Born of volcanoes and warmed by the Atlantic, Tenerife delivers Europe’s most reliable winter sun. In December, the south coast lounges around 20–24°C, with black-sand beaches, promenades, and sunset coves made for unhurried strolls. A short hop inland reveals Teide National Park’s lunar landscapes, Spain’s highest peak, and stargazing skies that feel close enough to touch.

History here runs deep—from the indigenous Guanche roots to La Laguna’s scholarly Renaissance grid, now UNESCO-listed. Locals cherish guachinches: family-run spots serving homemade wine with hearty island dishes. Between easy coastal walks, whale-watching in protected waters, and day trips through forests of laurel and pine, Tenerife rewards curiosity without demanding endurance.

Practical notes: Fly Munich to Tenerife South (TFS) in about 5 hours; German citizens can travel “ohne Reisepass” with a valid Personalausweis. Choose a hotel with breakfast to stretch your budget, use the excellent TITSA buses or a compact rental car, and pack layers—Teide can be near-freezing when coastlines are warm.

Tenerife

Tenerife packs a lot into one island: beach time in Costa Adeje, culture in Santa Cruz and La Laguna, cliffside viewpoints at Los Gigantes, and the otherworldly caldera of Teide. It’s perfect for a “kein Action-Urlaub, aber auch kein Rentnertrip” pace—light hikes, scenic drives, market tastings, and boat outings.

Top sights include Teide National Park (cable car vistas over seas of cloud), Masca (a photogenic hamlet tucked into dramatic ravines), La Laguna (pastel palaces and courtyards), and South Coast beaches like Playa del Duque and Las Vistas. Culinary musts: papas arrugadas with mojo rojo/verde, grilled vieja (parrotfish), goat cheeses, gofio-based dishes, and the iconic barraquito coffee-dessert.

• Where to stay (breakfast included options via Hotels.com or VRBO): Browse south-coast stays in Costa Adeje/Los Cristianos for warmest December weather:
  • Midrange hotels with breakfast near the beach (many with pools and seaview terraces). Search: Hotels in Tenerife
  • Self-catering apartments or villas with kitchenettes (great for snacks) near Playa Fañabé or Las Vistas. Search: VRBO Tenerife stays
• Getting there from Munich: Direct flights MUC → TFS typically take ~5 hours. December fares often land around €150–€280 round-trip if booked early. Compare on Omio (flights).
• Getting around: Buses are frequent and affordable (e.g., Costa Adeje ↔ Santa Cruz ~1h15–1h30). For Teide/Masca flexibility, a 1–2 day rental car is handy; otherwise consider organized day tours.

Day 1: Arrival, Coastline Sunset, and Tapas Welcome

Morning: Fly Munich to Tenerife South (TFS). Aim for a late-morning or midday departure; flight time is ~5 hours. Carry a valid German ID card (Personalausweis)—no passport required.

Afternoon: Check in around Costa Adeje or Los Cristianos. Stretch your legs along the palm-lined promenade from Playa Fañabé to Playa del Duque. Grab a first island pick-me-up: a barraquito (layers of espresso, condensed milk, Licor 43, and cinnamon) at Cappuccino Grand Café on the seafront.

Evening: Watch sunset at Playa del Duque’s golden cove, then dine on Canarian flavors. Try Mesón Castellano (classic Spanish seafood and jamón, great croquetas) or El Rinconcito de Hilario in Adeje (local grilled meats, mojo-topped papas, friendly prices). Cap the night with a gentle stroll through Playa de las Américas promenade for people-watching.

Day 2: Easy Promenade Walk + Whale & Dolphin Watching

Morning: After hotel breakfast, enjoy an easy coastal walk: start at Playa Fañabé and follow the flat promenade ~5 km to Los Cristianos. Coffee and pastries at 100% Pan y Pastelería (almond croissants, good espresso). Dip your feet at Playa de Las Vistas—calm water, lifeguards, and showers.

Afternoon: Head to Puerto Colón for a 2–3 hour catamaran cruise to see pilot whales and dolphins in Teno-Rasca Marine Reserve. Expect €35–€60 per person with soft drinks and a swim stop. The pace is relaxed; bring a light sweater for sea breeze.

Evening: Sunset drinks at Monkey Beach Club overlooking Playa de Troya (great ocean views). Dinner nearby at La Torre del Mirador (seafood paella, terrace above the cove) or El Cine in Los Cristianos (no-frills local favorite: fried squid, chicken wings, cod with papas). Try bienmesabe for dessert (almond-honey cream).

Day 3: Teide National Park without the Rush

Morning: Layer up and drive or join a tour to Teide National Park (1–1.5 hours from Costa Adeje). Stop at Roques de García for a short, scenic loop (choose an easy out-and-back section if you prefer minimal elevation). Volcanic vistas, pumice gardens, and panoramic overlooks abound.

Afternoon: Ride the Teide cable car (weather-dependent) to 3,555 m for sweeping views over the caldera and, on clear days, neighboring islands. Warm up with hearty fare at the Parador de las Cañadas cafeteria—lentil stew, tortilla española, and local cheeses.

Evening: Back on the coast, dine at Mesón Era Las Mozas (Arona)—famous for “secreto ibérico,” grilled rabbit, and generous salads at great value. If skies are crisp, consider a brief post-dinner star-gaze from a nearby mirador; Tenerife’s night canopy is dazzling even without a formal tour.

Day 4: Santa Cruz Markets & La Laguna’s UNESCO Old Town

Morning: Bus or drive to Santa Cruz (~1h15 from Costa Adeje). Start at Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África: nibble on tortilla pinchos, island olives, and local fruit juices. Pop by the TEA (contemporary art space) area for a short riverbed walk and coffee at a nearby café.

Afternoon: Take the tram up to San Cristóbal de La Laguna. Wander pastel façades and cobbled streets: Calle Obispo Rey Redondo, Plaza del Adelantado, and hidden courtyard patios. Lunch at Bodegón Viana 61 (mojo-marinated pork, wrinkled potatoes, seasonal fish) or Tasca El Obispado (tapas board with goat cheeses and almogrote).

Evening: Return south. Keep it casual at El Rincón del Marinero in Los Cristianos (grilled sardines, papas with mojo, salad of tomatoes and local tuno indio prickly pear). Toast the day with a sweet Malvasía wine from the north.

Day 5: Masca Views & Los Gigantes Cliffs

Morning: Drive west to Mirador de Cherfe for a wide-angle view of Masca’s jagged ravines, then descend into the village for a gentle wander (no need for the full ravine hike). Coffee with cinnamon at Bar Restaurante Masca and a slice of almond cake.

Afternoon: Continue to Los Gigantes. Gaze at the sheer cliffs from the marina, or dip into the sheltered Charco de Isla Cangrejo natural pool if seas are calm. A short coastal amble offers cliffside photographs without strenuous exertion.

Evening: Return to Costa Adeje for dinner at Abordo (fresh fish display—choose your catch; grilled vieja with mojo is a standout) or try a guachinche-style experience closer to Adeje on selected nights (simple, homey menus with house wine—ask your hotel for the nearest recommendations that night).

Day 6: Last Swim, Local Tastes, and Departure

Morning: Squeeze in a final beach hour at Playa de Las Vistas or Playa del Camisón—easy entry and calm water. Enjoy your included hotel breakfast or grab a cortado leche y leche at a beachfront café.

Afternoon: Check out and aim for a relaxed lunch near the airport. Tasca Tierras del Sur (Granadilla) is an excellent stop for chorizo al vino, octopus gallega-style, and grilled vegetables. Continue 15–20 minutes to TFS for your afternoon flight back to Munich. Compare return options on Omio (flights).

Evening: Arrival in Munich. You’ve banked a week of vitamin D, coastal sunsets, and island flavors without an “action holiday” or a sleepy schedule—just the right tempo.

Smart Budgeting (Target: ≤ €1,200 per person for 5 nights)

• Flights MUC–TFS round-trip (early December, booked in advance): ~€150–€280 via Omio.
• Hotel with breakfast (Costa Adeje/Los Cristianos): ~€90–€140 per room/night x 5 = €450–€700. Search deals on Hotels.com or self-catering on VRBO.
• Food & drinks (lunch/dinner, coffee, snacks): ~€30–€40/day = €150–€200 (breakfast included).
• Activities & transport: Whale-watching €35–€60; Teide cable car ~€40; buses/fuel/parking ~€40–€80. Total ~€130–€180.

Estimated trip total: ~€880–€1,160 per person (sharing a room), comfortably within your €1,200 ceiling.

Practical Tips

• Weather: South coast 20–24°C; Teide can be near 0–10°C—pack layers and a windbreaker.
• Sun & sea: Use reef-safe sunscreen; watch flag colors for swimming conditions.
• Driving: Roads to Masca are winding—go slow, use viewpoints to let locals pass. Prefer morning for lighter traffic.
• Dining: Reserve for Tasca Tierras del Sur and popular seaside spots on weekends. Try mojo rojo (paprika/garlic) and mojo verde (cilantro/parsley) with everything.

In six sun-splashed days, you’ll taste the island’s everyday joys: sea breezes, tapas, volcanic horizons, and an easy rhythm that never feels idle. Tenerife checks every box—warmer weather, no passport needed, balanced activities, and budget-friendly comfort with breakfast included.