Tenerife is bigger and more varied than most people expect — a sunny, dry south and a green, cooler north, with everything from buzzing resort towns to quiet historic cities. The "best" area depends entirely on the life you want. Here's an honest 2026 rundown of where expats actually settle.
South Tenerife: sun, beaches and the biggest expat community
The south is warmer, drier and sunnier year-round, and it's where most English-speaking newcomers land.
Costa Adeje & Playa de las Américas
Polished, resort-style living with the best restaurants, services and international schools nearby. The most expensive part of the island, and the most geared to foreigners.
Los Cristianos
A former fishing town that kept more of its character while still being very international. Walkable, with a real town centre and good transport links. Popular with retirees and long-term residents.
El Médano
The island's relaxed, windsurf-and-kitesurf town. A favourite with digital nomads and younger remote workers for its laid-back, outdoorsy vibe and natural beaches.
North Tenerife: greener, more local, often cheaper
The north trades some sunshine for lush scenery, authentic Canarian towns and generally lower rents. Better suited to those who want to live more like a local and don't mind occasional cloud or rain.
La Laguna (San Cristóbal de La Laguna)
A UNESCO World Heritage university city — beautiful, lively and full of culture, with a younger population and lower rents than the south. Cooler and sometimes damp.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The capital: a proper working city with shops, culture, a port and city amenities. Great if you want urban life rather than a beach-resort feel.
Puerto de la Cruz
A charming, long-established resort town in the north with a loyal northern-European community, especially German. Scenic and walkable, with a gentler pace.
How to choose: a quick guide
- Remote worker / digital nomad: El Médano, Costa Adeje, or Santa Cruz for city life and fast internet.
- Retiree: Los Cristianos or Puerto de la Cruz — walkable, sociable, good healthcare access.
- Family: Costa Adeje area (international schools) or La Laguna (local, cultural, cheaper).
- Budget-focused: the north and inland towns generally beat the southern coast on rent.
A note on microclimates
Tenerife's weather is intensely local. The south can be sunny while the north is under cloud, and higher inland towns are noticeably cooler. Where you live changes your daily climate far more than the season does — another reason to visit before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do most expats live in Tenerife?
Most English-speaking expats settle in the south — Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos and El Médano — for the warmer, drier climate and established international community. The north attracts those wanting a greener, more local and often cheaper lifestyle.
Is the north or south of Tenerife better to live in?
Neither is objectively better. The south is sunnier, more international and more expensive; the north is greener, more authentically Canarian and generally cheaper. Many people rent in both before deciding.
Which area of Tenerife is best for digital nomads?
El Médano is a favourite for its relaxed, outdoorsy community, while Costa Adeje and Santa Cruz offer more services and reliable fast internet. All have coworking options.
Where is cheapest to live in Tenerife?
Generally the north and inland towns, with long-term unfurnished contracts, are cheaper than the southern resort coast. Rents everywhere have risen, so compare current listings on Idealista and Fotocasa.