Holiday Tattoo in Tenerife: What You Need to Know

You've been thinking about it for months. Now you're finally on holiday, the weather's gorgeous, and you want to go home with more than just a tan. A tattoo sounds perfect. But there are a few things worth knowing before you book.

First day or last day?

We get asked this constantly. The answer: early in your trip, not late.

Fresh tattoos need healing time. The first few days are crucial — no direct sun, no swimming, no sea water. Get inked on your last day and you'll be nursing a fresh wound on the flight home while dealing with jet lag and unpacking.

Our recommendation: book for day 2 or 3 of your holiday. That gives you initial healing time before flying, and you can still enjoy the rest of your trip (sensibly).

Sun, sea and chlorine: the reality

Tenerife has sunshine nearly year-round. Brilliant for holidays, tricky for fresh ink.

The basic rules:

• Direct sunlight: avoid for at least 2 weeks (UV fades fresh ink and can cause damage)
• Swimming: wait 2-3 weeks (salt water and chlorine = infection risk)
• Sunscreen: once healed, SPF 50+ on the tattoo forever

Does this mean you can't go to the beach? You can — just keep the tattoo covered, stay out of the water, and stick to the shade. Not ideal, but doable.

Flying home with fresh ink

Another common concern. Can you fly with a 3-day-old tattoo? Yes, absolutely.

Plane air is dry, so bring moisturiser in your hand luggage (under 100ml for security). Avoid pressing the tattooed area against the seat. Large pieces might be uncomfortable on a long flight, but not dangerous.

Top tip: pack some cling film in case you need to cover the tattoo during the flight. Four hours of fabric rubbing against fresh ink isn't pleasant.

Why Tenerife works

Beyond the obvious appeal of sun and sangria, Tenerife has a serious tattoo scene. Decades of tourism brought artists from across Europe, and competition raised standards.

Prices are also more reasonable than London, Manchester or Dublin — not because quality is lower, but because operating costs allow tighter margins.

We've been in Playa de Las Américas since 1989. We've tattooed thousands of British holidaymakers who come back year after year. We know exactly what you need and what to expect.

Written by Adriano

Founder of Lucifer Tattoo · Tattooing since 1989

Trained in Florence and Turin. +35 years experience.