Cheap flights from Madrid to Tenerife

After your flight from Madrid, you'll likely arrive at Tenerife South Airport (Aeropuerto de Tenerife Sur), located approximately 60 kilometres south of the island's main settlements. The airport is well-connected by several transport options to reach the city centre and your accommodation.

The most economical option is the TITSA bus service, which operates regular routes directly from the airport to Puerto de la Cruz and Santa Cruz. Journey times range from 1.5 to 2 hours depending on your destination, with fares typically starting around €13–15. Alternatively, taxis are readily available at the airport terminal, though expect to pay €60–80 for a transfer to Puerto de la Cruz or central Santa Cruz; journey time is approximately 1.5 hours. For greater flexibility, car rental desks at the airport offer competitive rates, allowing you to explore the island at your own pace.

If your flight arrives at Tenerife North Airport (nearer to Puerto de la Cruz), the journey to the city centre is considerably shorter—just 20 kilometres—with buses taking around 45 minutes and costing roughly €5–7.

Arriving from Madrid, you'll find Tenerife offers far more than beach relaxation. The island is renowned for its dramatic landscapes, world-class attractions, and vibrant neighbourhoods worth exploring beyond the resort.

Mount Teide, Spain's highest peak at 3,718 metres, dominates the island's landscape and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The surrounding national park offers spectacular hiking and geological wonders. The island's two main cities—Puerto de la Cruz to the north and Santa Cruz to the east—each provide distinct cultural experiences, with charming colonial architecture, museums, and lively town centres.

Don't miss these key destinations:

• Mount Teide National Park – Spain's highest mountain with breathtaking crater views

• Loro Parque, Puerto de la Cruz – one of Europe's most visited animal parks

• Siam Park – Thailand-themed water park with world-class attractions

• Anaga Mountains – dramatic ravines, coastal trails, and traditional villages

• Santa Cruz – the capital city with museums, markets, and harbour-side dining

• Candelaria – pilgrimage site and historic basilica with spiritual significance

Flying in from Madrid, you'll notice Tenerife's cuisine reflects its island heritage—a blend of Spanish tradition with unique Canarian flavours. The islands have preserved distinctive cooking methods and locally grown ingredients for centuries, creating a food culture unlike mainland Spain.

The cornerstone of Canarian dining is papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes) served with mojo sauce, a garlicky red or green condiment found at virtually every meal. Fresh seafood is paramount—local fish markets overflow with Atlantic catches prepared simply to preserve flavour. Don't overlook gofio, a toasted grain flour used in both sweet and savoury dishes, or the rich local wines from volcanic soil vineyards.

Explore these authentic Canarian specialities:

• Papas arrugadas con mojo – boiled small potatoes with iconic red or green sauce

• Caldo de pescado – hearty fish broth, a warming local favourite

• Ropa vieja – shredded beef stew with rich tomato base

• Fresh grilled fish (mero, cherne, or vieja) – simply seasoned island catches

• Gofio escaldado – toasted grain flour mixed with broth, traditional comfort food

• Local Malmsey and dry white wines – produced in Tenerife's volcanic regions