Organizing your trip to the Island of Tenerife
It would be in your best interest to obtain a reliable travel guide before departing for trip to Tenerife so that you can make the most of your time on the island and learn more about its culture and history. I can’t say enough good things about this outstanding Marco Polo guide, which served as my constant friend while I was in Tenerife.
Where exactly is Tenerife located within Spain?
The largest of Spain’s Canary Islands and the most popular tourist destination is Tenerife.
It is closer to the coastline of Africa, which is little over 300 kilometres to the east, than it is to Spain because it is located in the Atlantic Ocean. As a consequence of this, there is now a seamless integration of Spanish culture and the warm temperature of Africa.
When should you go to Tenerife to get the most out of your trip?
During the winter months, people from Northern Europe go there to get away from the cold back home. During the summer months, people from the Spanish mainland come here to get away from the heat of the city.
Because Tenerife has a subtropical climate, the island is almost always a lovely place to visit, regardless of the time of year. You may expect an average temperature of 19 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and 26 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, with the heat being cooled by the blowing of the trade winds.
In spite of this, the best time to travel to Tenerife is during the spring, autumn (fall), or the months of December and January. The months of June through August, which are considered to be summer, are often cloudy because of the trade winds.
The climate in the north of the island is characterised by lower temperatures and higher levels of precipitation in comparison to the climate in the south. November and February are the months with the highest levels of precipitation.
In January, I spent a week on Tenerife, and throughout that time, I was able to take advantage of the island’s abundant sunshine and cloudless skies. The temperatures in the mid-20s were ideal for touring and trekking, despite the fact that individuals could be seen sunbathing in their swimsuits despite the fact that it was not appropriate bikini weather.
Instructions on How to Reach Tenerife
The majority of travellers arrive in Tenerife through one of the island’s two airports: the Tenerife North Airport (commonly known as Los Rodeos), which is somewhat older, or the Tenerife South Airport (also known as Tenerife South-Reina Sofia Airport).
The majority of the island’s international flights are serviced by the larger Tenerife South-Reina Sofia Airport (TFS), which is located in the south of the island.
The primary function of Tenerife North Airport (TFN), which connects the island of Tenerife to the Spanish mainland as well as the other six Canary Islands, is that of an inter-island hub.
Both the port of Los Cristianos in the island’s south and the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the island’s north provide access to maritime routes that lead to Cadiz on the Spanish mainland as well as to the other Canary Islands.
Cruise ships frequently stop in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which is located on the island of Tenerife, as it is a popular port of call.
Getting Around Tenerife
Tenerife’s car rental prices are among the lowest in the Canary Islands. Although this provides you unlimited freedom, finding a parking spot at some of the more famous tourist destinations can be difficult, and driving on the island’s hilly roads takes a steady hand and a strong stomach.
Thus, why not choose to ride the bus instead?
By taking advantage of Tenerife’s low-cost rates and vast bus network, which covers the entire island, getting about the island is a breeze when travelling by bus. You give up some flexibility, but in exchange you have more time to kick back and relax while you watch the scenery go by from the convenience of your window seat.
When you arrive, you should pick up a Tenmas (ten+) card at the airport or the bus station. This will cost you 2 Euro, after which you will be able to load your account with credit ranging from 5 Euros to 100 Euros.
To use the ten+ card as an electronic ticket, much like London’s Oystercard, you need only touch the card once on the reader when you board the bus, and then press it again when you get off the bus. Your remaining balance, which can be shown on the reader, will have the appropriate amount removed from it.
Where exactly on the island of Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, is the most desirable place to stay?
Your schedule when you are on the island of Tenerife will ultimately determine where you will be staying while you are there.
The resorts in the south, such as Playa de las Américas, Costa Adeje, and Los Cristianos, are popular destinations for tourists who have purchased vacation packages.
Choose instead to stay in Puerto de la Cruz, the major tourist town in the north of Tenerife, for a more genuine experience as well as a convenient home base from which to explore the island. The squares, churches, and historic buildings of Puerto de la Cruz betray the town’s former life as a fishing village, which gives the town its unmistakably Canarian personality.
From a purely pragmatic standpoint, it offers a reasonable selection of places to stay as well as adequate bus links to the other parts of the island.
Consider staying in La Laguna if you would prefer a more intimate setting for your vacation.
You might also visit Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which is the capital of Tenerife and offers a taste of city life if that’s what you’re after.
Best things to do
There are many travel guides, that will help you plan your trip to Tenerife, but you can start with looking at our page Free things to do in Tenerife and the best hiking routes! You should also consider our fanstastic boat trips in Tenerife!