
- Hire a car for the island, not the resortBuses and taxis cover the south resorts, but Teide, Anaga and the northwest villages are far easier by car or a guided tour. Fog on the north coast road can cut visibility.North or south Tenerife
- Book Masca before you plan the dayWalking the Masca gorge trail needs an advance booking on the official site, and the walk ends with a compulsory boat transfer booked separately. Plan the day around both.Masca gorge booking
- Choose your coast by the weather you wantThe south is the dry, sunny side; the north is greener and often cloudier, with the older towns. Day trips between them take about an hour by road.Where to stay in Tenerife
- Flying in from outside the EU? Expect EES on landingTenerife is inside Schengen, so non-EU visitors flying in direct are registered in the EES at the airport. A week here counts against the 90 days in 180.EES explained
Things to do in Tenerife
See all attractions in Tenerife
Need to know
- Airport
- Tenerife South (TFS) for resorts; Tenerife North (TFN) for the north
- Getting there
- Direct flights from much of Europe; ferries link Los Cristianos with La Gomera
- Getting around
- Car for the island; TITSA buses between towns; a tram links Santa Cruz and La Laguna
- Best base
- Costa Adeje for sun; Puerto de la Cruz for the north
- Time needed
- 5–7 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- JanuaryClear9 rainy daysHigh20°Low15°Winter sunJanuaryClear
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 47 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Winter sun
- FebruaryClear9 rainy daysHigh20°Low15°CarnivalFebruaryClear
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Carnival
- MarchClear12 rainy daysHigh20°Low15°Mild, dryMarchClear
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, dry
- AprilClear10 rainy daysHigh21°Low16°Warm, calmAprilClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calm
- MayClear10 rainy daysHigh22°Low17°Warm, dryMayClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, dry
- JuneClear8 rainy daysHigh23°Low19°Sunny, dryJuneClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 28 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Sunny, dry
- JulyClear2 rainy daysHigh25°Low20°Hot, calimaJulyClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 7 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, calima
- AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh27°Low21°Hot, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 9 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberClear6 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Warm seaSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberClear10 rainy daysHigh25°Low20°Warm, quieterOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 47 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quieter
- NovemberClear10 rainy daysHigh23°Low18°Mild, quietNovemberClear
Good
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- DecemberClear8 rainy daysHigh21°Low16°Winter sunDecemberClear
Good
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Winter sun
Average daily high and low in Santa Cruz, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Tenerife
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
23
- Feels like
- 23°
- Humidity
- 69%
- Wind
- 12 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 88%
Tenerife
08:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today11°7°88%Monday: Rain. High 11°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Tue11°7°18%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Wed11°6°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu12°7°3%Thursday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Fri14°10°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat14°10°2%Saturday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sun14°11°64%Sunday: Rain. High 14°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 64%.
Updated 04:26 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Feb–MarCarnival of Santa Cruz de TenerifeSanta Cruz de Tenerife, a day trip
Day trips by train
- La Gomeraabout 1 hour by ferry from Los CristianosA steep, quiet island of laurel forest, best as a long day or an overnight.Read the guide
- Puerto de la Cruzabout 1 hour by car from the southSea pools, the old center and Orotava valley views.Read the guide
- La Lagunaabout 1 hour by car from the southA colonial grid of arcades and courtyards beside Santa Cruz.Read the guide
Before you go to Tenerife
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Tenerife, checked
- Summit path to Teide: personal permit on Tenerife ON; non-residents €15 for the 9:00 to 17:00 slots since 19 January 2026.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
- Masca gorge trail: book access in advance on the official site; the boat transfer at the end of the walk is compulsory and booked separately.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
- Teide cable car: from €43 round trip, from €24 one way; open every day except 25 December, weather permitting.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
Tenerife FAQ
How many days do you need in Tenerife?
Five days cover Teide, a coast base and one northern day. Seven lets you add Masca, Anaga or a ferry to La Gomera. Fewer than four days means choosing one side of the island only.
Is Tenerife good in winter?
Yes, it is the main reason for the south's popularity. Daytime highs stay around 20–22 °C on the coast, while Teide can be cold and windy with frost at the top.
Do I need a car in Tenerife?
For a resort week, no. For Teide, the Anaga forest, the northwest villages and Masca, a car or guided tour makes the island much easier. Plan fuel and parking at trailheads.
Is Teide worth it if I am not a hiker?
Yes. The cable car reaches 3,555 m in under 8 minutes and the lunar landscape below it is the real reward. Go on a clear day, book a timed boarding and remember that a standard ticket limits the stay at the top to one hour.
Which side of Tenerife is better, north or south?
The south for beaches, reliable sun and resorts; the north for old towns, gardens and walking. If you can only choose one, pick by the weather you want and then plan one day on the other coast.