Tenerife is many people’s favourite European getaway (especially the Brits). This island is the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, is a tropical paradise known for its year-round pleasant climate, amazing beaches, great nightlife, and stunning mountainous landscapes.
Tenerife is divided into two distinct regions: the North and the South. But which one is better to visit out of the North and South? Choosing between these two regions can be a daunting task for travellers hoping to get the best holiday experience. In this article, we will delve into the unique characteristics of both the North and South of Tenerife to help you make the best decision that will suit your holiday plans. We’ll break it up between the different categories most people will look for in a holiday to give you an informed decision.
The 2 regions will be compared on the following 8 categories
- Weather
- Scenery
- Activities
- Restaurants
- Beaches
- Hotels
- Families
- Nightlife
A quick summary of The North and South of Tenerife
The North of Tenerife: Nature’s Haven
The northern region of Tenerife is known for its very green landscapes, picturesque villages, and more relaxed vibe. Here, nature takes centre stage, with more stunning scenery and amazing peaks to explore which will suit the nature enthusiasts and people who like walking.
The South of Tenerife: Sun, Sea, and Vibrancy
The southern region of Tenerife is more known for its sun-kissed beaches, lively resorts, and a vibrant nightlife scene. It definitely attracts a larger number of tourists seeking relaxation, entertainment, and an energetic atmosphere. This area is more known for its international feel.
North Tenerife Vs South Tenerife – Let the battle commence!
Weather
Despite the different microclimates within Tenerife the South generally enjoys warmer and sunnier weather throughout the year, making the South better for sun worshippers seeking a beachy holiday. The North of Tenerife, in contrast, experiences a little more rainfall and has a milder climate, ideal for those who appreciate cooler temperatures and enjoy exploring nature more.
Winner: The South
Scenery
If stunning landscapes are your thing then head to North Tenerife. The greenery here is unreal and the North is home to Mount Teide, the highest peak in Tenerife and Spain. This region offers unmatched views of the island so it is ideal for some hiking. The volcanic region offers much more variety than you would get from any regular island holiday.
Winner: The North
Activities
You could say that the south has a wider variety of activities though these are mainly designed for the joy of mass tourists – theme/water parks, water sports and boat trips. However, the north island activities are more culturally focused and fit with the natural side of Tenerife, for example, museums, art galleries, historic places, parks and gardens. Since the North is more of a target audience I’d say the variety of the South wins here.
Winner: The South
Restaurants
It’s important to note that Tenerife as a whole has experienced a sharp rise in culinary standards in recent years. The north of Tenerife focuses on local cuisine, rural charm and oceanfront dining experiences. The South focuses on International cuisine, resort dining and gastronomic experiences. There are Michelin-star restaurants in the South too but pound for pound you will likely have a better experience in the north of Tenerife if you tried 10 restaurants in each region.
Winner: The North
Beaches
The beaches in Tenerife mostly feature black sand due to its volcanic origin. It doesn’t give it a very exotic feel but they are still amazing beaches nonetheless. The south of the island does boast some fantastic golden man-made beaches from Costa Adeje to Los Cristianos so that variety of colour does clinch it.
Winner: The South
Hotels
The hotels in the north of Tenerife will feature more of a family feel with local charms while the hotels in the south offer some real luxury and more diversity in small and behemoth sizes. While the north is more relaxed you cannot beat the fantastic range of accommodation on offer in the south of Tenerife for singles, couples, or families.
Winner: The South
Families
Since family holidays in Tenerife mostly revolve around poolside relaxation, water play, and hotel entertainment, a lot of the family friendly hotels in Tenerife are already well-equipped to keep families entertained without relying heavily on local activities. When you do venture out there are plenty of big family attractions such as Siam Park and Jungle Park in the South then also Teide National Park and Loro Parque in the north so both areas have their attraction pulls for families so you can satisfy any family holiday in both.
A draw
Nightlife
While the north offers some great nightlife in areas such as Puerto de la Cruz, Santa Cruz & La Laguna it is no match for the south of Tenerife when it comes to nightlife. Playa de las Americas, Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos boast enough pubs, bars, clubs and even very lively restaurants to entertain all of the Canary Islands. These are also definitely great areas to enjoy a night out or a birthday party.
Winner: The South
So there we have it, the south of Tenerife is better in my opinion and it wins 6-3 in the bout and by doing some more research yourself you will likely see similar opinions either online or via word of mouth. Hopefully, the information in this article helps you decide which region is better for you between the north and south. What do you think? Is north or south tenerife better? Leave a comment if you agree or disagree.
Remember that you need to match your holiday preferences to what you want to see and do because if you want a more relaxed, scenic cultural holiday then the north of Tenerife wins all day there. But why not try both regions?