Tenerife is called the island of eternal spring: trade winds and the cool Canary Current keep it between 18 and 28 °C all year. January, deep in the European winter, is a good time to see both sides of the island: the warm coast and the snowy volcano within a day's drive.
Weather: south or north
A mountain ridge splits the island, and the weather differs on each side.
- South (Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje): sunny and dry, about 21–22 °C by day and 15 °C at night. People swim even in January — the water is about 19 °C.
- North (Puerto de la Cruz, La Laguna): a couple of degrees cooler, more cloud and short showers, but everything is green.
- Mountains: above 2,000 m winter is real — frost at night and possible snow on Teide.
Simple advice: stay in the south or west and visit the north and the mountains on day trips. Bring a warm layer and a windproof either way.
Mount Teide
Teide is Spain's highest point at 3,715 m, and the national park around it is a UNESCO site. The drive across the Las Cañadas caldera is worth it alone: frozen lava flows, the Roques de García and the volcano in view.
- The cable car goes from 2,356 to 3,555 m in 8 minutes. Book ahead at volcanoteide.com. In winter it often closes for wind or ice, so plan Teide early in the trip to keep a spare day.
- The summit. The last 160 m on the Telesforo Bravo trail need a free permit booked at reservasparquesnacionales.es, usually weeks in advance. In winter the trail can close for snow.
- Altitude. There is noticeably less air at 3,500 m: move slowly and avoid exertion; children and people with heart conditions should stay at the middle station.
Masca Gorge
The narrow gorge from the mountain village of Masca down to the ocean is one of the finest hikes in the Canaries. The descent takes 3–4 hours over rocks and dry streambeds, and the only way out is by sea: at Masca Bay you board a compulsory boat to Los Gigantes. Entry is by advance booking on the official site caminobarrancodemasca.com, where you also get the boat ticket; a helmet is handed out at the start. In rough seas the boat and the trail close, so keep the date flexible.
Anaga and the north
The Anaga mountains in the north-east are the opposite of the lunar south: ancient laurel forest, mist in the canopy, villages on ridges and ocean viewpoints. It is a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Short trails such as the Sendero de los Sentidos work even for half a day. Nearby are the old town of La Laguna, also UNESCO-listed, and Puerto de la Cruz with the black Playa Jardín.
Beaches, cliffs and the ocean
- Black sand. Playa Jardín in the north and coves in the west — volcanic sand that sparkles and photographs well.
- Los Gigantes. Sheer cliffs up to 600 m dropping into the ocean, best seen from the water.
- Whales and dolphins. Pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins live year-round between Tenerife and La Gomera. Choose boats with the "Barco Azul" (Blue Boat) certificate: they keep their distance and don't chase the animals.
Good to know
- A car. You can't see the island without one: mountain roads are narrow but good. Buses exist but rarely go into the mountains.
- Holidays. 6 January is Three Kings' Day, with parades the evening before. In February Santa Cruz hosts one of the world's biggest carnivals.
- Light. A January day is about 10.5 hours, with sunset around 18:30 — plenty for winter.
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