The beaches in Tenerife are very diverse, ranging from wild and secluded to typically touristy. Depending on whether you prefer a large number of tourists, pubs, beach clubs, or if you prefer quiet and peaceful places, you can choose the perfect beach area for yourself. The aforementioned “wild” coasts have their followers among nudists. Most often, these areas are inhabited by the so-called local hippies, who live in caves or set up tents on the slopes.
In Tenerife, you will discover various beaches, starting from light golden sand to almost black shores. The terrain structure is similar, with soft sand or rocky surfaces. However, the original beaches in Tenerife are dark and rocky, and the golden coasts were created by importing sand from other countries. The island also has natural pools formed by solidified volcanic lava. These are not beaches, but they are also recreational areas where you can enjoy bathing in water from the ocean. Tenerife surprises with a wealth of choices, so all you have to do is explore their charms!
You will also find mention of which beach has received the “Blue Flag.” The Blue Flag is a certification issued by the Foundation for Environmental Education, awarded to beaches, boats, and marinas that meet the highest standards of safety, facilities, cleanliness, and environmental standards. Tenerife boasts fifteen beaches that have been awarded the Blue Flag.
Beaches in Tenerife – north of the island
Playa de las Teresitas
The most characteristic beach of Tenerife is located 10 km north of the capital, Santa Cruz, more precisely in the town of San Andrés. It is a beach that you have probably already had the opportunity to admire in many postcards or in guidebooks about Tenerife. The beach with sand from the Sahara, perhaps this phrase has already reached your ears. Yes, indeed, the sand was specially imported to create this undoubtedly stunning tourist attraction. Let’s remember that most natural beaches in Tenerife have dark sand, so if you are a fan of golden shades of sand, you will satisfy your expectations here!
In addition to its aesthetic value, it is worth mentioning the functionality of the area. There are plenty of beach bars and lounge chairs and umbrellas available for rent. On the large and wide Las Teresitas beach, you will find the beach club El Caracol with captivating dance music, canopy beds, and beautifully decorated colorful cocktails. The spacious beach with a desert-like appearance, surrounded by green mountains and a contrasting colorful town in the background, is a magnet for photographers. Almost every photo taken in this place is spectacular. You can also take a short walk along the breakwater into the ocean!
Playa Jardin
The most interesting beach in Puerto de la Cruz. “Jardin” in Spanish means garden, and the name refers to the characteristics of the place. The Playa Jardín complex consists of Playa Jardín, Playa Chica, and Punta Brava, which is one of the most characteristic attractions in Puerto de la Cruz. The beaches are located right next to the famous amusement park Loro Parque. Designed by artist César Manrique, these beaches seamlessly blend into the beautiful surroundings filled with gardens adorned with lush local vegetation, waterfalls, and rocky caves. The impressive gardens are filled with diverse species of cacti, palm trees, and other exotic plants. In contrast to this diverse range of plants, the sand is of volcanic origin and has a black color.
The place was designed to be accessible for people with disabilities, with facilities and well-constructed pathways. Parents will also be pleased as there are several playgrounds for children on-site. The area is well-equipped with showers, changing rooms, bars, and the possibility to rent sun loungers. It is one of the safest beaches in Tenerife, thanks to the effective supervision of lifeguards. Breakwaters have been installed to make swimming more enjoyable and to prevent waves from posing a threat. These aspects, among others, have contributed to the beach being awarded the “Blue Flag” distinction.
Playa de Benijo
Located at the very end of the northern part of Tenerife, just beyond the Anaga Mountains, Playa de Benijo is one of the most spectacular beaches on the island. It owes its uniqueness to two incredible rock formations emerging from the ocean: Roque Benijo and Roque La Rapadura. Being a less touristy place, the beach maintains its pristine beauty. It is an excellent alternative for those seeking “wild” areas on the highly touristy island of Tenerife. It is best to visit this beach during low tide or around low tide hours, as the beach will be larger and consequently more beautiful. However, if the sea is rough, it can be dangerous due to resistance and currents. It is important to exercise caution, especially when the waves are bigger.
This beach shows no signs of human intervention, except for a few steps that facilitate the descent to the beach. You won’t find sun loungers, umbrellas, bars, or lifeguards here, so it’s better to bring your own food and drinks. Along the way, there are a few restaurants where you can stop and enjoy local cuisine, particularly fresh fish and seafood. During the summer, there is a moderate number of visitors, while in winter, very few people come to this beach. The likely reason is its location. To reach Playa de Benijo, you have to drive around the Anaga mountain range, which is equally stunning and charming as the beach itself.
Beaches in Tenerife – south of the island
Playa de El Médano
El Médano is one of the most beautiful beaches in southern Tenerife. It starts in the center of the town of El Médano and stretches towards wild areas, reaching the volcanic hill of Montaña Roja, which literally translates to “Red Mountain” and is now a nature reserve. Playa de El Médano is 750 meters long and features fine yellow sand. Due to its size and strong winds in the area, it is not heavily crowded with tourists, making it a perfect spot for water sports enthusiasts. Colorful kites and the boards of surfers, kite surfers, and wind surfers create a stunning contrast against the blue sky. This beach has been awarded the blue flag, guaranteeing high-quality services and ideal swimming conditions.
Heading towards the center of El Médano, you will find numerous bars, sun loungers, and surf schools catering to sports enthusiasts. The part of the beach closer to the town has milder waves, making it more suitable for families. As you walk along the promenade, you will come across surf shops, restaurants, and cafés bustling with a great local atmosphere. This beach has hosted many internationally renowned competitions, such as the World Windsurfing and Kitesurfing Championships.
Playa la Tejita
La Tejita is one of the largest beaches in Tenerife, stretching approximately 1000 meters in length. It is located on the other side of the Montaña Roja mountain, opposite El Médano beach. A path from both beaches leads to the summit of the volcano, where you can enjoy magnificent views. La Tejita is perfect for sports activities, although there are fewer kite surfers and wind surfers here. On the left side of the beach, at the foot of the “Red Mountain,” there is a small sandy cove with lighter and reddish hues that is worth seeing.
There are no restaurants or cafés nearby, so it’s advisable to bring drinks and food for the whole day. The beach is usually monitored by lifeguards, but it’s always important to pay attention to the color of the flag raised. This beach can be dangerous during rough ocean conditions due to resistance and currents. Playa la Tejita is a nudist beach where nudists often gather in large numbers.
Best beaches in Los Cristianos
Playa las Vistas
A beautiful beach stretching for almost a kilometer with a characteristic rocky island in the middle. One of the most visited beaches in the south of Tenerife. It offers golden sand and clear, transparent blue water. In the middle of the azure surface, there are inflatable castles for children. Las Vistas is fully accessible for people with disabilities. The access via the promenade meets the requirements for wheelchairs, and the beach itself has a special terrace-like area built with wooden panels and a roof. It offers a wide range of rental sun loungers and umbrellas, as well as volleyball courts. Of course, there are showers, changing rooms, and toilets available. This beach has been awarded the “Blue Flag” due to its excellent facilities, cleanliness, and safety.
Playa de las Vistas is located along a promenade full of shops, restaurants, and bars. Right next to the beach, there is a building called San Telmo, where you’ll find plenty of restaurants and bars worth visiting both during the day and at night. Amazing views and delicious drinks are guaranteed!
Playa del Camisón
A small, intimate beach measuring 350 meters, located not far from Playa Las Vistas and the famous Safari street in Las Americas with shops and restaurants. Despite its small size, it is exceptionally charming. Created for tourists, this golden beach with fine sand has two breakwaters, making swimming in the ocean much more enjoyable. The beach is adorned with bamboo umbrellas owned by the chiringuito bar, which adds to the atmosphere of the place. Trees, pathways, grassy areas, and a luxurious hotel with interesting architecture just beyond the beach create an interesting backdrop and “close off” the space, giving us a sense of privacy.
The beach, being people-friendly and safe, has been awarded the “Blue Flag.” The area is wheelchair accessible and equipped with showers, sun loungers, and umbrellas. However, apart from one chiringuito bar, there are no other restaurants or shops, so it is advisable to bring along essential drinks and food. If you don’t do so, it’s not a big deal because within an 8-10 minute walk, you’ll find yourself at “Safari,” where there are tourist markets and shops.
Playa de los Cristianos
Located right next to Playa Las Vistas, they are only separated by the Los Cristianos port, from which ferries depart to La Gomera and El Hierro. The tradition of roasting sardines marks the end of the carnival in Los Cristianos, and on the night of Saint John, the entire beach is lit up with bonfires. In the vicinity, you’ll find one of the most popular seafood restaurants, El Cine, which you can read about in our recommended bars and restaurants article. Playa de los Cristianos has been a tourist attraction since the 1960s.
This beach is perfect for families with children due to its fine, soft sand for playing and a gentle slope as you enter the water. At Los Cristianos beach, you can rent colorful animal-shaped water bikes with built-in slides. Like other tourist beaches in Tenerife, it is well-equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas for rent, as well as free showers. At the end of the beach, there is a shaded area near the palm trees on a small hill, perfect for relaxation for those who prefer quieter spots with less direct sunlight. This beach has also been awarded the “Blue Flag”.
Best beaches in Playa de las Americas
Playa Honda
This is a wide beach, sometimes with pebbles, located along a charming promenade. The ocean is almost always restless in this area. Thanks to the influx of large waves, Playa Honda is a favorite spot for surfers. It’s an excellent place to admire sunsets, the sound of the waves, and, of course, the surfing performances.
Playa de Troya
The beach is situated between two of the best clubs in Tenerife, connecting the exclusive Papagayo with the classic Monkey Beach Club. Both places are popular during the day and night. The beach itself doesn’t stand out from others; it is primarily large and has slightly darker sand. However, it is guarded and safe, which has earned it the “Blue Flag” distinction. It is also located right in the center of Las Americas, providing easy access to a variety of restaurants, bars, pubs, and shops.
Playa del Bobo
This beach features dark volcanic sand, and many people also relax on the nearby lawns or rocks. The ocean here is much calmer, and the water temperature is often higher than in other places. The beach is fully equipped with showers and additionally offers paid sun loungers and umbrellas.
Best beaches in Costa Adeje
Playa la Pinta
It is located just behind the Puerto Colón port. In this port, you can find almost all the water sports offered on our website. Additionally, there are whale and dolphin watching tours, jet ski rides, and parasailing. Besides these exciting attractions, at Playa la Pinta, you’ll find inflatable water attractions perfect for the little ones! Of course, local lifeguards are watching over everything. La Pinta is a perfect beach for the whole family. It’s small in size, with gentle waves and light sand. The beach is well-equipped with showers, sun loungers, and umbrellas. However, if you’re looking for complete peace and tranquility, you won’t find it at Playa la Pinta, as the small-sized beach is located in the center of tourist services, right next to the often crowded promenade.
In the vicinity, you’ll find numerous bars and shops. An interesting place is the Kaluna Beach Club located next to a characteristic lighthouse. If you dream of admiring the ocean while lounging with a drink in a pool and enjoying good music, then this Beach Club is just for you!
Playa de Torviscas
Gray, light sand, palm trees, sun loungers, umbrellas, showers, toilets… and McDonald’s. You could say that this beach has everything we might need. It is long and wide, perfectly meeting the requirements of families, as well as young people and older individuals. It offers an incredible view of La Gomera. There are also volleyball courts for beach volleyball enthusiasts. You can find water bikes and other attractions here as well. This beach has been recognized as one of the best on the island, being awarded the “blue flag” distinction.
Playa de Fañabe
This beach is an extension of the previous one. It has dark sand and medium waves. What sets this beach apart is the large number of chiringuitos (beach bars). You’ll find more young people here compared to other beaches. The place, especially its central part, is ideal for those who prefer a lively atmosphere over peace and quiet. If you enjoy club music, we recommend visiting Le Club on Fañabé Beach. Although Playa Fañabé is quite a touristy beach, at its far end (towards Playa Duque), you can find a tranquil spot. The section of Fañabé that ends just below the cliff with a cave is less crowded and often visited by locals. Playa Fañabé has been marked with a “blue flag,” making it safe and user-friendly.
Playa del Duque
The Prince’s Beach, a true gem on the list of Tenerife’s beaches. It is associated with high standards and luxury. It is surrounded by exclusive restaurants, shopping centers, and hotels. Right next to it, you’ll find a distinctive and unique castle. The beach boasts fine, light sand, and the water takes on beautiful shades of blue and turquoise. The fairly strong waves often attract tourists as an attraction. A captivating architectural detail that gives a “Hawaiian” character to the beach is the shredded bamboo umbrellas. This beach is guarded, clean, filled with aesthetic plants and small architectural elements, which has earned it the “blue flag” distinction.
There are free toilets and paid showers available. Despite the fee for sun loungers and umbrellas, tourists eagerly occupy them. Unfortunately, due to the large number of wealthy tourists in this area, there is a significant presence of vendors selling blankets, sunglasses, donuts, fruits, jewelry, watches, and more.
Playa de la Enramada
A dark beach with a large amount of volcanic stones that contrast with the blue azure water. The dark sand was extracted from the seabed around the beach in Los Cristianos. Initially covered with gravel and pebbles, Playa La Enramada was redesigned for tourist purposes, offering a place for sunbathing and swimming in the ocean. Its unique charm is owed to an excellent chiringuito bar, where sprawling straw umbrellas create an African atmosphere. Live concerts are often held there. Playa la Enramada is located at the very end of the promenade that stretches from Los Cristianos to Costa Adeje.
It is rather one of the quieter beaches where crowds of people should not be encountered. It’s an ideal place to watch beautiful sunsets. Colorful kites can be seen in the sky because this is where paragliders from southern Tenerife have chosen to land. If you choose a 20-minute or 30-minute paragliding flight,you will land on this charming beach. This beach has also been awarded the “blue flag” distinction because it is guarded, well-maintained, and safe. Adjacent to the beach, there is a large car park available.
Best beaches between Costa Adeje and Los Gigantes
Playa Abama
A paradise beach that belongs to one of the most exclusive hotels in Tenerife. Although it is partially private, anyone can access it. Playa Abama is located roughly halfway between Costa Adeje and Los Gigantes. Amongst the green areas formed by hectares of banana plantations, we will reach the hotel’s parking lot where we can park. Then, walking for about 10 minutes along the hotel grounds towards the ocean, we will reach a viewpoint that offers a beautiful view of a small, azure bay, the ocean’s expanse, and the island of La Gomera. Next, we need to descend using the stone stairs. The elevator at the viewpoint is reserved for Abama hotel guests only. On the beach, we can relax on the sand or rent a sunbed for the whole day for a fee of €15.
Playa Abama also features a restaurant and bar belonging to the hotel, but anyone can enjoy them. However, if you want to save some money, we recommend doing your shopping before arriving at the beach. The restaurant is not among the cheapest options. On one side of Playa Abama, there are natural pools and cliffs that are perfect for diving.
Best beaches in Los Gigantes
Playa la Arena
The beach is located in a tourist area known as Playa la Arena. There are many apartments and hotels nearby, but this tourist region is much smaller and quieter than other areas of the island, such as Playa Las Américas or Los Cristianos.
Playa la Arena features black sand and crystal-clear water. There are no breakwaters, so there are days when there can be large waves, and when the sun heats up the black sand. You may have to hurry into the water to avoid burning your feet. Umbrellas and sunbeds are available for rent. Playa la Arena is well-prepared for people with disabilities and has also been awarded the “blue flag,” making it one of the best-adapted beaches for tourists.
Playa de los Guios
Los Gigantes is a coastal town whose name derives from the Acantilados de los Gigantes, enormous cliffs that reach heights of 300 to 600 meters. It is at the foot of these cliffs that the exceptional Playa de los Guios is located. Beaches in Tenerife are usually open and spacious, and what sets Playa de los Guios apart is undoubtedly the fantastic view of the majestic Los Gigantes cliffs, creating a massive “wall” of extraordinary rock formations. The ocean in this part of the island is usually calm, and the area is sheltered from strong winds. Additionally, the beach is partially protected by the Los Gigantes fishing port and the cliffs themselves. However, you should always be aware of the sea conditions and the color of the flag displayed on the beach. The beach is small, completely natural, with dark and very fine volcanic sand.
Playa Masca
Playa Masca is the wildest and most difficult-to-access beach in Tenerife, but it is equally worth visiting. What makes it so challenging to reach? It is located at the foot of the Los Gigantes cliffs, at the very end of the 10-kilometer-long Masca Ravine, known as “Barranco de Masca” in Spanish. There are two ways to reach it. Firstly, by making a prior reservation for a trekking excursion, which is only available on weekends, and during the peak season. Reservations need to be made well in advance (1-2 months). The second option is to take a boat trip. While sailing along the Los Gigantes cliffs, the boat makes a stop for swimming in a cove where this beach is located. However, you cannot access the beach itself; only private small boats or pontoons can reach it.
The beach itself is rocky, so it is advisable to bring special swimming shoes. The water in this area is exceptionally clear and turquoise due to the beach’s wild nature. Of course, there are no bars or restaurants there, so it is essential to be well-prepared with food and drinks for the journey through the ravine.
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