Is Tenerife in Europe? Where is Tenerife?

Tenerife is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world.

For those seeking a bit of sun, Tenerife is the perfect place to go, all year round.

But is Tenerife in Europe?

This is a common question have before visiting the island, whether it be for travel insurance, visa reasons, or simply just curiosity.

Luckily for you, I’m a full-time traveller and I have visited the Canary Islands and Tenerife lots of times, and I’m here to provide an answer to this important question.

So let’s get right into it!

Is Tenerife in Europe?

Tenerife, and the rest of the Canary Islands, are known to be Spanish islands, but they aren’t exactly off the coast of Spain.

Geographically speaking, Tenerife is off the coast of northwest Africa, most closely to Morocco.

But in terms of everything else, yes, Tenerife is in Europe.

As it is Spanish territory, Tenerife is typically considered part of Europe. This is in terms of travel insurance, political status (it’s in the EU) and of course, the Schengen zone.

The language in Tenerife is Spanish, the currency is Euros and as a random example, Tenerife’s football teams compete in European competitions.

So is Tenerife in Europe? Not geographically, but in any other consideration, yes.

A picture of a beach in Tenerife. Is Tenerife in Europe? Not geographically but in terms of everything else, it is considered part of Europe.

Is Tenerife in the EU?

Yes, as an autonomous community of Spain, the Canary Islands, including Tenerife, is part of the European Union.

Despite being geographically not part of Europe, Tenerife is part of the European Union.

This means that Tenerife is subject to the laws and regulations of the EU, and the currency in Tenerife is, of course, the Euro (€).

Although there are some differences from other EU countries. For example, there is no VAT in Tenerife, instead, there is a Canary Island General Indirect Tax across the Canaries.

But to summarise, yes, Tenerife is part of the EU.

A picture of the sea in Tenerife where you can see some mountains in the background.

Where is Europe?

Europe is one of the world’s seven continents. It’s a continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and primarily in the Eastern Hemisphere. You can find it by looking for the UK and Ireland as they are pretty distinctive on a map.

It is surrounded by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. And to the east is Asia.

There are approximately 50 countries in Europe, many of which make great destinations for the sun too, like Portugal, Italy, Greece or France. Personally, I loved backpacking Rome.

But in terms of Tenerife, it’s completely out of shot on this map which shows how far away it is from mainland Europe.

A picture of a globe focusing on an outline of Europe. Is Tenerife in Europe? It's often considered part of Europe.

Where is Tenerife?

Tenerife is off the west coast of Africa, off the coast of Morroco. It’s approximately 200 miles from Tenerife to the coast.

Tenerife is part of the Canary Islands, a group of islands which are very popular. Made up of the likes of Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria. I’ve been very lucky to visit most of them, having gone on a submarine in Lanzarote, paraglided in Tenerife and swam with sea lions in Fuerteventura.

They’re an incredible island group, and you can spot the Canaries on a map by finding Morocco and going towards the left until you find some small dots on the map near the bottom of Morocco.

These are the Canaries and Tenerife is the largest island of the lot, right in the middle of them all.

A picture of a harbour in Tenerife.

5 More Tenerife Facts

Since we have established that Tenerife is considered part of Europe despite not being on the continent on a map, you may be interested in learning a little bit more about the Spanish island. So here are 5 more facts about Tenerife.

  1. Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands: Coming in at 2,034.38 square kilometres, Tenerife is the largest of the seven islands, and is the most populous too.
  2. The largest peak in Spain is in Tenerife: Mount Teide is the largest peak on Spanish territory, coming in at 3,718 metres (12,198 feet) and it’s an active volcano in Tenerife.
  3. It’s warm all year: One of the reasons Tenerife is so popular to visit is you’re guaranteed good weather no matter when you go. People love going for some winter sun!
  4. The wildlife is incredible: Across the Canaries, the wildlife and plants are so diverse. There are lots of whale-watching tours or dolphin tours you can take in Tenerife.
  5. UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: In fact, the landscapes and volcanic mountainous regions are so unique that they’re protected by UNESCO.
A picture of a waterpark.

Is Tenerife in Europe: FAQ

Below are some questions related to “Is Tenerife in Europe?” along with my answers.

Is Tenerife in Europe or Africa?

Tenerife is geographically off the coast of Africa, but in terms of everything else, it is considered part of Europe. For example, Tenerife is in the EU, it’s usually considered Europe for travel insurance, and it’s part of the Schengen Zone. So although Tenerife is geographically not part of Europe, it is considered part of the continent.

Is Tenerife in Europe for travel insurance?

Yes, most travel insurance companies will include Tenerife as part of Europe as it is part of the EU. But make sure to double-check and always read the fine print, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Is Tenerife in Spain or Africa?

Tenerife is neither in Spain nor Africa. Tenerife is a Spanish island, meaning it is under Spanish rule, but it is off the coast of Africa. So it’s geographically not in Spain, but it is a Spanish territory.

Is Tenerife outside the EU?

Tenerife is outside of Europe but is still part of the European Union. As a Spanish autonomous community, the Canary Islands are included in the EU. The currency is Euros and the islands fall under EU legislation and regulations.

Is Tenerife in Europe yes or no?

There is no straightforward yes or no answer to this question. Geographically, Tenerife is not in Europe. But in any other consideration, yes, Tenerife is considered part of Europe.

Is Tenerife in Europe: Conclusion

And there you have it, a complete guide to “Is Tenerife in Europe?

Remember, the answer isn’t a straight-out yes or no.

Tenerife isn’t geographically part of Europe, but it’s considered part of Europe politically and socially.

Enjoy your trip to Tenerife, it’s an amazing place and you’ll be sure to get some toasty sunshine! 🙂