Family Holidays to Tenerife

Treat the whole family with a holiday to Tenerife

Water babies and nature lovers alike will have no trouble settling into the gorgeous shores of Tenerife.

Flights from UK airports will have you in the air for approximately four and a half hours so you can be enjoying that year-round sun in no time at all. As the biggest and most sought-out of the Canary Islands, Tenerife has a reputation as a Renaissance island. Here, Blue Flag beaches, volcanic landscapes and activities like waterparks and theme parks take centre stage, making it a holiday destination especially loved by families.

Playa de las Americas boasts sheltered shores and regular bus services to Siam Park, the super-sized Thai-themed waterpark where you could easily spend days having fun on the slides. Costa Adeje plays host to its own waterpark, not to mention more Blue Flag award-winning beaches than any other resort on the island. Playa de la Arena brings up the rear as far as top family-friendly destinations go, adding a gorgeous black sand beach and snorkelling opportunities to the mix.

Best family friendly beaches

Playa del Camison beach in Playa de las Americas is a small, sheltered cove whose water is tempered by a line of rocks, making it a top place for kids to splash around. Alongside Troya Beach, it’s backed by restaurants and shops, so you won’t have to go far to find the little ones a snack.

There are plenty of beaches in Costa Adeje that have been awarded the Blue Flag for cleanliness, like Playa Fanabe and its array of watersports, or the cafe-lined shores of Playa del Duque. The name ‘Playa de la Arena’ literally means ‘Beach of Sand’, and the resort’s black volcanic sand beach is the area’s centre of attention, well-attended to with watersport facilities and restaurants.

Best family activities in Tenerife

The beaches are undoubtedly the biggest draw for families in Tenerife, but fun in the sun out here extends well beyond the coasts. Siam Park is a waterpark palace with sky high slides, splash parks and wave pools surrounded by Thai-themed buildings. Playa de las Americas and Costa Adeje are also within reach of the Tiede National Park, where picnics and hiking excursions abound. But if you do want to stay close to the coast, there are dolphin and whale-watching tours that should impress any little animal lover.

Other popular holidays in the Canary Islands

If you love the idea of booking a family holiday but are still making up your mind as to where you’d like to go, there are plenty of other amazing destinations to check out. Take a look at other islands in the Canaries like Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. Or, if you’re set on a holiday to Tenerife, check out our travel guide for more information on how to plan your perfect family holiday in the Spanish sun. Here are some great family-friendly hotels to get you started.

Other popular family holidays

Gran Canaria | Lanzarote | Cyprus | Portugal | Spain

Marylanza Suites and Spa Resort

Two main pools plus a kid pool are the focus of this quiet hotel, seconded only by a buffet restaurant and gourmet sampling menu. There’s a full-sized gym for adults to escape to and a play centre for kids up to the age of 12. The hotel is only a 15-minute walk from shops, restaurants and the beach, while nightlife entertainment is also taken care of.

Compostela Beach Golf Apartments

This hotel is anchored by its lake-like pool, which stares down an 18-hole golf course. There’s a kids pool, games room and playground on offer here too, though the Compostela’s main selling point is undoubtedly the fact that staying here gets you free admission into nearby Siam Park. The beach is just a 15-minute walk away, but the hotel’s bike hire service can help the whole family get there faster.

SuneoClub Playa Real Tenerife

Less than a 10-minute walk from Fanabe Beach, SuneoClub Playa Real boasts a serene pool scene complete with a kids pool, playground and family-friendly activities all day and into the evening, including a mini disco. The rooms are apartment-style and equipped with kitchenettes so you can whip up snacks and meals for fussy eaters, although the hotel’s buffet restaurant should also help take care of that.

Be Live Experience Playa La Arena

Staring straight out to sea and with a pool scene that’s jaw-droppingly huge, this 4* hotel is only a few minutes walk from the beach and features a huge array of onsite games and activities. While adults may have a VIP lounge, little ones get a kids’ club for those aged four to seven and eight to 12, their own pool plus access to three other pools and a waterslide, and a playground.

H10 Las Palmeras Hotel

The H10 Las Palmeras is a high-flying hotel that sprawls around a seriously massive pool scene. There are two swimming pools in total, plus four restaurants – including a buffet option – a sports court and evening entertainment. Kids keep especially happy with their own pool and indoor playground, as well as a kids’ club for little ones aged four to 11.