car hire tenerife
Pick up your hire car at Tenerife airport and enjoy the year-round sun of this Canary that sings sweetly. Book car hire Tenerife now
the 60-second guide to Tenerife
in its own head
"We're the biggest and the best Canary Island, a place sculpted by a history of impressive volcanic eruptions, making us a marvel on the eyes."
but more realistically
It is indeed all of those things - along with being an enormous tourist magnet. Over 1.5 million Brits visit the place every year to take their tops off and get a nice tan.
the vibe
With sunshine all year round, the holiday vibe never really goes away. So expect to find a lot of people unwinding by day, or letting their hair down by night.
the natives
While most holiday makers head to the south of the island, the lion's share of the locals live up north in Santa Cruz. And they're a friendly bunch.
the weather
Known as the 'Island of Eternal Spring', the weather is never bad, and the average temperature is around 28 degrees during the summer months.
the local speciality
Potato fans will be in for a treat with the papas arrungadas, which are spuds boiled in water with a lot of salt, until the water evaporates, forming a salty crust.
the celebrity
Lineker's Bar in Playa de las Americas is owned by ex-England footballer Gary's brother Wayne, no less.
did you know?
Admiral Nelson lost his right arm in Tenerife, thanks to a cannon ball. It's sort of his own fault - he'd launched an attack on the island.
they say
"From the coast up to its mountaintops, Tenerife is a universe of marked contrasts." - Canary Islands Tourist Board.
5 to see in town...
- 1. Playa de las Vistas beach
- 2. Los Cristianos
- 3: Plaza Iglesia, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- 4: Nuestra Senora de La Pena de Francia
- 5: Loro Parque
Great for families, this massive stretch of beach in the main resort of Playa de las Americas has everything you could wish for: fine sand, hot sun, decent restaurants, bars... and a McDonalds.
where to park?
There's a large, free car park by the harbour on the eastern side of the beach.
5 to see in town...
- 1. Playa de las Vistas beach
- 2. Los Cristianos
- 3: Plaza Iglesia, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- 4: Nuestra Senora de La Pena de Francia
- 5: Loro Parque
Situated next to Playa de las Americas, this is the ferry port to be seen at, especially if you want to go dolphin or whale-watching.
where to park?
You can park your hire car in the car park that's right by the harbour.
5 to see in town...
- 1. Playa de las Vistas beach
- 2. Los Cristianos
- 3: Plaza Iglesia, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- 4: Nuestra Senora de La Pena de Francia
- 5: Loro Parque
The main square in Tenerife's capital boasts a church with a striking bell tower, along with some trendy bars.
where to park?
There are underground car parks in Plaza de Espana, Mercado de Nuestra Senora de Africa and Calle Ramon y Cajal.
5 to see in town...
- 1. Playa de las Vistas beach
- 2. Los Cristianos
- 3: Plaza Iglesia, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- 4: Nuestra Senora de La Pena de Francia
- 5: Loro Parque
The main church in Puerto de la Cruz, the old colonial town in the north, is worth stepping inside for the cool air and the beautiful interior.
where to park?
There's a large free car park at the Parque Maritimo on Calle Santo Domingo.
5 to see in town...
- 1. Playa de las Vistas beach
- 2. Los Cristianos
- 3: Plaza Iglesia, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- 4: Nuestra Senora de La Pena de Francia
- 5: Loro Parque
'Loro' is Spanish for 'parrot' so yes, this is a parrot park. Yet while it's famous for its colourful bird collection, this Puerto de la Cruz institution boasts pretty impressive tigers, gorillas and creepy crawlies too.
where to park?
Loro Parque has its own dedicated car park where you can park your hire car for free.
and 4 to drive to...
Made from finest lava stone, these zany pyramids carry a similar mystical vibe to Stonehenge.
how to get there?
From Playa de las Americas follow the main coast road, the TF-1, east until exit 11, which is signposted to Guimar. It's a 35-mile drive.
and 4 to drive to...
Home to El Teide, the highest mountain in Spain and a volcano to boot. Thankfully it's now dormant - it last blew its top in 1909.
how to get there?
Leave Playa de las Americas on the TF-28 heading to Arona. Join the TF-51, which leads up to the park via Vilaflor and the TF-21.
and 4 to drive to...
- 1: Guimar Pyramids
- 2: Teide National Park
- 3: Tacoronte Acentejo
- 4: Macizo de Anaga
Tenerife is famous for making some spectacular bottles of wine and this is one of the main wine brewing areas, with around 50 vineyards.
how to get there?
Follow the TF-1 eastwards from Playa de las Americas to exit 6A, where you join the TF-2 then the TF-5, following signs to Tacoronte. It's about an hour's journey.
and 4 to drive to...
It's impossible to realistically comprehend just how devastating volcanoes are unless you've witnessed a spectacular mountain range fashioned from an eruption eight million years ago. Like this one.
how to get there?
From Playa de las Americas take the TF-1 to exit 6A, then head for San Cristobal de la Laguna, then onto the TF-13, which takes you up into the Parque Rural de Anaga.
ask a Tenerife cabbie!
Local taxi driver Javier Gonzalez on car hire in Tenerife: "My best recommendation is just to be relaxed when you drive in Tenerife and that's it! There's no difficulty driving on the island and the locals are really laid-back. If you're in Santa Cruz de Tenerife or La Laguna watch out for trams - you don't want to get into an argument with them! Also, when you park in the street, you very occasionally might come across someone who wants to charge you money for 'guarding' your hire car. This is not legal - don't pay them!"
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