Where to Stay in Tenerife for Sun: Best Areas & Hotels

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Planning a vacation in Tenerife and wondering where to stay? While the island is known for its year-round mild climate, Tenerife has very different landscapes and weather patterns, so to say that not all areas offer the same experience is an understatement.

In this guide, we share the very best area to stay in Tenerife for sun and good weather, and why it’s the right choice for most travelers. We also include hand-picked hotel recommendations, both family-friendly and adult-only options.

Part of my family has been spending time in Tenerife for decades, and this guide combines that long-term experience with what we learned on our own recent trip. Even though the weather across the island was far from perfect, one area had sunshine or at least dry conditions every single day. We had learned that it’s typical year-round, and that’s why this part of the island is by far the best place to stay in Tenerife for good weather.

The Best Area to Stay in Tenerife

The southwest coast – roughly around Costa Adeje – is the best area to stay in Tenerife for most travelers. Here’s why:

More sun year-round. Mount Teide blocks many of the clouds coming from the north, so the southwest of Tenerife usually gets significantly more sunshine than other parts of the island. Staying close to the coast also helps because even a few kilometers inland can mean more clouds and occasional rain.

Better beaches for swimming. Many of Tenerife’s best, most swimmable beaches are located in the southwest. You’ll find sandy shores, calmer water, promenades, and all the facilities you may need.

Widest choice of accommodation. From luxury beachfront resorts and adults-only hotels to apartment complexes and family-friendly all-inclusive resorts, the southwest coast offers the largest and most varied selection of places to stay in Tenerife.

Quick airport access. Tenerife South Airport is close, so transfers are short and usually inexpensive.

Good infrastructure and easy getting around. Restaurants, shops, beaches, walking paths, water parks, and excursion pick-up points are all concentrated in this area (see our Tenerife bucket list for the best things to do). In places like Costa Adeje, you can easily get around on foot and manage without renting a car. A 14-km-long waterfront promenade connects the main areas of the southwest coast between Los Cristianos and La Caleta, which is a real luxury on an otherwise very hilly island.

Costa Adeje

Best Overall Area to Stay in Tenerife

If you’re looking for the best all-around place to stay in Tenerife, Costa Adeje is the top choice. It combines a sunny southwest location with some of the island’s best beaches, a long, mostly flat seafront promenade, and excellent infrastructure. You can easily walk between beaches, restaurants, shops, and hotels without needing a car.

Costa Adeje also offers the widest choice of accommodation in one area, from luxury beachfront resorts and adults-only hotels to family-friendly resorts and apartment-style stays. With water parks, boat trips, good dining, and shopping nearby, plus Tenerife South Airport just 20–25 minutes away, it’s a very convenient base for a relaxed beach vacation.

Good to know: Costa Adeje is a long stretch of coastline comprising several smaller areas, each with a slightly different feel, including Playa del Duque, Fañabé/Torviscas, San Eugenio, La Caleta, and Playa Paraíso. Below, you can find a short description and hotel picks for each area.

Playa del Duque

Upscale and Beachfront

Playa del Duque is the most upscale and polished part of Costa Adeje, with a wide sandy beach, a beautiful promenade, and some of Tenerife’s best luxury resorts. It’s a quieter, more refined area, with high-end restaurants, beach clubs, and fashion boutiques. It’s also one of the most scenic areas to stay on the southwest coast (see also the featured image at the top of this article).

Recommended hotels:

Iconic beachfront resort: Bahia del Duque – One of Tenerife’s most famous resorts, directly on the beach with extensive grounds, multiple pools, and a wide choice of restaurants. A top choice for a classic luxury stay in a prime beachfront location.

Luxury at a quieter location: Vincci Selección La Plantación del Sur – A very popular hillside hotel near Playa del Duque, with spacious rooms, multiple pools, and beautiful sunset views over the ocean. A good choice for couples and families with teens who want an upscale stay slightly away from the busy promenade but still close to beaches and restaurants.

Fañabé & Torviscas

VERY Central

This is the most central and walkable part of Costa Adeje, with easy access to beaches, restaurants, shops, and the seaside promenade. It’s a convenient base for families and first-time visitors who want everything close by and don’t want to rely on a car.

Recommended hotels:

Good value/ for families: Sunset Bay Club – A well-located apartment complex close to the promenade, with pools and family-friendly facilities. A good choice for travelers looking for more space at a more moderate price.

Adults-only: Iberostar Selection Sábila – A stylish hotel near Fañabé Beach, with a relaxed atmosphere, good dining options, and easy access to the promenade, ideal for couples who want a central location without a family-resort feel.

San Eugenio

Close to Marina and Siam Water Park

San Eugenio is a lively and very practical part of Costa Adeje, close to Puerto Colón marina, Siam Park, and many excursion departure points. It’s a good base if you plan to do boat trips, water parks, or want easy access to activities, while still being within walking distance of beaches and restaurants.

Recommended hotels:

Resort-style: Dreams Jardín Tropical Resort & Spa – One of the best all-around resorts in Costa Adeje, right by the marina and the promenade. It offers multiple pools, beautiful sea views, and a full range of on-site facilities. A great choice for couples and families who want a prime, central location with easy access to beaches, restaurants, and excursions, combined with the comfort and amenities of a high-end resort.

Central beachfront: Iberostar Waves Bouganville Playa – A very well-located family-friendly hotel right on the promenade and beach, for people who want to stay in the heart of Costa Adeje and walk everywhere.

Very good value spacious apartments: Wyndham Residences Costa Adeje – Apartment-style accommodation near Siam Park, set on a hill above Costa Adeje. It’s farther from the promenade and beaches, but offers excellent value. The large suites, some with private hot tubs on the terrace, and the panoramic ocean views make it a great option for families who don’t mind being a bit away from the center. We stayed here and really enjoyed it, but we were in Tenerife for sightseeing rather than beaches, so parking, space, and views were more important to us than easy beach access.

READ ALSO: Tips & Tricks for Visiting Siam Water Park

La Caleta

Quiet and Great Restaurants

La Caleta is a calmer, more upscale part of Costa Adeje that feels more like a small coastal village than a resort. It’s known for its excellent restaurants, relaxed atmosphere, and high-end hotels, and is especially popular with couples and travelers looking for a quieter place to stay in Tenerife.

Recommended hotels:

Luxury & Michelin-star dining: Royal Hideaway Corales Beach – A top-end adults-only hotel with large rooms, outstanding dining, and a peaceful oceanfront setting, ideal for couples who want a refined, quiet stay. Royal Hideaway Corales Suites / Villas – Part of the same complex, offering spacious suites and villas, a good option for families or anyone who wants more space.

Upscale: Tivoli La Caleta Resort – A highly rated 5-star resort with sea views, large pools, and a relaxed atmosphere, within walking distance of La Caleta’s restaurants (with half-board options available if you prefer to dine at the hotel).

Playa Paraíso

Modern Resorts & Quieter

Playa Paraíso lies further north along the coast and is part of the wider Costa Adeje area, but it is not connected to the main resort areas by a continuous promenade. It’s better suited to travelers who want a quieter base and plan to spend most of their time at the hotel or resort, or who are renting a car to get around.

Recommended hotels:

Super popular resort: Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife – A large, lively resort with multiple pools, entertainment, and sea views. Very popular and great for both couples and families who like a full-service hotel experience.

Family-friendly luxury: Adrián Hoteles Roca Nivaria – A high-quality family resort with spacious rooms, kids’ facilities, and a calmer atmosphere than the Hard Rock, set on the cliffs with ocean views.

Great value for families: H10 Atlantic Sunset Horizons – A modern resort with spacious suites, several pools, and good facilities for kids. Good choice for families looking for a quieter base and value for money, especially with the half-board option.

Los Cristianos

Flatter, Cheaper, and More of a Town Feel

Los Cristianos is one of the more affordable and lively places to stay in the south of Tenerife. It has a busy promenade, lots of restaurants and shops, and a more down-to-earth, touristy town atmosphere compared to the more polished resort areas of Costa Adeje.

The area has wide, sandy beaches with shallow, sheltered water and is mostly flat and easy to walk around, which makes it popular with families and longer-stay visitors. There’s also a wide choice of apartment hotels, usually at lower prices than in Costa Adeje.

Los Cristianos is well connected, with ferries to other islands, a busy harbor offering whale-watching and other boat tours, and good bus links across Tenerife. It’s a convenient base for all kinds of trips, whether you’re coming mainly for the beaches, nightlife, or for day trips around Tenerife and even to nearby islands.

Recommended hotels:

Good value/ family-friendly apartments: Ona Beverly Hills Heights / Ona Hollywood Mirage – Well-rated apartment-style complexes in Los Cristianos, offering spacious units, pools, and good value for money. A practical choice for families or longer stays if you want more space and a quieter setting, a short walk from the beach and promenade.

Adults-only: Boutique Hotel H10 Big Sur – A stylish hotel near Los Cristianos beach and harbor, with a relaxed atmosphere, good dining, and easy access to the promenade. Ideal for couples who want a central location close to everything.

Playa de las Américas

Lively, Central, and Great for Nightlife

Playa de las Américas is the busiest and most vibrant resort area in the south of Tenerife. It sits between Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje, connected to both via a long promenade. The area has several good beaches, lots of restaurants and bars, and the island’s best-known nightlife scene.

The atmosphere is more energetic and touristy than in Costa Adeje or Los Cristianos, making it a popular choice for younger travelers, couples, and anyone who wants plenty of evening entertainment within walking distance.

It’s also a very practical base. The area is flat and easy to get around, has good transport connections, and is close to water parks, shopping centers, and excursion pick-up points. With a wide range of hotels and apartment complexes at different price levels, Playa de las Américas is a popular place to stay for those who want to be in the middle of the action and have everything close by.

Recommended hotels:

Good value apartments: Parque Santiago III Official – A super popular apartment complex right by the beach and promenade, offering simple, spacious units and good pool facilities. A good choice for families or longer stays if you want easy access to the beach and restaurants without a high price tag.

Mid-range beachfront: Mediterranean Palace – A well-located beachfront hotel with good facilities and direct access to the promenade. A solid value choice, especially with the half-board or all-inclusive options.

Upscale/classic: Cleopatra Palace Hotel – A large, established resort just off the main strip with multiple pools, gardens, and plenty of on-site amenities. A good option for travelers who want a bit more space and resort feel while still being close to beaches, shops, and nightlife.

Quieter Alternatives

If you’re looking for a calmer place to stay away from the main resort areas, but still want good chances of sunshine, the west coast of Tenerife offers several nice options. These towns feel more local and are generally much quieter than the popular resort areas.

While the southwest corner still has the most reliable sunshine and the widest choice of activities, the west coast is well worth considering for a more peaceful, scenic stay, often at a better value. Here are some of the best areas:

Costa Los Gigantes

Best Views & Sunsets

Costa Los Gigantes is an informal name used for the wider area around the town of Los Gigantes, including Puerto de Santiago and Playa de la Arena.

Los Gigantes is one of the most scenic places to stay in Tenerife, with a dramatic coastline, towering volcanic cliffs, and beautiful ocean views, especially at sunset. It’s also the hilliest town in this area, making it less convenient for walking and for anyone with mobility issues. On the plus side, the scenery is fantastic, accommodation is generally more affordable than in the main resorts in the southwest, there are many good restaurants, and it’s the best place for whale and dolphin-watching.

Nearby Puerto de Santiago and especially Playa de la Arena are less scenic and more residential, with flatter terrain and often better-value accommodation. Playa de la Arena is also one of the best sandy beaches on this part of the island.

Recommended hotels:

Adults-only: Barceló Santiago – One of the most scenically located hotels right on the coast of Los Gigantes, with a quiet atmosphere and good value for money. Excellent choice if you want the iconic views without sitting on the hill.

Upscale apartments/ great views: Klayman Diamond Aparthotel – Spacious, modern apartments with excellent ocean and cliff views. A great option if you want more space and iconic Los Gigantes scenery, but note the steep uphill walk from the marina and beach.

Good value: Aparthotel Los Dragos del Sur – Popular apartments in Puerto de Santiago, with good facilities and a more residential feel.

All-inclusive: Landmar Playa La Arena – A highly rated all-inclusive resort next to the best beach in the area, offering good value, multiple pools, and family-friendly facilities.

Alcalá

Calm, Modern, and Seafront Pools

Alcalá is a small, quiet town just south of the Costa Los Gigantes area. It’s best known for its natural seawater pools, a pleasant seaside promenade, and a relaxed, residential atmosphere. It’s a good choice if you want easy access to the coast and a more local feel, and don’t mind renting a car to get around. Gran Melia Palacio de Isora Resort & Spa is the nicest hotel here.

Palm Mar

Good-Value Base for Sightseeing

Palm Mar is a calm, modern residential area just south of Los Cristianos and about 20 minutes’ drive from the airport. It has several restaurants, a small beach, and direct access to walking trails in the Malpaís de la Rasca nature reserve. It’s not a classic beach resort, and you’ll need a car to reach most beaches and attractions, but it’s an excellent base for sightseeing and day trips around the island.

Marinell Collection Palm-Mar is a popular, good-value option. We ended up staying here at the last minute after having to move from the north of the island due to bad weather, and we found that it offered great value for money.

Practical Tips

Here are some tips for deciding where to stay in Tenerife:

• Base yourself in the southwest. Northern Tenerife and higher-altitude areas are greener but also cloudier and wetter. They’re great for hiking and sightseeing, but not the best places to stay if you want sunshine. The southwest coast not only has the best weather but also good road connections, so it’s easy to reach the rest of the island and explore on day trips. This way, you can plan your sightseeing around the weather forecast while enjoying sunnier conditions at your base.

• Stay close to the coast. Being within walking distance of the beach, promenade, restaurants, and tour pick-up points makes your vacation so much more relaxed. Coastal locations also tend to be sunnier and benefit from cooling sea breezes on warmer days.

• Check how hilly the area is. Some towns, such as Los Gigantes and parts of Costa Adeje, are built on slopes. This often means great views, but also steep walks that aren’t ideal for people with mobility issues or families with strollers and younger kids.

• Decide how you’ll get around. A car gives you the most flexibility, but it’s not essential if you stay in or around Costa Adeje, where beaches, shops, and excursion pick-up points are all close by. If you do plan to rent a car, check that your accommodation has parking, as it can be very limited. We always find the best deals via this website, including on our trip to Tenerife. Just be sure to get full insurance because roads are narrow, parking can be tight, and local rental companies often charge even for the tiniest scratches.

• Choose the right type of accommodation. Apartment hotels are great for families and longer stays, while adults-only or boutique hotels are often nicer for couples or friends traveling together. Also consider whether you prefer to dine out or stay on-site: some resorts offer half-board or all-inclusive packages at very good value, while others are better suited if you want to explore local restaurants.

READ ALSO: Best Places to See & Things to Do in Tenerife

So this is our guide to the best area to stay in Tenerife. You might get lucky and have beautiful weather anywhere on the island, but it’s far from guaranteed. If reliable sunshine matters to you, the southwest is truly the safest choice.

We learned this the hard way after deciding to split our stay between Costa Adeje and the northwest of the island. After a few days of rain, low clouds, and even water running down the streets and the walls of our accommodation, we ended up changing plans and booking a last-minute hotel back on the south coast. Looking back, we should have listened when our family said to just stay in the southwest and explore the rest of the island on day trips.

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