THE BEST TENERIFE BEACHES YOU MUST VISIT
Searching for the best Tenerife beaches you should visit? You’re in the right place!
Tenerife is known for its incredible black sand beaches which will absolutely impress you, so while making your itinerary make sure you include at least a few of the stunning beaches on this list!
Read more >>> VISITING MASCA, TENERIFE: A COMPLETE GUIDE
Playa de Las Teresitas
Playa de Las Teresitas is one of the most famous and beautiful beaches in Tenerife, located just north of the capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It’s a man-made beach with golden sand imported from the Sahara Desert, which makes it stand out compared to the island’s natural black volcanic beaches.
It’s approximately 1.5 km long and has a breakwater which protects the beach, making the water calm and safe for swimming. Because of this, it’s the perfect beach for family vacations. An additional plus are the lifeguards who monitor the beach.
Due to its size, this beach is amazing for relaxing and sunbathing in a picturesque setting. While it gets quite crowded in the summer, other seasons aren’t as full of people.
There are quite a few amenities at the beach, such as showers, changing rooms, sunbeds, and several kiosks selling drinks and snacks. The nearby village of San Andrés also offers great local seafood restaurants if you want to grab lunch.
How to Get There
The easiest way is to reach it by car. If you have a car, Playa de Las Teresitas is about a 10-minute drive from Santa Cruz de Tenerife. There’s plenty of free parking, which is an amazing addition. If you don’t have a car, you can use public transport. Take the Titsa bus (Line 910) from Santa Cruz, which runs frequently.
Playa de Benijo
Playa de Benijo is one of the most stunning and wild beaches in Tenerife. It’s located on the northern coast of the Anaga Rural Park, near the village of Taganana. It’s known for its black volcanic sand, rugged cliffs, and dramatic views of the Roques de Anaga.
Currently, it’s closed due to the fall of sediments and rock material, making it unsafe. Until the government finds a way to make it safe for beachgoers, the beach will remain closed to the public. However, that shouldn’t stop you from coming and seeing it in all its glory. There’s a gorgeous beach right next to it, but this one is still worth visiting just for the views.
You’ll get spectacular views of the Roques de Anaga and breathtaking sunsets if you’re there in the evenings.
How to Get There
Playa de Benijo is located about 25 km from Santa Cruz de Tenerife. We drove from Santa Cruz to the beach and it took us around 45 to 60 minutes to reach it. The drive is full of winding mountain roads, but the views were some of the best we’ve seen on the island.
There are a few parking areas near the beach, but they fill up very quickly. Come in the morning or in the evening to easily snag a spot. You can even reach it by bus 946 from Santa Cruz, if you don’t have a car.
Playa Almaciga
Although you cannot swim at Playa de Benijo, Playa de Almáciga is a stunning black-sand beach located only a few minutes away, within the Anaga Rural Park. It resembles the Benijo beach, and although it’s missing the iconic cliffs, it still offers breathtaking natural beauty worthy of visiting.
I already mentioned Playa Almáciga is made of fine volcanic black sand, which contrasts beautifully with the turquoise Atlantic Ocean. On top of that, the beach is surrounded by stunning green hills, so it’s truly a sight to see, especially if you’re a photography lover.
This beach is very popular among surfers, thanks to its consistent waves. It’s perfect for both beginners and experienced surfers, and if you’re coming just for swimming, do it only if you’re a strong swimmer.
We visited it during winter so there were barely any people, but in the summer, it gets a bit more crowded. Still, throughout the year it remains calmer and more peaceful than most beaches on Tenerife.
The beach doesn’t have many amenities, except showers and changing rooms, but you can find food and drinks in the village nearby.
How to Get There
The easiest and most beautiful way is to drive through the Anaga Rural Park either from Santa Cruz or Puerto de la Cruz. There aren’t many parking spots around the beach so it gets crowded quite quickly. If you’re planning on spending a day here, make sure you arrive early.
If you’re using public transport, you can catch a bus 946 from Santa Cruz de Tenerife to reach it. It will take you around 50 minutes to reach it.
Playa de la Tejita
Playa de la Tejita is one of the largest natural beaches in Tenerife, and it must be in your itinerary. This beach is known for its golden sand, crystal-clear waters, and proximity to the iconic Montaña Roja (Red Mountain). The Red Mountain is one of the most stunning backdrops we’ve seen at any of the beaches we’ve visited!
This beach is located near El Médano and it’s a favorite among locals and tourists seeking a more peaceful and natural beach. It’s approximately 1 km long, and it’s special for the natural golden sand, which is not as usual as the black volcanic sand on the island. The beach gets quite windy, so it’s a popular spot for kite surfers and windsurfers.
There aren’t any amenities, only a few lounge chairs you can rent, so make sure you bring everything you need with you. It’s also important to know that nudism is common at the eastern end of the beach near Montaña Roja. If that’s for you, this beach is the perfect choice.
How to Get There
The beach is near El Médano. You can reach it easily by car, best from the southern part of the island. There is a lot of free parking available near the beach, so leaving your car won’t be a problem. If you don’t have a car, you can take the Titsa bus from nearby towns like Los Cristianos or El Médano.
Playa del Médano
Playa del Médano is Tenerife’s longest natural beach, and it’s located in the charming coastal town of El Médano in the south of the island. This one is so close to Playa de la Tejita, so you can visit them together in one day.
Playa del Medano is 2 kilometers long, and it’s known for its golden sand and perfect wind conditions. Those conditions make the eastern part of the beach a hotspot for kite surfing and windsurfing. If you’re up to it, you can rent equipment or take surfing lessons at one of the many schools in El Médano.
Similarly to Playa de la Tejita, you’ll get stunning views of the nearby Montaña Roja (Red Mountain). On top of that, certain sheltered parts of the beach have less wind, making it perfect for families and sunbathers, with calmer waters.
How to Get There
El Médano can be easily reached by car, it’s situated in the south of the island. There is free parking near the beach, people park along the road, but it can fill up quickly. There’s a huge parking lot Parking Montana Roja. You can park there and take a 10-minute walk to the beach if there’s no parking available near the beach.
If you’re using public transport, you can grab one of the Titsa buses which connect El Médano with Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Then all you need to do is walk to the beach.
Playa de las Vistas
If you love a great, touristy beach, Playa de las Vistas will be perfect for you. Playa de Las Vistas is one of the most popular beaches in Tenerife. It’s located between Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas on the island’s sunny south coast. It’s famous for its golden sand, calm waters, and great amenities. That makes it an ideal spot for families, couples, and anyone looking for a relaxing beach day with plenty of things to do nearby.
Playa de las Vistas is approximately 850 meters long with calm and shallow waters protected by breakwaters. This makes it the perfect beach for anyone who likes a leisurely swim, sunbathing, and especially if you’re coming with children. On top of that, the beach is wheelchair accessible, with ramps and accessible bathrooms.
Playa de las Vistas if perfect for anyone who wants a safe and clean beach for swimming, but also to be in the lively part of town. The beach is part of a long seafront promenade that connects Los Cristianos to Playa de las Américas, lined with restaurants, shops, and cafés.
You can rent chairs and umbrellas for your time at the beach, but there are also plenty of things you can do once you don’t feel like swimming or sunbathing, such as enjoying water sports or beach volleyball. Make sure you arrive early if you want to be comfortable, as this beach gets really crowded during peak season.
How to Get There
Drive to one of the popular towns in the south, such as Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas. Once you’re there, you can reach the beach easily on foot. Make sure you park somewhere relatively close so you don’t have to walk too far. There is plenty of free parking space in town.
If you’re using public transport, use one of many Titsa buses to arrive to any of the previously mentioned towns, and then walk to the beach.
Playa del Camison
Another great beach in the south is Playa del Camisón. This is a picturesque, crescent-shaped beach located in the popular resort area of Playa de las Américas. It’s known for its calm waters, golden sand, and many beach clubs. If you want to have a more relaxed and elegant beach experience, skip Playa de las Vistas and come to Playa del Camison.
This beach is much smaller, being approximately 350 meters long. However, that doesn’t make it any less pretty. The beach is protected by breakwaters, so the calm waters are perfect for swimming and snorkeling. You can rent sunbeds and umbrellas, or just relax at Bahía Beach Club with drinks, snacks, and live music right by the sea. There are also showers, toilets, and changing rooms there.
It’s an incredibly lovely beach which does get a bit crowded if you’re visiting during summer. Make sure you arrive early to snag a good spot!
How to Get There
You can reach Playa del Camisón easily by car, with parking options nearby in town. For public transport, use one of the Titsa buses. They’ll get you to Los Cristianos or Playa de las Américas, and then walk to the beach.
Playa de los Guíos
If you want to swim underneath some of the most incredible cliffs on Tenerife, this is the beach for you! Playa de Los Guíos is a stunning volcanic beach located in the charming village of Los Gigantes on the west coast of Tenerife.
The beach is approximately 180 meters long and it’s famous for its spectacular views of the Acantilados de Los Gigantes, incredible cliffs that rise up to 600 meters above the sea.
The black volcanic sand and the breathtaking views of the cliffs make this setting one of the most beautiful places to swim in Tenerife. Even though the beach is underneath the cliffs, the waters are generally calm, making it safe for swimming and snorkeling.
While there aren’t too many amenities on this beach, there are toilets and showers, and a few restaurants and cafes are nearby at the Los Gigantes Marina. The marina is also a great place to book excursions. The most popular being whale and dolphin watching tours, and kayaking trips.
How to Get There
Playa de Los Guíos is located in Los Gigantes, about 45 minutes from Costa Adeje and an hour from Santa Cruz. You can reach them easily by car. There’s parking in the marina, it’s paid, but it’s under a euro per hour, so pretty inexpensive.
Use Titsa buses if you don’t have a car. They connect Los Gigantes with other parts of the island, and the actual bus lines you can see here!
Playa de las Gaviotas
If you’re looking for a natural, black sand beach near Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Playa de Las Gaviotas is the perfect one for you. This secluded black sand beach, located at the foot of rugged cliffs and surrounded by lush greenery, offers a stark contrast to the famous Playa de las Teresitas, which is only a few minutes away. This natural beach is a favorite for many locals, and it’s especially popular with nudists and surfers.
The beach is approximately 300 meters long, but make sure to check the tide before visiting as it can shrink during high tide. Although the tide is a big factor when it comes to the safety of this beach, if the tide is low, this beach has calm waters and it’s great for swimming. The beach has no amenities, it’s completely natural, so make sure you bring everything you need yourself.
How to Get There
This beach is near the village of San Andrés. You can reach it easily by car, it’s only a 10-minute drive from Playa de Las Teresitas. There’s a small parking lot at the beach, but it fills up quickly. If there’s no place to park there, you can park at the Mirador de la Playa de las Teresitas. You’ll have a steep way down to the beach but it’s doable!
You can even reach the beach by bus. Grab a Titsa bus 945 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and you can reach the beach in about an hour!
Playa Maria Himenez
If you’re staying in Puerto de la Cruz, this beach will be perfect for you. Playa María Jiménez is a picturesque black sand beach located in Punta Brava, a neighborhood of Puerto de la Cruz. This is another beach with soft black volcanic sand. It’s approximately 300 meters long, so there’s plenty of space if you decide to visit.
The beach experiences moderate waves, and most of the time is completely suitable for swimming. On top of that, there are lounge chairs and umbrellas to rent, toilets, and showers. There’s also space for beach volleyball. There aren’t many other amenities so make sure you bring everything you need with you. For food and drinks you’ll have to venture into the neighborhood.
How to Get There
The easiest way to get there is by car. There’s plenty of parking all over Puerto de la Cruz, and the famous Loro Parque is close, so you can grab a parking spot easily and walk to the beach. If you’re using public transport, grab any of the buses close to you that drive to Puerto de la Cruz, and then walk to the beach.
Playa Martiánez
If you’re looking for a surfer’s paradise, check out Playa Martiánez. This gorgeous beach is located in Puerto de la Cruz and due to the moderate to high waves, it’s a hotspot for surfing enthusiasts.
This beach is another 350-meter beach with black sand, but this one is a bit rockier than the other beaches. It’s not the easiest to enter and get out of, but if you’re an experienced swimmer or a surfer you’ll enjoy it. If you’re not a strong swimmer, I would suggest skipping this one as the waves and currents are quite strong.
The beach has some amenities, such as showers, changing rooms, and a small beach bar. For anything more, you’ll have to go into Puerto de la Cruz and get it.
If you don’t feel safe swimming on this beach, make sure you check out Lago Martiáne. It’s a complex which features seawater pools designed by the renowned artist César Manrique. Entrance ticket for an adult is only 5,50 euros. The pools are huge, clean, and really stunning, so it’s absolutely a must-visit if you’re close by.
How to Get There
The easiest way to get there is by car. Find parking somewhere in Puerto de la Cruz and walk to the beach. If you’re using public transport, grab any of the buses close to you that drive to Puerto de la Cruz, and then walk to Playa Martiánez.
