Discover the ultimate 4-day itinerary for South Tenerife, offering an unforgettable island adventure starting in the popular region of Costa Adeje.

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Ultimate 4-Day South Tenerife Itinerary

Is 4 days in Tenerife enough?

Four days may not be enough to see everything on the island, but it’s still absolutely worth visiting Tenerife even if you only have four days. Tenerife is one of the most unique Spanish islands, thanks to its exotic location in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. In just four days, you can still experience some of the most breathtaking landscapes of the Canary Islands and get an excellent first impression of Tenerife as a destination.

While you can make the most of Tenerife with a full week, if you only have four days, I would recommend focusing on the southern part of the island, where the weather is usually sunnier and warmer. From there, you can take a few day trips to explore the island’s most iconic landmarks and experiences. This way, you’ll strike a balance between relaxation and adventure, maximizing your time on this stunning island.

North or South Tenerife: Which is better?

The choice between North or South Tenerife depends on the type of vacation you’re looking for. The northern part of the island is greener and rainier, with stunning natural wonders like the Anaga Rural Park and volcanic beaches. It’s also much less crowded than the southern side.

The southern part of Tenerife is known for its better weather, a larger selection of accommodations, excursions, and restaurants, making it a great choice for most travelers, including families with children. However, for adventure seekers and those on a budget, I suggest considering Northern Tenerife.

Keep in mind that you can drive between most destinations from north to south within 1 to 1.5 hours, so you can still stay in the south and take day trips to any landmarks of your choice on the northern side.

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nature tenerife North
Teide landscapes tenerife

Which part of Tenerife is the best to stay in?

The most popular destinations in Tenerife are Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, Puerto de la Cruz, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. In southern Tenerife, the most developed tourist destinations are Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos. As to the hotels, Dreams Jardín Tropical Resort & Spa is one of the best all-inclusive resorts in the area. For affordable luxury, top choices include Bahía del Duque, Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife, GF Victoria, and Mediterranean Palace. For adults-only stays, Iberostar Selection Sábila is a popular option. Budget-friendly alternatives include Villa 8 Islas and Hotel Pension Cassandra.

As I mentioned earlier, after driving around Tenerife, I got the impression that the southern part of the island offers better accommodations and services, while the north is ideal for a more off-the-beaten-path getaway, focused on wild nature. Plus, there are far more budget-friendly accommodations in the north. However, if you’re looking for nice hotels and restaurants, the south has a wider selection.

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Do you need to rent a car in South Tenerife?

Whether to rent a car in South Tenerife depends on how active you want to be during your vacation. If you choose a hotel within walking distance to the beach and restaurants (or one with shuttle service) and don’t plan on more than one day trip, it might be cheaper and more convenient not to rent a car at all. You can easily rely on taxis, buses, or simply walk. Some excursions in South Tenerife offer hotel pick-up and drop-off, but not all of them – though you’ll still have several day trip options available. In my opinion, renting a car in South Tenerife makes sense for those who want to make the most of their destination, exploring as much of the area as possible. For a more laid-back vacation, however, you’ll be just fine without a car.

I often prefer renting a car at a new destination (I mostly search for the best options via Discovercars), as it gives me the freedom to take day trips and makes traveling with small children easier (so you can pack all the essentials and carry them around). From my experience in Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos, both destinations were quite packed with visitors, and driving and parking there felt like a bit of a hassle. That said, in my opinion, renting a car in South Tenerife may suit some travelers, but it’s not necessary, especially if you only have four days.

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4 Days in South Tenerife

Day 1 – Costa Adeje

Enjoy the beaches of Costa Adeje

A great way to start your 4-day South Tenerife itinerary is by exploring the local beaches. Playa del Duque is the most popular choice in Costa Adeje, but there are several other beautiful beaches in the area, such as Playa de Troya, Playa de Fañabé, Playa de Torviscas, Playa de La Pinta, and Playa del Bobo. Just outside of town, you’ll also find Playa de La Enramada.

It’s fantastic that Costa Adeje has so many beach options, and depending on your hotel, you can sometimes even walk to the coast. However, I would also recommend booking a hotel with a nice pool, as the waters in Tenerife are still part of the Atlantic, and even in the calmest and warmest areas, they are never quite the same as the Mediterranean. In Costa Adeje, the water temperature varies depending on the season, but it’s usually around 20-22°C (68-72°F). So, it’s a good idea to have a nice hotel pool as well.

Lunch in Costa Adeje

There are many amazing restaurants in Costa Adeje, such as Almar Tenerife and La Torre del Mirador. Depending on the season, you might want to book a day in advance, as top-rated places tend to fill up quickly. In Costa Adeje, in addition to typical Tenerife cuisine like traditional stews, papas arrugadas (small potatoes boiled with their skin and coarse salt) served with delicious mojos (green or red sauces), gofio (toasted cereal flour), cheeses, honey, and seasonal fruits like almonds, figs, bananas, and prickly pears, you can also enjoy a wide variety of dishes made with fresh fish and seafood.

bananas tenerife spain food

SPA in Costa Adeje

If your hotel in Costa Adeje doesn’t have a spa, you can still enjoy a relaxing afternoon at Aqua Club Termal, the largest spa on the island. This wellness center offers a wide range of treatments, thermal circuits, and relaxation areas, making it the perfect place to unwind and recharge during your stay in South Tenerife.

Flamenco Show in Costa Adeje

While flamenco is the most iconic Spanish dance, originating in southern Spain (with Seville and Granada being the most iconic destinations to enjoy it), you can still experience great performances throughout the country. A fantastic way to celebrate your first day in Costa Adeje would be to attend the Olé Flamenco Show. Another popular option is Comedy Drag Show Music Hall Tavern with Dinner.

Also, the most visited nightclub in Costa Adeje is Achamán Discopub.

Day 2 – Boat Tour, Kayaking, and Los Cristianos

Things to do in Los Cristianos

The small town of Los Cristianos is another popular destination in South Tenerife. If you’re staying in Costa Adeje, it might be interesting to visit and compare the two to see which you prefer as a base for future visits. Los Cristianos is mostly known for its trendy beaches like Los Cristianos, Las Américas, Las Vistas, and El Camisón.

Much like Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos is filled with boat tour offers. However, in addition to that, it is considered one of the top kayaking destinations in Spain, particularly famous for the Kayak and Snorkel with Turtles experience. During my last trip to Tenerife, we didn’t book this activity because children under 14 are not allowed on the tour, making it less suitable for families with young kids. However, for adults or those traveling without young children, it’s a truly unique experience in Los Cristianos. The opportunity to kayak alongside sea turtles in such a beautiful setting makes it one of the standout activities in the area.

Additionally, Los Cristianos is known for its 3-hour hiking trail to Montaña de Guaza, a mountain renowned for its panoramic views of La Gomera Island. The trail provides a unique opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the area, with breathtaking vistas over the coast and surrounding landscape. However, as I’ve mentioned on multiple occasions, the most beautiful hikes can be found in northern Tenerife.

South Tenerife Coast by boat

Visiting South Tenerife is the perfect opportunity to see some of the most stunning cliffs in Spain and spot dolphins or whales on a boat tour. There are many boat tour options available from both Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos, depending on your budget and preferences, with some offering hotel pick-ups and lunch or snacks:

cliffs tenerife coast

Eating in Los Christianos

Los Cristianos is also known for offering some of the best restaurants in South Tenerife. It boasts Mediterranean dining options like Ricos, Abordo, and El Cine, which are perfect for those seeking fresh fish and seafood. For those craving international cuisines, you can enjoy a taste of India at Little India Tenerife or indulge in authentic Middle Eastern dishes at Restaurante Habibi.

Medieval Show in South Tenerife

Another great nighttime activity in South Tenerife is the Castillo San Miguel Medieval Show, one of the most popular dinner shows on the island. It’s a fun and immersive way to step back in time to the medieval era while enjoying a delicious dinner and live entertainment. This unique experience combines theatrical performances, music, and even a jousting tournament, making it a memorable evening for both adults and children. For some hotels they offer pick-up services. Other alternatives are History The Evolution of Music Show and Scandal Dinner Show.

Day 3 – Teide Excursion

If there’s one national landmark you can’t miss while visiting Tenerife, it’s Teide, one of the most iconic Spanish national parks and home to the highest peak in all of Spain. There are plenty of unique tours you can book to explore Teide hassle-free, whether you prefer exploring the area on a buggy tour, taking the cable car to the top, stargazing, or enjoying sunsets:

However, the most unique experience is probably hiking to the peak itself. For this, you either need to book an organized tour or request permission from the local authorities months in advance (via www.reservasparquesnacionales.com). Once you reach Teide by car, there is a cable car to the upper station at the top, but from there, you’ll need special permission to reach the summit. Years ago, it was open to everyone, but local authorities decided to limit the number of visitors to protect this natural setting. Additionally, there’s a famous Spanish legend that from the top of Teide, you can see the ghostly 9th island in the Canary archipelago.

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4 days in tenerife canary islands

Day 4 Theme Parks & Adventurous things to do in South Tenerife

South Tenerife Theme Parks

On the last day in South Tenerife, you could visit one of its most popular parks in the area. When it comes to theme parks, the most famous choice is Siam Park, often rated the top water park in the world by TripAdvisor. I still regret not visiting it, as we only had one day and were literally choosing between Siam Park and Loro Parque (another well-known Tenerife attraction). My husband, who had visited Loro Parque as a kid, insisted on how amazing it was, so we ended up going there. Loro Parque is essentially a large zoo, although they invest in eco-friendly initiatives. However, with their focus on parrots, I somehow expected a similar experience to what we had in Jardín del Papagayo, so I wasn’t particularly impressed by our choice in the end.

I wish we’d gone to Siam Park instead. However, Siam Park usually requires a full day, so another popular alternatives Tenerife’s Jungle Park Zoo, Monkey Park, Aqualand Water Park, and Camel Park. If you purchase the Siam Park or Loro Park entrances via Tiqets you can use ATC5 code for an exclusive 5% discount via this link (it is not aplicable for bundles though).

Adventurous activities in South Tenerife

Another great option is to challenge yourself and try one of the many adventurous activities on the island, from diving to paragliding:

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4 days in south tenerife itinerary

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