First Time in Tenerife: 10 Practical Things to Know

Arriving somewhere for the first time is full of small surprises, and Tenerife is no exception. Here are the practical things worth knowing before your first trip — most of them learned from years of islanders watching the same tourist mistakes.

Pick your side of the island

Your base sets the tone of the whole holiday, and the two coasts are genuinely different — our north-vs-south comparison and where-to-stay guide walk you through it. The short version: south for guaranteed sun and resorts, north for character and green landscapes.

The island is bigger than it looks

The motorway network is free and easy, and driving is on the right like the rest of Spain. A hire car unlocks the whole island — our rental guide covers the paperwork and insurance — while the TITSA bus network is a genuine alternative on the main routes.

Nobody drinks the tap water

Tap water in the Canaries is safe but heavily desalinated, and most locals and visitors drink bottled water instead. It is cheap and available everywhere — just factor it into your budget.

No tourist tax — but mind the prices

The Canary Islands currently have no tourist tax, which keeps holidays noticeably cheaper than the mainland. Prices in tourist resorts still sit above local levels, so expect standard resort mark-ups on the seafront.

Dinner starts late

Canarians eat late: most restaurants do not get going until around 19:30–20:00, and tables are rarely booked before 21:00. Eating early often means having a restaurant to yourself — aim for that golden hour.

Beach flags matter

Lifeguards only cover the main resort beaches. On wilder coves there is no supervision, so read the flag system (red really means no swimming) and treat the Atlantic with respect — our top 10 beaches guide notes which are safest for families.

The volcano is cold

Teide National Park sits above 2,000 metres, where summer days are pleasant but winter can dip to freezing. Even in July you want a layer for the summit — check our Teide guide before you go.

Learn a few words

English is widely spoken in the resorts, but a few Spanish phrases go a long way in the north and in small villages — our local phrases guide has the essentials.

Book the carnival early

The world-famous Carnaval de Santa Cruz fills hotels months ahead. If your dates coincide (usually February), book accommodation and gala tables well in advance.

How long and what to pack

A week lets you see the south and fit in one or two excursions; ten days opens up the north too — see our how long to stay and packing list guides to get both right — and our travel tips hub rounds out the island's wisdom.