Traveling internationally with children can be nerve-racking, whether it’s your first family adventure or your eldest’s passport is already running out of pages. You want everyone to have a great time (yourself included), ideally away from screens, with food everyone enjoys and a hotel that’s both relaxing and fun.
The list of needs is endless – but does such a destination even exist?
Spain’s Canary Islands – and especially Costa Adeje, an up-market resort town on the southern coast of Tenerife – come close. There are several reasons why Tenerife family holidays are so easy to plan and execute.
The calm beaches like Playa del Duque and Playa Fañabé offer gentle waves and soft sand, perfect for little ones to splash and play. Teide National Park is a haven for budding vulcanologists; Loro Parque’s massive penguinarium feels straight out of a nature documentary; and the UNESCO-listed San Cristóbal de La Laguna stands as a cultural heavyweight.
Beyond the resort areas, picturesque mountain villages and cultural port towns offer countless opportunities to taste Tenerife’s cuisine – a delicious fusion of Spanish, African and Latin American influences.
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Meet our Tenerife insider
For Natalia Muñoz, Marketing Executive at Tivoli La Caleta Tenerife Resort, Tenerife was the enchanting backdrop to every childhood family holiday. Eight years ago, she made the island her home, trading Madrid for Tenerife’s natural beauty, laid-back lifestyle and active adventures. Now, as an experienced traveller with a soft spot for Tenerife, she shares her top tips for making the most of the destination – whether you're exploring with young kids barely out of nappies or brooding teens.
Things to do in Costa Adeje for families
Nature is Tenerife’s calling card, and if you love spending time in the wilderness, you’ll have a blast here. At the same time, the island’s well-developed tourism industry makes exploring with young children effortless, thanks to family-friendly parks and cruises that keep adventures fun without being too tiring for little ones.
1. Exploring Loro Parque in Puerto de la Cruz
More a park than a zoo, Loro Parque is home to more than 400 animal species – from parrots and big cats to dolphins – all housed in thoughtfully designed habitats. The park’s penguinarium, which recreates the polar climate of Antarctica with real snow and a massive iceberg, is the showstopper. Meanwhile, the Katandra Treetops experience recreates Australian bird-flight habitats with suspension bridges and lush vegetation, putting you among rainbow lorikeets and other chatty Australasian birds.
If – for ethical reasons – you’re hesitant about visiting a zoo with your kids, rest assured – Loro Parque is an internationally accredited conservation park. The team is committed to ethical animal care and aims to inspire the next generation to protect our planet’s incredible biodiversity.
2. Ethical dolphin and whale watching cruises in Tenerife
For truly ethical Tenerife family holidays, consider a Los Cristianos whale and dolphin watching cruise – a no-chase adventure with eco-yacht options that include swimming stops and relaxing catamaran excursions.
The year-round tours follow a strict no-chase policy, meaning boats never pursue or pressure marine life, allowing the animals to interact naturally. Dolphins and whales, being curious creatures, often approach the vessels on their own, creating unscripted encounters that never fail to leave everyone on board in awe – sometimes with a refreshing splash as a bonus.
Throughout the year, you can spot both resident and migratory species on these excursions, including family pods of short-finned pilot whales, playful bottlenose dolphins and speckled Atlantic spotted dolphins, which are more commonly seen in warmer months.
In deeper waters, you might encounter sperm whales, known for their massive heads and their literary fame – immortalised in Moby-Dick as the ultimate challenge for whalers. While orcas are not resident to Tenerife, they occasionally pass through its waters, so don’t rule out a lucky sighting.
3. Splashing fun: Siam Park
Regularly voted the best water park in the world, Siam Park is both thrilling and family friendly.
There are lazy rivers with alternating relaxing and rapid sections; surfing wave pools, reaching up to three metres high; and plenty of slides for every age group, including a near-vertical drop through a shark-filled aquarium and a gravity-defying funnel slide. For the littlest guests, a multi-level water playground and scaled-down versions of the park’s biggest slides ensure they’re just as thrilled as the older adventurers.
The park’s name pays homage to the Kingdom of Siam – modern-day Thailand – and its design was developed in collaboration with the Thai royal family, ensuring that the architecture and cultural elements are both authentic and respectful. Coincidentally, the Thai theme extends to Anantara Spa at Tivoli La Caleta Tenerife Resort, less than ten minutes away, offering a blend of Thai wellness and Ayurveda therapies.
Another option for thrill-seekers in the south-west of Tenerife is Aqualand Costa Adeje – a dynamic destination with shorter waiting times and fewer crowds.
4. Exploring Mount Teide with kids
If you make Tivoli La Caleta your base, you’ll be perfectly positioned to visit Teide National Park, Spain’s highest peak and one of the world’s largest volcanic structures, just a 1.5-hour drive away.
A cable car ride up Mount Teide transports you to a world of craters, lava flows and chimneys, gliding over volcanic terrain before depositing you above the clouds, where you can explore scenic walking trails leading to the summit – accessible for all ages.
Stroll around the upper station, take in the views and soak in the sheer scale of this awe-inspiring landscape before heading back down. Deepen your understanding of geology at El Portillo Visitor Center offering educational exhibits on the park’s geology, flora and fauna.
In the afternoon, make your way to the Teide Observatory, an international hub of solar research, where older children can join astronomy workshops and guided nighttime tours, armed with a professional solar telescope.
Both the cable car and observatory tours require reservations. Conditions at high altitudes can change quickly, and it can be cold and windy at the summit – even in summer – so dressing appropriately is essential.
5. Best Tenerife beach for families: Playa de Las Teresitas
Staying close to the tourist areas, family-friendly Playa Fañabé and upscale Playa del Duque both offer excellent amenities for endless fun in the sun. But Natalia, our insider, recommends heading instead to Playa de Las Teresitas, located farther from the main tourist hubs.
Protected by a breakwater, this emblematic beach is best known for its soft, golden sand imported from the Sahara – perfect for building sandcastles, running barefoot and relaxing under the sun. The calm, lagoon-like conditions make swimming safe and enjoyable for little ones. Shady palm trees offer natural retreat from the heat, with plenty of spots for a cool picnic or nap.
Playa de Las Teresitas boasts excellent amenities, from lifeguards and showers to a variety of restaurants and cafés a short walk away, serving delicious Canarian dishes, from churros and ice cream to grilled fish. Alternatively, visit San Andrés, the nearby fishing village, for an authentic local meal.
6. Downtown exploration: discovering La Laguna
San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife’s UNESCO-listed historic town, is rightfully considered the cultural heart of the island.
You can join a guided family-friendly tour that brings the town’s history to life with interactive storytelling or explore on your own, strolling along the cobbled streets lined with 16th-century mansions and churches.
Many plazas, like Plaza del Adelantado, have open areas for kids to roam freely while parents enjoy a coffee at nearby cafés. Grab a barraquito – a popular drink combining liquor, coffee and lemon – while children run around spotting vibrant murals, then explore local art galleries tucked between historic buildings together. Browse quaint shops for handmade ceramics, woven baskets and local wines, making great gifts or keepsakes.
Our insider, Natalia, recommends a pit-stop at the Mercado de La Laguna or Nuestra Señora de África Market in Santa Cruz – traditional markets selling fresh produce, handmade crafts and local delicacies. Sample queso de flor, a unique local cheese infused with thistle flower extract, or pick up a slice of bienmesabe, a classic almond-based dessert influenced by Moorish cuisine.
With so much to see and explore, staying nearby will save you the trouble of arranging private transportation for your daily excursions. From NH Tenerife, you will be close to such attractions as Teatro Guimerá that runs family-friendly performances and educational programmes; the excellent Museum of Nature and Archaeology (MUNA); and the cruise terminal at Muelle Sur from where popular whale and dolphin watching tours depart.
7. Walking the Anaga Rural Park, a green wonderland for families
Nestled in the island’s northeastern corner, Anaga Rural Park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve where misty laurel forests, dramatic cliffs, deep ravines and hidden villages offer a cultural experience in the wild.
The “Sendero de los Sentidos” (Path of the Senses) is a perfect kid-friendly route, where they are encouraged to touch, smell and listen to the magic of the forest. You will be walking through prehistoric laurel forests, some of the oldest woodlands in Europe, shrouded in mist and mystery. There are picnic areas in the park, ideal for a scenic family lunch in nature.
Beyond the trails, your Tenerife family holiday can be enhanced with a visit to the nearby Taganana, one of the island’s oldest villages, offering a glimpse into Canarian traditions, with whitewashed houses and family-run restaurants serving fresh seafood.
Wild beaches, such as Benijo, known for its black volcanic sand and dramatic rock formations, are perfect for an adventurous seaside escape. Keep an eye out for endemic birds and lizards, adding a touch of wildlife discovery to your hike.
The weather in Anaga can be cooler and misty, so bring jackets or sweaters. Trails are well-marked but can be uneven, so sturdy hiking shoes are recommended.
8. Winter in Tenerife: the carnival season
Summer school holidays are a popular time to visit Tenerife, but January and February offer another fantastic opportunity. While the cooler temperatures (averaging 19°C to 21°C) might make swimming less ideal, you’ll get to experience the spectacular Carnival of Tenerife.
One of the biggest such celebrations in the world, it is often compared to Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival in its scale and significance. Dating back to the 18th century, the carnival blends European, Latin American and African influences, filling the streets of Santa Cruz de Tenerife with hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world. The carnival lasts weeks, featuring street parties, concerts and parades.
Expect elaborate costumes, extravagant floats, daily performances and the biggest draw – the Carnival Queen competition where contestants wear jaw-dropping, intricately designed outfits that can weigh over 100 kg.
The Burial of the Sardine marks the end of the main festivities, but celebrations continue with the Piñata Weekend, which features everything from a children’s parade to classic car exhibitions and fireworks.
Where to eat in Tenerife with children?
Finding food that pleases everyone in a new and unfamiliar destination can be a challenge. But in Spain – home to world-renowned cuisine – even the most finicky eaters will find themselves eagerly anticipating mealtime.
Start your local food exploration with a visit to a guachinche – a traditional, family-run eatery, originally created by local wine producers to sell their homemade wines alongside authentic Canarian dishes. Many guachinches operate only for a few months each year, offering a cosy, no-frills dining experience, with a focus on simple yet delicious food like grilled meats, hearty stews and papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes) with spicy mojo sauce.
Left to right: papas arrugadas, lapas with green salsa, churros
For a special evening, Natalia recommends Etéreo by Pedro Nel in Santa Cruz, specialising in creative, elegant dishes inspired by Canarian and Colombian flavours. Bola by Jorge Bosch in Tegueste puts a modern, bold spin on Canarian cuisine in a stylish, relaxed setting. Meanwhile, Haydée in La Orotava, an alfresco fine dining spot from Víctor Suárez, blends innovation with Canarian roots.
Outside the guachinche circuit, Tenerife is home to excellent beach clubs, such as SEEN – the city’s newest gastronomic space with beach club vibes.
After a week in Tenerife, building sandcastles from Saharan sand, hiking through volcanic landscapes and gorging on fresh seafood, you might find yourself falling for the island’s magic. So much so that you’ll want to return next year. And the year after that. Who knows? One day, one of your kids might even decide to call it home. That’s the beauty of great family holidays – they leave a mark that lasts a lifetime.
Plan your perfect Tenerife family holidays with Minor Hotels in Tenerife.
