Tenerife is the largest island of Spain’s Canary archipelago, known for its wide range of activities for families looking for adventure and relaxation. Tenerife family holidays is one of my favorite plans for Spanish getaways with the kids.

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All You Need to know about Tenerife Family Holidays

Why Tenerife is Great for Families

Tenerife’s mild climate, unique attractions, and abundance of family-friendly activities make it a perfect vacation spot for all ages. The island offers a chance to explore breathtaking landscapes while still providing the option for a relaxing resort stay. Tenerife is truly a destination that can keep both parents and kids happy, which is a rare thing in the travel world.

On this Tenerife family holiday, we were on the road with a one-year-old (while I was also pregnant with our second child). So, Tenerife was an ideal vacation choice for us – still part of Europe but with a distinct proximity to Africa. Having previously enjoyed our time in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, we were eager to cross Tenerife off our Spain bucket list.

Most destinations seem to fall into either an “adventurous vacation” or a “family vacation.” The beauty of the Canary Islands, particularly Tenerife, is that you can easily have both. The island is packed with things to do and see, leaving you spoilt for choice.

Weather in Tenerife

Tenerife’s subtropical climate is one of the reasons it’s a fantastic destination year-round. Whether you’re seeking winter sun or a summer escape, Tenerife rarely disappoints. The island’s geography, with its volcanic mountains, means that the weather varies depending on where you are. The south, including Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas, enjoys warmer, sunnier conditions year-round, with temperatures ranging between 20°C and 30°C (68-86°F). The north is greener, cooler, and gets more rain, particularly in winter.

Our trip to Tenerife took place in July, but surprisingly, it wasn’t too hot or overcrowded, unlike other destinations such as Mallorca during peak season.

Tenerife family holidays in Spain
All about our Tenerife Family Holidays

Renting a Car in Tenerife

Since we wanted to explore the entire island, renting a car was essential. Tenerife’s landscapes are diverse, and having the freedom to drive made a huge difference for us. Car rentals are easily accessible, especially at airports and in tourist hotspots with popular companies, like Rentalcars, Localrent, QEEQ, GetRentacar, Expedia, and AutoEurope.

The platform I personally use and enjoy is Discovercars: it’s one of the highest customer-rated comparison sites on the market, where you can find more than 700 suppliers. It is especially handy for evaluating all the options before renting a car in Tenerife, as well as discovering the best deals from both international and local car rental suppliers.

Overall, driving around Tenerife was great, except for navigating the narrow, winding roads around Masca (where we wished we had booked a guided tour instead). My advice: stick to the main roads and avoid shortcuts recommended by GPS, as some can take you through steep, nerve-wracking paths that may be best left to local drivers. Parking can also be challenging in popular tourist areas, especially in the north. If possible, plan to arrive early in the day (before 11 a.m.) to avoid the hassle.

Tenerife family holidays in Spain
Hotel Luz del Mar in Tenerife

Best Places to Stay in Tenerife

For families, Costa Adeje is a top choice thanks to its calm beaches, child-friendly resorts, and proximity to attractions like Siam Park and Loro Parque. If you prefer a quieter experience, Puerto de la Cruz in the north offers beautiful landscapes and fewer crowds. Since our goal was to explore the whole of the island, we chose to stay at Hotel Luz del Mar in the north, which provided a peaceful base for our adventures.

When searching for accommodation in Tenerife, it’s important to remember that most of the island’s natural wonders are located in the northern part, while the majority of hotels, restaurants, bars, and shopping malls are concentrated in the south. Many people I know have visited Tenerife and spent most of their time in the southern region, only taking a day trip to the famous Loro Parque in the north. My husband had a similar experience during a trip with his parents years ago, which was organized by a travel agency – he enjoyed it, but until we visited this year, he had no idea just how impressive Tenerife’s natural beauty truly is.

Book top Tenerife & Canary Islands activities with my 5% discount code ‘ATC5‘ / excludes combos and bundles (check availability)

Best Family-Friendly Activities in Tenerife

Siam Park

Consistently ranked as one of the best water parks in the world, Siam Park is a must-visit for families in Tenerife. We decided not to go during our trip as our one-year-old was too young to fully enjoy the park’s rides (very much like PortAventura), but for older kids, it’s a fantastic day out.

Loro Parque

Loro Parque is the most popular place for families in Tenerife. Originally famous for its parrot collection, the park has evolved into a full-scale zoo, home to gorillas, dolphins, penguins, and a huge aquarium. We particularly enjoyed the parrot show (though less than Jardin del Papagayo in Benicarlo) Also, I had mixed feelings about the presence of orcas, as I feel these majestic creatures should not be kept in captivity.

  • Loro Park Zoo Ticket & Hotel Transfers (check availability)
  • Loro Park Zoo Ticket on Tiqets (use the code ATC5 via this link for an extra 5% off)
  • Loro Parque: Entry Ticket + Transport (use the code ATC5 via this link for an extra 5% off)

Family-Friendly Beaches

Tenerife is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Spain, perfect for a family day out. Playa de las Teresitas is a great option with its golden sands and blue waters. However, it can be windy, as we discovered when sand kept blowing over during our visit. For a more relaxed beach experience head to Playa del Duque. However, while Tenerife has lovely beaches, it’s not purely a beach destination like Ibiza or Mallorca—its real charm lies in its diversity of activities.

Canary Islands teresitas tenerife family holidays
Playa de las Teresitas – a popular beach for families

Teide National Park

A visit to Teide, one of the top Spanish national parks, is a fantastic mix of adventure and education (especially for families with older children). The park is home to Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak, offering breathtaking views and hiking trails. Unfortunately, due to the altitude restrictions, we couldn’t take the cable car as children under two and pregnant women aren’t allowed.

Teide Tenerife Canary Islands
Teide is one of the most famous landmarks in Spain

Cruising the Coastline

A family-friendly boat cruise along Tenerife’s coastline is a fun and relaxing way to experience the island’s marine life and stunning cliffs. Whale watching in Tenerife is not as famous as the one in Iceland, but the waters around the island are still known for frequent sightings of dolphins and whales, making this a memorable adventure for children.

Canary Island los gigantes cliffs in Spain Tenerife
Los Gigantes in Tenerife, known as some of the most stunning cliffs in Spain
Punta Teno Tenerife
The coast of Punta de Teno in Tenerife

The Guimar Pyramids

The Guimar Pyramids are great for the fans of the Spanish historical mystery facts. These structures were believed to be remnants of ancient civilizations by Thor Heyerdahl. A visit to the museum of The Guimar Pyramids offers educational insights into Tenerife’s pre-Hispanic history and pyramids around the world, making it a great excursion for curious young minds.

Tenerife with a family Guimar pyramids
The Guimar Pyramids In Tenerife

Anaga Natural Reserve

Anaga Natural Reserve is one of Tenerife’s most unique landscapes and one of the top magical forests in Spain. For families who enjoy nature walks, this is the perfect day trip idea. Trails like Sendero de los Sentidos are suitable for kids, although we have only adopted a part of it adapted for strollers. Be sure to pack a jacket, as the temperatures dip around Anaga.

tenerife anaga hiking
Anaga Natural Reserve is one of the top magical forests in Spain

Other must-do activities in Tenerife for families:

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Family Holidays in Tenerife Canary Islands Spain

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