How to do Tenerife on a budget

Where to stay on a budget

Cheap and cheerful is Tenerife’s bag, and you’ll find plenty of three-star hotels for a steal if you’re willing to stay outside of the main tourist resorts.

That’s not to say there aren’t good deals to be found within them, though. In the upmarket resort of Costa Adeje, for example, prices rise as high as the temperature – but opt for a Canarian-owned hotel and you get the same fancy location at affordable prices. The Hotel Isabel is designed like a traditional Canarian village, with the distinctive architectural style of local houses. Here you’ll find great food, friendly service and a plethora of amenities that are perfect for families.

The southwest coast has some of Tenerife’s best weather and the stylish Barcelo Santiago hotel has its best location. Fresh and airy rooms, an infinity pool with jaw-dropping views over the ‘giant’ cliffs of Los Gigantes, and romantic sunsets over the neighbouring island of La Gomera ensure you’re not compromising on style or comfort despite the lower price tag.

Lose the crowds and the high prices of the bigger resorts in the contemporary, luxury space and beauty of five-star Barcelo Tenerife. Set on a nature reserve with eight swimming pools and a small lake for kayaking, rooms are fabulously spacious and stylish, and you’re just a stroll from golf courses in one direction and the harbour of Los Abrigos in the other, where you’ll find excellent seafood restaurants.

Where to eat on a budget

When in Spain do as the Spanish do and eat your main meal at lunchtime. That way you can opt for the menu del día, a three-course menu often costing less than €15 and usually offering a choice of starter and main. Some restaurants offer the set menu into evenings too so it’s worth checking.

Menus are generally cheaper away from the seafront. In Los Cristianos, seek out El Cine, which is tucked behind the promenade. Expect no frills, just fresh, simple and delicious seafood served with Tenerife’s tasty, salty potatoes, papas arrugadas. Expect to pay around €15 per person for food.

Sticking with traditional dishes, head into Adeje town where they specialise in crispy chicken infused with garlic at Otelo (closed Tuesdays). You simply order by the number of people. At €7.50 per portion, it’s addictively good and the view of the Barranco del Infierno nature reserve doesn’t get much better.

What to do on a budget

Beach lovers are spoiled for choice by the 12km (7.5 miles) stretch of coastline that covers Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos – some of Tenerife’s best beaches are here, after all. But your choice of where to soak up the sun could make a huge difference to your budget.

The most stylish beach is undoubtedly Del Duque, but sun-lounger prices are exorbitant. Move down the coast to Playa Torviscas and you’ll pay a little less. For the best value of all, choose lovely El Camisón.

Away from the lure of the sand, head to the capital city of Santa Cruz, where you’ll find pretty plazas, the open-air art gallery and botanical gardens of Parque García Sanabria, and the African market, all free to enjoy. Then, jump on a bus to Las Teresitas and you can wiggle your toes in over a kilometre of fine, golden sand at one of the island’s most beautiful beaches.

You really can’t visit Tenerife and not see Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak and the planet’s fourth tallest volcano, with a 17km-wide (10 miles) crater. A daily bus service will take you up there in the morning and bring you back in the afternoon. The cable car to the summit is expensive but it costs nothing to explore the park and its surreal landscape.

A visit to Garachico is another must. The island’s most picturesque town, it was buried in lava at the beginning of the 18th century. Today, the frozen lava has been hewn into rock pools teeming with tropical fish and it’s a magnet for local teenagers to show off their diving skills and belly flops. Swimming in the pools is a unique experience, and it’s free.

How to get around on a budget

Tenerife has a very good bus service, and they are a reliable and cheap mode of transport. If you’re planning to move around a lot, buy a prepaid Ten+ card (available at bus stations and at selected kiosks). Multiple people can use one card and the best value comes from longer journeys.

Car hire in Tenerife is cheap and cars are generally less than two years old. Rental prices from Tenerife South Airport start from just £10 a day.* Just watch for hidden costs – some operators may coerce you into buying expensive insurance. Buying car hire excess insurance online before you leave the UK can save you up to 65%.

The cheapest way to get from the airport to your resort is the bus and frequent services operate between airport and resorts. Alternatively, taxis are metered and reliable, and are a cost-effective way to travel, particularly if there are four of you. The price of a taxi from the south airport to Los Cristianos costs around €30 and to Playa de Las Américas around €37. Ask if anyone else in the queue is going your way and share.

Insider tips

• Buy your tickets online in advance to save money on attractions. If you’re going to both Siam Park and Loro Parque, buying a twin ticket online will save you €10.
• Entry to several of Tenerife’s museums is free on Sundays, or during set hours on Fridays and Saturdays.
• As Tenerife is a tax-free island, don’t wait until you’re at the airport to pick up perfume and alcohol to take home – prices in the shops are more competitive.
• Look to the shoulder seasons of March to May and September to November to find the cheapest package holiday deals.

*Please note: all prices are accurate at time of writing. Car hire price based on the cheapest deal found on TravelSupermarket on January 26, 2024 for a 7-day rental of a mini car from Tenerife South Airport.