How amazing can a Canary Island tour get in the early summer? Let’s glimpse Tenerife, the largest and most visited island of the Canaries.
But then, what to do in Tenerife in May?
Let me say: YES YES YES! May is probably one of the best months to visit Tenerife since the temperatures are warm and the beaches still not crowded. But what else is there to do?
Here are my top travel sprees for May in Tenerife to give you a preview and travel Tenerife!
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Psssst…!!??You can’t get enough of Tenerife? Have a look at my other posts:
- Outdoor activities in Tenerife
- Things to do in North Tenerife
- Romantic hotels in Tenerife
Table of Contents
Top resources to travel Tenerife
⚘ Avoid tourist traps and get the “Tenerife Like a Local” itinerary for less than 10€. – Get it here
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✔ Book tours in Tenerife with GetYourGuide
➳ Find the best hotels in Tenerife with Trivago & holiday rentals with VRBO
❖ Rent a car with the best discounts at DiscoverCars
✎ Never leave without travel insurance. I get mine at HeyMondo. It is easy to set up, cheap, and reliable.
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What to do in Tenerife in May – My top picks
- Visit Mount Teide National Park
- Go dolphin and whale watching
- Go on a food tour
- Explore Puerto de la Cruz
- Explore Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Temperature in Tenerife in May
The average weather in Tenerife during summer is 75℉-78℉ (24℃-27℃) and has a slight temperature difference from winter, so it’s often called the island of eternal spring.
The southern part of the island is sunnier and warmer compared to an often cloudy and windy north, giving you plenty of options when thinking of things to do in South Tenerife.
Famous resorts are in the south, while the north has greener landscapes and many natural dark-hued beaches.
So, is Tenerife warm in May? Yes, you’re bound for warm and pleasant weather in May, so make the most of your things to do in Tenerife!
1. Enjoy the Beaches
Nature has graced colors throughout the island through its black and white sand beaches of pristine waters, typically joined by green mountains and marvelous rock formations.
North or South, crowded or less known, numerous beaches await visitors to enjoy swimming and sunshine or explore remote coasts through a private day tour.
On top of my best beaches in South Tenerife is Playa de la Tejita of El Médano.
The exceptional view of Montaña Roja’s crater next to the blue waters of this golden sand beach was just unforgettable.
Roque Bermejo beach in the northeast was also stunning. To get there, I prepared for a two-hour trail hike.
But no regrets! The rugged and preserved stretch of black sand washed by crystal clear waters renewed my energy.
Book a private day tour to Tenerife’s North Coast
2. Explore Teide National Park
What is Tenerife famous for? A lot, and one of them is Teide National Park.
Teide National Park highlights Mount Teide– the highest peak in the Canaries and the third-largest volcano in the world.
It flaunts scenic views to the north but all the more within the national park.
The park is an extraordinary geological site of volcanoes, craters, and minerals, which can be admired through multiple viewing points (miradores) or cable cars.
Mirador del Pico Viejo is a spectacular viewing point if you plan a day trip to Mount Teide from South Tenerife.
At the same time, Mirador del Llano de Ucanca is a plateau with a view of Roques de García and the park’s two highest volcanoes.
Hiking trails are accessible. The La Rambleta trail promises a magnificent view of Las Cañadas, a 25 km natural wall around Mt. Teide.
Indeed, one of the best hikes in Tenerife!
Book the best tours to Mount Teide
3. Visit Historic Towns
With countless tourist attractions, historic towns and old houses are neither foreign in Tenerife.
Wandering the vibrant cobblestone streets is a lovely side trip on your private day tour of the island in Tenerife in May weather.
Discover La Orotava town, which features traditional architecture, such as the la Casa de los Balcones (House of Balconies) museum.
Garachico, on the other hand, is my favorite because of its picturesque and historical charm. Aside from the mountain backdrop, it has a free and natural pool on the coast.
Tenerife also treasures many old churches. One remarkable cultural landmark is the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the oldest in Tenerife, built in 1511.
Book a private day tour of Tenerife
4. Experience Water Sports
Revel in the limitless adventure of May in Tenerife through water sports activities.
The southern resorts of Costa Adeje and Playa de las Americas have an upbeat atmosphere and consistent waves, ideal for surfers and jet-ski lovers.
They are also great options when you’re planning where to stay in Tenerife South.
In the north, you may surf the challenging left-hand waves from the rugged coastlines of La Izquierda near Puerto de la Cruz.
For remote but equally exciting waves for advanced surfers, Almáciga is just in the northeast.
For a relaxing but amazing water adventure that matches the water temperature in Tenerife in May, snorkeling in La Caleta of Costa Adeje will let you witness the diverse marine species of Tenerife.
Never miss kayaking to the cliffs of Los Gigantes—a fantastic spot to view the famous giant rock formations in Tenerife and a must on your list of things to do in Los Gigantes.
Book a guided snorkeling session
5. Attend Festivals and Events
Tenerife has year-round festivals such as the most anticipated, the Carnival, and the celebration of Corpus Christi.
What to do in Tenerife in May? Here are the festivals and events you should definitely add to your itinerary:
- Santa Cruz May Festival—the capital of Tenerife celebrates the day of the cross, typically starting in the last week of April and ending in May. Santa Cruz holds cultural and traditional events, with the Dance of Magicians being the most significant event.
- La Orotava Sand and Flower Carpets– a famous tradition to celebrate Corpus Christi, in which intricate sand and flower carpets adorn streets and the town squares. Usually held from the second week of May through June.
- Day of the Canary Islands– Held every 30th of May, this public holiday commemorates the first session of Tenerife’s Parliament. Though purely institutional, it includes many popular leisure events.
Book the best tours to Santa Cruz de Tenerife
6. Eat Tenerife food
Tenerife cuisine is typically Mediterranean with a mix of Latin American tastes.
Traditional Canarian ingredients are gofio, which is made by toasting wheat or corn flour, papas or potatoes, and the mojo, an ordinary relish served at the start of every meal.
Popular dishes are Queso Asado and Papas arrugada– potatoes boiled in salted water served with a very tasty mojo.
El Jardin de la Abuela and El Tejado are well-known small, down-to-earth restaurants in Costa Adeje that serve paellas and trattorias.
Another thing to do in Tenerife in May is to visit Guachinche La Casona at La Orotava to try excellent traditional dishes.
Many of them require a reservation and come with reasonable prices.
Book Tenerife food tours
7. Explore Botanical Gardens
To wind down a bit from your island adventures, botanical gardens are admirable, and you can see them in Tenerife by car at an average temperature.
Jardín Botánico showcases an extensive collection of tropical and subtropical plants that grow perfectly with the weather temperatures in Tenerife.
I enjoyed roaming the Orchid Garden Sitio Litre during a trip to Puerto de la Cruz.
They have the most extensive orchids collection on the island and the oldest dragon tree in the city.
If you’re in the island’s metropolitan area, enjoy walking the extensive hill of Santa Cruz Palmetum. It boasts the best collection of palm trees in Europe.
Book the best tours to Puerto de la Cruz
8. Take a Boat Tour
For a more special and relaxing activity, you can take a boat tour of the coastlines of Tenerife.
Savor the freedom and luxury of a private motorboat tour, during which an expert captain and steward will plan your Atlantic Ocean getaway itinerary.
Or, have fun watching whales and dolphins, one of the things to do in Tenerife with kids.
An eco-friendly catamaran three-hour boat trip is a great option where you’ll sail past the best beaches in Tenerife and a distant view of Mt. Teide.
From luxury sailing boats to even a replica of a Viking ship, many tours include free drinks, a complimentary tapa lunch, and a tip about the best areas to find marine life.
Book a private motorboat tour
9. Relax at Spa Resorts
Tenerife is an excellent destination for a wellness holiday year-round.
Hotels in Tenerife on the beach offer relaxing spa breaks or effective detox to provide the best wellness experience you deserve.
Hacienda del Conde Tenerife is an adult-only hotel with a Spanish-Canarian colonial vibe.
It houses The Yhi spa, which specializes in rejuvenation and energizing hydrotherapy.
Hotel Botanico & Oriental Spa Garden, a classic hotel in a lush sub-tropical garden, has extensive spa facilities and promotes a low-calorie diet.
Book the best hotels in Tenerife
10. Explore Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Are you thinking about where to stay in Tenerife?
Santa Cruz is the capital of Tenerife and the host of the grand festival, the Carnival.
The city is well-rested and has some of Tenerife’s best-known beaches, like Las Teresitas, with calm waters and excellent facilities.
The iconic Nuestra Señora de África market, where you will find varieties of cheeses, wines, and authentic traditional food, is in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and The Nature and Archeology Museum, where the famous Guanche mummies are kept.
If you visit Santa Cruz in May, you can go to one of the top nightclubs in Tenerife, or head to Tenerife Auditorium for music, dance, and opera shows.
For more of Sta. Cruz, join the Sta. Cruz, La Laguna and Taganana Tour.
Book the best tours to Santa Cruz de Tenerife
My final thoughts on Tenerife in May
Tenerife is one of the few destinations that exceed expectations– much more so in May.
One of the many facts about Tenerife is that everywhere you go, there’s a beautiful beach with crystal-clear waters and a range of water sports activities for every skill level.
And if there’s only one answer for what to do in Tenerife in May, I’d say to visit the massive Teide National Park.
But Tenerife has everything a traveler will treasure and is certainly a dream destination, so make careful travel plans for a hassle-free and enjoyable vacation.
