The largest island in the Canary Archipelago, bathed in greenery and washed by the Atlantic waters, cannot disappoint its guests with cold, lousy weather or overcast skies at any time of the year. And even more so at the end of spring.
Snowy mountain tops, lush greenery and beaches with black volcanic sand — where else nature spoils with such combinations? Get ready to see Tenerife in May with your own eyes. Kidpassage tells you about the weather and the most beautiful places on the island.
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Photo: pixabay.com
Holidays in Tenerife in May: pros and cons
As it turned out, it's never cold on this island: even in winter, it is not lower than +15 °С. Fascinating volcanic landscapes, quiet beaches and noisy discos attract thousands of tourists of different ages — from active youth and parents with babies to seniors quietly strolling along the coast.
Accordingly, reviews of holidays in Tenerife in May travellers leave the most enthusiastic. Let's mention the advantages of the spring trip.
- It's not hot; there are no sudden cold spells or prolonged rains — May is one of the driest months of the year. For this reason, you will have an excellent opportunity to explore the island and take long walks.
- The high season is not yet in full force, so prices and the number of tourists are moderate. It means there will be no queues at popular attractions.
- Time for loquat, nectarines, strawberries and even watermelons. Is it worth saying how juicy, flavourful and delicious the fruit is, soaked in the Spanish sunshine of the Canary Islands? Use this time to give your body what it needs to be healthy.
Of course, travelling in May has some nuances — it's worth knowing about them to choose the best time to travel.
- There is no heat in May. You will get a beautiful ocean tan, but the air temperature here, on average, is about +20 °С. So, if you like basking in the warmth of the sun, choose the middle of summer for travelling.
- Water temperature in the ocean is not too high, though there is a chance to swim for adults. If you plan a trip with kids and active swimming, this period is unsuitable for your holiday.
Weather in Tenerife in May
The Island of Eternal Spring lives up to its name, as the summer heat is virtually non-existent here, as well as January frosts and February's penetrating winds. It is warm and cosy, confirmed by the weather in May and June.
Evenings and nights here are chilly, and during the day, you get a chance to wear a swimming costume and get a tan.
Weather in early May can vary from +16 °С to +24 °С during the day and from +10 °С to +16 °С at night. Therefore, don't forget to put a windbreaker, jeans for evening walks, and a couple of warm things for your baby in your suitcase, along with light dresses and T-shirts.
Daytime temperatures in Tenerife in mid-May can rise to +25°C, but there are seasons when the middle of the month is cool, with average daytime temperatures around +17°C.
The feeling of coolness, of course, will not be critical, but a beach holiday can be negatively affected. However, there is always an option of walking along the coast — on the island; it is pleasant to do it in any season.
The weather in Tenerife at the end of May remains moderately warm, and the daytime temperature rarely rises above +24 °С. Nights in this period are also chilly, but weather thermometer usually do not show below +10 °С - +12 °С.
Air and water temperature
The Atlantic Ocean influences the island's climate, so there are no cold winters here, nor is it sweltering in the summer. Practically all year round, the island is in a state of spring. It applies both to the temperature regime and the natural landscape.
Air temperature in Tenerife in May
The average day temperature in Tenerife in May is +20,2 °С, and night temperature is about +15,4 °С. Beach holidays in this period will not be very active, but nobody will forbid you to walk along the coast, breathe in the ocean and even sunbathe. Moreover, there is enough sun on the island in May.
Water temperature in Tenerife in May
The prolonged spring on the island slows down the start of the beach season a little, although sea bathers can swim in the Atlantic in May. The average water temperature is +20.4 ° C, slightly refreshing for those wishing to swim.
Precipitation
Rains at the end of spring will not spoil your holiday. The total amount of precipitation is 15.8 mm, and there is no more than one rainy day. Therefore, you can leave your umbrella and other wet weather accessories at home.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
Tenerife in May gets between 13.2 and 13.8 daylight hours. The island enjoys 19 - 20 days of sunshine during the month (63% of the total number of days), 3 - 4 days are cloudy (13% of all days of the month), and there are about 7 - 8 days with variable cloudiness.
Beach holidays
Photo: pixabay.com
Whether or not you can count on a beach holiday in May can only be based on the short-term weather forecast. However, the probability of sunbathing and water procedures is relatively high, especially for the most courageous and hardened lovers of sea holidays.
The beaches of the island mesmerise with their beauty and magical views. Therefore, it is worth including them in your holiday programme, regardless of whether the day will be hot or warm.
De Las Teresitas Beach
The island's most famous beach is near its capital, Santa Cruz. The vast area, covered with 320 thousand tonnes of sand imported from the Sahara, is always packed with holidaymakers, from young people to parents with babies. Breakwaters protect against tides, currents, waves, and storm surges, allowing kids to splash around in shallow waters and adults to enjoy swimming in the ocean.
You can rent an umbrella and a sun lounger for a reasonable fee, enjoy a delicious lunch in one of the surrounding fishing villages, and get there by hire car: the beach has a large car park.
Los Gigantes Beach
To come to Tenerife and not see the black volcanic sand beaches would be a huge omission. That's why we recommend visiting the coast near the town of Los Gigantes, where the power of the ocean meets the black shimmering shore, mesmerising and attracting the eyes of even first-time visitors. The beach facilities are perfect, with plenty of restaurants and bars along the coastline, but even so, it is tranquil and cosy.
Tour Holidays
The island's nature is so charming, with magnificent views and surprising variety, that if there were no attractions in Tenerife, you could cope with the excursion component on your own.
However, to the delightful ocean scenery, you can add a few parks and museums so that your holiday programme does not seem monotonous. Let's name the places where you can go with the whole family.
Loro Parque (Parrot Park)
Photo: loroparque.com
The island's most famous zoo is open and ready to welcome visitors in early May. The fantastic Penguin Planet, a massive collection of parrots, a marine life show, and a beautiful aquarium will wait for you.
Children will especially love the Kinderlandia playground, where they can release all their energy on suspension bridges, slides and other intricate constructions.
Try to get to Loro Parque in the morning for the shows and all the other pavilions before lunch. The tourist flow increases by noon, and you risk getting stuck in long queues.
Museum of Nature and Archaeology
You can continue your exploration of Tenerife at the Museum of Nature and Archaeology to imagine what the Canary Islands were like millennia ago. Especially since in mid-May, beach holidays are not yet active enough to devote your entire holiday to it.
Here you will see the mummies of the indigenous Guanches, hear the roaring of volcanic magma, learn that the rats that lived on the island in ancient times had a one-metre-long tail and discover many other facts about this unique place.
Auditorio de Tenerife
Photo: auditoriodetenerife.com
The original architectural structure, which looks like a giant wave or the top of a sail, is hard to miss when you get to the capital of Tenerife.
It is a concert hall and the most famous art object on the island. The building is impressive not only for its exterior but also for its internal construction, which provides excellent acoustics.
Be sure to visit and try to catch a concert programme, even if the end of May is perfect for a beach holiday.
For a visit with children, we also recommend the following:
Holidays, events and festivals
When planning your travel programme, in addition to romantic walks along the ocean's edge and visits to popular attractions, add festivities and festivals in Tenerife in May, especially if your trip falls at the beginning or end of the month. Join in the bustling Spanish fairs and hot dancing — make your holiday in the Canary Islands a varied experience.
May Day can be participated in Tenerife, mainly as it is also celebrated here.
Labour Day — 1 May — is considered an official day off. And even though the Spaniards do not organise lavish celebrations on this occasion, you can count on a concert programme in the capital's main square and festive fireworks.
But the end of the month — 30 May — is marked by a relatively large-scale event — Canary Islands Day.
On the main streets of the cities, you can see locals in national costumes and squares — folk dances, sports competitions and folklore fairs.
Here you can taste locally made cheese and wine and buy goods from Spanish handicrafts women. The festival guests will be treated to a fireworks display in the evening.
Cost of vacation in May
Photo: pixabay.com
The approach of the summer season and the active tourist period can be felt in everything: the gradually filling beaches, the increase in the number of hotel guests and, of course, the rise in prices in Tenerife in May. Despite the still cool ocean and the absence of heat, tourists actively arrive on the island — it is beautiful at any time.
Package Tours
The increase in tour prices is quite understandable: May on "The Island of Eternal Spring" is magnificent and, therefore, quite popular with fans of volcanic landscapes, exotic dark beaches and the ocean. Compared to April, the cost of tours increases by 22%, so it is better to worry about buying a tour in advance.
Airfares
Airlines are also not lagging; in May, they raise ticket prices by 13% compared to the previous month. Book tickets together with the tour — the flight will be cheaper. By summer, the trend of rising prices continues.
Accommodation
The average cost of accommodation per person per day also increases by the end of spring: if in April it was 85 euros, by May it rises to 115 euros. The increase is 16%, which means that it is better to book accommodation a few months before travelling — this way you can save money.
Food and Transport
The cuisine of Tenerife is diverse and includes the culinary traditions of several countries. Food is plentiful, varied and delicious. Be sure to try the local fish dishes — many restaurants serve them, but be aware that they are more expensive than pork and beef. Fish dishes will be much cheaper in eateries away from the tourist centres.
You can have breakfast in a café for 6 euros (for a British breakfast), and more expensive — about 9 euros for a Norwegian breakfast. A traditional coffee with a bun will cost you around €3-€4.
Among the local specialities, we recommend trying the traditional dessert frangoyo, chorizo — spicy sausages and Carne de cabra — roast goat meat. The average restaurant bill will be around 30-40 euros, while a three-course lunch in a traditional eatery away from the hotels will cost about 12 euros.
- What to Eat in Spain — 48 Spanish Foods You Must Try
- Spanish Fruit and Vegetables — A Seasonal Guide
Buses are the main means of transport around the island, and in the capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, trams are also running from 6 am to 12 am.
When using buses, you should be aware that:
- many streets on the island are one-way, and the bus can go in different directions from the same side of the road;
- you can buy tickets from the driver;
- if you plan a same-day return trip over 20 kilometres or more, you can get a round-trip ticket. It is 10% cheaper than buying two single tickets;
- when approaching the bus stop, press the button on the handrail to stop the driver.
Tips for holidays with children
Photo: pixabay.com
If you are planning a trip with a baby, and an active beach holiday is not an obligatory part of the programme of your journey, then May is the best time to travel.
The heat will not be debilitating, rainfall at this time is minimal and cloudy days are rare on the island. So you can enjoy walks and breathe the salty Atlantic air.
For children of preschool and school age, a trip in May is also perfect. There is enough entertainment and attractions that will be interesting for children of all ages.
However, if you plan to sunbathe and swim actively, it is better to choose the summer months for your holiday so that the water in the ocean is well warmed up. And at the end of spring, you should put a couple of windbreakers in your suitcase for evening walks.
Kidpassage wishes you a pleasant holiday in Tenerife on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and hopes that the tips and recommendations in this article will allow you to plan it in the best possible way.
