Candelaria Holidays, Tenerife: Basilica, Beaches and Weather
Provincia de Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Canary Islands · Spain · 24,319 residents · on the coast
Candelaria sits on the east coast of Tenerife, a seaside town of around 24,000 people barely 36 metres above sea level. Its reason for fame is the Basilica of Candelaria, the Marian sanctuary of Tenerife, which stands about a third of a mile from the centre. Around it, a run of small beaches lines the shore, from Playa de las Arenas under a mile away to Playa Berruguete a little over five miles south. The climate is mild all year, with daytime highs of 22°C in winter and 30°C in August, and Tenerife North airport is only about 13 minutes' drive away, with Tenerife South, served by direct flights from the UK, roughly 35 minutes away.
Why go
- The Basilica of Candelaria, Tenerife's Marian sanctuary, is a short walk from the town centre.
- Nine family-friendly beaches, including Playa de las Arenas and Playa de Samarines, lie within about five miles.
- Direct UK flights land at Tenerife South, roughly 25 miles and 35 minutes' drive away.
Top sights in Candelaria
The basilica and the beaches
The Basilica of Candelaria is the town's defining sight: the Marian sanctuary of Tenerife, about a third of a mile from the centre and by far the most notable place in Candelaria. It gives the town a cultural weight out of proportion to its size, and it is the natural starting point for any visit.
The coast is the other half of the picture. Playa de las Arenas is about 0.8 miles away, Playa de Samarines 0.9 miles and Playa de la Viuda 1.1 miles, with Playa de Lima at 1.3 miles. A little further out are Playa de Chimisay and Playa de las Caletas, both around 1.8 miles, and Playa de la Entrada at 2.1 miles, while Playa de la Nea (4.7 miles) and Playa Berruguete (5.3 miles) reward a short drive. All are suited to families.
Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly on this page.
1basilica
9beachPlaya de Chimisay
2 miles from the centre · Photo
Playa de la Viuda
beach · 1 mile from the centre
Playa de las Arenas
beach · 1 mile from the centre
Playa de Samarines
beach · 1 mile from the centre
Playa de Lima
beach · 1 mile from the centre
Playa de la Entrada
beach · 2 miles from the centre
Playa Berruguete
beach · 5 miles from the centre
Playa de las Caletas
beach · 2 miles from the centre
Playa de la Nea
beach · 5 miles from the centre
Tours & tickets in Candelaria
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Candelaria can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Candelaria
Choosing a base in Candelaria
With the basilica so close to the centre and several beaches within a mile or so, staying near the seafront puts both on foot. That suits a short break built around the sanctuary and a swim, without needing the car every day.
Candelaria is a mid-sized town rather than a large resort, so expect a calmer, more local feel than Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 11 miles up the coast. Those wanting quieter stretches can look towards the beaches further south, such as Playa de la Nea or Playa Berruguete. This page shows live hotel prices for Candelaria.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Candelaria and the villages around it is a hire car from Tenerife South (TFS), about 35 min away.
Best time to visit Candelaria
When to visit Candelaria
- 22°CJan53 mm
- 22°CFeb43 mm
- 23°CMar35 mm
- 25°CApr24 mm
- 24°CMay34 mm
- 26°CJun28 mm
- 28°CJul5 mm
- 30°CAug9 mm
- 27°CSept22 mm
- 29°COct35 mm
- 26°CNov31 mm
- 23°CDec63 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The most pleasant months are April, June, July, August and November. July is the driest of the year, with just 5 mm of rain over about two days, and August the hottest, with highs around 30°C; October stays warm too, at about 29°C.
Winter is mild, with highs of 22°C to 23°C, but it is also the wettest stretch: December brings the most rain at around 63 mm, and January the most rainy days, about 13. Night-time lows rarely drop below 14°C at any point in the year, which makes Candelaria a genuine winter-sun option for those happy with the odd shower.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 22°C | 15°C | 53 mm | 10 h |
| Feb | 22°C | 14°C | 43 mm | 10 h |
| Mar | 23°C | 16°C | 35 mm | 11 h |
| Apr | 25°C | 17°C | 24 mm | 12 h |
| May | 24°C | 17°C | 34 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 26°C | 19°C | 28 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 28°C | 20°C | 5 mm | 12 h |
| Aug | 30°C | 22°C | 9 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 27°C | 20°C | 22 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 29°C | 21°C | 35 mm | 10 h |
| Nov | 26°C | 18°C | 31 mm | 9 h |
| Dec | 23°C | 15°C | 63 mm | 9 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Getting to Candelaria from the UK
Tenerife South (TFS) is the airport with direct flights from the UK, about 25 miles from Candelaria, or roughly 35 minutes by car. Tenerife North (TFN) is closer, around 9 miles and 13 minutes' drive away, though it has no direct UK flights, so it suits those connecting via another airport.
For island hopping, the port at Santa Cruz de Tenerife, about 11 miles away, has ferries to Las Palmas, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro, while Los Cristianos, about 30 miles away, serves San Sebastián de la Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria links to Huelva and Cádiz on the Spanish mainland, but flying is the practical way to arrive from the UK.
By air
- Tenerife South (TFS)25 miles, about 35 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Tenerife North (TFN)9 miles, about 13 min by road
By car and ferry
Nearest ferry ports: Santa Cruz de Tenerife (11 miles), Los Cristianos (30 miles), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (60 miles).
Candelaria is good for
Around Candelaria
Day trips along the coast
Güimar is the closest neighbour, under 4 miles away. Heading north, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the island's largest town, is about 11 miles away, and La Laguna, a sizeable town of over 150,000 people, is roughly 9 miles off.
La Orotava, Tacoronte, Santa Úrsula and La Matanza de Acentejo all lie between 8 and 9 miles away, making the north of the island easy to explore in a day. For something smaller, Fasnia, with fewer than 3,000 residents, is about 9 miles south.
Tips from Robin
Practical tips for your stay
Pack a light layer and something for rain if you are visiting between December and January: temperatures stay mild, but these are the wettest months, with up to 13 rainy days in January.
If you are flying direct from the UK into Tenerife South, car hire makes sense, as it turns a 35-minute drive into the start of easy trips to the beaches further south and the towns of the north. The basilica is the town's main draw, so arriving early in the day helps if you prefer a quieter visit.
Questions people ask
Which airport is closest to Candelaria for UK flights?
Tenerife South (TFS) has direct flights from the UK and is about 25 miles from Candelaria, roughly 35 minutes by car. Tenerife North (TFN) is nearer, at about 9 miles and 13 minutes' drive, but has no direct UK flights.
What is the best month to visit Candelaria?
April, June, July, August and November offer the most pleasant conditions. July is the driest month with around 5 mm of rain, while August is the hottest, with daytime highs of about 30°C.
Is Candelaria warm in winter?
Yes. Daytime highs sit around 22°C to 23°C from December to February, with lows of about 14°C to 15°C. Winter is the wettest season, though, with December seeing around 63 mm of rain.
Are there beaches in Candelaria?
Several. Playa de las Arenas is about 0.8 miles from the centre, with Playa de Samarines, Playa de la Viuda and Playa de Lima all within around 1.3 miles. Playa de la Nea and Playa Berruguete lie about five miles away.
What is the Basilica of Candelaria?
It is the Marian sanctuary of Tenerife and the town's best-known sight, around a third of a mile from the centre. Tours and tickets in the area can be booked on this page.
Can I take a ferry from near Candelaria to other islands?
Yes. Santa Cruz de Tenerife port, about 11 miles away, has ferries to Las Palmas, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro. Los Cristianos, about 30 miles away, also serves La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro.