Tenerife is a Brit hit among the Canary Islands, where you can flop down on a mix of gold and black-sand seafronts, hit top-rated attractions and take on neon-lit nightlife. You’ll find one of its biggest resorts, Playa de las Americas, just by following the sound of pumping basslines as night falls. The buzzy pubs, bars and clubs have an unrivalled liveliness on the isle and invite you in until the small hours.

If this place sounds like a piece of you, our 48-hour guide will come in very handy. We’ve put together an itinerary that’ll help you plan what to do and when…

The mornings

Breakfast either at your hotel or villa or out and about is a must. You’ve got to start the day right, whether it’s with a full English, couple of pastries or a fruit salad. Can’t function without a quick caffeine boost? Swing by a local coffee shop to pick up a takeaway cup to sip on the go.

Before the heat of the day kicks in, this would be the prime time to spend one of your mornings at the beach. Flake out on the sands of Troya Beach while the rays are warming up – you’ll even spy people taking advantage of the windsurfing school. If exploring a coastal plot of darkened grains tickles you, Maui Beach is pretty cool for snapping photos and watching the surfers carve up the waves.

The lunchtimes

Grilled octopus, bowlfuls of rich linguine, classic Caesar salads – you name it, it’s served around the many restaurants of Playa de las Americas. The area’s almost overflowing with eateries, so you’ll easily find somewhere for a lunchtime bite.

If you want the most authentic Canarian cuisine, pull up a pew in a waterside food joint and leaf through the menu of local specialties. We’re big fans of seafood here at Jet2holidays, but you can’t beat the classic papas arrugadas. These salt-wrinkled potatoes are simple but delicious and served with lashings of mojo rojo, a red pepper sauce. You can thank us later.

The afternoons

You can’t stay in Playa de las Americas and not visit Siam Park! It’s a gold-star must for all ages and has incredible Tripadvisor ratings, so you know it’s a good’un in Europe. The Thai-themed waterpark is an oasis of whooshing slides, daring rides and chic chill-out zones. There’s even the Floating Market!

The main event is the epic Tower of Power, a kamikaze slide with a vertical drop that lands you right by a shark tank. Crazy, huh? And there’s also the six-lane Naga Racer for something speedy. Don’t miss the Wave Palace, lazy Mai Thai River and the tamer Bodhi Trail for the wee ones.

On the second day, Siam Mall is a shopper’s paradise, right next door to Siam Park. It’s top-notch for essentials, holiday treats and even supermarket bits and bobs.

The evenings

Hard Rock Café is an institution the world over. In Tenerife, things get loud the second you wander down the Golden Mile, and you’ll spy the building easily – massive Telecaster-style guitars stand proud among Romanesque columns. And it’s not just about the grunge-to-glitter memorabilia and rock shows on at Hard Rock Café Tenerife, you can feast on everything from ribs to burgers, smoky chicken dishes to fully loaded ice cream sundaes.

If feather boas and belly laughs are more your bag, make a beeline for Music Hall Tavern instead. It operates as a sequin-embellished dinner show, with plenty of drinks to choose from while you enjoy the evening, but it’s eyes on the comedy and choreography. It’s laugh-a-minute stuff and the covers are fabulously well put together in a sing-song fashion!

The late nights

Up-until-dawn revellers, the nightlife scene of Playa de las Americas is a match for you. The ideal place to start – and maybe end – has to be Veronica’s Strip. It’s synonymous with bright lights, bars to boogie in and bang-for-your-buck cocktails. Things really kick off around 10pm – not least because people tend to eat later around Spain and her islands – so make sure you’re ready for thudding dance music, throwback anthems and karaoke sessions.

And if that’s not enough, The Patch is similar but a bit more laid-back. The lower-key vibe lends itself to families visiting as well, where dinners are often followed up by quizzes and comedy sketches. It just depends how late you’re planning to stay up! As for those of you adults going with pals or your other half, pick a bar based on whether you’re into ‘90s pop, Motown or Northern Soul – it’s all on the cards.

Ready to take on 48 hours in Playa de las Americas? We thought you might be…