Things to Do in Tenerife – South, Kids, Hikes and Free Spots

Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, draws millions of visitors each year with its volcanic landscapes, sun-drenched southern resorts, and activities that cater to every age and interest. From the bustling waterfront of Playa de las Américas to the dramatic cliffs of Los Gigantes, the island offers a remarkable range of experiences beyond the typical tourist trail.

Whether you are travelling with young children, exploring with friends, or seeking solitary adventure, Tenerife delivers. The southern coast concentrates most family-oriented attractions, while the interior holds volcanic hiking trails and natural pools that feel worlds away from the beach bars. Understanding which areas match your priorities helps you plan a trip that maximizes both enjoyment and value.

This guide covers the island’s standout offerings across five key categories, backed by verified information from tourism sources and traveller accounts. Separate sections address regional highlights, age-specific activities, and budget-friendly options so you can build an itinerary tailored to your group.

Things to Do in Tenerife South

The southern region of Tenerife hosts the island’s most visited resorts, concentrated around Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos. Siam Park, widely regarded as one of Europe’s premier water parks, anchors the area’s family attractions. Its wave pools and water slides regularly appear in travel recommendations, particularly for visitors with children. Nearby, the beaches offer volcanic black sand that distinguishes the Canarian coastline from Mediterranean alternatives.

Key Insights for Southern Tenerife

• The south receives significantly more visitors than the north, particularly during peak winter months when northern Europeans seek warmth.
• Siam Park draws large crowds; arriving early or booking online helps avoid the busiest periods.
• Los Gigantes cliffs reach 800 metres in height and are visible from several free viewpoints along the coastal road.
• Natural seawater pools near Montaña Roja and La Arena provide safe swimming options for children away from open ocean currents.
• The coastal path between Playa de las Américas and Los Gigantes offers free access to dramatic volcanic scenery.
• Local markets in the south sell fresh produce and artisan goods without tourist mark-ups common in resort shops.

Things to Do in Tenerife with Kids

Families visiting Tenerife find the southern resort areas particularly well-suited to children. The beaches here feature calm waters in designated areas, gentle slopes, and nearby facilities including playgrounds and cafes. Siam Park ranks among the top recommendations for families with younger children, offering attractions scaled appropriately and shaded rest areas throughout the complex.

Water-Based Activities for Children

Natural rock pools scattered along the southern coastline provide safer alternatives to open ocean swimming. Locations such as Charco la Vaca near La Arena and the Los Gigantes natural pool offer shallow, sheltered areas where children can splash and explore with reduced risk from currents. These sites require no entry fee, making them accessible budget options for families.

Educational Attractions

Loro Parque, though located in the north near Puerto de la Cruz, frequently appears in family travel recommendations as a full-day destination. The park combines animal exhibits with educational presentations, and visitors often cite the penguin and dolphin shows as highlights. Planning a day trip to the north allows families to combine the park with visits to other northern attractions.

Coastal Exploration

Short coastal walks from Playa de las Américas toward Los Gigantes introduce children to Tenerife’s volcanic geology. The path passes viewpoints where families can observe the island’s dramatic cliff formations while spotting marine life in the waters below. Walking distances remain manageable for most children, and the scenery provides natural stopping points to rest and take photographs.

Things to Do in Tenerife for Adults

Adults visiting Tenerife without children have access to a broader range of experiences that include elevated hiking, nightlife, and cultural sites. The island’s volcanic interior rewards those who venture beyond the coastal resorts, while the southern nightlife scene offers entertainment options distinct from the family-oriented daytime activities.

Hiking and Natural Landscapes

Mount Teide dominates the island’s centre, reaching 3,718 metres and forming the peak of an ancient stratovolcano. Hiking trails range from accessible paths through the surrounding national park to the more demanding summit route that requires advance permits. The landscape changes dramatically with elevation, from pine forests at lower levels to lunar-like terrain near the summit.

Nightlife and Dining

Playa de las Américas develops a distinct evening character as daytime beach crowds disperse. Themed bars, live music venues, and late-night establishments concentrate around the waterfront areas, attracting younger adults seeking social atmosphere. Families with children will find the same areas suitable during daylight hours but may prefer quieter venues as evening approaches.

Coastal Walks for All Fitness Levels

The network of coastal paths connecting southern resort areas provides free access to scenery that tourists who rely solely on resort facilities often miss. Walkers can reach viewpoints such as Mirador Punta del Roque near the Barceló Santiago Hotel, where 800-metre vertical cliffs frame panoramic ocean views. The paths vary in difficulty, allowing walkers to choose distances and elevation changes that match their fitness preferences.

Unusual Things to Do in Tenerife

Beyond the well-promoted attractions, Tenerife offers experiences that stand apart from typical tourist itineraries. These unusual activities often cost nothing beyond transportation and provide glimpses into the island’s natural and historical character that mainstream sites cannot match.

Abandoned Sites and Ghost Towns

Sanatorio de Abona sits along Tenerife’s rugged southeastern coastline as an abandoned facility whose ruins attract visitors seeking unusual photography locations and atmospheric exploration. The site combines coastal scenery with the curiosity of derelict architecture, though visitors with young children should supervise closely due to uneven terrain and exposed structures.

Natural Rock Pools Beyond the Main Spots

While Charco la Vaca and Los Abrigos receive regular mention, lesser-known pools near Montaña Roja offer similarly calm swimming conditions without crowds. Reaching these pools may require short walks from nearby parking areas, and conditions can change following storms or high tides that shift sand and debris.

Free Whale Watching from Coastal Cliffs

The waters off Tenerife’s southern coast support marine mammal populations that visitors can observe without booking boat excursions. Clifftop viewpoints provide vantage points for spotting whales and dolphins as they surface, particularly during winter months when migration activity peaks. No equipment beyond binoculars enhances the experience for those content with distant observations.

Free Things to Do in Tenerife

Budget-conscious travellers find Tenerife’s free offerings surprisingly extensive. Natural landscapes, public beaches, and historic urban areas require no admission charges, and the island’s compact size makes multiple free excursions feasible within a single day.

Beaches and Coastal Access

Tenerife’s volcanic origin produces distinctive black sand beaches that distinguish the island from Mediterranean destinations. Playa de las Américas offers public beach sections where visitors can swim and sunbathe without paying for umbrella or lounge rental. Quieter coves along the southern coastline provide even more secluded experiences for those willing to walk beyond the main resort areas.

Market Visits

Local markets in the south sell fresh produce, artisan products, and traditional goods at prices that reflect their market rather than tourist positioning. Visiting these markets provides cultural immersion while offering opportunities to purchase affordable food items for picnics or self-catering arrangements. Market days vary by location, with several operating on weekday mornings.

Hiking Without Summit Permits

The Teide National Park contains numerous trails that do not require summit permits, allowing hikers to experience volcanic landscapes without advance planning. The area around the Visitor Centre provides accessible paths through distinctive geological formations, while the lunar-like terrain surrounding the main trail rewards those who venture beyond the most popular routes.

When to Visit: Seasonal Overview

Understanding Tenerife’s seasonal patterns helps visitors align their interests with optimal conditions. Weather, crowd levels, and specific wildlife opportunities vary throughout the year, creating different experiences depending on when you travel.

1. January to March: Peak whale watching season as cetaceans migrate through Canarian waters; cool mountain conditions require layering; southern resorts busiest with northern European winter escapees.
2. April to June: Pleasant temperatures for hiking; wildflowers in northern valleys; manageable crowd levels at major attractions; ideal conditions for outdoor activities.
3. July to August: School holiday peak brings families; highest temperatures in south; beaches crowded; advance booking essential for popular attractions.
4. September to October: Shoulder season benefits include reduced crowds and lower accommodation rates; sea warmth remains suitable for swimming; some attractions enter maintenance periods.
5. November to December: Quieter resort areas; Christmas period brings festive atmosphere but higher prices; northern hiking still viable on clear days.

What We Know and What Remains Unclear

Transparency about information quality helps readers assess the reliability of recommendations. The following comparison separates established facts from areas where uncertainty persists or verification remains limited.

Understanding Tenerife’s Geography and Character

Tenerife’s volcanic origins shape nearly every aspect of the visitor experience. The island rises from sea level to over 3,700 metres within a relatively compact area, creating dramatic climate and landscape variations within short driving distances. This topography influences where settlements developed, how infrastructure connects different regions, and what activities each area best supports.

The north and south developed distinct characters as tourism grew. The northern coastline around Puerto de la Cruz preserves more traditional Canarian architecture and mature vegetation, while the south developed more rapidly with purpose-built resorts designed around beach holidays and entertainment. Each orientation offers different advantages depending on what travellers prioritize during their visit.

Credibility and Source Assessment

This guide draws from tourism authority sources, travel publications, and aggregated traveller reviews to ensure recommendations reflect reliable information. Official tourism bodies provide baseline accuracy for attraction status and location, while experiential sources contribute perspectives on visitor experience and practical considerations that official materials may not cover.

The diversity of Tenerife means that no single visit can capture everything the island offers. Returning visitors often discover new areas in subsequent trips, finding that their initial focus on either coast or mountains represented only part of what makes the island worth exploring again and again.

Summary and Recommendations

Tenerife accommodates a remarkable range of holiday styles within a single island destination. Families with young children gravitate toward the southern resorts where beaches, water parks, and natural pools provide safe, engaging environments. Adults seeking active holidays find the volcano hiking trails, coastal walks, and nightlife scenes equally compelling. Those travelling on tighter budgets discover that the island’s natural landscapes, public beaches, and local markets offer full days of activity without admission costs.

For deeper exploration of Tenerife’s free and unusual activities, consult dedicated travel guides focused on the southern region. Comprehensive overviews of all major attractions across the island complement site-specific planning by providing broader context for your itinerary decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions