Where to Stay in Tenerife: Best Areas, Top Accommodations, and More!

The best areas to stay in Tenerife, along with the perfect accommodation recommendations, for you!

Tenerife is considered to be an island of never-ending summer. But it’s not just a nice place to visit for the weather. Tenerife is an island packed with amazing activities and attractions! From relaxing on one of the stunning beaches to hiking the highest mountain peak in Spain, Tenerife has it all!

But what is the best area to stay in? How to be closest to the main attractions? And where is the weather the best? In this guide, you’ll find exactly where to stay in Tenerife that best suits your needs!

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Table of Contents

About Tenerife

Tenerife is the biggest island in the Spanish Canary Islands. The island group consists of 8 volcanic islands situated only 100 kilometers off the coast of Morocco. This means that, like Morocco, the weather in the Canary Islands is consistently sunny and warm throughout the year.

Even though they’re so close to Africa, the Canary Islands are a part of Europe, Spain to be exact. With Spanish being the most common language and the Euro as the currency, these islands are very popular among European tourists.

Of all the islands, Tenerife is one of the most popular islands to visit, and with good reason. This island is incredibly diverse in its landscapes, with too many places to see.

I will tell you exactly where you should stay on the island, shortly.

Where to stay in Tenerife: North vs South

The north and south sides of Tenerife each have their own unique charm. However, they differ significantly in character, and which one is right for you depends on your travel goals and the kind of activities you’re looking to enjoy during your trip.

I’ll also cover a little bit about central Tenerife, which attracts a certain kind of traveler, and that might be you.

To figure out where to stay in Tenerife that suits your needs best, keep reading, and I can guarantee you, at the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly where to stay on your trip to Tenerife, hotel and all!

Tenerife South

The south side of Tenerife is the most popular side to stay on. With great weather and incredible activities, it’s no wonder people love this side!

Let me go into more detail.

Why stay on the south side of Tenerife?

Always sunny: Tenerife’s south is warmer and sunnier because Mount Teide shields it from the humid northeast trade winds. This means a drier, sunnier climate than in the cloudier, greener north. To sum it up, South Tenerife is often much warmer and sunnier than the north, making it a great beach destination all year round!

Stunning beaches: Talking about beaches… South Tenerife has an abundance of them! From the stunning black-sand beaches to rocky coastlines with clear blue water, you’ll find it all here, making South Tenerife an incredible beach destination!

Water sports paradise: Yes, you heard that right. If you’re into watersports, South Tenerife is your place to be. Specifically, El Médano is a true surfing hub. With great winds, surfing culture, and many shops to rent windsurfing, kitesurfing, or wavesurfing gear, you’ll be set up for an adrenaline rush!

Vibrant nightlife: In the south of Tenerife you’ll find not only night clubs to party in, but also more laid-back places to have a drink with your friends. Wherever you go, you’ll find some amazing bars and clubs all around!

Best areas to stay in on the south side of Tenerife

Los Christianos / Playa de Las Americas

One of the most comfortable areas to stay in is definitely Los Christianos and Playa de Las Americas. Yes, 2 different towns, but so well connected, that I consider this as one area.

The reason I’m telling you about this area, is simply because it is one of the best for a beach vacation, and here’s why:

Sunny weather all year round
This area is shielded from the wind, making it very comfortable
Great water access for excursions
Pristine beaches
Luxurious hotels

But don’t worry, if you want a beach vacation without staying in some overpriced luxurious hotel, there are accommodations for you too!

The best places to stay in Los Christianos / Playa de Las Americas

Most romantic – Spring Arona Gran Hotel – Adults Only

Luxury – Sir Anthony Hotel

Budget – Beverly Hills Heights

Apartment/family – Apartamentos Vista Sur

Los Gigantes

One of my absolute favorite places on the island is Los Gigantes. A little less popular than Los Christianos, Los Gigantes offers a more authentic stay on the island. With great accommodations all around, Los Gigantes might be the place for you!

Why stay in Los Gigantes:

Waking up to the massive Los Gigantes cliffs every day
Also very sunny and wind-free
Great beaches and natural pools
Close to many hiking trails

Sounds like something for you? Then let’s dive into the best accommodations in Los Gigantes!

Best places to stay in Los Gigantes

Most romantic – Royal Sun Resort

Luxury – Barceló Santiago

Budget – Jazmin Cliff View Terrace By Dream Homes Tenerife

Apartment/family – Ona Las Rosa

Costa Adeje

Costa Adeje is a great place to stay if you’re looking for a more upscale andrelaxed vibe. Being close to many attractions like Siam Park, and stunning beaches, this might be the place for you. With many luxury resorts and stylish beach clubs, there’s everything you need to a relaxing vacation in the sun!

Why stay in Costa Adeje:

Close to golden sand beaches
Centrally-located for activities and excursions
Great resorts
Awesome sunny weather all year round

Looking for a luxurious stay? Then Costa Adeje might be for you!

Best accommodations in Costa Adeje

Most romantic – Iberostar Grand El Mirador

Luxury – GF Victoria

Budget – La Tortuga Hostel

Apartment/family – Terrazas del Duque Beach Apartment

El Médano

The place that stole my heart during my month in Tenerife, was the surfing town of El Médano. With amazing, laid back vibes, really good food and amazing wind for watersports, El Médano is the place for you if you’re looking for a surfing trip!

Why stay in El Médano:

Great wind for watersports
Surfing hub for wind, kite, and wave surfing, with rentals all around
Laid-back hippie vibe
Great beaches like El Médano Beach and LA Tejita Beach

I loved staying in El Médano during my month in Tenerife, it just never gets boring!

Best places to stay in El Médano

Luxury/most romantic – Kn Hotel Arenas del Mar – Adults Only

Budget – Hotel Médano

Apartment/family – Apartamentos Los Delfines

Tenerife North

Why stay on the north side of Tenerife?

Outdoor activities: The north of Tenerife is famous for its greenery and Anaga Rural Park. It has lots of outdoor activities like hiking, biking, watersports, cave exploring, paragliding, whale whatching and so much more!

Peace and quiet: With less tourists crowding the place, you’ll be able to experience some real peace and quiet on the north side. Get lured into the laurel forest with its magical sounds and sights, and truly relax…

Local wineries: As North Tenerife has more rainfall, it also has more vegetation, like vineyards! You’ll find some of the most incredible local wineries on the north side of Tenerife, you have to check them out!

History: Most of the oldest cities and landmarks of the island are located on the North side of Tenerife. Think about Santa Cruz, La Laguna, but also a famous Dragon Tree that is a thousand years old…

Stargazing: When it’d not cloudy on the north side, you will find some of the clearest skies here, that are perfect for stargazing! Unlike the south side of Tenerife where you will experience Calima quite often, in the north, it is far more likely to have a clear sky.

Best areas to stay in on the north side of Tenerife

Puerto de La Cruz

Some of most authentic island vibes can be found in Puerto de La Cruz. With not only nature, but also lots of history, and cultural sites, you’ll find that the area of Puerto de La Cruz has a lot to offer!

Why stay in Puerto de La Cruz:

Surrounded by greenery and close to Botanical Gardens and the famous Loro Parque
Many natural swimming pools
Charming old town with many local restaurants and cafes
Easy access to the Orotava Valley and Teide National Park
A cultural vibe with regular festivals, art, and live music

Puerto de La Cruz may seem a bit underrated at first, but I can assure you, this is an amazing place to base yourself on your trip to Tenerife!

Best places to stay in Puerto de La Cruz

Most romantic – Hotel Puerto Palace

Luxury – Silken Saaj Maar

Budget – DWO Nopal

Apartment/family – Apartamentos Masaru

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Another one of the best places to base yourself is, of course, the capital city; Santa Cruz de Tenerife! As the oldest city on the island, you’ll find lots of history and culture here, but also, Santa Cruz de Tenerife might be one of the best access places for Anaga Rural Park!

Why stay in Santa Cruz de Tenerife:

Great base for exploring northeast Tenerife and Anaga Rural Park
Home to shops, museums, theaters, and modern architecture like the Auditorio de Tenerife
Close to Las Teresitas Beach, one of the island’s most beautiful golden-sand beaches
Fewer tourists than the southern resorts, offering a more authentic Canarian vibe
Hosts events like Carnival, one of the biggest and most colorful in the world!

Staying in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is an incredible choice that you will not regret!

Best places to stay in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Most romantic – Hotel Taburiente S.C.Tenerife

Luxury – Iberostar Heritage Grand Mencey

Budget – Urban Anaga Hotel

Apartment/family – Cal Vacation

Candelaria

A lesser-known place that is an amazing place to stay is Candelaria. If you want to stay in a peaceful local town, where culture and religion are the town’s pillars, Candelaria is for you.

Why stay in Candelaria:

Important pilgrimage site with the Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria
Charming town center with local shops, cafes, and oceanfront promenades
Quiet beaches and natural pools for relaxing swims
Central location on the east coast, making it easy to explore both north and south
Offers a calm and local atmosphere

Best places to stay in Candelaria

Luxury – Hotel Rural Finca Salamanca

Budget – Precioso Loft Candela 2

Apartment/family – The Sea Candelaria

Vacation home/family – Calala House with huge terrace

San Christobal de La Laguna

The last town I will cover in the north of Tenerife is surely not the least! San Cristobal de La Laguna, or simple La Laguna, in short, is an incredibly culturally rich town. La Laguna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, because of its history and colonial charm. With an amazing, laid-back student energy, La Laguna is such a vibrant place to stay!

Why stay in La Laguna:

Beautiful historic center with colorful buildings and cobblestone streets
Great local food scene, from tapas bars to traditional Canarian restaurants
Close to Anaga Rural Park for hiking and nature day trips
Lively atmosphere thanks to the university and cultural events
Cooler climate and authentic Canarian feel, away from the tourist crowds

Best places to stay in La Laguna

Most romantic – La Casa de La Camelia

Luxury – Laguna Nivaria Hotel & Spa

Budget – La Asomada del Gato

Apartment/family – Lujoso Apartamento en San Cristobal de la Laguna

Central Tenerife

Why stay in central Tenerife?

Hikers paradise: A major reason why you should stay in central Tenerife is for hiking. With hundreds of trail in and outside of Teide National Park, you won’t get bored soon!

Teide National Park: The most central place in Tenerife is Teide National Park, showcasing Spain’s largest mountain; Mount Teide (3,718 meters). Not only is this national park great for hiking, it’s also one of the best places in Europe for stargazing at night!

Less tourists: Yes, Mount Teide might be touristy, but everywhere around it is super quiet! People visiting Tenerife tend to stay at the coast and take day trips to places like Teide National Park or Anaga Rural Park. Staying in Central Tenerife will therefor be a lot quieter than the coast, leaving space for more cultural immersion.

Rock climbing: To be honest, this was the biggest reason for me to spend a week in central Tenerife. With many rock climbing areas in the middle of the island, you’ll be able to explore many new routes for every level!

Best areas to stay in central Tenerife

Villa de Arico

The place where I stayed during this week in central Tenerife was Villa de Arico. While the town itself isn’t much more than a calm, charming place, Arico is super close to most climbing areas, while still being close to the coast, at only 10 minutes. And Arico is on the south-eastern side of Teide, making for nice sunny weather!

Why stay in Arico:

Close to many rock climbing areas + equipment rentals
Only 10 minutes from the coast
Sunny but cool weather, due to the altitude
No tourists in sight

Best places to stay in Arico

Most romantic/luxury – Ecohotel El Agua

Budget – AC Encanto

Apartment – Verode

Family – Casa Rural La Pardela

Vilaflor

One of the most charming little towns that is in fact, also the highest town in Tenerife, is Vilaflor. Doesn’t the name already have this peaceful ring to it?

Vilaflor is an amazing place to base yourself if you plan on hiking in Teide National Park a lot. It’s quiet at night, but during the day, Vilaflor is a bit more lively with people on their way to Teide, stopping by for some lunch (Restaurante Casa Pana is the best place to go for high-quality Canarian food). This makes Vilaflor a town with amazing vibes and a certain charm.

Why stay in Vilaflor:

Great vibes and hiking culture
Closest town to Teide National Park
Some charming local restaurants

Best places to stay in Vilaflor

Most romantic/Luxury – Hotel Spa Villalba

Budget – Hotel Alta Montaña

Apartment – The lemon tree

Family – Rosas märchenhafte Finca mit Pool

La Orotava

Lastly, I want to mention the hidden gem of La Orotava. This little town is the gateway to Teide National Park on the north side. Surrounded by the lush Orotava Valley, this town offers incredible views of the Teide volcano and the ocean on the other side.

Why stay in La Orotava:

Perfect if you plan on hiking both Teide National Park and places on the north side of the island, like Anaga Rural Park
Quiet local vibe with a beautiful mix of history and Canarian traditions

Best places to stay in La Orotava

Most romantic – El Pino Centenario 3

Luxury – Hotel Alhambra

Budget – El Refugio del Valle

Apartment/family – Casa La Cañada

General tips for visiting Tenerife

Visit in the low season. Tenerife is one of the most popular summer AND winter destinations. The high season is from May to October and it has a busy period in December too. Weather-wise Tenerife is a good place to visit all year round, so go for any time outside the high season for cheaper prices and fewer tourists!

Bring hiking boots. Tenerife is a true hiker’s paradise. With surprisingly diverse landscapes, you’ll be able to explore lush green forests, hike through deserts, climb Spain’s highest mountain (Teide: 3715 m), and admire the most unique color contrasts in the volcanic landscapes!

Pack clothing for both warm and cool weather. In the south of Tenerife, it’s always warm. With less than 20 rainy days per year, the south side is a good place to base yourself. However, you might want to see the north too as it’s quite different and much greener. But this means more rain and cooler temperatures. Make sure to pack layers, so you’re prepared for every kind of weather.

Rent a car! In Tenerife, renting a car is very cheap. You can find good deals from 50 euros per week! I highly recommend renting a car as it’s good to have the freedom to drive anywhere!

Book some tours in advance. In this itinerary, I will recommend some tours and they should be booked in advance. I highly recommend doing these tours and booking them through GetYourGuide, as I 100% believe in them and booked these tours there myself.

Final thoughts on where to stay in Tenerife

I hope this guide has helped you choosing your place to stay in Tenerife. Just listen your heart and the feelings you get from reading about certain places and you’ll find the perfect spot for you!

Not interested in staying in one place? Then make sure to check out this 7-day road trip itinerary for Tenerife!