What to pack for a holiday in Tenerife
We visited Tenerife in November 2024, and while we were on the coast the temperature rarely dropped below 25ºc in the day and 17ºc at night. It’s a great place to catch some year-round sun and if you’re sticking to the beaches then you can get away with summery clothes in any season. However, on hikes the temperature was often much lower and if you’re planning to go stargazing or hiking anywhere on Mount Teide – even on the base – then plenty of thermal layers are advised. And of course, check the forecast before you pack.
This is what I packed for three weeks in Tenerife.
What to pack for the daytime in Tenerife
During the day I mostly wore T-shirts and shorts or sun dresses with sandals. If we were hiking, I wore exercise clothing including sports bras, vest tops, and bike shorts with sturdy trainers. I also brought plenty of swimwear as both of our villas had hot tubs and we spent a lot of time at the beach during our trip.
What to pack for the evening in Tenerife
Though some coasts are windy in Tenerife, I found that the evenings in Costa Adeje and Puerto de Santiago were still fairly mild. I wore T-shirts or vest tops with light trousers and rarely needed another layer on top. If you’re going star-gazing then pack much warmer layers as it is colder the higher you climb, and at night there can be snowfall on Mount Teide.
Though it’s a popular holiday destination, Tenerife is a fairly relaxed island and unless you’re partying in Las Americas you don’t need anything especially fancy to wear at night. We went out for a nice dinner at Donaire where there was a smarter dress code, but in many places you’ll find that diners have just come back from a day at the beach or on the hiking trails and are still dressed in what they wore that day.
What to pack for hiking in Tenerife
Many of the hikes in Tenerife are volcanic and it is not safe or appropriate to wear sandals or flip flops on these trails. So pack appropriate trainers and boots, and whatever you usually wear to hike. I go for gym clothing that’s sweat-wicking and easy to move in. You’ll also need layers like wind-breakers as it does get much cooler as you gain elevation. If you’re heading to Mount Teide, you’ll need even warmer layers as the mountain is often snow-tipped even when it’s warm on the coast.
Everything else
A European plug adapter and chargers for all your electronics.
All your daily toiletries plus SPF for skin, hair, and face.
Entertainment like books, games, and tablets.
A reusable water bottle.
Cash, or a card like Monzo or Starling with low or no exchange fees.
Your driving licence and a credit card if you’re hiring a car (if you only have AMEX, check whether it’s accepted).
Your passport!
My full clothing + essentials packing list for Tenerife:
On top:
Five vest tops
Three evening tops
Two t-shirts
One light shirt
On the bottom:
One pair of jeans
Three pairs of light trousers
Three pairs of shorts
Running shorts
Two pairs of light trousers for the evenings
On your feet:
One pair of sandals
Two pairs of trainers
Birkenstock EVAs for the beach
Running shoes
Outer layers:
One long-sleeved t-shirt
One sweatshirt
One jacket
A shirt for the beach
The rest:
A sun hat
Underwear
5 bikinis
A beach towel
A sarong/beach cover-up
Sunglasses
A backpack
An evening bag
A beach bag