Tenerife is divided into 31 municipalities, incorporated in three large regions, South Tenerife, North Tenerife and the Metropolitan area.
The Metropolitan Area includes 4 munipacilities, where two of the archipelago’s most important cities are based – San Cristóbal de La Laguna and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. South Tenerife has 12 municipalities, which cover the southwestern coast, and North Tenerife covers 15 muncipalities that you’ll find on the north coast.
South Tenerife
The most touristy part of Tenerife, where you’ll find popular spots like Siam Park and Jungle Park, as well as some of the most visited towns on the island like Las Americas, Los Cristianos, and Costa Adeje.
The south coast of Tenerife is a continuous succession of spectacular beaches. It’s where you’ll find the island’s most popular beaches, like El Duque, Las Vistas, El Camison, and Torviscas y Fañabe. Also, nature has adorned the area with natural monuments like the Los Gigantes cliffs, and beauty spots like the Barranco del Infierno.
South Tenerife has lively day and night life, with excellent restaurants, beachside bars, and top-class nightclubs.
more about South Tenerife
North Tenerife
Northern Tenerife is the greenest region, with milder temperatures, fewer tourists, and a traditional charm that makes it unique. A territory where tranquility reigns supreme, away from the hustle and bustle of the south of the island. An area of small towns and villages, with history and culture in every corner, like the old towns of La Orotava, Icod de Los Vinos or Garachico.
The archipelago’s volcanic nature has given this part of the island a rugged coastline, which is peppered with extraordinary natural pools and small volcanic sand beaches, like Charco de La Laja and El Bollullo. Also, North Tenerife is home to expansive natural spaces, like the Masca mountains, the Teno Rural Park, and much of the forests surrounding Mount Teide.
But beyond its natural charm and the stately feel of its towns and cities, there is much more to do in North Tenerife, like a visit to Loro Parque, a walk through the Victoria Gardens, losing yourself among the exotic plants at the Botanical Gardens or a dip in Costa Martianez.
more about North Tenerife
Metropolitan Area
In Tenerife’s Metropolitan Area, you’ll find the island’s two main cities, San Cristóbal de La Laguna and Santa Cruz. Two cities full of history and culture, with no lack of museums, parks, monuments, cathedrals and theatres throughout their old towns, which are along the best preserved in the Canary Islands.
But there’s also room for nature in the Metropolitan Area, as it is where you’ll find one of the island’s lungs – the Anaga Rural Park, and one of Tenerife’s most popular beaches, Las Teresitas.