The 3 best places to stay in Tenerife (for cyclists)

1. Costa Adeje

On the southwest coast of Tenerife, you can expect good weather and plenty of sunshine. Costa Adeje is a solid choice if you’re with non-cyclists and are willing to drive and then ride or pay for a guide with transport.

Pros

• Ride Teide from the door (via Arona).
• Lots of bike rental shops are based in this region (read more). Most of the island’s day tours start from here too.
• Excellent range of accommodation, including five star hotels and luxury apartments.
• Close to some of Tenerife’s biggest attractions including Siam Park and Aqualand.
• Close to Tenerife’s southern airport.

Cons

• The area is very built up, with mile upon mile of hotels and resorts.
• The roads in the South and Southwest corner of the island get a lot of traffic since this is where most visitors stay.
• You’ll need to drive to get to Masca or Anaga. Some people also suggest it’s better to drive from Costa Adeje to the TF-28 on the other side of the TF-1, which is the island’s main highway.

Cycling hotels in Costa Adeje

Royal Garden Villas

If you’re looking for a peaceful, five star luxury experience (and you’re not with kids), look no further. The Royal Garden Villas Hotel comprises 28 individual luxury villas, each with their own pool.

• Asian themed spa with jacuzzi, waterfall, waterbeds, Turkish bath, hydro massage showers and ice fountain.
• Tranquil atmosphere and attentive service.
• Restaurants in La Caleta are a 20 minute walk.
• Excellent restaurant.
• Tip: we asked the hotel whether we could store a road bike in our bedroom and they confirmed that was no problem.

Hotel Riu Palace, Tenerife

Hotel Riu Palace is a four star hotel with excellent service and good food in a quiet, seafront location.

• Located on the seafront promenade with a short walk to Caleta in one direction and Adeje in the other.
• Infinity pool, two swimming pools, children’s pool, children’s playground.
• Gym and steam room.
• Completely refurbished spring/summer 2015.
• Tip: the hotel confirmed we could keep our bike in our room or in the luggage room.

Hovima Jardin Caleta

One of the main attractions of staying at the three star Hovima Jardin Caleta is that it is next door to Tenerife’s Top Training facility.

• The hotel comprises one or two bedroom apartments each with living room, kitchen, bathroom and balcony.
• Close to the Playa del Duque and La Enramada beaches.
• Kids pool and main pool (heated November to March) plus rooftop jacuzzi.
• Tip: the hotel confirmed it was possible for guests to store road bikes in their room.

2. Playa La Arena, Puerto Santiago and Los Gigantes

Heading up the west coast away from Costa Adeje and towards Masca, you find PLaya La Arena, Puerto de Santiago and Los Gigantes.

We think these towns are a great choice for cyclists looking for a beach, good weather and access to great riding from the door.

Development means it’s difficult to tell where one starts and the other finishes. Here are some pointers:

• Playa La Arena is known for its volcanic black sand beach. It’s reputedly one of the best on the island and it is popular. You’ll find it in a sheltered cove below the small promenade of shops, bars and restaurants. Behind those, hotels and apartments climb up the hill. On the horizon is La Gomera and, if you pick the right accommodation (see our choice!) you get fantastic sunset views over the cliffs of Los Gigantes. 
• You find Puerto de Santiago on the road west from Play de la Arena. It’s a  whitewashed town on a hillside that tumbles down to a small black sandy beach. There’s a small harbour and quay as well as fruit shops and cafés.
• Heading west again you come to Los Gigantes. It’s signposted from all over the island and occupies a stunning location at the foot of towering cliffs. The heart of the village is around the pretty marina, the small church square and one main street just above the marina. The small black sand beach is supplemented by the El Laguillo complex (designed by César Manrique) and Club Oasis. There you’ll find swimming pools, sunbathing and snack bars.

The banner photo is taken from where we stayed: Belive hotel La Arena, looking north towards La Gigantes.

Pros

• Good range of rides straight from the door: Teide (via Chio), Masca and the Teno lighthouse are all within range, assuming you’re fit.
• Views of the impressive Los Gigantes cliffs.
• Less high rise buildings than the Costa Adeje area.
• Quieter and less traffic than the Costa Adeje area.
• Climate remains favourable; you’re not in the north!
• Within an easy 30 minute drive of Costa Adeje’s water parks and around 80 minutes to the famous Loro Park zoo near Puerto de la Cruz. 

Cons

• If you’re hiring a bike, you’ll need to pick it up on the way from the airport since there is no bike hire in the immediate vicinity.
• The roads up from these coastal villages are steep, more so than in other resorts.
• While less high rise than the Costa Adeje region, expect to be within a town/resort development. If you want a slice of rural Tenerife, take a look at our Also worth considering section below or head to an inland village and stay in a traditional finca.

Cycling hotels in Playa la Arena

Landmar, Playa la Arena

We spent five nights at Landmar, Playa La Arena. It’s a large hotel with lots of facilities and it’s a good option if you’re travelling with children and/or looking for an all-inclusive package. More information on our stay, here.

Gran Melia Palacio de Isora

Looking for something more luxurious but also around the Playa La Arena area? Check out the five star Gran Melia Palacio de Isora. It’s just south of Playa La Arena and is an indulgent, slick hotel with superb facilities for families including play area, kids’ pool, mini club (3-12 year olds) and live show for children. It was voted Best Resort in Spain by Condé Nast Traveler in 2012 and 2014. The hotel confirmed that they have a cloakroom for bike storage which can only be opened by the Concierge team.

3. Puerto de la Cruz

This is Tenerife’s main resort in the North and it’s easily accessible from the Northern airport. Purely in terms of cycling, we think it’s the best located of all Tenerife’s resorts. That’s because all the best rides are easy to get to: you can ride up Teide from the door and (depending how fit you are) either ride Masca, Teno lighthouse and Anaga or drive then ride them.

The climate may not be as favourable as in the Southern resorts, but if you’re visiting in the summer this may be welcome.

Pros

• You’re based on Tenerife’s most attractive coastline (in our opinion!).
• Superb riding from the door up Teide (via La Oratava). Masca is around 50 km to the west and Anaga is around 40km to the east.
• Road bike hire shop in town (read more).
• Attractive pedestrianised seafront promenade.
• 1km long black sand, Playa Jardín beach which was landscaped by renowned architect and artist César Manrique. It runs from Punta Brava in the old part of town to Castillo de San Felipe in the west of the town.
• There’s lots to do in addition to the beach:
• Fabulous Lago Martianez, again designed by César Manrique. This complex of swimming pools and contemporary art sits on the town’s promenade, next to the sea. It’s an unmissable place that both kids and adults will love. Entry is also very reasonably priced.
• Loro Park zoo is one of Tenerife’s main attractions and is just a few kilometres away. There’s even a little train that takes you there from the centre of town.
• The town’s botanical gardens are a lush world of lily ponds, exotic plants and giant foliage.

Cons

• The weather is cooler and damper along the northern coast.
• It’s quite a large town so you’ll need to negotiate some traffic on your way in/out.
• If your kids are set on water parks, they’re about 1.5 hours’ drive south.  

Cycling hotels in Puerto de la Cruz

Hotel Tigaiga

Hotel Tigaiga is a family-run hotel where friendly service is a feature. It is located on a hill in the Taoro Park with views of the Orotava Valley and Mount Teide. The hotel is surrounded by subtropical gardens.

• Heated outdoor swimming pool, plus table tennis and giant chess.
• Walk into Puerto de la Cruz in 15-20 minutes.
• The hotel also has some apartments.
• Tip: on enquiring about storage of road bikes, we were told they have a garage where bikes can be stored safely.

Hotel Riu Garoe

Hotel Riu Garoe is a three star hotel where guests are very positive about customer service and many make return visits.

• Lots of facilities including outdoor pool, indoor pool, jacuzzi, solarium terrace, sauna, tennis court, squash, mini gold and table tennis.
• 2km to the Lago Martianez saltwater pools in Puerto de la Cruz, or there is a shuttle bus.
• Popular with Germans.
• Tip: the hotel confirmed that guests are allowed to bring their bikes into the room.

Apartments Ambassador

Tastefully decorated three star apartments designed for three to five people.

• One or two bedroom apartments complete with American kitchen and balcony or terrace.
• Set around a courtyard garden with palm trees and green lawns. There’s a pool too.
• Within walking distance of the botanic gardens with Playa Martianez beach 2km away and the town centre 2.5 km.
• Tip: the hotel allows guests to put bikes on the terrace or balcony of their apartment.

4. Also worth considering

La Laguna

If you’re willing to do a two base holiday, we’d suggest a few days in San Cristobal de La Laguna (known just as La Laguna).

This wonderful town in the northeast peninsula of Tenerife. You can explore the Anaga region and ride Teide from your doorstep. Plus the town is a gem with UNESCO World Heritage status, well preserved cobbled streets and squares lined with mansions. There’s no beach but you’ll get a taste for the real Tenerife.

Combine a stay here with time in Los Gigantes or Costa Adeje and we think you’ve got the makings of a great cycle holiday.

Like the sound of it? Take a look at La Laguna Gran Hotel, which looks amazing.

La Laguna Gran Hotel

La Laguna Gran Hotel is a four star hotel housed in an old tobacco factory close to the centre of La Laguna’s historic town.

• 22 metre long roof top pool with mountain and city views.
• Michelin starred restaurant (one of only five on Tenerife).
• Elegantly decorated in a contemporary style.
• Underground parking garage.
• Tip: the hotel has a luggage room where bikes can be stored. We were told that this is located next to reception, is always locked and receptionists accompany the clients to leave/pick up luggage from the room.

La Orotava

Close to Puerto de la Cruz, but significantly more elegant, is La Orotava. Like La Laguna it’s full of tree lined roads, exquisite mansions and historic beauty. It could be a good option if you want to stay on the North coast but are looking for somewhere more authentic than Puerto de la Cruz. You won’t find all inclusive high rise hotels either – this is a town of small family run bed and breakfasts.

Hotel Rural Victoria would be our suggestion in La Orotava itself. Or check out the legendary Parador de Canadas del Teide, training camp base of the pros.

Parador de las Cañadas del Teide

The Parador is a mountain lodge in a dramatic location, being the only building in the Mount Teide Nature Reserve. This is where the pros come to sleep at altitude before testing themselves on the slopes of Mount Teide. It’s a hotel with serious cycling pedigree.

• The terrace has stunning views over the Roques de Garcia rock formations.
• Indoor swimming pool.
• Rooms are traditional with dark wood and old fashioned bedsteads.
• Tip: the hotel has a luggage room where bikes can be stored. We were told that this is located next to reception and is locked.

El Médano

Stay here if you love windsurfing as much as you love cycling. This small town on the southeast coast is Tenerife’s windsurfing and kiteboarding capital due to the easterly trade winds. You can hire a bike (read more), ride Teide from the door and then flop on the beautiful beach/do a spot of windsurfing.

The town itself is laidback and fun, full of surf shops, restaurants and cafés. It’s popular with surf dudes, families and gentle neo-hippies rather than the all-inclusive crowd. Be aware that you’ll probably hear airplanes during your visit as the flight path goes overhead.

We’d suggest looking at Hotel Arenas del Mar if you fancy staying here.

Hotel Arenas del Mar

An adult only hotel located on the tip of a spectacular bay and orientated towards the sea.

• Contemporary and stylish decor with touches like seashell pendant lights
• Thalasso therapy spa (including thermal circuit, sauna and jacuzzi). 
• Various activities including gym, table tennis, darts and a games room.
• Outdoor pool area directly above the sea, with far-reaching views.
• Tip: the hotel allows guests to either keep their bike in their room or in a room next to the reception desk. We were told that this is always locked and that they keep the key in reception.

 

We hope you’ve found this helpful. Tenerife is an awesome cycling destination and picking the right base for you will make a big difference to your trip. Happy cycling!

Going to Tenerife?

Don’t miss:

• our ultimate Tenerife guide which includes where to ride and hire a bike;
• our ride guides to Teide (via Orotava and Granadilla), Masca, Anaga and more. 

Got a question?
Give us a shout or add a comment below.

Been to Tenerife? Where did you stay? Let us know in the comments below!