Most of Tenerife's tourism is concentrated on the southern coast, where the weather is driest and sunniest, but the island's regions genuinely differ from each other — not just in price, but in pace, crowd, and what's within easy reach. Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas sit next to each other yet suit quite different trips; Puerto de la Cruz and Santa Cruz, in the greener north, are a different island experience again. Use the cards below as a starting point, then read the full guide for whichever area sounds like the closest match to what you want from the trip.
Costa Adeje
Upmarket resorts and some of the island's best beaches, in the sunny south.
Read more →Playa de las Américas
The island's nightlife and shopping capital.
Read more →Los Cristianos
A relaxed former fishing town with a working harbour.
Read more →Puerto de la Cruz
Historic old town in the lush, green north.
Read more →Los Gigantes
Dramatic sea cliffs and a low-key resort marina.
Read more →Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The island's real working capital city.
Read more →La Laguna
A UNESCO World Heritage colonial old town.
Read more →Garachico
A small, beautifully preserved 16th-century port town.
Read more →El Médano
The island's windsurfing and kitesurfing capital.
Read more →