Where to stay in Tenerife: north or south? A guide to the best areas

During our two weeks in Tenerife, we did something I often recommend to anyone who truly wants to experience the island: changing base.

 

We started by staying in the area of Playa de Las Américas, then Costa Adeje, and finally moved to Los Cristianos. In between, we worked a lot (Tenerife was truly our classic “work & travel” experience), but we still managed to explore different areas and get a very clear idea of how each zone differs from the others.

 

We didn’t stay in the north because, having two weeks, we decided to experience the south more fully and explore the north at a relaxed pace. However, if you have less time and want to see everything, it can definitely be a good option to do a circular route by changing base from south to north.


I’ll tell you the truth right away: there is no single “best area” to stay in Tenerife in absolute terms. It depends very much on the kind of trip you want: do you want convenient beaches and nightlife? Do you prefer something quieter? Do you want to move around by car and explore every day? Or are you looking for a strategic place to work comfortably and go out at a relaxed pace?

 

In this guide, I’ll give you a clear overview of the island’s main areas, with the pros and cons I noticed, the atmosphere of each place, who each area is best suited for, and what to expect. And of course, throughout the article I’ll also share some recommended accommodations.

Below you’ll also find a map where I’ve included only the areas that I consider the best and that you’ll find mentioned in the article, so you can already see their location!

Playa de las américas

An area we didn’t like very much, but not because it’s “bad.” Let me explain better below.

 

Atmosphere: touristy and lively, with the most intense nightlife in the south (the famous “Las Verónicas” area is located here).

 

Ideal for groups of friends, anyone who wants to go out at night and have everything close at hand, and surf trips (there are spots and schools for different levels).

 

PROS: lots of venues, bars, and activity (if you’re looking for a party, this is a safe choice). It’s also one of the most convenient bases in the south for surfing, with several well-known spots in the area.

 

CONS:evening/night noise—music can be heard late into the night in many apartments (especially if you are close to the nightlife streets). For those looking for relaxation, it can feel a bit too “intense” as an area.

Accommodation

Palm Breeze – Las Americas:

I was unsure whether to include it because the bed is very uncomfortable (but only for me—Fabio says he slept well), and you can hear the nightlife in the evening (although I slept fine and didn’t find it excessive, Fabio disagrees). I’m including it because the location is really convenient (closer to Costa Adeje than to the center of Las Américas, so in my opinion it’s excellent), and because the apartment truly had everything needed: a well-equipped kitchen, two nice bedrooms, a washing machine, and two large terraces. The only thing missing was a dishwasher! In short, take a look and check the reviews. You can find it HERE.

 

We were also considering THIS APARTMENT which seemed like a good option. Take a look!

 

If you’re looking for a hotel, check out the Spring Hotel Vulcano HERE. It doesn’t seem bad in terms of price-quality ratio!

Costa Adeje (my favorite)

It’s touristy and crowded, yes that’s true, but I still found it more “relaxing” compared to Las Américas: many more families, more space for my walks, fewer nightclubs, and much less wind.

 

Atmosphere: resort-style, seafront promenade with white sandy beaches, many restaurants, and plenty of services.

 

Ideal for: couples looking for comfort and relaxation, families with children.

 

PROS: sandy beaches and very well equipped, such as Playa del Duque and Playa de Fañabé—perfect for enjoying the sea in an easy and relaxed way.

 

CONS: very touristy and crowded, especially in high season. It is also one of the most expensive areas (especially Duque and the surrounding area).

Accommodation

We stayed in THIS apartment. I had shown it in my Instagram stories and I must say it was probably the place where I felt most comfortable! The only downside that will make you smile: because of its location, it almost never got any sun, so in the evening I was cold haha. But of course, needless to say, Fabio was perfectly fine. In any case: a super well-equipped kitchen with everything you need, a nice large balcony, a washing machine, and a comfortable sofa. However, I noticed there was no air conditioning—I visited in February, so as I said I was cold in the evening, but I don’t know if this could be an issue in summer.

 

We were also considering THIS APARTMENT, but it was sold out. Try taking a look!

Los Cristianos

For me, it’s a successful mix: less “party” than Las Américas, but still very convenient and lively.

 

Atmosphere: it feels more like a “seaside village” compared to the other two areas, with promenades, shops, many cafés, and the harbor—all very pleasant. Ideal for those who want a practical base with services and activity, but without nightclubs everywhere.

 

PROS: sandy beach and convenient services (also family-friendly). From the harbor you can also take day trips—for example, ferries to La Gomera depart from here.

 

CONS: it remains a tourist area (like almost all the “convenient” southern areas of Tenerife), and some streets can be busy, with parking not always easy (but again, I may sound repetitive, but this is the case throughout the south).

Accommodation

No friends, the one we tried I cannot recommend because I care about you. We somewhat expected it, because I usually choose apartments with ratings of 8 or higher. However, we booked only 4 days before arrival, so there were really no accommodations available—and of course you should do things properly: book months and months in advance!


It wasn’t available, but we liked THIS APARTMENT take a look, it seemed great to us!


Alternatively, this SEREPINDIA APARTMENT (click HERE to find it)is, in my opinion, in a fantastic location and has excellent reviews!

 

Hotels, as you can imagine, are quite expensive, but you can still find something like the Reveron Plaza, which you can find HERE, and the prices are not too high.

Puerto de la Cruz (north) – beautiful, but different

We visited it and, as a “small town,” for me it’s one of the most beautiful and authentic. However, it is very different from the south!

 

Atmosphere: more Canary-style, greener, more of a “real city” with a historic center, culture, and scenic walks. Ideal for those who want to discover the north, take trips, and experience more culture and local life rather than focus on the beach.

 

PROS: there is the Lago Martiánez complex, with seawater pools—perfect when you don’t want (or can’t) swim in the ocean. It is also an excellent base for exploring the north.

 

CONS: the north is more influenced by the trade winds: often more humid and variable compared to the south. In addition, the beaches often have dark sand and the ocean can be stronger; some areas may have temporary closures due to sea conditions or water quality reasons.

Other areas

El Médano (recommended by many people who follow me on social media

It is located near the airport, still in the south. We visited it and the atmosphere feels more local and less “resort-like” but very connected to water sports. Ideal for those who love wind and sports such as kitesurfing and windsurfing, or for those who simply want a place a bit different from the more classic southern routes.
The downside? It is famous precisely because it is often windy (and if you are looking for calm seas and no wind, it may not be the best choice). La Tejita is one of the most beautiful beaches in the area, but very exposed to the wind.

 

Playa Paraíso (a “quieter” option)

It is a peaceful base in the southwest, with many resorts and a more “hotel/pool” type of holiday, far from the chaos of Las Américas. Ideal for those who want to relax and then move around by car or bus toward Costa Adeje or other areas. On the downside, there is less of a promenade atmosphere and fewer wide, classic beaches: it is more an area of small coves, rocky spots, and resort facilities

This is my personal experience, so I decided to leave out areas such as Santa Cruz (the capital), which in my opinion may be a bit inconvenient for visiting the island’s main attractions.

 

I hope this article helps you choose your accommodation in Tenerife, and I remind you that HERE you can find my COMPLETE ITINERARY, from which you can take inspiration and find many more tips! 🙂
All that’s left is to wish you a great trip!

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