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Visiting Tenerife in December

BySunMed Guide

Visiting Tenerife in December

# Tenerife in December: What It’s Actually Like

December in Tenerife is genuinely interesting because the island splits into two completely different weather realities depending on where you are. The south – Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, that whole strip – stays relatively warm and dry, hovering around 20-22°C on good days. The north, including Puerto de la Cruz and around Teide, gets cloudier, cooler, and wetter. This isn’t a minor difference. It can be bright sunshine in the south while the north is sitting under a grey blanket. Pick your base accordingly.

Rainfall is honestly unpredictable. December sits in Tenerife’s wetter season, so you might get a completely dry fortnight or you might get a few days of proper downpours, particularly if you’re heading inland or north. Don’t assume it’ll be Mediterranean sunshine. Bring a light waterproof and manage your expectations.

Crowds are refreshingly manageable through most of December, right up until the final week. Early and mid-December is genuinely pleasant for getting around – restaurants have space, beaches aren’t rammed, and you’re not fighting for a sunlounger. Then Christmas week and New Year arrive and package holiday crowds surge significantly. If you’re going specifically for that festive period, book everything well ahead.

Everything stays open. Unlike some European destinations that half-close for winter, Tenerife’s tourist infrastructure runs year-round. Attractions, boat trips, water parks, restaurants – all operational.

**Is it worth going?** For sun-seekers fleeing northern European winter, absolutely yes, with caveats. You’ll get enough warmth to sit outside comfortably, but you’re not guaranteed beach weather every day. It’s excellent for walkers, older travellers who hate summer heat and crowds, and anyone who wants a relaxed pace without peak-season prices.

It’s probably not ideal if you need guaranteed beach-every-day sunshine – that’s what July is for.

**One practical tip:** Stay south of the island. Specifically south. If December cloud and rain sounds annoying rather than charming, book accommodation between Los Cristianos and Golf del Sur and you’ll consistently get the best of whatever weather December decides to offer.

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