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What to Wear in Tenerife in December (Beach Days, Evenings and Teide)

“Tenerife in December catches people out twice: once when they pack nothing but sundresses and shiver at dinner, and again when they drive up the volcano in sandals. Think of it as a May holiday with a mountain attached, and pack accordingly.”Her take

What is the weather actually like in Tenerife in December?

The island has two moods. The south and west coasts, where most UK holidaymakers stay, are usually sunny and dry, with daytime highs around the low 20s°C and evenings in the mid-teens. The north, around Puerto de la Cruz and La Laguna, is greener for a reason: it is cloudier, a few degrees cooler and more likely to see showers.

Then there is Teide. The summit sits well above 3,000 metres, and in December it can be near or below freezing, windy, and occasionally dusted with snow. The sea is usually around 20-21°C, fresh but swimmable for many people, and the sun is still strong enough to burn, so pack sun cream even though it is winter at home.

What to wear by day on the south coast

Dress as you would for a warm late spring in southern Europe. Linen trousers, cotton or linen midi dresses, shorts if you like them, simple tops and a swimsuit for the pool. Flat sandals are fine for the promenade, but the resorts are hilly and some paths are steep, so pick a pair with a back strap.

Keep one long-sleeved layer in your bag every day. A breeze off the Atlantic can make a shaded terrace feel cool by mid-afternoon, and a linen shirt worn open over a vest top does double duty as a cover-up.

What to wear in the evening, including Christmas and New Year's Eve dinners

Once the sun goes down it cools quickly, especially by the sea. A midi dress with a fine-knit cardigan, or wide trousers with a silky top and a light jacket, covers most restaurants. Swap sandals for loafers, ballet flats or low block heels if you will be out late.

Hotel Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve dinners are often a little dressier than the rest of the week, and some hotels publish a smart dress code for those nights. Pack one outfit you would wear to a nice restaurant at home, plus a wrap or blazer, and check your hotel's guidance before you go.

How to dress for Teide, Masca and the north

For a Teide trip, dress as if you were walking in the Lake District in autumn. Trainers or walking shoes with grip, leggings or trousers, a long-sleeved base layer, a fleece or jumper, and a windproof jacket. Bring a hat and gloves if you are going up to the top, and sunglasses because the light at altitude is bright.

Two planning points change what you pack. The cable car can close at short notice in high wind or ice, so keep a lower-level walk in mind as a back-up. And the final path to the summit crater needs a free permit from the national park, which has to be booked well ahead; without one, the cable car top station is as high as you go.

For walks such as the Masca gorge or the Anaga mountains, closed shoes are essential; the paths are uneven and can be slippery. The Masca gorge trail now needs a paid permit booked in advance, with access by shuttle, so check the official booking site before you plan your day around it. A day in the north needs a light waterproof and a layer, even if it was hot when you left the south.

• Feet: trainers or walking shoes, never sandals, for Teide and mountain paths.
• Layers: base layer, fleece or jumper, windproof or light waterproof.
• Extras: hat, gloves, sunglasses, sun cream and water.

Getting there from a British winter

The awkward part is leaving a cold UK airport for a warm arrival with nowhere to put a heavy coat. If someone is dropping you off, leave the big coat in the car. If not, travel in layers you will use on holiday: a jumper, a light jacket and a scarf, with trainers you can also walk in on the island.

Wear loose trousers or soft jeans for the four-hour-plus flight and pack a pair of sandals near the top of your case so you can change at the hotel without unpacking everything.

A 7-day Tenerife packing list for December

This list assumes a south-coast hotel, pool days, a few nice dinners and one trip up the mountain. Choose a tight colour palette, such as white, sand, navy and olive, so everything mixes.

• 2 swimsuits and 1 cover-up or linen shirt.
• 3 day outfits: linen trousers, a midi dress, shorts or a skirt, plus 3 or 4 tops.
• 2 evening outfits: a midi dress and wide trousers with a silky top.
• 1 fine-knit cardigan or jumper and 1 light jacket (denim, linen or a light trench).
• 1 fleece or warm jumper and 1 windproof layer for Teide.
• Shoes: flat sandals, smart flats or low heels, trainers or walking shoes.
• Sunglasses, sun hat, sun cream, a scarf and a small crossbody bag.

Questions people ask

The takeaway

Summer clothes for southern days, a knit and closed shoes for evenings, real layers and trainers for Teide, and sun cream all week.

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