Tenerife is the superlative winter sun destination. Presided over by the active Mount Teide, the largest Canary island is fringed with black sand beaches while the green north is sculpted by volcanic gorges. Much of Tenerife’s accommodation is centered around Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos on the south coast. Widen the search to the north and you’ll find ambitious architecture fusing past and present where you’ll wake up to volcano views. These Airbnbs in Tenerife put you in the heart of the pulsating south or showcase the wild beauty of the north coast.
Traveling to Spain? Check out Matador’s Spain accommodations guides:
We hope you love these Airbnb Tenerife vacation rentals! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Play Airbnb in Tenerife with epic views
Fifteen guests, six bedrooms
Price: $694 per night
Beachside loft in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $91 per night
North Tenerife luxury Airbnb in the sky
Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $542 per night
Rooftop chalet in La Laguna Old Town
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $122 per night
Deluxe Airbnb in South Tenerife with an indoor pool
Seven guests, three bedrooms
Price: $316 per night
Tropical villa in Costa Adeje
Seven guests, four bedrooms
Price: $369 per night
North Tenerife honeymoon cottage
Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $95 per night
Rustic finca with a private cave pool
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $112 per night
Family-friendly Airbnb with pool in North Tenerife
Thirteen guests, six bedrooms
Price: $166 per night
Sunny bungalow in Costa Adeje with dipping pool
Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $199 per night
Canary Island cave house with stargazing hot tub
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $107 per night
Where is Tenerife?
Although part of Spain, the Canary Islands are closer to North Africa. Tenerife, the largest of the seven, is located to the east of La Palma, El Hierro, and La Gomera and to the west of Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote. The island is served by two airports: one in the north and the other in the south. Ferries connect Cádiz and Huelva in Spain while further services link the archipelago.
Where to stay in Tenerife
North and South Tenerife could almost be two different islands. Coated in emerald forest, the mountainous north maintains a cooler, more humid climate. The regions south of Mount Teide are hotter and receive increased sunshine.
Southern Tenerife is the most popular part of the island with first-time visitors favoring Costa de Adeje for its supply of accommodation, activities, and amenities. Los Cristianos has a similar vibe although it’s a tad calmer and suits families with younger children. Wedged between the two, Playa de las Américas is the party capital of Tenerife. It’s easy enough to hop in a cab for a night on the town before returning home for some shut-eye.
The northern coast is particularly picturesque with plunging ravines and historic villages. Popular with couples and families with older children, this is the best part of Tenerife to stay away from the crowds and you can fill your days poking around cobblestone plazas, hiking to viewpoints, and surfing. A car is required and you’ll need to be confident driving on winding roads.
The port city of Santa Cruz and its neighboring San Cristóbal de La Laguna are where to stay in Tenerife for historical and cultural pursuits. La Laguna was the original capital and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The new capital is teeming with museums, gardens, and a lively harborside. Both cities are ideal bases for exploring the mysterious Anaga Rural Park. Smaller settlements and coastal villages near Santa Cruz and La Laguna promise a quieter vacation but again a rental car will be needed.
What is there to do in Tenerife?
Tenerife’s southerly resorts are consumed with beaches, watersports, aqua parks, zoos, and golf courses. There are scores of activities for travelers of all ages while the Playa de las Américas attracts young partygoers. A hiking trail guides you over the volcanic cliffs of Los Gigantes (the Giants) on the northwest coast but you can’t beat the views from the ocean. Catamaran cruises and kayaking tours operate from the town. North Tenerife has superior surf breaks but El Médano is a southern alternative.
Teide National Park is the chief natural attraction where you will find hiking trails, roadside vistas, cable car rides, and wineries. It’s also possible to visit Spain’s tallest mountain at night for extraordinary stargazing. Further north, Anaga Rural Park is a protected biosphere reserve where highland valleys and laurel forests are interrupted by hilltop hamlets and swimming coves. In order to see the Enchanted Forest, you’ll need to secure a free permit ahead of visiting.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is where you’ll find such attractions as the Museum of Nature and Archaeology and the Palmetum Botanical Garden. Spend a day exploring the preserved streets of San Cristóbal de La Laguna where Mudéjar facades rub shoulders with neoclassical and rationalist buildings.