Category: Tenerife Travel Tips

Posts about practical advice for visiting the island, including transportation, accommodation, and best times to visit.

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Best Times to Visit Tenerife: A Seasonal Breakdown

Tenerife, the crown jewel of the Canary Islands, offers unique experiences all year round. Whether you’re a nature lover, an adventurer, or simply in need of some sun, Tenerife has something for everyone. No matter when you visit, Tenerife is a year-round destination that will leave you wanting more. Whether you’re here for the beaches, the mountains, or the stars, there’s always something new to discover. But when is the best time to visit, and how can you make the most of your trip?

Winter (December to February): Stargazing and Cool Hikes

  • Best for: Stargazing, hiking, and escaping cold winters
  • Tip: Visit Teide at night for an unforgettable stargazing experience.

Winter in Tenerife is like nowhere else. Yes! It can snow above 2000m, while the coast is warm at 21ºC. Ethernal spring! While much of Europe shivers, Tenerife enjoys mild coastal temperatures. This is true whether you are in the north or south of the island. Be aware that the higher you go away from the coast, the colder it gets. These are perfect conditions for hiking and trekking. And if you love stargazing, don’t miss the unforgettable experience in Teide National Park. Crystal-clear and dark skies give perfect conditions for watching the stars. Just be prepared for real cold up there. Outside of the Christmas season, the island is quieter, offering a peaceful escape from the crowds.

Spring (March to May): Blooming Beauty and Fewer Tourists

  • Best for: Hiking, exploring local towns, and enjoying Tenerife’s natural beauty.
  • Tip: Spring is ideal for photographers—capture Tenerife’s landscapes in full bloom.

Spring brings blooming flora and fewer tourists to the island. The core of the Milky Way starts to be visible pretty late at night. For us guides, it’s the official low season. It’s an excellent time to explore the lush Anaga Rural Park. We can also take a leisurely stroll through the charming streets of La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The island is less crowded, and the weather is perfect for outdoor activities. If you’re a flower lover, visit in late May. The stunning Tajinaste flowers bloom like red spikes in Teide National Park for just a few weeks.

Summer (June to August): Beaches and Water Sports

  • Best for: Beach and sunset lovers, water sports enthusiasts, and families.
  • Tip: Head to less touristy beaches like Playa Bollullo, Mesa del Mar or Punta Hidalgo for a more tranquil experience.

Summer is high season for Spanish tourism, and for good reason. The island’s beaches, like Playa de Las Teresitas and Playa del Duque, are perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports. Tourists and locals blend at these spots. The coastal areas are lively. You can still find hidden gems like La Tejita, El Bollullo, or natural pools in the north. Here, the crowds thin out. Early mornings and late afternoons are your best bet for a quieter beach experience. Keep in mind that the north is more likely to be cloudy during this season. This is due to the Azores Anticyclone, which regulates the island’s mild weather year-round.

Autumn (September to November): Warm Waters and Less Crowds

  • Best for: Swimming, wine tasting, and avoiding the summer crowds.
  • Tip: Visit Garachico for a blend of culture and nature with fewer tourists (avoid weekends).

Autumn is a hidden gem in Tenerife, and for us guides, it’s the official second low season. The weather remains warm. The north side of the island gets sunnier. Soft rains bring rainbows. The sea experiences what locals call “la calma”. The ocean temperatures are still perfect for swimming. This is the ideal time for visitors who want to experience the island without the summer rush. It’s also a great time for wine lovers. The local wine harvest festivals take place during this season. Wineries start offering the new young wine.

How to Visit Tenerife: Practical Tips for Every Traveler

  • Flights: Tenerife has two main airports—Tenerife North (TFN) and Tenerife South (TFS). Most international flights arrive at TFS, while domestic flights often land in TFN.
  • Transport: Renting a car is the best way to explore Tenerife. The island has well-maintained roads, and a car gives you the freedom to visit remote spots, especially the hidden areas.
  • Accommodation: Tenerife offers everything from luxury resorts to cozy rural cottages. Go local and find a rural house in the north or south. Avoid places owned by big companies or foreign investors who do not even live on the island. If you like hotels, consider staying in a nice rural place first. Then, mix it with a weekend break in Puerto de La Cruz or Costa Adeje like a real local.
  • Activities: Plan ahead for popular activities like hiking Mount Teide or El Pijaral. Access to these hotspots can be challenging due to overcrowding. Booking in advance ensures you don’t miss out on these top experiences.

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The Power of Silence

I’ve been quiet for too long, but during that time, I’ve been focused on creating a lifestyle that allows me to grow as a multidisciplinary and well-rounded individual. For me, this is what being human is all about. While silence may not be the best for attracting visitors, it remains a powerful friend and refuge, helping us move forward. Years after my first post, here I am again—stronger and ready to bring this site to life. I hope you enjoy everything that’s coming next.

Can I find introspection in Tenerife’s hidden spots? Are there still such places left on the island?
Yes, there are, but timing is everything. In a world full of noise and constant activity, moments of silence can help us reconnect with ourselves. Tenerife, shaped by volcanic activity for more than 10 million years, offers tranquil spots and a perfect environment for introspection.

If you want to discover the real, deeper side of Tenerife, you’ll need to be like an owl—embrace the early morning while most tourists are still having breakfast or winding down for the night. Explore places like Teide National Park at sunrise or, even better, after midnight, when the tour buses have left, leaving a quiet, serene atmosphere. Other spots include the hidden beaches of Benijo at sunset, or the peaceful mountain trails in the Anaga Rural Park early in the morning. In these places, you can truly experience the beauty of nature without distractions. Silence in Tenerife isn’t just about the absence of noise—it’s about embracing the peaceful solitude of this natural wonder we islanders call home.

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Light pollution

What can I say? I am not a city lover. Yes, I know cities hold the entertainment and an ever-changing cultural thrive. That is why you visit them, at least I visit them. One of the major feelings when I have been in cities is a disconnection with the nature around. I do not just referring to trees and forest, ’cause there are indeed interesting cities with great parks and forests in their surrounds. I mean the whole, nature around and nature above.

Recently I visited Berlín and Stockholm. Great parks, for sure, and dark cities when you compared them with Spanish or American cities. And yet too much light pollution. Have you heard about light pollution? Well, as I see it, it is spending taxes on illuminating the sky… for nothing! And a pain for sky watchers.

Putting in simply, light pollution is the mark left by an inefficient public light system illuminating cities. The sky is too bright and we completely lost the appreciation of a real dark night. Today there is technology for improving light systems, but it is expensive when you think about a whole country.

Clever people have done the numbers: about 80% of stars visible by sight are not visible from today’s cities. The results comes from the light pollution map made space satellites (Light Pollution Map). Last data results: 2015. Bellow, from left to right, I present you sections of that map centered on the three most important astrophysical observatories of the word: Atacama Desert (Chile), Big Island (Hawai’i) and La Palma (Canary Islands).

Atacama
Hawai’i

Even for the best and darkest skies of the world, there is work to do on fighting light pollution. Indeed, recently this year, the street lights of my town have been properly renovated. Additionally, there are interesting initiative such as Stars For All and Starlight Foundation that remind us the importance of preserving clear, dark skies. Hope to see an improvement on next update!

Finally, what defines a good observatory is not just light pollution. However, that’s for another entry.