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.
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.
Northern Tenerife is also better if you want to get the best in terms of activities as there are many more of them in the north than south. Also, if you are on a budget, choose Northern Tenerife as well. This part is a cheaper destination, especially in winter.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Travelling To and From TenerifeOnce arrived at your destination, you have basically two choices: using the very efficient network of public transportation or exploring the island by car. There is also the possibility to travel to the other Canary Island by ferry.
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.
Where is the most unspoilt area of Tenerife? Situated in the spectacular Orotava Valley with the Teide in the background, the volcanic sand of this unspoilt beach grows in summer and at low tide, making it the largest bathing area in the north of Tenerife.
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? 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.
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.
There are mosquitoes on Tenerife but not a lot.You will find them more in some areas than others, and importantly, they only appear at cer-tain times of the year. Tenerife fans often visit the island at the same time each year. If that happens to be at time when there aren't mossies, then they will never see one.
Canary Islands, annual weather averagesSeptember is the hottest month in Tenerife South with an average temperature of 25°C (77°F) and the coldest is January at 18°C (64°F) with the most daily sunshine hours at 10 in August. The wettest month is December with an average of 30mm of rain.