
Tenerife in December
Great time to visit
December offers Christmas charm with pleasant weather and manageable crowds. Just expect to pay premium prices for the final week of the year.
Weather
December brings mild days around 22°C with cooler nights at 16°C. Expect 6-7 rainy days, though most precipitation comes as brief winter squalls. The sun still shines 6 hours daily between cloud breaks.
22°C high16°C low7 rain days
Crowds & Cost
moderate crowds
~$85/day average
Events & Festivals
- •Christmas markets
- •New Year's Eve celebrations in Santa Cruz
- •Los Realejos Christmas concerts
December Tips
- •Book New Year's accommodations early - prices spike for the holiday week
- •Perfect weather for exploring towns like La Laguna without summer heat
- •Pack layers since temperature swings between day and night are significant
All Months
Tenerife's weather stays remarkably consistent – highs in the mid-70s°F in winter, low 80s°F in summer. The trade winds keep things comfortable even in July and August when mainland Spain turns into an oven. But timing still matters for what you want to do. Winter months from December through February bring the calmest seas, perfect for whale watching and diving. You might catch some rain in the north, but the south coast stays dry. Spring and fall hit the sweet spot – warm enough for beaches, cool enough for serious hiking, and fewer crowds than summer. Summer brings the strongest trade winds, making it prime time for windsurfing and kitesurfing at El Médano. The downside is that European families flood the resorts, and accommodation prices spike. But here's what locals know: the weather can vary dramatically between the north and south coasts on the same day. The north gets more clouds and rain, especially in winter. The south stays sunny and dry almost year-round, protected by the mountains. Plan accordingly based on where you're staying.
Tenerife Scores
Solo
8/10
Couples
8/10
Families
9/10
Adventure
8/10
Budget
7/10
Luxury
7/10
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