5 Tips for Visiting Tenerife on a Budget

Tenerife is the largest of Spain’s beautiful Canary Islands. Sitting pretty off the coast of Africa, it has beautiful beaches, fantastic landscapes, and great nightlife.

With numerous cultural and historical sights to enjoy, as well as activities for the family, it’s not surprising that Tenerife is a popular holiday destination. But how can you enjoy a holiday in Tenerife without blowing your budget? Keep reading to find out.

Tips for Visiting Tenerife on a Budget

Here are my top tips for visiting Tenerife on a budget:

1. Get a cheap flight

There are lots of options for finding budget flights. Rather than trawl through all the different providers, use a service like Skyscanner or Google Flights. They will bring up the cheapest options and you can choose the one that suits you best.

2. Stay self-catered

Going self-catered means you’re in control of the food budget – allowing you to reduce costs by a truly significant amount! It will encourage you to go out and experience the local food culture, and you will get more living space than if you book into a hotel.

3. Travel by bus

The Tenerife bus service is reliable, cheap, and grants you access to all corners of the island. You can buy a reusable pass called a Tenmas or ten+ card at kiosks and at bus stations. You can also buy it from the Lyca mobile shop in Tenerife airport just beyond baggage reclaim. It costs €2 and you can then top it up in €5 increments. You can buy a weekly pass on it or pay for individual journeys.

4. Choose accommodation within walking distance of amenities

Your cheapest form of transport? Walking! Choose what’s most important to you – beaches, sights, or nightlife – and make sure your accommodation is within walking distance.

5. Free fun

There are lots of free things to do in Tenerife for free, besides going to the beach:

● Visit La Orotava in the north of the island and see the traditional Canarian architecture. While you’re there you can see the Hijuela del Botanico or Botanical Gardens, which are free to enter.

● The Canary Islands’ Regional Military Museum is free all the time and contains all kinds of weaponry from the 16th to 19th centuries. And there are even two decommissioned military helicopters in the grounds!

● You can’t visit Tenerife and not see Mount Teide, the island’s active volcano. It’s the third-highest volcano in the world and receives about 3.5 million visitors per year. If you want to hike to the top you will need to book a permit in advance, but it is free. Otherwise, you can enjoy a walk through the park – try the hour-long walk starting from Parador Nacional, but make sure you have good walking shoes, a coat, and snacks.

Related Questions

What is the cheapest month to go to Tenerife?

The cheapest months to visit Tenerife are March, April, May, October, and November. It’s a little cooler in these months, outside the peak of summer, but it’s still pleasant. And you may even enjoy the milder weather.

What currency is used in Tenerife?

Tenerife may be closer to Africa than Europe, but don’t be fooled! As the Canary Islands are part of Spain, the currency in Tenerife is still the euro.

How much spending money will I need in Tenerife?

If you follow all of the budget tips in this guide, I’d recommend about €100 per day spending money whilst you’re there. If you are in self-catered accommodation then the costs for food and drink would be lower.

Is it expensive to eat out in Tenerife?

It can be if you make it! But if you choose an all-you-can-eat buffet you can fill up for about €10 per person. Rates will obviously vary from place to place, so you’ll find the best deal by shopping around a bit first.

It can be hard to plan a budget holiday sometimes, especially with the possibility of some unforeseen expenses cropping up. But with the right planning and research, it’s possible to book a budget holiday in Tenerife that’s still packed full of fun and adventure.

Hopefully these tips have given you a good starting point as you begin to plan your next trip.