The south is more sunny, dryer and warmer than the north, which is why most holidaymakers opt for this part of the island. However, rainfall can also occur there, as the microclimate is still very different in the south.
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People who love the hot weather and atmosphere of a resort town will love southern Tenerife more. Don't forget – the southern part of Tenerife is more focused on commercial tourism. It has a higher concentration of all-inclusive and 5 star hotels, restaurants, bars, shops, and entertainment complexes near the beaches.
Mount Teide is a dormant volcano in the middle of the island and divides the two halves. In the north, the climate is wetter and cooler, which means it attracts fewer tourists. The south has more sunshine and warmer temperatures. This southern half is also less windy with fewer clouds, which gives a hotter climate.
There are a lot of places to visit in North Tenerife, from the main tourist centers to the beautiful natural landscapes. This part of the island is full of incredible scenery, impressive architecture, and delicious food, so you'll have a great time here.
Consequently, north Tenerife is more humid with heavier rainfall, while the south stays hot and sunny most of the time. Due to the trade winds, the climate in Tenerife is also relatively mild with lower average temperatures than what you'd normally expect at these latitudes.
The north of the island will tend to be a few degrees cooler than the south, but plenty of sunshine is almost certain with 10 hours a day on average, though a few spots valley can still hold onto cloud well into summer, such as the Orotava valley.
Each of the beaches that make up the entire north coast of Tenerife, have an unparalleled volcanic beauty, where the black sand blends perfectly with the blue of the Atlantic Ocean, with the cliffs that fall into the sea putting the icing on the cake to a great picture.
While the rain can be fairly unpredictable, the south of the island will usually be drier and see the most sunshine, and may be the best area to visit at this time of year.
January is peak cold and wet time in Tenerife, if you want to avoid the wettest month but equally not suffer high temperatures or high prices the best time for you to go is between March and June.
The north of the island will tend to be a few degrees cooler than the south, but plenty of sunshine is almost certain with 10 hours a day on average, though a few spots valley can still hold onto cloud well into summer, such as the Orotava valley. June is also one of the driest months in the year with almost no rain.
The North of Tenerife also has some areas that are famous for the wind and waves that they get: Puerto del Hidalgo and Bajamar. If you've never been to that part of Tenerife it's something that we totally recommend if you have a rental car and you want to explore an area that is less touristy than the south.
There's nowhere better to start your search for the best Tenerife nightlife than Playa de Las Américas. The undisputed party capital of the island, this port town and beach resort lines its streets with amazing cocktail bars and taverns.
But also the many 5- and 6-star hotel complexes that are located on the island might be a good reason why especially the biggest Canary Island is a popular destination for prominent people. Puerto de la Cruz attracts the celebrities in Tenerife.
Cheaper timesThe cheapest months include March, April, May (excluding the Easter period), October and November. The temperature in Tenerife rarely dips below 18°C in these months, so sightseeing, hiking and other activities are all still possible – and there will be fewer people on the beaches.
Is it safe to swim in the ocean in Tenerife? Due to its position and exposed nature, Tenerife is often hit with strong trade winds. Coupled with the ferocity of the Atlantic Ocean, Tenerife can see very strong waves which can be incredibly dangerous to even the most advanced swimmer.
South Tenerife usually has the best weather and north Tenerife can be cloudy and rainy. The south side of Gran Canaria is also considered to have the best weather among the Canary Islands group.
The cool season lasts for 4.4 months, from December 12 to April 23, with an average daily high temperature below 73°F. The coldest month of the year in Tenerife is February, with an average low of 60°F and high of 71°F.
Consequently, north Tenerife is more humid with heavier rainfall, while the south stays hot and sunny most of the time. Due to the trade winds, the climate in Tenerife is also relatively mild with lower average temperatures than what you'd normally expect at these latitudes.
It does rain more in the north, but after the hot summers, the rain is very welcome. The north is more cloudy too. Some days can be worse than others and usually clouds come and go. But, if you are really looking for a lot of sunshine, the north of Tenerife is a bit more unpredictable.
Areas to AvoidBecause of its volcanic background, most beaches in Tenerife are volcanic with black sand which can be hot under the feet. If you're after a traditional sandy beach head to Los Cristianos and leave the southern resorts alone. Playa la Arena is also notorious for pickpockets.
Tenerife is a system of micro-climates, meaning that certain areas have fairly predictable weather year round. For the warmest weather possible, the obvious choices are the area around Playa de Las Americas/Los Cristianos in the south all the way up the south-western coast to Los Gigantes and Playa Santiago.