What to Pack for a Picnic in Tenerife
Picnic essentials laid out for a day out in the Tenerife sunshine
A picnic in Tenerife sounds effortless, and it can be, but the island has a few quirks that catch people out. The sun is stronger than it feels, the wind picks up on the coast in the afternoon, and shade is not always where you want it. Here is a practical checklist for a comfortable picnic, and an honest look at how much easier it is when someone else handles it.
The essentials
Water, more than you think. The dry heat dehydrates you faster than you notice. Bring more than feels necessary.
Sun protection. High-factor sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. The UV here is strong even when it is breezy.
Shade. A small umbrella or a spot with natural shade. Midday sun is intense, especially in summer.
Something to weigh down the blanket. The coastal breeze will lift a light blanket off the ground in seconds. Bags, shoes, or stones work.
A proper cool bag. Anything dairy or fresh will not survive long in the heat without one.
Wet wipes and a rubbish bag. There is rarely a tap nearby, and you must take all your rubbish with you.
The food
Buy fresh and buy local. Canarian cheeses, good bread, fruit, and charcuterie travel well and taste of the island. Avoid anything that wilts or melts fast. A bottle of local wine or a cold soft drink finishes it nicely, though check the rules of wherever you are going.
The timing
Avoid the midday heat. Late afternoon into golden hour is the sweet spot: cooler, prettier, and the light is beautiful. (More on this in our guide to the best time of day for a picnic.)
The honest version: what a DIY picnic really involves
Read that list again. To do a picnic properly on holiday, you need to shop for food you cannot vet, carry a cool bag and water in the heat, fight the wind with a blanket, find shade, and then pack the whole thing up and carry the rubbish out. For one meal, in a place you do not know well, it is a surprising amount of work.
Here is the alternative. We bring everything: the cushions and proper seating, the styled table, the candles and flowers, a curated menu of local Canarian cheeses, charcuterie, fresh fruit, bread, jam, and dessert, plus the best Tenerife wines. We choose a beautiful, sheltered, legal location based on the day and the light, set it all up before you arrive, and clear it all away after. The only thing you pack is yourself.
If you have dietary needs, just let us know at least seven days ahead and we will build the menu around them.
Book a picnic with everything included
Prefer a middle ground? Our picnic basket delivery gives you a ready-made gourmet hamper to take wherever you like, so you skip the shopping but keep the freedom.