Direct to Tenerife
If the first sign of cooler weather makes you dream of blue skies and warm sunshine, Tenerife is the answer.
With a mild subtropical climate, bustling and varied resorts, and plenty to experience beyond the coast, it’s easy to understand why Tenerife is one of Europe’s top winter destinations. While much of northern Europe is still wrapped up against the cold, visitors to Tenerife can spend their days eating outdoors, walking beside the ocean or relaxing on the beach. According to holiday-weather.com average winter temperatures in the south coast beach resorts hover around 20°C in the daytime.
Southern Tenerife
The south of Tenerife is particularly popular with holidaymakers because it generally enjoys warmer, drier weather than the greener north and short transfer times, typically under an hour, from Tenerife South Airport. This is also where most of FlyDirect’s hand-selected range of hotels is located, in some of the island’s best-known resorts.
Costa Adeje is a favourite resort with the FlyDirect team, with stylish hotels, excellent restaurants and attractive beaches such as Playa del Duque and Playa de Fañabé. It is a good choice for couples, families and travellers seeking a relaxing holiday with plenty of amenities nearby.
Neighbouring Playa de las Américas is known for its lively atmosphere, busy beachfront and wide choice of thriving nightlife. Los Cristianos combines the convenience of a modern holiday resort with the character of its former fishing-village roots. Its sheltered beaches and pedestrian-friendly promenade make it especially appealing to families.
Other southern destinations include Golf del Sur, a favourite with golfers, and Los Gigantes, with a backdrop of breath-taking vertical cliffs. Wherever you stay, Tenerife’s compact size and road network make exploring beyond the main resorts easy.
Two remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Sites
No visit to Tenerife is complete without experiencing its volcanic heart. UNESCO listed Teide National Park is dominated by Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak at 3,718 metres. Its lava fields, craters and extraordinary rock formations create an almost otherworldly landscape. Visitors can explore scenic viewpoints, follow marked walking trails or even take the cable car towards the summit area. A range of excursions to explore Teide by day or night are bookable through our recommended excursion provider Musement, and anyone setting out to explore independently should check permit requirements and weather conditions in advance via volcanoteide.com.
Tenerife’s second UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a very different experience. San Cristóbal de La Laguna, usually called La Laguna, is a historic university city filled with colourful mansions, churches, courtyards and welcoming cafés. Its carefully planned, unfortified layout influenced the design of many Spanish colonial cities in the Americas. A stroll through its atmospheric streets reveals another side of Tenerife, far removed from the beach resorts. Read our blog ‘Getting Off The Tourist Trail in Tenerife’ where our Marketing Manager Bex visits this fascinating town.
Activities for every kind of visitor
Tenerife offers far more than sunbathing. Adults can go hiking through the volcanic scenery, scuba dive in clear Atlantic waters, play golf (with free golf carriage on our winter flights!), cycle through changing landscapes or try surfing and paddleboarding. Boat trips from the south coast provide opportunities to observe whales and dolphins responsibly in their natural habitat, while an evening stargazing excursion reveals the island’s famously clear night skies.
Those looking for a slower pace can visit traditional towns, tour a vineyard, browse local markets or explore the museums and galleries of Santa Cruz. Depending on the year’s calendar, a winter visit may also coincide with the spectacular Santa Cruz Carnival, when elaborate costumes, music and parades fill the capital with colour.
Families have plenty to keep younger travellers entertained. Children can build sandcastles on sheltered beaches, spot marine life on a boat excursion or ride the cable car at Mount Teide. Tenerife’s water parks, including regular award winner Siam Park, are among its biggest family attractions, with slides, pools and gentler play areas for younger children. Wildlife parks, botanical gardens and easy coastal walks offer enjoyable alternatives for days away from the beach.
With dependable winter sunshine, welcoming resorts, dramatic landscapes, family attractions, and cultural treasures, Tenerife offers much more than a simple beach escape. Whether you want adventure, relaxation or a little of both, it is an island that rewards exploration.
Tenerife FAQS
Is Tenerife warm in winter?
Yes. Tenerife has a mild subtropical climate, and daytime temperatures in the southern beach resorts are often around 20°C during winter. The south of the island is generally warmer and drier than the north.
Which part of Tenerife is best for a holiday?
Southern Tenerife is especially popular with holidaymakers. Costa Adeje is ideal for stylish hotels and relaxing beaches, Playa de las Américas suits visitors looking for nightlife, and Los Cristianos is a good choice for families.
What are the best things to do in Tenerife?
Popular activities include visiting Mount Teide, exploring La Laguna, hiking, whale and dolphin watching, stargazing, scuba diving, golfing, surfing, and visiting water parks such as Siam Park.
Is Tenerife suitable for families?
Yes. Tenerife is very family-friendly, with sheltered beaches, boat trips, wildlife parks, botanicalgardens, coastal walks, water parks, and the Mount Teide cable car offering plenty for children and adults to enjoy.
