Wondering where to stay in Tenerife? Here’s our detailed travel guide on the best neighbourhoods and areas to stay in Tenerife, so that you can plan your trip!
We cover the beautiful towns and cities in the north, along with resorts and unique stays in the south. So whether you’re planning a beach trip, hiking trip or road trip, you’ll find where to stay in Tenerife in this guide!
Tenerife is the largest and most popular island in the Canary Islands. Home to the impressive Mount Teide, the beautiful village of Masca and volcanic sand beaches, it’s easy to see why travellers from all over plan a trip to the sub-tropical island.
Our trip to Tenerife blew us away, and we stayed in some lovely accommodations along the way. There are many incredible places to stay in Tenerife, but you need to make sure you’re in the best location for what you want to do.
We did a lot of research before our trip as we wanted to explore the whole island. So that’s why we’ve created this guide on the best areas to stay in Tenerife when looking for accommodation.
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Where to stay in Tenerife: Quick Overview
We’ve organised these ‘places to stay’ by the type of trip you want to do such as hiking, without a car, nightlife and those living the nomadic lifestyle.
- The best area to stay in Tenerife – Costa Adeje
- Where to stay in Tenerife on a budget – Puerto de la Cruz & El Medano
- Where to stay in Tenerife for hiking – La Laguna & Puerto de la Cruz
- Stay here for nightlife – Playa de Las Americas
- Best Area in Tenerife for activities – Los Cristianos
- Best beaches – Costa Adeje
- For digital nomads in Tenerife – Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- Where to stay in Tenerife without a car – Los Cristianos & Puerto de la Cruz
- Best areas in Tenerife for surfing – Playa de las Américas, El Medano & Guía de Isora
Thinking of renting a car in Tenerife? Use Discover Cars to compare vehicles and prices!
Need a Sim card in Tenerife? Tenerife is in the EU Zone or you can buy an E-sim on Airalo.
10 Best Areas to Stay in Tenerife
As you can see, we’ve got every type of traveller covered! Now we’ll go into more detail about each location so you can find the best area to stay in Tenerife during your trip.
If you’re planning a Tenerife road trip, it’s a good idea to stay in at least two accommodations (north and south), so that you don’t have to drive back on yourself. We have a full 7 day Tenerife itinerary here!
1. Costa Adeje – Best Area to stay in Tenerife
Costa Adeje is a lively coastal resort town in the South of Tenerife. It’s one of the most popular places to stay in Tenerife due to the high number of resorts, beaches and nightlife options!
The Adeje area is a great destination for families, beach lovers and those looking for a relaxing holiday. There are a great number of restaurants nestled into the beaches, along the promenade and throughout the town (there are also lots of vegan options)!
There are bars and clubs open all day long, and you’ll find many options for nightlife. It’s a little more laid back than its neighbour Playa de las Américas, which is why we’ve deemed it the best area to stay in Tenerife for any first-time traveller!
Costa Adeje has some incredible beaches in areas such as Playa del Duque, Playa de Torviscas and Puerto Colón. We also recommend checking out Buena Vida Vegan Restaurant, Origins Tenerife and Suka Fruit & Salad for your smoothie bowl fix!
Due to the area being on a hill, some of the hotels may be an uphill walk away from the beaches. Double-check the location before booking if you want to stay closer to the beautiful beaches of Tenerife!
You won’t be stuck for choice when finding where to stay in Costa Adeje. Here are a few of our recommendations:
Budget💰 Apartamentos Borinquen: Lovely studio apartments with a swimming pool near Playa de El Bobo and Siam Park– Find it on Booking.com here!
Mid-range💰 Wyndham Residences Costa Adeje: A beautiful affordable resort featuring a swimming pool and apartments to feel at home – Find it on Booking.com here!
Luxury💰💎 Dreams Jardin Tropical Resort & Spa: A beachfront resort on Adeje’s coast with incredible swimming pools and luxurious decor – Find it on Booking.com here!
➤ Find more places to stay in Costa Adeje.
2. Playa de las Américas – Where to stay in Tenerife for nightlife
Playa de las Américas is located in the south of Tenerife and is one of the main tourist areas on the island. Similar to Costa Adeje, there are a lot of resorts in the area but you’ll find more nightlife options here!
Due to the great nightlife, Playa de las Américas is more popular for younger travellers on holiday and less for families avoiding the loud atmosphere of drinking or clubs. The area in the daytime is family-friendly though!
There’s a lovely promenade to walk down with many restaurants and shops (there are also large shopping malls in the area). We recommend The Burger Cafe and Flo’s Tenerife when looking for places to eat in Playa de las Américas.
We were surprised to see a big surf culture in Playa de las Américas, although there were too many surf lessons happening in the sea at the same time. If you love beaches, surf, nightlife and shopping – Playa de las Américas is your place to stay in Tenerife.
There are some incredible places to stay in Playa de las Américas and we’ve selected a few to meet anyone’s budget:
Budget💰 Alegria Barranco: A short walk away from the beach with a heated swimming pool, these studio rooms are very affordable in the area – Find it on Booking.com here!
Mid-range💰 Vanilla Garden Boutique Hotel: Located next to the main walking strip, this hotel features lovely modern rooms with breakfast included and a beautiful swimming pool – Find it on Booking.com here!
Luxury💰💎 Park Club Europe: Treat yourself to an All Inclusive Resort in Tenerife. Featuring tropical swimming pools surrounded by palm trees – Find it on Booking.com here!
➤ Find more places to stay in Playa de las Américas.
3. Los Cristianos – Best Area in Tenerife for activities
Los Cristianos is the perfect base in the South of Tenerife for families and those who don’t want to rent a car in Tenerife.
We’ve chosen Los Cristianos to be the best area to stay in Tenerife for activities due to its great bus connections. South Tenerife has a lot of things to do and is actually a large area!
The Los Cristianos Bus Terminal can take you all over the island including the north! If you’re staying in Los Cristianos you’ll be able to visit other beaches in the south, take a trip to Siam Park and even take the bus to the airport. You won’t need a car or taxi when staying here.
Whilst staying in the town of Los Cristianos, you’ll have a peaceful stay whilst being able to enjoy evening nightlife. Playa de Los Cristianos is the main beach with a promenade and lots of restaurants. There’s also Playa Las Vistas where you can grab a delicious Acai Bowl from Oakberry.
Los Cristianos has a beautiful viewpoint of the town and beaches at Montaña Chayofita! It only takes 20 minutes from the trailhead and it’s best to wear trainers as it’s a pretty rocky climb.
We recommend finding food at Eco Eco Brunch & Café whilst staying in Los Cristianos! Here’s some of the places we recommend staying in Tenerife (Los Cristianos):
Budget💰 Ocean Nomads Coworking: A beachfront hostel, perfect for digital nomads or those on a budget – Find it on Booking.com here!
Mid-range💰 Sol Arona Tenerife: With a huge swimming pool, this hotel offers affordable rooms whilst being very close to the beach – Find it on Booking.com here!
Luxury💰💎 Spring Arona Gran Hotel: An elegant, adults-only hotel with live music right near the beach and a luxurious breakfast is included – Find it on Booking.com here!
➤ Find more places to stay in Los Cristianos.
4. Puerto de Santiago & Los Gigantes – Chill Vibes
We visited Los Gigantes because we wanted to see the cliffs but when we discovered the town, we chose to stay! There is a charming marina nestled into the beautiful white houses near the cliffs.
Around the corner, there’s an incredible black sand beach called Playa de los Guios. The rugged cliffs make the beach feel extra special! By staying in Los Gigantes you’ll feel the laidback atmosphere and be able to stay somewhere peaceful near the south of Tenerife.
Although slightly on the west, the weather is still amazing here and there are better opportunities to see the sunset or sunrise. There are lots of resorts and hotels that face out to the ocean, but they won’t all be close to the beach.
During your time in Los Gigantes check out the Charco de Isla Cangrejo (Crab Island Puddle), it’s a huge natural pool on the side of the ocean. It can be very dangerous to go into the water when it’s high tide or rough waves, so be very careful if you take a dip. It’s worth seeing though!
When looking for accommodation in Los Gigantes, you can also search Puerto de Santiago as they’re in the same area.
Budget💰 Ona el Marqués: Amazing apartments with a huge swimming pool and tropical decor – Find it on Booking.com here!
Mid-range💰 Royal Sun Resort: Near the beach and cliffs, this hotel has live entertainment, swimming pools and a sun terrace – Find it on Booking.com here!
Luxury💰💎 Barceló Santiago: An incredible luxury resort with panoramic views of the surrounding area. Modern hotel rooms and breakfast is included. – Find it on Booking.com here!
➤ Find more places to stay in Los Gigantes.
5. El Médano – South Tenerife on a Budget & Surfing
El Medano is home to a beautiful long golden sand beach in the southeastern part of Tenerife. It’s a little further away from the hustle and bustle of Playa de las Américas and Costa Adeje.
The beach is a great area for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing spots so it’s the perfect place to visit if you’re into water sports. This also means that El Medano is pretty windy!
El Medano has a laid-back bohemian feel to the town which is why it attracts travellers wanting to relax. Similar to the places to stay in Tenerife, there’s a beautiful promenade with ocean views and a great amount of restaurants to choose from.
This town isn’t as popular as Playa de las Américas or Costa Adeje, so you’ll find fewer crowds. There’s anything from budget hostels to luxury resorts!
Budget💰 Casa Grande Surf Hostel: A lively hostel with surf equipment for hire. Perfect for surfers and budget travellers – Find it on Booking.com here!
Mid-range💰 Hotel Médano: Lovely modern rooms with views and breakfast – Find it on Booking.com here!
Luxury💰💎 Hotel Playa Sur Tenerife: Incredible rooms with breakfast, balconies and lots of amenities. There’s also a swimming pool on site – Find it on Booking.com here!
➤ Find more places to stay in El Médano.
6. Santa Cruz de Tenerife – Where to Stay in Tenerife for Digital Nomads
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the largest city in Tenerife and also the capital. It’s usually not the first choice that comes to mind when thinking of where to stay in Tenerife, but it’s perfect for digital nomads in Tenerife and city lovers.
The city has great transport links to anywhere on the island which makes Santa Cruz de Tenerife a great base for exploring. There’s a lot of amenities and things to do if you’re looking for a place to live for a while.
You can find an authentic Canarian atmosphere in the city and discover the old architecture in Las Ramblas. During February and March, Santa Cruz de Tenerife celebrate Carnival – one of the biggest events celebrated in the Canaries throughout many cities.
A visit to Playa de las Teresitas is a must when staying in Santa Cruz de Tenerife! We visited the beach on a weekend and it was filled with locals! It’s no doubt one of the best beaches on the island.
Budget💰 Casa Papagayo: Apartments with tropical decor only a walk away from downtown – Find it on Booking.com here!
Mid-range💰 Niko Rooms: Apartments in the heart of Santa Cruz that feel like home – Find it on Booking.com here!
Luxury💰💎 Silken Atlántida Santa Cruz: A luxurious stay downtown with a gym, sauna and sun terrace – Find it on Booking.com here!
➤ Find more places to stay in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
➤ Here’s our guide on the best things to do in Tenerife, it’s a beautiful island!
7. La Laguna – Where to Stay in Tenerife for hiking
San Cristóbal de La Laguna is located at the base of Anaga Rural Park which makes it the perfect base to go hiking! It’s very close to the North Airport in Tenerife and not far away from other highlights around the island.
La Laguna is an incredibly charming town in the North that is a must-visit if you’re exploring Tenerife! It was originally the capital of Tenerife and has a lovely colourful old town.
One of our favourite areas in the city is Av. la Universidad which features a beautiful long stretch of palm trees. The Old Town is also a beautiful area to walk around.
When staying in La Laguna, don’t miss Somo Lo Que Comemos for some healthy Canarian food. We love this place and can’t wait to go back! Here’s a few places to stay in La Laguna, Tenerife:
Budget💰 Apartamento Retama Laguna Centro: A beautiful apartment near the old town of La Laguna – Find it on Booking.com here!
Mid-range💰 La Asomada del Gato: In the heart of La Laguna with a beautifully listed building. The rooms here have a lot of character – Find it on Booking.com here!
Luxury💰💎 La Laguna Gran Hotel: A beautifully decorated hotel with a seasonal swimming pool – Find it on Booking.com here!
➤ Find more places to stay in the La Laguna.
8. Puerto de la Cruz – Where to Stay in Tenerife on a budget
Puerto de la Cruz is one of our favourite areas to stay in Tenerife! The prices are lower than in the South and the city has beautiful volcanic black sand beaches!
On our next trip to Tenerife, we would love to stay longer in Puerto de la Cruz and enjoy the charming city life.
The city has some of the best vegan food on the island, and the old town’s street murals are a unique part of Puerto de la Cruz to check out.
Puerto de la Cruz is also a great base for exploring Mount Teide and Anaga Rural Park. We highly recommend considering a stay here if you want a base away from the main tourist destinations.
Budget💰 Hotel Casa del Sol: Budget-friendly rooms with balconies and access to the swimming pool – Find it on Booking.com here!
Mid-range💰 Apartamentos Masaru: A lovely hotel featuring rooms with views, a swimming pool and breakfast – Find it on Booking.com here!
Luxury💰💎 Hotel Botanico & Oriental Spa Garden: An incredible spa hotel with a swimming pool, tropical decor and breakfast – Find it on Booking.com here!
➤ Find more places to stay in the Puerto de la Cruz.
Unique places to stay in Tenerife
While there are many popular areas to stay in Tenerife, we wanted to give you another option on where to stay in Tenerife. Head off the beaten track and explore these beautiful destinations during your trip:
9. Guía de Isora
We did a lot of research on where to stay in Tenerife as we wanted to find the perfect spot! When hunting through many options we came across Mini Casa Finca Arcoiris located up in the hills of Guía de Isora.
After looking at the photos and reviews, we were sold and booked a 2-night stay for our Tenerife trip. Book your stay at Mini Casa Finca Arcoiris here!
The accommodation is only accessible by car and it’s quite high above the beaches but only a 15 – 25 minute drive to reach Playa de las Américas. It’s the perfect destination for exploring Mount Teide and has the best sunsets on the island!
Even though it takes more effort to reach the accommodation, it’s totally worth it and we would stay here again. Even just to say hi to Sky another time! It was our favourite place to stay, so don’t overlook it when looking for places to stay in Tenerife!
➤ Find more places to stay in Guía de Isora.
10. Taganana
Taganana is a hidden gem located in Anaga Rural Park, North Tenerife. The area is so picturesque with rolling hills, old Canarian houses and coastal cliff edges.
If you want to stay somewhere quiet and unique during your trip to Tenerife, Taganana is a great option. Spend your days exploring Anaga Rural Park and relax at Benijo Beach.
There’s a huge amount of viewpoints to discover and many Canarian restaurants! Stay at Casa campo and Playa Taganana – a lovely Canarian house with incredible views of the surrounding area.
➤ Find more places to stay in Taganana.
Where to stay in Tenerife Breakdown
- Costa Adeje – Best Area to stay in Tenerife
- Playa de las Américas – The place to stay in Tenerife for nightlife
- Los Cristianos – Where to stay in Tenerife for activities
- Puerto de Santiago / Los Gigantes – Chill vibes in Tenerife
- El Médano – Budget accommodation in the South
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife – Places to stay in Tenerife for digital nomads
- La Laguna – Where to stay in Tenerife for hiking
- Puerto de la Cruz – Where to stay in Tenerife on a budget
- Guía de Isora – Unique accommodation in Tenerife
- Taganana – Off-the-beaten-track accommodation
➤ Find more places to stay in Tenerife.
Best areas to stay in Tenerife without a car
Most of the places on our list are possible to stay at without a car, however, you may feel better suited with lots of activities nearby. Here are our recommendations on where to stay in Tenerife without a car:
- Los Cristianos
- Playa de las Américas
- Puerto de la Cruz
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Los Cristianos & Playa de las Américas are located in the South and are the best areas to stay in Tenerife without a car if you want a relaxing beach holiday! You can visit the famous Siam Water Park and visit multiple beaches by walking or taxi.
Puerto de la Cruz and Santa Cruz de Tenerife are the biggest cities in Tenerife and have great transport links to many areas on the island. They are both perfect bases for many things to do in Tenerife and Puerto de la Cruz also has beautiful beaches.
How to get around in Tenerife
The local buses in Tenerife are called TITSA Buses. If you’re not renting a car and you want to visit somewhere around the island from your accommodation, use these buses or join a guided tour. You can pay contactless or purchase a travel card for €2 which means you can buy day passes for €10.
Renting a car in Tenerife – Check rental prices on cars in Tenerife using Discover Cars! Even if you don’t want to rent a car for the whole week, you still have the option of renting a car for a day or two.
Tours in Tenerife
Top Activity to do in Tenerife – Mount Teide Tour with Cable Car Tickets (& Transfer)
Tickets: Siam Park – the biggest water park in Europe!
- Sunset & Stargazing Tour at Mount Teide National Park – Go stargazing in Tenerife!
- Teide, Icod de los Vinos, Garachico & Masca – a full-day trip of the highlights around Tenerife!
- Go Paragliding in the South of Tenerife!
Tenerife has many dolphin and whale-watching tours, but not all of them are safe to join. Please consider choosing a No Chase Whale & Dolphin Tour if you want to take this trip!
After a few extra tips, you should now feel prepared for where to stay in Tenerife! Have a great trip! Check out more Spain Travel Guides:
- Tenerife 7 Day Itinerary: The Best Road Trip
- 22 Incredible Things to do in Tenerife
- Things To Do In Las Palmas (Itinerary)
- Hiking the Caldera de Bandama in Gran Canaria
- Best Things to do in Gran Canaria
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