Where to stay in Tenerife?

Santa Cruz, for a stay in Tenerife's largest city

Located in the northeast, Santa Cruz is considered the island's capital. The largest city in the area, it is a lively place, especially in the historic center. It is also served by the tramway linking it to San Cristobal de La Laguna, and has a number of hotels and restaurants where you can stay.

If you're heading to Tenerife as part of an itinerant tour, you're bound to pass through Santa Cruz to discover :

• San Juan Bautista castle, on the waterfront
• the auditorium, next door, a modern building with futuristic shapes
• the Plaza de España and its large circular pool
• the Notre-Dame de la Concepción church
• its botanical garden

The main reason for staying here for a few nights is to visit the north and discover its treasures. These include the Anaga massif, a verdant setting ideal for hiking, or simply exploring by car. Then there's the pretty colonial town of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its colorful facades that give it a Havana air. Or enjoy Las Teresitas beach, one of the most beautiful on Tenerife.

In terms of accommodation, there are both rental apartments and hotels to choose from. Especially in the historic center.

It is also the departure (and arrival) point for ferries to the islands of Gran Canaria and La Palma.

Accommodation in La Playa de las Américas, a major seaside resort

The seaside resorts of La Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos, just next door, are Tenerife's most important. If you're looking for a place to stay in Tenerife to relax by the beach and enjoy seaside activities, this is the place to look. If you're a nightlife enthusiast, you'll find plenty of bars and nightclubs here too.

The area boasts a number of hotel complexes with swimming pools, buffet restaurants, bars, fitness centers and more. It's also famous for its great beaches, including Las Vistas, del Camisón and las Américas.

Staying here is also an easy way to go whale-watching. Departures are from the Los Cristianos marina. If you don't have a car, excursions are also available.

As you can see, the main reason for coming here is to relax. But you can also keep busy with activities. A tourist destination par excellence, these coastal towns offer everything you need for a great vacation, both for relaxing and for exploring the island.

Given this popularity, accommodation prices are higher here. And it's best to book as early as possible. To make up for this, however, as you head northwards, you'll find a number of smaller resorts with similar hotel complexes. These include Costa Adeje, with its lively Puerto Colón district, and La Caleta.

Puerto de la Cruz, a central location for accommodation in Tenerife

Puerto de la Cruz is a seaside resort in the north, on the edge of the ocean. Its relatively central location makes it a first choice destination for staying in Tenerife and travelling around the island. From here, you're just..:

• just over 1 hour's drive from the seaside resorts on the west coast (from Los Gigantes to Los Cristianos)
• less than 1 hour from the northeastern tip, including the Anaga massif and the must-see colonial town of San Cristóbal de La Laguna
• just a few minutes from the pretty village of La Oratava
• 1 hour's drive to the Teide cable car

On the other hand, you don't stay on the north coast to enjoy long sandy beaches. This part of the island is more volcanic, with steep coasts and black sand. However, if you're keen to relax by the water and take a swim, you can make up for it with the Lago Martiánez open-air pool complex. It's huge and well suited to families.

In terms of accommodation, there are plenty of resorts where you can stay in Puerto de la Cruz. Sometimes right on the ocean, but often within the city itself. If you prefer to rent an apartment, you'll find them too, in various sizes and at different prices.

Given its size, it's a lively place. You'll have no trouble finding a restaurant or bar to go out to in the evening. Particularly in the vicinity of the Plaza del Charco, a must-see area.

Los Gigantes, a small seaside resort on the west coast

Los Gigantes is a town on the west coast. It owes its name to the gigantic cliffs that dominate it. To stay here means you can enjoy some of the surrounding beaches. These include los Guios to the north, Santiago in the center and La Arena to the south.

A small seaside resort, its main asset is precisely its size, which makes it a more authentic holiday destination than the big cities further south. It is also well known as a starting point for whale-watching excursions offshore. And for lovers of water parks, there's the outdoor Oasis, right on the ocean.

As for entertainment, there are a number of bars and restaurants, particularly in the northern part of the resort. As for accommodation, there are plenty of apartments for rent. There are also a few hotels with swimming pools, scattered around the city.

As you can see, people come here to stay, either as a stopover on an itinerant trip, or to get away from the big seaside resorts of the West Coast. Here, people come for more peace and quiet, but also for more attractive prices.

To stay in the south of Tenerife, for peace and quiet

The south coast is less touristy than the others. More exposed to the winds, it is known for water sports such as surfing and windsurfing. This is where you'll find the Costa del Silencio (or Silent Coast).

Although there are a few bars and restaurants here and there, there are few hotels. Rental apartments are the best choice for accommodation in this part of Tenerife. Note also that the airport, the archipelago's main airport, is located close to this coast.

Apart from water sports, the main reason for coming here is to discover a few points of interest, such as :

• Playa de la Tejita, probably one of the most beautiful on Tenerife. With its large fine sandbank and the Montaña Roja volcano in the background, it's a pleasant place to enjoy the seaside.
• other beaches further east, such as La Rajita and Montaña Pelada
• the natural water basin of Los Abrigos, between craggy rocks and the ocean.

As you can see, this is not the most touristic area of Tenerife. But if you're looking for more attractively priced accommodation, or want to stop off here if you're touring the island, staying here is an option worth considering.