Are you trying to decide between Tenerife and Fuerteventura for your next trip to the Canary Islands? The two islands belong to the same archipelago, but they are worlds apart.
We’ve visited both islands several times, and in this article, we’ll help you choose the best island for your needs: Tenerife or Fuerteventura.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Tenerife or Fuerteventura: Quick Answer
If you don’t want to read through all the criteria below, here’s our answer in a nutshell.
We recommend Tenerife if you’re looking for an island that has it all—one that combines volcanoes, forests, a variety of beaches, and large amusement parks all in a single trip.
We recommend Fuerteventura instead if you’re looking for beaches, wind, and a sense of open space—far from the crowds.
- Best Untouched Beaches: Fuerteventura
- Best variety of beaches: Tenerife
- Most Spectacular Landscapes: Tenerife
- A Sense of Space and Tranquility: Fuerteventura
- Family-Friendly Attractions and Parks: Tenerife
- Ease of Driving: Fuerteventura
- Climate: similar, though a bit windier in Fuerteventura
- If you’ve made up your mind, check out our tips:
Where to Stay in Tenerife
Where to stay in Fuerteventura. - And if you’re still trying to decide between several islands, check out our comparison of all the Canary Islands.
Best Beaches: Tenerife or Fuerteventura?
Beaches in Tenerife
In Tenerife, we were struck by the diversity of the coastlines: black volcanic sand, imported golden sand, secluded coves, and long, well-developed urban beaches. This allows us to experience a variety of atmospheres in a single day, making the island particularly well-suited for an extended stay. You’ll also find beautiful natural pools to add some variety to your swimming.
- Playa El Medano with the volcano in the background
- Playa de las Teresitas, the best known
- Playa del Duque, more upscale
- Playa Jimenez, known for its black sand
- Check out our list of the most beautiful beaches in Tenerife.
Beaches of Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura is known as the island with the most beautiful beaches in the entire archipelago. We find them larger and much less crowded than those in Tenerife, which gives you a real sense of space. This way, you can choose your own little spot on the beach depending on your mood—from a wild lagoon to secluded cliffs.
- Playa Sotavento de Jandia, the famous wild lagoon
- Playa del Viejo Reyes, overlooked by its cliffs
- Playa Tierra Dorada (Mal Nombre), one of a kind
- Playa del Matorral, the large beach of Morro Jable
- The dunes of Corralejo
- Check out our selection of the best beaches in Fuerteventura.
Winning island
When it comes to the number and wild beauty of the beaches, we give the edge to Fuerteventura. But if you’re looking to experience a variety of settings in a single trip, Tenerife is still a very competitive option.
Which island has the most beautiful scenery?
Landscapes of Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest island in the Canary Islands, and its highest point is the summit of Mount Teide, Spain’s tallest volcano. We were struck by the contrast between the desert in the south and the Anaga rainforest in the north. In just under an hour’s drive, you’ll go from a lunar landscape to dense vegetation—something unique to this island.
- Teide National Park, the island’s highest point
- The Anaga Forest and its green cliffs
- The High Cliffs of Los Gigantes
- Get a better idea with our article on the most beautiful landscapes in 25 photos.
Fuerteventura landscapes
Unlike Tenerife, Fuerteventura has a much more rocky and much less volcanic appearance. There we find barren mountains, tinged with orange, pink, and brown, which give the island its desert-like appearance. You can also explore the white dunes of Corralejo Natural Park or the remote cliffs of Cofete, accessible only via a bumpy dirt road.
- The Dunes of Corralejo Natural Park
- The Remote Cliffs of Cofete
- The Ancient Cliffs and Caves of Ajuy
- The Jandia Lagoon, in the southeastern part of the island
- Check out our photos of the most beautiful landscapes in Fuerteventura.
Winning island
We give Tenerife the edge for the breadth and variety of its landscapes, thanks in large part to the presence of Mount Teide. Fuerteventura remains, however, one of a kind: no other island in the Canary Islands conveys such a sense of desolate emptiness.
Best hotels
Both islands offer a solid selection of hotels, though in different styles. In Tenerife, there is a wide variety of options, especially in the south, with large resorts catering to families or a more upscale clientele. On Fuerteventura, hotels are mainly concentrated around Corralejo in the north and Morro Jable in the south, where the selection is more limited but there are beachfront options.
Best hotels in Tenerife
See our selection of the most beautiful hotels in Tenerife. Among our favorites:
- Corales Beach Hotel, an elegant 5-star hotel for adults only
Check photos and availability - La Laguna Gran Hotel: For a Charming Stay at a Boutique Hotel
Check photos and availability - GF Victoria Hotel, perfect for a family vacation
Check photos and availability
Best hotels in Fuerteventura
See our selection of the most beautiful hotels in Fuerteventura. Among our favorites:
- INNSide Hotel: a boutique hotel that makes you feel like you’re far away from it all
Check photos and availability - Secrets Bahia Hotel: A 5-star hotel in the north of the island
Check photos and availability - Iberostar Palace Hotel, if you’re looking for an all-inclusive beachfront resort
Check photos and availability
Cultural Attractions: Which Island Has the Most to Offer?
Culture in Tenerife
Tenerife has a longer history and a larger population, which translates into a rich cultural scene. We especially liked San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, whose historic center dates back to the 15th century. You’ll also come across charming towns like La Orotava and Garachico, as well as more unusual sights such as the pyramids of Güimar.
- San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- The Historic Towns of La Orotava and Garachico
- The Pyramids of Güimar
- Art Museums in Santa Cruz
- See all the best attractions in Tenerife.
Culture in Fuerteventura
On Fuerteventura, culture is primarily linked to the island’s pastoral history. We found the Museo del Queso Majorero very informative about the traditional methods of making local cheese. You can also stroll through the historic village of Betancuria, explore the salt marshes, or admire the old windmills that bear witness to the island’s agricultural past.
- The Majorero Cheese Museum
- The Historic Village of Betancuria
- The salt marshes
- Traditional Windmills
- See our list of the best museums.
Winning island
Tenerife clearly comes out on top in this regard, thanks to its older and more extensive cultural heritage. Fuerteventura remains an attractive destination for those seeking a more rural culture centered on pastoral traditions.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN THE Canary Islands
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a motor powerful enough for Tenerife and La Gomera. A small car is sufficient for the other islands
- But you can also choose a larger one if you wish, as the parking spaces are rather large.
- There’s a lot of demand and these are islands, so book early.
Activities: Parks, Sports, and Thrills
Amusement Parks in Tenerife
If you’re traveling with your family, Tenerife is a clear winner. The island is home to several of the best amusement parks in the Canary Islands, most of which are located in the southern half of the island. We especially enjoyed Siam Park, which is regularly ranked among the best water parks in the world.
- Siam Park – Book Your Tickets
- Aqualand – Book Your Tickets
- Loro Parque Zoo – Book Your Tickets
- Jungle Park – Book Your Tickets
- See the amusement parks in Tenerife
Theme parks in Fuerteventura
There are fewer options in Fuerteventura, but there are still enough to enjoy a relaxing day out with the family. We recommend the Acua Waterpark in Corralejo or the Oasis Park, where you can see exotic animals in a desert setting.
- Acua Waterpark in Corralejo – Book Your Tickets
- Oasis Park and Its Exotic Animals— Book Your Tickets
- See Fuerteventura theme parks
Winning island
Tenerife easily wins this category. There is a much wider variety of options there, especially for families with children.
Driving in Tenerife or Fuerteventura
Driving in Tenerife
In Tenerife, the roads are in good condition, but traffic is heavier than in Fuerteventura because the island has a larger population. We encountered a few narrow mountain roads and steep slopes in the northwest. So avoid getting a car that’s too big if you plan to explore the entire island.
See our tips for driving in Tenerife.
Our preferred car rental platform is Discovercars: see offers.
Driving in Fuerteventura
On Fuerteventura, the roads are much more laid-back. A major highway connects the north to the south, and traffic remains very light, even in the cities. The only challenges are on a few unpaved trails, such as the one leading to the Cofete cliffs.
See our tips for renting a car in Fuerteventura.
Our preferred car rental platform is Discovercars: see offers.
Winning island
Driving in Fuerteventura is more relaxing, thanks to its wide-open roads and virtually nonexistent traffic.
Gastronomic offer
Because of the Canary Islands’ shared history and similar weather conditions, the cuisines of the two islands are very similar. It combines seafood, traditional Spanish recipes, and Latin American influences. We note, however, that in Tenerife, there is a wider selection of restaurants, driven by a larger population and a longer history of tourism.
You’ll find some great places to visit on both islands, especially around the beach areas.
See our picks: the best restaurants in Tenerife and the best restaurants in Fuerteventura.
Climate
Weather conditions remain fairly similar on both islands, with some variations due to the terrain. We found Fuerteventura to be windier, which also makes it a popular destination for wind sports. In Tenerife, the mountains trap more clouds, which explains why there is a bit more rain in some areas, especially in the north. On both islands, you can expect temperatures of around 21°C in the winter and 28 to 30°C in the summer.
See our article on the best time to visit Tenerife.
See our article on when to go to Fuerteventura.
Don’t miss: Lobos Island from Fuerteventura
If you choose Fuerteventura, don’t missLobos Island, which is accessible by ferry from Corralejo. We found this little outing particularly enjoyable, with its mix of fine sand and volcanic soil. You can book the ferry trip with a snorkeling option here. Tenerife doesn’t have anything quite like it so close by, which remains a real advantage for Fuerteventura.
Don’t miss: La Gomera Island from Tenerife
If you choose Tenerife, don’t miss the island of La Gomera, which is just under an hour away by ferry from the port of Los Cristianos. We found this excursion particularly exotic: the island, which is much greener and more rugged than Tenerife, stands in stark contrast to the desert-like areas in the south. There, you can explore Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the laurel forest creates an almost surreal atmosphere when the mist rolls in.
The crossing can easily be done in a day (see the organized options), but we recommend staying one or two nights there if your schedule allows, so you can enjoy the hiking trails without being rushed by the last boat’s departure time.
Combining Tenerife and Fuerteventura
Unlike other pairs of Canary Islands, Tenerife and Fuerteventura are not connected by a short ferry ride, because Gran Canaria lies between them. The most convenient way to travel between the two is still the domestic flight, operated primarily by Binter Canarias, which allows you to get from one to the other in a short amount of time. We recommend spending at least a week on each island if you want to visit them all, since their atmospheres are so different.
DISCOVER THE Canary Islands
