DIANA BANCALE
Founder and author, travel blogger since 2014.
Although Tenerife has one of the best climates in the world, with spring-like (or way warmer) temperatures all year round, it can still happen that you get a rainy or gloomy day.
Rain is rare, especially in the south of Tenerife, where I live, but not impossible.
Then, even if it doesn’t rain, the day might be overcast or affected by “calima” (a warm wind from the nearby Sahara desert that brings desert dust).
We are in a beuatiful island but of course, nobody is perfect, so there may be a few days of rain throughout the year.
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No worries, here are a few things that you can do to enjoy the island, even when it rains!
1 Relax in a wellness center – Spa
If the weather isn’t beach-friendly but you still want to enjoy a warm bath and some well-deserved relaxation, spending a few hours at a spa is a great idea! Between hot tubs, heated pools, saunas, and turkish baths, you can still have a great day.
Most 4 and 5-star hotels have their own spa, often open to non-guests for a fee.
In the south of Tenerife, you could choose among:
Vincci Tenerife South Plantation
You can contact them and reserve your spot. Often, they have special packages of a few hours + breakfast or brunch included.
In the north of Tenerife, I recommend the spa at Hotel Laguna Nivaria.
If you’d prefer a larger wellness center rather than a hotel spa, try the Aqua Club Termal Spa in Torviscas Alto (south of Tenerife), which features a huge indoor pool and 18 different wellness areas.
[BUY YOUR AQUA CLUB TERMAL TICKET HERE]
2 Visit the covered food market in Santa Cruz
Another nice plan for a rainy day is a visit to the covered market in Santa Cruz, the island’s capital.
The Nuestra Señora de África market offers everything from local food products to flowers, jewelry, fruits, and vegetables.
Downstairs, there’s a section dedicated to fresh fish, where you can even taste it directly at some of the stands. Actually, this is a great plan to try local food and very fresh fish and seafood plates.
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3 See the famous basilica of Candelaria
Tenerife isn’t just about beaches, it’s rich in history and culture too. A rainy day could be the perfect excuse to visit the Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, an important pilgrimage site for Catholics from all over Spain and beyond.
Back in 1390, two Guanche shepherds (the island’s native inhabitants) found a carved wooden image of the Virgin Mary inside a cave they had taken shelter in during a storm.
That discovery later led to the construction of the basilica, dedicated to “La Morenita,” the Black Virgin, patron saint of the Canary Islands.
The basilica stands in a large square facing the ocean in the town of Candelaria, surrounded by statues of the ancient Guanche kings: the Menceyes.
4 Go for a local wine tasting
Did you know that winemaking is one of Tenerife’s main agricultural activities?
Thanks to its rich volcanic soil, the island has five wine-growing regions producing a variety of wines: red, white, and malvasía with hundreds of wineries to visit.
Wine tastings are often paired with local canarian dishes, making them a great (and delicious) way to spend a rainy day.
Some recommended wine and food tasting experiences include:
Bodega Monje – BOOK YOUR TICKET HERE
Casa del Vino Museum – BOOK YOUR TICKET HERE
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5 Go to the cinema
Sure, going to the movies isn’t the most “vacation-like” activity, but if the weather turns bad, catching a film could be a great plan B as long as you understand spanish or english.
Here are some cinemas in Tenerife, divided by area:
Adeje
X-Sur Cine, Calle Lisboa
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Yelmo Cines Meridiano, Avenida Manuel Hermoso Rojas 16
Cines Price Prime, Calle Salamanca 16
Cine Víctor, Avenida de la Asunción 1
La Laguna
Multicines La Laguna
La Orotava
Yelmo Cines Orotava, Autopista del Norte
Candelaria
Puntalarga Multicines
Arona
Zentral Center Multicines, Avenida Arquitecto Gómez Cuesta 22
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Get a 10% discount for my readers here!6 Go shopping in the malls
Is it raining and you don’t know what to do? If you enjoy shopping or even just having a look at some nice clothes, Tenerife won’t disappoint.
There are many shopping centers all over the island, in different sizes, perfect for spending a few dry hours browsing and relaxing. Here some of the best ones:
Tenerife South
Siam Mall
Plaza del duque
Galeon Outlet
Tenerife North
Meridiano
7 Visit Casa de Los balcones in La Orotava
Rain in Tenerife? Take shelter in a beautiful 19th-century Canarian house!
Casa de Los Balcones, located in the charming town of La Orotava,in the north of the island, was once the home of a local family and is now a museum filled with objects and crafts from the time.
It’s a fascinating journey into the island’s past and the traditions of its people.
[BOOK YOUR VISIT TO CASA DE LOS BALCONES HERE]
8 Go watch a show in Auditorium of Tenerife
If the weather isn’t beach-perfect, treat yourself to a cultural escape at the iconic Auditorium of Tenerife, in Santa Cruz. This stunning, wave-shaped building hosts concerts, operas, and dance performances all year round. Check the schedule on the official website; you might catch a world-class show in one of Spain’s most spectacular venues.
9 Feel the vibes of Carnival of Tenerife at the Casa del Carnaval in Santa Cruz
Tenerife’s Carnival is one of the biggest and most famous in the world — second only to Rio de Janeiro. Even if you’re not visiting Tenerife in February/March, you can learn all about it by visiting the Casa del Carnaval.
Opened in 2017, inside the Barranco de Santos park, this museum offers interactive exhibits and displays that explore the island’s most iconic festival.
Want to join the Carnival in 2026? Check out tradition, program and dates of the event here.
10 Discover the history of Tenerife at Archeology and Natural Museum
Explore the natural world of the Canary Islands and discover the largest collection of items related to the culture of the Guanches, the original inhabitants of Tenerife before the arrival of the European conquerors.
A visit to a museum is always a smart choice to get to know a destination better and also to spend a few dry hours without rain!
If you liked this article, you may also like:
What to see in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spain) in 1 day
The 9 best beach clubs in South Tenerife (2025)
Top 30 restaurants where to eat in Tenerife South
Guide to Siam Park Tenerife, best water park in the world
The 15 best beaches in Tenerife (with map) 2026
Tenerife Carnival 2026: history, dates and guide
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