Where to stay

Honest pros and cons per resort, so you book the right base the first time.

Costa Adeje - best for comfort

The upmarket end of the south coast: good beaches (del Duque, Fanabe), smart hotels, proper restaurants. Quieter than Las Americas but everything is on hand. Best for: couples and families who want it easy. Watch out for: the highest prices on the island.

Los Cristianos - best for a relaxed base

A former fishing village with a harbour, a long flat promenade and a gentler pace. Very popular with British regulars who come year after year, and practical for wheelchairs and buggies. Ferries to La Gomera leave from here. Best for: longer stays, older travellers, anyone who likes to walk everywhere.

Playa de las Americas - best for nightlife

Bars, clubs and late nights around Veronicas strip. Fun if that is what you came for; avoid it if you want quiet. Best for: groups of friends in their 20s and 30s.

Puerto de la Cruz - best for a local feel

The main northern resort: old town, black-sand beaches, Canarian restaurants, real life. Cooler and cloudier than the south, especially in winter. Best for: return visitors, foodies, anyone allergic to resort bubbles.

Golf del Sur & El Medano - the alternatives

Golf del Sur is quiet and near the south airport. El Medano is a laid-back windsurf town with a local vibe and a great natural beach - windy, which is the point.