Tenerife travel guide 2023: Best things to do and where to stay

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With yr spherical sunshine, slim probabilities of rainfall and crystal clear azure waters buzzing with a wealthy number of marine life, Tenerife has lots to provide vacationers looking for a spot to loosen up and recharge.

That contains frazzled dad and mom, determined for some solar however unsure how their little darlings will cope on a long-haul flight. The largest of the Canary Islands is 4 hours flying time from London – with the promise of solar on the different finish making up for fixed snack requests, a thousand journeys to the lavatory and repeated pleadings to cease kicking the chairs in entrance.

Blessed with 4 kids underneath the age of eight, I used to be nicely conscious I’d be outnumbered on the airplane. I knew my youngest, at 16 months, can be determined to use his newfound strolling abilities to crusie up and down the aisle. But I additionally knew what Tenerife had to provide when it comes to sunshine, sea and area for full rest, having loved some winter solar there when my eldest little one was one. Each day he’d fortunately gone off to the lodge’s child membership, giving me three hours to lie on a lounger and sleep, and my triathlete-loving husband loads of time to discover the island and it’s rugged volvcanoes on his bike.

Read extra on Canary Islands travel:

Now with kids aged seven, six, three and one, childcare was a key concern. I spent hours researching motels that had not only a children membership however a child membership too (some motels solely provide childcare for kids over the age of 4). I additionally anticipated that swimming with 4 little ones can be a problem, so my purpose was to discover a lodge with a pool shallow sufficient for the toddlers to splash round in, and maybe one other pool where the older ones may have enjoyable enjoyable diving underwater. No straightforward activity.

Having had infants again to again for seven years, my husband and I are constantly sleep-deprived so Tenerife’s celebration resorts of Las Cristianos and Las Americas aren’t precisely interesting. So it was to Costa Adeje and Guia de Isaora, on Tenerife’s west coast, that we headed. These are quieter areas with much less crowded seashores opening up to calm seas and pure rock swimming pools. They’re additionally dotted with eating places serving up conventional Canarian delicacies and freshly caught seafood eating places – quite than the English Breakfasts and Irish pubs that you simply may discover in different areas of Tenerife.

All in all, simply what a household of six wanted to escape the UK winter.

Best motels for households

Near the foot of Tenerife’s well-known volcano, Mount Teide, and nestled on the tranquil West coast where the waves delicately tickle the shore, Gran Melia Palacio de Isaora gives five-star rest for all ages. Those who love to swim, dive for sinkers or lounge on outsized lilos formed like flamingos, might be in heaven to uncover this lodge has the longest saltwater infinity pool in Europe. Measuring 400 metres, it spans your complete resort so you may take a look at the seven eating places, seven bars and Clarins spa from the water earlier than deciding what to do for the day.

Both the newborn membership for little ones aged eight months to 4 years and the mini membership for ages 5 to 12, provide quite a lot of craft, sporting and music leisure that modifications every day. And for true luxurious, upgrading to Red Level for households gives you entry to a Red Level lounge, where a household concierge will care for your each want, from reserving  solar loungers for six individuals subsequent to one another to securing the perfect tables in family-friendly eating places and even reserving excursions and airport transfers. During the day, the lounge gives complimentary snacks and drinks however you don’t want to stroll to it when you’re feeling lazy. The concierge gives you a cell quantity in an effort to WhatsApp your requests from wherever you might be within the resort.

If you’re on a funds and not fussed about having to travel 1.3 kilometres to attain a seaside, Tagoro Family & Fun has a lot to delight children from morning to night. There’s a children membership, a mushy play, a digital gaming space for teenagers and the rooms are spacious sufficient for bigger households. As you get what you pay for, the primary pool isn’t big, however there’s a separate space for kids with water slides and you must get a lounger when you rise up early sufficient.

Best things to do with children 

Whale watching

In Tenerife, the whale watching season is all year-round. Costa Adeje has the biggest inhabitants of pilot whales across the island, in addition to the biggest bottlenose dolphin breeding space in the entire of Europe. From the consolation of a gently rocking boat, put together for squeals of pleasure when the azure waters unveil pods of stylish pilot whales.

Three-hour whale watcing tour, from €65, sunbonoo.com

Snorkelling and learners scuba diving

Crystal clear waters mixed with a relaxed present make the waters off the southwest coast of Tenerife the right place to introduce kids to marine life. There’s a PADI-registered scuba centre contained in the Gran Melia Palacio de Isaora, providing programs and excursions for kids from the age of eight. For youthful kids, you may borrow life vests and masks to present them the varied ecosystem lurking underneath the floor of the ocean. You don’t want to go deep to see intricate coral formations. Keep a watch out for octopuses hiding in crevices and vibrant sea anemones swaying within the light currents.

Siam Park waterpark

Siam water park is a must-do day trip when you’ve gotten children. And when you stay in Costa Adeje or Guia de Isaora, it’s simply 20 minutes by automotive. Designed as a Thai-inspired water kingdom, the park boasts a myriad of sights appropriate for all ages. Families can plunge into the joy of towering water slides, meander by means of lazy rivers, or benefit from the light waves of the world’s largest synthetic wave pool. After a day going up and down the slides within the sunshine, children will sleep brilliantly.

Adults €42, Children €30, Siampark.web

Best seashores for kids

Alcala seaside, simply on the entrance of the Gran Melia Palacio De Isaora, has calm, shallow waters that present a protected setting for kids to splash and play. Not certain about letting them out into the ocean? Keep them confined to one of many two pure swimming pools on the seaside, that are locations to swim surrounded by pure volcanic rock edges, defending swimmers from the rougher ocean waves. The sand is darkish, which is fascinating for kids who’ve beforehand solely encountered golden sands, and there are many rocks to clamber over to burn off extra power.

Playa Fanabe seaside close to Costa Adeje has nice volcanic sand and calm waters. Lively beachfront actions, from seaside volleyball to bouncy castles, provide boundless leisure. Meanwhile, family-friendly cafes and ice cream stands dot the promenade, making certain you’re by no means greater than 5 minutes away from refreshments.

Best family-friendly cafes and eating places in Tenerife

The island might have one thing of a fame for being filled with eating places catering to English and Irish package deal vacationers, serving up fried meals and burgers, however there are many locations providing extra conventional Spanish and mediterranean dishes at reasonably priced costs.

For freshly-caught fish washed down with bottles of wine that begin at 10 euros, Sauco is a agency favoruoirte in Guia de Isaora. The menu caters to all diners, with pizzas, pastas and meat dishes for anybody who isn’t tempted by the sight of all of the freshly caught fish on the counter. The fish dishes are, nevertheless, out of this world, with succulent prawns, big mussels and tender fish.

If you need to introduce the youngsters to typical Canarian delicacies, Las Goteras gives a relaxed eating setting and big parts. These hearty servings will fulfill all tummies. There’s the whole lot from rabbit stew to big chunks of hen in creamy sauces, quail and juicy steaks.

If your lodge has a babysitting service, we extremely advocate taking the youngsters to an early buffet seating and sneaking out later for a meal a deux. Mums and dads looking for a romantic eating expertise will take pleasure in L’Olio on the Gran Melia Palacio De Isaora, providing freshly made pasta dishes and salted sea bass that flakes off the bone in a glass-fronted restaurant overlooking the ocean.

Where to store with kids

Tenerife isn’t well-known for its procuring alternatives, so that you gained’t discover procuring malls and retail parks. However, if you need to take a break from the seaside to purchase some native trinkets, children will take pleasure in exploring the normal market of Costa Adeje close to the Playa de Fanabe seaside. It runs on Thursdays and Saturdays from 9am to 2pm. Stalls promote the whole lot from locally-made clothes and jewelry to souvenirs and artisan meals.

Best time to go to Tenerife

Tenerife enjoys a gentle and nice local weather all year long, so there’s by no means a foul time to go to. However, it’s significantly widespread for vacationers within the UK autumn and winter. In October, common temperatures are 24C; in January and February it tops out round 20C, making it an interesting possibility for half-term and Christmas college holidays.

FAQS: 

What forex ought to I take?

Euros (€).

What is the native language?

Spanish.

How a lot ought to I tip?

It’s really helpful to tip round 10 per cent.

What’s the time distinction?

Tenerife is on the identical GMT timezone as England and Ireland (so there isn’t a time distinction).

What’s the common flight time from the UK?

Four hours from London.

What’s the perfect view?

If you’re adventurous, head up Mount Teide by bike or foot and look down over the island.

Insider tip

If you’re travelling with a child or toddler and you may’t face packing the formula-making machine or automotive seat, kids’s tools rental specialists Travel4Baby hires out the entire necessities – together with double buggies from Bugaboo and Yoyo. Pay prematurely and the whole lot might be delivered to the lodge and ready for you in your room on arrival.

Read extra on the greatest Tenerife motels