Do they speak English in Tenerife?
Updated 29 October 2026 · DoTenerife
Yes, English is widely spoken in Tenerife’s main tourist areas. In Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, Costa Adeje, Golf del Sur and Los Gigantes, most people working in hotels, bars, restaurants and shops speak English, and menus are usually translated. Outside the resorts, particularly in the north, in Santa Cruz and in inland villages, you will hear much less English and a few Spanish phrases go a long way.
The island’s official language is Spanish, spoken with a distinct Canarian accent.
Where English is common
- Southern resorts: Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje, San Eugenio, Fañabé, Torviscas and La Caleta have large international communities and many British and Irish-run bars.
- Golf del Sur, Costa del Silencio and Las Galletas: popular with long-stay residents, so English is common.
- Los Gigantes and Puerto de Santiago: used to international visitors.
- Major attractions: Siam Park, Loro Parque, the Teide cable car and whale-watching trips all operate in English.
Many evening entertainment venues in the south are English-speaking too. If you want shows and live music in English, DoTenerife’s what’s on tonight listings and the acts directory are a good place to start.
Where you’ll need some Spanish
- Santa Cruz and La Laguna: cities where daily life is in Spanish, although many younger people speak English.
- Puerto de la Cruz: popular with visitors for decades, so English is fairly common in the centre, but less so in local bars.
- Rural areas and villages: Masca, Vilaflor, Anaga and the north-west.
- Official situations: police stations, public health centres and town halls.
- Local bus drivers outside the main resort routes.
Canarian Spanish: what’s different
Canarian Spanish has a softer accent than mainland Spain, closer in sound to Caribbean and Latin American Spanish. People often drop the “s” at the end of words and use “ustedes” instead of “vosotros” for “you” (plural).
There are also some Canarian words you will notice:
| Canarian word | Meaning | Mainland Spanish |
|---|---|---|
| Guagua | Bus | Autobús |
| Papas | Potatoes | Patatas |
| Papas arrugadas | Wrinkly salted potatoes | — |
| Mojo | Local sauce (red or green) | — |
| Cortado / barraquito | Small coffee / layered coffee with liqueur and condensed milk | — |
| Millo | Sweetcorn | Maíz |
| Guachinche | Simple family-run restaurant serving local food and wine (mainly in the north) | — |
Useful phrases
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Hello / Good morning | Hola / Buenos días |
| Good evening | Buenas tardes / Buenas noches |
| Please / Thank you | Por favor / Gracias |
| Do you speak English? | ¿Habla inglés? |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? |
| The bill, please | La cuenta, por favor |
| A beer, please | Una cerveza, por favor |
| Water (still / sparkling) | Agua (sin gas / con gas) |
| Where is the bus stop? | ¿Dónde está la parada de guagua? |
| I need a doctor | Necesito un médico |
| Help! | ¡Ayuda! |
Locals appreciate the effort, even if you switch to English after the first sentence.
Other languages
Tenerife’s tourism industry is multilingual. German, Italian, French, Dutch and Scandinavian languages are commonly heard, and many hospitality staff speak two or three languages. Puerto de la Cruz, in particular, has long attracted German and Spanish visitors.
Practical tips
- Download a translation app with Spanish available offline for trips into the mountains and the north.
- Learn numbers for prices and bus routes.
- Emergency calls: you can speak English when calling 112. See Tenerife emergency numbers.
- Menus: in resorts they are often in several languages. In local restaurants, ask for the “menú del día” for a good-value set lunch.
Reading signs, menus and timetables
Even in the resorts, some practical information is only in Spanish. A few words help:
- Abierto / Cerrado: open / closed.
- Salida / Entrada: exit / entrance.
- Laborables, sábados, domingos y festivos: weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, as seen on bus timetables.
- Parada: bus stop. Estación de guaguas: bus station.
- Farmacia de guardia: duty pharmacy open out of hours.
- Prohibido aparcar: no parking.
- Precio por persona / IGIC incluido: price per person / local tax included.
Restaurant menus in local places may list Canarian dishes without translation. Look out for carne de cabra (goat), queso asado (grilled cheese, often with mojo), escaldón (gofio stirred into stock) and vieja (parrotfish). Ask the waiter for a recommendation; most are happy to explain.
Will I feel at home?
In the south, very much so. English and Irish bars, international menus and English-language entertainment are everywhere. See British and Irish bars in Tenerife. For a more Spanish feel, spend a day in La Laguna or Santa Cruz, or explore the north coast.
Frequently asked questions
Is English widely spoken in Tenerife?
In the southern resorts like Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas and Costa Adeje, yes. Most hotel, bar and restaurant staff speak English. In the north, in Santa Cruz and in villages, English is less common.
What language is spoken in Tenerife?
Spanish, specifically Canarian Spanish, which sounds closer to Latin American Spanish than to the accent of Madrid. Many locals also speak English, German or Italian if they work in tourism.
Do I need to learn Spanish for a holiday in Tenerife?
No, not if you are staying in the main resorts. A few basic phrases are appreciated and are useful if you explore the north, use buses outside the resorts or need a doctor.
Why do people in Tenerife say guagua?
Guagua is the Canarian word for bus. It is used throughout the Canary Islands and parts of Latin America.
Can I get by in Tenerife with just English?
Yes, in most tourist areas. Restaurant menus, signs and attractions are usually in English too. A translation app helps for pharmacies, official paperwork and rural areas.