Puerto de la Cruz and the north coast (Santa Úrsula, La Matanza, La Orotava)
Puerto de la Cruz is the north's historic resort, with a harbour, the Lago Martiánez seawater pools and Loro Parque. Villas spread across the green hillsides of the Orotava valley and the villages to the east, with views of Teide on clear days. Tenerife North airport is around 30 minutes away; Tenerife South is around an hour.
Best for: Walkers and couples who want greenery, local life and milder heat
Not for you if: You want guaranteed sunbathing weather: the north is often cloudy, and beaches are dark volcanic sand.
Icod de los Vinos and Garachico (north-west)
Icod de los Vinos is home to the Drago Milenario, the island's oldest and largest dragon tree, and Garachico, a few minutes west, has the El Caletón rock pools formed by lava from a 1706 eruption. Villas sit among banana plantations and hillside villages such as El Tanque and Buenavista del Norte. Tenerife North airport is around 45 minutes away.
Best for: Travellers who want traditional towns and dramatic coast
Not for you if: You want sandy beaches: this coast is rocky, with natural pools instead.
Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas and Costa Adeje (south-west)
The main southern resorts run together along the coast, with sandy beaches, a long seafront promenade, waterparks and plenty of restaurants. Los Cristianos keeps a working harbour, with ferries to La Gomera in around 50 minutes. Villas often sit in the hills above, around Chayofa, Armeñime and El Jaral. Tenerife South airport is around 20 minutes away.
Best for: Families who want sandy beaches, restaurants and everything nearby
Not for you if: You want somewhere quiet and traditional: this is Tenerife's busiest resort area.
Los Gigantes, Puerto de Santiago, Playa San Juan and Alcalá (west)
The west coast is sunny and sheltered, beneath the sheer Los Gigantes cliffs. Boat trips from Los Gigantes go out to see whales and dolphins, Playa de la Arena at Puerto de Santiago is a black-sand beach, and Playa San Juan and Alcalá are relaxed former fishing villages with seafront promenades. Tenerife South airport is around 40 minutes away.
Best for: Couples and families who want sunsets and a slower pace
Not for you if: You want long sandy beaches: the beaches here are small and mostly dark sand.
El Médano and the south-east
El Médano has some of Tenerife's largest natural sandy beaches, including Playa de la Tejita beneath the Montaña Roja nature reserve, and is one of Europe's best-known windsurfing and kitesurfing spots. The town has a relaxed, local feel. Villages inland, such as Arico el Viejo, are quieter still. Tenerife South airport is around 10 minutes away.
Best for: Windsurfers, kitesurfers and anyone who wants a laid-back beach town
Not for you if: You want calm, windless days or no aircraft noise: El Médano is beside the airport and often windy.
Costa del Silencio and Palm-Mar (south)
These two residential resorts on the southern tip are calmer than neighbouring Los Cristianos, with seafront walks, rock pools and small coves. Montaña Amarilla, a volcanic cone on the coast, is popular for swimming and snorkelling from the rocks. Los Cristianos is around 15 minutes away and Tenerife South airport about 15 to 20.
Best for: Families and couples who want a quiet coastal base near the airport
Not for you if: You want sandy beaches on the doorstep: the coast here is mostly rocky.
Santa Cruz and the east coast (Radazul, Candelaria)
Santa Cruz, the capital, has shopping, restaurants and Las Teresitas, a golden beach made with sand brought from the Sahara. South along the coast, Radazul has a marina and Candelaria is known for its basilica and seafront square. Tenerife North airport is around 15 to 25 minutes away.
Best for: Travellers who want city life and an easy hop to the north airport
Not for you if: You want resort facilities and sunshine every day: this is a working coast and can be cloudy.
