In a nutshell
- We spent a week exploring Tenerife with our kids and put the island to the test for family-friendliness — from beaches and day trips to ice cream at the harbor.
- Sunshine, short distances, and tons of variety make Tenerife a top pick for families with babies, toddlers, or teenagers.
- In this guide you’ll find the most beautiful beaches, the coolest activities, and the most relaxed family-friendly hotels on the island.
- Our personal favorites for a family trip to Tenerife: the village of Garachico, a Teide tour, Siam Park, and a dolphin and whale watching boat trip.
Is Tenerife Worth It with Kids?
Absolutely! Tenerife is a true family paradise. The island has everything that makes kids happy and parents relaxed – sunshine, beaches, exciting day trips, and plenty of variety.
You can build sandcastles on the beach, swim in calm coves, stroll through lush green forests, marvel at the Teide volcano, or explore charming little towns. Many highlights on Tenerife are absolutely kid-friendly.
On top of that, Tenerife is a manageable size – but not so small that it gets boring. Each region has its own character, from the sun-drenched south to volcanic landscapes in the center and the lush green north.
In short: A family vacation on Tenerife really does have something for every age.
Planning a Family Vacation on Tenerife: What Matters?
Booking a family trip to Tenerife is quick and easy. But to make the trip relaxed and unforgettable, it’s worth thinking through a few things in advance:
Where Do You Want to Go?
Before you book, think about what you want out of your vacation. Are you looking for lots of beach days? Or would you rather go on adventurous day trips? Or maybe both – and more? Here are our recommendations based on different preferences:
- For a beach vacation: Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, or Costa Adeje in the south – Adrián Roca Nivaria
- For an adventure vacation: Puerto de la Cruz or La Orotava in the north – Hotel Puerto Palace
- For variety: Candelaria or Santa Cruz – Hotel Taburiente S.C.
Getting to Tenerife
Flying time to Tenerife South is about 4.5 hours from much of western Europe. This airport is the main hub for international flights.
Find the best flights to Tenerife on Skyscanner
We recommend booking your airport transfer in advance. That way, you’ll be picked up directly and won’t have to figure out onward transportation with tired kids in tow.
Book a Tenerife airport transfer
The drive time after that depends on your accommodation, but either way it leaves plenty of time for snacks and a little breather.
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Vaccinations & Health
For the Canary Islands, you don’t need any special vaccinations. That said, high-SPF sunscreen, sun hats, and a travel first-aid kit are absolute must-haves.
Medical care on Tenerife is excellent, and you’ll find pharmacies in almost every town.
Check out our packing list for vacations with kids!
Safety on Tenerife
Tenerife is a safe destination for families with children. Just keep an eye on your valuables in tourist hotspots, as you would anywhere. Otherwise, you can enjoy a completely worry-free vacation.
Family Vacation on Tenerife: What Does It Cost?
Tenerife is not only varied for families, but also seriously affordable. Whether you’re traveling on a budget or treating yourself to more comfort – there’s a price range for everyone, without having to compromise.
Here’s what you can expect to pay:
Accommodation (price per night for 2 adults + 2 children)
- Good & budget-friendly: from around €45 (simple guesthouses, small apartments)
- Better: €70–150 (family-friendly hotels, Airbnbs with a pool)
- Luxury: from €160 (resorts with kids’ programs and all-inclusive)
Food (per person)
- Local tapas bars: €6–10
- Family-friendly restaurants: €12–18
- All-inclusive at the hotel: often included in the price – especially worth it with a toddler or baby
Getting Around
- Rental car: €30–50 per day, ideal for day trips on Tenerife with kids or hiking with children
- Local bus: €1–3 per route, also very doable with kids
- Taxi: €10–20 for short distances
We’ll cover everything about getting around in more detail further below!
Day Trips & Activities (per person)
- Water park, zoo, boat trip, cable car, guided hikes, etc.: €20–50
You’ll find even more ideas for day trips on Tenerife in our dedicated guide.
Activities on Tenerife with Kids
Tenerife offers endless opportunities to experience small adventures together as a family and discover the island in a playful way. These are our favorites:
Coastal Village of Garachico
- Perfect for: Kids of all ages
- Time to plan: half a day
- Cost: free, spending on ice cream, snacks, or coffee around €10 per person
Garachico is a small town right on the ocean with charming alleyways and a botanical garden. At the playground by the harbor, kids can burn off some energy, and afterward it’s worth stopping for an ice cream at Heladería El Abuelo.
Along the coast, you can also explore the El Caletón natural pools, and if you like, pop into the Castillo de San Miguel fortress. On the way back, grab cinnamon rolls and coffee from Cinnamon Atelier.
Teide
- Perfect for: Kids ages 4 and up
- Time to plan: half to a full day
- Cost: Teide tour incl. cable car & transfer approx. €90 adults, €45 children
Teide is the highest mountain in Spain and an absolute standout for your family vacation on Tenerife with kids. The best way to experience it is on a guided Teide tour including a cable car ride and transfer – exciting for the kids and as stress-free as possible for the parents.
On the excursion, you’ll travel through unparalleled volcanic landscapes, ride the cable car to the summit, take in stunning views, and learn a ton about Teide National Park from your guides.
You pack adventure, fun, and hands-on learning all into one single outing. It really doesn’t get better than that.
Book a guided Teide tour online
Siam Park Water Park
- Perfect for: Kids ages 4 and up
- Time to plan: full day
- Cost: approx. €40–50 per person
Siam Park is one of the best water parks in Europe and an ideal outing for your family vacation on Tenerife.
Kids and adults can try out slides, drift along the Lazy River, or splash around in the children’s area. A day here makes the whole family happy – and the kids will fall fast asleep that night.
Boat Trip with Dolphin and Whale Watching
- Perfect for: Kids of all ages
- Time to plan: 2–3 hours
- Cost: approx. €15–30 per person
Off the southern coast of Tenerife, you can spot pilot whales and dolphins in the wild.
To make sure the animals aren’t disturbed in their natural habitat – and so kids learn how important it is to interact with them respectfully – we recommend the Bahriyeli No Chase boat tour.
This is an eco-friendly tour on a quiet boat that offers a respectful experience without any chasing. The on-board guides explain everything about the whales and dolphins, and when you buy your ticket, you even donate to the charity Neptunes Pirates UK.
And we can say from personal experience: the tour is an absolute blast – we spotted countless pilot whales and even three dolphins!
Book respectful whale and dolphin watching online
Los Gigantes
- Perfect for: Kids of all ages
- Time to plan: 1 hour
- Cost: free, ice cream approx. €3–5
Los Gigantes is a great stopover on the way to Garachico. From the harbor, you get a stunning view of the Acantilados de los Gigantes cliffs. Kids can splash around in the natural pools here too, and afterward enjoy an ice cream at Berry’s.
Whether the kids get their ice cream and the parents their coffee here or in Garachico is entirely up to how much time you have.
Mountain Village of Masca
- Perfect for: Kids ages 4 and up
- Time to plan: half a day
- Cost: free, food approx. €15
Masca is an idyllic mountain village with spectacular views over deep ravines and green hills (heads up – the drive there is very winding!). Along the way, you can stop at the many pullouts and soak in the scenery.
At the top, it’s worth taking a short walk through the streets and past traditional houses. For a mid-trip break, the restaurant “El Guanche” is a great spot serving local specialties.
An ideal family excursion into the nature of Tenerife.
Parque Rural de Anaga
- Perfect for: Kids ages 5 and up
- Time to plan: half to a full day
- Cost: free
The Anaga Mountains are perfect for hiking on Tenerife with kids. On easy trails through laurel forests, little ones can discover plants, birds, and small streams.
Along the way, you can stop at viewpoints and enjoy the stunning landscape. Feel like a break? Pack a picnic and make an afternoon of it.
A great spot to combine nature and exercise for kids and adults alike.
City Trip to Puerto de la Cruz
- Perfect for: Kids of all ages
- Time to plan: half a day
- Cost: varies
Puerto de la Cruz is a charming town with a lovely promenade, cafés, and small shops. Families can stroll around at a leisurely pace, enjoy an ice cream in the sun, or simply soak up the atmosphere by the sea. It’s the perfect spot for a relaxed morning or afternoon with the kids.
If you’re interested, you’ll also find Loro Parque here – a well-known zoo on Tenerife.
Note about Loro Parque
We don’t actively recommend Loro Parque. Many animals, especially dolphins and whales, are kept in tanks and enclosures that don’t meet their natural needs. Even though the zoo is very popular, we distance ourselves from this type of animal keeping and much prefer to recommend wildlife watching in nature.
Read more about Tenerife here:
Family-Friendly Beaches on Tenerife
Tenerife has plenty of beautiful beaches for families – from gentle coves for young children to wide sandy stretches perfect for digging and playing. Here are our top picks:
- Playa El Poris (northeast): A hidden cove, perfect for families looking for a quiet beach day away from the tourist crowds (On Google Maps)
- Playa las Teresitas (northeast): Famous palm-lined sandy beach with shallow water, ideal for splashing and building sandcastles (On Google Maps)
- Playa Grande (southeast): Wide, calm beach with gentle waves, well suited for toddlers (On Google Maps)
- Playa de la Tejita (south): A spacious beach with a natural feel, great for kids who love building sandcastles (On Google Maps)
- Playa del Duque (south): Upscale beach with fine, light sand, a promenade, and plenty of cafés nearby (On Google Maps)
- Playa de la Arena (west): Black sand, calm water, and plenty of room to play (On Google Maps)
- Playa San Juan (west): A small, idyllic beach with shallow water (On Google Maps)
Family-Friendly Hotels on Tenerife
The right hotel is the cornerstone of a great family trip to Tenerife. So you don’t have to search for long, here are our recommendations for the best places to stay on the island:
Adrián Hoteles Roca Nivaria
Where? Costa Adeje, south
The 5-star Adrián Roca Nivaria is a true all-inclusive peace-of-mind hotel for families.
The junior and superior suites have separate bedrooms and sofa beds for kids – perfect for a little privacy. There are multiple pools, a dedicated family area with children’s pools, playgrounds, and small water slides, as well as a mini disco and childcare – all tasteful and not over the top.
The hotel leads directly to a small cove (Playa Las Galgas), and within walking distance you’ll find restaurants, ice cream shops, small stores, and playgrounds.
Hotel Puerto Palace
Where? Puerto de la Cruz, north
Hotel Puerto Palace is quietly situated above Puerto de la Cruz and is ideal for a relaxed family vacation on Tenerife.
The spacious family rooms offer plenty of space for parents and kids, many with a balcony and views of the garden or pool. There are several pools, including a children’s pool, as well as playgrounds and sports facilities.
In just a few minutes, you can reach the center of Puerto de la Cruz or the popular Playa Jardín beach – making it easy to combine city, beach, and relaxation in one stay.
Hotel Taburiente S.C.Tenerife
Where? Santa Cruz de Tenerife, northeast
This modern city hotel is located right next to the beautiful García Sanabria Park in the heart of Santa Cruz. Perfect for families who want to explore Tenerife’s capital.
The rooms are modernly furnished and offer plenty of space for families. On the rooftop terrace, a small pool with a view awaits – and the whole family is welcome to take a dip.
Cafés, restaurants, and the park with playgrounds are right outside the door. A great mix of urban flair and a family-friendly location.
Go to Hotel Taburiente S.C. Tenerife
Find more hotels on Tenerife here:
Family-Friendly Restaurants on Tenerife
On Tenerife, there are plenty of restaurants where families are warmly welcomed – whether you’re traveling with a baby, a toddler, or teenagers. High chairs and kids’ menus are available almost everywhere. These are our favorites:
- Heladería El Abuelo (Garachico): Delicious homemade ice cream right next to the playground (On Google Maps)
- JOY Heladería Tenerife (Costa Adeje): Ice cream and waffles, perfect after a day at the beach or pool (On Google Maps)
- Restaurante Mirador de Garachico: Canarian cuisine with breathtaking ocean views (On Google Maps)
- Cinnamon Atelier (Garachico): The best cinnamon rolls on the island (On Google Maps)
- Berry’s (Los Gigantes): Ice cream shop right at the harbor with views of the cliffs (On Google Maps)
- García Sanabria Park Cafés (Santa Cruz): Lots of family-friendly spots with playgrounds nearby
Getting Around Tenerife with Kids
When exploring Tenerife with kids, a rental car is pretty much a must. Many of the island’s highlights are spread out, and having a car means you can get around flexibly and without stress.
During our one-week stay, we rented a car for four days – which was ideal. Parking was easy, right in the hotel garage.
Our tip: If you don’t pick up the car directly at the airport, you’ll save money and won’t have to worry about trunk space.
Child seats can be added at booking with almost all providers. They’re usually in great condition and don’t cost much extra.
Compare rental car deals for Tenerife on Discovercars
Lies auch:
Our Verdict: Would We Go Back?
Absolutely! Tenerife is simply a dream destination for families. The combination of sunshine, sea, nature, and easygoing Spanish vibes makes the island a vacation spot that works beautifully for the whole family – whether you’re traveling with a baby, a toddler, or a teenager.
Discover mountain villages in the morning, splash around in the Atlantic in the afternoon, and enjoy tapas at sunset in the evening. It really doesn’t get better than that.
What we especially loved was how versatile Tenerife is: beaches, volcanoes, charming towns, nature parks – all without long drives.
Sunshine, variety, and genuine family-friendliness – Tenerife delivers on all three.
