Best & Worst Time to Visit Tenerife – Personal Guide to Choosing Your Season
I’ve been meaning to write a post on the topic of “The Best Time to Visit Tenerife” for a while now, and I’ve finally sat down to do it after receiving three different emails from people asking me the same question, but each with their own twist.
One person wanted to know the best time to visit Tenerife island to avoid high prices, another one asked when it’s ideal for swimming at the beach, and the third wanted to know when to go to Tenerife to avoid the heat.
So, I decided to put together this post to cover these and similar questions all in one place so you know when to go, be it a vacation to Tenerife for a few days only or for a couple of weeks.
If after reading this article, you still have another question, leave it in the comments section (or send me a message) and I’ll make sure to cover it as well.
This Is How to Choose for Yourself When to Visit Tenerife
First, decide on what you value most in a trip and match it to what Tenerife offers during different times of the year. And my answers below should help you with that:
Best Time to Go to Tenerife for Beaches
- South Tenerife – from May to October
- North Tenerife – from June to September
The first thing I want to say (and something I often mention in other articles on my blog) is that Tenerife isn’t really about beach holidays. It’s not the Caribbean – Tenerife’s coastline is mostly rocky, with rough ocean, strong undercurrents, and frequent winds that make lounging on the beach less enjoyable.
That said, swimming is definitely possible, and here I’m sharing the best times to enjoy a comfortable water temperature and a calm ocean so you can make the most of it.
That’s why – the best time to visit Tenerife for a beach holiday is from May to October. But here’s an important detail (!):
1. Best Time to Go to South Tenerife for Beaches: This time of the year is perfect for the south (you’ll be able to swim comfortably there through October, even first week or so in November).
2. Best Time to Go to North Tenerife for Beaches: In the north, however, the season kicks off around June, and swimming stays comfortable only until about the end of September. In Puerto de la Cruz, it is possible to enjoy swimming until mid-October.
This isn’t because the sea temperature changes (it’s the same all around the island), but because of the wind. In the north, the air is always a bit cooler by a couple of degrees, and the breeze makes it feel colder. Plus, the winds in the north start before winter, which can make swimming less enjoyable.
For example, in Bajamar and Punta del Hidalgo area, waves pick up in October because winds are already getting strong in autumn, and getting out of the water feels uncomfortable. Playa de Las Teresitas, the largest golden-sand beach near Santa Cruz, also gets windy from October onward, which is why it is not that comfortable for many people to stay on the beach long time.
In summer, though, Northern Tenerife is calm, warm, and absolutely amazing for swimming and lounging. But once October hits, the winds in some areas can ruin the vibe – you come out of the water, and they leave you shivering. It’s just not the same!
FURTHER READING: Tenerife North or South? My detailed guide with tips on how to choose the best side
Best Time to Visit Tenerife On a Budget
If you’re wondering when is the cheapest time to visit Tenerife, then my recommendation for you – plan a vacation in May-June or September.
Starting from the end of April (right after Ester, this date differs every year) prices already start dropping, but the cheapest months are May and June.
In my experience and observation, these are the best months of the year to fly to Tenerife because you save on everything – on unique accommodation, cars (car rentals are also the cheapest during these months), and hotel deals.
We always plan our hotel getaways on the island around this time (you can apply this rule to other islands of the Canary Islands as well, although selectively since other islands have their own cheap timeframe).
This is exactly the reason why we stayed in H10 Atlantic Sunset all-inclusive hotel (already 2 times) paying €180 per night instead of €300. (You can check for yourself that the lowest prices are in May and June). However, H10 is not the only chain offering such deals, there are many other cheap all-inclusive hotels where prices are low too.
Flights to Tenerife in May also tend to be cheap as well as car rentals.
For cars, I can speak from my own experience. Since we rent cars in Tenerife on a monthly basis, I know that the most affordable car hire is in May and September. For instance, you can rent a car for as little as €70 per week which is a bargain compared to the rest of the year.
If you need help with finding such deals, you can always contact me, but it is easy to compare prices on your own. In May and September, both North and South offer equally priced deals.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Tenerife to Avoid Crowds
The least crowded time in Tenerife coincides with the period of lower prices, which is in May and September.
However, we already start seeing a drop in visitor numbers after the spring holidays in March. There’s a slight increase in April (around Easter), but it’s still nowhere near as busy as in winter.
From April, many places in Europe become comfortable for travel, so people tend to head there instead, and Tenerife doesn’t see the same crowds as during winter, when visitors come for the warm temperatures and sunny weather.
So in terms of the number of people, I’d say the quietest times are from April to July, as well as September. During winter in Tenerife, the quietest time is second part of January.
Best Time to TrAvel for Hiking
I’ve hiked in Tenerife in every season, and in various scenic locations, so let me say this upfront – technically, you can go hiking at any time of year, but not everywhere.
For example, when it’s scorching hot in the south (even the Teno Mountains feel like a greenhouse), you can head to the Anaga Mountains, where it’s much more comfortable. We also hiked in Las Lagunetas in July and August, and it wasn’t too hot.
However, the thing is, even if you can hike in these spots during the summer, the atmosphere is completely different. In summer, the skies are always blue, and you don’t get the same mystical vibe as in other seasons.
If you are after the mist that comes with clouds and rain, you’ll want to hike in Anaga at the end of autumn or in April-May. You can also go there in winter, but rain, storms and low temperatures are very common.
During autumn and spring, the middle part of the island also becomes beautifully mystical, making it a wonderful time to hike. In May in Tenerife, hiking is gorgeous in Teide because this is the only time of the year when you can see the Tajinaste Rojo plant (which is one of the must-have experiences in Tenerife).
In contrast, summer is the worst season to go hiking in the south, but winter is amazing. Even around Costa Adeje, you’ll find trails with cooling winds, and it won’t be as hot. Plus, if you’re lucky with winter rains, you might even see waterfalls in Tenerife south (not big ones, but still worth the experience!) like Cascada – Barranco del Infierno, for instance, the closest waterfall to Adeje.
When to Go to Tenerife for Culture & Events
When planning a first trip to Tenerife for culture and events – timing is everything.
There is always something happening on Tenerife in all seasons, but many months are relatively quiet. However, there are specific times when Tenerife truly comes alive.
And that is in February when the biggest cultural event happens which is the Santa Cruz Carnival, known for huge extravagant parades, costumes, and non-ending street parties. Preparations before this carnival are also significant with mini performances taking place and hotel events.
In June, the Corpus Christi celebrations in La Orotava stand out, with stunning floral carpets and intricate designs made from volcanic sand adorning the streets, such a uniquely Canarian tradition.
Another key event is the Fiesta de la Virgen de Candelaria in August, where thousands gather to honor the island’s patron saint in the town of Candelaria with processions and music.
I also love Tenerife during Christmas and during the time of Easter. During the whole week of April, there is a number of interesting processions happening all over the island (which is interesting to watch). In December Tenerife is quite expensive but it’s the month of impressive lights and nativity scenes.
Outside of these times, Tenerife tends to be more laid-back, making these events the ideal occasions to visit if you love to travel for culture and festivities.
What’s the Best Season for Family Trips to Tenerife?
From a child’s perspective, Tenerife is exciting any time of year. Entertainment spots are open year-round, and resorts offer animation programs regardless of the season.
However, from a parent’s perspective, the best times to visit Tenerife with kids are summer, as well as April-May and September-October.
Why? Summer offers super warm weather, with attractions like Loro Park and water parks in full swing. At Siam Park, for example, it’s great to swim because the air is warm, and the pools are nicely heated. You can also enjoy plenty of water activities, like kayaking in Los Cristianos or snorkeling in Radazul as a family, as well as swimming in pools.
Spring and autumn are fantastic because hotels catering to families (like Hard Rock Hotel, Bahia Principe Fantasia, or Bahia Principe Sunlight Costa Adeje) often lower their prices. After spring break, prices drop in late spring, and in September, as kids return to school, they fall again.
Visiting outside school breaks also means fewer families with children are around, so visiting museums and parks feels much more relaxed and less crowded.
In summer, there are often special events for kids in Santa Cruz, Puerto de la Cruz, and tourist towns in the south, which is a great bonus on vacation.
Conclusion – What Are the Best Months to Visit Tenerife?
If I imagine you asking me just one simple question: “Anya, I have the chance to go to Tenerife this year and can plan my trip for any time. When would you say is the best time to visit, so I can explore nature, swim in the ocean, and drive around the island?” – this is an actual question my friends recently asked me when planning their trip to Tenerife.
And in this case, my answer to them was: May, June, September, or October. January is also a wonderful month if you’re coming from a place with harsh winters because Tenerife is going to feel incredibly warm (some tourists even swim).
This is, of course, a personal and subjective opinion, but here’s why I think so. These months offer the perfect balance for a trip like this. You can combine everything you’re looking for – explore different parts of the island by bus or go on one of the scenic drives, swim in the ocean, go whale watching, get excellent opportunities for stargazing, and enjoy the fact that nothing is physically out of reach.
For example, the cable car to Teide isn’t likely to be closed due to storms, and rain won’t interfere with hiking in Anaga, Calima wind will not be annoying and disrupt the pool holiday. Plus, the island isn’t too crowded during these months, so driving around and exploring by car is easy and stress-free.
As for swimming, June is the first month when the water really warms up. In September and even October, it’s still pleasantly warm after the summer. This makes these months ideal for both relaxing on one of the beaches or soaking in one of the natural pools and exploring the island’s landscapes.
But if we take away all these criteria, and things like budget or crowds don’t matter (since crowds aren’t everywhere, and we can plan an itinerary together to avoid large tourist hotspots even in peak season), and you simply want to visit the island, I’ll be honest with you:
Tenerife is great to visit at any time of year. For me, it’s truly a little paradise where you can enjoy the island in any season.
If there’s a Calima or rain, you can just move to a neighboring town where it won’t be an issue. If the sun is scorching and the heat feels unbearable, you can head to the north, where there’s plenty to do in cooler, more comfortable weather.
Are you planning a vacation in Tenerife and not sure when to visit based on goals not covered in this post? Then leave a comment with your question and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!
