Family Travel Toolkit
Costa Adeje beach, Tenerife, Canary Islands
Destination guide

Tenerife with Kids

Year-round sunshine, calm beaches, the world's best water park, and resorts built for families. Tenerife is one of the easiest and most rewarding family holidays you can book from the UK.

10 min read · Updated August 2026

Flight time4–4.5 hrs from UK
Best monthsYear-round (peak: Jul–Aug, Oct half-term)
CurrencyEuro (€)
LanguageSpanish (English widely spoken in resorts)
Budget££ mid-range
Best forAll ages

Tenerife is the most visited island in Spain and one of the most popular family holiday destinations in the world — and it earns that reputation. The south of the island has warm, calm seas, reliable sunshine even in January, and a huge range of resorts designed specifically for families with children. Add Siam Park (consistently rated the world's best water park), Teide National Park, and some genuinely good beaches, and you have a holiday that works for children of every age.

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Top things to do in Tenerife with kids

From the world's best water park to volcanic national parks — Tenerife's best family experiences.

Children enjoying a water park on a sunny day
water parkthrillsall ages

Consistently voted the world's best water park

Siam Park

Siam Park is the undisputed highlight of any family trip to Tenerife. The Thai-themed park has rides for every age — from gentle lazy rivers and a wave pool for young children to the Tower of Power (a near-vertical 28-metre drop) for thrill-seeking older kids and adults. It gets very busy in peak season; arrive when it opens or book a FastPass. A full day here is easily one of the best family days out in Europe.

  • Arrive at opening time to beat queues
  • FastPass wristbands are worth it in peak season
  • Bring your own snacks — food inside is expensive
  • Under-3s go free; under-12s get a reduced rate
Best for All ages
Calm bay at Los Cristianos, Tenerife
beachswimmingall ages

Calm, sheltered, and perfect for young children

South-coast beaches

The south coast — Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, and Costa Adeje — has some of the calmest beaches in the Canary Islands. The water is warm and shallow, the sand is dark volcanic or imported golden sand, and the beaches are well-equipped with sunbeds, parasols, and nearby restaurants. Playa del Duque in Costa Adeje is widely considered the best family beach on the island.

  • Playa del Duque is the best family beach — calm and clean
  • Arrive by 9am for a good sunbed spot in summer
  • The water is warm enough to swim year-round
  • Los Cristianos beach is the calmest — ideal for toddlers
Best for All ages
Children hiking in Teide National Park, Tenerife
naturehikingviews

Spain's highest peak — a spectacular half-day out

Teide National Park

Mount Teide is Spain's highest mountain and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The drive up through the national park is dramatic and unlike anything else on the island — lunar landscapes, pine forests, and extraordinary views. The cable car takes you to 3,555m (book in advance — it sells out). For families with older children, the hike to the summit crater is unforgettable. Younger children will enjoy the cable car and the views from the base.

  • Book cable car tickets online well in advance
  • Take warm layers — it's much colder at altitude
  • The drive through the park is spectacular even without the cable car
  • Combine with a stop at the Parador hotel for lunch
Best for 5+ years
Tenerife coastal resort beach family holiday
zooanimalsall ages

World-class zoo and animal park in Puerto de la Cruz

Loro Parque

Loro Parque in Puerto de la Cruz is one of Europe's best zoos and a brilliant full-day family attraction. The park has gorillas, tigers, penguins, dolphins, sea lions, and the world's largest collection of parrots. The orca and dolphin shows are controversial with some families — the park has made efforts to improve animal welfare but it's worth researching before you go. The rest of the zoo is genuinely excellent.

  • Allow a full day — the park is large
  • Book tickets online for a small discount
  • Puerto de la Cruz is worth exploring after the park
  • Combine with a night in the north of the island
Best for All ages

Which resort is best for families?

Tenerife's south coast has several distinct resorts — here's how they compare for families.

1

Costa Adeje

The most upmarket resort on the south coast, with the best beaches (Playa del Duque), excellent restaurants, and a wide range of family hotels and apartments. The best base for families who want quality and convenience.

Best for: Families wanting quality and comfort

2

Los Cristianos

A traditional fishing town turned resort with the calmest beach on the south coast — ideal for families with babies and toddlers. More local character than Playa de las Américas, with a good range of affordable restaurants.

Best for: Families with babies and toddlers

3

Playa de las Américas

The liveliest resort on the island, with the most entertainment, the most hotels, and easy access to Siam Park. Busier and noisier than Costa Adeje, but great value and very well set up for families.

Best for: Families wanting entertainment and value

4

Puerto de la Cruz (north)

The north of the island is greener, cooler, and more authentically Spanish. Puerto de la Cruz is the base for Loro Parque and has a very different feel to the south — better for families who want culture alongside the beach.

Best for: Families wanting a more local experience

Practical information for families

Getting there

Tenerife has two airports: Tenerife South (TFS) serves the family resorts on the south coast and is the one most UK families use. Tenerife North (TFN) serves Puerto de la Cruz and the north of the island. Direct flights from most UK airports take around 4–4.5 hours. Jet2, TUI, easyJet, and Ryanair all fly the route. Most package holidays include transfers; taxis from TFS to the south coast resorts cost around €25–35.

Best time to visit

Tenerife's south coast gets around 320 days of sunshine per year — it genuinely is a year-round destination. Summer (July–August) is the busiest and hottest period. October half-term is extremely popular with UK families and books up fast. January and February are quieter and cheaper, with temperatures around 22–24°C — perfect for escaping a UK winter.

Getting around

A hire car is the best way to explore beyond your resort — essential for Teide, Loro Parque, and the north of the island. Book in advance online for the best rates. The south coast resorts are walkable and well-connected by local buses (guaguas). Taxis are plentiful and reasonably priced within the resort areas.

How much does it cost?

Tenerife is mid-range for a European family holiday. A week's all-inclusive package for a family of four typically costs £1,800–£3,500 depending on the resort and time of year. Self-catering apartments are cheaper. Eating out is good value — a family meal at a local restaurant costs €35–55. Siam Park entry costs around €38 for adults and €27 for children (under-3s free).

Tips for a family holiday in Tenerife

1

Book Siam Park early

Siam Park is the island's most popular attraction and sells out on peak days. Book tickets online before you travel — you'll also save money on the door price.

2

Stay in the south for guaranteed sun

The north of the island is significantly cloudier and cooler than the south. For a beach holiday, stick to Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, or Playa de las Américas.

3

Hire a car for at least one day

Teide National Park and Loro Parque are both worth the trip, but you need a car to do them properly. Hire for a day or two rather than relying on expensive excursion coaches.

4

Pack sun cream from home

Sun cream is significantly more expensive in Tenerife than in UK supermarkets. Bring plenty of SPF 50+ for the children — you'll use more than you think.

5

All-inclusive works well here

All-inclusive resorts in Tenerife are generally good quality and remove the stress of mealtimes with young children. The savings on food and drinks often make it better value than self-catering.

6

Watch the Atlantic swell in the north

The north and west coasts face the Atlantic and can have strong waves and currents — not suitable for young children. Stick to the sheltered south-coast beaches for swimming with kids.

Frequently asked questions

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