Updated September 2026
Short answer: for most first-time visitors, the best place to stay in Tenerife is the south. If you’re renting a car and want quiet evenings and big views, pick Los Gigantes. If you want everything on your doorstep and the best hotels, pick Costa Adeje. If you’re travelling without a car or with small children, pick Los Cristianos.
We stayed in an apartment in Los Gigantes and rented a car. We also spent time in Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos, so this comparison doesn’t come from photos. This post will help you choose one place in five minutes, not five evenings with twenty tabs open.
Where to stay in Tenerife: south or north?
Tenerife has two very different sides. The south and west are dry and sunny almost all year, and that’s where most of the beaches and places to stay are. The north is green and feels more authentic, but from November to February it’s cloudier.
The island is smaller than it looks: driving from one end to the other takes about an hour and a half. So wherever you stay, you can see the north on a day trip. For your base, especially in winter, choose the south, where the sun is waiting for you every morning.
In the south, most people choose between three places: Los Gigantes, Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos.
Los Gigantes: quiet and cliffs, but you need a car
Los Gigantes is a former fishing village on the west coast, below cliffs that rise almost 600 metres straight out of the ocean. Evenings here are calm: no nightclubs, lots of small restaurants and the sun setting over the sea.
It was a good choice for us. We took a boat from the harbour out to the cliffs and saw dolphins, and Masca village, Mount Teide and Siam Park were all an easy drive away.
Good for: couples, families with older kids, and anyone renting a car who wants to explore the island.
Not for you if: you want a long sandy beach right outside your door, or you’re not planning to rent a car. There are few beaches here, and the streets are steep.
Costa Adeje: the easiest and the most expensive
Costa Adeje is a long strip of resorts with tidy beaches, a seafront promenade and the island’s best hotels. There are plenty of adults-only hotels, and for families, Siam Park water park is right next door.
Good for: first-time visitors, couples who want comfort, and families who want a calm beach and everything within walking distance.
Not for you if: you want to feel the real Tenerife. It’s very touristy, and accommodation here is expensive all year round.
Los Cristianos: no car needed, great with small kids
Los Cristianos is a real town that grew up around its harbour. The beaches are calm and sheltered from the waves, the promenade is long, and there are plenty of restaurants of every kind. Ferries leave the harbour for La Gomera and boats go out whale watching, and the south airport is close by.
This is the easiest place to stay without a car: buses to the airport and the other resorts run often.
Good for: families with small children, anyone travelling without a car, and people who want a town, not just hotels.
Not for you if: you want peace and quiet or luxury. There are also fewer highly rated places to stay with lots of reviews than in Costa Adeje.
How to choose: three questions
- Will you rent a car? If not, choose Los Cristianos or Costa Adeje. If yes, Los Gigantes gives you the most for the least money.
- How old are your kids? With toddlers, a calm sandy beach nearby matters most: Los Cristianos or Costa Adeje. Older kids and teenagers will find plenty of adventure in Los Gigantes.
- How much time will you spend on the beach? If almost all of it, Costa Adeje. If you’ll be off exploring every day, Los Gigantes.
Which places to stay in these towns are actually worth it? Our guide lists 14 of them for three budgets, all rated 9 or higher with more than a hundred reviews. We note which have a pool, which are adults only, and what a week costs in winter and in summer. Tenerife guide, €19 →
What to look for when choosing where to stay in Tenerife
- For families, apartments with a kitchen and a pool. You make your own breakfast, and the kids have somewhere to swim after the beach. Whether there’s a kitchen often depends on the room type, so check the description of the exact room you book.
- For couples, adults-only hotels. Costa Adeje has the most.
- The season changes the price more than the location. Winter is high season in the south. The same apartment in Los Gigantes can cost half as much in summer as in February.
- UK school holidays (late October, mid-February, Easter) fill up the resorts. If you can, pick other weeks.
- Places in the hills above town are cheaper and quieter, but without a car you won’t get anywhere from there.
Where to stay in Tenerife: questions people ask
Where is the best place to stay in Tenerife for first-timers?
In the south, in Costa Adeje or Los Cristianos. It’s sunny almost all year, the beaches are calm, and everything you need is within walking distance.
Where should you stay in Tenerife with kids?
With small children, Los Cristianos or Costa Adeje, for the calm sandy beaches and Siam Park nearby. With older kids and a car, Los Gigantes works very well too.
Do you need a car in Tenerife?
Not in the resorts. But to see Mount Teide, Masca and the towns in the north, a car helps a lot: buses run there only a few times a day.
Is Los Gigantes a good place to stay?
Yes, if you want quiet and great views and you’re renting a car. If you want a long sandy beach and nightlife, Costa Adeje is a better fit.
Is the north of Tenerife warm in winter?
It’s mild, but from November to February it’s cloudier and rains more often. The south is usually sunny at that time, so in winter choose a base in the south.
Where to go from here
You now know which part of the island to stay in. Our guide Tenerife: the sunny south and beyond, for families and couples tells you exactly where: 14 checked places to stay for three budgets with prices, drive times to the main sights, which car rental companies to choose, and how to handle the winding mountain roads without stress. Plus Mount Teide, Masca, Loro Parque, beaches for kids, hidden gems, and every spot on one map.
Want the whole trip planned around your dates, your kids’ ages and your budget? Get a custom trip plan.
Photos: cover, sunset at Fañabé beach by ahisgett, CC BY 2.0; the beach in Los Cristianos by Retinafunk, CC BY-SA 2.0; sunset at Fañabé beach by ahisgett, CC BY 2.0.