The short version
If you mainly want to lie by a pool in February, Tenerife wins. If you want to explore, Madeira does.
Weather
Both islands are warm all year, but Tenerife is warmer and sunnier, especially in winter.
- Winter (December to February): the south of Tenerife averages around 21 to 22°C, with very little rain. Funchal in Madeira averages around 19 to 20°C, with more cloud and some rainy days.
- Spring and autumn: both are lovely, in the low to mid twenties.
- Summer: both are warm rather than scorching, in the mid to high twenties, which suits people who find mainland Spain too hot.
On both islands, where you stay matters. The south of Tenerife is much drier and sunnier than the north. Madeira's south coast, around Funchal, is sunnier than its green, misty north. In winter, the sea is around 18 to 19°C around both, so pick a hotel with a heated pool. See where is hot in Europe in February for more.
Beaches
This is the biggest difference. Tenerife has plenty of beaches, from the black volcanic sand of the south and west to golden Las Teresitas near Santa Cruz, which was built with sand brought from the Sahara. The resorts of Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos sit on sheltered bays with calm water.
Madeira has very few sandy beaches. Most of its coast is cliffs and pebbles, and people swim in lidos and natural rock pools instead, like the volcanic pools at Porto Moniz. If you want a proper beach, the neighbouring island of Porto Santo has a long golden one, reached by ferry or a short flight.
If beaches matter, choose Tenerife. Our beach holidays page has more ideas.
Scenery and walking
Both islands are volcanic and spectacular, but in different ways.
Madeira is steep, green and covered in flowers. Its levadas, old irrigation channels with paths beside them, make for some of the best walking in Europe, through laurel forests and along cliff edges. The walk between Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo, the island's highest peaks, is one of the most famous hikes in Portugal.
Tenerife is drier and more dramatic, dominated by Mount Teide, Spain's highest mountain at 3,715 m. The Teide National Park is a lunar landscape of lava fields and craters, with a cable car most of the way to the top; the final climb to the summit needs a permit. The Anaga mountains in the north have green walking trails too.
For walkers, Madeira is the better island; for one unforgettable day out, Teide is hard to beat.
Things to do
Tenerife has more variety: water parks, including Siam Park, whale and dolphin watching from the south coast, Teide by day and for stargazing at night, the old town of La Laguna, and a lively carnival in Santa Cruz.
Madeira is about Funchal, its gardens and markets, the cable car to Monte and the wicker toboggan ride back down, the levada walks, wine tastings, and its famous New Year's Eve fireworks. Whale and dolphin watching is good here too.
Tenerife's big southern resorts also have much more nightlife. Madeira is quieter in the evenings.
Getting there
Tenerife has far more flights from the UK, from almost every airport, with easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, TUI and British Airways. It's about 4 hours 15 minutes from London, and the south airport is close to the main resorts.
Madeira has fewer routes, so prices can be higher and you may need to fly from a bigger airport. It's slightly shorter, about 3 hours 50 minutes from London. Funchal's airport is famous for its dramatic approach, and strong winds sometimes cause delays or diversions, which is worth knowing if you have a tight connection home. Read which side of the plane to sit on for the best view of the landing.
Both are on the same time as the UK all year.
Cost
Tenerife is usually cheaper, thanks to more competition on flights and a huge choice of package holidays and hotels. Madeira's flights tend to cost more, but eating out is good value on both islands, especially away from the main resort strips.
Which is better for...
- Winter sun and pools: Tenerife.
- Families: Tenerife, for beaches, water parks and easy flights.
- Walkers and nature lovers: Madeira.
- Couples: either, but Madeira for a quieter, more scenic trip.
- February half term: Tenerife for warmth, Madeira for walking. See where to go for February half term.
- New Year: Madeira, for the fireworks.
- A first trip to the Atlantic islands: Tenerife, then try Madeira next time.
Still can't decide?
If half your group wants beaches and half wants mountains, read our guide to choosing between two holidays. Or add both islands to your list on somewhere🎉, share out the points, and let the draw settle it.
