Playa de las Americas
The big daddy of Tenerife's tourism scene, Las Americas is home to a succession of sandy beaches, a myriad of international restaurants, more bars than you can wave a cocktail twirler at, and nightlife galore. You've also got a golf course, tennis and all manner of watersports.
Los Cristianos
Slightly more subdued than its neighbour, Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos started life as a small fishing village. It's now developed into a fully-fledged resort with fantastic shopping and dozens of great restaurants.
Torviscas
Bordering Playa de las Americas to the north, Torviscas has grown... and grown... and grown, to now be one of Tenerife's most popular areas, with many hotels, bars and apartment complexes benefitting from the range of facilities.
Costa Adeje
Further north still, Costa Adeje is where all the 'new' money has been spent. A district of 5-star hotels, swanky shopping centres and excellent beaches, Costa Adeje is Tenerife's very own 'Canarian Riviera'.
Palm Mar
A secluded residential resort across the bay from Los Cristianos. If you like things calm and peaceful, you'll like Palm Mar. Fronted by the sea and backed by a protected national park, Palm Mar is a place to chill and relax.
Costa del Silencio
Much money has been spent on Costa del Silencio recently. Still immensely popular with Brits and Scandinavians, this residential resort sits next to the fishing town of Las Galletas so you get the best of both worlds touristic facilities with a Canarian village feel.
El Medano
Dude, this is where the surfer's hangout. There's no other place quite like El Medano on Tenerife. Part-bohemian, very family-oriented and with some great beaches, El Medano is an unheralded star of the south.
La Caleta
Another small fishing village turned popular touristic haunt. However, this time La Caleta has retained the 'village' feel by only allowing building inland. If you like seafood, this is the place to come for some of the best, freshest fish around.
Callao Salvaje
A compact residential resort that keeps itself to itself. Popular with the British, French and Scandinavians, Callao Salvaje is a tidy self-contained town with a friendly population.
Playa Paraiso
Like Callao Salvaje, Playa Paraiso has all it needs within its own community; great bars, fantastic restaurants, and the peace and tranquillity of a town secluded from the buzz of the south.
Playa San Juan
One of the rising stars of Tenerife, since the new beach has been installed this west coast fishing village has rapidly in popularity. It still retains an authentic feel and is hugely popular with visiting Canarians.
Alcala
Similar to Playa San Juan, Alcala's fame is on the up and up. A scenic promenade enables you to stroll along the briny taking in the beautiful, rugged coastline.
Puerto de Santiago
Next door neighbour to Los Gigantes, some see Puerto de Santiago as just a spillover catchment town. But there's much more to it than that. It has a very close community and a great black sand beach, though it's still more popular with Spaniards than the British. And for some, that's a good thing.
Playa de Arena
Very similar to Puerto de Santiago next door, this small resort has all you need to enjoy a week or a fortnight by the sea, without the excesses of the southern holidaymaker playgrounds.
Los Gigantes
My word, have you seen those cliffs!! A must-see for every Tenerife visitor, the plunging cliffs of Los Gigantes are phenomenal. But that's just one of its assets. The harbour is also worthy of a carefree stroll, and don't miss the small, but neatly packaged beach behind the commercial centre.
La Orotava
Undoubtedly Tenerife's prettiest town, La Orotava harbours a labyrinth of cobbled lanes, ornate mansions and historical monuments. Certainly worthy of at least a half-day exploration, La Orotava is a glimpse of how Tenerife used to look in previous prosperous times.
Puerto de la Cruz
A town of two halves. The original resort town of Tenerife is a marriage of souvenir shops and cosmopolitan restaurants to the east, and flaking shutters, cobbled roads and narrow alleys to the west.
Santa Cruz
The capital of the island has an eclectic collection of architecture, several nice parks and a beautifully restored old quarter. There are lots of fascinating sights, guided tours and museums on offer. Time should definitely be spent taking in the atmosphere of the Plaza de España and Calle Noria.
