The Ultimate Campervan Packing List for Tenerife: What You REALLY Need

Imagine this.

You’re parked by the coast, the Atlantic breeze cooling the air as the sun sets behind the mountains. Your campervan is perfectly stocked, everything in its place. A steaming cup of coffee in hand, you sit back in your camping chair, fully prepared for the adventure ahead.

Now, rewind.

Because getting to this moment? It requires planning.

Packing for a campervan trip in Tenerife is not like packing for any other road trip. The island’s microclimates, winding roads, remote beaches, and high-altitude hikes demand a packing strategy that goes beyond the basics. Miss one key item, and you could find yourself shivering at Teide’s summit, parched in a sun-scorched ravine, or scrambling for a forgotten adapter in the middle of nowhere.

So, let’s get it right.

This is not just another generic “Campervan Packing List for Tenerife”—this is the one you’ll actually use.

The Essentials: What Every Campervan Needs (But Many Forget)

Packing light is an art. Packing smart is a science. Here’s how to do both.

Camping & Van Life Basics

Even if your campervan rental in Tenerife comes equipped with the basics, there are some things you’ll want to bring to make life on the road easier, more comfortable, and a whole lot more enjoyable.

• Deep & shallow plates (x4) – Because spilling soup in your van is a nightmare.
• Cutlery & cooking utensils – Sporks? Not enough.
• Sharp knife & cutting board – Chopping fresh market produce just hits different.
• Espresso maker – Because Tenerife mornings deserve great coffee.
• Salad bowl & spinner – Salads get sandy at the beach. This helps.
• Thermos flask – Keeps coffee hot, keeps hiking hydration cold.
• Reusable water bottles – Tap water is drinkable, but staying hydrated is key.

Reality check: While some campervan rentals include a basic kitchen setup, not all of them do. Double-check your van’s inventory before you land in Tenerife.

Comfort & Sleep Essentials

This is where things go from “I survived” to “I thrived.”

• Fitted sheets – Because wrestling with a flat sheet in a camper is pure chaos.
• Extra blanket – Nights in the mountains get chilly.
• Camping chairs – Not all vans provide them, and Tenerife’s landscapes demand them.
• Picnic blanket – Beach stops? Sunrise breakfasts? Yes.
• Small tent – A game-changer for extra storage or spontaneous wild camping.

Power & Navigation Must-Haves

Tenerife is an island. But that doesn’t mean you won’t get lost.

• Headlamp or torch – Because phone batteries die, and campsite toilets are never close.
• Power bank – A dead phone = no maps, no music, no photos.
• Travel adapter – Spanish plug sockets, in case you forgot.
• Basic tool kit – Flat tires, loose screws, things happen.

Tenerife’s Unique Climate: Why Packing Right Matters

This island is a meteorological contradiction.

One minute you’re sweating on a volcanic beach, the next you’re hiking through misty forests, and by nightfall, you’re shivering at 3,000 meters above sea level.

Welcome to Tenerife’s microclimates.

Sun, Sea & Beach Essentials

You will spend a lot of time outside. Make sure you’re ready for it.

• High SPF sunscreen – The sun here doesn’t play.
• After-sun lotion – Just in case you ignored the first point.
• Quick-dry towels – Because wet, sandy towels in a camper? Not ideal.
• Snorkeling gear – The underwater world of Tenerife is not to be missed.
• Day backpack – Because carrying sunscreen in your hand gets old, fast.

Mountain & Hiking Must-Haves

Hiking in Tenerife is not optional—it’s essential. Whether it’s a sunrise trek up Mount Teide or exploring Anaga’s cloud forests, these are the things you need:

• Hiking boots – No, sneakers are not enough.
• Light jacket – Even in summer, mountain nights get cold.
• Long-sleeve UV shirts – Sun protection + lightweight comfort.
• Hat or cap – Sun exposure in high-altitude hikes is serious.
• Dry bags – For sweaty clothes, wet swimsuits, or accidental downpours.

What People Always Forget (But You Won’t)

The difference between a smooth campervan trip and a chaotic one often comes down to the small details—the things that seem unnecessary until the moment you desperately need them.

Let’s talk about the overlooked, the underrated, the absolutely essential.

Storage & Organization: The Key to Van Life Sanity

A campervan is not a hotel room. There’s limited space, and clutter will take over if you let it.

Here’s how to stay organized:

• Packing cubes – Keep clothes separate and easy to find.
• Dry bags – Perfect for storing wet swimsuits, sandy flip-flops, or sweaty hiking gear.
• Clothesline – Because nothing dries properly inside a camper.
• Garbage bags – Surprisingly useful for everything from laundry to makeshift rain covers.

The golden rule? Everything in a camper needs a place.

The “Just in Case” Kit

You won’t always need these, but when you do, you’ll be glad you packed them.

• First aid kit – Cuts, blisters, sunburn. Tenerife is beautiful, but accidents happen.
• Duct tape – Fixes broken gear, torn shoes, leaking bottles—basically everything.
• Multi-tool – A knife, a screwdriver, a bottle opener… because you never know.
• Lighter or waterproof matches – For campfires, broken stove igniters, or emergency situations.
• Zip ties – When something breaks and you have no idea how to fix it.

There’s nothing worse than realizing too late that you should have packed these.

Final Tips: The Things You Don’t Realize You Need Until It’s Too Late

Stop. Before You Pack, Ask Yourself This:

1. What does my campervan rental include? – Not all rentals provide kitchenware, bedding, or chairs.
2. Where do I plan to sleep? – Campsites, wild camping, or a mix of both?
3. What’s my itinerary? – Beach-heavy? Hiking-intensive? A mix of everything?

This isn’t just about bringing stuff. It’s about being prepared for the kind of trip you actually want.