However, south Tenerife is great for a sunny holiday with a fun atmosphere – even in the winter months! Like Lanzarote and the other Canary Islands, the summer and winter temperatures in Tenerife only have about 8 degrees celsius/ 14 Fahrenheit difference, making it a fantastic winter sun destination.
Tenerife is the hottest island in the Canary Islands archipelago in January and our recommended destination for the month. The warmest resorts in January are Los Cristianos, Playa de Las Americas, Costa Adeje and Puerto de Santiago.
Tenerife's Weather in FebruaryTenerife South is much warmer than the North. An estimated 24mm of rainfall falls within 3.8 days of this month, with 18 of those days partially cloudy and an estimated 5.6 days sunny. Tenerife gets 7 hours of sunshine per day at this time of year and sea temperatures go down to 20°C.
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.
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.
HOTTEST CANARY ISLAND IN JANUARY: TENERIFEThe warmest resorts in January are Los Cristianos, Playa de Las Americas, Costa Adeje and Puerto de Santiago.
Tenerife is a popular place for sun seekers in December with average maximum temperatures a pleasant 22.2 °C (70 °F) combined with about six hours of sunshine.
Temperature in Tenerife in DecemberTenerife is a popular place for sun seekers in December with average maximum temperatures a pleasant 22.2 °C (70 °F) combined with about six hours of sunshine.
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.
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.
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.
Weather in Tenerife South in DecemberThe south of the island is always warmer and sunnier than the North, with fewer rainy days, especially during the winter months. Playa de las Americas and Costa Adeje are the most popular resorts in the south if you're still wondering where to stay in Tenerife.
Gran Canaria and Lanzarote are the hottest of the islands in December. There's only a very small chance of rain, and temperatures can reach as high as 26ºC, even over Christmas.
In January, the northern half of the island doesn't see quite as much sun, but it can still be just as nice to visit. The average daytime temperature in January in Tenerife North is 18°C (68°F) with an overnight average low temperature of 15°C (59°F).
With an average high of 72°F (22°C), Gran Canaria is the hottest part of Spain in December. This island features a striking mix of black and white sand beaches, popular for both swimming and surfing. In fact, winter marks the high season for surfing.
The average temperature in Costa Adeje is a warm 18ºC in January, perfect for escaping the chilly UK winter. Highs reach 21ºC in the hottest part of the afternoon, so you can still look forward to relaxing on the beach at this time of year.
Tenerife is an all year round destination because of its subtropical climate since, it is located just 200km off the coast of Africa. It is most popular as a winter sun destination as there are not many other options in Europe for a sun holiday in winter.
The coldest place is, of course, atop Mount Teide, which has its own microclimate and is chilly year-round, especially in the evening. You can be in the snow one hour and bathing on the beach in 86°F heat the next. Winters are nice in Tenerife, with average temperatures of around 63°F (17°C) from December to February.
The Canary Islands climate is considered the best climate in the world, thanks to the year-round pleasant, mild temperatures. This is added to the facts that it rarely rains in the archipelago and that it is the region with the most hours of sunlight per day in Europe.