Tenerife Travel Budget: How Much Does a Vacation Cost?

Tenerife is one of the few European resorts where affordable vacations are truly a reality. The Canary Islands’ special tax status makes food, alcohol, electronics, and fuel cheaper here. At the same time, the island offers luxurious five-star resorts and gourmet restaurants for those willing to splurge. This guide provides honest pricing information for all types of travelers.

Table of Contents

• Tax Benefits of the Canary Islands
• Accommodations: Prices and Options
• Food and Restaurants
• Transport
• Sights and Entertainment
• Total Budget by Tourist Type
• How to Save Money in Tenerife
• FAQ

Tax Benefits in the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are part of Spain and the EU, but they have a special economic status: the IGIC (Impuesto General Indirecto Canario) applies here at a rate of 7% instead of the standard Spanish VAT rate of 21%. This means that almost everything—from restaurants to electronics—is significantly cheaper than on the mainland.

Additionally, the Canary Islands do not have the same excise taxes on alcohol and tobacco as mainland Spain—so alcohol, cigars, and perfume are significantly cheaper. In essence, it’s a zone similar to a duty-free zone for consumer goods.

Accommodations in Tenerife: Prices and Options

Hostels and Guesthouses

The most budget-friendly option: €20–40 per night. There aren’t many hostels in Tenerife—the island is geared toward family and beach tourism. Look for options in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Puerto de la Cruz, and Los Cristianos.

Apartments (self-catering)

A very popular option. A studio or one-bedroom apartment in a tourist area: €40–80 per night. Family option (2 bedrooms): €70–120/night. Book through Airbnb, Booking.com, or local management companies. Having a kitchen saves significantly on food costs.

3-star hotels

€60–100 per night for two people. Standard room with or without breakfast. Good value for money in the Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas areas.

4-star hotels

€100–180 per night for two. Often include a pool, kids’ club, and restaurant. Hotel chains such as Barceló, Meliá, and H10 Hotels have a strong presence on the island.

5-star hotels and luxury accommodations

Starting at €200 per night and up. The Costa Adeje area is home to most of the top-tier hotels: Gran Hotel Bahía del Duque, Royal Hideaway Corales Resort, and Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife. For true luxury, you’ll have to pay €400–700+ per night.

All-Inclusive

All-inclusive packages in Tenerife start at €70–90 per person per night at 3–4-star hotels. This is a great option for families with children: predictable costs, unlimited food and drinks, and an entertainment program.

Food and Restaurants in Tenerife: Prices

Supermarkets and Cooking for Yourself

Major chains: Mercadona (the most popular), Lidl, Alcampo, Spar. Prices in supermarkets are significantly lower than in Western Europe:

• A loaf of bread — €0.70–1.20
• 1 kg of chicken breast — €3–5
• 1 kg of potatoes — €0.80–1.50
• Bottle of local wine (DO Abona, DO Tacoronte) — €4–8
• 0.33 L beer at a store — €0.60–1
• Ready-made lunch from a deli — €3–6

Local bars and cafes

The best discovery in Tenerife is the menú del día (business lunch): three courses + bread + wine or water for €10–14. This is standard fare at Spanish bars: a first course (soup or salad), a main course (meat or fish), and dessert. The food is typically homemade and hearty. Look for these menus away from tourist areas—on market streets or in working-class neighborhoods.

Tourist restaurants

In tourist areas (Las Vistas, Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos promenade), prices are significantly higher. Dinner without alcohol: €20–40 per person. Cocktail: €6–10. Choose restaurants where locals dine—they’re cheaper and the food is better.

Drinks

• Beer (cerveza) at a bar, 330 ml — €2–3.50
• A glass of local wine — €2.50–4
• Coffee (café solo / café con leche)—€1–2
• Freshly squeezed orange juice — €2–3.50

Traditional local dishes (be sure to try them!)

• Papas arrugadas con mojo — potatoes boiled in salt with mojo sauces (spicy red and green garlic). Serving: €4–6
• Ropa vieja — braised beef with chickpeas and vegetables, a hearty Canarian dish
• Cherne — a local fish similar to sea bass, baked whole
• Gofio — flour made from roasted grains, a traditional ingredient added to soups and desserts

Transportation: Cost

TITSA Bus

The TITSA public bus network covers the entire island. A single-ride ticket starts at €1.45. With the Bono card (a transit card that can be reloaded at bus stops and terminals), you get a significant discount, bringing the fare down to €0.80–1.10. The bus is a great way to get to Teide from Puerto de la Cruz or Playa de las Américas.

Taxi

• TFS Airport → Los Cristianos: €15–20
• TFS Airport → Playa de las Américas: €18–25
• TFS Airport → Santa Cruz: €50–60
• City ride (within the resort area): €5–10

Taxis have fixed rates—the meter must be used. Uber service is limited in Tenerife; the main alternative is Cabify.

Car Rental

Starting at €15–20/day for economy class (Cicar, Sixt, etc.). Long-term rentals and early bookings are cheaper. Gas is cheaper than in mainland Spain, at about €1.45–1.65 per liter.

Attractions and Entertainment: Prices

Total budget: three types of travelers

Budget traveler (€50–70/day)

• Accommodation: hostel or inexpensive apartment with a kitchen — €20–35/night
• Meals: cook for yourself + 1 daily special = €15–20/day
• Transportation: TITSA bus — €2–5/day
• Activities: free beaches and parks — €5–10/day

Average tourist (€90–130/day)

• Accommodation: 3-star hotel or apartment — €50–70/night
• Meals: breakfast + cooking your own meals + 1–2 restaurant visits — €30–40/day
• Transportation: taxi + bus — €10–15/day
• Entertainment: 1–2 paid attractions per trip

Comfortable vacation (€150–200+/day)

• Accommodation: 4–5* hotel, all-inclusive — €100–200 per night
• Meals: restaurants, cocktails — €50–80/day
• Transportation: car rental + taxi — €20–30/day
• Entertainment: Siam Park, Loro Parque, yacht, spa — €50–100 per day

How to Save Money in Tenerife

• Apartments with a kitchen —the most obvious way: have breakfast and dinner at home, and grab lunch at local bars
• Book tickets online —Siam Park, Loro Parque, and the Teide Cable Car are cheaper when purchased on their websites
• Travel during the off-season —April–May and October–November: flights and accommodations are significantly cheaper, and the weather is great
• The TITSA transit pass saves you up to 30% on bus rides
• Local markets —Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África in Santa Cruz: fresh fruit, cheeses, and cured meats are much cheaper than in stores
• Menú del día —a set lunch at a local café: filling and inexpensive, often served with wine
• Alcohol from Lidl or Mercadona —when you consider the quality, Canarian wine for €4–6 beats many European bottles priced at €15

FAQ

Is Tenerife an expensive resort?

Compared to other European resorts—no. Compared to mainland Spain, France, or Italy—it’s significantly cheaper. Compared to Turkey or Egypt—it’s more expensive, but the level of service and infrastructure is higher.

How much does a flight to Tenerife cost?

It depends on your departure city and the season. Direct flights from Moscow and Kyiv were available until 2022; now, most routes include a layover. The average cost of a round-trip ticket from CIS countries ranges from €300 to €600 when booked in advance.

What is the currency in Tenerife?

The euro (EUR). ATMs are widely available. Credit cards are accepted everywhere except at small market stalls. We recommend carrying a small amount of cash (€50–100) for unexpected expenses.

Is it expensive to eat outside the hotel?

No. A “Menú del día” for €10–14 is a full three-course lunch with a drink. It’s cheaper than in most Western European countries and significantly better quality than fast food.

Is it worth getting an all-inclusive package in Tenerife?

For families with children—yes, it’s convenient and makes budgeting easier. For independent travelers who want to explore the island—apartments are a better option: eating at local bars will be both cheaper and more interesting.