Which are the best and cheapest places to stay on Tenerife? How much does it cost to stay in summer and low season? Read in this chapter.
Where to stay in Tenerife
Along Tenerife's coastline you'll find a wealth of hotels and other accommodation in all price ranges. For all the available facilities on the island, check out these classic portals:
Choose a hotel in advance at a discount
Cities, sights and travel bases
If you are planning to travel around the island, then the area around Puerto de la Cruz or Santa Cruz de Tenerife will be the ideal starting point for you, large towns with all the facilities and excellent accessibility by public transport throughout the island, many attractions and the widest range of accommodation.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The capital and largest city of the island will provide the widest range of accommodation from budget hostels to luxury hotels. Its main asset is its excellent public transport accessibility to all parts of the island and all tourist facilities.
Puerto de la Cruz
The ideal place to spend an active holiday and the best starting point for trips along the north coast and into the mountains, where there is a direct bus service from here. Puerto de la Cruz is more intimate than Santa Cruz, but even here you'll enjoy fun and a wide range of accommodation. Plus, there are beautiful beaches in Puerto de la Cruz.
La Laguna
A quieter alternative to Santa Cruz may be the nearby university town of La Laguna, with its relaxed atmosphere, many sights and cheaper accommodation, especially in apartments. Even La Laguna is easily accessible by car and public transport from all parts of the island.
Garachico, Icod
The beautiful small towns of Icod and Garachico on the north coast are also ideal starting points for excursions around the island. Unlike the aforementioned, these places are less touristy and provide more tranquillity, but you can still find everything you need. In Icod and Garachico you will find mainly smaller hotels and apartments.
Beaches and swimming
If, on the other hand, you're after sun and swimming, we recommend staying in the southern part of the island (Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje or Playa de las Américas), where you'll also find the most beach hotels and apartments. Specifically on the west coast between Costa Adeje and Los Gigantes.
Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas
The largest beach tourist zone consists of these three resorts, which are closely linked to each other. They lie at the southernmost tip of the island and offer mainly larger hotel resorts in man-made towns built purely for tourist purposes. However, here you will find all the necessary facilities and above all beautiful beaches.
- The 10 best hotels in Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje or Playa de las Américas
Los Gigantes, Puerto de Santiago, La Arena
Another well-known tourist area comprising these three resorts is located on the west coast near the coast with cliffs several hundred meters high called Los Gigantes. The resorts are smaller and more intimate than the trio of Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas and Costa Adeje, and the beaches are smaller, but all compensated by the beautiful natural scenery and the possibility of a more peaceful holiday.
Playa San Juan
This smaller resort on the west coast boasts beautiful beaches, cheaper accommodation and some of the most luxurious hotels in Tenerife. Playa San Juan is one of Tenerife's most popular beach resorts, yet it's one of the quieter places.
Las Galletas and Palm-Mar
Smaller, quiet resorts at the southernmost point of the island a short drive from Los Cristianos and Tenerife South Airport provide the ideal setting for a peaceful holiday in an intimate setting, yet offering all the necessary tourist facilities.
Other smaller beach resorts can be found mainly on the east coast of Tenerife, mostly small quiet tourist towns by the sea ideal for a relaxed holiday. The smaller beaches are compensated by cheaper accommodation than in the larger resorts to the south.
Check out the accommodation in Las Caletillas, Candelaria, Güímar, La Tejita or Los Abrigos.
Mountains
If you prefer hiking in the mountains and staying in romantic little villages, Tenerife offers several great options for accommodation right in the mountains.
Vilaflor
The closest town to the treks on Pico del Teide or the rock formations of Paisaje Lunar, as well as other mountain hikes, is Vilaflor. You can stay here in nice spa hotels and very well rated apartments.
Santiago del Teide
This village on the western slopes of the mountains is an ideal base for trekking in the Montaña Negras region. Although Santiago del Teide is a small village, it boasts more than 20 accommodations, mostly apartments and small guesthouses.
Hotel prices in Tenerife
Compared to other European destinations, Tenerife is likely to pleasantly surprise you with its relatively low prices. Most purchases here are much cheaper thanks to low or no excise duty.
Even in high season you can find accommodation in apartments or holiday homes from 0 eur 7 eur / night / 2 people.
Accommodation in a classic 3* hotel will cost you between 0 eur 18 eur and 73 eur / night / 2 people, while better quality 4* hotels will cost around 0 eur 0 eur 128 eur / night / 2 people.
Choose a hotel in advance at a discount
Holidays to Tenerife - tours
Tenerife is also a popular holiday destination for travel agents and complete tours with flights, accommodation, airport transfers and delegate services.
Which resorts do most tours go to and where can you get the best last-minute deals?
Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas
The largest beach resorts, combined into one strip of towns in the south of the island with white sand beaches, tourist attractions and consistently sunny weather.
We would recommend choosing tours to these hotels in this area:
- Best Jacaranda **** - usually good value for money, located in the centre of Adeje 350 metres from the beach.
- Sol Tenerife **** - one of the largest hotels right on the beach between Adeje and Playa de las Américas
- Melia Jardines del Teide ***** - a great 5* hotel with good value for money in the quiet resort of Playa del Duque
Puerto de la Cruz
Popular resort in the north of the island with exotic looking black sand beaches.
This place is ideal for combining a staycation with individual excursions on your own around northern Tenerife or into the mountains.
Tours often head to these hotels:
- Blue Sea Puerto Resort **** - often offering the cheapest stays at very decent quality
- Sol Costa Atlantis **** - irresistible location with ocean views and a beautiful rugged coastline and private beach
- Catalonia Las Vegas **** - the hotel has the best location right on the beach and in the centre of town
Puerto Santiago
The small resort is particularly popular for its location below the incredibly photogenic Los Gigantes cliffs.
Although the beaches here are smaller than in other resorts, the coastline is one of the most beautiful on the entire island.
- Aparthotel Vigilia Park ** - a great choice for budget travellers, very nice and cheap apartments located right in the centre of the resort
- TUI Blue Los Gigantes **** - a large group hotel right by the ocean with divine views
