A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tenerife vs. Calais for Nightlife, Families, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Tenerife or Calais?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tenerife or Calais, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Tenerife

Tenerife is a scenic, vibrant, and adventure-filled island. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Calais

Calais is a authentic, undiscovered, and coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Tenerife and Calais: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular beach
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Tenerife or Calais?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Tenerife than Calais, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Tenerife is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Calais is more popular for its museums and big city activities. Tenerife is more touristy than Calais and is popular for its volcanic landscapes, built-up resorts, and fun-filled beaches. Also, Tenerife is famous for Mount Teide. Calais is well known for being a gateway for travelers to France.

How is Tenerife different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Calais and Tenerife. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tenerife or Calais?

Tenerife
Calais

Calais is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Tenerife is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Tenerife offers a few options for museum-goers. The island is filled with national parks, beautiful landscapes, and stunning beaches, but if you're not into outdoor activities, then you won't find many museums or other historical sights to visit.


Is the Food Better in Tenerife or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Tenerife
Calais

Both Tenerife and Calais offer notable local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Tenerife. Many visitors stick to the major touristy areas, eating in their resorts or other nearby restaurants. If you want to try a bit of the island's authentic Canarian cuisine, you'll need to do a little research. Head into the local areas near the markets for the best chance of finding something a little more authentic. Local dishes often include fish and seafood as well as local meats, but you'll rarely find beef as there isn't a lot of land for cows to graze on the island.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Tenerife or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Tenerife
Calais

Tenerife is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Tenerife is a world class party destination. The island has a variety of nightclubs that range in style and personality. There are all night wild beach parties as well as laid back beach clubs and hole-in-the-wall pubs. Many bars have happy hours where you can relax with a drink and many nightclubs host famous DJs that keep the party going into the early morning hours.

If you're looking for night time activities Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Tenerife or Calais Better for Resorts?

Tenerife
Calais

Tenerife is well known for its resorts. However, Calais is not a resort destination.

Tenerife is known as a popular and fun resort destination. You'll find everything from world-class resorts like the Ritz to more budget-friendly hotels and even some hostels around the island. You'll find most of the resorts on the south side of the island, which is also where you'll find the best weather.

Calais is not a resort destination.


Is Tenerife or Calais Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tenerife
Calais

Tenerife is well known for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Calais is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Tenerife. A highlight of snorkeling in this area is the opportunity to swim with sea turtles. Some of the best snorkeling is in El Puertito, which is known for its many turtles and there is no shortage of organized snorkeling trips to the area. The island also has excellent scuba diving trips with a variety of shipwrecks and marine species.

Calais is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tenerife or Calais Better for Beaches?

Tenerife
Calais

Tenerife is well known for the beach. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

Tenerife is considered a top beach destination. The island has a large number of beaches that attract tourists, particularly during the peak winter months. The island's volcanic nature means that many of its natural beaches have black sand. The golden sand from the more developed beaches typically comes from the Sahara Desert. A favorite beach on the island is the 2 kilometer long Playa de las Teresitas.

Many people head to Calais to enjoy the beach. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Is Tenerife or Calais Better for Hiking?

Tenerife
Calais

Tenerife is a must-visit destination for its hiking experiences. However, Calais is not a hiking destination.

People visit Tenerife specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The island's volcanic landscapes mean that there are dramatic and breathtaking hikes throughout the island. Some of the best hikes are found in the Anaga Rural Park, Teide National Park, and the Teno Mountains.

Calais is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Tenerife or Calais?

Tenerife
Calais

Tenerife is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Tenerife. The island's low tax rates make it a popular shopping destination for tourists. The are shopping streets, local markets, and luxury malls that you can explore.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Tenerife or Calais Better for Families?

Tenerife
Calais

Tenerife is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Tenerife is a very family-friendly destination. The island has many great waterparks for kids, with one of the best being Siam Park. Other family-friendly destinations include Aqualand, Loro Parque, Jungle Park, and Monkey Park. There are whale watching trips, outdoor adventures, and kid-friendly beaches as well.

Calais offers lots of family activities. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Tenerife or Calais Better for Couples?

Tenerife
Calais

Tenerife is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Tenerife frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The natural beauty, great landscapes, and lively beaches make this a great island for a romantic getaway. There's hiking and outdoor adventures as well as swimming, boat rides, and even whale watching.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.


Is Tenerife or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tenerife
Calais

Tenerife is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Tenerife. The island is large enough that there are a decent number of hostels and budget-friendly places to stay for backpackers.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Tenerife or Calais Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Tenerife
Calais

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Tenerife and Calais.

Tenerife has some public transit options. The island has a decent bus service that is operated by a company called "TITSA".

You'll find some public transit in Calais, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Tenerife or Calais a more walkable city?

Tenerife
Calais

Tenerife and Calais are notable when it comes to walkability.

Tenerife is somewhat walkable. There are many walks on the island that make for a fun way to explore the setting.

Calais is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.


For even more information, also check out Is Tenerife Worth Visiting? and Is Calais Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calais or Tenerife?

How long in Tenerife or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tenerife and Calais. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Tenerife than in Calais. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Tenerife, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

Families should spend more time in Tenerife than Calais. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Tenerife, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Tenerife than Calais. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Tenerife that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tenerife than Calais if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Tenerife.


  • How many days in Tenerife or Calais? Ideal Length of Stay
    Tenerife 3-7 
    Calais 1-3

One day in Tenerife or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Tenerife. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Calais offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Tenerife or Calais?

Tenerife is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Calais is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Calais, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Tenerife or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tenerife. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Calais is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.


A week in Tenerife or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the adventure-filled destination of Tenerife. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Calais is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.


Which place is cheaper, Calais or Tenerife?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tenerife is €128, while the average daily cost in Calais is €139. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Tenerife and Calais in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tenerife 53
    Calais 77
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tenerife 106
    Calais 154
Compare Hotels in Tenerife and Calais

Looking for a hotel in Tenerife or Calais? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Tenerife


Hotels in Calais


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Tenerife Hotel Prices and Calais Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tenerife 60
    Calais 47

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tenerife

Also for Tenerife, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Adeje: Guided Bike Tour to Masca with Transfers and Drinks: $99
  • Canary Islands : Gran Canaria - Tenerife ferry transfer: $59
  • Discover Scuba Diving with two dives in the Ocean in Tenerife with Transfers: $262
  • From South Loro Park Zoo Ticket & Hotel Transfers: $65
  • Private South Tenerife Airport Transfer to South Hotels: $126
  • Private Transfer South Tenerife Airport to Guia de Isora Area: $131
  • Private Transfer from Santa Cruz Tenerife Cruise Port to Tenerife: $44
  • Private Transfer from Tenerife to Santa Cruz Tenerife Cruise Port: $44
  • Private arrival OR departure transfer in Tenerife (hotel OR airport pick-up): $66
  • Puerto de la Cruz City Tour with Transfers: $21
  • Roundtrip Transfer Caldera de Taburiente and Guaguas Station: $22
  • Santa Cruz Tenerife Cruise Port to Tenerife hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $44

Is it cheaper to fly into Tenerife or Calais?

Prices for flights to both Calais and Tenerife change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Tenerife 39
    Calais 35

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tenerife

For Tenerife, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hard Rock Cafe Set Menu Lunch or Dinner & Drink: $33
  • Tenerife : Horse Show Entry ticket with optional dinner: $48
  • Castillo San Miguel Medieval Show with Dinner: $51
  • Medieval San Miguel castle with dinner-Show in South Tenerife : $52
  • Music Hall Tavern Comedy Drag Show Ticket & Dinner: $52
  • Teide Sunset Night Tour with Dinner and Stargazing: $58
  • Teide National Park Night Sky Star Safari & Dinner: $59
  • Medieval Show and Dinner at Castillo San Miguel with Transfer: $67
  • Self Driving Sunset Tour with Dinner and Stargazing in Tenerife: $71
  • Teide Night Experience with Dinner and Stargazing: $75
  • Teide National Park Sunset & Stargazing with Dinner (Star Safari): $82
  • Tenerife Sky At Night: Sunset, Stargazing and Dinner: $83

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tenerife 27
    Calais 8.92

Tours and Activities in Tenerife

For Tenerife, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Teide Legends Exhibition Entry Ticket: $3.21
  • Santa Cruz: Parque Maritimo Cesar Manrique Entry ticket: $5.35
  • Icod de los Vinos: Dragon Tree & Botanical Garden Ticket: $5.35
  • Icod de los Vinos: Casa del Plátano Entry Ticket: $5.35
  • Santa Cruz de Palmetum Entry Ticket: $6.42
  • La Casa de Los Balcones Entrance Ticket: $6.42
  • La Caleta Self-Guided Walking Tour: $7.38
  • San Cristobal de La Laguna : Cathedral ticket w/ audioguide: $7.49
  • Icod de los Vinos: ARTlandya Doll World Entry Ticket & Tour: $11
  • Finca Las Margaritas Banana Plantation Experience: $11
  • Guïmar: Pyramids of Güímar Ethnographic Park Entry Ticket: $13
  • Los Cristianos: Eco-Yacht Whale Watching Cruise with Swim: $16

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tenerife 6.43
    Calais 12

Sample the Local Flavors in Tenerife

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tenerife:

  • Wine tasting and Canarian products in La Orotava: $19
  • Wine Tour & Taste surrounded by Anaga Forest: $25
  • Half Day Southern Rural Tenerife Tour with Wine Tasting: $63
  • Tour of the senses through the South of Tenerife with Wine Tasting: $64
  • Wine Tasting Experience in Tenerife: $66
  • Full-Day Gastronomy and Wine Tour: $81
  • Taste of Tenerife Tour With Wine Tasting: $93
  • Wine tasting with tapas, Teide at sunset (shared): $102
  • Volcano Teide Buggy Tour with Wine Tasting & Tapas: $225


When comparing the travel costs between Tenerife and Calais, we can see that Calais is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tenerife Expensive? and Is Calais Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Tenerife or Calais?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Tenerife or Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Tenerife during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tenerife in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Tenerife is generally a little warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Tenerife average around 23°C (73°F), and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Calais, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tenerife. In the summer, Tenerife often gets more sunshine than Calais. Tenerife gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Tenerife usually gets less rain in July than Calais. Tenerife gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tenerife 23°C (73°F) 
    Calais 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Tenerife or Calais in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tenerife and Calais. Most visitors come to Tenerife for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Calais because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Tenerife is much warmer than Calais in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tenerife averages around 22°C (72°F) in October, and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In Tenerife, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tenerife usually receives more sunshine than Calais during autumn. Tenerife gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tenerife usually receives less rain than Calais. Tenerife gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tenerife 22°C (72°F) 
    Calais 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Tenerife or Calais in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tenerife as well as Calais. The winter months attract visitors to Tenerife because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

It's quite cold in Calais in the winter. In the winter, Tenerife is much warmer than Calais. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tenerife in January average around 17°C (63°F), and Calais averages at about 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Tenerife often gets more sunshine than Calais. Tenerife gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

Tenerife usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Calais. Tenerife gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tenerife 17°C (63°F) 
    Calais 4°C (40°F)

Should I visit Tenerife or Calais in the Spring?

Both Calais and Tenerife are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Tenerife this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Tenerife is generally much warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Tenerife average around 18°C (64°F), and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tenerife. Tenerife usually receives more sunshine than Calais during spring. Tenerife gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tenerife usually receives less rain than Calais. Tenerife gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tenerife 18°C (64°F) 
    Calais 9°C (47°F)

Typical Weather for Calais and Tenerife

Tenerife Calais
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 17°C (63°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 4°C (40°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Feb 17°C (63°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 5°C (40°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 18°C (64°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 6°C (44°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 18°C (64°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 9°C (47°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 15°C (59°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 9 mm (0.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 12°C (54°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Dec 17°C (63°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 6°C (42°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)


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