SOMETIMES all you want is an affordable holiday, with a bit of warm weather, without having to hop on a long-haul flight.
And if you don’t want to venture too much further than Spain, we’ve found the island which is hottest in the cold winter months.
When it comes to the highest temperatures, Tenerife comes out on top.
This is because of its proximity to Morocco, with flights around 4hr30 from the UK.
Temperatures can be as high as 22C in winter, while the UK is shivering in highs of 7C.
Flights are super cheap – easyJet has routes to Tenerife from Manchester from £20.49 or London Southend from £29.
Ryanair has bargains from London Luton for £18 each way.
Or you can find seven-night holidays for under £200 each – loveholidays has breaks from £189pp and £199pp in December which includes your hotel and flights.
Even if you want a treat, you can stay in a five-star hotel for just £359pp which includes seven nights at Best Semiramis.
But what can you do on the island?
Most read in Beach holidays
We’ve spoken to experts and travel writers on the best ways to spend a week in Tenerife.
The hidden gems
Rick Cosgrove, a professional compere at many of the island’s bars, said: “Rincon del Pollo restaurant on the second floor of a little shopping centre, at the entrance to the massive Los Cristianos market.”
He continued: “It serves amazing Canarian-style chicken, home-cooked chips and great salads, for around €30, with drinks.
“El Cini in Los Cristianos is a little fish restaurant hidden up an alleyway where you will find the locals queuing too, with swordfish steaks from €11.”
When it comes to the best, local-loved beaches, he said: “La Tejita, near the airport in the south of the island, is the largest sandy beach in Tenerife and used mainly by locals due to being so windy.
“Two of the black sand beaches loved by locals are Playa san Juan, up the coast from Costa Adeje, and Las Galletas beach, not far from Los Cristianos.”
The beaches
Rick added: “I love both Puerto Colon and Fanabe beaches. These two coves are next to each other in Costa Adeje in the south of the island, and are ideal for beach lovers.
“Puerto Colon has a lot more going on, as it’s next to the marina and all sea excursions in the south tend to depart from here, so there is a plethora of bars, cafes and restaurants to serve your needs.”
Meanwhile, Kitty de Graaf, a travel consultant and blogger on the island, said: “Tenerife South is perfect for a beach holiday with more hours of sunshine and stunning beaches like Playa de las Vistas in Los Cristianos, and Playa del Duque in Costa Adeje.”
The food
Rick recommended any of the restaurants from the Venture Group if you’re looking for “posh nosh”.
He revealed: “It has around 12 restaurants in the south of the island including Empire Steak House and Mrs Miyagi’s – a Thai fusion spot in Playa de Las Americas.
“The Sea Horse in Fanabe is another favourite of ours, offering oversized tapas, with all dishes between €7-12 and probably the best sunset in Europe overlooking the island of Gomera.”
Katie Honcu, a freelance photographer, said: “Restaurante Roque Las Ánimas in Taganana, north Tenerife, is my top place for delicious local food at great prices. (A rustic restaurant with mountain views, selling Canarian food, dishes from €4).”
Other recommendations included Mesón Era Las Mozas for meat eaters, Restaurante Salitre for fish lovers, and Meson Castellano for an upscale experience.
The local spots
Katie said: “Roque Bermejo and Roque de Taborno, on the northern tip of the island, are excellent hiking spots away from the crowds that offer unique Canarian landscapes with stunning views.”
Tara Scarlata, who works for a local chain of bars, said: “Roca Negra Sunset Club in Playa Paraiso is a perfect place for sitting on the rocks at sunset with a cocktail (cocktails from €9), or El Puertito beach.”
The budget attractions
Rick revealed: “The Wally Trolly is a train that drives on the roads and takes families and small children all over the south of Tenerife.
“It gives you a great perspective in seeing actually how large an area the south is, and is very popular with families. (adult tickets €9 and kids tickets €5)”.
Kitty said you can get tickets to the Pyramids of Güímar on the east coast that features six stepped pyramids and a poison garden, with more than 70 toxic plants from across the world, and to see it it just €10pp.
The must-do activities
Rick said: “This has to be Siam Park – the world’s number one water park – I love the incredible waterslides, but my partner Shelley is more into sunbathing, which she can do with the hundreds of sunbeds surrounding the huge wave pool.”
Meet the experts…
Our panel of Tenerife experts all live, own businesses or work in the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands…
Rick Cosgrove, 52, (pictured above) is a compere, working numerous bars between Los Cristianos and Adeje. Him and his partner Shelley (also pictured above), who is an award winning singer on the island, have a YouTube channel together, Rick and Shelley.
Kitty de Graaf, 53, draws on her passion for travel and writing and her experience in the tourism industry with her website Tenerife Insider Tips, where she serves as a travel consultant. She’s lived in Tenerife nearly 30 years.
Katie Honcu, 28, is a freelance photographer specialising in real estate. She’s lived in Tenerife for six years.
Tara Scarlata, 39, is administrator at TRISK Group – Beer Garden, San Eugenio and Mustang Sally’s, Fanabe Beach. She’s lived in Tenerife 10 years