Tenerife with Kids

Best Time to Visit

One of Tenerife's greatest advantages is that it works year-round. Average temperatures hover between 20-28C throughout the year, with the south of the island enjoying more reliable sunshine than the occasionally cloudy north.

Peak season runs from November to March when northern Europeans escape winter gloom. Prices and crowds increase accordingly. Summer months (June to August) are actually quieter in terms of British tourists, though temperatures are higher and Spanish visitors fill resorts during August.

• October to December - Excellent time to visit. Warm enough for swimming, prices reasonable, water parks still open
• February half-term - Popular with UK families. Book accommodation 6+ months ahead
• Easter - Busy and expensive but weather is reliable. Book very early
• Summer holidays - Hot (28-32C) but manageable with pool time. Less crowded from UK visitors

Where to Stay

Tenerife is broadly divided into the tourist-focused south and the greener, more traditional north. For families with children, the south offers better beaches, water parks, and purpose-built family resorts.

• Costa Adeje - The most upmarket resort area with excellent family hotels, best beaches, and closest to Siam Park. Premium prices but premium quality
• Playa de las Americas - More affordable than Adeje, good beaches, but nightlife can be rowdy in some areas. Choose hotels away from the strip
• Los Cristianos - Relaxed family atmosphere, pleasant harbour, good for younger children. Ferry port for La Gomera day trips
• Puerto de la Cruz - Northern Tenerife. More authentic Spanish feel, beautiful botanical gardens, but cloudier weather and darker beaches
• Golf del Sur / Amarilla Golf - Quieter alternative with good apartments. Near the airport but away from main tourist bustle

Getting Around

Tenerife has excellent infrastructure and getting around is straightforward, whether you choose to hire a car or rely on public transport and organised excursions.

• Car hire - Useful for exploring Teide National Park and the north, but not essential if staying in the south. Roads are good but mountain routes are winding
• Buses (guaguas) - Comprehensive network covering the whole island. Air-conditioned and affordable. Route 111 connects airport to southern resorts
• Taxis - Metered and reasonably priced. Useful for airport transfers and evening trips
• Excursions - Organised tours to Teide, whale watching, and other attractions often include hotel pickup, simplifying logistics with children
• Free train - Tourist trains run in resort areas. Children love them and they connect main shopping and beach areas

If you plan to visit Teide National Park (highly recommended), you will need either a hire car or an organised excursion. Public buses do run but are infrequent.

Best Family Beaches

Tenerife's beaches divide into natural black volcanic sand in the north and imported golden sand in the southern resorts. Both have their appeal, but southern beaches are generally better for young children.

• Playa del Duque, Costa Adeje - The best beach on the island. Fine golden sand, calm water, excellent facilities. Sun loungers available
• Playa de Fanabe, Costa Adeje - Wide golden beach with gentle slope into water. Water sports available for older children
• Playa de las Vistas, Los Cristianos - Large family beach with breakwater creating calm swimming conditions. Good value sunbed hire
• Playa de la Arena, Puerto Santiago - Black sand beach on west coast with dramatic cliffs. Different experience from resort beaches
• El Medano - Excellent for older children interested in windsurfing and kitesurfing. Strong winds but exciting atmosphere
• Playa de las Teresitas, Santa Cruz - Beautiful golden sand beach near the capital. Popular with local families on weekends

Top Family Activities

Tenerife offers more attractions per square kilometre than almost any other family destination. From world-class water parks to volcanic crater expeditions, there is something for every age.

1. Siam Park - Consistently rated the world's best water park. Incredible slides, wave pool, lazy river, and Thai theming. Full day required. Book tickets online to save queuing
2. Loro Parque - Zoo in the north featuring orcas, dolphins, penguins, and the world's largest collection of parrots. Outstanding but allow full day
3. Mount Teide - Spain's highest peak with lunar landscapes. Cable car to near summit (children 3+ can ride). Stargazing tours are magical for older children
4. Whale and dolphin watching - Short trips from Los Gigantes or Costa Adeje. Pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins are resident year-round
5. Aqualand - Second water park, smaller than Siam Park but still excellent. Often less crowded and cheaper
6. Submarine safari - Yellow submarine dives to see marine life. Children love the underwater experience without getting wet
7. Jungle Park - Eagles, tigers, and birds of prey in a jungle setting. Less polished than Loro Parque but excellent value

Mount Teide with Children

Visiting Spain's highest peak is a highlight of any Tenerife trip and works surprisingly well with children. The otherworldly landscape looks like a film set and captures imaginations of all ages.

• Cable car - Rises from 2,356m to 3,555m in 8 minutes. Children aged 3+ can ride. The views are spectacular on clear days
• Summit hike - Requires a free permit booked months in advance. Only suitable for fit older children. Not essential for the experience
• Visitor centre - Excellent displays about volcanology and wildlife. Good for rainy days or very young children who cannot take the cable car
• Sunset viewing - Watch sunset from the cable car upper station (special ticket required). Magical experience for families with children who can stay up late
• Stargazing - Teide has some of the clearest skies in the world. Organised night tours include telescopes and expert guides

Eating Out with Kids

Tenerife caters extremely well to British families, with most tourist restaurants offering children's menus and familiar dishes. However, it is worth trying some Canarian specialities too.

• Kid-friendly dishes - Fish and chips, pizza, pasta, chicken nuggets all widely available. Spanish tortilla (potato omelette) is usually a hit
• Canarian specialities - Papas arrugadas (wrinkly potatoes with mojo sauce), fresh fish simply grilled, goat cheese
• Tapas - Works brilliantly for families. Order lots of small plates and let children try different things
• All-inclusive - Many families opt for all-inclusive to simplify mealtimes. Quality varies, so check reviews specifically for food
• Supermarkets - Mercadona and HiperDino have excellent fresh food and picnic supplies

Restaurants in resort areas serve food from midday continuously until late. You do not need to adapt to Spanish mealtimes if your children prefer early dinners.

Practical Tips

• Flight time - Approximately 4 hours from the UK. Manageable for young children with entertainment and snacks
• Airport - Tenerife South (TFS) is closest to main resorts. Tenerife North (TFN) serves northern destinations
• Currency - Euro. Cards accepted everywhere but some smaller shops prefer cash
• Language - Spanish but English is widely spoken in tourist areas. German is also common
• Sun protection - The Canarian sun is deceptively strong, especially at altitude. Factor 50 and hats essential
• Healthcare - Excellent private clinics in resort areas. Bring GHIC card for emergencies. Travel insurance essential
• Pharmacies - Well-stocked. Called farmacias. Familiar brands available for children
• Pushchairs - Manageable in resorts. Promenades are flat and accessible. Some attractions have steep sections
• Tap water - Safe but tastes of chlorine. Bottled water is cheap

Budget Guide

Tenerife offers a wide range of budgets from economical self-catering to luxury all-inclusive. Package deals often offer best value.

• Flights - 100-250 GBP per person return. Prices spike in school holidays
• Accommodation - 60-120 GBP per night for family apartments, 150-300 GBP for family rooms in good hotels. All-inclusive adds 100-150 GBP per day for a family
• Meals out - 50-80 GBP per day for family of four eating all meals out. Resort restaurants are pricier than local spots
• Siam Park - 40-44 EUR per adult, 28-30 EUR per child. Online booking saves time and sometimes money
• Loro Parque - 42 EUR per adult, 28 EUR per child. Combined twin ticket available
• Car hire - 25-40 GBP per day including insurance. Not essential but useful for Teide