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Original poster

Is tenerife really awful?

98 replies

TravellingSpoon · 08/08/2019 08:30

Seen in mentioned on so many worst holiday threads.

Am taking the DC's on October. Hotel has good reviews but now I am nervous it's going to be awful.

OP posts:
ourkidmolly · 08/08/2019 11:11

I didn't find it a particularly cheap holiday as one poster claimed but then we went to decent restaurants and had expensive excursions. I thought it was fine. Good place for October half term. Every destination has downmarket areas but normally has lovely spots too.

howwudufeel · 08/08/2019 11:17

It’s a question of seeking out what you like. I wouldn’t go near the pubs but we found a couple of amazing restaurants where we ate some of the best food i’ve ever had. The water park is very good for dc as is the trip to Tiede to see the night sky. I even managed a couple of churches!

Mrsjayy · 08/08/2019 11:26

Some of our party went on a Teide excursion and we went to Loro parque which is lovely untill i saw they had orcas which im not comfy with was such a shame .

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Branleuse · 08/08/2019 11:31

I went one winter and we stayed in garachico in the north, on a banana plantation. Skinny dipped in incredible enormous volcanic rock pools while atlantic waves towered around us and Teide in the background. Honestly its gorgeous in the north. We came down to the south a couple of times for the day, once for a whale watching trip. Very different vibe in the south. Much more brits abroad, but a couple of degrees hotter, calmer seas etc, but id definitely rather stay north

Singleandproud · 08/08/2019 11:36

We are off to Tenerife in a couple of days, we stay in Los Gigantes its less touristy than Playa des Américas but los Cristianos is a short bus ride a way. We live by a lovely beach anyway so go for the sun, pool and water parks and we’ll do a couple of day trips to Mount Teide etc. We aren’t interested in drinking etc so stay out of the way of those areas. The benefit of it being a very Anglo destination is that most people speak English which is helpful.

Singleandproud · 08/08/2019 11:38

Yes, we also wont be visiting Loro Parque because they have orcas..

Seeline · 08/08/2019 11:43

HAve stayed in Los Gigantes and Costa Adeje, and love Tenerife. We always hire a car and get out and about to see the real Tenerife. The north is beautiful, as is driving through the pine forests to get to Mount Teide. definitely recommend a trip up the volcano on the cable car - amazing views. Some of the old towns and villages in the north are beautiful.

Timeforatincture · 08/08/2019 11:53

We went in February and self catered in the North of the island. So beautiful. We were 2 middle aged couples who enjoy walking, loafing about and eating fish so it was perfect.
Having flown to Tenerife South we had to drive by all the resorts on the way and they looked grim.
On the day we were flying home we stopped off at one of them for a whale watching trip. The trip was superb, escorted by serious biologists, but the resort (forget the name) was frightful. The sort of place where bar owners lurk outside their establishment trying to lure you in, and people wander the streets selling nasty sunglasses.
TL,DR - trashy down south, stunning up north.

mintich · 08/08/2019 12:09

What hotel are you going to? I've always loved our holidays in Tenerife. It's easy to avoid the "brits abroad" bars

Milicentbystander72 · 08/08/2019 12:14

We had an amazing holiday in Tenerife a few years back.

It all depends what you want to do - yes we did the big water park (kids LOVED it), but we also did a star gazing evening, volcano treck, yacht trip out into the ocean and saw dolphins and swam with turtles, went in a small submarine.....

We saved up to book a lovely hotel. No Brits abroad or tacky pubs. It was the most relaxing holiday I'd had in a long time.

poppym12 · 08/08/2019 12:16

Tenerife is my go to place for some relaxing sunshine when travelling alone. I've stayed all over the island and find the people to be warm and welcoming.

I avoid busy bar areas and child friendly areas but there are plenty of those places if that's what you want from a holiday.

I find Tenerife to be an island where most tastes can be accounted for and have had far worse times in Greece and the Spanish Costas.

MarriageOfPigaro · 08/08/2019 12:27

Well if you stay on the south with all the sheep, yes it's not horrendous, but too much Blackpool for me. I used to live on Tenerife and only ever set foot in the south once a year to get my mince pies at Xmas. There is Nothing stopping you go to the North, its 45 mins away on a bus and a different world. Its authentic Spain with beautiful Canarian architecture...there is an amazing volcano to visit, loads of greenery and local markets and not a sunburnt oik in sight. You can leave Los cris you know!

timetomoveon · 08/08/2019 12:48

We stayed in the north in the Anaga hills - lovely and great for walks/hikes. We visited Teresitas beach on the north as well which we liked too. And of course Teide - definitely worth the trip unless you’re scared of heights.
We took the kids to Siam water park as well but that was the only time we went near the south of the island.

Pinkout · 08/08/2019 13:09

I call the Canary Islands Butlins abroad. It’s not my cup of tea but can understand why many enjoy it. Great for children, I went as a child and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Groovee · 08/08/2019 13:20

We're booked for Costa Adeje in Dec. Looking forward to some winter sun x

ReginaGeorgeous · 08/08/2019 13:45

I've been to Costa Adeje and have booked up to go again next Easter.

Yes, it is touristy, but in a lot of ways that can be an advantage when you're travelling with children - for example if you needed to see a doctor or a pharmacist, you'll be able to easily find one that speaks English.

Siam Park waterpark was a massive hit with our daughter and nephew. The beaches are nice enough, and the majority of hotels have pools that are great for kids.

FunnyHappyGirl · 08/08/2019 14:12

For those looking for a whale and dolphin watching trip, I recommend Atlantic Eco Experience that sails from Costa Adeje. Run by a marine biologist and has a maximum of 10 people per trip (there was only us and one other couple on our trip). They use a hydrophone for you to listen to the whales and dolphins underwater too, which is fabulous.

A lot of the local dolphin and whale watching companies do not treat the wildlife well (harrassing and chasing them, etc).

howwudufeel · 08/08/2019 14:15

I agree that the north is beautiful. It’s so much greener than the south and just a totally different vibe. Tenerife people were all really lovely. Possibility the friendliest place I have ever been to.

CocoLoco87 · 08/08/2019 14:16

Been to Costa Adeje and loved it!!

FunnyHappyGirl · 08/08/2019 14:16

But overall, yes, we love tenerife. A PP explained it well in that there's no pressure to actually DO anything. I love exploring places and have done some very hectic sightseeing based holidays, but if you just want to chill out and relax, you can't beat it.

howwudufeel · 08/08/2019 14:16

We haven’t been to the zoo either because we were worried about the animals. The water park however is well worth a visit.

Linseedlill · 08/08/2019 14:19

Each to their own, but I only really liked Mount Tiede but we were staying in the south unfortunately!

userxx · 08/08/2019 14:35

@Mrsjayy If you have watched Blackfish you will know how those orca's are treated. My mum and dad dragged me around it years ago as a child, I was in tears by the time we left.

quitefranklyivehadenough · 08/08/2019 14:50

I'm in Tenerife now. We went air bnb in Golf del Sur. not as busy as other places which we like. It's my first time here. DP was here 25 years ago. Funnily enough I was just saying to my girls about an hour ago I was disappointed at lack of "spanishness"we've experienced.
Lovely sightseeing- Teide, Loro Parque and generally driving round the island. Eating out quite cheap.
Nice but probably won't be back.

quitefranklyivehadenough · 08/08/2019 14:52

OP if you're hiring a car I would recommend CICAR as one of the few where you don't pay CDW