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.
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.
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.
The main cities on the island are to be found in the north of Tenerife. San Cristóbal de la Laguna is the historic capital, but Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the island's modern day capital city. Meanwhile it could be said that Puerto de la Cruz is Tenerife's northern tourist capital.
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.
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.
Puerto de la Cruz – poshest part of TenerifePuerta de la Cruz is the beautifully lush, green, and posh part of Tenerife. It is also the second biggest town and located on the north of the island, about an hour drive from Costa Adeje and the South Airport (North Airport is more convenient, if you can – 20 min by car).
The south coast beaches like Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos thrum with beach-goers, but those in the know go north instead for a slice of proper coastal wilderness and fewer crowds. Some of the best northern beaches are terrifically secluded, so much so that you can only reach them on foot or by boat.
Costa Adeje simply means Adeje's coast, Adeje being the municipality which administers the area. Playa de las Américas, on the other hand, is part of neighbouring Arona municipality. The border between the two is the Barranco del Rey which reaches the coast between C.C. Veronicas and Playa Troya II.
In the list of beaches, Torviscas beach is among those with the cleanest water. It is located in Costa Adeje, Santa Cruz and has calm waters and is perfect for swimming. With unique beach umbrellas, Torviscas is ideal for relaxation, especially during sunny weather.
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.
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.
Can you drink the tap water in Tenerife? People in the Canary Islands tend to buy bottled water because much of the tap water here is desalinated sea water – it's safe to drink but not particularly pleasant taste-wise.
Can you tan through clouds in Tenerife? A cloudy sky may not seem like the best choice for tanning, but it is still possible to tan! According to research and studies, around 90% of UV rays penetrate clouds, therefore reaching your skin.
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.
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.