What's the winter temperature in north Tenerife?

December-February: daytime average 19-21 °C, nighttime 11-14 °C in El Tanque (760 m). Below 500 m (Garachico, Icod) night lows are 14-16 °C. In Teide Park (2,000+ m) there's guaranteed snow December-March. It rains 8-10 days per month but in short showers, not full-day rain.

Is north or south Tenerife better in winter?

For sun and hotel pools, south (Costa Adeje, Las Américas) — more stable, sunnier, less rain. For nature, authenticity and sensible prices, north. Typical temperature difference is 3-4 °C (south warmer). If you're coming from UK/DE/NL, both are better than your winter — it depends what holiday you're after.

Do the houses have heating?

Yes, all four operational houses have electric heating (radiators) + wood fireplace in Casa Güimar and Casa Taoro. We supply the wood. In January-February you'll use it some nights — not for survival but for comfort: the fireplace lit with Teide in the background is what defines winter here.

Can I swim in the sea in winter?

Yes. Atlantic temperature in Garachico (north): 19-20 °C all winter (vs 18 °C south). Many British guests swim in January without issue. Caletón natural pools are protected from heavy swell. If you're coming from UK with 8 °C sea, it'll feel warm.

Is December worth coming with Christmas?

Yes, especially for a family break. Tenerife has strong local Christmas tradition (Three Kings on 5 January — spectacular parade, Christmas markets in La Laguna, concerts in colonial Garachico churches). To avoid crowds: first half of December is perfect. Two-week Christmas/NYE period fills up — book 4 months ahead.

Tenerife in winter · the rural north at its best

While Europe shuts down, northern Tenerife has 21 °C days and cool fireplace nights. There's no low season here: there's another season.

Tenerife has a secret the tourist industry doesn’t broadcast much: winter isn’t low season. It’s another season. The best months to come to the north are January, February and March — clean light, no crowds, sensible prices, awake nature.

This guide is for those coming from central Europe to recover 20 degrees, and for Spaniards who understand that January in Tenerife is worth two in Asturias or Cantabria.

Why winter works here

Climate

The trade wind (from NE) creates the famous “sea of clouds” between 500-1,500 m altitude. But El Tanque sits just above (760 m), so many days you’re above the clouds looking at a clean sky. When you go down to Garachico or Icod you enter the cloud, which is magical the first time — like driving through cotton wool.

Month	High	Low	Rain days	Sea
December	20 °C	12 °C	9	21 °C
January	19 °C	11 °C	9	20 °C
February	19 °C	11 °C	8	19 °C
March	20 °C	12 °C	7	19 °C

AEMET El Tanque data, 2015-2025 averages.

Prices

December-March is mid-season — between summer high and absolute low (May/October). Prices ~20 % below summer in our houses. Exception: two Christmas/NYE weeks and Carnival week, prices rise to high season.

Visitors

Packed: south Tenerife (UK/DE/NL package holidays). Nearly empty: rural north. You’ll see living villages without tourist crush. In El Tanque you’ll likely be the only or one of very few guests in the entire centre.

What to do in winter (that you can’t in summer)

1. Snow on Teide (60 min drive)

December to March, the National Park has almost-guaranteed snow above 2,500 m. The TF-21 road climbs to 2,000 m and stays open (occasionally needing chains in heavy snowfall). Reaching the cable car base and seeing Teide with snow is one of the most memorable days you can have on the island.

Bring: hat, gloves, closed shoes, thick coat. Temperature difference between El Tanque and the park can be 15 degrees.

2. Almond trees in flower (February)

The most impressive natural spectacle of the Canarian winter. Almond trees flower pink-white from late January to late February, especially in upper El Tanque, Santiago del Teide and Vilaflor. The Almond Blossom Trail between Santiago del Teide and Arguayo (30 min from us) is the iconic route.

3. Pilot whale and dolphin watching (all winter)

The strait between Tenerife and La Gomera is one of the few places in the world where pilot whales reside permanently. Departures from Los Gigantes or Puerto Colón (south, 60 min by car). In winter there are fewer tourists and sightings are just as good. ~€40 adult.

4. Stars (peak quality in winter)

Winter nights are clearer than summer (less calima, less humidity). Orion, Taurus, Gemini, Sirius — all in ideal position 9 pm-1 am. We have a Sky-Watcher 90/900 telescope for guests. December has the Geminids (13-14 Dec), the best meteor shower of the year.

5. Effortless hiking

In summer the heat punishes even the north. In winter you walk all day without complaint. The routes we recommend from the doorstep are at their best this season.

6. Carnival

If you fall in the second half of February or first half of March, the Carnival is inevitable and worth it.

7. Eat fresh fish without the crowd

Local restaurants aren’t saturated — you can get a table at La Albahaca on a Friday, get into El Caletón on a Saturday. Radically different from summer.

What NOT to do in winter

Lie on the beach all day: not Caribbean, it’s cool. For full-on pool/beach, go south.
Whale watching in rough sea: winter swell can cancel trips. Check marine forecast first.
Walking to Garachico in a storm: waves cross the seafront, spectacular but dangerous. Check aemet.es first.

Kit

Medium coat (jacket with lining, not extreme down).
Light layers: can be 20 °C in sun and 8 °C climbing Teide.
Closed shoes + one pair sporty for hiking.
Small umbrella + light raincoat for the odd rainy day.
Swimsuit: yes, you’ll swim at least one day.

The real argument

Coming to north Tenerife in winter is deciding what you want:

If you want an anti-cold getaway with pool/beach: go south.
If you want village, nature, Europe-tropic temperature contrast, zero crowds and better prices: come north. Here.

When a British guest asks “is January good?” the honest answer is: January in northern Tenerife is one of the best months in Europe. Full stop.

See winter availability — December to March from €125/night. Casa Güimar and Casa Taoro have fireplaces.