The best hotels in Tenerife

The south, specifically Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos, gets 300 days of sunshine annually with temperatures between 20 and 28 degrees year-round. The north and east, including Santa Cruz and Puerto de la Cruz, have a wetter microclimate with occasional cloud cover. The climate difference between the arid south and the lush north can be startling within the same day. For guaranteed sun, stay south.

Los Cristianos is slightly older and quieter, with a genuine fishing port at its center. Playa de las Americas is more commercialized with larger beach hotels and the resort infrastructure of Las Veronicas strip nightlife. Los Alcazares and Torviscas areas within the Playa de las Americas zone are newer and quieter than the original strip. First-timers choosing between the two generally prefer Los Cristianos for a less package-holiday feel.

Yes, if you want actual Spanish city life rather than resort life. Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the island's capital with a real city center, good tapas bars on Calle Villalba Hervase, the fantastic Carnival (February) and the MUSAC modern art museum. The beach at Playa de las Teresitas, 8 kilometers north, has white sand imported from the Sahara. Hotels here are cheaper than the resorts at equivalent quality. The south coast is 1 hour by motorway.

The summit cable car costs 28 euros and reaches 3,555 meters. The summit path above the cable car terminus requires a free permit booked online at reservas.parquesnacionales.es at least 2 months ahead. Without a permit, you can hike to the cable car base from Montana Blanca trail (3.5 hours uphill, moderate difficulty). The landscape is extraordinary and no guide is needed for the standard routes. Start before 10am to avoid afternoon cloud buildup.

Playa de las Teresitas near Santa Cruz is the most beautiful beach on the island, with calm Saharan sand and low waves. Playa del Duque in Costa Adeje is the most upscale southern beach with good facilities and cleaner water than the main Playa de las Americas stretch. Playa de la Arena in Puerto de Santiago has black volcanic sand. Avoid Playa de las Americas main beach: heavy usage and limited charm.

Siam Park in Playa de las Americas is consistently voted one of the best water parks in Europe. Tickets cost 38 to 44 euros for adults. The wave pool and the Tower of Power slide are the headline attractions. Go on a weekday to avoid the longest queues. Book online for a 10 to 15 percent discount. Plan at least 5 to 6 hours.

Tenerife Carnival runs for 3 weeks in February, peaking with the main parade on a weekend. It is the second largest carnival in the world after Rio de Janeiro. The street party on Santa Cruz's Avenida de Anaga draws up to 200,000 people. Hotels in Santa Cruz book out 6 to 12 months ahead. If you want to experience it, book by August the previous year. Expect 5 nights minimum to see the major events.

Yes. The south has virtually no bad season. January to March is perfect for Europeans escaping winter cold, with 20 to 22 degree temperatures and no rain. Summer in the south stays under 30 degrees thanks to the Atlantic. The north becomes more pleasant in summer when cloud cover reduces. November and December are quieter and cheaper except Christmas week.

Masca is a dramatically situated village in the Teno Mountains in the northwest, accessible via a winding mountain road that takes about 1 hour from Los Gigantes. The drive alone is spectacular. The Masca Gorge hike descends from the village to the sea in 3 to 4 hours. A boat collects hikers from the beach below for 12 euros and returns to Los Gigantes. The village itself has 3 restaurants and no accommodation.

Los Gigantes is a small resort town on the west coast where basalt cliffs drop 600 meters directly into the Atlantic. Boat trips run from the harbor for 15 to 25 euros covering the cliffs and dolphin/whale watching. The bay in front of the town has calm water for swimming. It is one of the most dramatic coastal landscapes in Spain and worth the 45-minute drive from Playa de las Americas.

Strongly recommended if visiting the north, the center, or multiple areas. The southern resort zone is walkable within itself but nothing outside it is accessible on foot. Car hire costs around 25 to 40 euros per day. Bus network (TITSA) covers most major points for 1.45 to 11.20 euros depending on journey. Taxis from south to north cost 60 to 80 euros. A car gives you Teide, Masca, and the north coast without dependency on limited resort shuttle buses.

Costa Adeje (adjacent to Playa de las Americas, slightly more upscale and quieter) for beach and resort comfort. Puerto de la Cruz in the north if you prefer greenery, local culture, and cooler temperatures over guaranteed sun. Santa Cruz if you want the city and are not primarily beach-focused. Los Gigantes if you want dramatic scenery with a small-town resort feel.