Where to live in the Canary Islands: Las Palmas and Tenerife

Key rules

• North vs south: The north of the islands is cooler, cloudier and wetter; the south is sunnier, drier and warmer.
• Beach life in the capitals: Las Palmas has a long city beach at Las Canteras, while Santa Cruz has fewer beaches and relies on nearby San Andrés and Las Teresitas.
• Remote workers: Las Canteras and the Isleta, La Laguna and El Médano are the areas most associated with remote workers.
• Altitude: Snow and frost occur only on Teide and in the interior in winter.

The short answer

Pick your climate first, then your neighbourhood. The north of each island is cooler, cloudier and greener. The south is sunnier, drier and warmer. Most newcomers choose between a capital city (Las Palmas on Gran Canaria, Santa Cruz on Tenerife) and the resort towns of south Tenerife.

How microclimates work

Temperatures are mild all year, but exposure to the trade winds changes a lot.

• North of the larger islands: cooler, cloudier and wetter. At mid-altitude you get a "sea of clouds" and lush vegetation.
• South: sunnier, drier and warmer, often semi-desert, with very little rain.
• Capitals: in between. Las Palmas is mild and stable, from about 18°C in winter to 26–28°C in summer, and often cloudy on the north coast. Santa Cruz is a little hotter and drier than the north of Tenerife.
• Altitude: it changes things further. Teide and the interior get snow and frost in winter.

Two places a few kilometres apart can feel very different. Look at official climate data for the exact town before you commit.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

• Las Canteras and the Isleta: popular with newcomers and remote workers. You get a long city beach, cafes, coworking spaces and surf life.
• Guanarteme and Santa Catalina: lively and central.
• Triana and Vegueta: the historic districts, with a cultural feel.
• Alcaravaneras and Ciudad Jardín: quieter residential areas near the sea.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Santa Cruz feels more local, administrative and quiet. It has fewer beaches.

• Popular areas: Centro and Ramblas, Los Hoteles, Salamanca, Residencial Anaga and the area around the Auditorio.
• Beach nearby: San Andrés and Las Teresitas.
• La Laguna: a nearby favourite for students and remote workers, with a university and an old town.

South Tenerife

The south is sunnier and drier than the north. The TF-1 motorway links the area with the Tenerife Sur airport.

• Adeje (Costa Adeje, Fañabé, Playa Paraíso, La Caleta): a premium resort area with many expats and high prices.
• Arona (Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas): busy and touristy, with many older residents. Ferries to La Gomera leave from Los Cristianos.
• Granadilla de Abona (El Médano): a windsurf and kitesurf town popular with younger remote workers.
• San Miguel de Abona and Golf del Sur: golf-oriented and quiet.
• Guía de Isora (Playa San Juan, Alcalá) and Santiago del Teide (Los Gigantes): quieter, with cliffs.

Before you choose

Neighbourhood preference is personal. Check current rental availability, prices and services in the specific area. The questions below cover common doubts.

Frequently asked questions

Which area of Las Palmas suits remote workers?

Las Canteras and the Isleta area suit remote workers best in Las Palmas, thanks to the long city beach, cafes, coworking spaces and surf life. If you want somewhere quieter near the sea, look at Alcaravaneras or Ciudad Jardín. Guanarteme and Santa Catalina are lively and central.

Where in south Tenerife do younger remote workers settle?

El Médano, in the municipality of Granadilla de Abona, is popular with younger remote workers because of its windsurf and kitesurf scene. Costa Adeje is a premium resort area with many expats and high prices. Los Gigantes and Playa San Juan are quieter, with cliffs.

Is Santa Cruz de Tenerife a good base if you want a beach?

Santa Cruz itself has fewer beaches, so it suits you better if you want a quiet, local, administrative city. For sand, look at nearby San Andrés and Las Teresitas.

Does it get cold or snowy anywhere in the Canary Islands?

Yes, the interior and Teide get snow and frost in winter, even though the coast stays mild all year. The north of the bigger islands is cooler, cloudier and wetter, while the south is sunnier and drier.