Tenerife with Kids: The Complete Family Holiday Guide

Tenerife is one of Europe's top family destinations, combining reliable sunshine, safe beaches, world-class theme parks and a huge variety of activities for children of all ages. With the right planning, it delivers a holiday that keeps both kids and parents happy.

For water and beach lovers, the south of the island is hard to beat. The beaches at Los Cristianos, Playa del Duque and Playa de Torviscas have calm sheltered water ideal for young children, with full facilities including showers, lifeguards and restaurants. Siam Park in Costa Adeje is consistently voted the world's best water park and is unmissable for families — allow a full day.

For animal lovers, Loro Parque in Puerto de la Cruz is an outstanding zoo and aquarium with parrots, gorillas, orcas, dolphins and much more. Book a combined Loro Parque and Siam Park ticket in advance for savings. Whale watching tours from Los Gigantes or Los Cristianos are another highlight — resident pilot whales and dolphins are seen on virtually every trip.

For a more hands-on animal experience, Camel Park Tenerife offers guided camel rides on a former banana farm near Los Cristianos, Monkey Park lets kids hand-feed the primates, and Forestal Park adds an active twist with more than 90 treetop obstacles and zip lines in the Canarian pine forest above La Esperanza.

For older children with a sense of adventure, the Masca gorge hike (suitable for ages 10+), Cueva del Viento underground tour, and a sunrise drive up to Teide are unforgettable experiences. The volcanic landscape of Teide National Park — like walking on the moon — tends to fascinate children and adults alike. And for a dose of speed, the Karting Club Tenerife circuit near Los Cristianos runs separate tracks for children and adults, with a free shuttle from the south.

Where to stay

Tenerife's family hotels excel at all-inclusive comfort. Iberostar Bouganville Playa (4★) in Costa Adeje has its own water park, GF Victoria (5★, from €298) pampers guests with a rooftop biospa, Dreams Jardin Tropical (4★, from €162) builds a lagoon pool with waterfalls, Checkin Bungalows Atlantida (3★, from €103) adds an apartment-style water park, and the villas of Green Garden Eco Resort (from €305) sit in gardens of 3,000 plant species. Travelling with a four-legged friend? Our pet-friendly guide lists the beaches and hotels that welcome dogs.