Comparison · Azores vs Tenerife · Portugal / Spain
Azores vs Tenerife
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Lacobrigo, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Azores for Crater lakes and Whale watching; choose Tenerife for Mount Teide and Year-round sunshine. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 1,346 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 1,346 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Azores
- May–September
- Best time for Tenerife
- May–June and September–October
Side by side
| Azores | Tenerife | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Portugal | Spain |
| Known for | Crater lakes, Whale watching and Hot springs | Mount Teide, Year-round sunshine and Black-sand beaches |
| Best time to visit | May–September | May–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 8 days | 7 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $130–$230 | $130–$230 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | August, 26°C (79°F) | August, 29°C (84°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 17°C (63°F) | January, 21°C (70°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 9 | 9 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 4 |
| Beaches | Praia de Santa Bárbara | Playa de Las Teresitas |
| Airports | PDL, TER, HOR, PIX, FLW | TFS, TFN |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Azores for…
Crater lakes and Whale watching. The Azores are nine volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic, about 1,400 km west of Lisbon, belonging to Portugal as an autonomous region. Most visitors start on São Miguel, the largest island, with the crater lakes of Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo…
Choose Tenerife for…
Mount Teide and Year-round sunshine. Tenerife, the largest of Spain's Canary Islands, sits in the Atlantic off the coast of West Africa and is dominated by Mount Teide, a 3,715-metre volcano at the centre of a UNESCO-listed national park. The dry, sunny south holds the main resorts — Costa…
Top sights compared
| # | Azores | Tenerife |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sete Cidades and the Vista do Rei viewpoint | Teide National Park |
| 2 | Lagoa do Fogo | Teide cable car and summit |
| 3 | Furnas fumaroles and lake | San Cristóbal de La Laguna old town |
| 4 | Terra Nostra Garden | Los Gigantes cliffs |
| 5 | Poça da Dona Beija | Whale and dolphin watching |
Food compared
| Azores | Tenerife |
|---|---|
| Cozido das Furnas | Papas arrugadas con mojo |
| São Jorge cheese | Rabbit in salmorejo |
| Bolo lêvedo | Gofio |
| Limpets | Grilled goat's cheese |
Which is cheaper?
Azores and Tenerife cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $130–$230 in Azores and $130–$230 in Tenerife (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Azores on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 1,346 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 16 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Azores or Tenerife cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $130–$230 in Azores and $130–$230 in Tenerife (estimates).
+Is Azores or Tenerife better for a first trip?
Pick Azores for Crater lakes and Whale watching, or Tenerife for Mount Teide and Year-round sunshine.
+How far is Azores from Tenerife?
About 1,346 km in a straight line.