Car Hire Tenerife

An island that's perfect for holidaymakers and packed with amenities for those visiting for business, Tenerife attracts 10 million people every year, and boasts a comprehensive network of roads for anyone travelling across the island. The south tends to be the most popular place for tourists, with sandy beachfronts and many of the island's resorts, such as Playa de las Americas and Costa Adeje.

Tenerife's highest mountain, Mount Teide, is accessible by taking the TF-24 across the centre of the island from the north and the TF-21 from the south. The TF-1, the main motorway, circles the eastern and southern regions of the island, allowing you to travel across the whole of Tenerife in your hire car. Motorways are toll-free, and with clear signposting, finding your way around the island is simple.

Speed limits vary depending on which road you're using: motorways have a limit of 74mph (120km/h), while built-up areas have a speed limit of 31mph (50km/h). For most other roads the restriction is set at 55mph (90km/h) – but always check to see which speed you should be travelling at. If you want to explore the more rural areas of Tenerife, it's worth noting that the mountain roads can be quite narrow and winding, so take extra care on this terrain.

You'll find free parking spaces on many roads surrounding the island's resorts. Don't park on yellow or white lines, as you could receive a fine. On-street parking areas marked with blue lines can be used in exchange for a fee. Check the signs to find out how much. There's also a number of underground parking garages in Tenerife, which are useful when leaving your hire car for a number of hours.

Many of the laws that apply to driving in Spain are also present in Tenerife. This is a right-hand side driving country. You need to be over 21 to rent a vehicle and children aged 12 and below are not allowed to sit in the front passenger seat, and you must use a child seat suitable for their size and weight.

Situated off the coast of Africa, Tenerife is a popular holiday destination with a climate that provides great weather for the majority of the year. Seamlessly blending everything from golden beaches to striking mountain views, Tenerife is a stunning place to visit for a holiday. But it's also becoming an ideal place for business, with many hotels now offering first-rate meeting facilities and conference rooms.

Peaks and beaches

With the highest mountain on Spanish territory as its backdrop, it's little wonder this island is so popular with visitors. Dormant volcano Mount Teide, which rises 3,718 metres, offers stunning views of Tenerife and is a must-see for any visitor to the Canary Islands. Situated in the middle of the island, you can hire a car from one of our pick-up points and travel to see this dramatic snow-capped sight for yourself. Or, if you're feeling more adventurous, you can hike around the area and take in the unique landscapes of the Parque Nacional del Teide.

If you're looking for a relaxing beach break, Tenerife can give you more than just a suntan. While many of the island's most popular beaches are in the south, the north also possesses some incredible shorelines, with dark-coloured sands offering an alternative to the typical golden grains. Puerto de la Cruz is located on the north coast of the island and is home to the beach of Playa Martinez - closest to the town – as well as Playa Jardin, which is the area's tourist hotspot. Los Gigantes, on the west coast of the island, enjoys the highest number of sunshine hours, and thanks to its stunning location is hugely popular with tourists.

Architectural delights

Santa Cruz, the charismatic capital of Tenerife, lies in the north-east of the island and is home to pretty and historically significant harbours that still make for a charming gateway into mainland Spain. A thriving city, here you'll find brilliant shopping opportunities, and buildings of importance, including the parliament buildings of the Canary Islands, and the Auditorium of Tenerife, which offers guided tours and musical performances. Even if you can't spare the time for a show, it's still definitely worth taking a trip to see the soaring wave-like structure.

Don't overlook the island's detailed and intricate architecture – historic house and museum La Casa de los Balcones is worth a look, while the streets of La Orotava and La Laguna serve up the best examples of beautiful traditional Andalucian architecture.

Carnival celebrations

Visit Santa Cruz in February and find yourself seduced by a carnival atmosphere as the streets become an array of colour, music and celebration with the annual three-week event that takes over the city.

Whether you're visiting for some downtime and sight-seeing or are on the island strictly for business, hiring a car in Tenerife means you can be confident you'll get to your destination in good time.